Author: Rusty Mehlberg

Duluth Resident, Ukrainian Native Prepares For Third Trip to Country To Deliver Supplies, Donations

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth resident is preparing to take her third trip to Ukraine since Russia began their invasion. Her goal is to help the country she was born and raised in remain resilient. For Bogdana Krivogorsky, the actions taken by the forces led by Russian President Vladimir Putin have been hard to watch.  “It is mind boggling that in…

Prep Work for Pop-Up CoLab Space Continues

DULUTH, Minn. – Nine businesses will be taking up space in several downtown Duluth buildings starting next week. The Greater Downtown Council and the Duluth 1200 Fund selected them as part of their Pop-Up CoLab.  Each will spend three months’ rent free on the 300 block of West Superior Street, and get $1,500 to cover expenses. Most are owned by a…

Superior Observes ADA Anniversary With Showcase of Resources

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior recognized the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with a mini expo at Center City Park. Around a half-dozen organizations were on hand to showcase their services that help people with disabilities live a more normal life. The event was hosted by the city and indiGO Wisconsin.  Formerly known as North Country Independent Living, they…

UPDATE: Fatal Crash After SUV Strikes Manlift on Blatnik Bridge, Forces Lane Closures

UPDATE (July 23, 7 a.m.) – The Minnesota State Patrol has provided more information into Friday evening’s accident on the Blatnik Bridge. On their website, they have labeled it a fatal incident. They say a Ford Expedition was traveling from Superior to Duluth when it lost control.  It struck the median wall, then over-corrected and struck a piece of construction…

Bayfront Prepares For Festival By The Lake

DULUTH, Minn. – A busy summer at Bayfront Festival Park continues Festival by the Lake this Saturday, July 23. The annual event will run from 11 to 7.   It features seven music performances and over 100 exhibitors, offering crafts, food, drinks, a kid’s area, and much more. “You can walk about and just see and do so much,” says Tracy…

CSS Host Seminar, Clinician On How Best To Help Youth With Trauma

DULUTH, Minn. – Over one hundred people got the chance Wednesday to learn from a nationally known clinician on how they can best help kids going through traumatic experiences. The College of Saint Scholastica hosted Doctor Stephanie Covington for graduate students and current support service workers. She is nationally known for adapting treatment options for children and teens dealing with issues…

Cloquet, Duluth Receive Grants to Plan Infrastructure Changes For Climate Change

CLOQUET, Minn. – How well can communities handle more intense rainfalls in the Northland? That is what Cloquet, Duluth and 10 others in Minnesota are going to do thanks to grants from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency that will fund planning for future infrastructure projects. Each grant will help communities plan for a different climate that today; one that is expected…

Monthly Car Seat Clinic Held in Cloquet

CLOQUET, Minn. – Parents got their chance Tuesday to make sure their child’s car seats are properly installed. Certified technicians with Fond du Lac Human Services, Saint Luke’s, and Essentia were at the Cloquet Area Fire District to inspect child seats and make sure they were installed properly. This event by Safe Kids Northeast Minnesota is one of their efforts to…

More Campsites, Trails Reopen at Voyageur As Flood Waters Recede

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. – As flood waters along the Rainy Lake basin continue to drop from historic levels, conditions are improving at Voyageurs National Park. Maintenance staff have repaired the locator lake trail this week, allowing people to access this part of the park starting July 16. That also includes the four campsites part of the Chain-of-Lakes at Locator, War Club,…

Judge Says Vos Must Produce Requested Election Probe Records

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Dane County judge on Friday gave Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos a second chance to produce requested records involving the investigation of the 2020 election result in Wisconsin. The order was in response to a lawsuit by the liberal watchdog group American Oversight seeking documents related to the partisan investigation by former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman. At…

5 Injured In Crash Following Brooklyn Center Police Chase

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (AP) — Five people were injured after a police pursuit in a Minneapolis suburb Friday afternoon ended in a crash between a suspect with an outstanding warrant and a passing vehicle, authorities said. The incident began after Brooklyn Center police was notified about the whereabouts of a man who had an active arrest warrant in connection with…

Two Injured From Flash Fire At Superior Refinery

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Two contractors were injured at Superior Refinery today due to a flash fire. Cenovus says construction activity led to the fire around 1:20 this afternoon. It was quickly extinguished with assistance from the Superior Fire Department. The injured contractors were treated on site, and then transported to a local hospital for assessment and more treatment. Work was…

Heritage Days Underway in Two Harbors

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – Two Harbors is busier than usual this weekend as they hold their annual Heritage Days. The event takes place the first weekend following the Fourth of July holiday. For 2022, activities got underway Thursday, July 7, and will continue through Sunday, July 10. They include two parades, an arts/crafts fair, stage entertainment, and a street dance….

