Author: Melissa Lentz

Several Arrested in Stand Off Southeast of Bemidji

TEN LAKES TOWNSHIP, Minn. – The Beltrami County Sheriff’s office reports that on Thursday, March 16 around 3:40 a.m., 911 dispatch received information from a female caller that she needed help. As attempts were made to gather information, the call was disconnected. Beltrami County Deputies and Leech Lake Tribal officers were dispatched to the scene, in the 100 block of…

Cheerios Working to Bring Back the Bees

The effort is to battle the declining bee populations seen across the country

General Mills brand Cheerios is working to raise awareness for declining bee populations by starting the movement #BringBacktheBees, and removing their iconic mascot, Buzz.  Cheerios partnered up with Veseys Seeds to give away 100 million wildflower seeds for the cause. Those who are interested in joining the movement can sign up on their website and are asked to plant them in…

DNR, St. Louis County Warn of Water Skipping Activities

MINNESOTA – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are issuing a public notice to those planning to participate in any “water skipping” activities. This practice will no longer be allowed and those participating will be cited under Minnesota Statute 84,87 Sub 2, which states: It shall be unlawful for any person…

Hoyt Lakes Man Involved in Virginia Pursuit Charged in Court

Daniel Fredrickson VIRGINIA, Minn. – Virginia Police Chief Nicole Mattson reports that on Tuesday, March 14, around 1:30 a.m., the Virginia Police Department and St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department received information about a 29-year-old white male with an active felony warrant. The man, Daniel Earl Fredrickson of Hoyt Lakes, was reportedly armed with a handgun driving a white passenger car…

MISSING: Sturgeon Bay Teen, Found March 17

UPDATE 3/17: Louis was found safe in Chicago early Friday morning. He is currently at a Chicago hospital with his mother for an evaluation. STURGEON BAY, Wis. – On Monday, March 13, Louis Jefferson Amelinckx was reported missing after he left Sturgeon Bay with two men. Amelinckx is a 17-year-old white male and was last seen wearing a black jacket…

Traffic Advisory on Arrowhead Road Saturday, March 18

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown Police Department is notifying the public of road closures happening on Saturday March 18, for the 4th Annual Saint Fennessy 4K Run. West Arrowhead Road will be closed to traffic between Hermantown Elementary School and Lavaque Road from 9 a.m. until approximately 10:30 a.m. Lavaque Road will be closed to traffic between the intersection at…

Propane Leak the Cause of Fortune Bay Resort Casino Evacuation

TOWER, Minn. – Fortune Bay Resort Casino was evacuated Tuesday evening due to a propane leak. Several area law enforcement agencies and fire departments were called to the scene around 6 p.m. As a safety precaution, the entire Fortune Bay property, along with homes within a one-mile radius were evacuated. “We just wanted to take all the necessary precautions,” said…

Highway 61 Tree and Brush Removal Project Begins

DULUTH, Minn. – Motorists traveling on Highway 61 north of Two Harbors may encounter temporary lane closures Mondays through Fridays between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., until May 1, as crews work on a tree and brush removal project. The temporary lane closures are necessary while crews remove trees and brush in preparation fro a drainage improvement…

Evacuation Order Lifted After Gas Leak At Fortune Bay

Fortune BayTOWER, Minn. – An emergency evacuation was lifted late Tuesday after a gas leak situation at Fortune Bay Casino. The alert was sent out just after 7 p.m. for people enrolled in the Honeywell Alert system. Law enforcement officials evacuated everyone in a one-mile radius of the casino. Evacuees were sent to the Civic Center in Tower, Vermilion Wellness…

Lake Avenue I-35 Exit Will Close Thursday

DULUTH, Minn. – The southbound I-35 ramp 256B to Lake Avenue and 5th Avenue West in Duluth will close at 9 a.m., Thursday March 16 to allow maintenance crews to clean plugged freeway drains. Southbound motorists traveling to downtown and Canal Park should take alternate routes. During the closure, MnDOT and the City of Duluth maintenance crews will clean the…

Formal Charges in Park Point Drug Bust

Search warrant executed in the 1300 block of Minnesota Avenue

  DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police and investigators from the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force executed a search warrant at a residence in the 1300 block of Minnesota Avenue on Thursday, March 9. The search warrant was conducted as a result of an investigation into the suspected sale of controlled substances at that address. During the search,…

Wisconsin Legislators Introduce Family Medical Leave Insurance Act

Proposal gives working families needed benefit to care for family or themselves without giving up pay

