Public Safety Archives - Page 27 of 49

Two Arrested with 10g of Meth, 21 Doses of Clonazepam in Backus Residence

The 69-year-old woman and 32-year-old man are awaiting formal charges relating to Controlled Substance Possession.

February 19, 2022

Arman Rahman,

BACKUS, Minn.- A 69-year-old woman and 32-year-old man from Backus were arrested Wednesday with several items of drug activity, paraphernalia, drug sales, and ammunition seized from their residence. According to Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch, as part of an ongoing investigation into the sales and use of controlled substances, a search warrant was executed at the residence Wednesday. Among the…

Authorities Investigating Burnt Body, Pickup Truck in Saginaw

According to investigators, the vehicle was on the property belonging to the reporting party and the deceased.

February 19, 2022

Arman Rahman,

SAGINAW, Minn.- The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a vehicle fire in Brevator Township, and the burnt body discovered next to it. According to the Sheriff’s Office, around 11 p.m. Friday emergency responders were dispatched to the area of Highway 2 in Saginaw on a report of a pickup truck on fire with a burnt body next to…

No One Injured After Car Smashes Through Salvation Army Thrift Store

It shattered to full glass window panes and a piece of the structure as well as some shelves and inventory.

February 18, 2022

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis- No injuries were reported after a car crashed into a Salvation Army Thrift Store in Superior Friday afternoon. According to a spokesperson with the Superior Police Department, the 70-year-old driver told officers she tried to park in front of the store on Belknap Street when the car went forward suddenly and burst through the front of the store….

Duluth’s Esmond Building Demolition Begins To Make Way For Affordable Housing, Retail

February 16, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. – The condemned Esmond Building in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood began to be demolished Wednesday to make way for a new affordable-housing development with retail space, too. In 2014, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority created a three-step plan for the site on West Superior Street that started with maintaining the building to keep current residents satisfied. Then Center…

Duluth Water Main Break Coats Vehicles In Muddy Ice

February 15, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – A water main break created quite a mess Tuesday near UMD. Some cars near the break got covered in muddy water and ice. The break happened in the morning hours on the 100 block of West College Street. Water service was restored to the neighborhood by around 2:30 p.m. A city spokesperson said crews brought in a…

Duluth Man Arrested After 3 Armed Robberies In Two Days

Police are investigating if the suspect in Tuesday's two armed robberies also committed Monday's armed robbery.

February 15, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police arrested a 25-year-old Duluth man Tuesday after two armed robberies near each other – one at Walgreens on East Superior Street and the other at the nearby Jimmy John’s in the Plaza Shopping Center. The arrest also comes just one day after an armed robbery at the CVS on East Superior Street. Duluth police believe…

Duluth Fire Officials to Anglers: Be Prepared, Think Twice Before Fishing on Lake Superior Ice

If the ice is at least 4 inches thick, and the wind isn't coming out of the West-Northwest, proceed with caution and the right gear.

February 15, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- As winter continues Lake Superior is getting more frozen. But emergency officials and experts encourage people to think twice before venturing out on that ice. “That ice is always shifting in there too so you definitely have to watch what’s going on,” said Marques Hoglund, who works at Marine General. And the ice was on the move off…

City Of Duluth Looking To Hire Blight Mitigation Specialist to Address Vacant Buildings

Recently, the Esmond Building which formerly housed the Seaway Hotel caught fire for the second time in two months, suspected to be caused by squatters inside.

February 14, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth has seen more than one abandoned building catch fire this winter. Now the city is proposing a new job to reduce how long these buildings sit around as potential hazards. The Blight Mitigation Specialist would work with the Duluth Fire Department, Office of Life Safety, and Duluth Planning and Economic Development. The City plans to hire someone…

Downtown Duluth Library Worker Assaulted, Highlights Years-Long Safety Concerns By Staff

Mayor Emily Larson's administration is expediting plans to create two "Library Safety Specialist" positions to tackle the problem better.

February 10, 2022

Dan Hanger, Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn. – Staff at Duluth’s downtown main library tell FOX 21’s Dan Hanger safety and security concerns are at a boiling point after a second employee was recently assaulted on the job. This time, a punch to the face after the worker asked a patron to put on his mask. While physical violence at the downtown library has never…

Duluth Mask Mandate Set To Expire

"We are now moving not towards ending this pandemic, but finding ways to co-exist with it,” Duluth Mayor Emily Larson said.

