Public Safety

Visitor From Canada Helps Save Two Swimmers

Tr-Color Flags Signify If Dangers Exist in the Water

DULUTH, MINN.– Friday evening, the Duluth Fire Department responded to the report of two swimmers in distress in the 800 block of South Lake Avenue. Duluth Fire sent a water rescue response of three fire companies to access the swimmers.  However, when they arrived they learned a visitor from Toronto has already assisted the two girls and they were all…

Two Men Charged With Second-Degree Murder

  DULUTH, Minn. — Second-degree murder charges along with two other felony charges have been filed against the men who allegedly fired the shots that killed 19-year-old Paris Allen and injured another in Duluth on Wednesday. The two men are identified as 21-year-old Sanussi Bangoura and 25-year-old Brandon Williams-Gillard. They each face the same three charges: Aid & Abet Murder…

Hermantown P.D. Releases First Details In July 25 Road-Rage Attack It Calls ‘Altercation’

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Seven days after a violent road-rage attack of a 73-year-old man in Hermantown, the police department released its first news release Tuesday on the incident because the department says the investigation is now complete. Aug. 1 press release The release did not mention the suspect’s name, sex or age.  It also did not say anything about the…

Initial Suspect Cleared In Attack Near Superior Baseball Game

DULUTH, Minn. — Charges have been dropped against a man accused of cutting up a member of the Superior Youth Organization during a game last week, according to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office. The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. July 20 in a wooded area near the Hayes Court Complex baseball fields. The victim said he heard what sounded…

‘Marine 19’ Rescues Person Suffering Medical Issue Along Lakeshore

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Fire Department’s Marine 19 emergency vessel was dispatched Monday afternoon to help a person experiencing a medical emergency along Lake Superior. Marine 19 arriving into ship canal with patient The location was not easily accessible — about 1,000 yards east of Leif Erikson Park, according to a news release. Firefighters first arrived by the Rose…

Minnesota State Agencies Look Ahead To Marijuana Legalization

MINNESOTA — Driving high is a DWI. That is what state agencies discussed Tuesday at a news conference regarding traffic safety ahead of the marijuana legalization on August 1st. Lawmakers approved new resources for impaired driving and cannabis traffic safety efforts. These include: If officers suspect someone is under the influence of drugs while driving, they have the option to…

First Indigenous-Lead Coast Guard to Set Sail Next Year

GRAND PORTAGE, Minn.– The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa announced their latest partnership with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office for a new search and rescue program. This will be the first indigenous-lead coast guard. On average, the Grand Portage Band said that they help out with around 10 search and rescue missions each year. After the Auxiliary U.S….

Larson Secures DFL, Labor Endorsements; Reinert Lands Police, Fire Unions

DULUTH, Minn. — The Aug. 8 primary election is less than three weeks away. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson and former state Sen. Roger Reinert are the likely two candidates headed to the general election Nov. 7. “I doorknock five days a week. I’ve been out since January door-knocking. The campaign itself is really resonating with people. It is clear people…

U.S. Navy Parachute Member ‘Stable’ After Hard Landing At Duluth Airshow

DULUTH, Minn. – A member of the U.S. Navy Leap Frog parachute team was listed in stable condition Sunday after landing hard during the Duluth Airshow Saturday, according to a spokesperson for the event. “The individual was immediately tended to by emergency personnel and Airlifted to Essentia Health/St. Mary’s where he is in stable condition and being treated for his…

Canoers Discover Human Remains In Nemadji River

CARLTON, Co. — Human remains were recovered from the Nemadji River in Carlton County Saturday. The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office said a family canoeing on the river discovered the body around 1:30 p.m. The remains were found southeast of the SOO Line ATV trail and Highway 23 intersection. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating, including a positive identification of…

Duluth Police Search For Man With ‘Potential Risk To The Public’

Trevor Billings DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is searching for a suspect they considered a “potential risk to the public.” Trevor Billings has active warrants out for his arrest, according to police. “We are concerned for his safety and well-being,” said Mattie Hjelseth, public information office for the police department.  “Trevor poses a potential risk to the public…

Virginia Murder Suspect: “I Woke Up From A Dream And Was Told To Shoot My Brother”

VIRGINIA, Minn. — An attempted murder charge has been filed against a Virginia man accused of shooting his brother in the head. According to the criminal complaint, Robert Cope, 30, told authorities he “…woke up from a dream and was told to shoot my brother.” The shooting happened around 10:20 a.m. July 8 at a residence on 9th Street South…

Blood Donations Needed Even In Busy Summer Months

A blood drive at the Duluth Red Cross chapter office Wednesday was part of the effort to keep donors involved.

