Public Safety Archives - Page 32 of 45

Bayfield Co. Health Dept.: Seasonal Homeowners Stay Away

March 22, 2020

Site Staff,

(Press Release) — Pursuant to Wis. Stat. §252.03(1), the Bayfield County Public Health Official hereby declares that a Public Health Emergency exists in Bayfield County. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the national spread of the COVID-19 virus, Bayfield County Government must issue the following inter-county Travel Advisory. 1. Due to high community transmission in certain areas of the State…

Pizza Man Renovates While Only Allowed Open for Takeout, Delivery

Restaurant owner trying to keep as many employees as he can while closed by the Governor with other bars and restaurants.

March 22, 2020

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- A popular Pizza place in Superior is making the most of having to close their business to dine-in customers. Pizza Man on Tower Avenue is using their time closed to remodel their dining area, allowing for more seating. The owner said some of his employees are helping out with the renovations, and he’s trying his best to keep…

Superior Family Restaurant Receives Donations to Continue Giving Free Meals

Enbridge and an anonymous donor both gave to their cause.

March 22, 2020

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Superior Family Restaurant, who started offering free meals to those in need last week, just received some help form other community organizations. Enbridge has paid for 300 meals to be given out. The Restaurant also received a $100 donation from an anonymous donor. In a Facebook post the Restaurant said the donations will help ensure they are able…

Superior Liquor, Grocery Stores Busy as Other Businesses Remain Closed

Belknap Liquor and Lounge and Super One seeing a steady influx of customers.

March 22, 2020

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Wisconsin has just gone through their first weekend with bars, restaurants and other public gathering places closed indefinitely by Governor Tony Evers. This pushes more customers to businesses considered essential, such as grocery and liquor stores. “We can’t complain here, yeah,” said Belknap Liquor and Lounge owner Alan Jaques. “There’s a lot of other people that have it…

Cass County Sees Its First Case of Coronavirus

March 22, 2020

Alexandra Burnley,

CASS COUNTY, Minn. – A coronavirus case has been confirmed in Cass County by the Minnesota Department of Health. The patient is older, and hadn’t traveled recently. They developed symptoms on March 9th, but did not seek treatment for their health until one week later, on the 16th. St. Louis County, Douglas County, and Bayfield County have each seen one…

St. Louis County Officials Confirm First Coronavirus Case in the County

Officials said it is a woman in her late 60s, who contracted the virus via domestic travel.

March 21, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Officials have announced the first confirmed COVID-19 case in St. Louis County. Along with one in Bayfield County and one in Douglas County, the total cases in the Northland are now three. According to County officials, the patient in St. Louis County has not had contact with anyone outside her close relatives and is recovering at home. “While…

Duluth Police Make Changes to Limit Coronavirus Spread

Police department encouraging residents to file reports online or on the phone

March 21, 2020

CJ Baumgartner,

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is making some changes to help limit the spread of coronavirus. The new guidelines are changing how people file reports with the police. Duluth PD is encouraging residents to do it online or over the phone if they are filing an after-the-fact report or if there is no suspect. Police officials tell us…

Duluth Fire Department Prepares Amid Coronavirus

March 21, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- During the Coronavirus Pandemic, Duluth Fire Department has been in contact with St. Louis County Emergency Management and Homeland Security to prepare for COVID-19. The Fire Department tells us calls will proceed with more caution than ever before, allowing them to get as much information as possible during a call to best use their limited number of resources….

Health Officials Confirm First Case of Coronavirus in St. Louis County

Woman in her late 60s contracted the virus, linked to domestic travel. She hasn't had contact with anyone outside her family.

March 21, 2020

Arman Rahman,

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn.- The Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed the first case of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in St. Louis County. The individual is a woman in her late 60s who is currently recovering at home. Her infection is linked to domestic travel, and not the result of community transmission. “At this point, there has been no request for the…

CHUM Food Shelf Offering To-Go Meal Boxes

The food shelf was helped by a big donation from the Rosary School.

