Author: Site Staff

Five Injured After Vehicle vs. Horse and Buggy Crash

WASHBURN COUNTY, Wis. – A man was arrested Monday afternoon for driving drunk and rear-ending a horse and buggy injuring five children in Washburn County. According to the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office, the accident happened around 3:36 p.m. Monday on County Highway M near Church Road. Authorities say the horse and buggy were traveling northbound on County Highway M and…

33rd Annual Duluth Wedding Show Postponed to March

DULUTH, Minn. – The 33rd annual Duluth Wedding show has been postponed to March due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Lundeen Group announced on Thursday that the show, originally scheduled for Saturday, January 9 at the DECC, has been pushed to Sunday, March 14. “We have reviewed the latest State of Minnesota guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and, as…

Gov. Walz Calls Special Session to Pass COVID-19 Relief

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced Wednesday that he will convene a special session of the Minnesota Legislature on Monday in order to provide COVID-19 relief in the state. Additionally, Gov. Walz says he intends to extend the COVID-19 peacetime emergency by another 30 days. “Minnesota’s small businesses and workers are bearing a large burden of the…

One Dead in Itasca County Logging Truck Crash

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – A Deerwood man is dead after crashing into the side of a logging truck Tuesday morning, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. Reports state the accident happened on Highway 169 near Itasca County Road 450 around 10:13 a.m. Authorities say a 2015 Ford Explorer, driven by Michael Alan Brandt, 69, was traveling north on Highway 169…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, December 9

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 4,539 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Wednesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 363,719 in the state. Health officials also reported 82 news deaths bringing the death total to 4,109 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 4,690,213 tests have been completed to date. There are…

ArcelorMittal USA Completes Sale to Cleveland-Cliffs

(AP Photo/Michel Euler) CLEVELAND, Oh. –  On Wednesday, ArcelorMittal announced the sale of ArcelorMittal USA to Cleveland-Cliffs has been completed. According to reports, the sale was for $1.4 billion in cash and shares. The deal, announced in September by the companies, makes Cleveland-Cliffs the largest flat-rolled steel and iron ore pellet producer in North America. “I would like to thank…

Deputies Identified in Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting in Mt. Iron

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. – The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has identified the two deputies involved in the fatal officer-involved shooting in Mountain Iron on Saturday. According to a recent press release from the Minnesota BCA, Deputy Ryan Smith and Deputy Matt Tomsich were involved in the shooting that killed 19-year-old Estavon Dominick Elioff. Smith has been with the St….

Willow River Man Sentenced for Criminal Vehicular Homicide

PINE COUNTY, Minn. – A Willow River man has been sentenced to 41 months in prison for driving through Kettle River while high on meth last September resulting in the death of one of his passengers. According to court records, Preston Prokasky, 44, pleaded guilty to criminal vehicular homicide in January and was sentenced on Tuesday. Court documents say Prokasky…

Minnesota in Line to Get 183,400 COVID-19 Vaccines by the End of 2020

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Gov. Tim Walz and state health officials outlined Minnesota’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan in a statewide address Tuesday. Walz said he expects Minnesota will get its first vaccine shipment “sometime in the next week or so.” However, Walz cautions there is an unclear and shifting schedule for delivery of both Pfizer and Moderna’s initial vaccines. Minnesota is…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Tuesday, December 8

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 3,080 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Tuesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 359,203 in the state. Health officials also reported 22 news deaths bringing the death total to 4,027 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 4,650,726 tests have been completed to date. There are…

Wisconsin Breaks Record for Daily COVID-19 Deaths

MADISON, Wis.-COVID-19 cases continue to surge across Wisconsin as the state broke its record for number of daily deaths with 107. Currently, there are 3,420 deaths in the state. Governor Tony Evers warned today against gathering for the holidays, asking we all do our part to stay safe and healthy. “Too many Wisconsinites will celebrate this holiday season without a…

Longtime Duluth Judge Named President,CEO of Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation

DULUTH, Minn. – On Tuesday, the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation Board of Trustees announced a long time Duluth judge Shaun Floerke as their next president and CEO. Floerke, 55, takes over after Holly Sampson retired after 30 years from the organization in June. David Montgomery has been acting as interim CEO since July while the organization searched for a…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Tuesday, December 1

