Crime

Ashland County Sheriff Received $228 Thousand to Aid the Fight Against Opioids

ASHLAND, Wis. — It kills more Wisconsinites a year than car crashes. Opioids, a powerful prescribed painkiller, has overwhelmed communities across the country. In 2023, Wisconsin saw just over 1,300 opioid-related deaths. To combat rising opioid death rates, the state of Wisconsin has announced grants being awarded to law enforcement agencies state-wide.  “As Attorney General, my top priority is public…

UPDATE: Two Juveniles Arrested in Robbery and Assault of 75-year-old Man

DULUTH, Minn. — Two male juveniles, a 14-year-old and 16-year-old, were arrested Wednesday, June 19 in the assault and robbery of a 75-year-old man in the DECC parking ramp. UPDATE (6/20): The juveniles are facing pending charges of Aid and Abet 1st Aggravated Robbery and 3rd Degree Riot charges. They were detained at about 10:30 pm on Wednesday, June 19…

Bomb Threat to Grand Marais Pride Event Under Investigation

The Cook County Sheriff's Office is Continuing to Investigate Saturday Morning's Threat

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. — The Cook County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a bomb threat Saturday morning directed at a Pride Event in Grand Marais. The threat was reported at approximately 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning. The Sheriff’s Office responded immediately, performing a precautionary sweep. It yield negative result and the Sheriff’s Office determined there was no indication of an active threat…

12-Year-Old Bicyclist Struck in Ashland County

MARENGO, Wis. — A 12-year-old bicyclist was life flighted after being struck by a vehicle near Marengo, about 20 miles south of Ashland. This happened Thursday afternoon around 3:30 p.m., the Ashland County Dispatch Center received a call that a vehicle hit struck the 12-year-old on their bike. The condition of the 12-year-old is currently unknown. The driver of the vehicle…

Female Exits Residence Peacefully After Crisis Team Response In Lincoln Park

UPDATE: 10:30 p.m.: After making contact with the female, she exited the residence peacefully and was transported to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation. There were no injuries during this incident and the area is now clear. BREAKING: Officers are on scene of a welfare check in the 3000 block of Restormel Street in Duluth’s Lincoln Park that…

Guilty Verdicts in Massive Minnesota Food-Money Fraud Case

Millions of dollars in Covid-19 money diverted from food-for-children program.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A jury convicted five Minnesota residents and acquitted two others on Friday for their roles in a scheme to steal more than $40 million that was supposed to feed children during the coronavirus pandemic. The case received widespread attention after someone tried to bribe a juror with a bag of $120,000 in cash. That juror was dismissed…

Duluth Teen Found Guilty of Murder in Shooting of Another Teen

Verdict came this week in 2022 death.

Corey Devon Young Found Guilty Two years ago, a 17-year-old Duluth resident was shot and killed. Tuesday the shooter was found guilty. Corey Devon Young was found guilty of second-degree intentional murder. He is now 19 years old, but was 17 at the time of the shooting. In July of 2022, Duluth police were called to 1st Street and 16th…

Duluth Firefighter Injured In Hit-And-Run Improving, Suspect Deemed ‘Incompetent’

Firefighter Raymond Skoglund has made a remarkable recovery in the four months since this tragic accident.

Ronald Gene Myrdahl DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth man who severely injured a Duluth firefighter in January has just been found incompetent. Ronald Gene Myrdahl, 88, is charged with “Criminal Vehicular Operation–Great Bodily Harm–Driver Who Causes Collision Leaves Scene.” At the time, Myrdahl was driving on Grand Avenue without his lights around 5:45 p.m. Jan. 25 when he heard a…

Prosecutors To Dismiss Charges Against Minnesota Trooper Who Shot Motorist Ricky Cobb

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Prosecutors plan to dismiss murder and manslaughter charges against a white Minnesota state trooper who fatally shot Ricky Cobb II, a Black motorist, as Cobb tried to pull away from a traffic stop, saying the decision comes in response to recent statements from the trooper’s attorney and new analysis of video from the scene. Hennepin County Attorney Mary…

Minneapolis Mass Shooting Suspect Identified

Mustafa Ahmed Mohamed MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota law enforcement on Saturday identified the man who they believe fatally shot a Minneapolis officer in what police are calling an ambush. Minnesota Public Safety Department spokesperson Bonney Bowman named 35-year-old Mustafa Mohamed as the suspected shooter. He was later shot and killed by another responding officer. Minneapolis officer Jamal Mitchell was responding…

