Author: Site Staff

More Details Released in Makinen Shooting

UPDATE: The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is reporting at least one bullet struck the victim’s vehicle, breaking out the rear window and striking the front windshield. Search warrants were then executed at the suspect’s residence and the firearm, a long gun, believed to be involved in the incident, was recovered. The suspect admitted to using meth within 24 hours…

Three Arrested After Duluth Overdose Death

DULUTH, Minn.-Three Duluth men have been arrested after woman died in October from an overdose of heroin and fentanyl. On Oct. 22, a 41-year-old Duluth woman had been found unconscious in her residence on the 1100 block of North Central Avenue. Lifesaving efforts by first responders from the Duluth Police Department, Duluth Fire Department, and Mayo Ambulance Service were unsuccessful….

CHUM to Activate Warming Shelters Wednesday and Thursday

DULUTH, Minn.-CHUM is activating the warming centers at Gloria Dei and The Harmony Club for Wednesday and Thursday due to expected cold temperatures. On Wednesday, the warming centers will be open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. On Thursday, the Harmony Club will open at 8 p.m., but Gloria Dei will open at 9 p.m. because of choir practice. The…

Multiple Fires Reported on Iron Range Sunday Night

IRON RANGE-According to the Northland FireWire, firefighters from more than half a dozen Iron Range fire departments were on the scene of a house fire in Virginia Sunday night. The fire was reported around 7:45 p.m. on the 100 block of Third Street North. The blaze was in a vacant house. No injuries were reported. A cause for the fire…

DPD Receives $200,000 Grant For Officer That Helps in Mental Health Crisis Situations

DULUTH, Minn.-Today the Duluth City Council is considering the acceptance of a two-year $200,000 grant which will continue the position of a Duluth Police Officer who follows up with people experiencing a mental health crisis. This police officer is part of the DPD’s mental health unit (MHU) located in the DTA substation in downtown Duluth. The MHU is a diversion…

London Road House Fire Causes $25,000 in Damages

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth firefighters responded to a house fire Sunday afternoon on the 5300 Block of London Road. Initial reports said somebody was trapped inside, but when fire crews arrived on the scene they learned that all occupants were safely out of the home. The fire started in the attic on the third floor. Firefighter closed off nearby streets…

UMD Police Investigate Residence Hall Break-Ins

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD Police Department is investigating reports of someone opening or attempting to open doors of occupied rooms in the residence halls. UMD police say the incidents took place over the last several weeks. The department is looking for a person of interest who is described as a 5’5” white male, age 19-20, medium build with brown…

New Superintendent Selected for Hermantown School District

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown Community Schools have selected a new superintendent. The Hermantown Community Schools Board of Education voted this week to hire Wayne Whitwam, a principal from Centerville Elementary School, as the district’s new superintendent. “After careful consideration and with input from our community, staff and administration, we believe Mr. Whitwam has the depth of knowledge needed to lead…

City of Duluth Launches New Podcast

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth has launched a new podcast. The MuniciPals podcast is described as a “monthly podcast which aims to highlight different city departments and divisions as well as issues facing Duluth.” The podcast is hosted by the city’s Communications and Policy Officer Phil Jents as well as the Community Relations Officer Alicia Kozlowski. We’ve got…

Two Harbors Winter Frolic Begins Today

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – The annual Two Harbors Winter Frolic event officially kicks off today, February 6. This year’s event started with a medallion hunt at the Two Harbors Dairy Queen and a sliding hill at the Curling Club. On Friday attendees can partake in a community curling challenge followed by a restaurant chili cook-off. Event organizers say the Winter…

One Dead in Fatal Superior Fire

UPDATE: The Superior Fire Department has confirmed that a 52-year-old man was killed. He had no working smoke detectors. We’ll update this story tonight at 5:30 and 9 p.m. ——- SUPERIOR, Wis. – One person is dead following a house fire in Superior Tuesday night. According to the Superior Fire Department, fire crews responded to reports of smoke coming from…

Pedestrian Killed in Itasca County Crash

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – A pedestrian was struck and killed on Highway 46 in Alvwood Township around 9:12 p.m. Tuesday. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the man was standing near a southbound vehicle that was stalled in the traffic lane when he was struck by a southbound GMC Sierra pickup. The man suffered fatal injuries and died at the…

Dunkaroos Are Making a Comeback

DULUTH, Minn. – The popular 90’s snack Dunkaroos are making a comeback. According to a recent Twitter post on the Dunkaroos page, the sweet treat is “Definitely coming back. Summer 2020.” ???? Definitely coming back. Summer 2020. ???? pic.twitter.com/PcTswQ2TRy — Dunkaroos (@Dunkaroos) February 3, 2020 The Star Tribune reported that General Mills stopped selling Dunkaroos in the U.S. back in…

Hill City Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison After Officer-Involved Shooting

