Coronavirus

Drive-By Easter Bunny Celebration in Duluth Neighborhood

Cars drove past to see a full Easter set-up complete with a dancing Easter Bunny.

DULUTH, Minn. – Easter came early to the Piedmont Heights neighborhood of Duluth on Saturday. The Easter Bunny was outside one home waving and spreading springtime cheer. Cars drove past to see a full Easter set-up complete with a dancing Easter Bunny. The family who hosted it loves holidays and wanted to spread joy. “We just saw that there was…

Frost River Making Thousands of Pieces of Protective Equipment for Medical Providers at Duluth Hospitals

Frost River will be done with 45,000 face shields by mid-week and will double that soon.

DULUTH, Minn. – Frost River, a Duluth-based company that manufactures soft goods like bags, has stopped production of their regular goods. Instead, they are spearheading the manufacturing of equipment to keep medical professionals in Duluth safe. Employees and machines at Frost River are working around the clock to create protection for Duluth’s hospital workers. Owner, Christian Benson’s wife is in…

How to Celebrate a Birthday While in Quarantine

What happens to your birthday party when you're quarantined?

DULUTH, Minn. – It was in her room in Duluth where Yana Stockman decided to record herself celebrating a unique birthday. “Celebrating birthday when you are under a stay at home order could determine a lot of elements and parts of celebration,” said Stockman. “But hey, at least it’s history.” Yana had planned to take a trip to the Netherlands…

Digital Library Access to the Public

Need a way to escape the quarantine? The Duluth Public Library has a solution for you.

DULUTH, Minn. – Need a way to escape the quarantine? The Duluth Public Library has a solution for you. The Duluth library is closed to the public. However, the library is now making its digital content accessible to the public. Through an E-access library card, there is temporary access to e-books, audiobooks, magazines, and databases. “It’s great because right now…

Wisconsin Elections Impacted by Coronavirus

There are usually 500 absentee ballots for an election like they have in Superior next week. 

SUPERIOR, Wis. – There are usually 500 absentee ballots for an election like they have in Superior next week. But officials there say they have counted about 4,000 so far. Staff says that the coronavirus and its impact on the election was a surprise. They are glad people are staying safe. “We’re seeing more absentee ballots because of the virus,”…

Hoyt Lakes Couple Celebrates Canceled Cruise in Style from Backyard

Ray and Sue Shimmin have always dreamt of going on a cruise, but when their Western Caribbean cruise was canceled last-minute, they decided to do the cruise anyway from their backyard.

HOYT LAKES, Minn. – Vacations for just about everyone have been put on hold around the Northland. However, one couple whose cruise was canceled decided to still have some fun – even while staying home. Ray and Sue Shimmin have always dreamt of going on a cruise, but when their Western Caribbean cruise was canceled last-minute, they decided to do…

Superior Woman Celebrates a Surprise 88th Birthday in Social Distanced Style

Lorraine Urbaniak was treated to a surprise car parade of her family and friends outside her home.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Northlanders are doing what they can to celebrate important moments in life even if it’s from afar. In the time of COVID-19, families are dealing with being apart from loved ones, especially those who are in assisted living homes. But one local family in Superior did what they could to celebrate a very special 88th birthday. Lorraine…

Hartel’s Disposal Helping Out Employees During Pandemic

About five years ago, most of Hartel's trucks became fully automated, meaning drivers do not even have to get out of the trucks to load the trash at most sites.

PROCTOR, Minn. – Most local companies are dealing with the fallout of COVID-19 and though trash services are considered essential businesses, they are doing their best to keep their drivers safe. Each day, Proctor-based Hartel’s Disposal sanitized each garbage truck before they are driven on routes. Drivers are also given facemasks purchased from a local business to keep them safe….

