Author: Site Staff

Parents File Lawsuit Against Rock Ridge School District Over Mask Mandate

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Following last week’s announcement that Rock Ridge schools would be implementing a mask mandate for all students, staff, and visitors a group of parents has responded by filing a lawsuit against the district on Monday. The group of nearly 300 parents is asking in the lawsuit to cease implementation of the district’s “COVID-19 Mitigation Plan” and to…

Target Submits Application for Expansion, Remodel Project in Duluth

  DULUTH, Minn. – The Target Corporation has submitted a development application for an expansion and remodel project for the Duluth Target location. According to the application submitted to the Planning Commission, the Target store will undergo a complete store remodel and an exterior upgrade and expansion of 16,448 square feet on the north side of the building. “The new…

Duluth Man Facing 21 Charges Following Friday Standoff With Police

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth man involved in a 6-hour standoff with police Friday evening after allegedly attempting to rob a bank at gunpoint in Superior, in addition to multiple other crimes, is now facing 21 criminal charges. According to the criminal complaint, Cody Lee Walker-Nelson, 30, began his hours-long crime spree around 7:45 a.m. Friday morning when he’s accused…

Essentia Health Imposing Additional Visitor Restrictions Beginning Tuesday

DULUTH, Minn. – Officials at Essentia Health say COVID-19 restrictions will once again be implemented for visitors due to increasing COVID patient volumes. Visitors will be restricted at Essentia Health facilities located in northwestern Wisconsin and northeastern Minnesota, west to Brainerd beginning Tuesday. Adult patients Inpatients: No visitors allowed, with the following exception: One adult visitor is permitted for vulnerable…

New COVID Testing Options Offered on the Iron Range

VIRGINIA, Minn. – New COVID-19 testing options are available on the Iron Range starting this week. St. Louis County Public Health along with the Minnesota Department of Health has increased the availability of walk-in saliva tests in Eveleth and Virginia. Free saliva tests are now available on the following days at the following locations, and will continue until further notice:…

John Ek and Whelp Fire Closure Lifted in the BWCAW

(Sarah Shapiro/USDA Forest Service via AP) DULUTH, Minn. – Forest officials say they are lifting the remaining closures in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness effective today. The last of the closures were the John Ek and Whelp Fire closures which are being lifted because of the low fire activity and decreasing fire danger due to fall weather conditions and…

DECC to Offer Expanded COVID Testing Beginning Monday

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Health announced Friday afternoon it will offer expanded COVID-19 testing at the DECC starting Monday. COVID testing space will double from 5,000 to 10,000 square feet to accommodate the additional testing and staff. Testing will be available Monday through Saturday and beginning October 12, will be available Tuesday through Saturday. Walk-ins are welcome,…

Duluth Police in Standoff With “Armed and Dangerous Individual” in West Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Multiple law enforcement agencies are in a standoff in West Duluth with an “armed and dangerous individual.” Officials say the Hermantown Police Department, Saint Louis County Sheriffs Department, Superior Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, and DPD’s Tactical Response Team are on scene at an apartment building on Central Avenue where the suspect is believed to be inside….

Duluth Police Respond to Individual Showing “Complete Disregard to Human Safety”

UPDATE: DULUTH, Minn. – According to the Duluth Police Department Facebook page, officers are currently on scene at an apartment building in the area of Central Avenue and Grand Avenue where they have reported an “armed individual” is believed to be inside. Police are trying to speak to the individual and bring him safely into custody. The public is asked…

Duluth Firefighters, Local 101 to Wear Pink Shirts in October for Breast Cancer Awareness

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department and the Duluth Firefighters Local 101 are teaming up for breast cancer awareness month. During the month of October, they will be wearing official pink uniform shirts for several years to bring awareness for prevention and early detection. The Department and Local 101 have worn the shirts for several years to support survivors…

MN BCA Provides Update in Duluth Officer-Involved Shooting

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota BCA has identified the deputy involved in the Tuesday morning in the Morgan Park neighborhood. The MN BCA says Deputy Jason Kuhnly discharged his firearm on September 28 injuring 29-year-old Jesse Ferrari. Kuhnly has been with the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office for eight years and is on standard administrative leave. No weapons were recovered…

Grandma’s Marathon 2022 Registration to Open Friday

DULUTH, Minn. – Registration for the 2022 Grandma’s Marathon opens tomorrow. Registration for all three weekend races is first-come-first-served and will open at 7:00 p.m. Race organizers say the 2022 Marathon will once again be at full capacity following the altered race plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re excited to be able to open registration again with a full…