HILL CITY, Minn.-A Hill City man has been sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison for his connection with an officer-involved shooting and domestic assault incident last February in Itasca County. 45-year-old Roy Thomas Miller previously pleaded guilty to four counts of felony first degree assault on a police officer with deadly force, one felony count of second degree assault…

Mayor Larson to Attend State of the Union Address

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson will attend the State of the Union Address in Washington, D.C. on February 4 as the guest of U.S. Senator Tina Smith. The announcement was made Thursday morning in a press release from Senator Smith’s office: “Duluth was my first stop after becoming Senator for Minnesota, and I’m so glad Mayor Larson has…

Border Protection Officers Seize Over 42,000 Pieces of Drug Paraphernalia at International Falls

(courtesy: cbp.gov) INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. – U.S. Customers and Border Protection officers seized 42,390 pieces of drug paraphernalia on January 10 at the International Falls Port of Entry, according to a recent press release. The officers targeted a rail container that was set to arrive in Ranier and say the paraphernalia had an estimated domestic value of $467,372. “While CBP’s…

Coon Rapids Co-Workers Share $1 Million Powerball Prize

(courtesy: Minnesota Lottery) COON RAPIDS, Minn. (FOX 9) – A group of 28 coworkers in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, are celebrating after they claimed a $1 million Powerball prize Tuesday afternoon. According to a release from the Minnesota Lottery, the ticket was purchased by Dustin Uran of Minneapolis. Uran usually buys the tickets for his lottery pool, “Team APG.” He later learned that the ticket was…

3M To Cut 1,500 Jobs as Part of Restructuring

MAPLEWOOD, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota-based 3M announced Tuesday it is eliminating approximately 1,500 jobs in what the company says is the next step in its “transformation journey.” The company said it is restructuring as it moves to a new global operating model and streamlined organizational structure. According to a news release, 3M took a pre-tax restructuring charge of $134…

Minnesota Lawmakers Worry Local Sales Taxes Would be Unfair

Local Officials Have Until Friday to Submit Proposals for 2020

MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota cities are imposing local sales taxes more than ever before, and state lawmakers are concerned it could give communities with more retailers an unfair advantage. Legislators allowed 18 cities in 2019 to add or extend a sales tax and 14 in 2017, which is a dramatic jump from previous years when the state signed off on fewer…

Fond du Lac Band Introduces Land Use Policy

FOND DU LAC RESERVATION, Minn.-The Fond du Lac Band has announced a new policy governing hunting and access to its Band lands. Over the upcoming months, the Band will post signs that read “No Trespassing – Fond du Lac Permit Required.” Those signs will also provide more information on how to obtain a land-use permit. As part of this, the…

Test Results Negative for Two Suspected Coronavirus Cases in Minnesota

(FOX 9) – The Minnesota Department of Health confirmed Monday the laboratory results for the suspected cases of the new coronavirus in the state came back negative for the illness. On Friday, state health officials said they were evaluating two people in Minnesota for possible coronavirus. MDH sent samples from both patients to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing. The results…

Duluth Man Pleads Guilty to Killing Wife

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth man charged with fatally stabbing his wife in June has pleaded guilty to murder. According to court records, 40-year-old Ryan Jazdzewski pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Monday morning. Jazdzewski is accused of stabbing his wife, Nicole, to death in their Chester Park home after she asked him for a divorce. According to the criminal…

Portion of Lakewalk to Temporarily Close Next Week

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth Parks, Properties and Libraries Department announced that a part of the Lakewalk will be closed from January 27 through January 31 to install new lighting along the pathway. The city says Leif Erickson, to the bottom of the Portland Malt Shop stairs will be affected by the closure. Crews will start work on…

Two Killed in Itasca County Fire

A father and daughter were killed in a fire on Turtle Lake View Path in Bigfork yesterday morning.

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn.- A father and daughter were killed in a fire on Turtle Lake View Path in Bigfork yesterday morning. Authorities arrived on the scene after reports of an explosion at a residence at about 7:30 a.m. The victims have been identified as 62-year-old Christie Kurtz of Milaca and her father, 92-year-old Roy Halverson of Bigfork. Upon arrival to…

Angora Township Home Heavily Damaged in Fire

(courtesy: Northland FireWire) ANGORA TOWNSHIP, Minn. – A home in Angora Township was heavily damaged in a fire early Friday morning, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s office. A St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputy on patrol near Anton Road spotted large amounts of smoke coming from the area and reported the fire around 2:30 a.m. Fire crews arriving on…

Protective Gear Policy Released

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth says after 10 months the Duluth Police Policy Working Group is ready to present their protective gear policy final draft to the Duluth Police Department. The group, which was made up of 20 core members of the community including representatives from the Duluth Citizen Review Board, Duluth NAACP, Homeless Persons Bill of Rights,…

