Public Safety

Duluth Police Looking for Paintball Shooter

Courtesy: Duluth Police Department DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating individuals involved in paintball shooting incidents in Duluth. Authorities report two incidents have occurred, one on Wednesday, Aug. 16 around 9:10 p.m. in the 200 block of East 3rd Street and another on Thursday, Aug. 17 just after 9 p.m. Victims of…

Citizens’ Police Academy Being Hosted by Superior Police Department

Registration Still Open

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior Police Department is looking for residents to take part in their Citizens’ Police Academy. The academy focuses on teaching community members all about what the police do through a variety of classes including having a ride along. The program also aims to put police in a more positive light. “The biggest thing citizens take away…

BBQ Held for Law Enforcement

Chris Jensen is a Memory Care Facility

DULUTH, Minn. – Chris Jensen Health and Rehabilitation hosted a BBQ for law enforcement and first responders. Representatives there told us it’s a good way to get know all the heroes who help that organization in so many ways. Most of the time, authorities are there for some very serious matters, and the people that work there don’t get to…

Minnesota DWI Courts Aiming to Reduce Drunk Driving

Extra Enforcement on Minnesota roads Aug. 18 - Sept. 3

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Extra DWI enforcement on Minnesota roads begins Friday, Aug. 18, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety. More than 300 law enforcement agencies will be putting extra enforcement on the roads from Aug. 18 to Sept. 3. As part of a broader effort to protect Minnesotans from the dangers of drunk…

Electrical Fire on Baxter Avenue in Superior

  SUPERIOR, Wis. – Just after 11 a.m. Thursday, crews responded to a possible structure fire in the 800 block of Baxter Avenue, according to the Superior Fire Department. Initial reports indicated there was light smoke visible from the back of a two-story, single family home. Crews confirmed this as they arrived on scene, and found a working fire in…

Firefighter Hospitalized for Second Time in a Week After Battling House Fire

The Duluth Fire Department confirmed that no one was in the house at the time of the incident

DULUTH, Minn. – Fire crews responded to the 500 block of Anderson Road around 9:49 a.m. to the report of a structure fire, according to the Duluth Fire Department. Crews arrived to find heavy fire in the upstairs of the 1 1/2 story single family home. The fire was extinguished quickly after crews were able to ventilate the roof. The…

Arson Fire on Vernon Street in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Just after 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, crews were dispatched to a structure fire in the 3200 block of Vernon Street, according to the Duluth Fire Department. Crews arrived on scene and were able to extinguish the fire. A Deputy Fire Marshal was able to determine the cause of the fire to be arson. Damages are estimated…

Wisconsin ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Initiative Starts Friday

MADISON, Wis. – Law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin ill combine their resources to watch for impaired drivers as part of the annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” initiative that begins Friday, Aug. 18 and runs through Labor Day, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. “Whether it’s caused by alcohol, prescription medications, or other drugs, impaired driving is illegal,…

Kids, Cops & Cars Event Tomorrow

11 A.M. TO 2 P.M. IN BAYFRONT FESTIVAL PARK

DULUTH, Minn. – Kids and their families will get the chance to hang out with members of the Duluth Police Department at the Kids, Cops & Cars event being held Wednesday, at Bayfront Festival Park. Numerous first responder vehicles will be on-hand including the department’s command post, tactical response team vehicle, and command post. Other responders will include a Coast…

Agencies Work Together to Prepare for Water Rescues on Lake Superior

Thursday’s incident on Park Point also has agencies discussing more joint training

DULUTH, Minn. – Several agencies helped the Saint Louis County Rescue Squad search for the Fuglies. One of those agencies, the Duluth Fire Department, regularly trains for these types of situations. The department also trains with groups like the U.S. Coast Guard and the county rescue squad. Those sessions give each agency a sense of who does what well. “It…

Police Raise Money for Special Olympics

Fundraiser Held for Torch Run

SUPERIOR, Wis.-Police in Duluth and Superior staked out the rooftops of area Dunkin’ Donuts today, all for a good cause. It’s all part of fundraiser for Minnesota and Wisconsin’s Special Olympic torch run they have every year. That connection with those athletes, has become very deep over the years. “It’s a great experience to work with the athletes and support…

