Author: Matt Van Winkle

Superior Bar Sells Special Drink to Celebrate Betty White’s 95th Birthday

95 cents of each drink was given to the Douglas County Humane Society

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – “Golden Girl” Betty White turned 95 years old today and one local bar held a party in her honor and helped out a good cause at the same time. For Betty’s big day, the Spirit Room in Superior donated 95 cents from each sale of their “Betty White Russian” drink to the Humane Society of Douglas County….

Group of Superior High School Students to Attend Inauguration

The six students are part of the federally-funded Upward Bound program through UWS

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – President-elect Donald trump will officially be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on Friday. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend, including a group of six students from Superior High School. The students are part of Upward Bound, a federally funded program through the University of Wisconsin Superior. On Thursday morning,…

Car Washes Busy with Warmup this Week

London Road Car Wash in Duluth saw hundreds of cars pass through today

DULUTH, Minn. – Many people out and about today were probably getting their car washed.  London Road Car Wash in Duluth had a couple hundred dirty cars pass through on Monday The warm temperatures and many people off work meant long lines all day. The manager there says today made for perfect car wash weather. “Very busy today,” said Tim…

Families Enjoy Warmup Outside on MLK Day

Many students and parents both had the holiday off together Monday

DULUTH, Minn. – Lots of families took advantage of the above average temperatures today. Bayfront Park’s outdoor rink was filled with families out on the ice. With many students out of school and parents off work for MLK day, it was the perfect opportunity to spend some time together outside. “It’s really sunny, it’s nice,” said Sonya Bombardieri. “It’s a…

Hermantown Church Helps Red Cross with Annual Blood Drive

Today's event helped provide about 20 units of blood

  HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Peace in Christ Lutheran Church held a blood drive today to help support the American Red Cross. After the holiday season and recent cold weather, the Red Cross is facing a critical need for blood. Last year, they approached the Hermantown church asking if they would help them in their efforts. “We thought ‘yeah that would…

Snow Blower Sales Increasing with Steady Snowfall

Denny's Lawn and Garden has seen increased sales compared to the past few years

DULUTH, Minn. – Snow blowers have gotten quite a work out this season. Duluth has seen nearly 40 inches of snow since November. Denny’s Lawn and Garden has seen increased sales on snow blowers compared to the past few years. The business has done a lot of repairs on them as well. The owner tells us sales typically drop off…

Snowshoers Hike Glensheen Under the Moonlight

The group is hosting the hiking tours every Wednesday night in January

DULUTH, Minn. – Despite the below zero temperatures, a large group of snowshoers hiked the grounds at Glensheen Mansion tonight. Guides with Day Tripper of Duluth led the group on a tour of the area under the light of the moon. Organizers say this event is a great way to get people outdoors in the winter and learn something about…

Preparations Begins at Lake Superior Ice Festival

A large half pipe slide will be built for kids to sled on throughout the weekend

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – The Lake Superior Ice Festival is starting to take shape at Barkers Island. Crews have already started clearing the ice for the Great Lakes Pond Hockey Tournament. This year, the festival will feature some new events. Stock car, dirt bike, motorcycle, and ATV races will all happen right on the Lake Superior ice. Enbridge is also building…

Great Outdoors: Junior Curling Program

Every Tuesday night from November to March, the club instructs about 70 young curlers

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Curling Club has a rich tradition for its global accomplishments. And for the last twenty years, they’ve been helping kids learn the sport through its junior program. Every Tuesday night from November to March, the club instructs more than 70 young curlers. This year they took in twenty new members who had never played the…

Zero Hour Escape Rooms Unveils “Lake Superior” Themed Challenge

Players take the role of an engineering team trapped aboard a sinking cargo vessel

DULUTH, Minn. – Zero Hour Escape Rooms unveiled a new challenge today called “The Wheelhouse”. Players take the role of an engineering team trapped aboard the sinking “Bill E. Irvin” Lake Superior cargo vessel. The room took about a couple months to build and test out before it was ready for the public to take on. “We thought it would…

Duluth Gas Station Will Now Pump Your Gas

The ICO on London Road is offering the free service Monday through Friday from 12 to 3 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – If the cold, snowy conditions outside have kept you from filling up your gas tank this winter, a Duluth business is offering a new service to help its customers. The ICO gas station at the corner of London Road and 21st Ave. East will now pump your gas for you. They’re offering the free service Monday through…

Tips for Keeping Skin from Drying Out During the Winter

Cold, dry temperatures along with running the heat in your home can be a recipe for dry skin

DULUTH, Minn. – If you’ve noticed your skin drying out more lately, you’re probably not alone. Twin Ports Dermatology in Duluth has seen a lot of patients with dry skin and rashes this winter. Heather Smith, a physician assistant at Twin Ports Dermatology, says mixing the cold, dry temperatures along with running the heat in your home can be a…

Duluth International Airport Paying Close Attention to Fort Lauderdale Incident

Officials don't expect any delays for flights coming in or departing from the airport

DULUTH, Minn – The Duluth International Airport says they are constantly monitoring the situation in Fort Lauderdale to ensure the safety of all people flying in and out of the airport. The Duluth airport, along with all other commercial service airports in the United States, all have their very own security program in place for any potential threats. The airport’s…

Hermantown Wellness Center Project Takes Step Closer to Needed Funding

The city requested $8 million of state funding for the $17 million project

Hermantown, Minn. – The city of Hermantown received some good news today regarding one of its major projects. Funding for the Essentia Health Regional Wellness Center was included in Gov. Mark Dayton’s bonding proposal . The city requested $8 million of state funding for the $17 million project. Construction of the wellness center is expected to begin later this year…

