Community

Superior Restaurant Brings Back Later Closing

Julie's faced same challenges as other restaurants: not enough staff

SUPERIOR, Wis. — There are some happy faces and stomachs in Superior this week. Julie’s Family Restaurant has added back some evening hours. The long-time food favorite had to shorten its hours earlier this summer and close at three in the afternoon. In a predicament facing many restaurants, it was difficult to find enough workers, and those carrying on were…

Vandalism Strikes in New Place

Ballfield facility in Duluth/Proctor sprayed with racial slurs and religious symbols

Several police departments in the Northland have been dealing with vandalism cases in the past several weeks. One of the most recent was along the Duluth/Proctor border this past weekend. Duluth Police say officers responded to a report of graffiti at Klang Park along Boundary Avenue late Saturday afternoon. The graffiti included offensive racial slurs and religious symbols. There were…

MnDOT To Use Text Alerts For Highway Road Closures

  St. PAUL, Minn. — Tired of being surprised by road closures? The Minnesota Department of Transportation will soon be able to notify drivers. MnDOT has entered an agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to use Wireless Emergency Alerts alerting road closures to the public. MnDOT plans to use these text alerts to notify only for highway closures that…

Superior Rotary Club Holds Annual Dragon Boat Races, Raises Funds for 23rd Veterans

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Rotary Club of Superior’s biggest event of the year took place Saturday in the form of their annual Dragon Boat Festival It’s a fundraiser that brings the whole community together for fun. Dragon Boat Racing has been around for more than 2,000 years.  But here in Superior, it’s the 20th annual Dragon Boat Festival. On a…

Group Encourages Keeping the Wrecking Ball Away From Historic Structures

DULUTH, Minn. — There was a call today to save many of Duluth’s buildings from the wrecking ball before it is too late. Outside of the New Garrick Building, built in 1923, the Duluth Preservation Alliance unveiled this year’s Ten Endangered Places List. The goal is to highlight buildings whose future may be uncertain. The group says eight buildings have been…

Preservation Group Says More Duluth Historic Buildings In Danger of Being Demolished

Preservation Alliance Lists "Ten Endangered Places"

There was a call Friday to save many of Duluth’s buildings from the wrecking ball before it is too late. Outside of the New Garrick Building, built in 1923, the Duluth Preservation Alliance unveiled this year’s “Ten Endangered Places List.” The goal is to highlight buildings whose future may be uncertain. The group says eight buildings have been torn down…

Construction Work Continues For Brighton Beach In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Construction continues to be underway at a well-known park along Lake Superior. Brighton Beach work for picnic areas, landscape and memorial benches will be completed this fall. The City of Duluth’s Senior Parks Planner says the project has been divided into 4 components that are trail work, road construction, shoreline, and park improvements. Each of those has…

Barker’s Island Getting Ready To Host Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Event organizers are busy getting the grounds ready for racers and spectators to go to the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival. The 2-day event at Barker’s Island in Superior is a free family fun event. All money raised will go towards rotary clubs and the charitable partner this year, 23rd Veteran. There are 51 teams that will…

Welcome Week Starts At UMD

DULUTH, Minn. — The dorms are filling back up at UMD as it is welcome week! The time has come for students to leave home and start their new college journey. UMD officials say there are about 2-thousand new faces this year on campus. The college also has a few new academic programs including a project management undergrad certificate and…

Body of Man Flying Ultralight Found in Lake Superior

A piece of his clothing found on shore helped searchers focus their efforts

Denny Pechacek (Photo courtesy Abbey Johnson) Hovland, Minnesota- Authorities say they have found and recovered the body of a man missing since last Friday. The Cook County Sheriff’s office says the body of Denny Pechacek was recovered from Lake Superior off the shore of Hovland, MN. Many people and groups had been searching for him since he and the ultralight…

The Tribute Fest Happening This Weekend In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — A music festival raising awareness and funds for homeless veterans is taking place this weekend. It’s the Tribute Fest, put on by Campbell Productions the 2-day event features around 20 bands. Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, a non-profit that has been assisting veterans for over 25 years will be at the event providing resources. Proceeds will be…

Rep. Stauber Meets With Northland Law Enforcement Officials Over Fentanyl Crisis

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Fentanyl has become an increasing problem in the Northland with 26 overdose deaths just alone this year. Wednesday, Congressman Pete Stauber met with St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Rasmay, Lake County Chief Deputy Timothy Louma, Hermantown Chief of Police Jim Crace, and other law enforcement officials to discuss the problems, roadblocks, and possible solutions. As of August…