Update: Father, Daughter Pulled From Water Off Park Point Deceased

Victims Were Under Water For At Least One Hour

DULUTH, Minn. – After a vigorous fight against fierce waves off Park Point for Duluth firefighter and rescue crews, a young daughter, 10, and her father, 38, who were pulled from the water Thursday evening are deceased, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. The call for help came in around 4:30 p.m. just out from the Park Point Beach…

UMD Holds Mock Incident

Mock Active Shooter Event Happened at NRRI

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Duluth held an emergency drill Thursday at the school’s Natural Resources Research Institute. The university staged an active shooter situation, UMD’s first ever active drill event. The exercise was paid for with a $12,000 grant involved several law enforcement agencies. UMD Police Chief Sean Huls says bringing in outside emergency responders made the…

Emergency Response Drill Conducted at AMSOIL

Superior Fire Department Participated in the Mock Fire and Chemical Leak Training Exercise

SUPERIOR, Wis. – It’s all about being prepared. An emergency procedure drill was conducted at the AMSOIL Distribution Center in Superior Today to make sure emergency responders are ready if disaster strikes. The emergency response training started when AMSOIL officials called in a drill to Douglas County 911 reporting a chemical leak and fire. Several minutes later, Superior firefighters arrived…

Eveleth Days Inn to be Used in Fire Training Exercises

EVELETH, Minn. – The former Days Inn in Eveleth, on Hat Trick Avenue, has fallen into significant disrepair, has been tax-forfeited, and is up for demolition this fall. For the past month fire departments have used the building for training exercises on various skill including ladder operations, downed firefighter rescues, and roof ventilation, according to St. Louis County officials. Before…

New Blue Lights Installed at 14 Intersections in Duluth, Hermantown

DULUTH, Minn. – Across the state of Minnesota, the majority of serious and fatal crashes occur at four-way intersections with traffic signals, according to St. Louis County. In an effort to reduce crashes at these intersections, the County has installed a new tool to make these intersections safe as part of the state’s Toward Zero Deaths initiative. Bright, blue lights…

Duluth and Superior Combine to Honor Survivors

Mayors Proclaimed Aug. 16 as Break the Silence Day in the Twin Ports

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayors Emily Larson and Jim Paine joined sexual assault survivors from Duluth and Superior, as well as their allies on Park point Wednesday to dedicate a day towards breaking silence. “Therefore, we, Jim Paine and Emily Larson, Mayors of the City of Superior and the City of Duluth, do officially proclaim August 16th, 2017 as Break the…

Scammers Targeting Minnesota Power Customers

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Power has received reports of scam callers targeting their customers for payments, which have alarmingly increased over the past few days. Company officials are cautioning customers to protect themselves. Scammers have reportedly been able to manipulate caller ID to display a fake number, which shows as a possible Minnesota Power line. Scammers will then pose as…

Crews Battle Garage Fire on Swan Lake Road

DULUTH, Minn. – Crews today responded to a garage fire around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 2600 block of Swan Lake Road. The Duluth Fire Department responded to the scene and found the garage at the residence completely engulfed in flames and explosions going off due to gas or fuel tanks inside. “We did have some water supply issues,” stated…

UMD Police Hiring

University Wants to Add Four Officers

DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Duluth Police Department is looking for a few new officers. The UMD P.D. has openings for three new officers right now, with another opening later this year. The department conducted a staffing study a year ago which concluded the current staff of 10 wasn’t enough.  UMD’s police chief, Sean Huls, says more officers…

109 Salmonella Cases Linked to Papayas from Mexico

(KMSP) – United States health officials say several people from Minnesota and dozens of others across the country have contracted Salmonella after eating papayas grown on a farm in southern Mexico. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 109 people across 16 states, including four from Minnesota, have fallen ill. One person has died and 35 people have been…

Semi Rollover Causes Diesel Fuel Leak Near Piedmont Avenue

Officials Responded to the Call Around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, No Injuries Were Reported

DULUTH, Minn. – Shortly after 4:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, Duluth Fire Department responded to reports of a rollover involving an 18-wheeler Marvin truck. The vehicle was traveling from Warroad, Minnesota, and crashed near the intersection of Highway 53 and Piedmont Avenue. Officials tell FOX 21 the driver of the vehicle lost control while traveling south on Highway 53. Authorities also…

GM Recalling Roughly 800,000 Pickups for Steering Defect

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors Co. is recalling roughly 800,000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickup trucks worldwide. The company says the vehicles can temporarily lose electric power steering assist, especially during low-speed turns. If that happens, the driver could lose control of the steering wheel. The recall affects trucks from the 2014 model year. Most of the…

Car Vs. Tractor Accident near Winter, Wis.

