Public Safety

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…

Kiwanis Club Hosts Firefighter, Police Officer of the Year Awards Ceremony

DULUTH, Minn. – The Kiwanis International Club is giving thanks to two special public servants in the City of Duluth. A ceremony took place Wednesday honoring the Firefighter and Police Officer of the Year. Recently retired patrol officer Todd Shermer received the police officer of the year award after wrapping up his 16 years of service to the community. Matt…

In Kenosha And Beyond, Guns Become More Common On US Streets

As Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted in two killings that he said were self-defense, armed civilians patrolled the streets near the Wisconsin courthouse with guns in plain view. In Georgia, testimony in the trial of Ahmaud Arbery’s killers showed that armed patrols were commonplace in the neighborhood where Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was chased down by three white men and shot. The…

Ten People, Dog Displaced by East Hillside Apartment Fire

No one was injured, damage is estimated to be $65,000. 

Still from a Facebook Video taken by viewer Joel Heller. DULUTH, Minn.- Ten tenants and one dog were displaced by an apartment fire late Friday night in Duluth’s East Hillside neighborhood. According to a spokesperson with the Duluth Fire Department, crews responded to a passerby noticing smoke from the second story of a multi-unit apartment building on the 600 block…

Superior Man Now Federally Charged In Twin Ports Day-Long Crime Spree

Federal charges have now been filed against a Superior man who is accused of a wild and dangerous crime spree through the Twin Ports. Cody Walker-Nelson, 30, is federally charged with attempted bank robbery and multiple gun crimes. The indictment says, in part, that Walker-Nelson attempted to rob the Associated Bank in Superior on Oct. 1 while brandishing a firearm…

Snow Hits Minnesota, Officials Urge Travel Caution

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota is readying for snow as the National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory. Officials urged caution on the roads as ice and strong winds threatened to make driving conditions treacherous late Saturday and into Sunday. The Minnesota State Patrol has already cited snow and icy roads in a fatal crash on Thursday afternoon when a…

Muli-Car Crash on Iron Range Thursday Leaves 2 Dead, 3 Injured

Officials say the roads were covered in snow and ice at the time due to the snowstorm.

GILBERT, Minn.- During the Northland’s first snowstorm of the season Thursday, a 4-car crash took the lives of two people including a child, and injured three others on the Iron Range. The crash happened in Gilbert on Minnesota Highway 135 Thursday. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a Toyota Corolla heading West with 4 people inside lost control. It crossed…

Driver Involved In Crash That Killed 148th Fighter Wing Member Charged With Vehicular Homicide

PINE CO., Minn. — The driver who crashed into a 148th Fighter Wing member in Hinckley back in May has been charged, just a few days shy of the six-month anniversary of the victim’s death. Certain evidence testing from the BCA took until October to process. 21-year-old Tabitha Sue Sigler of Cambridge, MN, has been charged with criminal vehicular homicide…

Duluth Orgs. Promote Rent, Utility Help For Those Behind On Payments During Pandemic

DULUTH, Minn. — Leaders from multiple organizations and the city of Duluth got together at AICHO on Wednesday to promote resources that can help those who are facing evictions and utility shut-offs as we go into the winter. Mayor Emily Larson said the city is definitely seeing a jump in the number of people experiencing homelessness, which is why she,…

Vehicle Slams into Duluth Car Wash Injuring Driver, Killing Dog

According to a spokesperson with the Duluth Police Department, a 46-year-old woman experienced a medical condition while driving on Maple Grove Road and lost control.

DULUTH, Minn.- A scary afternoon at the Miller Mall Car Wash in Duluth as they’re left with a literal gaping hole after a vehicle crashed into their building at a high rate of speed. According to a spokesperson with the Duluth Police Department, a 46-year-old woman experienced a medical condition while driving on Maple Grove Road away from the Target….

Firefighters Urge Residents to Take Preventative Measures as Temperatures Drop

Members of the Duluth Fire Department want people to use Daylight Savings as an opportunity to check on their smoke detectors as well.

DULUTH, Minn. — While most people get ready to turn their clocks an hour back for Daylight Savings this Sunday, members of the Duluth Fire Department want people to use it as an opportunity to check on their smoke detectors as well. A general rule of thumb is to check the batteries on your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and…

City Of Duluth To Require Employees Get Vaccinated Or Test For Covid Weekly

DULUTH, Minn. – The city of Duluth will soon be requiring its employees to get vaccinated or get weekly COVID tests. A city spokesperson said the new requirement will start in December. This comes after President Joe Biden made an executive order in September telling employers with 100 or more people to require workers to get vaccinated or get weekly…

Law Enforcement Prepared For Busy Halloweekend

DULUTH, Minn. –The Minnesota State Patrol is not messing around this Halloween. Normally a pretty busy night for them, they want to make sure the holiday doesn’t contribute to the record-breaking number of traffic deaths the state’s seen so far this year. Last year they reported 318 arrests state-wide, averaging three per hour on Halloween. A Lieutenant with the State…

28-Year-Old Dies After Being Hit By Car While Crossing Street In Hibbing

HIBBING, Minn. — A 28-year-old man from Hibbing died on Thursday evening after he was hit by a small SUV while crossing a street in the city, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. An 18-year-old man, also a Hibbing resident, was driving a Ford Ecosport and heading north on Highway 169 close to Howard Street just after 6:30 p.m. At…

Minnesota on Track for Most Traffic Deaths Since 2007 If Driving Doesn’t Improve, Officials Say

There have been 401 traffic-related fatalities since Jan. 1, the earliest the state's reached 400 since 2007.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Minnesota Department of Safety reporting a scary milestone on Minnesota highways — 401 deaths as of Monday. They’re calling for drivers to shape up, as this year is on track to be the deadliest on the state’s roads in 14 years. “There are some people who are afraid to go out and use that roadway because of…

Duluth Police Union Local 807 Calls for Transparency from City Administration in Labor Negotiations

The wage and healthcare negotiations come amid one of the police department's worst staffing shortages they've seen in years.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Police Union Local 807 is speaking out, asking for transparency from Mayor Emily Larson’s administration as they continue negotiating wage and healthcare changes — amid one of the police department’s worst staffing shortages they’ve seen in years. Union members say they met with city leaders to talk about a 15% bump in pay to police officers’…

Duluth Firefighters Rescue Cat From Burning Building

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth firefighters rescued a cat from a burning building Thursday night. Firefighters could be seen giving the cat some oxygen after taking in too much smoke. The fire broke out around 7:15 p.m. on the 1600-block of Commonwealth Avenue in the Gary-New Duluth neighborhood. When crews arrived, flames were seen from the second floor of the four-plex….

St. Louis County Rescue Squad Trains Through Big Waves In Ship Canal

DULUTH, Minn. – Training was at an extreme for the St. Louis County Rescue Squad Wednesday in the Duluth Ship Canal. The waves were fierce, creating perfect conditions for the rescue squad crews to take out four boats and practice their swift-water rescue skills. At one point, their small Zodiac boat overturned in the big waves, but Capt. Rick Slatten…

MN Air Rescue Team Holds Demonstration At The DECC

DULUTH, Minn. – The DECC became ground zero for an aerial search and rescue demonstration for Minnesota firefighters. The mock rescue was performed by the Minnesota Air Rescue Team, which is a joint venture between the Minnesota State Patrol and the St. Paul Fire Department. The team is available to assist hundreds of fire departments across the state for high-risk…