Public Safety

Barnum H.S. Student Accused Of Injuring Another Student With Box Cutter

BARNUM, Minn. — A Barnum High School student is facing serious charges after police say she cut another student with a box cutter. The suspect is a 14-year-old girl.  The victim is a 16-year-old boy. The incident was reported around 9 a.m. Tuesday. The school was placed on lockdown during the incident. The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office said the boy…

Police: Parent Causes ‘Soft Lockdown’ At Piedmont Elementary

DULUTH, Minn. — Piedmont Elementary School went into a soft lockdown Tuesday. The lockdown happened around 12:15 p.m. Duluth police told FOX 21 that a parent was causing a disturbance at the school. Police requested a soft lockdown as a precaution. The parent was trespassed from school property. Nobody was injured. Below is the full e-mail alert to parents: Dear…

Some Information Emerging in Cloquet Shooting Deaths, But Most Questions Remain

At Tuesday morning's press conference, the Chief said they still don't know if there were any connections between two victims and shooter.

Law enforcement investigators spent the night at the crime scene in Cloquet. Investigators say a man shot and killed a female desk clerk, and then shot another man who was sitting in a car.  The gunman then shot himself. Tuesday morning, Chief Derek Randall said investigators were still looking for answers for what happened at the Super 8 motel. He…

Cloquet Police: Super 8 Hotel Employee Among 3 Dead, Including Shooter

10:15 p.m. Update:  The Cloquet Police Department released new information on Monday evening’s active shooter incident. Around 6:30 p.m., an employee of the Super 8 hotel in Cloquet called 911 to report they’d found another hotel employee who looked like she’d been attacked, according to the news release. Cloquet police responded to find a 22-year-old woman with a gunshot wound. …

1 Arrested After Superior Officer’s License Plate Reader Spots Stolen Vehicle

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A heavy police presence happened Wednesday afternoon around a McDonald’s in Superior. The incident happened at the North 21st Street McDonald’s around 3:30 p.m. Officials said a police officer’s “Automated License Plate Reader” in his squad spotted the stolen vehicle in front of him. Per the Superior Police Department’s procedures, multiple officers arrived on scene to order…

Is The Ice Safe? Better Check First

Those venturing out are urged to be careful because many have gone through the ice already.

The cautionary tone about being careful on lake and river ice was echoed this week as outdoor enthusiasts get antsy. At Duluth’s Marine General, this month they had customers torn between both ice and open-water fishing. Some anglers were rigging up their boats and heading out on the lake. But with the weather now turning back to a little bit…

Duluth Man, 26, Arrested For Allegedly Possessing 18K Images, Videos Of Child Porn

DULUTH, Minn. – A 26-year-old Duluth man was arrested Wednesday morning on four counts of possessing child pornography, according to Duluth police. The investigation started in May of 2022 after two tips were reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The Duluth Police Department and Homeland Security investigators worked the case. Investigators said a search warrant this…

Problematic Downtown Duluth Parking Ramp Secured With Fencing

DULUTH, Minn. — A problematic downtown Duluth parking ramp has been secured with new fencing to help curb unwanted behavior — and more improvements are on the way. The fencing at the HART District Ramp on East Superior Street now covers all open areas, except where vehicles enter and leave. In May, the city council approved $165,000 to install an…

Convicted Killer From Duluth Sentenced For Kidnapping, Rape

DULUTH, Minn. — A convicted killer from Duluth is sentenced again for a serious crime he committed while out on parole. Dennis Hannuksela, 64, kidnapped, bound and raped a woman on a logging road near Duluth in May of 2021. In court Monday, Hannuksela got the maximum sentence of 19 years in prison. He was previously convicted of first-degree murder…

WI Man Gets 3 Years In Prison For Bomb Threat Against Governor In 2018

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin man who made a bomb threat in 2018 that prompted a search of then-Gov. Scott Walker’s office in the state Capitol has been sentenced to three years in prison and two years of extended supervision, the state Department of Justice announced on Friday. Terrance Grissom, 53, was already serving time for making other threats…

Silent Vigil Held in Honor of Gun Violence Victims

Community members gathered at Peace Church on the anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting

DULUTH, Minn. — Today marks the 11th anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting, which took the lives of 26 first graders and educators. Here in Duluth, a silent vigil was held in honor of all gun violence victims. The Northland Brady Chapter, an advocate group against gun violence, and Peace Church invited community members to take time out of their…

Iron Range Hells Angels “President” Charged in Eveleth Alleged Kidnapping and Assault

Criminal complaint includes two felony charges; says accused is "President" of Hells Angels Iron Range Charter.