February 9, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — With the Duluth mask mandate ending Saturday, businesses are looking forward to serving their community face to face, once again. “We are now moving not towards ending this pandemic, but finding ways to co-exist with it,” Duluth Mayor Emily Larson said. The past 30 days, Duluth has had to mask up in attempts of trying to slow…

U Of M Ending COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate For Athletic Events

February 8, 2022

Dan Hanger,

(University of Minnesota) DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota has announced it will end its vaccine mandate Wednesday for large campus and athletic events. This includes UMD men’s and women’s hockey and basketball games. The policy had been in place since Jan. 26, but in a letter from U of M President Joan Gabel Tuesday, she credits a decrease…

Duluth Opens City’s First-Ever Permanent Warming Center in Lincoln Park

The facility in the basement of the Lincoln Park Community Center on West 3rd Street includes 3 showers and handicap-accessible restrooms

February 7, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth opened its first-ever permanent warming center Monday, located in Lincoln Park. While acknowledging the major step forward in bringing more people across the city inside from the cold, advocates said this new facility barely scratches the surface of housing the 600+ people without a permanent place to live in Duluth right now. “It is good to have…

Mayor’s Office, Reception Room Renovated, More Secure

February 6, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – FOX 21 got a first look inside the newly renovated Mayor’s Reception Room and Mayor’s Office at Duluth City Hall. For decades, the Reception Room was dark and very outdated from the 60s or 70s, according to Mayor Emily Larson. But now, it’s looking brighter with improved lighting and sound for press events, a fresh coat of…

“Structure Failure’ At Minntac; No Workers Injured

February 6, 2022

Dan Hanger,

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. – Minntac is reporting a “structural failure on the conveyor system.” The accident happened Saturday at its facility in Mountain Iron. Minntac officials said nobody was injured because “the area was cordoned off at the time of the incident. There was no danger to personnel at any time.” As for last report, the company said it did…

Duluth Boy Scouts Clear Hydrants of Snow to Help Firefighters have Clear Access

February 5, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Some young Duluthians decided to get out and shovel Saturday around some fire hydrants. 8 Boy Scouts with Troop 25 and several troop leaders cleared 10 hydrants in just 3 hours around West Duluth as a service project. Duluth Firefighters say it’s important residents clear three feet of snow around entire hydrants and make sure a path is…

Amir Locke Shooting; Protesters Gather in Minneapolis Saturday

The protest on Saturday follows a car caravan rally on Friday night rallying against the shooting.

February 5, 2022

Site Staff,

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Dozens of people are gathering in Minneapolis on Saturday to protest the deadly shooting of Amir Locke by Minneapolis police. The protest is currently underway outside the Hennepin County Government Center. Locke was shot and killed as police executed a “no-knock” warrant last week. Bodycam video shows police charging into an apartment on Marquette Avenue early…

Free Gun Locks Available Through the Duluth Police Department

February 4, 2022

Ken Slama,

DULUTH, MN – The Duluth Police Department collaborated with a national organization for kid’s guns safety to provide free gun locks for the community. Gun safety in the home is paramount and these gun locks work to prevent the gun from firing, as well as keep the magazine from being loaded in a handgun. They can work for some rifles…

‘Blinking Lights for Safety’ At Proctor School Dist.

January 31, 2022

Arman Rahman,

PROCTOR, Minn.- Students in Proctor will soon sport a flashy new keychain on their backpacks that helps keep them safe. The school district is partnering with St. Luke’s to attach LED blinking lights on the kids’ backpacks. With flashing strobe settings. With many students coming from more rural towns the lights help them stay safe if walking home from the…

Mayor Larson, Fire Officials: Stop Running Over Hose Lines

January 30, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson and firefighters are pleading with drivers to stop running over their hoses at fire scenes before someone gets hurt or even killed. The latest incident happened Friday during a massive fire of a vacant building on East First Street. According to fire officials, when a vehicle drives over a hose line, water pressure…

Damaged Duluth Gas Main Fixed, Residents No Longer Need To Turn Down Heat

Without residents' cooperation, neighborhoods were at risk of a full shutoff.

