DULUTH, Minn. — St. Louis County Attorney Kim Maki has named her first-ever Deputy County Attorney to help manage all operations of her office in four locations. Veteran prosecutor Jon Holets has prosecuted high-profile cases for the county, like former Last Place on Earth owner Jim Carlson. Holets will now oversee personnel actions, coordination with law enforcement, the courts, and…
Steve Hanke Northeastern Minnesota will be getting a new judge. Steve Hanke has been tapped by Governor Walz to fill a vacancy in the Sixth Judicial District. He will be replacing the retiring Judge Michael Cuzzo. Hanke has ties to both sides of the Blatnik Bridge. He is a lawyer for the City of Duluth and is also an adjunct…
ASHLAND, Wis. — Two brothers from Mexico were shot and killed in Ashland Saturday, and now their family is trying to get their bodies home to be buried. 30-year-old Manuel Garcia and his 27-year-old brother, Luis, were visiting a third brother who lives in Ashland. The two were shot and killed early Saturday morning. Manuel’s wife is still in Ashland….
DULUTH, Minn. — Hundreds of firefighters are in Duluth this weekend for the annual state fire chief conference. The event has firetrucks on display, as well as new firefighting technologies. They’re holding educational sessions on leadership, professional development, and safety measures. The fire conference is the largest of it’s kind in the Midwest. MnFIRE is a health and wellness advocacy…
DULUTH, Minn. – A number of apartment units inside a Duluth’s East Hillside building suffered smoke and water damage due to a fire Sunday morning. Duluth Fire Department says they responded to an automatic fire alarm at 1232 E. 1st Street. It was updated to a structure fire after receiving numerous reports of the sound of explosions coming from an one…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior Police Chief Nicholas Alexander, who has been with the police department since 1998, is preparing to retire from the department. Alexander was just 26 when he joined the department as a police officer before climbing the ranks as captain of investigations and taking the chief position in 2015. Under Alexander’s leadership, he had a lot of…
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is condemning Hamas’ attack on Israel, as the death toll rose into the hundreds Sunday. “This was a planned, coordinated attack by Hamas, which is a terrorist organization, which is affiliated with Iran. And this has been Israel’s biggest fear because they are a democracy in a really tough neighborhood,” said Sen. Klobuchar. Klobuchar said Americans…
RICE LAKE, Minn. — Authorities say a passenger in a van was killed Friday morning when the vehicle made a U-turn on Martin Road in Rice Lake. The fatal victim has been identified as 78-year-old Paul Larson of Duluth. The incident happened about 8:45 a.m. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s office said the van he was riding in was traveling…
DULUTH, Minn. — A now-former youth pastor at The Vineyard Church in Duluth is charged with 10 counts of criminal sexual conduct involving five girls. Jackson Gatlin’s mugshot The criminal complaints against 35-year-old Jackson Gatlin say the victims were 12 to 16 years old at the time of the offenses. The complaints say Gatlin was between the ages of 19…
(Jerry Jackson/The Baltimore Sun via AP) BALTIMORE (AP) — At least four people were wounded, none critically, in a shooting at Morgan State University in Baltimore on Tuesday, according to authorities, who urged students to take shelter on the campus of the historically Black college. The Baltimore Police Department initially said officers were on the scene for an “active shooter…
Courtesy: Twin Cities In Motion MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A forecast that record high temperatures and humidity would create “extreme and dangerous” conditions prompted organizers to cancel two long-distance races Sunday in Minnesota’s two largest cities that were expected to draw up to 20,000 runners. The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon from Minneapolis to neighboring St. Paul had been expected to draw…
Those considering swimming on Park Point beaches Saturday were warned to be careful. And that warning carries into Sunday. The Duluth Fire Department said there was a high risk of rip currents, and they issued a warning about noon Saturday. The warning continues until 10 a.m. Sunday morning. The department says the warning means that wind and wave conditions can…
DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Firefighters Local 101 is feeling some relief after finding out firefighters will receive a wage increase the start of the upcoming year. The Duluth city council passed a resolution Monday for an 8% market\-rate adjustment for the firefighters. This was in response to a study finding their pay came in last for fire departments in the…
