Public Safety

Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Sturgeon Lake

STURGEON LAKE, Minn. – The Pine County Sheriff’s Office reports that a Sturgeon Lake man is dead after a motorcycle accident on Northstar Drive in Sturgeon Lake. Authorities received the call at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, and when deputies arrived on scene, they found a single motorcycle off the roadway. It appeared that the motorcycle had struck nearby…

Man Drives Car Off Ledge, Reported To Be OK

Man Hit Accelerator Instead Of Break A Flew Off Ledge

DULUTH, Minn. According to the police report the 89 year old male pressed the accelerator instead of the break sending his car through a metal fence and off a more than 10 foot ledge onto London Rd. Police say the man was then able to still drive his car back into the McDonald’s parking lot The man was not given…

Duluth Police Investigating Shooting

Male, 19 Showed Up At Local Hospital With Gun Shot Wound

According to police, last night at 10:17 pm Duluth police responded to a local hospital on the report that a male had come in to be treated for a gunshot wound to the hand and leg. Police say the 19 year old victim had what appears to be a non–life threatening single gunshot wound that went through his hand and…

One Dead After Crash in Pine River Township

PINE RIVER TWP, Minn. – An 18-year-old is dead after an accident on 24th Avenue SW (Co. Rd. 42) in Pine River Township in rural Pine River, according to the Pine County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities responded to the call of a single vehicle crash around 3:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22. Responders arrived on scene to find a 1993 Ford Ranger pickup…

Car Versus Motorcycle Crash in Esko

ESKO, Minn. – Early Thursday morning just before 5 a.m., the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office received the report of debris all over the roadway at Stillmeadow Road and Juntunen Road in Esko. The reporting party also stated a male wearing a reflective jacket was stumbling between the roadway and the ditch; they believed maybe a motorcycle had wiped out, according to…

Lost Hunter Located in Nemadji Forest

PINE COUNTY, Minn. – Around 6:45 a.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 19, the Pine County Sheriff’s Office received information about a lost hunter in the Nemadji Forest area of Pine County. The missing hunter was the caller and due to poor cell phone connectivity, information at the time was limited. Deputies responded to the area the call was believed to have…

Missing Pennsylvania Teen Located in the Twin Cities

UPDATE: Victoria Grimaldi was located safe earlier Thursday afternoon by a BCA special agent and North St. Paul officer. Victoria Grimaldi MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has issued a statewide alert on behalf of the West Whiteland, Pennsylvania Police Department for a missing 15-year-old girl who could be in Minnesota. Victoria Lynn Grimaldi was last seen at Henderson High…

Fiat Chrysler Recalling 494,417 Ram Trucks for Safety Issue

DETROIT (AP) — Fiat Chrysler is recalling almost half a million Ram heavy-duty pickups and medium-duty trucks because their water pumps could be defective. The recall involves Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups and Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs from the 2013 to 2017 model years. All 494,417 of the vehicles involved have 6.7-liter engines. Most of the trucks…

Conference Aims to Educate Seniors About Scams Online and Over the Phone

DULUTH, Minn. — They’re more dangerous than telemarketers or spam email; they’re scam artists out to steal our identities or our private information. And they’re the topic of an educational conference at Clyde Iron Works in Duluth earlier this morning. The “Scam Jam” is put on by the Better Business Bureau and AARP Minnesota. It’s a free event aimed at…

Local Law Enforcement Cracking Down on Red Light Runners

Local Authorities Start Toward Zero Deaths Campaign

DULUTH, Minn.-Have you ever run a red light? Well, the next time you do it, you have a good chance of getting caught as local authorities are targeting those who do it in there Toward Zero Deaths campaign. Organizers say the goal of the campaign is not to issue tickets, but to raise awareness about paying more attention to traffic…

Early Morning Vehicle Chase in Virginia

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Around 2 a.m. Wednesday morning, Virginia Police attempted to stop a vehicle near the intersection of 6th Avenue North and 9th Street North, but the vehicle fled, heading east then southbound on 2nd Avenue South, according to the Virginia Police Department. The suspect was traveling 65 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour zone. When…

Mayor Emily Larson Defends 2018 Proposed Budget Cuts

Larson: Officers, Firefighters Won't Lose Jobs

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson is defending her 2018 budget proposal that includes $2.1 million in cuts spread out throughout all city departments. Mayor Larson told FOX 21’s Dan Hanger Monday that nobody wants cuts and cuts are stressful, but she says that doesn’t mean her office should avoid the problem, especially with aging streets and infrastructure –…