New Captains Welcomed At Duluth Salvation Army

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Salvation Army is welcoming 2 new captains. Anthony and Elysia Nordan are now part of the non-profit organization. The Salvation Army moves officers around every 4 to 5 years to be able to share their experiences with other locations they’ve worked at. The Nordan’s were recently captains in Fergus Falls. They both have many years…

Summer Schools Wraps Up in Gary-New Duluth Rec Center

GARY-NEW DULUTH, Minn.– Summer schools are nearing their end, and the Gary-New Duluth Rec Center held their family day for their last session of their summer camp. Kids had fun exploring the 16-acre Stowe Elementary School forest for a scavenger hunt, enjoyed some root-beer floats, and learned some new biking skills from the Duluth Parks and Recreation staff. Over the…

First Day of Class For Lake Superior College Students

DULUTH, Minn. — Monday was the first day of school for students at Lake Superior College. Students were back filling the hallways and classrooms at the community and technical college. Around 2,500 students are enrolled for the fall semester which is up 3% from last year. One first year student says she’s looking forward to studying psychology. “I plan on…

New Mixed-Income Rental Cottages Now Open For Leasing In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — New cottage-style homes are now open for leasing in West Duluth. The Fairmount Cottage Village is 18 units of mixed-income rental housing. The new development consists of inward facing homes surrounding a shared green space with sidewalks and trails. Funding for the cottages totaled over 5 million dollars. Duluth HRA’s executive director says they hope to put…

Art In Bayfront Park Wraps Up

DULUTH, Minn. — This weekend Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth was filled with over 100 artists all with their own unique pieces. Art in Bayfront Park is a free event open to the public. The festival included homemade jewelry, painting, photography, glass, and a whole lot more. One artist who moved to Duluth from the Twin Cities creates his own…

Fundraiser for Family of Tammy Churness

HERMANTOWN, MINN. — There was a benefit fundraiser for Tammy Churness on Saturday, who was told in 2021 that she had breast cancer. The cancer spread throughout her body and early Friday morning she passed away. The fundraiser went on as scheduled and all the money raised will go to the family. Tig’s Smokin Pig BBQ set up its Food…

Bus Drivers Needed Now

BARNUM, MINN. — In just over a week Barnum Schools, like most schools in Minnesota will start the day after Labor Day. Last year Barnum had eight routes and eight drivers, bringing students to and from school. This year they have just 5 drivers. That’s a real problem and the Transportation Supervisor for both Barnum and Willow River schools is…

Duluth Sister Cities Hosts Japanese Students For The First Time Since COVID-19

DULUTH, Minn. — Well for the first time since COVID-19 the Duluth Sister Cities are hosting middle school students from Japan to show them what the Northland has to offer. Duluth Sister Cities is a nonprofit that focuses on creating and strengthening partnerships between the United States and international communities. In June, American students visited Ohara and stayed with students…

Roundabout For London Road Not Moving Forward At This Time

DULUTH, Minn. — A controversial roundabout proposed for London Road in Duluth is no longer moving forward at this time. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says the roundabout at 60th Avenue East and London Road is being dropped in order to stay on schedule to finish the overall project as planned. The comes after multiple public meetings about the roundabout…

New Planning And Economic Development Director Announced

DULUTH, Minn. — The City of Duluth has appointed a new Planning and Economic Development Director. The brisk harbor winds ushered in a new era for Duluth Tuesday, as Mayor Larson announced the selection of Chad Ronchetti as Planning and Economic Development Director. He most recently worked at Kraus-Anderson. Chris Fleege, prior director, passed away unexpectedly in June leaving the…

Duluth Public Info. Meeting Wed. About ‘Armored Rescue Vehicle’ Purchase

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa and his team will hold a community informational meeting Wednesday about the possible purchase of an Armored Rescue Vehicle. The meeting is happening from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Evergreen Senior Center. Chief Ceynowa told FOX 21 it’s time to invest in the life-saving tool and stop borrowing Superior’s Armored…

Duluth Bethel to Celebrate 150th Anniversary

DULUTH, MINN. — Duluth Bethel will be holding its third annual ’Concert for Recovery’ in early September and it will be a two-day event. This year marks the 150th anniversary of Duluth Bethel, it’s one of the oldest social service agencies in the state. The group helps people rebuild their lives as it works with people with drug or alcohol…

Duluth Firefighters Fundraising in Fill the Boot Program

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Firefighters Local 101 will be standing by heavily traffic intersections for this year’s Fill the Boot program. Each year firefighters collect donations one dollar at a time standing at numerous city intersections Monday through Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. All to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, an organization that helps research, support, and…