WINTER, Wis. – Sawyer County Sheriff’s Deputies and several other agencies responded to the call of a traffic crash on CTH W approximately 1.5 miles south of Winter involving a passenger car and a tractor, on Friday, Aug. 4 around 4:15 p.m. Both vehicles were proceeding westbound on CTH W when the crash occurred. Authorities report that the 40-year-old, male…

Level III Offender Relocates to Rice Lake, Minn.

Timothy Davich DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is notifying the public of a Level III Predatory Offender being relocating to the area of Howard Gnesen Road in southern Rice Lake, Minnesota. Timothy Scott Alan Davich, 50 has a history of sexual contact with minor male victims ages 6-16. Some contact occurred on numerous occasions over a…

New Strategies In Place For Missing Duluth Couple Case

Command Center And Agencies State Wide Are Now On The Case

Saturday August 5th, It was day 8 of the missing Duluth couple Ron and Mary Tarnowski. Saturday hundreds gathered at the Tarnowski home in hopes that a search party would bring them home. “We are not giving up hope. We’re keeping our heads held high, we’re going to be strong, and we’re going to bring mom and dad home. But…

Search Continues for Missing Couple

Ronald and Mary Tarnowski Were Last Seen July 29th

DULUTH, Minn. – Ronald and Mary Tarnowski were last seen Saturday, July 29th. On Wednesday, their son asked for the public’s help. “Any help to get my Mom and Dad home would be more than welcome,” saind Karl Tarnowski. For Karl, his wife Bev, his brother Kurt, and the rest of their family, not knowing where Ron and Mary are…

First Responders Test Water Rescue Drones for Use on Lake Superior

The Duluth Fire Department is looking at purchasing the drones to cut down on response times during emergency situations on the water

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department got a firsthand look Tuesday at some new technology that would assist with water rescues. Firefighters and first responders took part in a demonstration on Lake Superior, showcasing  the state-of-the-art water drones, also known as EMILY (Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard). Each year, the Duluth Fire Department responds to an average of six water…

Stop for School Buses, Fines Increase in Minnesota

Fines Increase to $500 for Those Who Violate School Bus Rules of the Road

DULUTH, Minn. – The next time you fail to stop for a school bus, it’ll cost you more in the State of Minnesota. State law already requires all vehicles to stop for school buses when the bus driver activates the flashing lights and has the crossing arm fully extended. Starting August 1, drivers who violate this law will face higher…

National Night Out connects law enforcement with community

Around 75 events are planned for Tuesday

DULUTH, Minn. – The first Tuesday in August is the National Night Out event, and people in the Twin Ports are getting ready to celebrate. Around 75 events are happening all across the area, where community members hold get–togethers and block parties, and invite members of law enforcement to come out and meet the people in their communities, in a…

Code Red Alert Issued for Escaped Inmate near Bemidji

Keanu Major, 25 BEMIDJI, Minn. (KMSP) – A code red alert was issued Friday morning for an escaped inmate last seen in Bemidji, Minnesota. Police are asking for the public’s help in locating 25-year-old Keanu Joseph Major, who was last seen in the northwest part of the city in leg shackles and a waist belt with restraints and an orange prison jumpsuit. Major…

Police Training Board Votes Against Naming Fund After Castile

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota board that oversees police training and standards has voted against a proposal to name a new fund after a black motorist who was killed by an officer last year. The Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training voted Thursday against Gov. Mark Dayton’s proposal to name a new $12 million training fund…

Arrowhead Road Construction Begins Monday in Hermantown

Engineers say this is one of the busiest county roads in the area, with about 13,000 cars passing through every day

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Construction is set to begin on a busy stretch of road in Hermantown. Starting Monday, Saint Louis County crews will start work along West Arrowhead Road near Highway 53 to help improve the flow of traffic and safety in that area. Engineers say this is one of the busiest county roads in the area, with about 13,000…

Acting MPD Chief: Body Cameras Must be on When Dispatched to Any Call

ALLIE JOHNSON - FOX 9 KMSP

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and acting police chief Medaria Arradondo announced changes Wednesday to Minneapolis Police Department’s body camera policy in the wake of the fatal shooting of Justine Damond. There was no footage of the July 15 shooting of Justine Damond because neither officer had activated their body cameras, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal…