Minneapolis Chief: Body Camera Use Up After Policy Change

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) – Minneapolis’ police chief says he’s seeing an increase in the use of body cameras since he required that officers turn them on when responding to any call. Numbers released Monday show that from July 29 to Aug. 27, officers recorded 55,729 videos with their body-worn cameras. That’s up 133 percent from the 23,876 videos recorded from…

Level III Offender Relocating to Superior

Will be released Sept. 18

Dean Swenson (Oct. 2015 – Wisconsin DOC) SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior Police Department is notifying the public of a Level III Predatory Offender that will be released and residing in Superior. Dean Allen Swenson, 36, will be living in the 1600 block of N 16th Street after he is released on Tuesday, Sept. 19. Swenson is described as 5’9″…

LOCATED: Dakotah Braun, of Duluth

UPDATE: The Duluth Police Department has reported that Dekotah was located safe at an address in the 2100 block of East 2nd Street. Authorities arrested him on-scene for a warrant out of Pope County, Minn. DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing 20-year-old Duluth man. Dekotah Donald John Braun was last seen on Sept….

Five St. Louis County Roads Closed Due to Flooding

County Road 338 (Aurora Road) south of the Townline Road (Photo: St. Louis County Public Works) ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. – Heavy rain overnight has caused several County Roads in the area near Palo, Markham, and Makinen to flood. St. Louis County Public Works has announced the temporary closure of these roads until high waters recede: County Road 338 (Aurora…

Motorcyclists Gear Up for Fall Flood Run This Weekend

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Motorists are urged to use extra caution this weekend along the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers as thousands of motorcyclists take to the streets for the Fall Flood Run. As many as 30,000 riders are expected to travel between the Twin Cities and Winona on Saturday, Sept. 16. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is asking riders…

Enbridge Protestors Arrested In Superior

Blockade Set Up Prevented Construction Workers From Working

SUPERIOR, Wis. Protestors hoping to keep Enbridge workers from getting into their construction site on the line 3 replacement project Thursday morning are now in trouble with the law. In a dramatic scene, several protesters were arrested Thursday in Superior. One has been charged with disorderly conduct during the incident while three others were booked for resisting arrest and trespassing….

Duluth Police, Fire Unions Against Mayor Larson’s Proposed Budget Cuts

Departments Face A Combined $711,800 Cut With Record Calls For Service

DULUTH, Minn. – The clock is ticking. Duluth fire and police departments are facing a $711,800 combined budget cut proposed by Mayor Emily Larson – a cut the unions believe is putting lives at serious risk. It’s been one month since Larson released her 2018 budget proposal with a total of $2.1 million in cuts. And since then, the public…

Volunteers Work to Count Pedestrians and Bikers in Duluth

Will Help Determine Course of Action for Future Developments

DULUTH, Minn.-A step was taken today, to determine how to make the city of Duluth more bike and pedestrian friendly. Dozens of volunteers took to the streets to count just how many people are using the Duluth’s walkways and bike routes. Organizers say the data will be quite useful. “This will kind of give us; the city planners and the…

Target Recalls Dresser for Tip-Over Hazard

Target is recalling nearly 180,000 dressers after 12 reports of dressers tipping or collapsing. Incidents reportedly involved two three-year-old children, according to the recall notice.  The recalled dressers are unstable if they are not anchored to the wall, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Room Essentials 4-drawer dresser was sold in Target stores nationwide and online…

Missing Buffalo Teen Located in Iowa

UPDATE 9-13: Anna Thorson was located safe in Iowa by authorities. BUFFALO, Minn. – The Buffalo Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating 15-year-old, Anna Thorson. Anna was last seen in Buffalo on Sunday, Sept. 10. It is unknown whether she left on foot or by vehicle. Authorities report that Anna has cognitive and social/emotional issues and has…

New Flashing Lights in West Duluth Will Help Pedestrians

Project Paid for by $3 Million Grant

DULUTH, Minn.-West Duluth roads got a little bit safer today. The Minnesota Department of Transportation recently completed the Highway 23 reconstruction project there and have installed five flashing warning lights for pedestrians. The goal is to make it a safer place for pedestrians to cross highways. “We’ve operated in this corridor for almost 100 years now and over the years…

Suspects Charged in Shooting of Grand Rapids Officer’s Home, Squad Car

Both Facing Felony Charges

Left to Right, Dominic Carlson and Timothy Hilgedick (Itasca Co. Sheriff’s Office) GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Two men have been charged in Grand Rapids after allegedly firing a weapon at an officer’s house and squad car Sunday evening. Twenty-year-old Timothy Hilgedick of Grand Rapids and 18-year-old Dominic Carlson of Bemidji appeared in Itasca County Court. Both are facing felony second-degree…