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 3,570 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Tuesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 322,312 in the state. Health officials also reported 22 news deaths bringing the death total to 3,615 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 4,284,823 tests have been completed to date. There are…

Deficit Gone: Minnesota Projects $641m Budget Surplus Through June

(AP Photo/Steve Karnowski) ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – So much for a giant deficit. Minnesota budget officials said Tuesday they expect a $641 million surplus between now and June, reversing their earlier prediction of a $2.4 billion shortfall from the May report. A $1.3 billion shortfall is likely for the two-year period that starts July 1, budget officials said. But that number is…

Update: Authorities Identify Man, Woman Found Dead in Grand Lake Township

SAGINAW, Minn. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office has identified the two people found dead in their home in Grand Lake Township Monday morning. The deceased individuals have been identified as 55-year-old Robert Kerr and 62-year-old Loretta Billman. Kerr and Billman lived together and were found dead in their home on Elisson Road in Saginaw by relatives and coworkers…

Skyline Parkway Seasonal Closure to Begin Tomorrow

DULUTH, Minn. – Portions of Skyline Parkway and Seven Bridges Road will close to motorized traffic beginning on Tuesday, December 1. This is a planned, annual closure for the winter season. These roads will open to motorized traffic again next spring. The portions of roads closing for the winter include: Skyline Parkway from 0.4 miles east of Glenwood Street to…

Authorities Investigating Death of Two Individuals in Grand Lake Township

  SAGINAW, Minn. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says they are investigating the suspicious deaths of two people found dead in their home in Grand Lake Township Monday morning. According to authorities, a 55-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman were found dead in their home on Elisson Road in Saginaw just after 8:30 a.m. by relatives and coworkers…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Monday, November 30

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 5,801 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Monday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 318,763 in the state. Health officials also reported 15 news deaths bringing the death total to 3,593 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 4,262,806 tests have been completed to date. There are…

TSA on Wednesday Screened the Highest Number of Travelers in One Day Since Beginning of Pandemic

(FOX NEWS) – Americans are still traveling for the holidays. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued warnings against traveling over the holiday. While the overall number of travelers is still down, the TSA still reported a massive spike in the number of people passing through airports. Thanksgiving is often one of the busiest…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, November 27

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 5,704 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Friday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 295,001 in the state. Health officials also reported 101 news deaths bringing the death total to 3,476 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 4,012,524 tests have been completed to date. There are…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, November 25

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 6,399 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Wednesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 289,303 in the state. Health officials also reported 72 news deaths bringing the death total to 3,375 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 3,956,949 tests have been completed to date. There are…

Gov. Evers Warns Against Holiday Gatherings

MADISON, Wis.-COVID-19 cases continue to climb in Wisconsin, and now the Governor is encouraging you to stay home during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Currently there are 363,973 cases in the state with 3,115 deaths. Governor Tony Evers said today that in order to help stop the virus, people must do their part to stay safe, especially during the holidays. “If…

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Gives Authorization for Line 3 Replacement Project

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – On Tuesday, Enbridge received authorization from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for construction on the Line 3 replacement project. The news comes one day after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved a key federal permit for the project. The only permit that still needs approval is a stormwater construction permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency….

Duluth Public Schools Extend Distance Learning Through January 21

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Public Schools announced Tuesday that they will be extending distance learning for elementary and secondary level students through at least January 21 due to the current projected COVID rates in the area. In a Tuesday press release, Duluth Superintendent John Magas said the decision comes in response to the sharp rise in positive COVID -19 cases…

Four Pedestrians, Two Drivers Injured in Hwy 53 Multi-Vehicle Crash

GRAND LAKE TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Six people, including fourt pedestrians, were injured Monday evening in a three-car crash on Highway 53 according to the Minnesota State Patrol. According to reports, the crash happened around 5:10 p.m. on Highway 53 at Caribou Lake Road in Grand Lake Township. Authorities say a Buick was traveling northbound on Highway 53 when it struck…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Tuesday, November 24

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 6,423 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Tuesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 282,916 in the state. Health officials also reported 38 news deaths bringing the death total to 3,303 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 3,891,159 tests have been completed to date. There are…