Minneapolis Police Officer Among 4 Dead In Mass Shooting: KMSP-TV

(FOX 9) MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis police officer and the suspected shooter were killed in a mass shooting in the city on Thursday. According to officials, the shooting at an apartment building Thursday afternoon along Blaisdell Avenue near 22nd Street left six people shot, including two police officers and four civilians. In an update at 8:30 p.m., city officials said the suspected gunman and…

Virginia Man Charged in Stabbing of Two

Criminal complaint says fight started outside bar.

  (Updated May 29, 3:30 p.m.) A Virginia man has been charged with the stabbing of two people over the weekend. Israel Albert Wayne Contreras, who turns 48 on Thursday, faces two felony counts of 2nd Degree Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and a misdemeanor involving reckless use of a dangerous weapon. A man and woman were stabbed, with the…

Man Charged with Attempted 1st Degree Murder in Duluth Grocery Store Attack; Victim Remains Hospitalized

Complaint says the attacker used a hammer to severely beat 81-year-old man; Victim says he never saw the man before.

UPDATE (May 28, 11:10 a.m.)—A 43-year-old man has been charged with premeditated, 1st degree attempted murder in the assault of a man at a Duluth grocery store last Friday. Meanwhile, police said Tuesday the victim is in stable condition with significant head injuries. In a criminal complaint filed Tuesday morning, the attacker is identified as Lance Alexander Tolbert. The complaint…

Duluth Girl Dies After Side-By-Side Crash; Criminal Investigation Underway

Authorities said the driver is 18 years old and alcohol is believed to be involved.

Crash scene CANOSIA TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A Duluth girl has died after a UTV side-by-side she was riding in rolled into some trees earlier this month in Canosia Township, according to Sgt. Eric Sathers. Meanwhile, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says criminal charges could soon be filed against the driver. The crash happened around 10:15 p.m. May 6 near…

Police: Douglas County Sheriff’s Detective Arrested For Drunken Hit-&-Run

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A detective with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is accused of hit-and-run while under the influence of alcohol. Superior police told FOX 21 Matthew DeRosia, 50, was arrested Sunday around 10:15 p.m. after an officer saw his vehicle sparking from a blown-out tire. The incident unfolded on the 1100 block of E. Fifth Street. Upon further investigation,…

Duluth’s ‘Substance Use Response Team’ Coordinator Talks Opioid Crisis

DULUTH, Minn. —  Last year in Duluth, a record number of opioid-related overdoses were recorded. There were a total of 480 opioid-related overdoses, including 46 deaths. In 2013, there were 42 opioid-related overdoses and one death. Jessica Nickila, coordinator of the Duluth Police Department’s Substance Use Response Team (SURT), said the over prescribing of opioids decades ago in our area…

Driver Arrested After Hitting Utility Pole, Vehicle On Garfield Ave.

DULUTH, Minn. — A driver is facing serious charges after Duluth police said he slammed into a utility pole and a vehicle. The crash happened around 10:45 a.m. Saturday in the 500 block of Garfield Avenue. The Blatnik Bridge and Garfield Avenue were closed until Minnesota Power could stabilize powerlines and install a new power pole. Police said the 36-year-old…

Work Continues on Downtown Duluth Safety

Approach is combination of outreach, education, and when necessary--enforcement.

Crime and safety in downtown Duluth have been a growing community concern, and the city has taken steps it says are slowly making a difference. That was the message inside the Greysolon Ballroom Wednesday, where Downtown Duluth members heard from the mayor, police chief and city attorney. The approach has involved a combination of education, persuasion and enforcement. It ranges…

Pro-Palestine Encampment Grows In Duluth Civic Center; Police Monitoring

DULUTH, Minn. — A few more tents have arrived at the pro-Palestine encampment in Duluth’s Civic Center courtyard six days after police said it was illegal to set up tents on the property. On Tuesday, May 7, there were at least five tents, instead of the original two, outside the Federal Building, St. Louis County Courthouse and City Hall. A…