March 18, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- CHUM Food Shelf at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in West Duluth is not letting the Coronavirus stop them from getting food to those in need. The food shelf is offering 20 to-go box meals everyday from 11-1:45 out of the West alley door. CHUM also received a large donation from the Holy Rosary School of 351 pints of…

Superior Family Restaurant Offers Free Meals to Anyone in Need

Restaurant still offers normal takeout 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

March 18, 2020

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Only one day after Wisconsin Bars and Restaurants were abruptly ordered to close, one restaurant in Superior is offering all they can to those in need. Superior Family Restaurant off Tower Avenue is offering free meals to anyone facing hardship who are figuring out where their next meal is coming from. The offer is not limited to children…

Wisconsin Child Care Workers Saddened by Call for Limit on Staff, Children

Governor Evers's order puts a huge burden on employees and parents.

March 18, 2020

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- One of Superior’s busier child care centers reacts to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers’s decision to scale back staff and amount of children in child care settings. The order dictates that organizations are not allowed to operate with more than 10 staff and 50 kids present. Meanwhile in Minnesota on Tuesday, Governor Tim Walz offered support to child care…

Grandma’s Marathon Still on for June, Officials Discussing Further Action

Officials recommend participants should look into cancellation plans for lodging in case race is postponed or cancelled.

March 17, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Grandma’s Marathon has not decided yet if the race of more than 9,000 runners will be cancelled because of the Coronavirus. Race officials told us they are right now discussing whether they need to cancel or postpone the race in June 19th. As for now, the race is still on. But officials are urging runners and spectators to…

Gov. Evers Shocks Bar, Restaurant Owners with Sudden Statewide Closure

Owners given just three hours notice, after being told they could close Wednesday.

March 17, 2020

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Wisconsin business owners had just three hours to get ready for a 5 p.m. hard shutdown of bars and restaurants ordered from the very top in Madison. “We all thought it was kind of a short notice, we all probably should’ve got a 24 hours notice,” said Superior Flame Nightclub owner Alvin Berg. “We’re gonna comply and we…

Duluth International Increases Santization for Passengers Coming Through

Officials say depending on numbers, a processing/screening center could be a possibility.

March 16, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth International Airport is also taking measures to keep its facilities safe, as Coronavirus spreads nationwide. Airport officials said that traffic through the airport has dropped a bit recently, though a steady flow of passengers are still coming through. While there are no plans to quarantine or screen passengers or even airline staff as they come from…

Duluth Restaurant Owners Brace Themselves as Gov. Walz Announces Statewide Closure

Closure affects only dine-in customers, takeout and delivery services continue.

March 16, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Governor Tim Walz has ordered bars and restaurants across Minnesota to temporarily close to customers who dine in, as the number of Coronavirus cases in the state reaches 54–a dramatic jump in just a few days. This follows an increasing number of states across the country closing their bars and restaurants. The San Francisco Bay Area has gone…

DSSO Cancels Two Concerts Amid Coronavirus Concerns

March 15, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra is canceling programming for the next two weeks. This comes as the CDC recommends all events with more than 50 people be canceled. This means the cancellations of two DSSO concerts — Beethoven Fifth on Mar. 21 and Beethoven Adventure Casual Concert on Mar. 22. DSSO officials say it was a difficult…

Duluth Restaurants Take Precautions Against COVID-19

As restaurants close across the country, restaurants here try their best to stay open.

March 15, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The President of the Duluth Local Restaurant Association is commenting on how some restaurants in the city are coping with the impacts of people taking precautions and staying home because of the Coronavirus. Currently, all bars and restaurants in Illinois, Ohio, California and Massachusetts have been ordered by their Governors to close to slow the community spread of…

Gov. Walz Closes Minnesota Schools for Two Weeks to Plan for Coronavirus

The two-week period is for school officials and teachers to plan for long-term closures, distance learning.

March 15, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- In the most intense step the State of Minnesota has taken in response to the Coronavirus, Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order closing all schools in the state starting Wednesday, until March 27th. This comes just two days after Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced all schools statewide would close through April 6th. While parents prepare to cope…

Larson Addresses Coronavirus Concerns Sunday Ahead of Press Event

March 15, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson will be holding a press conference Monday at 10 a.m. with an update on the city’s plans regarding the coronavirus. The event will be closed to the public to honor the Minnesota Department of Health’s social distancing guidelines, according to Larson. The press conference will be streamed on the city and FOX 21’s…

Trump Calls on Americans to Cease Hoarding Food, Supplies

March 15, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Sunday called on Americans to cease hoarding groceries and other supplies, while one of the nation’s most senior public health officials called on the nation to act with more urgency to safeguard their health as the coronavirus outbreak continued to spread across the United States. Dr. Anthony Fauci says he would like to…