January 30, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The City of Duluth says home and business owners east of Lake Avenue no longer have to keep their thermostats low as crews have assessed and repaired a massive gas main that was damaged last week. According to the City the natural gas main was struck within the ‘can of worms’ construction site on Thursday. It’s the City’s…

Man, 71, Stabbed In Neck In Babbitt Area

January 30, 2022

Dan Hanger,

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a stabbing in the Babbitt area that injured a 71-year-old man. Authorities responded around 3 p.m. Saturday after the man called 911 to report he had been stabbed in the neck. A 36-year-old woman who was staying in the home was arrested. An address was not released by the St. Louis County…

Duluth Gas Main Break Repaired, Thermostat Request Lifted

January 30, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. (Press Release) – The City of Duluth has lifted its request to all natural gas customers east of Lake Avenue to keep thermostats at 62 degrees. Customers east of Lake Avenue may return to normal usage. “We would like to thank the public for their assistance over the last few days,” Interim Director of Public Works and Utilities…

UPDATE: Standoff with Armed Person at Kwik Trip Ends Peacefully, Duluth Police Say

The Tactical Response Team and the Crisis Negotiation Team responded to provide resources to resolve the incident quickly and safely.

January 29, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- After nearly two hours of police surrounding the evacuated Kwik Trip on 27th Ave. W, an armed individual was arrested without incident outside the store Saturday. According to a spokesperson with the Duluth Police Department, Officers responded to an armed individual at the Kwik Trip. They blocked off Michigan Street and evacuated the store. The Tactical Response Team…

Duluth Natural Gas Residents Asked to Keep Thermostats Low Through Weekend After Gas Main Break Thursday

January 29, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- All natural gas residents east of Lake Avenue are asked to maintain 62 degrees inside homes and businesses through the weekend, as City of Duluth crews continue repairing a large gas main that was damaged within the Can of Worms construction going on near Michigan street and 19th Avenue West Thursday. “Crews have been working hard to repair the…

Gas Line Break has Thousands of Duluth Homes Turning Thermostats Down

The City asked residents to turn their thermostats down to 62 degrees to lessen the pressure on the systems, and avoid the possibility of a neighborhood-by-neighborhood shutdown of gas.

January 28, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — On Friday, the city of Duluth asked thousands of residents to turn down their thermostats potentially through Saturday in hopes of avoiding a shutdown of heat during bitterly cold air, after a massive gas pipe break within the can of worms project in Lincoln park. City officials say Thursday afternoon a contractor drove through a piling, hitting…

Downtown Duluth Fire Destroys Building, City Orders Demolition

January 28, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — A structure fire that broke out around 2:05 Friday morning on East First Street of downtown Duluth was reported to be out at around 8:30 but crews are still trying to find out how it started. The Duluth Fire Department was on site responding within minutes officials report surrounding buildings were not visibly damaged, and are assessing…

Duluth Plow Drivers: Garbage Cans Left On Streets Won’t Survive

January 27, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – If you’ve got your garbage cans all over the street right now, the city of Duluth’s snow plow drivers are hoping you’ll get those cans out of the way so they don’t blast through them when the next snow falls. The city says it’s actually illegal to place your garbage cans and recycle bins in the right…

Duluth Fire Dept. To Drivers: Stop Running Over Hoses At Fire Scenes

January 27, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – A house fire in Duluth is forcing firefighters to issue another plea to drivers to stop running over their hoses when fighting fires. It happened again Thursday morning during am electrical fire on the 700 block of West 4th Street in Duluth. Everybody got out safely. Nobody was injured. But fire officials say several vehicles ran…

Local Law Enforcement Officers Awarded For ‘Hat Trick’ Of 3 DUI Arrests in Each’s Single Shift

The Duluth Police Department had 278 DUI arrests in 2021, up from 2020, but down overall from 314 in 2018.

