Author: Dan Hanger

Deck Of Cards Picks Council Pres.; Mayor Paine Vetoes Censure Against Councilor Van Sickle

SUPERIOR, Wis. – It was a heated Superior City Council meeting Tuesday night that included a censure vote and a cutting of the cards to finally pick a council president after three failed votes at past council meetings. In a 6-4 vote, the council sided with City Attorney Frog Prell’s Report — against Mayor Paine’s Conclusion — that a deck…

Superior Councilors Sutherland, Van Sickle Call To Censure Each Other

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Heads are butting at Superior City Hall as two councilors have introduced resolutions to formally censure each other at Tuesday night’s city council meeting. Acting Council President Craig Sutherland is calling to censure Councilor Jenny Van Sickle over her recent social media blast against longtime City Attorney Frog Prell after Prell concluded it is legal to select…

Superior Councilor Van Sickle Blasts City Attorney Prell As Incompetent, Lazy

Issue stems from City Attorney Frog Prell's conclusion that the council can vote in a president with a deck of cards.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior City Councilor Jenny Van Sickle is blasting longtime City Attorney Frog Prell for his conclusion that it is legal to select a council president by drawing from a deck of cards — something Mayor Jim Paine has said is illegal. In a post on Twitter, Van Sickle calls Prell lazy and incompetent. “Prell has a long…

Cloquet Area Firefighter Resigns After FOX 21’s Report on Sexual Assault Allegations

CLOQUET, Minn. – We have a follow-up to a story FOX 21’s Nikki Davidson brought you Wednesday night involving a Northland first responder who was accused but never charged in St. Louis County and Carlton County of two separate cases of sexual assault, which in one case involved a 16-year-old girl. Thursday at 6 a.m., that 29-year-old first responder with…

Cloquet Police Detective Fired; Officer’s Attorney Calls Out Council, County Attorney

CLOQUET, Minn. – A longtime Cloquet police officer of 22 years has been fired from the job for what the city calls allegations of misconduct. K9 detective Scott Holman was terminated by the city council Tuesday in a 4-2 vote. Allegations against Holman were not made available by City Administrator Aaron Reeves because he said it was a personnel matter….

Strength In The Community $10K Scholarship Winner: Avantika D’Cruz-Wigren

DULUTH, Minn. – FOX 21 and National Bank of Commerce announced the $10,000 Strength in the Community $10,000 scholarship winner Monday night as Ashland High School student Avantika D’Cruz-Wigren. This comes after 12 finalists were chosen from area high schools – all of whom will get $1,000 scholarships. Click the video to hear from the winner! Categories: News, News – Latest…

Updated: Missing Woman’s Body Discovered On Fond Du Lac Reservation

The body of a missing woman, Wahbinmigisi “Pennie” Robertson, 31, of the Fond du Lac Reservation, has been found, according to tribal spokeswoman Makayla Telfer. The body was discovered by a search party around 6 p.m. Saturday near a rural community within the Brookston District of the Fond du Lac Reservation. The Fond du Lac Police Department and the St. Louis County…

Duluth Police Investigate Shooting in East Hillside

Victim Suffered Non-Life Threatening Injuries

DULUTH, Minn. –  Duluth police were investigating a shooting in the East Hillside neighborhood that injured a man. The shooting was reported around 12:30 p.m. Sunday at an apartment complex on the 600 block of East 4th Street. When police arrived, they located a 42-year-old man with non-life threatening injuries to the ear and surface of the head, according to…

Update: Pine County Shooting Suspect Found Dead

UPDATE: On May 30th Pine County deputies recovered a body in the Little Sand Creek west of the residence where the shooting took place.  The body was transported to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. The deceased has been identified as Allen W. Hasser, the suspect in the shooting incident.  A cause of death is pending and an updated…

Motorcyclist Killed After Hit-And-Run In West Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police are investigating a hit-and-run accident in West Duluth that killed a 31-year-old driver of a motorcycle. The accident happened around 6:50 p.m. Tuesday. Officials say the motorcycle was headed up 40th Avenue West “just below horseshoe bend” when it was struck by a car that apparently crossed over the center line. The “suspect vehicle” continued…

Speedway Gas Station Closes In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A gas station in Superior that was most known for being a SuperAmerica and recently became a Speedway has closed. The gas station is located on the corner of Hammond Avenue and Broadway Street. The last day of operation was Memorial Day. There was no official word from company officials Tuesday on why it closed. This comes…

ATV Crash Kills Man in Iron County

Town of Pence, Wis. – A man is dead after a ATV crash early Sunday morning in Iron County, Wisconsin. The Iron County Sheriff’s Office says the 911 call was received around 12:10 a.m. about an ATV accident at the intersection of Spring Camp Road and Whiteside Street in the Town of Pence. When authorities arrived, they found a single…

Cloquet Police Chief Jeff Palmer Still On ‘Voluntary Paid Leave’ Since April 16

City Admin. Aaron Reeves Does Not Have A Return Date For Palmer

CLOQUET, Minn. – There’s still no official word on why Cloquet Police Chief Jeff Palmer remains off the job or when he will return. Chief Palmer began his “voluntary paid leave” on April 16. City Administrator Aaron Reeves told FOX 21 this week that the leave “… can’t go on forever but I also can’t provide a set time frame…