Summer is a very busy time for many people, but the need for a steady supply of blood continues year-round. Wednesday the Red Cross held a blood drive at their chapter office by the Miller Hill Mall. The entire morning was booked with appointments and there were just a few openings left heading into the afternoon. Volunteers from St. Cloud…

‘Men As Peacemakers’ Program Helps Men Change Course Against Domestic Violence

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s Men As Peacemakers is working to help stop domestic violence. Just last year alone, 70,000 Minnesota women received help from domestic violence agencies, according to the Safe Haven Shelter. To help reduce that violence, there are groups like Men As Peacemakers in Duluth working to help prevent violence against women and children. Training was held Monday…

Motorcyclist, SUV Collide Near Island Lake Killing 1, Injuring Another

DULUTH, Minn. – A motorcyclist was killed and his passenger was critically injured Thursday evening near Island Lake when their motorcycle collided with a vehicle. The accident happened around 6 p.m. near the 7400 block of Rice Lake Road in Duluth. Michael Allen Scott, 62, of Duluth, died at the scene. His female passenger who was not identified by the…

Motorcyclist’s Tire Locks Up, Loses Control

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police were called to a motorcycle accident in the Kenwood neighborhood Thursday. The incident happened around 11:45 a.m. at the intersection of Kenwood Avenue and West Arrowhead Road. The motorcyclist said he fell off his bike when the rear tire locked up while downshifting and changing lanes, according to police. The motorcyclist sustained minor injuries and…

Colleague Remembered by Deputies and Rescue Squad

Debra Slatten had many "firsts" in her career, and an ability to connect with people.

A local woman was remembered Thursday for a lifetime dedicated to service. The presence of emergency vehicles, squad cars and flags honored the memory of Debra, “Deb,” Slatten. She passed away unexpectedly on June 29 due to a cardiac event. Local residents, and fire and law enforcement members gathered to pay their respects. “It is obvious by the turnout today…

Alleged Killer of 5 In Philadelphia Shooting Had No Connection With Victims

2-year-old and 13-year-old boys also wounded.

Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A 40-year-old man with a rifle, a pistol, extra magazines, a police scanner and a bulletproof vest fatally shot four men in a Philadelphia neighborhood and chased and killed a fifth man inside a house, police said. A 2-year-old boy and a 13-year-old were also wounded in the Monday night violence that made the working-class…

Minnesota Search for 3 Missing Fishermen

One man fell in, two others tried to rescue him.

RED WING, Minn. (AP) — Officials in Minnesota are searching Tuesday for three men who are missing from a fishing boat in the Mississippi River. The Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office said that around 7:30 p.m. Monday, a 911 call reported that a man fell into the river while fishing near the town of Red Wing, at a point where the…

Woman Killed In Two-Vehicle Accident In Hermantown

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — A woman was killed Monday afternoon in a two-vehicle accident in Hermantown, according to a news release. Hermantown police identified the victim as 46-year-old Penny Jean Polaski. Investigators believe the Kia Rio Polaski was riding in as a passenger was driving south on Lavaque Bypass near Ugstad Road around 2:20 p.m. when it crossed the center line…

Smarts and Caution Urged When Lighting Fireworks

There are ways to make it safer for everyone around you.

