Author: Maria Vollom

Final Preparations begin for Grandma’s Marathon

DULUTH, Minn. — We are in the final countdown of days until Grandma’s Marathon. To make sure the weekend runs smoothly, the organization behind it all is setting up for the big events right now. The tents have officially gone up and the marathon will resume in full-capacity this year for the first time since 2019, with more than 20 thousand…

Public Hearing Held for Hotel Astoria Demolition

DULUTH, Minn. — Five Duluth residents spoke out during a public meeting today in hopes of preserving the historic Hotel Astoria on East Superior Street. Back in 2021, the owners requested for the structure to be torn-down due to its immense deterioration. Three local businesses within the building were also asked to leave and relocate last year. The owners say…

Pinehurst Beach to Open for Summer

CLOQUET, Minn. — With the weather warming up and school out for summer, the beach at Pinehurst Park in Cloquet will open to the public Monday. Final preparations are underway as the water is currently in the chlorinating process. Despite the nationwide lifeguard shortage ,the park has doubled its numbers to 20 for the season, and 6 guards will be…

Local Artist Showcases her Creative Studio

DULUTH, Minn. — A local artist welcomed the community into her Park Point creative studio. McKenzie Kapsner is the owner behind Superior Currents, a handmade art brand inspired by Lake Superior. She grew up on park point collecting driftwood, agates, and beach glass, which she now makes inventory out of. Two years ago she began selling at pop-up shops and…

Local Tutoring Program Helps Ukrainian Refugees with Education

DULUTH, Minn. — Dr. Michael Waxman, a professor in the Chemistry department at UWS, developed ‘Tutoring Without Borders,’ a program used to help Ukrainian kids continue learning amidst the war. When the war first started, many Ukrainian citizens were forced to flee and enter new countries. This created many language barriers for those who are still in school, and in…

Summer Season Takes Action at Bayfront Festival Park

DULUTH, Minn. — Bayfront Park is coming alive as the weather warms up, just in time for big events like festivals and performances that will be taking place. Bayfront will feature different events every weekend of the summer and on some weeknights too. Some of the most popular ones that draw in the big crowds from all over the Northland…

Volunteers Began Streetscape Planting Efforts in Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Volunteers began planting on superior street this morning, for the 19th annual “dig in for the downtown waterfront,” tradition. Each year, the event is put on by Duluth’s Greater Downtown Council. Kristi stokes, the Downtown Council President, said that the planting event is a way for community members to be a part of beautifying the area. If…

Duluth Police Department Receives a $9,900 Grant for Youth Program

DULUTH, Minn. — On Tuesday at Mont Du Lac Resort, the Larry and Donna Pulkrabek Foundation donated nearly 10 thousand dollars to the departments ‘get hooked on fishing’ program, an event where officers take local youth groups out for boat ventures and fishing. The program began in 2017 and continues to bridge gaps and build relationships between officers and the…

Historic Flooding Continues to Affect Residents Across the Minnesota/Canada Water Basin

INT’L FALLS/KABETOGAMA, MINN. –“Mother nature has not been kind to us this year so far at all. So every week it’s like it could come up another foot, every week it could come up another foot, and it has.” Northern Minnesota residents who border Canada continue to battle historic flooding. It has devastated the area and hindered the beginning of…

Production Crew Begins Filming New Movie In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Production began this week on a new movie called “Merry Kisscam,” where scenes are filming all over Duluth. Producer Mandy June Turpin originally became intrigued with Duluth while visiting the Catalyst Story Institute’s Content Festival four years ago. She met many community members and visited different local places, and she says that she knew they would be…

Local Travel Agency Guides Cruise Ship Guests Through Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — A local company called Jaybee Travel teamed up with Viking Cruises to provide passengers with local experiences on Duluth land. On May 30, 2022, the Viking Oasis became the first cruise ship to sail into the city since 2013. Cutting through heavy fog and rainy conditions, the cruise landed and guests departed to shore  where the Duluth…

Grandma’s Marathon Organizer Reacts to Races Selling Out for the First Time in Seven Years

DULUTH, Minn. — The 1977 tradition of Grandma’s Marathon will resume in full-capacity June of 2022. With all three races selling-out for the first time since 2016, the marathon organization, community members, and runners are excited to get back for this years event. In an interview with Zach Schneider, a member of Grandma’s Board of Directors, he stated that, “People…