DULUTH, Minn. – All eyes are on the stormy forecast as crews get ready for Fourth Fest at Bayfront Park. Festivities kick off Tuesday evening with 80s rock and roll tribute band Hairball. Weather is not expected to damper this concert, as the performers say they will play rain or shine. But showers and thunderstorms forecast for July 4th have DECC…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department wants everyone to take in the “oohs and awes without the ouch” this Independence Day. The 4th of July can bring out the best outdoor entertainment with warm weather, grilling, parades, and fireworks, however, Duluth Fire Marshal Marnie Grondahl wants to remind folks that fireworks come with extreme danger if not enjoyed with caution….
TWO HARBORS, Minn.- The construction on Highway 61 is causing some delays for summer travelers but they say it’s worth wait. “We love the Northshore, we’ve been coming up here since the 60’s I think, at least once a year,” tourist Rose Gordon said. During the week, single-lane traffic is open but stopped cars are a common site along the…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Former Superior city councilor Graham Garfield has been found guilty of three counts of domestic abuse involving his former fiance. The sentencing comes a little over a year after the 27-year-old got intoxicated in his home and threatened his then-finance by pointing a loaded handgun at her. As part of a plea agreement, Garfield is sentenced to…
DRUMMOND, Wis.,- It’s sunshine and clear sky now but Drummond is still wading in the water. Drummond town chairman Roy Bloom remains busy keeping track of road conditions. “Two, three, there was four washouts in this that were five foot deep,” Bloom said. The red markings are all the roads currently closed. “There are still places here we’re just guessing,…
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Wis.- Some roads remain closed in Douglas County due to flooding. Officials with Douglas County tell us it may take some time before they reopen. Highways across the county remain largely affected by the heavy rainfall this past weekend. Although high water levels are dying down the Douglas County Board Chairman Mark Liebaert tells FOX 21 some clear roadways…
WISCONSIN,- After heavy rain over the weekend, major flooding continues to cause problems across the Northland for both travelers and homeowners. It was a big weekend for tourism in the Northland, many campers came prepared with rain gear and made the most out of a wet weekend. “I’m sure it doesn’t happen very often where it overflows that much,” camper…
DULUTH, Minn. – A leading voice for victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse in the Twin Ports has stepped aside into retirement. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger talks with Candy Harshner Winkler on her 20 years at PAVSA. “You know, I’ve done a lot of different work in my life, but I really consider this my life’s work,” Candy explained. At…
DULUTH, Minn. – A warning for dangerous swimming conditions at Park Point beaches has been issued by the Duluth Fire Department. The warning means that wind and wave conditions can support rip currents, which are life-threatening to anyone entering the water. There are currently no lifeguards at Park Point and red flags are flying along the beach to indicate the…
DULUTH, Minn. – Staff at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center in Duluth recently applied for funds from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to add a rip current signal flag on Corps property near the Aerial Lift Bridge. On Wednesday, the new signal flag was unveiled with a ceremony including staff from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and…
DULUTH, Minn. – A difficult situation for two mothers, family members and friends entering the St. Louis County Courthouse in Duluth Thursday. More than 15 months after the murder of UMD student William Grahek, 22, two suspects — a brother and sister — involved in the case were sentenced for their role in the crime. Police responded to the scene…
DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin says he’d like to stay elected in his position for another four years. Rubin is now in his eight year as the county’s chief prosecutor of crimes. In a Facebook post Tuesday evening, Rubin said: “One way to address unfinished work… and with gratitude for an incredibly dedicated staff… is to…
DULUTH, Minn.-Local EMS workers enjoyed a cookout on this beautiful day to celebrate EMS workers week. The food was provided by St. Luke’s to celebrate the hard work emergency responders do every day. Workers from all over the Northland stopped by to celebrate. Officials with St. Luke’s say it’s important to honor EMS workers every day. “Trauma that goes on at…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth officials announced today that all of the city’s previously untested sexual assault kits have now been submitted to the state for testing. Back in 2015, Duluth had the most untested sexual assault kits of any city in Minnesota. After securing more than $2 million in federal grants to fund the project, local officials worked together to…
