Community

Polar Express Day held in celebration of the holidays

Kids drove computerized train

The annual Polar Express Day was held at the Duluth Edison’s North Star Academy today. Model trains were set up which included a holiday theme. There were even holiday villages created for the trains. This isn’t the only classroom where holiday events took place today. “Throughout every classroom there’s all different kinds of holiday celebrations going on in the classrooms,…

Canelake’s Candies Keeping Up with Demand

The sweets store in Virginia says they have hundreds of orders to get out this week

VIRGINIA, Minn. – The busiest place on the Iron Range this week is Canelake’s Candies in Virginia. They’ve received hundreds of orders this month and an influx of customers every day leading up to Christmas. The homemade candy shop typically only has two or three people on staff, but for the week leading up to Christmas, there are about 20…

Toy Drive Targets Older Children in Need

Gifts for Teens Benefits the Boys and Girls Club

DULUTH, Minn. – Special delivery, and just in time for Christmas! Natalie Froistad and William Seay from Fox 21 Local News at Seven paid a visit to the Boys and Girls Club of the Northland earlier today, with gift boxes full of presents for area teenagers. “Gifts for Teens” is a toy drive that targets under-privileged teenagers, a group that…

Aurora man pleads guilty to murdering former girlfriend

November 8, 2015 shooting death of Julie Hildreth

John Joseph Plevell pleaded guilty on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 to intentional second-degree murder in the November 8, 2015 shooting death of Julie Ann Hildreth outside the Aurora American Legion club, St. Louis County Attorney, Mark Rubin, said. Plevell, 52, entered the plea before Judge Gary Pagliaccetti in State District Court in Virginia, Minnesota. The court scheduled sentencing for January…

Birkie Trail Run Festival registration opens January 1, 2017

A great opportunity to start those New Year's resolutions

HAYWARD, Wis. – Every year resolutions are made to lose weight, get fit, and make healthier choices, and experts say if a person sets attainable and specific goals when making those resolutions, they’ll be far more apt to keep them. The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF) has been hard at work helping individuals keep their New Year’s resolutions by offering…

Sentencing for two men involved in August Grand Rapids home invasion

The incident occurred on August 3, 2016

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn – Edward Wade Fauth, 19, of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and Zachary Walker Cary, 28, of Cloquet, Minnesota, appeared in Itasca County District Court for a sentencing hearing, Monday, December 19, 2016, according to Itasca County Attorney, John J. Muhar. The two men previously pleaded guilty to one count of Aggravated Robbery in the First Degree. The crime…

Gov. Walker writes letter to Trump to help citizens of Wisconsin

Asking to provide flexibility in implementing a number of programs

MADISON, Wis. – Governor Scott Walker, today, sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, outlining actions he believes the incoming administration should take immediately upon entering office to restore state control over the governance of a number of programs and services. Walker’s letter also details his concerns over “incessant federal overreach.” “Too often, states have become mere administrative provinces of…

Former Mayor Ness takes new position

Ness will be new executive director of the Ordean Foundation

DULUTH, Minn. – Former Duluth Mayor Don Ness has been named the new executive director of the Ordean Foundation. Ness is taking over for retiring Executive Director Steve Mangan in late January. The Ordean Foundation focuses on poverty issues and has given about $68 million in grants to various Northland organizations since 1933. Ness had previously worked at Lake Superior…

Monday Was Postal Service’s Busiest Day of the Year

Lines at the West Michigan Street post office in Duluth were long the whole day

DULUTH, Minn. – With Christmas less than a week away, people are trying to get their last minute packages in the mail. The postal service says Monday was their busiest shipping day of the year. Lines at the post office on West Michigan Street were nearly out the door all day. Almost every person in line had multiple boxes and…

Winter Brings Extra Parking Tickets

The City of Duluth tends to see a spike in parking tickets during the winter season

The City of Duluth tends to see a spike in parking tickets during the winter months, as snowplows work to clear emergency routes and side streets. The city says snowplows are unable to effectively clear city streets if cars stay parked for longer than the 24-hour ordinance states. The 24-hour ordinance are put in place for specific reasons, “Really to…

