Public Safety

Police Departments Planning For a Busy New Year’s Eve

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Duluth and Superior police are taking extra precautions for Friday night’s deep freeze, as people celebrate into the New Year. Police are expecting extra excitement with New Year’s Eve falling on a Friday, and they’re reminding partygoers, if they want to go out and have fun, they need to do it safely, and try to find a…

3 Arrested, More Expected In Hayward-Area Burglaries, Thefts

HAYWARD, Wis. – Authorities have arrested three Hayward men after “multiple burglaries and thefts” in the Hayward area. The Sawyer Count Sheriff’s Office said the weeks-long investigation in conjunction with the LCO Police Department and Town of Hayward Police Department. The men range from 25 to 32 years old. Charges have not been filed yet. Sheriff Doug Mrotek said he…

Duluth Fire Department Experiences Historic One Day Number of Retirees

Including Asst. Chief Clint Reff and Fire Marshal Sandy McComb, a combined 256 years of service left the Department Thursday.

DULUTH, Minn.- The end of the year 2021 seeing the retirement of 12 personnel on the Duluth Fire Department – leaving with a combined 256 years of service under their belts. Many of the retirees have worn hats other than firefighter, like Fire Marshal Sandy McComb. Retiring after 24 years, she’s been in charge of car seat clinics for about…

Extra Patrols on Minnesota Roads Throughout New Year’s Day

Nearly 500 Fatalities Have Occurred on Minnesota Roads in 2021

DULUTH, Minn. – While many make plans to go out and ring in the New Year with friends and family while having a few adult beverages, the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety is reminding drivers to plan ahead and be responsible. “500 families this year have planned or will plan a funeral for a loved one who’s not coming home…

Man Shot Through Living Room Window In Virginia; Suspect On The Run

VIRGINIA, Minn. –  A suspect was on the run Wednesday evening after a shooting in Virginia that injured a man. According to the Virginia Police Department, someone shot multiple times through the victim’s living room window from outside at about 5 a.m. Wednesday on the 500 block of 12th Street South. The victim was struck once by a bullet while…

Report: Few Minnesota Departments Adopt Body Camera Guidelines

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Most Minnesota law enforcement agencies have chosen not to implement guidelines mandating officers with a history of misconduct wear body cameras. The League of Minnesota Cities two years ago created a model policy requiring problem officers wear cameras. A Minneapolis Star Tribune analysis found only 10 of 108 agencies with publicly available body camera policies have implemented…

City Of Duluth Issues, Explains First-Ever Snow Emergency

DULUTH, Minn. – After more than two years in the making, the city of Duluth issued its first-ever snow emergency Tuesday requiring all vehicles on designated emergency routes with signage to be off the street by 9 p.m. and stay that way until 6 p.m. Wednesday. If vehicles are not moved, drivers could be towed or ticketed.  But Chief Administrative…

Pennsylvania Man Charged In Christmas Eve Murder In Gogebic County

Nicholas Millard MARENISCO TOWNSHIP, MI. — A Spring Hills, Pennsylvania man is accused of shooting a man to death and wounding another at a cabin in Marenisco Township, Michigan on Christmas Eve. According to the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office, Nicholas Millard, 30, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, among other charges. Authorities say Millard killed Thomas Fletcher, 49, of Marenisco…

CDC Recommends Shorter COVID Isolation, Quarantine For All

NEW YORK (AP) – U.S. health officials are cutting isolation restrictions for Americans who test positive for the coronavirus and shortening the time that close contacts have to quarantine. People with the virus can leave isolation after five days, down from 10 days. People exposed to the virus can also leave quarantine after five days. The Centers for Disease Control…

Snowstorm Closes Bentleyville For The Season

DULUTH, Minn. – Bentleyville Tour of Lights announced Monday afternoon that its final day of the season was canceled because of the wicked snowstorm over the Northland. The following message was posted on Bentleyville’s Facebook page about Monday’s closure: “Sorry folks, but due to the strong winds and large amount of snow Bentleyville will NOT open for it’s finally night…