MADISON, Wis. – State Senator Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville) and Representative Sondy Pope (D-Cross Plains) have introduced the Family Medical Leave Insurance Act (FMLIA). This Act creates a Family Medical Leave Insurance program which is completely paid for by employees. Under the program, a participating employee is eligible to receive a percentage of their pay during a time when they take…

Belknap Street Scheduled for Improvements Starting Next Week

The project is expected to be complete in fall 2018

SUPERIOR, Wis. – WisDOT along with the City of Superior and Superior Water, Light, and Power, is set to begin a reconstruction project on US 2, also known as Belknap Street, on Monday, March 20. The two-year project will replace around 1.4 miles of concrete roadway, upgrade the storm sewer system, improve roadway safety and access, and include improvements to utilities,…

Slip Bridge to See Some Improvements Beginning Next Week

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth has continuously been working since last year with its consultant engineer LHB Corp, on a new design for the blue, Minnesota Slip Bridge in Duluth’s Canal Park. The City’s consultant engineer has been working to design new custom manufactured parts for the 26-year-old bridge, which has been riddled with numerous repairs and closures…

Robbery Incident on West Superior Street in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department has reported a robbery incident that happened today, March 10 around 2:30 p.m. Officers reponsded to the area of the 300 block of West Superior Street on a report of a robbery incident. The suspects fled on foot prior to officers arriving. The victim was located and unharmed. Officers were able to determine…

Man Charged with 5 Counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct

His conduct involves victims under the age of 13

Richard Dean Wilson, Jr. CASS COUNTY, Minn. – Cass County Attorney Christopher J. Strandlie reports that 42-year-old Richard Dean Wilson, Jr. has been charged with five counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the First and Second Degree relating to offenses that occurred in 2014-16. It is alleged that Wilson sexually penetrated or had sexual contact with three children under the…

Minnesota Power’s Competitive Rate Advances Following Utilities Commission Decision

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Power has received a decision form the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) that advances the approval of its new competitive rate for some of northeastern Minnesota’s largest employers. The 2015 Minnesota Legislature enacted a law authorizing Minnesota Power to submit discounted rate plans for a limited number of its large industrial customers, including taconite mines and…

Ice House Removal Dates Approaching for Northern Minnesota Lakes

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Ice anglers in northern Minnesota are being reminded by the Department of Natural Resources that ice shelter removal dates are approaching for lakes located north of Highway 200 and U.S. Highway 2. Due to rapidly deteriorating ice conditions, anglers may need to remove shelters before the deadline. Dark houses, fish houses, and portable shelters must be…

ATV Rescue on Leech Lake

CASS COUNTY, Minn. – The Cass County Sheriff’s office received a report that a Class 2 side by side ATV had gone through the ice in the Agency Narrows area of Leech Lake, just after 2 p.m. on Thursday. Deputies and first responders arrived on scene to find the male occupant of the vehicle standing on top of the vehicle,…

Section of Lakewalk to Temporarily Close for Utility Project

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth is planning utility work along the Lakewalk Trail in Canal Park, specifically the segment located between the restroom facilities by Endion Station and the Fitger’s Complex. The Lakewalk Trail will be closed for two weeks beginning on Monday, March 13 in order for crews to work on the underground drainage system. Lakewalk users…

Cloquet Woman Charged with Aggravated 1st Degree Sale of Controlled Substance

She was on probation in St. Louis, Hennepin, and Olmsted Counties

Morningstar Webster DULUTH, Minn. – On Tuesday, March 7, investigators from the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force executed a search warrant on a motor vehicle and four occupants of the motor vehicle followed a traffic stop in the city of Duluth. This stop was the result of an investigation into the sale of a controlled substance, specifically…

Miner’s Inc. Super One Foods Purchases Grand Rapids Cub Foods

This will bring the Miner's Inc. to 38 grocery stores and liquor stores

  GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Miner’s of Grand Rapids, Inc. has reached a tentative agreement to sell its Grand Rapids, Minnesota Cub Foods location to Miner’s Incorporated d/b/a Super One Foods. The Miner family has operated grocery stores in the region since the 1940s. President of Miner’s Grand Rapids, Inc, Jerry Miner and his family have owned and operated several…

Assistance Needed in Locating Duluth Teen

UPDATE 1:56 p.m.: Darren was located safe! Darren Torcotte DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating missing teen Darren John Turcotte. Darren is a 13-year-old white male, 5’8″ tall, 118 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a baby blue jacket and light colored gloves. Darren was last…

New Report Highlights Impacts of Opioid on Minnesota Tribal Communities

In Minnesota, opioid deaths have increased 430-percent since 2000

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A new report released Thursday, highlights the impacts of opioids on Minnesota Tribal communities across the state. The report is a summary of the Tribal-State Opioid Summit that took place last fall with Gov. Mark Dayton, Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, and Minnesota’s 11 tribal nations, as an effort to develop strategies for prevention, treatment, and recovery….