Skiers Hit Trails in Duluth

Many of the Trails are Open for Skiing

When the temperatures are warm enough to comfortably be outside, but cold enough to keep the ground frozen, even a busy work day won’t keep skiers like Annette Hofslund from hitting the trails. The skiing season didn’t start any earlier than previous years, but now, most of the trails across Duluth are open for people to enjoy. “There’s always Hartley…

AAFES Store Closing in Duluth

Minnesota Politicians are Fighting to Reverse the Decision

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service is planning on closing the Duluth location in 2017. Local Veterans believe it’s a Military benefit that is being taken away, and the store closing will impact area veterans negatively. Minnesota Politicians like U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, and U.S. Representative Rick Nolan are urging AAFES to reverse the decision. If…

John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon to Start at the Pit in Two Harbors

Race to Start at the Same Location as Last Year

The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon will be starting at the Pit in Two Harbors again this year. Organizers were working towards getting the race started at the Fair Grounds in Two Harbors, but didn’t have enough time to work out the details and make it happen. Organizers are still hoping to start at the Fair Grounds for the race…

Linskie Sentenced in Twin Ponds Hit and Run

88-month sentence handed down

The 31-year-old Twin Ports man who drove his car off of Skyline Parkway near Twin Ponds in Duluth, striking and killing Susan LeGarde Menz receiving a guideline prison sentence of seven years and four months, today, according to St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin. A St. Louis County jury deliberated less than an hour during a trial in November, before…

Duluth City Council develops plan for Emerald Ash Borer

The council approved a plan to fight the invasive species.

DULUTH, Minn. – Emerald Ash Borer has been on the city of Duluth’s mind for months and they now will move forward with a plan to fight against the invasive species. Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive species that can be considered one of the most destructive forest pests ever seen in North America. Emerald Ash Borer targets ash trees…

Hockey team wears ugly sweaters for charity

Money collected for local food shelf

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – The Superior Girls High School Hockey team put on some unique jerseys for a good cause. While playing Monday’s game they wore ugly sweater jerseys to in efforts to draw a bigger crowd and collect food for the local food shelf. The coaches wore the ugly sweater jerseys as well. “My wife found these online and asked…

‘Rogue One’ Lands in Theaters Nationwide

Marcus Cinema in Duluth Prepared for Busy Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — “Rogue One,” the latest film in the super-popular Star Wars movie franchise has officially landed in theaters. It’s all hands on deck at the Marcus Cinema in Duluth; managers have hired six additional employees to help with the busy holiday season. The theater has dedicated four screens for showing “Rogue One.” General Manager Shawn Fennessey says he…

Changes coming to one-way streets in Downtown Duluth

City council approved a three phase project to convert from one way to two way streets

Drivers in downtown Duluth won’t have to deal with as many one way roads. Last week, city council approved a three phase project to convert portions of First, Second and Third Avenues West from one to two way traffic. The project is set to begin May of 2017. When all’s done, stop lights at seven intersections will change to stop…

Secret Forest Playschool Fundraising for New Classroom

The Hands-On Learning School is Looking to Expand with a Cabin Classroom

The cold isn’t putting a damper on fundraising efforts for one Playschool in the Northland. Secret Forest Playschool is now located in the Eastridge Community Church in Duluth. Founder Meghan Morrow would like to expand her efforts with a new Cabin Classroom. She opened the hands-on learning opportunity back in the fall of 2012, and has since helped dozens of…

Experts Encourage Safety While Using Space Heaters

Never plug a space heater into an extension cord, rather they should always be plugged into an outlet.

DULUTH, Minn. – Experts say to always plug space heaters into an outlet and never into an extension cord. Consumers should also be sure to check the cord for any cuts. Also when buying a new space heater, look for one that has an automatic shutoff. “A lot of them have a tip over feature if the heater falls over….