January 27, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Many have heard about hat tricks in the game of hockey when a player scores 3 goals in one game. But 3 local law enforcement officials scored a hat trick of their own while also protecting their communities. Duluth Police Officer Todd Simmons, St. Louis County Deputy Sheriff Matt Sobczak, and Minnesota State Patrol Officer Jacob Christopherson were…

City Of Duluth Monitoring ‘Large Gas Main Break’ Affecting City Hall

January 27, 2022

KQDS Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. – The city of Duluth was working on a large gas main break Thursday evening after a contractor in the Lincoln Park neighborhood “drove through a piling,” according to Kate Van Daele, the city’s public information officer. The break happened around noon Thursday. “The City of Duluth took immediate steps to shut off gas in the area, impacting…

Duluth Fire Department Hires Highest Number of Recruits in Decades

Normally recruits would spend two weeks training at Lake Superior College. this group will do that in spring if COVID-19 positivity rates go down.

January 27, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- After a mass exodus of 12 retiring firefighters at the end of 2021, the Duluth Fire Department is finishing bringing on its largest new recruit class in decades. 12 new recruits finished onboarding this week. Normally after being hired they would spend two weeks training at Lake Superior College. this group will do that in spring if COVID-19…

No Heat: 100+ Residents Evacuated From Apartment Buildings in Virginia

January 26, 2022

Dan Hanger,

Courtesy: Northland FireWire VIRGINIA, Minn. – More than 100 residents of two apartment buildings in Virginia were evacuated Wednesday because of a boiler problem that supplies heat, according to the Northland FireWire. The Columbia and Rouchleau buildings evacuated around 150 residents. Arrowhead Transit buses were called in to transport people to the Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia for…

City Crews Clear Away Mounds Of Snow Along Hammond Avenue

January 26, 2022

KQDS Staff,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior city crews were out on Hammond Avenue Wednesday clearing away snowbanks on the sides of the road to help free up parking spaces and provide better access to vehicles. Mayor Jim Paine told FOX 21 a new policy this winter has crews still clearing snowbanks on Tower Avenue and Highway 2 first. But now, after those…

Superior Police Train To Avoid ‘Causing Harm Or Making Costly Mistakes’

January 26, 2022

Marcus Asmus,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior Police Department is going through a national training program to develop a deeper culture of intervention to avoid harmful situations or making costly mistakes. The Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement, also known as The ABLE Project, was developed by the Georgetown University Law Center. Superior police join a select group of 200 law enforcement agencies…

Duluth Fire: Lake Superior Ice ‘a gamble’ Especially if Unprepared

Smaller inland lakes are much safer, but firefighters do have tips for anyone hoping to attempt ice fishing on the big lake.

January 26, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- More ice is forming off the shores of Lake Superior in Duluth, but the Fire Department warns not to get too excited, as the big unpredictable lake can change with the slightest shift in winds. “Lake Superior is definitely more of a gamble so to speak than an inland lake or a smaller lake because of those currents,…

Do You Know Anyone Homeless? St. Louis County Wants To Know Thursday

January 25, 2022

Dan Hanger,

St. Louis County is holding its annual homeless count this week to see how many people are living unsheltered. Those unsheltered places include cars, a park, storage unit, the woods or even people who are couch-hopping. County officials say the count is vital because it helps local, state and federal agencies understand just how big of a homeless problem we…

Fire Department Shares Cold Safety Tips

January 24, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Fire Department is once again preparing to respond to calls during the deep freeze. Firefighters are reminding everybody to plan ahead and layer up as best you can as it can take just 5 to 10 minutes for frost bite to set in. “It starts with just thinking before you go outside, have a plan,…

Access Again an Issue at Federal Trial in Floyd’s Killing

January 22, 2022

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A closed hearing in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers in George Floyd’s killing was canceled Friday after prosecutors and the media objected. It’s the second time in just days that access to the proceedings became an issue. U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson scheduled the conference on the admissibility of some evidence…

Some Food Shelves Looking Bare After ‘Season Of Giving’

January 20, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Some food shelves are becoming a little emptier again now that the season of giving is over. That’s the case at Duluth Harbor Rescue Mission, which supports people experiencing homelessness, addiction and abuse. The mission need food like pasta sauces, cans of soup, tuna, and boxed meals. “When someone comes in and asks if you have a…

Duluth ‘Law Enforcement Accountability Network’ Marks One Year, Calls For More Feedback

January 20, 2022

KQDS Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. – A data-driven police accountability group in Duluth is calling on more people from all communities to share experiences they’ve had with police — good or bad — as the group recognizes its one-year mark. The Law Enforcement Accountability Network, or LEAN Duluth, says it has no political agenda. The goal is to produce hard research through all…