Duluth Police Ask Pro-Palestine Encampment To Leave Civic Center

DULUTH, Minn. — A small encampment In the Duluth Civic Center courtyard got a visit from the Duluth Police Department Wednesday evening. The two officers told the pro-Palestinian protesters that it’s against the law to set up camps sites on the property. Wednesday marked the first time protesters have taken to the streets of Duluth to set up an encampment…

Sexually Explicit Video Involving Minors Circulates Lincoln Park Middle School

DULUTH, Minn. – Lincoln Park Middle School alerted parents Wednesday about a sexually explicit video involving minors that was circulating among students. In an email to parents, the principal said the video originated outside of school but was still a serious situation because of the content and the “legal implications associated with distributing or possessing such material.” The school is…

Police: 4 Officers Killed, 4 Wounded In Shootout At North Carolina Home

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Four officers trying to serve a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and four other officers were wounded in a shootout in North Carolina. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said the officers killed the suspect outside the Charlotte home Monday after he fired on them. Jennings says officers who rushed to…

Iron County Sheriff’s Office Considers 2 Horse Deaths ‘Suspicious’

Two horse fatalities are under investigation in Iron County. The Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook to say investigators consider the deaths “suspicious.” The deaths happened Wednesday night into early Thursday on a property off of County Highway C in South Carey. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt, Foryan or Sgt. Wozniak of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office at…

‘One Pill Can Kill’ — The Fentanyl Crisis

DULUTH, Minn – Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa was one of four Minnesota law enforcement officers to appear with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) who spoke about the fentanyl crisis.  The online event was designed to raise awareness of the increasing dangers of fentanyl. It has been involved in 92 percent of overdose deaths in Minnesota. Fentanyl is increasingly becoming known…

Northeast Minnesota Criminal Justice Summit Focuses on Crime Survivors

DULUTH, Minn. — The 2024 Northeast Minnesota Criminal Justice Summit took place Thursday. The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office hosting the event at Pike Lake Beach and Gold Club. The day long training is for law enforcement, prosecutors, social workers and others to learn new ways to serve victims of crimes. It focused on human trafficking, compensation for victims, sexual…

Former Superior Police Sgt. Takes Plea Deal In 2022 Fatal Crash

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A former Sergeant with the Superior Police Department is taking a plea deal in a 2022 fatal hit and run crash that involved alcohol. With a guilty plea of two counts of Vehicular Homicide involving alcohol, 44-year-old Gregory Swanson is facing the possibility of 9 years in prison for each count. Court documents say Swanson’s blood-alcohol level…

Minnesota State Senator Arrested On Suspicion Of Burglary

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A state senator and former broadcast meteorologist was arrested on suspicion of burglary early Monday in the northwestern Minnesota city of Detroit Lakes, police said. Democratic Sen. Nicole Mitchell, 49, of Woodbury, was being held in the Becker County Jail on suspicion of first-degree burglary. Formal charges were still pending Monday afternoon, Detroit Lakes Police Chief Steve…

2 Motorcyclists Injured In Separate NW Wis. Crashes With Vehicles

The motorcycle riding season has started off with two serious accidents in northwest Wisconsin over the weekend. The first incident happened Sunday afternoon in Sawyer County on Highway 70 near the Township of Winter. The Sheriff’s Office said the driver struck a motorcyclist while attempting to turn around after being on the shoulder. The motorcyclist, 57-year-old Daniel Barber, was flown…

Sheriff: Distracted Driver Slams Into Deputy’s Vehicle At Crash Scene

A distracted driver slammed into a deputy’s cruiser Monday in St. Louis County, according to Sheriff Gordon Ramsay. Ramsay posted photos on social media and said the avoidable incident was a big reminder to move over for public safety vehicles and road maintenance workers. Vehicle that struck Deputy’s vehicle The deputy was not seriously injured. Ramsay said the deputy’s SUV…

Duluth Police: Man Intentionally Slams Vehicle Into Grocery Store

Suspect is believed to be an employee of Super One

DULUTH, Minn. — A driver is facing multiple charges after crashing into a Super One Foods Saturday morning in West Duluth. A boarded up front entry way could be seen later in the day. Police told FOX 21 the 48-year-old man who was driving the vehicle is believed to be an employee of the store who was experiencing a mental…

Celebration Of Life For Duluth Domestic Homicide Victim Allisa Vollan

HERMANTOWN, Minn.– Family and friends of Allisa Vollan, a victim of Domestic Homicide, gathered Saturday to celebrate her life. Vollan was a Duluth woman who has become Minnesota’s sixth homicide victim so far this year. Allisa’s family held a celebration of life to remember the 27 year old. Her family also used the celebration to spread awareness on Domestic Violence….