Duluth Airport Runway Reconstruction Included in Governor’s Bond Proposal

The DAA asked the state for $6.6 million in funding for the project

DULUTH, Minn. – Funding for reconstruction of the Duluth International Airport’s runway was included in the Gov. Mark Dayton’s bond proposal. The Duluth Airport Authority (DAA) requested nearly $6.6 million of funding for improvements to its main runway, as well as changes to Sky Harbor Airport on Minnesota Point. The DAA’s proposal was in the previous bonding bill for the…

Set Reasonable Goals to Help Lose Weight this Year

Dr. Jim Donovan at St. Luke's says to set small goals when starting out

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – With the start of the New Year, many people are starting to diet and exercise more to drop a few pounds. Health professionals say if you are looking to lose a few inches, the best thing to do is set realistic expectations from the beginning. Dr. Jim Donovan, MD, a physician at St. Luke’s, specializes in non–surgical…

Volunteers Needed to Tear Down Bentleyville for the Season

Anybody is welcome to come help at Bayfron Park both Saturday and Sunday

DULUTH, Minn. – Bentleyville saw a record breaking 292,000 people walk through the gates this year. This weekend, they’re asking for help from the community to help pack up the lights for the season. The official teardown takes place this Saturday and Sunday at Bayfront Park. Anybody is invited to show up between 8 and 4:30 p.m.  to help cut…

Duluth Hockey Company Keeping Skaters Sharp on the Ice

The business has been sharpening hundreds of skates over the last few weeks

DULUTH, Minn. – With hockey season in full swing, that means skates are starting to get a little worn down. The Duluth Hockey Company has been busy sharpening and profiling hundreds of skates the last few weeks. The store is one of the few places in the Duluth area that specializes in hockey equipment and sees business from customers all…

Duluth Family Fighting Cancer Receives “Best Christmas Ever”

A Cloquet business delivered more than a hundred gifts and presented the family $8,000

DULUTH, Minn. – In 2011, the charity “Best Christmas Ever” was started, with a mission of helping a Superior family have a life changing Christmas. This year, the non-profit organization is blessing 50 families across the United States with an unforgettable holiday. The staff at Northland Health Filtration in Cloquet wanted to do something special for a local family in…

Red Cross Assisting Families Displaced By Virginia Fire

United Way of Northeastern Minnesota is asking for the public's help to support those impacted

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Seven families in Virginia will be without a home this Christmas after a fire destroyed an apartment building Monday. The Red Cross of Northern Minnesota has been working with the displaced families, providing services they may need during this difficult time. On Monday, volunteers from Duluth drove to Virginia with food and clothing. They also arranged hotels…

Cloquet Business Giving Local Family the “Best Christmas Ever”

Northland Health Filtration will also be presenting the family with a check for about $7,000

CLOQUET, Minn. – A business in Cloquet is doing its part to make sure a family in need has a special Christmas this year. Northland Health Filtration adopted a family as part of the Best Christmas Ever campaign. The business received about 140 gifts, all donated by the community. Tonight, friends and family helped wrap the presents, which they will…

Hundreds of Gifts Wrapped For Families in Need

Volunteers and even some of the families receiving the gifts helped wrap the presents

DULUTH, Minn. – Over 700 gifts were wrapped today as part of the “Make A Child Smile” campaign. Mike Letica, with Super America, has received donations from business and people around the community to help purchase gifts for nearly twenty families. Today, volunteers and even some of the families receiving the gifts helped wrap the presents. “I was expecting Christmas…

Canelake’s Candies Keeping Up with Demand

The sweets store in Virginia says they have hundreds of orders to get out this week

VIRGINIA, Minn. – The busiest place on the Iron Range this week is Canelake’s Candies in Virginia. They’ve received hundreds of orders this month and an influx of customers every day leading up to Christmas. The homemade candy shop typically only has two or three people on staff, but for the week leading up to Christmas, there are about 20…

Monday Was Postal Service’s Busiest Day of the Year

Lines at the West Michigan Street post office in Duluth were long the whole day

DULUTH, Minn. – With Christmas less than a week away, people are trying to get their last minute packages in the mail. The postal service says Monday was their busiest shipping day of the year. Lines at the post office on West Michigan Street were nearly out the door all day. Almost every person in line had multiple boxes and…

Minnesota Lottery Proceeds Help Support Lake Superior Zoo

The zoo relies on the consistent funding from the lottery, about $140,000 each year, to help maintain daily operations and find different ways to bring more people through the doors

DULUTH, Minn. – A trust fund established by the Minnesota Lottery has helped provide millions of dollars to support environmental projects across the Northland. “It’s the zoo’s mission to inspire conservation in this region and the lottery is proud to play a small role in helping you deliver on your mission,” Michael Vekich, Executive Director of the Minnesota Lottery, said…

Changes coming to one-way streets in Downtown Duluth

City council approved a three phase project to convert from one way to two way streets

Drivers in downtown Duluth won’t have to deal with as many one way roads. Last week, city council approved a three phase project to convert portions of First, Second and Third Avenues West from one to two way traffic. The project is set to begin May of 2017. When all’s done, stop lights at seven intersections will change to stop…

Whole Foods Co-op Sees Increase in Ownership

DULUTH, Minn. – Whole Foods Co–op has seen a large increase in ownership since opening a new location in the Denfeld neighborhood of Duluth in mid–March. The co–op says they are close to 10,000 owners since the addition of the west Duluth store. The cooperative relies on the community to invest a one-time fee of $100 to become an owner….