Scottish Scramble Brings Golfers Out for a Good Cause

DULUTH, Minn. — People were taking their best swing on the greens Monday, all for a good purpose, at Ridgeview Country Club. The 2nd annual Scottish Scramble invited people to participate in an 18-hole match, accompanied with Scottish theme course and dinner. Each year the Duluth Scottish Heritage Association split funds halfway with the Minnesota Masonic Children’s Clinic for Communication…

Duluth Council Bans Smoking Pot In Parks, Fines Undecided

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth City Council passed an ordinance Monday night banning the smoking of marijuana and other controlled substances involving smoke from city parks, like cigarettes and vaping. This comes after the state of Minnesota passed a law legalizing adult recreational use of marijuana beginning Aug. 1. The smoking violation fines became a discussion Monday night between some…

Superior School Board Member Resigns Amid Election Fraud Charges

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Embattled Superior School Board member Steven Stupak resigned Monday morning amid election fraud charges against him. Board President Steve Olson confirmed the resignation at Monday night’s board meeting. It was not immediately known Monday night what the board’s process will be moving forward with the vacant seat. Stupak’s announcement comes just one week after former school board…

Mixed-Income Housing Development Underway In Duluth’s East Hillside

DULUTH, Minn. — Construction is underway in Duluth’s East Hillside for 52 mixed-income apartment units. The property is located on the corner of 6th Avenue East and 4th Street. One Roof Housing and Three Rivers Community Action are developing the property. The site used to be a gas station, which was heavily contaminated, making the prime real-estate difficult to develop….

Work On Lincoln Park Housing Development Temporarily Suspended

DULUTH, Minn. — Construction work is temporarily suspended on a new apartment building in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Merge Urban Development told FOX 21 there are two reasons for the delay in the Urbane218 project at the former Esmond and Seaway Hotel site. Engineers are making changes to the heating and cooling design per the request of the city’s building…

Downtown Duluth High Rise Delayed, City Optimistic For Completion

DULUTH, Minn. — The site of a proposed 15-story high rise in downtown Duluth continues to sit idle, but officials tell FOX 21 they are optimistic the project will happen. The site is located between the Sheraton Hotel and Essentia Health on the 300 block of East Superior Street, which is the former site of the Voyageur Lakewalk Inn. The…

Duluth Police Dept. Plans To Purchase Armored Vehicle, Stop Borrowing Superior’s

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa is looking to make his biggest investment yet since becoming chief nearly one year ago – the purchase of an Armored Rescue Vehicle.  Ceynowa says it’s a safety tool his department should no longer be borrowing from the Superior Police Department, as FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports. From schools, to supermarkets, to…

New Community Solar Garden Project Underway In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior Water, Light, and Power is creating its first community solar garden. It’s located near Heritage Park in Superior. The garden contains nearly 1,300 panels large enough to power around 115 homes. The community solar garden is expected to produce energy by October. The project is currently subscribed to 80 customers. “The community solar garden is really…

Water Safety Awareness Beach Party Event At Park Point

DULUTH, Minn. — Thursday Duluth Parks and Recreation hosted a beach party, where the community could learn the importance of water safety while taking a splash in Lake Superior. Taking place at the Park Point Beach House, right on the edge of Lake Superior. Lifeguards and professionals were on hand to teach about rip currents, hypothermia, and other important information….

Operation K-9 Demonstrates Dogs For Community

SUPERIOR, Wis. — In its ninth year, Operation K-9 returned to the Northland presenting the talents of the police dogs that serve our areas.  Dogs serving from Hermantown, Duluth, Superior, Douglas County, and St. Louis County showcasing why K-9 units are important in communities. These K-9 are trained in drug detection, apprehension work, and tracking. During the demonstration, audiences were…

Bayfield County Fair Open Through Sunday

IRON RIVER, Wis. — Ready for a weekend of fun fair festivities? The Bayfield County Fair has just about something for everyone.  From fair food, to carnival rides, and numerous grandstand events like Monster Trucks and Dirt Dashes. Each day the kids ages four and under will get in for free with everyone else paying $15 per entry ticket. Friday…

Larson, Reinert React To Primary Election Results

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Emily Larson and Roger Reinert were already examining the Primary Election returns Wednesday from all 34 Duluth precincts, looking for ways to make sure their strategies remain focused before the next big vote come Nov. 7. Mayor Larson told FOX 21 she never takes any race for granted.  She said Tuesday’s results actually have her supporters,…

Reinert Takes Duluth Mayoral Primary Win Over Incumbent Larson

100 percent of precincts reporting DULUTH, Minn. — For the first time in Duluth Mayor Emily Larson’s run for the city’s top job, she is facing her biggest challenger — Roger Reinert.   That was made clear Tuesday when results came in for the Primary Election. Reinert secured 63% of the vote Tuesday night with 8,223 votes.  Larson secured just under…