DPD, DEA Enter Partnership to Battle Opioids

Program is First of its Kind in United States

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department and Drug Enforcement Agency announced a new partnership to help fight the city’s opioid problem. As part of this partnership, the DEA will give the city $18,000 to pay for overtime hours during drug raids.  Plus, the city now has access to DEA labs and intelligence databases. “This is an opportunity for us…

Conference Teaches Professionals How to Treat Abuse

Stand Against Child Abuse Conference Happened Tuesday

DULUTH, Minn. – Statistics say 1 in 10 children will be a victim of sexual abuse before they turn 18. That’s why a number of groups who support victims gathered at the DECC to discuss how to treat those victims. At Tuesday’s Stand Against Child Abuse conference, representatives from police, child protective services and medical professions learned from speakers, as…

Fatal Motorcycle Accident Near Mellen, Wisconsin

ASHLAND COUNTY, Wis. – Around 1:45 p.m. authorities responded to the call of a motorcycle accident on County Highway GG approximately two miles south of Mellen, according to the Ashland County Sheriff’s Department. According to authorities, the caller reported that a male was injured and unresponsive. Authorities determined that the motorcycle left the roadway, crossed the gravel shoulder, and crashed…

One Dead After Crash in Makinen Township

One Person is Dead, Four Others Are Recovering from Non-Life Threatening Injuries After a Crash in the 9300 Block of the Vermillion Trail

MAKINEN TOWNSHIP, Minn. – One person is dead after a crash Sunday evening in the 9300 Block of the Vermillion Trail in Makinen Township. Authorities say 29-year-old Rai Walden was pronounced dead at the scene after his vehicle overturned, becoming submerged in nearly two feet of water. Aside from Walden, authorities also removed a passenger from the submerged vehicle. The…

Special Report: The Science, Madness Behind Potholes

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s the same old problem that plagues the Northland year after year – those tire- eating, car-breaking potholes. In a special report, FOX 21’s Dan Hanger introduces you to MnDOT workers who work tirelessly to prevent and patch our crumbling roads.  And you’ll also get an inside look at the science behind this type of never ending…

Crews Respond to Two Fires in Hibbing

7th Ave E Fire Photo: Hibbing Police Dept. HIBBING, Minn. – The Hibbing Fire Department with the assistance of Chisholm and Keewatin, responded to two fires Friday, according to Hibbing Fire Marshal Bryan Fagerstrom. Around 1:45 p.m., crews responded to the call of a fire in the 2100 block of 7th Avenue East. Upon arrival, crews were unable to detect…

MISSING: Kenneth Gordon, of Duluth

Last seen on July 18 in the 2500 block of Rice Lake Road

Kenneth Gordon DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating 63-year-old Kenneth Jay Gordon. Gordon was last seen leaving the 2500 block of Rice Lake Road around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18 in a small red or brown passenger vehicle. He has not been seen since. He is described as a Native American…

Two Dead in Longville, Minnesota House Fire

KEGO TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Authorities responded to the call of a fire around 12:30 a.m., Friday, July 21, at a residence in Kego Township, near Longville, Minnesota, according to the Cass County Sheriff’s Department. Crews arrived on scene to find a home fully engulfed, and efforts to extinguish began immediately. Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch reports that two females, one…

Fundraiser to Support Duluth Police Department

Shield616 Aims to Provide DPD with Active Threat Response Gear

DULUTH, Minn. – Two organizations are coming together Saturday, July 22 as they fundraise to support local police. Debbie and Kevin Skifstad with Shield 616 visited FOX 21 to give more details on the fundraiser. Shield616 is a non-profit working to raise money to purchase gear for police. The goal of this fundraiser is to provide the Duluth Police Department…

Deadly Intersection In Cloquet To Be Reconstructed

Some Cloquet Citizens Say No On Proposed Roundabout

Cloquet, Minn. The intersection of I–35 and Hwy 33 in Cloquet continues to be a problem. This as the Minnesota Department of Transportation thought they came up with an easy solution. They’re proposing to replace that dangerous intersection with a roundabout. Multiple fatalities and a handful of serious car accidents in just the last ten years is the reason MnDot…