Multi-Vehicle Pileup Reported on I-94 in Western Minnesota Saturday

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota State Patrol reported a pileup of about 50 vehicles Saturday afternoon along Interstate-94 between Alexandria and Fergus Falls, northwest of the Twin Cities. The Star Tribune reported no fatalities or life-threatening injuries resulted in the multi-vehicle crash, according to Patrol Sgt. Jesse Grabow. But I-94 eastbound at Exit 77 near Ashby was closed for more than an…

Iron County Sheriff’s Deputies Respond to Domestic Disturbance Involving Alcohol, Fully-Loaded Rifle

Deputies repeatedly commanded the man to drop his weapon but he refused, and told them to "just shoot me."

OMA, Wis.- A late-night domestic disturbance call for the Iron County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin resulted in a man in custody pending charges including Endangering Safety by Use of a Dangerous Weapon While Intoxicated. According to a press release from the sheriff, around 11:30 Thursday night deputies responded to a call for a domestic disturbance in the town of Oma…

Duluth Fire Crews Respond to Flames at Historic Vacant Seaway Hotel Building Thursday Night

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth fire crews responded to a structure fire Thursday night in the vacant historic Esmond Building formerly known as the Seaway Hotel. According to a spokesperson with the Duluth Fire Department around 11 p.m. Thursday night firefighters responded to a report of flames and found a small fire in a vacant space on the second floor. The spokesperson…

Update: 2 Bodies Recovered From Bemidji-Area House Fire

(Lakeland PBS-TV) — Two bodies were recovered around 1 p.m. Thursday from a house that started on fire in Liberty Township, which is 13 miles northwest of Bemidji. The evening update comes after authorities said two children were unaccounted for in that house fire.   Authorities did not confirm if the bodies are that of the children. “The victims were transported to…

Dozens Of Vehicles Involved In Western Wisconsin Crashes

Courtesy: WI Dept. of Transportation OSSEO, Wis. (AP) – Authorities in western Wisconsin are trying to sort out multiple crashes along Interstate 94. The State Patrol said in a statement that freezing rain early Thursday left the interstate between Menomonie and Black River Falls icy. About 5:45 a.m. a semi-trailer apparently slid in the median near Hixton and caught fire…

Grand Rapids Attorney Charged With Criminal Sexual Conduct Of Client

A Grand Rapids attorney is facing serious charges after being accused of sexually assaulting a client multiple times. Jesse Powell, 32, of Powell Law, is facing five charges ranging from 3rd degree to 5th degree criminal sexual conduct. According to court documents, Powell raped her in his office after episodes of non-consensual touching of her body, including kissing. Powell faces…

Former Duluth Police Chief Is Back, Might Run For St. Louis County Sheriff

DULUTH, Minn. – Former Duluth Police Chief Gordon Ramsay and his family have moved back to Duluth, and Ramsay, 49, is eyeing what’s next locally for his career, which could include a run for St. Louis County sheriff. For the last six years, Ramsay has been the top cop for Kansas’ largest police department in Wichita where he has managed…

OSHA Vaccine Mandate Penalties to Start Jan. 10

The federal agency separately says there will be no citations of companies regarding its testing requirements before Feb. 9.

UNDATED (AP)- The Occupational Health and Safety Administration says it will not issue citations tied to its coronavirus vaccination mandate before Jan. 10. This will give companies time to adjust to and implement the requirements. The federal agency separately says there will be no citations of companies regarding its testing requirements before Feb. 9. Saturday’s announcement came after the U.S….