DULUTH, Minn.- Police week celebrations continue in the Northland, as first responders in Duluth were recognized. The 29th annual Law Enforcement Memorial Prayer Luncheon is dedicated to honoring officers serving, retired, and fallen. Heads bowed on Thursday in honor of the 128 officers that died while serving the community, one right here in Minnesota. “So we remember those that actually…
DULUTH, Minn.- Scary moments on Tuesday afternoon after fire broke out inside a home on West Fourth Street in Duluth. At one point, fire officials worried the homeowner was trapped. Nobody was injured in this fire. The cause all centers around a cigarette. The fire broke out around 3:30 p.m at 4209 West Fourth Street. A neighbor called in the…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – A community listening session at Superior Middle School got heated as community members express environmental concerns in the aftermath of April’s Husky Energy Refinery explosion and fire. The listening session was offered by the University of Wisconsin Extension for Superior and other area residents to ask questions about the refinery fire and have their comments heard. Fear…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – It was the annual Law Enforcement Recognition Ceremony on Thursday. Superior Police welcomed five new officers to the department, as they swore to serve their community. “I still can remember the day that I was sworn in and took the oath of office, and I remember how proud I was, and how exciting it was for me,”…
DULUTH, Minn. – There is a big demand for firefighters across the nation. Lake Superior College firefighting students took their training to another level today before trying to find jobs in the competitive field. Firefighting students at LSC completed their ’14 Hour Shift’ Monday. The training puts together everything they’ve learned throughout the year and asks them to use it…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – After years of planning, all contracts were in place Tuesday to begin construction for Superior’s new multi-million dollar fire station. Councilors gave the final bids Tuesday night to KBK Services out of Ashland, Wis. Councilor Brent Fennessey told FOX 21 the company came in at the lowest cost for the plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning at…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Questions are rising involving Husky Energy’s use of Hydrogen Fluoride, a deadly, skin eating chemical when in contact with humans. This comes after the historic explosion and fire April 26th at Husky’s Superior oil refinery, which miraculously did not take any lives or release any of that Hydrogen Fluoride in the process. Governor Scott Walker (R-Wis.) was…
DULUTH, Minn.- Updates on the long-awaited can of worms construction formally known as the Twin Ports Interchange Project. Officials say construction on local roads will be the first priority before starting work on the interchange itself. Minnesota Department of Transportation officials tell us work will begin on Garfield Avenue, Railroad Street, and 7th Avenue W. during the 2019 construction season. The…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Husky Oil Refinery explosion last Thursday forced business in Superior to close up shop for the day. We spoke with one local dinner where servers and customers watched it all happen right from the window. Around 10 a.m. last Thursday morning, customers at Julie’s Diner began to point out the large smoke cloud outside the restaurant. Staff…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – The city of Superior is continuing to stay in the conversation among other local and state agencies as Husky Energy works through the clean-up effort after the historic explosion and fire at the Canadian company’s Superior refinery Thursday. Mayor Jim Paine told FOX 21 Sunday there is no evidence of any lingering health effects or contamination of…
DULUTH, Minn. – Warm, dry, gusty air fueled up concern Sunday for fire crews ready to respond at any moment for wildfires, that if started could spread quickly. The National Weather Service in Duluth issued a Red Flag Warning for much of the Northland Sunday morning. “Combination of strong winds and low humidities would promote a fast fire growth and rapid…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association has launched a task force to help firefighters struggling with mental health issues, following the death of a Superior firefighter who took his own life. Association President Jon Cohn tells Wisconsin Public Radio that members of the task force will receive 40 hours of training to become peer support counselors….
DULUTH, Minn. – Saturday evening, two people fell through ice on Lake Superior off of Park Point. A 13-year-old boy was seen in the water floating on an ice chunk. He was pulled out of the water by a supervising adult and was treated for possible injuries at the scene. Later, a 47-year-old woman also fell through the ice in…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- We checked in on our four-legged friends at the Douglas County Humane Society after dealing with evacuating. The shelter shook on Thursday, after the explosion at the Husky refinery, putting their emergency plan in motion. The director says the plan has been in place for nearly five years and they never expected to put it to use….