Duluth Police Department Employees Honored at Commendation Ceremony

Annual ceremony awards officers and civilian employees

March 12, 2020

Andrew Kirov,

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department awarded officers and civilians for their exceptional work this year. The annual Commendation Ceremony brought dozens of police officers, department employees, community members, and their families together to celebrate great efforts. Awards were given for police partnership, saving lives, and great service. Officer Ethan Roe was named ‘Police Officer of the Year.’ “I…

UWS Extends Spring Break, Moves Classes Online for Coronavirus; WITC Weighing Options

UWS moves to online classes until April.

March 11, 2020

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- College campuses in Superior are making adjustments and preparations for the Coronavirus. University of Wisconsin Superior is extending its Spring Break and moving all classes online until April, and WITC is considering alternate delivery modes for classes. “I like staying busy. So part of me, I don’t mind it,” UWS Student Body President Zack Abt said. “It’ll be…

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NBA Suspends Season ‘Until Further Notice’ Due to Utah Jazz Player with Coronavirus

Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19

March 11, 2020

Arman Rahman,

The Spalding NBA official game ball is seen before an NBA basketball game between an NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (Matt Patterson via AP) MIAMI (AP) – The NBA has suspended its season “until further notice” after a Utah Jazz player tested positive Wednesday for the coronavirus, a move that came…

CSS Joins UMD, UWS By Extending Spring Break, Moving Classes Online Amid Coronavirus Concerns

March 11, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The College of St. Scholastica announced Wednesday it would be joining the University of Minnesota Duluth and the University of Wisconsin-Superior by extending spring break for students and moving classes online when those students return amid concerns about the COVID-19 strain of the coronavirus. Below is the statement from the president CSS: Dear St. Scholastica Family, As…

UMD, UWS Extend Spring Break; Classes Moving Online When Students Return

March 11, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — The University of Minnesota Duluth and the University of Wisconsin-Superior have announced they are extending spring break and moving classes online when students return because of the growing concerns involving the COVID-19 strain of the coronavirus. Below are the two official releases from each university. UMD: Dear students, faculty, and staff, As the challenges presented by COVID-19…

McDonald’s Retaining Wall Crumbles

City contractors coming in to evaluate the wall.

March 10, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- A big portion of a retaining wall collapsed at a busy Duluth McDonald’s. It happened around 5:30 Tuesday evening at the McDonald’s on the corner of 21st Avenue East and London Road. The railing detached from the parking lot, and chunks of the wall fell down below along the road. City officials told FOX 21 that contractors were…

Duluth Fire Chief Details City’s Response if Coronavirus Hits Northland

Fire Chief said not to panic, but expect the virus in the County at some point.

March 9, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- As the second case of Coronavirus was discovered in Minnesota on Sunday, the City of Duluth says it has what it is calling a pandemic plan that could be utilized should the need arise. According to Duluth Fire Chief Shawn Krizaj, the city is closely monitoring the virus on the local, state, and national level. They are also…

Suspect in Cloquet Double Homicide Found, Arrested in ‘Wooded Area’

33-year-old Sheldon Thompson was arrested in Perch Lake Township in Carlton County.

March 8, 2020

Arman Rahman,

CLOQUET, Minn.- Authorities have arrested 33-year-old Sheldon Thompson of Cloquet, in connection to the deaths of a mother and her young son on the Fond Du Lac Reservation in Cloquet. At 8:43 pm Sunday, Thompson was arrested in a wooded area off Mission Road in Perch Lake Township in Carlton County on the Reservation, police said. He was taken into…

Coronavirus Information Phone Line and Webpage Offered by St. Louis County

Public Health Nurses will be on hand to answer questions.

March 6, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Amid Coronavirus concerns spreading across the country, St. Louis County opened up an information phone line and a website for people to call or visit to get their Coronavirus concerns addressed. Public Health nurses will be at the ready Monday through Friday, 8am-4:30pm, to answer questions people may have about COVID-19, the disease caused by the new Coronavirus….