Balloon Fest Color Run Traffic Advisory

SUNDAY, SEPT. 17 - 9 A.M.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Balloon Fest Color Run will be taking place in Bayfront Park on Sunday, Sept. 17. The run gets underway at 9 a.m. with staggered starts. The Duluth Police Department is warning the public of road closures and traffic changes happening for the race. Traffic closures will begin at 8:30 a.m. with Railroad Street closing between 5th…

14-Year-Old Dies After Fatal Fall off Palisade Head

The Girl Was With Friends When She Fell Over the Cliff

SILVER BAY, Minn. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a fall from a cliff on the North Shore. Just after 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon, the Sheriff’s Office received several 9-1-1 calls after a 14-year-old girl. identified as Bailey Belisle, fell from Palisade Head. The girl was with friends when she fell. After her fall, some bystanders rappelled…

Superior city budget nearing final stages

The budget features more funding for public safety and neighborhood improvements

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Superior’s city budget is in the final stages and getting ready to go to city council. The roughly $29 million budget features in increase in the Neighborhood Improvement Fund, and added funding for public safety, including more training for police. City leaders were able to close the deficit, leave a surplus, all without adding any new tax…

Flags Lowered at Wayzata Police Station Amid Reports of Officer Dead

FOX 9 WAYZATA, Minn. (AP) – Flags are flying half-staff at a suburban Minneapolis police department amid reports that one officer was struck and killed by a vehicle. The Wayzata Police Department has not officially announced the officer’s death but has called a news conference for 4:30 p.m. Friday. Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arrandando asked those attending his swearing-in ceremony Friday…

Twin Ports Utility Crews Head to Florida

As Hurricane Irma Inches Closer to Florida, Minnesota Power and Superior Water Light and Power Crews Head South to Help

DULUTH, Minn. – Hurricane Irma is slowly making way toward mainland Florida. Thursday evening, the storm impacted Puerto Rico. Forecasters are still uncertain which route the storm will take, but it’s not stopping local power workers from heading south to help. “It’s going to be pretty much mass devastation,” said Minnesota Power Lineman Mike Linn. The natural disaster is continuing…

St. Louis County Awarded $675,000 in Grant Money Target for Opioid Crisis

DULUTH, Minn. — Opioid addiction has become a national crisis, and earlier this summer President Donald Trump declared the opioid epidemic a national emergency. At a press conference earlier today, St. Louis County leaders announce a partnership across a number of agencies targeting opioid addiction and its treatment. According to local health officials, St. Louis County had the highest opioid…

Level III Offender Meeting in Virginia

Sept. 7, 2017 at 6 p.m.

John Novicky VIRGINIA, Minn. – The Virginia Police Department is notifying the public of a Level III Predatory Offender that has relocated to the 300 block of Chestnut Street. John Joseph Novicky, 67, is described as a white male, 6’1″, 190 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes. Novicky has a history of attempted kidnapping and kidnapping of adult females….

Fire Destroys Garage in Western Duluth

No One Injured in Fire

DULUTH, Minn. – No one was injured today after a fire blasted through a garage in western Duluth. Crews responded to the call at 414 N 77th Ave W just after 1 p.m. Tuesday. Authorities report that there were two cars and a motorcycle in the garage at the time of the fire. The house nearby suffered damage from the…

Hibbing Fire Awarded SAFER Grant

WILL ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT TO INCREASE THEIR STAFFING

HIBBING, Minn. – The Hibbing Fire Department announced today that they have been awarded the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A cost-sharing amount of $937,140 was awarded, $359,237 of the award is the responsibility of the City. The SAFER grant is a competitive grant in which the Hibbing Fire…

LOCATED: Emil Mannila

Emil Mannila UPDATE: The Duluth Police Department has reported that Emil was located on Wednesday, Sept. 6. DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing Duluth man. Emil Eugene Mannila, 56, was last seen on Sept. 3 around 11 a.m. in the area of 15th Avenue East and 2nd Street. He is…

Fire in Buzzle Township Claims Life of Homeowner

BEMIDJI, Minn. – A man is dead after a residential fire Thursday morning around 6 a.m., according to the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities responded to the call of a residential structure fire in the 17000 block of Buzzle Rd NW in Buzzle Township, 20 miles northwest of Bemidji. Crews arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames. Neighbors…

Lake Superior Beach Advisories

DULUTH, Minn. – As of September 1, 2017, the Minnesota Department of Health has reported advisories for the following beaches. These advisories recommend no water contact due to elevated levels of E. coli bacteria identified from samples collected and tested.   If anyone becomes ill after contact with beach water contact the Minnesota Department of Health at 1-877-366-3455. For more…