UMD Student Sues The University of Minnesota Over Vaccine Mandate

DULUTH, Minn. – A University of Minnesota Duluth student has filed a lawsuit against the University of Minnesota System over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate. According to court documents, the lawsuit, filed Wednesday, names the President of the University of Minnesota Joan Gabel, the U of M Board of Regents, and all five of the University of Minnesota campuses as defending…

Charges Filed in Duluth Officer-Involved Shooting Incident, BCA Investigating

DULUTH, Minn. – Formal charges have been filed against the Duluth man who was shot and injured Tuesday in an officer-involved shooting incident in Morgan Park. Jesse Logan Ferrari, 29, has been charged with felony fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle and driving after revocation. According to the criminal complaint, a deputy was patrolling near Commonwealth Avenue in…

Plastic Bag Fee to Begin October 15 in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – The five-cent plastic bag fee will go into effect on October 15 in Duluth. According to a recent news release, retailers will charge the five-cent fee for each plastic carryout bag which will be reflected on their total bill. The bag ordinance, which was passed in November 2019, was originally scheduled to take effect in April 2020…

Wisconsin Signs $17M Contract to Update Unemployment System

MADISON, Wis. – The state of Wisconsin has entered into a nearly $17 million, multi-year contract with software development company Flexion to update the antiquated system for paying unemployment claims that was overwhelmed last year during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal funds are being used to pay for the entire computer upgrade project. The Wisconsin State Journal reported…

13 Board and Commission Seats Open in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.-The city of Duluth needs your help to fill 13 openings on various boards and commissions. Leadership from Duluth says these positions are important as they not only allow people to share their opinions on a variety of matters, but they also get a chance to help shape the future of the city. “It’s really important to have really…

Duluth Man Injured in Officer Involved Shooting in Morgan Park

DULUTH, Minn. – Authorities say a Duluth man was injured in an officer-involved shooting Tuesday morning in the Morgan Park neighborhood. According to the MN BCA, St. Louis County sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of suspicious activity in Morgan Park around 1:40 a.m. Deputies responding to the scene attempted to stop an ATV with two male passengers that were driving…

Douglas County to Offer Pfizer Vaccine Booster

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Wis. – The Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccine will now be available in Douglas County following the recommendation from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services that certain eligible groups receive the booster at least six months after receiving their second dose of the vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine booster is available at the Community Vaccine Clinic at UWS Yellowjacket Union…

Minnesota Expands Eligibility for Home Heating Aid Program

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota is taking advantage of federal funding to expand the number of households that qualify for its Energy Assistance Program, the state Department of Commerce announced Monday. The changes will make over 600,000 Minnesota households income-eligible for the program, the department said. During the previous program year, which ends Friday, about 116,000 Minnesota households applied…

Duluth Police Identify Man Killed in Downtown Single-Vehicle Crash

DULUTH, Minn. – Authorities have identified the man who died from injuries sustained in a Saturday night single-vehicle crash in downtown Duluth as 53-year-old Brian Keith Jackson. According to a spokesperson with the Duluth Police Department, officers responded to the area of S 1st Ave E at E Michigan Street on a report of a single-vehicle crash. Earlier reports indicated…

Two People Seriously Injured in Cass County Single Vehicle Crash

CASS COUNTY, Minn. – Authorities in Cass County say two people were seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash Sunday evening. According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports around 4:37 p.m. Sunday of a motor vehicle crash with injuries on County Road 5 in Birch Lake Township in rural Hackensack. When deputies and first responders arrived at…

St. Luke’s To Offer COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses to Those Eligible

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s will start offering COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for those eligible beginning next week. The hospital says the vaccines will be given at the St. Luke’s COVID-19 Clinic by appointment only. Appointments are available to schedule via the myCare patient portal or by calling the Vaccine Clinic at 218-249-4200. The CDC’s recent recommendations for COVID-19 boosters…

Police: Wisconsin Woman Made Frantic Phone Call Before Going Missing

(FOX 9) – A western Wisconsin woman, who has been missing for more than a week, made a frantic phone to a friend before vanishing. In an alert sent out by Wisconsin state authorities on Friday, police said 43-year-old Hailey Anderson was last seen on September 16 in Turtle Lake, Wisconsin leaving the casino around 7:53 p.m. On that day, police say…

Minnesota to Begin Administering Pfizer COVID-19 Booster Shots

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has announced that Minnesota will begin administering Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots to residents who are eligible to receive one. Minnesotans who got the Pfizer vaccine can receive a booster shot at least six months after their initial series based on CDC guidance: people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should…