Geared Up: Duluth Police Train For Potential Civil Unrest

February 27, 2020

Dan Hanger, Andrew Kirov,

DULUTH, Minn. — With a use-of-force policy now in place for Duluth’s newly purchased protective gear, officers are going through specialized training for those rare events when protesters can turn violent. And while full-blown riots are not a common occurrence in Duluth by any means, Chief Mike Tusken believes it’s his responsibility to be prepared for the worst to keep the…

Working Group Offers Recommendations to Reduce Police Deadly Force Situations

St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin updated the County's Officer Deadly Force Encounters Policy as well.

February 24, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- A working group in the Twin Cities organized by Attorney General Keith Ellison unveiled a report with recommendations on how to reduce deadly force encounters with law enforcement, and Officer-Involved-Shootings across the state. The Working Group on Police-Involved Deadly Force Encounters came up with 28 recommendations and 33 action steps. Those recommendations include training law enforcement in de-escalation…

Council Unanimously Approves New Police Protective Gear Policy

Councilors praised the policy as a great product of a lot of hard work.

February 24, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth City Council unanimously approved a new policy for the use of newly purchased protective gear by the Duluth Police Department. This effectively puts an end to public discussions on the policy, which began back in 2017 when Police Chief Mike Tusken proposed purchasing the gear to replace outdated ones. Many councilors spoke on their reasons for…

Chief Tusken Reflects On Police Department Assessment Report

February 20, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – A top to bottom outside assessment of the Duluth Police Department is now complete. And Chief Mike Tusken says he’s pleased that the recommendations for improvements were nothing overly unexpected. Tusken says one of the strengths highlighted in the report applauds the department’s mental health unit as innovative and progressive. On the flip side, the report concluded…

Group Makes Banners Empowering Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women March

Currently 20 unaccounted women are logged in urban parts.

February 13, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The Native Lives Matter Coalition spent the day making banners for Friday’s fifth annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Memorial March. According to data from the Urban Indian Health Institute, 20 indigenous women are murdered or missing from urban areas in Minnesota. A task force is working on determining numbers for the whole state. The banners empower family…

Duluth Council Approves Grant to Continue Mental Health Officer Position

Officer helps build relationships and get people help from Mental Health Services.

February 10, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth City Council approved a $206,793 grant that’ll allow the Duluth Police Department to continue dedicating an officer specifically for mental health calls. The officer is part of the Department’s Mental Health Unit based out of the DTA substation downtown. He works with people based on referrals from other officers and community members. Since the grant was…

Council Approves Demolition of Kozy; Former Owner Still Determined to Stop Wrecking Ball

Former owner Eric Ringsred didn't come up with the $50,000 bond court required to keep building up.

February 10, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The City of Duluth is the closest its ever been to tearing down the condemned Kozy building on East First Street. DEDA owns the building, and the Council voted to approve DEDA’s decision to demolish the building that’s sat vacant for nearly a decade. The council voted unanimously, 8-0 with Councilor Russ absent, to demolish the structure. But…

Lake Superior Nearly Ice-Free this Warm Winter

Ice coverage at less than 5% as temps are higher than normal.

February 6, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- This winter’s unseasonably warm temperatures have left Lake Superior almost entirely without ice. According to experts at the National Weather Service, less than 5% of the lake is covered so far, while at this time last year 40% of the lake was covered. While less ice may make the water seem warmer, experts said that it’s still icy…

Meeting on Refugee Resettlement Turns Contentious

Both sides of the refugee issue clashed outside of meeting.

February 6, 2020

Arman Rahman,

CLOQUET, Minn.- A presentation on refugee resettlement at the Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College sparked a bit of controversy Thursday. The presentation focused on explaining “all the facts” about refugee resettlement, while some people in attendance said what they’re doing is wrong. The meeting at the college Thursday was not a part of any established group, but was…

Officials Present New Protective Gear Policy with Police Chief, Community

Policy born out of nearly one year of meetings, and over 30 hours of discussion.