Duluth Officials: Mask Mandates Don’t Look To Make a Comeback

DULUTH, Minn. — As the Omicron variant and others continue to threaten the US including the Northland, people are starting to wonder if mask mandates will make a return. Multiple states have already re-instated their indoor mask mandates like California and New York, but with cases rising, and Minnesota seeing a larger surge of the virus, the question lingers of…

Babbitt Man Dead After One-Vehicle Crash; ‘Slippery Road’ Contributing Factor

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, Minn. – A 74-year-old Babbitt man is dead after a one-vehicle accident Thursday in Morris Township, and authorities believe it was weather related. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says the accident happened around 3:30 p.m. on the 1900 block of Highway 21 North. The driver, whose name was not released Thursday, died at the scene.   Nobody else…

ISD 709 Addresses Concern Of School Threats Stemming From Disturbing National TikTok Trend

DULUTH, Minn. — The ISD 709 superintendent is addressing the issue of school threats being made over social media, causing safety concerns for students, parents, and campus staff in the city. In an email sent on Thursday, superintendent John Magas passed along the information that was sent to all school districts in Minnesota from the state’s Department of Public Safety…

Ordean East Middle School Investigates Snapchat Threat Made By Unknown Person

DULUTH, Minn. — An email sent to parents from the Ordean East Middle School administration on Wednesday addressed a threat made over Snapchat reported by multiple students. According to the email, a few students said that they were sent a photo showing guns on Snapchat from a person they didn’t know. The administration said the photo didn’t have a message…

Duluth Firefighters Use Unstable Ice, Open Waters For Rescue Training

DULUTH, Minn. – The unstable ice and open waters are creating great conditions for the Duluth Fire Department to train for possible rescues this winter. Firefighters hopped in their rescue suits Tuesday to take advantage of the dicey conditions in a slip in the Duluth Port. Officials said this type of training is crucial to react fast to emergencies on…

Duluth Fire Dept. Set to Break All-Time Record for Yearly 911 Calls

This year, the fire department reports 13,930 calls so far and expect to hit 14,000 by the end of 2021, which would be the highest yearly total in history.

DULUTH, Minn. — The number of 911 calls coming to the Duluth Fire Department is set to hit an all-time record high. This year, the fire department reports 13,930 calls so far and expects to hit 14,000 by the end of 2021, which would be the highest yearly total in history. Members of the fire department say they were worried…

Minnesota State Patrol Counts Nearly 300 Crashes in Storm

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota State Patrol has tallied 286 car crashes across the state during a wintery storm that brought as much as 20 inches of snow in some places. The highway patrol reported that 21 of the crashes resulted in injuries, including one that was fatal. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that a car driving on Highway…

Counterfeit Pills Posing New Threat in Northland

DULUTH, Minn. — So far in 2021, 30 people have died from overdoses in Duluth but according to the police department, 2 of those deaths are overdoses from counterfeit Percocet 30’s. These counterfeit pills contain fentanyl, which is more powerful than actual Percocet pills. Officials say it is a deadly drug and hard to tell apart from real pills, but…

DPD Advising Extra Caution on The Roads This Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — With four big events looking to attract large crowds this weekend, the Duluth Police Department wants to remind people to take extra precautions while out on the roads. Minnesota Ballet’s Nutcracker and the Arrowhead Ice Fishing and Winter Show both at the DECC, Bulldog Hockey games at Amsoil Arena, and Bentleyville at Bayfront are all happening this…

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Joins MADD Candlelight Vigil

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office held its own candlelight vigil Thursday night to honor lives lost and injured survivors of drunken drivers. It was part of a state-wide vigil organized by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, also known as MADD. “Today is a good reminder this still is a problem not only state wide but locally as…

Public Input Requested As St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Plans For Body Cameras

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is looking for the public’s input as it plans to purchase body worn cameras for its deputies. The St. Louis County Board is scheduled to vote Dec. 14 on the purchase of 110 cameras and supporting equipment at a cost of $790,000. “The Sheriff’s Office has experienced an increase in deadly…

Superior Police Increasing Traffic Enforcement After Spike in Crashes this Year

Traffic crashes are up 25% this year in Superior and 18% nationwide in the first half of 2021.