Food Truck Friday Returns to Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – A summer tradition is back outside the Duluth Public Library. Food Truck Friday returned after a one year hiatus last month. The event gives the areas vendors a safe place to gather so that people can come and enjoy the wide variety of menu items each truck offers. For food truck owners like The Grumpy Goose’s Jose Goser,…

“It Is A Grave Concern For Us.” Duluth Chief Reacts To Latest Teenage Gun Violence

DULUTH, Minn. – The investigation continues into Duluth’s second gun-related homicide of the year. The shooting on July 2 killed a 17-year-old boy near the intersection of North 16th Avenue East and East 1st Street, next to Endion Park. Duluth Police spent part of the morning of July 5 continuing their investigation around the scene, but did not provide the name…

Know Your Fireworks Regulations, Safety Before Setting Them Off

DULUTH, Minn. – With the Fourth of July right around the corner, fireworks are taking flight. But before you light that match, you better know the rules. In Minnesota, firecrackers are illegal. Residents can, however, use non-explosives like sparklers and ground snakes. “Minnesota has one of the most restrictive fireworks laws and Wisconsin is not so strict,” says Sergeant Kelly Greenwalt…

Public Comment Period Begins For Blatnik Bridge Alternatives

TWIN PORTS – Anyone who uses the Blatnik Bridge to get across the Twin Ports can now help transportation officials plan its replacement. The public comment period is open for people to view the possible locations of the bridge, and whether it should shift slightly west or east of its current position. People can also see different designs for how the…

One Injured After Jet Ski Explodes

KINNEY, Minn. – One person is recovering from injuries after a jet ski exploded Saturday afternoon. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office got word of the accident around 12:47 p.m. July 2, 2022 on Lake Little 14.  That is approximately 15 miles north of Kinney. An investigation determined a 42-year-old Virginia man had just refueled the jet ski and was about…

Bayfront Country Jam Begins Busy Holiday Weekend in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Bayfront Park is gearing up for a busy Fourth of July weekend. Activities gets underway Friday evening with the 4th annual Bayfront Country Jam. Crews have been busy this week getting tents, barriers, and refreshment stands set up. Put on by Twin Ports Entertainment, they say this is their biggest Country Jam yet with Jake Owen headlining.  Also…

Police Task Force Welcomes New K9 Member

DULUTH, Minn. – The Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force has a new four-legged member. K9 Maverick is a one-year-old Black Lab from South Dakota.  He just completed six weeks of training with his handler, Investigator Taylor Stusman, in the Twin Cities. Thanks to a federal grant, he is the first K9 whose only duty with the department will…

Spooner Rodeo Prepares for 68th Year

SPOONER, Wis. – A Spooner tradition since 1954 is getting ready for its 68th year. The Spooner Rodeo will see competitors doing their best bull riding, cattle roping, barrel racing, and other events July 7th, 8th, and 9th.  Also scheduled to perform are Charro and Rope Artist Tomas Garcilazo and Rodeo Clown Trent McFarland. This year’s royalty are Rodeo Queen Baylee…

LoLa’s Flyers: How Drones Are Keeping Honeyberries Safe From Cedar Waxwings

WRENSHALL, Minn. – One may know Locally Laid Egg Company for its chickens and eggs, but they are also in the berry business. Farm Lola is the first commercial farm in the U-S to grow honeyberry at a commercial-scale, meaning it can be picked and purchased by the public.  These honeysuckles are native to Siberia and Japan, but they can also…

Duluth’s ‘Stepping On Up’ Supports ‘Safe Zones’ For Homeless

DULUTH, Minn. – Anyone who lives or travels in Duluth can see the signs of homelessness. “People are camping all over the city,” says Deb Holman, a Street Outreach Coordinator for CHUM and Human Development Center.  “It’s not just one area, it’s like everywhere.” St. Louis County’s latest count on homelessness found 606 people experiencing it.  That number has grown over…