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. — A truck driver was recovering from his injuries Wednesday after being struck by a train in Ault Township. The accident happened around noon Wednesday in the 1800 block of Brimson Road. When deputies arrived, logs were all over the roadway and tracks. The 57-year-old semi driver from Two Harbors was taken to St. Luke’s in…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School District is asking for the community’s patience as it continues to investigate Duluth East head football coach Joe Hietala. Duluth police said Hietala was asked to leave school grounds Saturday morning after complaints by parents and staff that he was “intoxicated.” Police confirmed he had “signs of impairment.” Hietala voluntarily left on foot without…
A Sawyer County Sheriff’s Deputy is under arrest and accused of domestic abuse, according to Sheriff Doug Mrotek. Mrotek issued a news release Monday that said his office learned of the allegations against Schick on Sept. 21. Due to the nature of the allegations, Mrotek said he handed the investigation over to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators in Polk…
DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth East High School’s longtime head football coach, Joe Hietala, has been placed on administrative leave due to what the district calls “alleged violations of our polices and ethics.” The district said Coach Hietala, who had been in that position since 2002, will be prohibited from participating in any coaching activities, attending team events, or having any…
This weekend’s heavy rainfall has led to flooding in several areas of southern St. Louis County, especially at the intersection of Maple Grove Road and Mall Drive in Duluth, which has remained closed Sunday. Several other lesser traveled county roads also have been damaged due to washouts, including portions of: Cant Road south of Lismore Road Pioneer Junction Road between…
DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth continues to feel the effects of heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours that has caused creeks, streams and some sanitary sewers to overflow. The information below is a news release from the city about road closures, as of 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Chester Creek: -Niagara Street -Norton Road at the crossing nearest…
Barry family DULUTH, Minn. — It’s been about a year and a half since the Barry family was killed in their Duluth home by a relative. And now, the community is close to celebrating improvements at Chester Park in the name of the Barry’s daughters – Shiway and Sadie. The community helped raise $22,000 to install a new spinner element,…
DULUTH, Minn. – New workforce housing is coming to a prominent location in downtown Duluth. But it won’t be in the form of a new building. Duluth-based Titanium Partners will soon be transforming the historic Ordean Building across from Maurices on West Superior Street into 35 new apartments, according to Brian Forcier, owner of Titanium Partners. The units will be…
CLOQUET, Minn. –The Cloquet City Council approved the purchase of body-worn cameras and new Tasers for its Police Department. The 24 cameras cost slightly more than 159 thousand dollars, while the 24 Tasers were slightly more than 101 Thousand Dollars. These prices include service through December 2028. Because the two items were bundled together, Cloquet was able to receive a…
DULUTH, Minn. — Another growing homeless encampment in Duluth got torn down and moved out Monday. It comes as local and state leaders try to strike a balance between public health and safety, and caring for those facing their worst days without a roof over their heads. The lack of affordable housing in Duluth continues to be highlighted by the…
TWO HARBORS, Minn. — Two Harbors police are investigating a “shots fired” incident near townhomes. Police responded to the Rustic Creek Townhomes around 7 p.m. Sunday for the report of gunshots. Police called in assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office to conduct a search of the immediate and surrounding…
DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Police Department issued an update Monday involving an assault of a woman at the Rustic Bar in West Duluth. Investigators reviewed surveillance video from inside the bar, which they say shows two females getting into a physical fight with each other before two men get involved by assaulting the 39-year-old female victim. The woman went…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police are investigating a bar fight in West Duluth that sent one woman to the hospital for injuries to her head and face. The call for help came in around 12:15 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13 at the Rustic Bar on the 400 block of N. Central Avenue. “Initial investigation shows that a fight occurred between two…
A Hibbing man who admitted to killing his girlfriend in 2022 will spend the next 8.5 years in prison for the crime In August, Eric James Jarvis, 47, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in connection to the death of 43-year-old Kari Jo Petrich. Police arrested Jarvis in June of 2022 after he called 911 about the woman’s death. When police…
DULUTH, Minn. — After years of trying, the Duluth Police department has officially been given the OK to purchase its own Armored Rescue Vehicle (ARV) instead of continuing to borrow Superior’s armored vehicle for the city’s most dangerous calls. The council voted 8-0 Monday night to approve Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa to purchase the nearly $380,000 piece of equipment….