Lake Superior Ice Festival Will Return in 2021

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Lake Superior Ice Festival announced on Monday that the festival will return in 2021. Festival organizers say the free family-friendly festival will be held at Barker’s Island from January 29 through January 30. The Title Sponsor for the 2021 festival will be Superior Refinery. “The 2021 Lake Superior Ice Festival is a great opportunity to bring…

Two Arrested in Hibbing Drug Bust

HIBBING, Minn. – Two Hibbing men have been arrested and charged for drug and property crimes following a Thursday afternoon drug bust according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. According to reports, the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force along with the Hibbing Police Department and St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant around 1:50…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Monday, November 23

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 6,353 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Monday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 276,500 in the state. Health officials also reported 24 news deaths bringing the death total to 3,265 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 3,837,304 tests have been completed to date. There are…

Tighter Restrictions go Into Effect in Minnesota at Midnight

ST. PAUL, Minn.- At midnight tonight restrictions increase across Minnesota as COVID-19 cases continue to climb. More than 6,800 new cases have been recorded in the state over the last day along with 68 deaths. The new restrictions will last four weeks and include the closure of bars and restaurants for in-person dining along with the closure of gyms and…

Hermantown Elementary Moves to Distance Learning

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown Superintendent Wayne Whitwam announced on Friday that elementary school students will be moving to distance learning following the Thanksgiving break. Students will come in next week either Tuesday or Wednesday to take materials home for distance learning. “My hope is to get students back into the classrooms as soon as possible. With case rates jumping on…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, November 20

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 6,812 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Friday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 256,700 in the state. Health officials also reported 68 news deaths bringing the death total to 3,150 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 3,659,452 tests have been completed to date. There are…

DECC, Visit Duluth Move Forward With Merger Discussions

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center and the city’s destination marketing arm — Visit Duluth — are moving forward with discussions to merge operations as they continue to face serious financial strains from the pandemic. The merger is the official recommendation just released by a working group made up of board members from each entity. The discussions were…

Mont du Lac Resport to Open This Weekend

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Mont du Lac Resort announced on Thursday that it will be opening its Ski Hill this Saturday. The resort, located in Superior, will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ski Runs Main and Pancake will be open for the weekend as well as the Chairlift and Pancake Conveyor. Lift tickets will be $9.99 and rentals…

What’s Open and Closed Under Minnesota’s 4-Week Pause?

(FOX 9) – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s four-week pause in response to surging COVID-19 cases statewide will impact many facets of daily life in Minnesota The shutdown goes into effect Friday, Nov. 20 at 11:59 p.m. and runs through Dec. 18. Here’s a look at what businesses and activities will be impacted by the order. WHAT BUSINESSES ARE CLOSED? Restaurants, food courts, bars, cafes, breweries,…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, November 19

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 7,877 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Thursday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 249,906 in the state. Health officials also reported 72 news deaths bringing the death total to 3,082 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 3,601,197 tests have been completed to date. There are…

DEDA Approves Option to Purchase Agreement for West Duluth Affordable Housing Development

DULUTH, Minn. – On Wednesday night the Duluth Economic Development Authority approved a resolution to provide the Minneapolis-based nonprofit Aeon Inc. an option to purchase agreement for vacant land near the Menards in West Duluth. Aeon Inc. hopes to build 120 affordable housing apartment units on the plot of land which is located on the corner of Wadena Street and…

Great Lakes Aquarium Temporarily Closing Due to Governor’s Orders

DULUTH, Minn. – The Great Lakes Aquarium will temporarily close beginning Saturday, November 21 due to the Governor’s orders. The aquarium says the closures will stay in place for four weeks following the newest Stay Safe Minnesota guidelines. The aquarium will remain open until Friday at 4:30 p.m. Gift store purchases made on the website and the membership drive will…

Essentia Health Temporarily Closes Fitness Centers

(courtesy: Essentia Health) DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health will be temporarily shutting down its fitness centers following Governor Tim Walz’s executive order. Essentia Health says that as of Friday evening it will close it Center for Personal Fitness at the Miller Hill Mall, as well as centers in Moose Lake and Esko. The closures will stay in effect until further…