Crews Work Overnight to Remove Taconite Harbor Bridge

DULUTH, Minn. -Motorists traveling on Highway 61 will no longer be rerouted, as Minnesota Department of Transportation crews worked overnight to remove a damaged railroad bridge near Taconite Harbor. MnDOT issued an emergency closure Thursday after the dilapidated bridge was struck by a truck. Because of the instability of the bridge and concern for public safety, an emergency detour was put…

Farming Accident Results in Fatality

NORTHWOOD TOWNSHIP, Minn. – A Minnesota man has lost his life after a farming-related accident. The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene on Tuesday, August 29 just after 10 a.m. The accident occurred in the 43000 block of Moose River Rd, in Northwood Township. That is located in the far northwest portion of Beltrami County, approximately 100 miles…

Man Dies After Motorcycle Crash on Hwy 37 near Clinton Township

DULUTH, Minn. – According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a Cohasset, Minnesota man is dead after an accident on Highway 37 near Clinton Township. The incident happened around 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29. A motorcycle driven by Donald Hilligoss, 60, was traveling westbound on Hwy 37 when a Hyundai Sonata driven by 19-year-old Niomi Boulanger, of Eveleth pulled out in…

Level III Offender Moving to Hibbing

Robert Keogh HIBBING, Minn. – The Hibbing Police Department is notifying the public of a Level III Predatory Offender moving into the Hibbing area. Forty-two-year-old Robert Alan Keogh, will be relocating to the 4100 block of Kerr Location. A notification meeting will be held on August 31 at 6 p.m. at the Little Theatre in the lower level of the…

Water Drive to Support those Affected by Tropical Storm Harvey

Local Businessman to Travel to Texas

DULUTH, Minn. – A local Duluth man is heading to Texas this weekend to help those affected by Tropical Storm Harvey and he’s asking for help. Mike Letica is hosting a Water Drive on Thursday, August 31 from noon to 7 p.m. at Denfeld High School. Letica is asking for donations of water, cots, air mattresses, medical supplies, cash donations…

American Red Cross: How Northlanders Can Support Harvey Victims

Monetary Donations Encouraged by Red Cross Officials

DULUTH, Minn. – Tropical Storm Harvey is causing devastation in Texas with thousands evacuated and mutiple deaths reported. As people around the country try to help those affected, the American Red Cross is doing whatever they can to help as well. Dan Williams, the Executive Director of the American Red Cross serving Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, stopped by FOX 21…

Northlanders Help with Hurricane Harvey Relief

Organizations Across the Region are Providing Assistance to Those Affected by the Storm

HOUSTON – As Hurricane Harvey relief continues, volunteers from across the country head to Texas to lend a helping hand to people affected by the storm. Some of those volunteers are from right here in the Northland. From providing assistance to people in shelters to caring for animals left homeless by the storm, Northlanders are finding ways to help those…

Harvey Donation Drive Set For Thursday at Denfeld High School

Cash donations, bottled water, air mattresses, toiletries and pet food are all needed

  DULUTH, Minn. – A donation drive for those affected by Hurricane Harvey will be held at Denfeld High School on Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. Mike Letica and other local business leaders are asking the public to drop off cash donations, as well as items like bottled water, air mattresses, toiletries and pet food. This weekend, Letica will…

Authorities Believe Human Remains Are That Of Missing Twin Ports Man

UPDATE 8/28:  The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office sent out a news release late Monday saying they believe human remains located in Twig are that of Edward Lepage.  Family members and friends who held a ground search Sunday made the discovery. The remains are being transported to the Midwest Medical Examiners Office in Ramsey, Minnesota for analysis and positive identification….

Friends Set Up Memorial For 15-Year-Old Drowning Victim

Flowers, Cross Put At Last Place Will Schlotec Was Seen Alive

DULUTH, Minn. – Heavy hearts continue for friends and family of 15-year-old Will Schlotec who drowned over the weekend in the popular swimming hole known as The Deeps. People close to Schlotec have begun to build a memorial at the site of the accident. On Monday, friends showed up with flowers and comforting words for one another as the new school…

Local Volunteers Help With Hurricane Harvey Relief

Nine Duluth Red Cross Volunteers are on Their Way to Texas or Already There

DULUTH, Minn. – Volunteers from across the country are heading to Texas to help communities recover from the destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey, and that includes volunteers from right here in the Northland. The American Red Cross in Duluth has nine volunteers either on their way to Texas or already there to help with Hurricane Harvey relief. Local officials are…