A Superior man has received the maximum sentence of 40 years in prison for murdering and dismembering his own friend. Jacob Johnson, 37, shot Ricky Balsimo Jr., 34, of St Paul multiple times while driving together in the Twin Cities. Court records said Balsimo was threatening other people in the vehicle with a knife before the shooting. Police said Johnson…
While lowered flags were a very visible way to remember 9/11 across the country, Monday in the Northland there was also a quieter, but just as serious way to honor those who died. Inside the DECC in Duluth, several groups came together and repeatedly climbed up and down the stairs. When they were finished, they had methodically covered the equivalent…
On Monday, the United States and countries abroad will remember the tragic events of September 11th that killed almost 3,000 Americans 22 years ago. Gov. Tim Walz has ordered Flags at half-staff Monday in honor of September 11th. The order is in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Biden that all United States flags be flown at half-staff at…
A human-caused wildfire in Carlton County is now 98-percent contained, according to the Minnesota Incident Command System. Crews were working hot spots Sunday. Heavy machinery and firefighters continued to mop up hot areas of the 82-acre fire in Barnum near County Road 11. This comes after an infrared flight Saturday located hot spots that needed attention. All evacuation orders and…
BASS LAKE, Minn. — Wild weather Tuesday evening on the Iron Range created damaging winds that hit the Gilbert, Aurora and Hoyt Lakes region. Courtesy: Alicia Schroeder Powerlines came down, along with hundreds of trees, especially on Bass Lake – just southeast of Gilbert. The National Weather Service does not believe a tornado caused the damage. They believe it was…
SOLWAY TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A wildfire took over nearly two-dozen trees in Solway Township Tuesday. Fire Chief Brandon Porter said 20 large trees — mostly pine — started on fire around 12:45 p.m. The fire happened on the 4300 block of Caribou Lake Road on private land. Grand Lake and Hermantown fire departments responded as mutual aid, along with the…
DULUTH, Minn. –School Resource Officers play a variety of roles in the schools where they’re assigned. But now a new law passed by the Minnesota Legislator has created uncertainty about how much restraint SROs can use when dealing with students. This law has left many police departments and sheriff’s offices in a quandary, worried about possible lawsuits that could be…
SAXON HARBOR, Wisc. — Three people were rescued from their capsized boat on Lake Superior Tuesday. It happened near the Wisconsin-Michigan border. The scene was north of Saxon Harbor, about five miles out into the lake. The Sault Sainte Marie Coast Guard received a distress call by VHF radio shortly before 11:30 am from one of the passengers. It said…
MINNESOTA — While kids are getting ready to go back to school, school buses are getting ready to hit the road. In Minnesota, the Department of Public Safety wants to remind us of the importance of being alert and attentive around these school buses. Every year there are incidents of children either hit, or nearly hit by vehicles failing to…
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…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Cenovus Energy is now dealing with two critical incidents at its newly built refinery within the past two days (Wednesday and Thursday) – a propane leak and a “heavy fuel oil release,” according to the Superior Fire Department. Both incidents caused evacuations. Nobody was injured. Superior Mayor Jim Paine told FOX 21 on Thursday that he’s proud…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Just one day after an emergency evacuation at Cenovus Energy because of a propane leak, another emergency situation unfolded Thursday involving a “heavy fuel oil release,” according to the Superior Fire Department. The call for help came in around 1 p.m. Superior fire crews responded to a report of a “release of heavy fuel oil in a…
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…
DULUTH, Minn. – Body camera footage has been released involving a February officer-involved shooting that killed a Duluth veteran. Last week, that officer was cleared of any charges after an outside investigation. And now, the man’s father tells FOX 21 deadly force could have easily been avoided. Zachary Shogren We begin with the Feb. 24 encounter that lead up to…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth City Council will wait a few more weeks to finalized how much to fine people who are caught violating the city’s smoking ordinance, which now includes cannabis. Councilors could have reduce the first violation to $25, the second violation to $50, and the third and additional violations to $75 Monday evening. Currently, the fine is…
DULUTH, Minn. – There was some confusion Wednesday for people looking out on Lake Superior from Duluth’s shoreline when they saw a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter hovering over the water with a Coast Guard vessel. Coast Guard training Wednesday A spokesperson for the Coast Guard told FOX 21 it was not a water emergency but rather a scheduled training exercise…
TOWN OF MORSE, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in the Town of Morse in Ashland County. The incident happened around 6 p.m. Tuesday in the 33000 block of N. Foley Road. Upon arrival, deputies with the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office witnessed a male assaulting two adult females with a “bladed weapon,” according…
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, 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…
Justin Sperl/Facebook COOK COUNTY, Minn. — The body of a canoeist was found Monday in the Brule Lake area of the BWCA. The body was discovered by other canoeists who notified authorities, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The remains have been identified as Justin Sperl, 32, of Marshall, Minnesota. “Sperl had been the subject of a missing person…
Scene of February shooting DULUTH, Minn. — Charges will not be filed against a Duluth police officer who shot and killed a suspect earlier this year. The shooting happened Feb. 24, 2023 in an alley on the 1500 block of East Third Street during a felony arrest for threats of violence. Investigators said shots were fired after Zachary Shogren, 34,…
DULUTH, Minn. — An inmate at the St. Louis County Jail has died. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating at the request of the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. The 34-year-old man was found dead and alone in his cell Thursday morning. Sheriff Gordon Ramsay told FOX 21 there was no obvious cause of death. He said there were…