February 3, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- After 10 months of 12 meetings, the Duluth Police Policy Working Group presented its Protective Gear Policy to Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken, with the public having the chance to share their questions and concerns. The Policy Working Group consisted of 20 members from groups including the Duluth Citizen Review Board, Duluth NAACP, Homeless Persons Bill of Rights,…

2019 Was Busiest Year Ever for St. Louis County Rescue Squad

February 1, 2020

Andrew Kirov,

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. – The St. Louis County Rescue Squad says 2019 was the busiest year in its 61-year history. The Rescue Squad posted on Facebook that its members ran 542 missions in 2019, eclipsing the previous record by more than a hundred. In the woods, the squad ran a record 154 missions, consisting of 80 searches, 69 rescues,…

City Asks Residents to Keep Gas Meters, Vents Clear of Ice & Snow

City of Duluth Reminds Residents to Use Preventative Measures as Winter Continues

January 31, 2020

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – As winter rolls on, the City of Duluth is reminding residents to think ahead before problems occur. The City says due to an increase in snow and ice-related issues this season involving gas metering equipment, they’re asking residents to make sure gas meters, furnace, boiler, and dryer vents are clear of ice and snow. This preventative action…

Beargrease Vets on Alert with Warm Temperatures

Dogs more prone to overheating, dehydration in the heat.

January 26, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- All the dogs taking mushers along the Beargrease trail, which is softer than usual due to warmer weather, calls for a big team of trained veterinarians. 11 vets and 7 veterinary technicians are stationed at each checkpoint, along with one EMT to check on the human mushers. Vets say while they’re there for medical attention, mushers are usually…

Whooping Cough Found in Superior Schools

Health officials say to watch children for symptoms.

January 23, 2020

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Three confirmed cases of whooping cough have been found between Superior Middle and High Schools, and other cases are pending. The Pertussis virus leads to a harsh cough which could stop breathing in some younger children, causing health officials to urge parents to keep watch. Whooping cough first shows as common cold symptoms before manifesting in a violent…

UMD Police Urge Drivers to Use Caution, Watch for Pedestrians

Pedestrian Right of Way: Not Always Clear

January 23, 2020

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – Three weeks into the new year, and already three drivers have been given citations for failing to yield to pedestrians on the campus of UMD. Just last year, 24 drivers received tickets, an uptick from 2018. With recent weather conditions making for tall snow banks and sloppy, slick roads, it’s prompting UMD Police Department to speak out…

St. Louis County, Teamsters Local 320 Reach Contract Agreement

The Agreement Was Announced Monday Morning on the Facebook Page of Teamsters 320 Local Recording Secretary Erik Skoog

January 20, 2020

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – According to Teamsters Local 320 Recording Secretary Erik Skoog, an agreement has been reached between public works employees and St. Louis County. The announcement was made early Monday morning on Skoog’s Facebook page. In a post, Skoog says, “After 15 hours of mediation, we reached an agreement that both parties can be proud of! Congrats Teamsters and…

Fatal Eveleth House Fire Victim Identified, Neighborhood Mourns

77-year-old Bonnie Mae Phinney was trapped in the house as it burned to the ground.

January 15, 2020

Arman Rahman,

EVELETH, Minn.- The identity of a 77-year-old woman who died in a house fire in Eveleth Tuesday morning has been released. Several area fire departments responded to a structure fire on North Court, after a woman called saying she was unable to get out. “Me and my wife were talking about when the reports were coming in that her body…

5 Residents Displaced After Pickup Truck Slams Into Building, Causes Gas Leak

January 14, 2020

Dan Hanger,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Police were investigating Tuesday after a pickup truck slammed into a multi-unit residential building and caused a gas leak. The single-vehicle accident happened around 5 p.m. at 4010 E. 2nd Street. The vehicle’s impact severed multiple natural gas meters, according to authorities. Police closed down the area to the public at one point until Superior Water Light…

3 Suspected Opioid-Related Overdoses Of Inmates At Ashland County Jail

January 14, 2020

Dan Hanger,

ASHLAND, Wis. — The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating three suspected opioid-related overdoses of inmates at the Ashland County Jail. Two inmates experienced symptoms and were hospitalized Jan. 9. Another inmate was hospitalized on Jan. 11. All three were eventually discharged from the hospital. Officials say the inmates were all housed in the same cell block. It’s believed a…

Cloquet Fire Sees Most Calls Ever in 2019

The Cloquet Area Fire District responded to just under 3200 calls last year.

January 14, 2020

Arman Rahman,

CLOQUET, Minn.- The Cloquet Area Fire District has seen a very busy 2019, with the largest number of calls in the Department’s history. The Department has responded to just under 3200 calls last year, and 2020 is shaping up to be just as busy. Just last Sunday, they received two calls for fires in one day. But according to Fire…