DULUTH, Minn. – The city of Duluth has released new details to FOX 21’s Dan Hanger involving an updated construction timeline on the delayed seawall project in Canal Park, and also when and where the William A. Irvin could eventually open for the season. But first, the Minnesota Slip Bridge in Canal Park, also known as the “Blue Bridge,” is…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – First responders have established a command center in Superior. Duluth and Hermantown Police, along with the St. Louis County and Douglas County Sheriff’s Offices all on the scene to assist the Superior Fire and Police Departments. We spoke with one of the paramedics standing by today, “we do train for this sort of thing, so this is…
SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Reports of smoke being seen from Highway 61 along the North Shore to Cloquet came in throughout Thursday as residents in Superior evacuated their workplace and homes. “None of us expected this to happen,” said UWS student Jonathan Patras. A day unlike any other in the City of Superior. Students at UWS received important news alerts as…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Firefighters in Superior are mourning after the death of their longtime battalion chief who recently retired. Erik Sutton, 46, was on the Superior Fire Department for 20 years. The Superior Firefighters Local 74 released the following statement to FOX 21: “It is with deep regret and sadness that the Superior Firefighters Local 74 announce the passing of…
VIRGINIA, Minn. – A house fire Saturday afternoon sent two residents to a local hospital to be treated for possible smoke inhilation. More than a dozen Iron Range fire departments battled the flames at the house on the 500 block of 8 1/2 Street South. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Categories: News, News – Latest News, Public…
VIRGINIA, Minn. – A fire Saturday afternoon in Virginia left one house heavily damaged. Nobody was injured in the fire. It was reported just after 12:00 p.m. Saturday at a house on the 1000 block of Sixth Avenue North. At the height of the fire, more than fifty firefighters were at the scene from several area fire departments. The cause…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Fire fighters in Superior took a big step forward in their careers on Friday. The department celebrated with a swearing in ceremony on Friday afternoon. Some members received promotions to higher ranks, while others were taking their first steps towards serving the community. The crowd was full of proud family members. “It really has to be a source…
DULUTH, Minn. — An investigation is underway after a fire at an apartment complex on the 600-block of East First Street. Multiple fire rigs responded Monday evening. Residents were evacuated. There was no immediate word on any injuries or a cause late Monday. Categories: News, News – Latest News, Public Safety
A discarded cigarette started a fire in Duluth Sunday that caused $15,000 in damage to an apartment complex. It happened at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday, at 1005 Glen Place Drive in Duluth. When the fire department arrived they found smoke coming from the deck of two top floor apartments. Initial damage estimates are $15,000 for the structure and $500 for…
DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth man on probation for a 2016 drunken driving conviction is now dead along with two others in a wrong-way alcohol-related crash on Interstate 35 in Duluth. The accident happened 1 a.m. Monday on southbound I-35 near 40th Avenue West. The Minnesota State Patrol says a 1997 Toyota 4Runner was traveling north in those southbound lanes…
DULUTH, Minn. – Monday morning a fatal crash occurred on I-35 in Duluth near the 40th Ave. W. exit around 1:00 a.m. One person is confirmed dead, but authorities have not released how many people were involved in the crash. The crash caused a Southbound lane to be closed at one point, but all lanes are clear and open now….
SUPERIOR, Wis. – A parent’s worst nightmare is an emergency at their kids’ school. Wednesday, parents at Superior Elementary Schools learned about the district’s plans for preventing violence and how they can help. Over the last year, the Superior School District has added new security measures and installed buzzer systems at the front doors of all their schools, and they’ve…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Text to 911 system has been working well for the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office after being introduced just three months ago. The department receives an average of two emergency text messages a day. When a message comes through it shows up on a dashboard with location coordinates. The coordinates are then placed into a mapping system to…
CULVER, Minn. – St. Louis County officials are continuing to battle the opioid epidemic in this region. At a program at South Ridge School in Culver, people learned how to administer Narcan to an overdose victim. They could also give unused prescription drugs to St. Louis County Sheriff deputies for them to be disposed. Speakers said opioid addiction affects everybody…
VIRGINIA, Minn. – A proposed new public safety building in Virginia is closer to becoming a reality. Renderings of the new facility have been released. The 50,000 square foot building would house the city’s police and fire departments in the same place along the Second Avenue corridor. Virginia leaders are now asking for between $2 million and $14 million in…
DULUTH, Minn. – What turned out to be a facial-hair fundraiser for local non-profits this past November has turned into a permanent policy that now allows Duluth police officers to sport beards from here on out. This change in policy is truly historic because for the last 120 years officers could only sport a mustache or a clean-shaven look. But after…
CLOQUET, Minn. – An eleven year old girl is in police custody after she made a threat of violence referencing Cloquet Middle School and High School. Cloquet Police say all is safe at the school following their investigation Wednesday morning. Late Tuesday night, Cloquet Police were made aware of a social media post containing a violent threat to Cloquet schools….
DULUTH, Minn. – Area high schools are paying close attention to how threats are handled in other school districts, like at Duluth Denfeld where a student there threatened to shoot up the school Monday and later said he was just “messing around.” Two Harbors High School principal Jay Belcastro believes the best way for schools to prevent threats and violent…
DULUTH, Minn. – A student has been identified in connection to a threat of a shooting at Duluth’s Denfeld High School. Classes were not cancelled Monday. Police and the school district felt there was no intent to carry out the threat. On Friday, a Denfeld High School student was overheard by another student talking about shooting up the school. It…
DULUTH, Minn. – Homeowners in Duluth can now adopt a fire hydrant in the city to help fire fighters access hydrants in case of a fire. Adopters will maintain their hydrants by cutting grass around it in the summer and shoveling snow around it in the winter. The clear hydrants can cut down on Fire Department response time. “You could…
DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth is home to eight fire stations. Some of those are nearly 100 years old. That includes Station 10 in Gary New Duluth. It was built in 1927 and was first occupied in 1928. Originally, the building housed both the fire department and police department, along with a library and community center. “We had…
DULUTH, Minn. – Police, fire and medical are three professions where people are trained to help us – often during the worst times of our lives. In a special report called “Life Savers,” FOX 21’s Dan Hanger introduces you to some of the men and women who not only help on the ground but also thousands of feet in the air….