Edina Student Injured in Hit-And-Run Crash While Getting on School Bus

Edina Police are looking for this vehicle they believe struck and injured an Edina High School student Thursday morning. (Edina Police Department / FOX 9) EDINA, Minn. (FOX 9) – A female student was injured in a hit-and-run crash as they were getting on a school bus heading to Edina High School Thursday morning, according to police. According to Edina Police…

Whooping Cough Confirmed in Superior School District

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior School District is notifying parents that their children may have been exposed to pertussis, also known as whooping cough earlier this week. The notice was sent out to families after the district was notified by health officials that at least one student had a confirmed case of pertussis. Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial…

Five Arrested in Connection to Alleged Virginia Burglary

The Suspects Will Appear in Court on Friday

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Virginia Police say they arrested five males in connection to an alleged burglary on Tuesday. Authorities say police were dispatched to a burglary in progress just before 11:00 p.m. Tuesday on the 400 block of 6th Avenue South. The victim reported to authorities that at least three unknown individuals had kicked in their lower apartment door and…

9-Year-Old Boy Dies in Farming Accident in Boy River

BOY RIVER, Minn.-The Cass County Sheriff’s office is reporting a 9-year-old boy died in a farming accident in rural Boy River. It happened Sunday at about 5:30 p.m. Deputies and responders arrived and learned that Marshall Bader had been accidentally pinned under the arms of a skid steer loader during a farming operation. He was pronounced dead at the scene. …

Two Charged in Woodland Home Invasion

DULUTH, Minn. – The two suspects arrested in connection to a home invasion in the Woodland neighborhood Sunday have now been formally charged. Dallan Timothy Thorstenson, 23, and Martin Luther Paulk Jr., 26, both of South Carolina, have been charged with felony kidnapping, first-degree aggravated robbery, second-degree assault, and third-degree assault. According to the criminal complaint, Duluth police responded to…

Bayfield Man Found Guilty of Murder

CARLTON COUNTY, Minn. – A Bayfield man accused of fatally shooting his uncle and injuring his cousin in 2018 has been found guilty of murder. James Montano, 34, was found guilty of premeditated first-degree murder, intentional second-degree murder, and attempted premeditated first-degree murder early Wednesday morning in a Carlton County courtroom. In April 2018 Montano shot and killed his Uncle…

LIVE: The U.S. Senate Begins the Impeachment Trial of President Donald Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell abruptly changed his proposed rules for President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial after senators objected. He is now offering three days, rather than two, for opening arguments from each side. Democrats objected strongly to rules proposed by the Republican leader for compressed arguments and a speedy trial. Chief Justice John Roberts gaveled in…

Union for Plow Drivers Approves Deal Ending Strike

EVELETH, Minn.-The union for St. Louis County plow drivers has approved a deal that will end their strike which began last Wednesday. The vote passed 133-0. According to a press release from St. Louis County, the tentative agreement was reached today at approximately 2 a.m., following 15 hours of mediation. Details of the agreement include: A three-year contract for 2020-22,…

Northland Begins Prepping for Big Storm

DULUTH, Minn.-With that big storm ready to hit the Northland, hardware shops are swamped with customers who are looking to get some last-minute items. Over at Marshall Hardware in Lakeside, items like salt and roof rakes are flying off the shelves, but employees say that even though you may have had a shovel during the last storm, you might need…

Closings & Delays for January 18, 19

Both Denfeld Snow Ball and East Sweetheart Dances Will be Postponed Due to Weather

Saturday College of St. Scholastica’s “Survivor Songs” concert – Canceled ALL ISD 709 High School events – Canceled All home and away games, meets, and contests All practices at all facilities Robotics Duluth Community Education Classes – Canceled Denfeld Snow Ball Dance – Postponed East High School Sweetheart Dance – Postponed School District of Superior – all sporting events and…

Former Beargrease Champ Returning to 2020 Race

DULUTH, Minn. – Four-time John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon champion Nathan Schroeder will be returning to the race this year. The announcement was made Thursday morning on the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon Facebook page. Schroeder won his 4th Beargrease title in 2016 and has completed the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race four times. He was also named the 2014…

Authorities Identify Victim in Eveleth House Fire

(courtesy: Facebook/Northland FireWire) EVELETH, Minn. – Authorities have released the name of the victim who died in a house fire in Eveleth on Tuesday. The Eveleth Police Department identified the victim as 77-year-old Bonnie Mae Phinney. The fire was reported around 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in the 700 Block of North Court. When fire crews arrived on scene the home was…

Governor Includes Shoreline Projects in Duluth in Latest Bonding Proposal

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan announced the final bonding packages Wednesday morning in their Local Jobs and Project Plan which includes funds for Duluth’s shoreline projects. The Local jobs and Project Plan includes The Public Safety and Asset Preservation package, an $857 million proposal, includes funding for armories, police stations, fire departments, and…