SUPERIOR, Wis.-  The Superior Police Department is upping its officers on the streets in hopes of curbing a rise in traffic crashes this year. Traffic crashes are up 25% this year in Superior and 18% nationwide in the first half of 2021 — the largest 6-month increase that’s ever been tracked by the federal government. According to the department’s Public…

COVID Concerns, Staffing Shortages Extend Winter Break For Duluth Public Schools

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School Board approved an extended winter break of an additional two days during a special meeting Tuesday evening. The two days include Wednesday, Dec. 22 and Monday, Jan. 3, which is district-wide. District officials say the extended break will help deal with staffing shortages and student safety involving COVID. “With general staffing shortages, many unfilled…

Departments of Transportation Gearing up for First Measurable Snowfall

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — The roads aren’t bad yet, but they might be this weekend, and the Lake County Highway Department has their plows ready to go as they await the first measurable snowfall this winter season. Preparations began months ago, but the snow hasn’t been as consistent this year making it hard to make an official plan but its…

DTA Driver Charged In Death Of Pedestrian At Miller Hill Mall

Charge: Criminal Vehicular Homicide - Operate Motor Vehicle in Grossly Negligent Manner

DULUTH, Minn. – The DTA bus driver who hit and killed a man at the Miller Hill Mall in Sept. 10 is now charged with criminal vehicular homicide. According to the criminal complaint, Crystal Veronica Ball, 36, of Duluth was “grossly negligent” and “distracted” when she ran over David Weston, 64, just before 10 a.m. while going 6 mph during…

New Record Raised During Guest Server Event

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A new record amount was raised when some of Superior and Douglas County’s top public safety officials were guest servers at The Kitchen Thursday. Police Chief Nicholas Alexander, Fire Chief Scott Gordon, Sheriff Thomas Dalbec, and District Attorney Mark Fruehauf spent the lunch rush taking orders, handing out prime rib meals, and refilling drinks as part of…

1 Injured In School Bus Crash In Grand Lake Township

Courtesy: St. Louis County Rescue Squad GRAND LAKE TOWNSHIP, Minn. – The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a school bus accident near Hermantown. The accident happened around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Highway 53 and Caribou Lake Road in Grand Lake Township. The incident report said the 62-year-old man driving the school bus failed to yield while crossing…

Vaccine Clinic for 5-11 Year Old’s Coming To Proctor

PROCTOR, Minn. — Proctor public schools is partnering with St. Luke’s to offer additional opportunities for kids in the 5 to 11 age group to get vaccinated. There will be three separate clinics open to anyone wanting to receive a vaccine at the St. Luke’s event center in Proctor to accommodate those receiving the first and second shot. The staff of…

Hotel Fire Prompts Reminder To Have A Plan At Unfamiliar Public Places

DULUTH, Minn. – Friday’s restaurant fire at Pier B Resort in Duluth has fire officials reminding all of us to have a plan when staying at unfamiliar places like a hotel. The grease fire at Silos Restaurant happened Friday evening in the kitchen The fire was contained to the protected duct work in the ventilation system. Nobody was injured. But…

Remains Of Missing Wisconsin Mother Found Saturday

(FOX 9) – The remains of the missing 33-year-old Wisconsin mother of four were found Saturday morning after more than two months of searching, according to the family. Christian Aid Ministries volunteers and family members found the remains of Ashley Miller Carlson during their search efforts around 9 a.m. Saturday near the area where authorities found her car in Graces Lake after…

Suspect, 24, Arrested After Burglary Prowl In Duluth’s Lakeside Neighborhood

DULUTH, Minn. – There’s another reminder to keep your doors locked and keep your properties lit. This comes after a 24-year-old Duluth man was arrested early Saturday after a report of a burglary on the 5300 block of Colorado Street in the city’s Lakeside neighborhood around 4:20 a.m. A police spokesperson told FOX 21 the suspect is accused of prowling…

Evacuation Lifted, Restaurant Closed After Major Kitchen Fire At Pier B Resort

DULUTH, Minn. – Black Friday turned into black smoke for Pier B Resort Hotel in Duluth around 5 p.m., which caused the whole place to evacuate as hundreds of people at Bentleyville Tour of Lights across the slip watched on. According to the Duluth Fire Department, the fire started in the hood of the kitchen at Silo’s Restaurant. Pier B…