Fire Destroys Residence in Solway Township

SOLWAY TOWNSHIP, Minn.-At about 8:45 p.m. Thursday deputies from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a report of a structure fire on the 6000 block of Morris Thomas Road in Solway Township. Upon arrival, the residence was found to be fully engulfed.  The fire was put out, but the residence was a complete loss. There were no…

FBI Issues Arrest Warrant for Brian Laundrie

(The Moab Police Department via AP) (FOX NEWS) – On Thursday evening FBI Denver posted on Twitter, “On September 22, 2021, the U.S. District Court of Wyoming issued a federal arrest warrant for Brian Christopher Laundrie pursuant to a Federal Grand Jury indictment related to Mr. Laundrie’s activities following the death of Gabrielle Petito.” On September 22, 2021, the U.S….

Saturday Appointments Now Offered at Essentia Health-West Duluth Clinic

DULUTH, Minn. – The Essentia Health-West Duluth Clinic is now offering appointments Saturday appointments twice a month. Hospital officials say the clinic will be open for appointments on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. “At Essentia Health, we understand that illnesses and injuries don’t always happen during regular business hours and life…

Duluth Costco Set to Open October 28

DULUTH, Minn. – The new Duluth Costco is set to open on October 28, according to a Facebook post from the company. The brand new store is located at 4611 West Arrowhead Road. According to the Costco website, the shop opening day will start at 8:00 a.m. In the meantime, residents who would like to sign up for new memberships…

Physical Altercation Between ‘Several Students’ Causes Lockdown at Denfeld High School

DULUTH, Minn. – District officials say Denfeld High School went into lockdown Wednesday afternoon after a physical altercation broke out among several students. The school remained in lockdown between 2:45 p.m. and 3:24 p.m. “Staff immediately responded and worked to de-escalate the situation and the police were called as a precautionary measure to assist with student safety during dismissal,” said…

Chisholm Man Dies After Semi Rolls at Intersection in Makinen

MAKINEN, Minn. – Authorities say a Chisholm man died on Tuesday after the semi tractor-trailer he was driving rolled at an intersection in Makinen. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement and first responders were dispatched to a single-vehicle accident around 6:18 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Townline Road and the Long Lake Road in unorganized…

City Crews Responding to Water Main Break, Service Leak in West Duluth, Park Point Neighborhoods

DULUTH, Minn. – City of Duluth Utility Operations crews are responding to a water main break and service leak in the West Duluth and Park Point neighborhoods. The breaks were reported just before 11:30 a.m. Monday. The water main break is located at 71st Avenue West and Redruth Street. The water is currently shut off on Redruth Street from South…

One Dead in Camper Fire Near Deer River

DEER RIVER, Minn. – The body of an adult male was found inside of a camper near Deer River early Tuesday morning after a fire reportedly broke out in the camper at the Little Winnie Resort. According to the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the call of a camper on fire a the resort around 12:10 a.m. The…

Suspect in 2018 Fatal Hibbing Shooting Found Guilty

HIBBING, Minn. – The 32-year-old man accused in a fatal 2018 shooting in Hibbing has been found guilty of multiple charges including first-degree premeditated murder. Jerome Dionte Spann was found guilty of first-degree-premeditated, murder in the second degree, and assault in the second degree on Monday. Last month Spann waived his right to a trial by jury opting for a…

Logging Equipment Show Returns to Grand Rapids

The event also features many different events including the loader and master loader contests.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.-A major logging equipment show has returned to Grand Rapids after a one year hiatus due to the pandemic. The 67th annual North Star Expo is held through tomorrow at the Itasca County Fairgrounds and features over 100 exhibitors with a showcase focused on the latest in logging technology, while also serving to honor loggers. “We harvest less…

Man Identified in Motorcycle vs. Vehicle Crash in Fond du Lac

FOND DU LAC, Minn. – Duluth Police have identified the man who died Thursday afternoon after crashing his motorcycle into another vehicle in the Fond du Lac neighborhood. According to police, 66-year-old James William Chinn, of Duluth, passed away from injuries he sustained after crashing his motorcycle into the back of another vehicle that was stopped for a school bus…

Duluth Fire Crews Responding to Structure Fire in Central Hillside Neighborhood

UPDATE: DULUTH, Minn. – According to the Duluth Fire Department, two adult dogs and six puppies died in the Central Hillside house fire Friday morning. One adult dog survived the fire and was brought to the Lake Superior Vet Hospital. “Without the lifesaving efforts of the firefighters and oxygen mask the dog wouldn’t have made it,” said City of Duluth…