With many area burning restrictions lifted or eased in recent days, it is expected that more people will be wanting to light fireworks on their own. Those who deal with fireworks and those who deal with the aftermath of injuries are reminding people to be careful. Despite the lack of rain early this summer, sales have been pretty steady at…

Sheriff Issues Warning After Double Drowning In Lake Superior

SILVER BAY, Minn. — Two teens who died Sunday cliff diving into Lake Superior were identified Monday. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said they are Austin Henning, 18, from South St. Paul and Maximillion Williams, 18, of Inver Grove Heights. The U.S. Coast Guard said the men resurfaced after their jump at Black Beach in Silver Bay Sunday afternoon but…

Police: Man, 25, Attacked In Piedmont Heights Neighborhood

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police are investigating after a man was attacked in the Piedmont Heights neighborhood. The crime was reported around 12:30 a.m. Friday near the intersection of Hutchinson Road and Hagberg Street. Police told FOX 21 Monday the victim is a 25-year-old man. The man was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Officers were not…

Teen Identified In BWCAW Drowning

BWCA, MINN. — Authorities have released the name of a teen that drowned in the Boundary Waters (BWCAW). Lester Hochstetler, 18, of Clear Lake, Wisconsin drowned Wednesday evening in Gillis Lake. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office said the victim was in a canoe with other fishermen when it overturned. Hochstetler was not wearing a personal flotation device, according to the…

Fire Destroys Restaurant At Lutsen Mountains Ahead Of Busy ‘Lutsen 99er’

LUTSEN, Minn. — A fire has destroyed Papa Charlie’s restaurant at Lutsen Mountains. Courtesy: Matthias Orfield The fire broke out sometime before 5 a.m. Saturday, according to a time stamp on a Lutsen camera. This fire comes on the same day of the start of a busy weekend with the Lutsen 99er Gravel Bike Race. “A fire at Papa Charlie’s…

Canoeist, 18, Presumed Dead After Capsizing In BWCAW Lake

An 18-year-old canoeist is presumed dead after capsizing on Gillis Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The accident happened Wednesday evening. Gillis Lake is located about four miles west of Round Lake and Tuscarora Lodge & Canoe Outfitters in Cook County, according to WTIP Radio. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office got a report around 6:45 p.m. that fishermen…

Littlefork Lumberyard Catches On Fire; Nearby Forest Not Affected

LITTLEFORK, Minn. — A fire broke out Wednesday at a longtime lumberyard in Littlfork. According to The Littlefork Times, piles of wood and woodchips caught fire around 1 p.m. at Green Forest Wood Products off Highway 71. The Littlefork Times Fire Chief Dan Wendt told the Times Wednesday evening that the flames stayed away from the nearby woods, according to…

Investigators Believe Human Caused BWCAW Wildfire

  Fire investigators believe a human caused a large wildfire within the Boundary Waters. The Spice Lake Wildfire is currently 22 acres and 65 percent contained. Spice Lake is located southwest of Seagull Lake, about 10 miles west of the Gunflint Trail. Sunday’s update showed fire activity “creeping and smoldering” in mixed timber and brush. Crews continue to fight the…

Minnesota’s Attorney General Warns Taylor Swift Fans Of Scammers

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is warning Taylor Swift fans in Minnesota of various ticket scams related to swift’s “Eras” tour, which comes to U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Friday and Saturday Ellison said buying second-hand tickets online is risky. Scammers can easily screenshots of tickets that don’t exist. He said it’s best to buy tickets through a trustworthy…

Duluth Police: Traffic Advisory Ahead Of Grandma’s Marathon For Friday Events

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Police Department released a traffic advisory for events happening Friday as a part of Grandma’s Marathon. Below is the press release from the police department: WILLIAM A. IRVIN 5K: Traffic Advisory – Friday, June 16, 2023 The William A. Irvin 5K race will begin at 6:00 p.m. Harbor Drive behind the DECC will close to…

Suspicious Death Investigation In Deer River

DEER RIVER, Minn. – A suspicious death investigation is underway in the city of Deer River. The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office released information about the case Wednesday evening. Authorities say deputies responded to a home in the 500 block of 4th Street SE early Tuesday morning in response to a citizen’s call requesting a welfare check. Upon arrival, deputies discovered…

Chemical Safety Board Releases New Video Of 2018 Superior Refinery Explosion, Fire

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A new 20-minute video has been released by the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board involving the 2018 Husky refinery explosion and fire in Superior. The goal of the board is to “drive chemical safety change through independent investigations to protect people and the environment.” The 2018 incident injured 36 workers, caused roughly $550 million in damage…