Coronavirus Impacts RV Businesses

It isn't all bad for RV sales.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – It isn’t all bad news for RV sales. There have been some cases where medical personnel and others are purchasing RVs in efforts to self-isolate. Not only do RVs provide a sense of distance from other campers, they also provide a sense of containment. RV companies like Bullyan RV are now turning to more digital methods to…

Businesses Take Steps to Combat Coronavirus

Paul Davis Restoration in Superior says if any cases of coronavirus are found in an area, they are willing to help out with their cleaning experts who are well prepared.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Other local businesses are taking extra precautions against the coronavirus. Paul Davis Restoration in Superior, which helps with fire, water and mold damage for residential and commercial buildings, say if any cases of coronavirus are found in an area they are willing to help out with their cleaning experts who are well prepared. Make people feel more…

Butcher Shops Experience Surge in Business

Local butchers like Superior Meats are also experiencing a surge in sales due to the coronavirus.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Local butchers like Superior Meats are also experiencing a surge in sales due to the coronavirus. Areas of the register are marked off so people don’t get too close. According to management, people are buying more than they usually do as they are trying to stock their freezers for quarantine. Customers have been calling in to order…

Bike Shops Considered an Essential Business

If biking is one of your favorite ways to relieve stress, you are in luck.

DULUTH, Minn. – If biking is one of your favorite ways to relieve stress, you are in luck as bike shops are considered an essential business. Stewart’s Bike Shop in Duluth specializes in mid-range bikes for the whole family. Management says people are still coming in to shop for a new bike, and their service departments are also still busy…

Amidst Coronavirus, Damiano Center Still Serves Meals

The Damiano Center is still serving meals to those in need in the Northland.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Damiano Center is still serving meals to those in need in the Northland, but just in a different way. A tent is set up in their parking lot where they serve up meals every day except Tuesday and Thursday. More than 100 free meals are served per day. Leadership from the group say they hope these…

ASL Interpreters Adjust to Help Students

There is a limitation to how 3D communication is done in a 2D format.

DULUTH, Minn. – With technology, interpreting services have been able to thrive. However, there is a limitation to how 3D communication is done in a 2D format. It’s about service deaf students in the local area and meeting their needs without meeting in person. “As far as education, that’s definitely an area that we don’t want to lose the kids…

Wisconsin DWD Receives 115,679 New Unemployment Applications, 1.5 Million Calls In A Week

WISCONSIN – In Wisconsin, the Department of Workforce Development has seen new applications for unemployment go from a steady 6,000 a week to 115,679 just last week. The DWD said it received 1.5 million calls last week, which includes those who called multiple times. The requirement that you must apply to several jobs every week to receive your unemployment check…

Bent Paddle, Local Businesses Host Free Farmer’s Market

Around 1,000 people came through the market on Tuesday and nearly 3400 pounds of food was given out. 

DULUTH, Minn. – Tuesday, Bent Paddle Brewing and Clyde Iron Works hosted a “Free Farmer’s Market” for the public in need. In partnership with Sysco Foods, Pier B Resort Hotel and the 2020 Census, the farmer’s market provided 120 large cases of fresh produce. The farmer’s market was organized for anyone but specifically for people and families in need in…

Community Food Table for Those in Proctor and Surrounding Areas

A local business in Proctor is hosting a community food table for those in need.

PROCTOR, Minn. – A local business in Proctor is hosting a community food table for those in need. Troy’s Service Center is hosting the program, which is open to anybody in the surrounding areas, as long as they are in need. The food table includes not just food. Kids can also borrow movies and books, and return them after using…

Teachers Adjust to Teaching at a Distance

Even though the buildings are closed, the schools are still open.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Even though the buildings are closed, the schools are still open. “We’re constantly trying to work with each other, meet with each other to figure out what the best ways to reach students to get them invested into their education and having some kind of accountability along the way,” said Trevor Sorensen, a high school math teacher…

City of Superior Offers Curbside Voting

Curbside voting is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through this Friday, and you can call the City Clerk's Office to pick a time to vote.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The City of Superior launched curbside voting on Monday that will run for the rest of the week. People can call the City Clerk’s office to pick a time to come by and provide their information. Then, they pull up in front of the Government Center, call the office back, and the ballot will be brought to…