Community

Knowing Your Neighbors: Britta Lynn Design Handmade Jewelry

Britta Kauppila creates custom rings, necklaces, and earrings in her Duluth studio

DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland is home to many artists with a variety of different skills. Britta Kauppila is making a career of her talent, working with as a metalsmith. “I love working with my hands,” says Kauppila. “I love to just create things.” On a typical day at her studio inside the Armory Fire Arts Building it’s not uncommon…

Little Kitten Takes Ride of a Lifetime Underneath Truck

The Cat Rode from Silver Bay to Carlton

CARLTON, Minn.- It was a regular work day for Joshua Nelson, A Black Bear Casino Security guard, when he got an unusual call on his radio that there was a possible cat underneath a car. “Get out there and hear these meowing. Look under the vehicle couldn’t see anything,” says Joshua. After closer inspection Joshua saw the head of a…

The Duluth Harbor Mission Opens Doors to Outreach Center

They Aim to Fight Homelessness and Chemical Dependencies

DULUTH, Minn.- A new center is helping serve underprivileged people in West Duluth. The Duluth Harbor Mission Incorporated began in 2015 by serving hot meals to people in need. Monday the Harbor mission opened the doors to their new outreach center. The organization plans to work on the front lines to help people fight poverty and addiction. “We help the…

Theater Camp Students in Duluth Prepare for Performance

"All You Need is Bugs!" the Musical

DULUTH, Minn. – This week the hard work of several theater students will be on display in the musical “All You Need is Bugs!” The Myers-Wilkins Community School Collaborative is hosting the Hillside Youth Theatre camp once again this year. The matinee performances will be July 27-28 at 1:00 p.m. The night performances will both be at 7:00 p.m. on…

Tourists Flood Duluth for Summer Season

Coffee Conversation: Visit Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – The Summer tourist season is well underway in Duluth and several events have brought thousands to the city already this year. This week several free events, like the Chester Creek Concert Series and Concerts on the Pier at Glensheen, are followed by the annual All Pints North Brewfest in Bayfront Festival Park. Visit Duluth Media Communications Manager…

Beloved School Secretary Retires After Working for 41 Years

Some She Worked With Say She Knew Everything About the School

DULUTH, Minn.- Sherry Holten worked as the secretary of Homecroft Elementary school for more than four decades, but retired from the long stint June of this year. “It’s a huge range of responsibilities from financial to dealing with people, meeting with public, working with kids. And that was the fun part,” says Sherry. After working with 14 principals and thousands…

Avenue C Restaurant Approved for Outdoor Seating

Restaurant Managers Hope New Patio Seating Will Help Revitalize City's West End

CLOQUET, Minn. – Avenue C Restaurant will be the latest Cloquet business to offer outdoor seating for customers. Avenue C’s outdoor patio area is still under construction, but as soon as fencing is added and their liquor licence is amended, customers can start enjoying their meals in the sunshine. “Outdoor seating is desirable,” says Avenue C General Manager Ryan Kolan….

Cloquet Skate Park Closer to Becoming a Reality

City Council Now Accepting Bids for Construction

CLOQUET, Minn. – The potential new Cloquet skate park got one step closer to becoming a reality after the city council voted to accept bids for its construction. The skate park is expected to be built in Athletic Park. The cost of the project won’t be known until construction bids are received. Skaters across Cloquet are excited to have a…

Lakeside Garden Tour Enjoyed By Dozens

Fundraiser Raised Money for Lakeside-Lester Park Community Club

DULUTH, Minn. – Five homeowners in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood showed off their beautiful lawns at the first ever Garden Tour. Dozens attended the fundraiser, learning about a variety of flowering plants and garden designs. It cost five dollars to take the tour, with the money going to after school activities at the Lakeside Lester Park Community Club. “We have native…

Storm Blows Through Northland Leaving Many Without Power

Some Homes Sustained Damages. Others Cannot be Accessed Because of Downed Trees and Powerlines.

FREDENBERG TOWNSHIP, Minn.- Andrew Schlichting was in Fredenberg township visiting his parents when the storm rolled in, Friday night. “Kind of came out of nowhere. Just a solid wall of rain. And then the rains came. Kinda felt like a hurricane we thought the windows were going to bust through,” said Schlichting. The blowing winds and heavy rains brought down…

25th Annual Taste of Greece is Back

Attendees Had the Chance to Eat Greek Food, and Learn a Little About the Culture

DULUTH, Minn.- The Twelve Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church held its 25th annual Greek Food Festival It’s a fundraiser that started out serving just 200 people, that has grown into a massive event that now draws 3,000 people to the church. Attendees had the chance to get a small taste of Greek food and culture, by trying out authentic Greek…