Nearly 2 Months After Now-Former Fire Chief’s DWI, Mayor Larson Still Mum

Larson Appointed Dennis Edwards To Fire Chief In 2016

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s been nearly two months since Duluth’s now-former fire chief, Dennis Edwards, was arrested and eventually charged with DWI. But there’s still no comment from Mayor Emily Larson who hand-selected Edwards for that position. FOX 21 has repeatedly asked Mayor Larson for any type of response, including this Thursday and Wednesday, but her spokesperson, Kate Van Daele,…

Grandma’s Restaurant Company CEO Buys Lincoln Park Building

DULUTH, Minn. – The owner of Grandma’s Restaurant Company, Andy Borg, has purchased a building in the growing Lincoln Park Craft District. The building is the former Duluth Sheet Metal building across from Duluth Cider on the 2300 block of West Superior Street. Grandma’s President Brian Dougherty says there aren’t major plans for the building right now other than eventually…

1 Dead After Officer-Involved Shooting in Ashland

ASHLAND, Wis. – One person is dead after an officer-involved shooting in Ashland. It happened sometime after 3 p.m. Wednesday on the 800 block of 4th Avenue West in the city limits. “The shooting is currently under investigation and it will be several hours until the crime scene is clear. Currently, there is no danger to the citizens of Ashland…

More Airport Infrastructure Upgrades Planned After Runway Reconstruction

DULUTH, Minn. – More upgrades are in the master plan for the Duluth International Airport, as the final phase of the main runway’s reconstruction is underway. There are discussions to eventually extend the smaller “cross wing runway” to 8,000 feet from the roughly 5,700 it’s at now. Airport officials say a larger second runway would help to support aviation growth…

Firefighters Tackle At Least 3 Weekend Fires

DULUTH, Minn. – Firefighters have been busy this weekend with at least three fires in the Duluth area. The latest fire happened around 4 a.m. in West Duluth in an alley between 62nd and 63rd Avenue West. Officials say it was a windy one, and when it was all said and done, a mobile home and at least two garages…

Wrenshall School Referendum Fails For Third Time

WRENSHALL, Minn. – Voters in Wrenshall voted down a school referendum Tuesday, 513 no – 428 yes, that would have helped upgrade the district, according to Superintendent Kim Belcastro. The referendum called for a $14 million remolding project for their schools that included a new gym and indoor air quality improvements. If the referendum passed, annual taxes would have gone up…

Hermantown Suspect Wore Bullet-Proof Vest During Officer-Involved Shooting

HERMANTOWN, Minn. –   The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has identified two officers who used deadly force during an officer-involved shooting May 4 in Hermantown.  Meanwhile, the investigation has revealed the suspect killed in the shooting – Timothy Russell Majchrzak, 37, of Hermantown — was wearing a bullet proof vest. St. Louis County Sheriff’s Deputy Troy Fralich – a 12-year veteran…

Hermantown Suspect Killed In Police Shootout ID’d

Police Department, Sheriff's Office Don't Have Body Cameras

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The suspect who was killed in an officer-involved shooting in Hermantown Saturday has been identified as Timothy Russell Majchrzak, 37, of Hermantown, according to the Midwest Medical Examiner. He died of multiple gunshot wounds. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension will provide additional information,  including the names of the deputies, after the initial interviews with people involved are…

Millard LaJoy Dies at 106 Years Old

DULUTH, Minn. – Millard LaJoy — a man we have followed since he turned 100 — has died at the age of 106. LaJoy, of Pike Lake, died peacefully Friday in his sleep. He graduated in 1930 from Duluth Central and went to the U of M to receive engineering and law degrees. He owned Cubs Roller Skating Rink, worked…

Duluth Officer Shot On Duty Remembers Fallen K-9, Trains For Next Chapter With New K-9

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s been four months since a suicidal domestic-assault suspect shot Duluth police officer Aaron Haller and fatally shot his K-9 partner Haas. Officer Aaron Haller and K-9 Haas People lined the street during Haas’ funeral procession, and they’d later pack the DECC for his memorial. As FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports, Aaron and his wife open up…

Vista Fleet’s Season Starts Friday With Discounted Tickets

DULUTH, Minn. – The Vista Fleet — one of  Duluth’s top tourist attractions — is ready to sail Friday, May 3. This comes after a 40-percent decline in business last season during complications with the delayed seawall reconstruction project in the Minnesota Slip. Vista officials say they’re ready to have a full season free of construction, and they’re going to…

‘Titanium Partners’ Purchases Temple Opera Building; Plans Revealed

DULUTH, Minn. – The historic Temple Opera Building next to the NorShor Theatre in downtown Duluth officially has a new owner — and changes are on the way. That owner is Titanium Partners, which is also behind the new multi-million dollar high-rise apartment building planned just blocks away, as FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports. The revitalization of downtown Duluth is…

Semi Loses Control, Slams Into 5 Vehicles On ‘Can of Worms’