A man described as the head of the Hells Angels on the Iron Range was charged Wednesday in an alleged kidnapping and assault case. He is charged with two felonies, including kidnapping and false imprisonment. He’s also charged with assault. A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court says the man is Jerand Paul French. The complaint says French, 38,…

1 Of 3 Suspects Charged In Eveleth Kidnapping, Sexual Assault

EVELETH, Minn. — An Eveleth man with alleged connections to the Hells Angels has been charged with beating up and kidnapping another man, and sexually assaulting a woman. A criminal complaint says he is one of three men in custody who have connections with the motorcycle group. Charges against Paul Anthony Debelak include kidnapping to commit bodily harm, criminal sexual…

BCA: Third Suspect Turns Himself In After Eveleth Kidnapping, Sexual Assault

DULUTH, Minn. — A third suspect is under arrest in connection to a kidnapping and assault in Eveleth that took place over multiple days. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on Monday said the 38-year-old man is from Eveleth. He turned himself into the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia Monday morning. The other men under arrest are a…

Hibbing Man, 20, Killed In Head-On Crash; ‘You Are Loved By So Many’

HIBBING, Minn. –  Family and friends on the Iron Range are in mourning after a young man was killed over the weekend in a head-on crash. Levi Greenwood, 20, of Hibbing graduated last year from East Range Academy of Technology and Science. Levi and family The Minnesota State Patrol said the accident happened around 4:30 a.m. Saturday. They said Greenwood…

DECC Exec. Dir.: $1M Line Of Credit Untouched, Year-Round Business Model Sought

DULUTH, Minn. — DECC Executive Director Dan Hartman gave an update Sunday on the venue’s struggling financing, saying he is proud to report the DECC has not used a dime of the $1 million emergency line of credit, which the city council reluctantly approved in September. Hartman said business has picked up, and it has been strong. The William A….

Domestic Violence Prevention Gets Christmas Gifts and Big Check

Cenovus Energy teams up with United Way to help CASDA families.

It is the time of year when a lot of people are doing good things for one another. And Wednesday was another example of that. Gift paper and gift wrappers came together in Superior to bring some Christmas to clients of CASDA, the Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse. Cenovus employees and their families were wrapping gifts for twenty CASDA…

Superior Names Next Chief of Police

SUPERIOR, Wis. –The city of Superior announced Friday that Paul Winterscheidt will be the city’s next police chief.  The current chief, Nicholas Alexander retires in January of 2024. Winterschieidt, a 2003 graduate of UW Superior, joined the Superior Police Department in. In his 18 years on the force he has worked patrol, investigations, and narcotics investigations. He was chosen after…

Chickens Killed In Barn Fire

FLOODWOOD TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A barn fire killed several chickens in Floodwood Township Saturday evening. St. Louis County Sheriff Office deputies and area fire departments responded around 6:15 p.m. The barn is a total loss. No people were injured. The cause is under investigation, but authorities do not suspect foul play. Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Public Safety

Man Dies In Landslide at Minnesota State Park

Courtesy: Associated Press File MANKATO, Minn. — A 19-year-old man became trapped and died as a result of a landslide at a state park in southern Minnesota. The Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office received a call Saturday afternoon of a landslide trapping someone under collapsed earth at the falls area of Minneopa State Park, near Mankato. Emergency workers recovered the…

Duluth Firefighters Tackle Downtown Garage Fire

DULUTH, Minn. – Northland firefighters have been busy lately responding to structure fires. In Duluth Thursday, firefighters tackled a garage fire on the 100 block of East Third Street. No injuries were reported. Damage is estimated around $10,000. The Duluth Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a cause. Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Public Safety

Hermantown Fire Evolves Past Volunteer Model

The Department continued growth by hiring a fire inspector and training officer

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — The Hermantown Fire Department is expanding its efforts to better serve the community. Over the past year, the City has been making changes to the volunteer firefighting model. That system has been in place for more than 70 years. But as Hermantown grows, the Fire Department is looking to not only increase efficiency, but support their firefighters….

3 Men of Palestinian Descent Shot, Injured Near University of Vermont

Three young men of Palestinian descent who were in Burlington for a Thanksgiving holiday gathering were shot and injured — one seriously — near the University of Vermont, police said Sunday. Authorities said the attack may have been a hate crime. The shootings occurred at about 6:25 p.m. Saturday near the UVM campus, according to Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad….

MN State Patrol: Driver Of I35 Rollover In Duluth Arrested For DWI

DULUTH, Minn. (Thursday) — The Minnesota State Patrol told FOX 21 on Thursday that the driver who rolled his vehicle on I-35 in downtown Duluth last week was arrested for DWI. Video from a MnDOT camera on Southbound I-35 near the Lake Avenue exit shows a 2022 Dodge Charger rolling multiple times. A public information officer for the Minnesota State…

Mayor-Elect Roger Reinert Visits Duluth Police, Fire on Thanksgiving

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth firefighters and police officers got a visit this Thanksgiving from Duluth Mayor-elect Roger Reinert. The Duluth Fire Union and the Duluth Police Department posted pictures on social media Thursday of Reinert’s visits. Both agencies thanked Reinert visiting them on Thanksgiving. The fire and police unions endorsed Reinert for mayor this past election. Categories: Minnesota, News, Political,…

Man Seriously Injured In Garage Fire

BREVATOR TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A structure fire in Brevator Township seriously injured a man. The fire broke out around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on the 3500 block of Nelson Road. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said the 64-year-old man was injured while trying to save items in a burning garage. The man was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in serious…

Final Report Issued In Outside Investigation of Sexual Abuse Allegations at Duluth’s Vineyard Church

Report said church had a "dismissive response to concerns"; church moving toward a culture "more resistant to abuse and toxicity."