Ojibwe Language Camp Helps Pass on Culture and Heritage to Next Generation

The Camp Uses Games and Activities to Help Teach Children the Ojibwe Language

FOND DU LAC RESERVATION, Minn.- The Language and culture of the Ojibwe has been fading after generations of tribal members had been forced to assimilate into European-American culture. “I don’t know the language, my mom grew up in the era where she was punished for speaking in school, and she didn’t want us to go through it. Her kids. So…

Lakeside Garden Tour Happening Sunday

Five Garden Enthusiasts will Invite Northlanders into their Gardens all for a Good Cause

DULUTH, Minn. – Happening Sunday, July 23, the Lakeside Lester Park Community Club in Duluth is hoping to see hundreds make their way through the first ever Lakeside Garden Tour. Event organizers are hopeful the hustle and bustle of the Lakeside neighborhood will help blossom this first ever event into a successful fundraiser. Five homeowners with breathtaking lawns and gardens…

City Council Approves Gender Neutral Bathrooms on Park Point

Duluth city councilors voted unanimously to designate the two new bathrooms at the Lafayette Community Center as gender neutral

DULUTH, Minn. – New bathrooms at Park Point’s Lafayette Community Center will be gender neutral. During a special session Friday afternoon, Duluth city councilors voted unanimously to designate the two new bathrooms as gender neutral. The councilors tabled a vote during Monday’s meeting after councilor Gary Anderson spoke out about the original plan not including a gender neutral facility. “I’m…

Fundraiser to Support Duluth Police Department

Shield616 Aims to Provide DPD with Active Threat Response Gear

DULUTH, Minn. – Two organizations are coming together Saturday, July 22 as they fundraise to support local police. Debbie and Kevin Skifstad with Shield 616 visited FOX 21 to give more details on the fundraiser. Shield616 is a non-profit working to raise money to purchase gear for police. The goal of this fundraiser is to provide the Duluth Police Department…

Paddle Board Company Finds New Home in Superior

Active Adventures: North Shore SUP

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A Northland company providing opportunities for families to enjoy the lake has moved to a new location. North Shore SUP has found a new home at Barkers Island. The company offers hourly and day rentals and also gives guided tours and host parties. They also have boards for all ages and sizes. They are open 10 a.m. –…

Cloquet Color Run Dedicated to Enthusiast

Cole Drechsler Loved Color Runs, so Rotary Club Honored Him

CLOQUET, Minn. – The Cloquet Rotary Club is ready for the city’s 4th annual Color Run. “It’s just a really fun event we do to raise money for community projects in the future,” said Junior Rotarian Holly McGinn. One of the Rotary Club’s three major fundraisers, Cloquet’s Color Run gets bigger every year. This year the Rotary Club decided to…

Deadly Intersection In Cloquet To Be Reconstructed

Some Cloquet Citizens Say No On Proposed Roundabout

Cloquet, Minn. The intersection of I–35 and Hwy 33 in Cloquet continues to be a problem. This as the Minnesota Department of Transportation thought they came up with an easy solution. They’re proposing to replace that dangerous intersection with a roundabout. Multiple fatalities and a handful of serious car accidents in just the last ten years is the reason MnDot…

Duluth Coffee Company Set to Open New Bar, Roasting Facility

The new space will also allow them to bring in a larger roaster, which will help make five times as much fresh coffee

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Coffee Company is close to opening up a new addition next to its downtown cafe. The expansion will feature a bar, showcasing local beer on tap and distilled spirits. The new space will also allow them to bring in a larger roaster, which will help make five times as much fresh coffee. Owner Eric Faust…

Storm Recovery, 1 Year Later

Hartley Nature Center and Minnesota Ballet experienced major damage during last year's storm

DULUTH, Minn.- Hartley Nature Center lost thousands of trees in the storm last year, and the entire park was closed for weeks. Tom O’Rourke, the Executive Director of Hartley Nature Center says the park was in full recovery mode for 3 months. Work included getting more than 1000 trees moved off of the parks trails, and fixing the Yurt that…

St. Louis River Alliance Celebrates

Millions Of State and Federal Bonds For River Clean Up

Duluth, Minn. The St. Louis River alliance celebrated Thursday after last months state bonding bill that passed and included millions of dollars for the estuary restoration project. The 25.4 million in funding also activates another 47.2 million in federal funds made available through the great lakes restoration initiative. With the money, the goal will be to accelerate the cleanup efforts…

New Trail to Connect Lincoln Park Middle School to Duluth Traverse

Volunteers worked to cut out the 700 foot trail from the hillside behind the school

DULUTH, Minn. – A group of cyclists traded in their bikes for shovels Thursday. Volunteers with COGGS , the Duluth Composite Team, and city staff spent the evening building a new trail, which will connect Lincoln Park Middle School up to the Duluth Traverse. The school approached COGGS with the idea for the trail hoping to get more kids from…