LCP Lineman in Stable Condition After Electrical Contact on the Job

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – A Lake Country Power lineman is in stable condition after he made electrical contact yesterday around 5:30 p.m. The incident happened while crews were working in the Grand Rapids area to restore power. More than 4,800 Lake Country Power members were without power, as winds were gusting upwards of 60 mph. Upon contact, John Devries’ partner…

Duluth Firefighters Remind of Changing Smoke Alarm Batteries

With clocks springing ahead an hour, it's the perfect reminder to change those batteries

DULUTH, Minn. – Two-thirds of home fire deaths result from fires in homes without a working smoke alarm, according to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). Duluth IAFF Local 101 firefighters are reminding homeowners to not just change the clocks for Daylight Saving Time, but also the batteries in all smoke detectors. “Saving your life can be as simple as…

Duluth Airshow, DARE2B to Provide Free Airshow Tickets to Students

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Air & Aviation Expo, presented by St. Luke’s and Twin Ports D.A.R.E.(DARE2B) held an event today to announce that tickets to the most anticipated event happening this summer, will be free for more than 7,500 elementary school students in grades K-5, thanks to underwriting from DARE2B. Judy Weber, the founder of Twin Ports DARE Inc,…

Duluth Police Offer Tips to Reduce Vehicle Thefts

15 vehicles were stolen in Duluth for the month of January

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is offering some suggestions to help reduce vehicle theft incidents. The most important thing one can do to prevent auto theft is to maintain control of keys and key fobs to vehicles. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports that one of every eight vehicles stolen in 2015 had the key or fob…

All 5 Suspects Charged in Grahek’s Murder

  DULUTH, Minn. – Three more suspects have been charged in their involvement in the shooting death of UMD student, William Grahek on February 14, 2017. Deandre Demetrius Davenport, 21; Noah Duane Baker, 19; and Noah Anthony Charles King, 18, all of Duluth, have been formally charged in St. Louis County Court. All three are charged with Second Degree Murder…

St. Louis County Emerald Ash Borer Update

Quarantine boundaries have been formalized in SE St. Louis County

  ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced today, it has formalized a quarantine for emerald ash borer (EAB) in southeastern St. Louis County. The EAB quarantine limits the movement of firewood and ash material out of the quarantined area of the county. This is to reduce the risk of further spreading the insect. The quarantined…

First Fatal Motorcycle Crash of 2017 for Minnesota

Second earliest fatality ever

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Over the weekend, the first fatal motorcycle crash of the season occurred in Redwood County. The Redwood County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened Sunday around 6 p.m.on the 400 block of Central Street in Sanborn. A 60-year-old man was negotiating a curve when he crashed into the ditch. The rider was not wearing a helmet,…

911 and Phone Service Outage for Parts of Cook County

UPDATE 3:12 p.m. : Service has been restored across Cook County. COOK COUNTY, Minn. – Phone service, including 911, in the 388 (Gunflint Trail) and 475 (Grand Portage and Hovland) exchanges is currently unavailable at this time. CenturyLink is currently working to identify the problem and restore service. In the meantime, 911 calls in these areas will be rerouted by…

Two Of Five Charged in Duluth Man’s Murder

Three Remaining Suspects Will Be Charged Tuesday

DULUTH, Minn. – Two of five suspects in the murder of University of Minnesota Duluth student, William Grahek, have been charged for their roles in the killing. Tara Baker, 22, of Duluth, is charged with murder in the Second Degree, as well as first-degree Aggravated Robbery. This charged is up from the initial report, where she was to be charged…

Disturbance at Ashland County Jail

ASHLAND COUNTY, Wis. – Ashland County Sheriff Michael Brennan reports that on the evening of Saturday, March 4, several inmates in the Ashland County Jail were causing a disturbance by yelling, kicking on doors, and refusing to return to their cells. Three cell blocks were involved in the disturbance. The inmates were reported to be no threat to each other…

Drugs Seized in Minnesota Reach Record Highs

State agencies pushing for education and community support

ST. PAUL, Minn. – From prescription pills to Methamphetamine, drugs are being seized at an alarming rate in Minnesota. Illicit drug use continuously threatens the safety and health of communities across the state as lives are lost and families destroyed by their use and abuse. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) reports that in 2016, Violent Crime Enforcement Teams…