Input Wanted: Duluth Police Department Releases Community Survey

January 20, 2022

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is asking residents to take its first independently released community survey. The nine-question survey looks to gauge how the community feels when it comes to safety, security, and the overall performance of the DPD. Chief Mike Tusken says the department is committed to continuous improvement, and this survey will help his team better…

Duluth Fire Chief, Homeless Advocate React To 2nd Fire At I-35 Homeless Encampment

January 19, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s fire chief and its top homeless advocate reacted to Wednesday’s homeless encampment fire under I-35 near downtown — almost three months to the day since fire erupted in the exact spot from squatters. “People find their way to have shelter, to try to stay warm, literally to try to stay alive at this time of the…

Cloquet Follows Duluth in 30-Day Mask Mandate

January 19, 2022

Natalie Noury,

CLOQUET, Minn. — It’s been nearly a week after Duluth mandated masks around the city, and a neighboring town is now doing the same. Last week the Cloquet Community Memorial Hospital was “crisis planning”, for a wave of covid patients, and now this week, they were sending letters to the mayor supporting a mask mandate. The Community Memorial Hospital in…

Daughter Accused Of Shooting Mother, Then Driving Away

January 16, 2022

Alexandra Burnley,

ST. LOUIS CO., Minn. — A juvenile-aged girl allegedly shot her mother on Sunday afternoon in the Cook area, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities were sent over after a 911 call was made while the 40-year-old mother was brought to the hospital around 4:30 p.m. While law enforcement was on the way, the daughter got into…

Hockey Community’s Renewed Attention to Neck Guards

January 16, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — A recent fatal accident on the ice involving a 16 year old Connecticut hockey player is bringing a renewed attention in the north land to the importance of neck guards in the sport of hockey. On January 6th, Teddy Balkind was sliced on the neck from a skate blade during an on-ice collision, he passed away later…

Garage Fire Destroys Residence in Carlton County; No One Injured

Firefighters were able to confirm all occupants made it out, and there were no pets inside.

January 16, 2022

Arman Rahman,

CARLTON COUNTY, Minn.- A fire that started at a detached garage spread to and destroyed the nearby residence in Thomson Township Sunday. According to the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office, around 2:00 a.m., crews from the Esko, Carlton, and Wrenshall Fire Departments discovered the garage at 21 Ridge Road fully engulfed with fire. It was only a few feet from the…

Hostages Safe after Texas Synagogue Standoff; Captor Dead

FBI and police spokeswomen declined to answer questions about who shot the man.

January 16, 2022

The Associated Press,

AP Photo/Brandon Wade COLLEYVILLE, Texas (AP) — Four hostages were spared and their captor was killed, ending a 10-hour standoff at a Texas synagogue where the hostage-taker — a British national — could be heard ranting on a Livestream and demanding the release of a Pakistani neuroscientist who was convicted of trying to kill U.S. Army officers in Afghanistan. One…

Fans React To New UMD Proof Of Vaccine To Attend Games

January 15, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — Fans have gotten used to wearing masks here at Amsoil arena, but in a few weeks, they’re going to have to bring one extra thing to allow them to come support the Bulldogs. Friday, the President of the University Of Minnesota System announced a new temporary change across their 5 campuses — proof of vaccination or a…

Man Takes Hostages at Texas Synagogue, Demands Prisoner Be Freed

The Colleyville Police Department said the male hostage was released shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday.

January 15, 2022

Arman Rahman,

Jessika Harkay/Star-Telegram via AP COLLEYVILLE, Texas (AP) – Police say one hostage has been released uninjured from a Texas synagogue where a man had been holding four people. The Colleyville Police Department said the male hostage was released shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday. He was expected to be reunited with his family soon and did not require medical attention. FBI…

Fight Turns into Duluth’s First Homicide of 2022

Investigators learned a 46-year-old man got in a physical altercation with the 42-year-old after arguing.

January 15, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- One man has died and another arrested pending manslaughter charges after an altercation in Duluth’s Lester Park neighborhood — the city’s first homicide of 2022, according to Duluth Police. According to a spokesperson with the Department, around 12:50 a.m. Saturday officers responded to a medical/assault call in the 100 block of N 54th Ave E. Dispatchers told responding…