Finke’s Berry Farm Nearing Final Days

After 32 Years, Doug and Diane Finke will Retire from their Locally Owned and Operated Strawberry Farm

CARLTON, Minn. – Through the years, hundreds of hands have helped yield thousands of strawberries near the City of Carlton. Now, the owners of Finke’s Berry Farm are preparing to say goodbye. Owners Doug and Diane Finke believe there are only four or five more days left in the berry picking season. After cultivating their land and harvesting farm fresh…

Swimmers Beat the Heat at Pinehurst

Public Beach Packed with Swimmers on Hot Day

CLOQUET, Minn. – A sunny day across the Northland left many looking for ways to beat the heat. Cloquet residents lined up before noon to get into the Pinehurst Beach swimming area. Officials there say on a day like Thursday as many as 500 people could stop by for a dip at what’s known as a Cloquet gem. “People love…

Water Safety Expo Draws a Crowd

Event on Park Point Featured a Sand Mondeling Contest

DULUTH, Minn. – Park Point Beach was packed for the city’s Water Safety Expo. Duluth Parks and Recreation teamed up with the YMCA, the National Weather Service and Minnesota Sea Grant for a day of fun at the beach, including a sand modeling contest. “I saw some cool stuff out there,” said Kraig Decker, Duluth Parks Permit Coordinator. “I’m a…

Vietnam Veterans Asked to Share Stories for Records, Local Documentary

"The Wall that Heals" on Display in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Over the next few days a wall in Superior is honoring those lost in the Vietnam War. “The Wall that Heals” is at Barkers Island July 20–23. Vietnam veterans are being asked to share memories on Saturday July 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center. Crews will be available…

Spicy Pulled Pork Carnitas with Cast Iron Bar and Grill

Cooking Connection: Sweet and Spicy Appetizer

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth bar and grill has a new chef and recently updated its menu. Cast Iron Bar and Grill has kept the staples, but added a few new options as well. Chef Mike from Cast Iron Bar and Grill cooked with the FOX 21 morning crew for this week’s Cooking Connection. FOX 21’s William Seay learned how…

Community Forum Raises Opioid Awareness In St. Louis County

Some Call It An Epidemic

Hibbing, Minn. The Hibbing community is doing their part to combat the opioid and meth problem in St. Louis County. Hundreds came out to hear from multiple agencies that deal with the problem head on. A panel consisting of representatives from St. Louis county public health, local law enforcement, attorney’s and even addiction survivors were on hand tonight. The panel…

Mike Letica Honored for Service to Community Organizations

Mayor Emily Larson proclaimed July 19, 2017 as Mike Letica Day in the city of Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Families in West Duluth spent this warm summer evening by coming together to celebrate the community. A Day at the Wade helped raise thousands of dollars to support youth organizations in Duluth. Mike Letica helped organize the fundraising event and was surprised with a proclamation by Duluth Mayor Emily Larson and the Duluth Police Department, for his…

Vietnam War Memorial Arrives in Twin Ports

Since 1996, 'The Wall That Heals' has Traveled to More Than 400 Towns and Cities Across the United States

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The City of Superior came alive earlier Wednesday to welcome a piece of history into the Northland. From now through Sunday, Twin Ports residents will have the chance to walk through time and remember those who served for our country in the Vietnam War. “Our men and women deserve the military rights of all things from beginning to…

DBU Closing Hurts Veterinary Clinics in the Area

The Number of Vet Technicians Have Been Going Down Nationally

DULUTH, Minn.- Many industries and businesses in the Northland are impacted by the Duluth Business University closing, and local veterinarians say it could be a big problem for their clinics. The Duluth Business School had a popular Veterinary Technician course, and more than half of the technicians at North Shore Veterinary Hospital in Duluth, were DBU graduates. There is a…

Middle School Students Learn About Medical Field at Scrubs Camp

They Are Learning About Different Disciplines Through Hands on Activities

    DULUTH, Minn.- Around 60 middle school aged students from across the Northland attended Scrubs camp this year, to learn about different jobs that exist within the health science industry. Wednesday, the campers witnessed a mock car crash, and learned how first responders work in the time of an emergency. “It’s kind of fun to watch cause it’s very…

Lincoln Park Restoration Receives $750,000 from Department of Interior

The grant will help undeserved communities looking to plan, build, and enhance parks and other outdoor recreation facilities

DULUTH, Minn. – The U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service announced today that $750,000 was awarded to Minnesota through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program. The City of Duluth will now receive these funds for the Lincoln Park Restoration. The grant is part of $13.3 million, helping 22 cities in 17 states with projects looking to…

New Course and Date Unveiled for the Minnesota Mile

Thursday, September 7 at 6 p.m.