Duluth’s Vineyard Church says it fully accepts the findings of an investigation done by an outside organization, after sexual abuse allegations emerged at the church. The church says it vows to heal wounds, regain trust and make changes. Former youth leader, 35-year-old Jackson Gatlin, has been charged with ten criminal counts involving five females at the church. For its own…

Minnesota Department Of Public Safety Enforcing New Holiday DWI Campaign

MINNESOTA — A new campaign means more DWI patrols will be out on the road this holiday season. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is protecting people from impaired drivers through the What’s My Why social media campaign. During the campaign law enforcement will be sharing their personal stories of what motivates them to prevent impaired driving tragedies. DPS says…

Duluth Firefighters Battle Garage Fire, Vehicles Driving Over Hydrant Line

DULUTH, Minn. –  A structure fire in Duluth’s Lakeside/Lester Park neighborhood has turned into another plea from firefighters to residents, after vehicles once again got in the way of fighting a fire. The department said five vehicles drove over one of the hydrant lines being used to fight the fire Monday afternoon. Assistant Fire Chief Dennis Edwards told FOX 21,…

Clinton Fire Dept. Accepts 2,352 Cans Of Drinking Water From Anheuser-Busch

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Minn. – The Clinton Volunteer Fire Department & EMS received thousands of cans of drinking water from Anheuser-Busch. Fire Capt. Eric Monson said the 2,352 canned waters will help first responders stay hydrated when they battle wildfires and other disasters. “This generous donation will significantly enhance our emergency response capabilities and ensure that we can better serve and…

Duluth Fire Department Provides Holiday Season Fire Safety Tips

DULUTH, Minn. — Thanksgiving is fast approaching, but so is the risk of fires in the kitchen. The Duluth Fire Department provides some strategies that will keep you and your family safe during this holiday season. On Thanksgiving, there are three to four times more fires than on a typical day. That’s according to the National Fire Protection Association. Fortunately,…

Second Missing Canoeist’s Body Recovered In Wascott

The two men in their 20s were from New Ulm, Minnesota.

(Nov. 15) — Searchers from the St. Louis County Rescue Squad and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office located and recovered the body of 27-year-old Andrew DeRock, according to a release from Douglas County Sheriff Matt Izzard. DeRock had been missing since Oct. 28 after a canoeing incident on the Minong Flowage in Douglas County. Ryan Busch, who was also missing…

Cenovus Superior Refinery Responds To Third-Party Railcar Leak

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Cenovus Superior Refinery responded to an emergency railcar leak Tuesday. Cenovus Energy told FOX 21 the railcar was not theirs but belonged to a railroad company with cars at the plant. On Wednesday, Cenovus said the issue had been resolved and no external emergency response was required. Superior Fire Chief Cam Vollbrecht told FOX 21, it’s his…

St. Louis Co. Sheriff’s Office Makes Arrest In ‘Severe Animal Neglect Case’

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office announced an arrest Monday evening in what investigators call “a severe animal neglect case.” The Sheriff’s Office posted on social media to say a pit bull named Gio was brought to Animal Allies barely clinging to life.  And after attempts to save its life, Gio, who was also known as Lovebug, died. The suspect…

UPDATE: One Building Destroyed, One Heavily Damaged due to Fire in Downtown Eveleth Sunday

EVELETH, Minn. – Over a dozen fire department worked together to battle a fire in downtown Eveleth Sunday morning. Friends of the Northland Firewire say the initial call came in around 5:30 at an apartment building next to Johnny D’s Bar in the 300 block of Grant Avenue. At least 18 departments spent time on scene, and the need for…

Man With Alzheimer’s Who Went Missing In Itasca County Found Safe

UPDATE (Nov. 6, 1:12 p.m.) — The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office has announced missing 85-year-old Gerald Olson has been found safe. The Sheriff’s Office thanks the public for their help in the search. ORIGINAL POST: The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating 85-year-old Gerald Olson. Olson “suffers from dementia and Alzheimer’s,” according to a…

2 Days To Go: Larson, Reinert Race To The Duluth Mayoral Finish Line

DULUTH, Minn. – The General Election is two days away on Nov. 7, and Duluth mayoral candidates Emily Larson and Roger Reinert were out Sunday continuing to door knock for votes. Both candidates posted to their social media Sunday about the campaigns. Larson posted a video saying in part: “Hey everybody, it’s Emily. It is Sunday night and, why yes,…