The Vinyl Cave announces it’s closing its doors

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Vinyl Cave first opened its doors back in 2008 and has since then been symbol of northern Minnesota and Wisconsin’s long running contributions to the world of music.   Owners Tom Uterberger and Tom Johnson have been around music their entire lives and have always had a passion for vinyl records and vintage stereo equipment. Now…

Caroling in the Skywalk

Duluth East students sing Christmas carols in downtown businesses

DULUTH, Minn. Carolers in downtown Duluth were helping people get in the holiday spirit today. The Duluth East High School Choralaires sang Christmas carols in the skywalk during the lunch hour. They performed holiday favorites in the Holiday Center and the lobbies of three downtown banks. “It’s just really fun to to. It’s fun to go around and make people…

Ice Rinks Being Flooded

Rinks at Lafayette, Merritt, and Norton parks being flooded

DULUTH, Minn. Ice rinks are being flooded across the city of Duluth. Crews are now working to flood outdoor rinks At Lafayette, Merritt, And Norton Parks. Rinks will continue to be flooded throughout the week and the city hopes to have skating ice at some parks by the weekend. Work will begin next week to flood the rink at Bayfront…

Pawn America Donates Christmas Gifts to Troops

Volunteers Stuff Boxes Full of Video Games and Movies for Troops

DULUTH, Minn. – Pawn America is donating over 500 movies and video games to some of the men and women serving far away who cannot make it home for the holidays. Today, family members and local troops volunteered their time stuffing boxes full of Christmas goodies that will be going to the 312th Army Reserve Engineer Company. This unit is…

Vigil Honors Sandy Hook Victims

Northlanders gather to remember and honor victims of 2012 massacre

DULUTH, Minn. Four years ago, 20 children and six staff members lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Here in Duluth, people gathered to honor the victims of the shooting. it’s been 4 years since the sandy hook massacre. The victims are being remembered all over the country, including at the First Lutheran Church in Duluth….

Deadline approaching to mail Christmas packages

DULUTH, Minn. – With Christmas less than two weeks away, it’s time to get packages in the mail if you haven’t already. The Mail Room in Duluth has had people coming in non–stop to get gifts sent off. This is the busiest time of year for the USPS, so they recommend having packages in the mail by this Friday in…

Bayfield Prepares for Winter Tourism

Businesses are Hoping for More Snow

BAYFIELD, Wis. – Peaceful quality time with loved ones was how Conn Mullally wanted to spend his birthday this year, and that’s exactly what he got, strolling through the almost empty streets of Bayfield on a quiet Monday. “We come up very often, all four seasons of the year,” says Cathy Mullalay, Con’s wife. Despite a thunderstorm this summer that…

Theft occurs at active fire investigation in Hibbing

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Hibbing Police Department

HIBBING, Minn. – The Hibbing Fire Department has been in the process of investigation the cause and origin of a basement fire that occurred at 1610 3rd Avenue East in Hibbing, that displaced three families on December 10, 2016. The fire department had not yet released the property back to the property owners and tenants. The tenants were able to…

25-year-old Heroin Dealer Arrested in Duluth

1500 block of East 1st Street

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department and investigators from the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force executed a search warrant in the 1500 block of East 1st Street in Duluth, on December 13, 2016. According to the Duluth Police Department, during the execution of the search warrant, investigators located heroin, including 29 pieces of packaged for sale,…

Cold Weather and Snow Prepare Ski Trails for the Season

Many of the trails around town have been groomed and are ready.

Many ski trails have been groomed and are ready for some good skiing, however some wet spots do remain. Skiers are hoping for the cold to stick around and for a few more snowflakes to hit the ground. “This has been such a weird, warm, fall so the ground really didn’t freeze and that made it so when we did…

Stein plans to donate leftover money raised for recounts

Wisconsin completed the recount Monday

MADISON (AP) – Green Party presidential candidate, Jill Stein says she plans to donate any money left over from the $7.3 million she raised to force recounts in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Stein said Tuesday that the exact costs of the recounts aren’t known yet, but she expects to have money left over. Stein is asking donors to complete an…

Center City Housing and One Roof Community House team up to buy Gateway Tower Apartments

Center City Housing Corporation and One Roof Community Housing have bought the Gateway Tower apartments in Duluth and will begin renovations immediately. Total cost of the project is around $18.5 million. “I can describe it as One Roof does the heavy lifting on the front end in other words they’re more involved in the rehab and once the building is…

Dog Visits UWS Before Finals

Therapy dog in training visits UWS students before next week's finals

SUPERIOR, Wis. – With finals week on the way, students at the University of Wisconsin–Superior had a chance to de-stress today with a visit from a dog. Naddy is a therapy dog in training. She is 9–years–old and this is her fifth time interacting with students at UWS. The University hopes having a dog can help reduce student’s stress while…