3 Charged, New Details Released In Downtown Duluth Stabbing Death

DULUTH, Minn. – Three men are wanted and charged after an altercation outside a Duluth bar last week left a woman fatally stabbed. Darrius Plummer, 34, of Canton, Michigan, is charged with second-degree murder. Kimonte Cadge, 36, of Duluth, is charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon after he allegedly chased down Plummer after the stabbing and “pistol-whipped” him,…

Family Of Duluth Domestic Homicide Victim Talk Anger, Grief, Hope

Allisa Vollan was 27 years old

DULUTH, Minn. — There is anger and grief from the family of a Duluth woman who has become Minnesota’s sixth homicide victim so far this year by, who authorities call, an intimate partner. In March, Allisa Vollan, 27, was killed by her boyfriend, Dale Howard, 25, according to the criminal complaint. Allisa was found dead in Howard’s apartment just nine…

UMD Senior Art Exhibit Focuses on the Falsely Incarcerated

The opening night of Holly Brown's exhibit also featured guest speaker Herman Lindsey

DULUTH, Minn. — A new exhibit has opened at UMD’s Tweed Museum of Art, focusing on wrongful convictions and the death penalty. Senior Holly Brown created the exhibit, “Exonerated,” to show the impact of wrongful convictions on people’s lives around the country. Brown is a non-traditional student at UMD, returning years later to finish her degree. She says one of…

Mourning Continues Outside Downtown Memorial For Duluth Stabbing Victim

DULUTH, Minn. — Another vigil was held Saturday night for a young woman who was stabbed in the neck at bar close Friday morning on West First Street in downtown Duluth. Sunday afternoon, close friends and family of the victim held a community BBQ as they called for justice to be served in Duluth’s second homicide of the year. Chantel…

Duluth Mayor and Police Chief Release Statements On Early Morning Downtown Homicide

  UPDATE (April 12, 5:30 pm.)–A woman was stabbed to death in downtown Duluth overnight. It happened on First Street between Lake Avenue and First Avenue West. Crime on that block has been so troublesome, that police have focused special attention to the area. As many as eight squad cars were still on the scene processing evidence and taking people…

Michigan School Shooter’s Parents Sentenced To At Least 10 Years In Prison

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — A judge sentenced the parents of a Michigan school shooter to at least 10 years in prison Tuesday for failing to take steps that could have prevented a “runaway train” — the killing of four students in 2021. Jennifer and James Crumbley are the first parents convicted in a U.S. mass school shooting. They were found guilty of…

BCA Search For Clues At Cloquet Home Involving Disappearance Of Peter Martin

BCA photo CLOQUET, Minn. — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has provided an update on the disappearance of Peter Martin, a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Peter Martin The BCA posted photos on social meeting Friday that showed crime scene investigators at a house in Cloquet as part of their efforts to…

Duluth Man Indicted In Federal Child Pornography Case

DULUTH, Minn. — A one-time Duluth ski coach is now federally indicted on charges of possessing 18,000 images and videos of child pornography. John Degelau, 27, was arrested and released Thursday after being arraigned in federal court. John Degelau Authorities said he used Adobe Photoshop to morph child pornography that he found online with other non-explicit images of minors. Authorities…

Sexual Assault, Domestic and Child Abuse Getting Important Focus in April

Awareness effort started Monday in Superior with commitment to support and education.

Sexual assault and domestic and child abuse are issues that continue to plague communities. April is a month when advocates focus attention on the issue and the effort kicked off Wednesday at the Douglas County Government Center in Superior. It involved law enforcement, political leaders, educators, and those with the court system. The wide cross-section represented the message and the…

Feds: Chicago Drug Operation Preying On Duluth Area Busted

DULUTH, Minn. – A Chicago-based drug trafficking ring that’s been targeting the Duluth area has been broken up with eight members indicted by the feds, according to the United States Attorney’s Office District of Minnesota. The announcement was made Tuesday in Duluth by U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa, St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay and County…