  DULUTH, Minn. – Participants of the Minnesota Mile will experience a new, scenic race course along Duluth’s Skyline Parkway on Thursday, September 7. “Over the past year, the Grandma’s Marathon team has worked to design a course and rethink the event to create a unique opportunity for participants. The new course showcases come of the most scenic views of…

Musician Performs on FOX 21 Ahead of “A Day at the Wade”

Fundraiser Will Support Youth in Western Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – “A Day at the Wade,” a fundraiser supporting youth in Western Duluth, is taking place tonight. Funds raised will go to youth organizations to support them in regional and national competitions. There will be live music, food and vendors. It’s all taking place at Wade Stadium. The gates open at 3:30 p.m. and the fun starts at…

Summer Training with Endurance Kennels

Summer Conditioning with Sprint Sled Dogs Before Snow Starts to Fall

DULUTH, Minn. – We’re still months away from popular sled dog marathons such as John Beargrease and the Iditarod, but it doesn’t mean time off for the animal athletes. “They’re athletes, they’re extreme athletes,” said Tone Coughlin, Owner of Endurance Kennels. With any sports, many say practice makes perfect. “There’s nothing more that they like to do than run with…

Duluth Business University To Close After 126 Years

DBU Is The Twin Ports' Oldest College or University

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Business University announced exclusively to FOX 21 Tuesday that it will be closing its doors next year after 126 years of education in the Twin Ports, as FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports. “We didn’t do anything wrong. We are victims of some very poor handling by the government. It was a lynching. It was an ambush,”…

Scottish Rite Clinic Shows Off New Place

Inviting Patients Back After Years Being Away

Duluth, Minn. The Scottish Rite Clinic in Duluth has seen their fair share of building changes over the last 27 years. The clinic has found a new home and wanted to show it off to former patients. The Scottish Rite staff has seen parents and kids alike grow up through construction and multiple building changes over the last 27 years….

BCA Collects DNA For Data Base

Hopes To Match DNA With Unidentified Remains

Across the U.S. there are thousands of unidentified humane remains that have yet to be identified. That’s why the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has teamed up with Duluth PD to encourage anyone who knows of a missing family member to give samples of DNA to investigators. The DNA would then go into a missing person data base for comparison. “Back…

Musicians Prepare for “A Day at the Wade”

Fundraiser Supports Youth of Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Musicians are tuning up and preparing for a new fundraiser supporting youth in Duluth. It’s called “A Day at the Wade” and is taking place Wednesday, July 19. There will be live music, food, raffles and vendors.   One band playing, “Born Too Late,” is a group of young musicians in Duluth who recently won Duluth’s Got…

Duluth Public Schools Hosting Job Fairs for Food Service Posts

Job Fair to be Held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at MacArthur Elementary Tomorrow

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School District is hiring. They are looking for food service workers to fill 15 positions. Today job–seekers visited Lester Park Elementary School for a job fair to learn all about the open spots. Another one will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow at Laura MacArthur Elementary. Michelle Porter, an human resources assistant…

Farmers’ Market Opens in Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — As more people flock to Duluth’s downtown, a farmers’ market opens right at the entrance to the city. Right on the corner of Lake Avenue and Superior Street, live music fills the air, as shoppers are able to peruse through several vendor tents offering farm fresh fruits and veggies. Local artists are also on hand with hand-made…

Beautiful Homes and Gardens on Display in Duluth

Duluth Woman's Club to Host 50th Annual Tour of Homes and Gardens

DULUTH, Minn. – Classic and modern homes, along with beautiful greenery, will be on display this week all for the 50th Annual Tour of Homes and Gardens in Duluth. The tour will feature the best of some old homes and the best of some new homes. The ticket price is $30.00 and includes lunch at the Duluth Woman’s Club. It’s…

Newly Restored Dome Car Gives Unique View on North Shore Scenic Railroad

Northland Uncovered: Silver Club Dome Car

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s a common occurance to see the North Shore Scenic Railroad trains chugging along the tracks in Summer months. This year, a new dome car was added to that train. “247 of these cars were eventually built with the dome on the top for seating and they became exceedingly popular,” said Ken Buehler, Executive Director for the…

Hermantown Man Refurbishes Old Bikes to Give Free to Families

Mike Blatnik has turned a passion for fixing things in to a way to give back to his community

GARY NEW DULUTH, Minn. – For many families buying new bikes can be too much of a financial burden, which is why Mike Blatnik decided to put his passion for fixing things to good use. Most days you can find the Hermantown man with a wrench in hand, tucked away in his garage. “I’m just putting tires on it, put…

CJ Ham Prepares For Vikings’ Training Camp

Denfeld Native Now Entering His 2nd Year in the NFL

DULUTH, Minn- It may be the middle of summer, but the Minnesota Vikings are already just one week away from the start of their 2017 training camp. This will be the 52nd year the Vikings will train in Mankato, but the first year that CJ Ham will enter camp as the team’s starting fullback. In 2016, the Denfeld native, rushed…