Lake Avenue Ramp Closed Due to Flooding

DULUTH, Minn. – MnDOT has closed the southbound I-35 exit ramp to Lake Avenue and 5th Avenue West due to standing water on the freeway exit ramp, cased by plugged freeway drains. Southbound motorists traveling to downtown Duluth and Canal Park should take alternate routes. MnDOT maintenance crews are working to open the drains. Ramps will open as soon as…

5 Suspects Arrested in William Grahek’s Murder

DULUTH, Minn. – On Friday, March 3, the Duluth Police Department along with members of the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force arrested four people in the shooting death of 22-year-old William Andrew Grahek. A fifth person involved in this homicide was already in custody at the St. Louis County Jail on unrelated charges. • Deandre Demetrius Davenport,…

Man Sentenced to 3 Years for Role in Liquor Store Shooting

Darius Leelionza Handy DULUTH, Minn. – A 24-year-old who pleaded guilty in February, to a felony second-degree assault charge, has been sentenced to three years in prison. Darius Leelionza Handy, of Montgomery, Illionis, appeared in 6th Judicial District Court, today, March 3 after a pre-sentence investigation conducted by Arrowhead Regional Correction. Authorities reported that Handy fired a point-blank shot into the…

Fraser Shipyards Working with OSHA on Burn Investigation

Company reported incident which required worker to be hospitalized

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Fraser Shipyards Inc. said today that it is working with the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers after reporting an incident involving an employee being burned, which required hospitalization. The incident occurred on February 6 during work on a vessel undergoing services and repairs by Fraser during winter layup…

MISSING: St. Croix Falls, Wis. Girls, Left Foster Home, Didn’t Show for School

Candus Flodin Makayla Hanson-Wall UPDATE 3/4: The St. Croix PD reports that the girls have been located safe, and thank those who helped look for them. ST. CROIX FALLS, Wis. – The St. Croix Falls Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating two missing juveniles, Makayla Hanson-Wall, 13 and Candus Jean Flodin, 14. The two left their foster…

Amazon Server Failure Causing Website Errors and Outages

Noticing a slow down with your internet? Web pages not loading? Photos or videos not loading? Apps on your phone not working? As you can see with our website, we’re experiencing it here at FOX 21 too. Amazon’s S3 web-based storage service is experience widespread issues, which is affecting services across the globe, causing errors in websites, apps, and devices…

St. Luke’s Unveils C.A.R.E. Channel in All Patient Rooms

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s Patient Experience Team unveils the C.A.R.E. Channel®, which offers continuous relaxation imagery and music. This channel is available on televisions in all patient rooms. The C.A.R.E. Channel® is produced by Healing Healthcare Systems, which uses evidence-based research to assure the channel’s benefit for patients in the hospital. The 24-hour format at St. Luke’s aims to…

Woman Dies in Snowmobile Accident in Iron County

IRON COUNTY, Wis. – On the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, around 5:30 p.m., the Iron County Sheriff’s Department received a call of a snowmobile crash on Trail 17 approximately a half mile north of the DuPont Road Intersection in the town of Oma. According to Iron County Tony Furyk, Pamela A. Knaack, 51, of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin was unresponsive…

American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, Prince Haakon Races Cancelled

  HAYWARD, Wis. – After unseasonably warm weather and rain, and the predicted snow missing the Hayward and Cable area, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation announces the cancellation of the 2017 American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, and Prince Haakon cross-country ski races. Instead, BirkieStock 2017 will take place as an inaugural celebration of the American Birkebeiner Trialhead and start area. Skiers, spectators,…

Renee Van Nett Announces Campaign for Duluth City Council

  DULUTH, Minn. – Renee Van Nett announces campaign for Duluth’s 4th district City Council seat. Van Nett founded the Cross Cultural Alliance of Duluth, which works to use cross-cultural collaboration to build a foundation of justice, education, and wellness for the community. She has also worked on various boards including the Duluth Citizen Review Board, Civil Service Board, The…

Suspects in Grand Rapids Beheading Appear in Court

Greniger pleads guilty to Second Degree Murder

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – Today, February 24, 2017, Kayleene Danielle Greniger, 23, of Grand Rapids, Minnesota and Joseph Christen Thoresen, 36, of  appeared in Itasca County District Court, reports Itasca County Attorney John J. Muhar. Greniger and Thoresen were previously indicted by an Itasca County Grand Jury on two counts of Murder int he First Degree and two counts of…