DULUTH, Minn. – Scary moments for drivers on the “Can of Worms” in Duluth Wednesday after a semi lost control and slammed into five vehicles. The crash happened around 3:30 p.m. on Highway 53 at the intersection of the Northbound I-35 off-ramp. The Minnesota State Patrol said the semi’s brakes likely failed before the crash.   The five vehicles hit…

Irvin May Not Return To Slip Until August; Ship’s Maintenance Work In Question

DULUTH, Minn.- The William A. Irvin may not get its paint job and rehab work after all. According to DECC’s Executive Director Chelly Townsend, the bids for the Irvin’s maintenance work at Fraser Shipyards are coming in higher than expected. Townsend said they can’t pay much more than $500,000 worth of grant money available from the Minnesota Historical Society. The…

City Of Duluth Encourages Pothole Reports As Crews Hit The Streets

DULUTH, Minn. – Warmer weather is giving Duluth public works crews more chances to patch up winter potholes. A crew was spotted patching away on London Road Thursday. The city will have six crews filling potholes full time this summer, which is an increase from last year. “The late snow storms had a large effect on the overall ability to…

Passerby Finds Body In Chester Creek

DULUTH, Minn. — A death investigation is underway after a body was found Tuesday evening in Chester Creek. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, a passerby spotted the body lying face down around 4:30 p.m. under the Chester Creek Bridge on East 9th Street. Authorities believe the victim is an adult male.  Investigators do not suspect foul play, according…

Mayor Larson To Deliver State Of The City Address Monday

DULUTH, Minn. (Press Release) – Mayor Larson will hold her fourth State of the City address on Monday, April 15th, 2019 at 6:00 pm at Myers-Wilkins Elementary School in the gymnasium. Doors will open at 5:30 pm. The program will begin at 6:00 pm which includes drumming by Myers-Wilkins students, comments from Council President Noah Hobbs, and poet laureate Gary…

Championship Celebration Tuesday for UMD Bulldogs

DULUTH, Minn. (Press Release) – Bulldog Men’s Hockey Team to be Honored with Tuesday Night Championship Celebration Event at Romano Gymnasium on campus at the University of Minnesota Duluth The University of Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey team, fresh off a NCAA National Championship (3rd in school history), will be honored this Tuesday, April 16th at Romano Gymnasium on campus at the University of Minnesota…

Martha’s Daughter Restaurant Closes In Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – A downtown Duluth restaurant that’s been open for only about a year has announced it is closing its doors for good and solely offering a “pop-up service.” Martha’s Daughter opened in the former Coney Island location on East Superior Street in early 2018 to serve locally sourced and sustainable food. A GoFundMe created by the owner, Nyanyika Banda,…

Kennedy Announces Run For Duluth City Council Dist. 5

DULUTH, Minn. – A life-long resident of West Duluth is running for the 5th District City Council seat currently held by Jay Fosle. Janet Kennedy made her announcement Monday at Beaner’s Central in West Duluth. Kennedy says she’s focused on community centered economic development, decreasing health disparities, and improving infrastructure and transportation. Kennedy ran against Fosle in 2015 with roughly…

Evers Budget Restores Eminent Domain For Bike Trails

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Tony Evers’ budget proposal would restore local governments’ power to seize private property for bike and recreational trails. Republican lawmakers added to the budget a prohibition on local government and state agencies using eminent domain powers to establish or extend bike trails, recreational trails and sidewalks into the last state budget. That came at the…

New Hotel Development Planned For Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth is in line for another new hotel development near the Miller Hill Mall. The 82-room hotel with four floors is a Fairfield Inn and Suites. The company, Brutger Equities out of St. Cloud, wants to build the hotel at the corner of Maple Grove Road and Cottonwood Avenue. That location is next to the Days Inn…

Gov. Tim Walz Delivers State Of The State Speech

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Gov. Tim Walz has called on Minnesota to write a new story about how a government divided between Democrats and Republicans puts aside ideology and comes together for the good of the people. The Democratic governor used his first State of the State speech Wednesday night to say the state of the state is “strong.” And…

Police Investigate Shooting In Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. —  Duluth police are investigating a shooting in the heart of the city’s downtown that left one man with a gunshot wound to the face, according to authorities. The call came in about 11:20 p.m. Tuesday for a report of a shooting on West Superior Street between 1st Avenue West and 2nd Avenue West. The crime scene tape…

Endorsement Controversy Involving Superior Mayor Jim Paine, Council Candidates

SUPERIOR, Wis. — There are growing concerns among some Superior city leaders — inside and outside the council chambers — involving Mayor Jim Paine’s decision to publicly endorse three council candidates in a political ad that’s running on both television and social media before Tuesday’s election. As FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports, one of those endorsed candidates is an incumbent…

1 Stabbed, 1 Arrested After Fight In Duluth’s East Hillside

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police arrested a 29-year-old woman Tuesday night after a fight that ended in a stabbing in Duluth’s East Hillside neighborhood. The call came in around 8:20 p.m. on the 600 block of East 6th Street. When officers arrived on scene, a 25-year-old woman was found outside with “significant but not life-threatening injuries,” according to release by…