Public Safety

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…

Speed Limits to Increase on 4 Northeastern Minnesota Highways

WILL OFFICIALLY GO INTO EFFECT WHEN SIGNS ARE POSTED

Photo: MnDOTDULUTH, Minn. – Speed limits on four highways in northeast Minnesota will see a 5 mph increase within the next two to three weeks, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Speed limits will increase from 55 to 60 mph, and will go into effect when the new signs are posted. These highways will include: Aitkin County – Hwy…

Community Forum Raises Opioid Awareness In St. Louis County

Some Call It An Epidemic

Hibbing, Minn. The Hibbing community is doing their part to combat the opioid and meth problem in St. Louis County. Hundreds came out to hear from multiple agencies that deal with the problem head on. A panel consisting of representatives from St. Louis county public health, local law enforcement, attorney’s and even addiction survivors were on hand tonight. The panel…

Spooner Man Dead after Motorcycle Crash

SPOONER, Wis. – Around 3:00 p.m., Saturday, July 15 Wisconsin State Patrol responded to the report of a motorcycle crash on County Highway A in the Township of Evergreen, west of Spooner. When officers arrived on scene, CPR was being administered to the driver of the motorcycle, who was pulseless and not breathing, according to to State Patrol. The driver,…

Rollover Accident Near Can of Worms

State Troopers Still Investigating What Caused Crash

DULUTH, Minn.-Questions remain tonight at a rollover near the can of worms. The incident happened at about 11:30 a.m. on 535 southbound heading to Superior. The Minnesota State Patrol told us no one was injured in the incident. They are still working on what caused the crash. Categories: News, News – Latest News, Public Safety Tags: duluth news crash

Duluth Police Department Explains Their Body Camera Policy

Duluth Officers Set Cameras to Record Whenever an Enforcement Action Takes Place

DULUTH, Minn. – The police shooting of an Australian woman in Minneapolis this week continues to make international headlines. During the incident, the police officer’s body camera was not recording as the fatal shot was fired, raising questions about what the policies are when it comes to police body cameras. Duluth Police Department policy is that officers wear body cameras…

Crews Respond to Afternoon Fire in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Fire crews in Superior responded to the call of a possible structure fire around 1:47 p.m. Tuesday, according to Battalion Chief Steven Edwards. Crews arrived on scene to discover a fire in the attic area of a structure in the 2700 block of E 6th Street. No injuries were reported in this fire. After the initial investigation…

Basement Fire in Barnum

BARNUM, Minn. – Authorities responded to the call of a large amount of smoke coming from a residence near Barnum Elementary, around 3 a.m. on Monday, July 18. Law enforcement and fire personnel arrived on scene to find a large amount of smoke inside the residence in the 3800 block of North Street in Barnum. Crews were able to pin…

2 Injured in Train, Vehicle Crash near Bemidji

LAMMERS TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Around 2:10 p.m. on Sunday July 16, authorities responded to the call of a crash involving a BNSF Train and pickup truck at the railroad crossing located on Centerline Rd NW just south of Highway 2 in Lammers Township, 12 miles west of Bemidji, according to the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Department. When officers arrived on scene,…

City Looking to Make Pavement and Sidewalk Improvements on 4th Street

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth is working to make improvements to the sidewalks and pavement along 4th Street from Mesaba Avenue to 6th Avenue East. Preparations are underway and is estimated to take around 6 weeks to complete. Various stretches of 4th Street will be marked as no parking to accommodate the sidewalk and pavement patching work. Construction…

Cleanup Begins at West Duluth Housing Complex

The Building's Roof on West Third Street in Duluth Collapsed June 5

DULUTH, Minn. – Construction work started Friday afternoon at a West Duluth housing complex just weeks after the roof collapsed, displacing residents. The Red Cross responded to the building on West Third Street in the Lincoln Park neighborhood during the morning of June 5. Authorities say the building was vacant at the time of the incident. A neighboring building was…

Fire Deaths Up 36 Percent from 2016

MINNESOTA – The Minnesota State Fire Marshal reports that fire deaths are up 36-percent compared to this time last year, according to preliminary numbers. According to the preliminary data, 30 people have died in fires in 2017, and by July last year, 22 people had died. The most recent fatality was reported just last week on July 28, when John…

Over 300 Agencies to Crack Down on Speeding

The Minnesota State Patrol is Partnering with Local Agencies from July 7-23

DULUTH, Minn. – Starting Friday, July 7, the Minnesota State Patrol will be joining forces with 300 local agencies across the state to crack down on speeding. The partnership comes as Minnesotans drive through the 100 deadliest days of summer on Minnesota roadways. According to the State Patrol, 92 people lost their lives last year on Minnesota roads due to…

One Dead in Train vs. Road Grader Crash

TOIVOLA TOWNSHIP, Minn. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office reports that a driver of a road grader died in a collision with a train late Thursday morning. Deputies responded to the area and located the crash at the intersection of Zim Road and Maki Road in Toivola Township. The driver of the road grader, Walter Maki Jr., of Hibbing,…

LOCATED: Leah Buehring, of Duluth

Last seen on July 1

Leah Buehring Leah was located on July 7, and according to authorities is safe. DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing 17-year-old female. Leah Buehring, 17, is described as a white female, 5’7″, 180 pounds, brown hair, with hazel eyes. She was last seen on July 1, in the 4000 block…

LCP Works to Restore Power in Grand Rapids, Kettle River Areas

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Thursday morning’s fast moving thunderstorms affected electric service for more than 1,200 Lake Country Power members. As of 9 a.m. Thursday, crews repaired service to more than 570 members. Those affected were primarily in the Grand Rapids and Kettle River areas. LCP crews will be working to restore service today. Line crews from Mountain Iron are…

Gov. Dayton Urges New Police Training Fund to be Named after Philando Castile

Dayton also appoints Castile's uncle to the Peace Office Standards Training Board

Joined by family of Philando Castile, Governor Dayton recommends new law enforcement training fund be named in memory of Philando Castile. ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Mark Dayton today issued a letter to the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board, requesting that its members name a new law enforcement training fund in memory of Philando Castile, who was tragically…

Minnesota Man Faces 10th Drunken Driving Offense

He was arrested by the Wisconsin State Patrol

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Wisconsin State Patrol arrested a 47-year-old Minnesota man for drunken driving, which would be his 10th offense, if convicted. The Star Tribune reports that a trooper stopped Lawrence LaPole, of Rosemount, around 10:07 p.m. Tuesday in Elk Mound, Wisconsin. He was charged with drunken driving, failure to install an ignition interlock device, operating a motor vehicle…

Officials Investigating Drowning on East Bear Lake in Michigan

Incident happened on Sunday, July 2

GOGEBIC COUNTY, Mich. – The Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating an apparent drowning that happened Sunday evening at East Bear Lake of the Sylvania Wilderness Area in Watersmeet Township. Authorities say they were notified of the incident around 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Information from witnesses states that all but one of the campers was out of the water and…

Experts Urge People to Stay Safe While Enjoying Fireworks

Fireworks Start Around 20,000 Fires Per Year in U.S.

SUPERIOR, Wisc.- Independence Day is around the corner, and many people are looking forward to celebrating with fireworks, but experts say it’s important to keep safety in mind. Fireworks start around 20,000 fires per year. And though permits are required for aerial fireworks in both Duluth and Superior, 33 percent of all firework injuries are caused by sparklers that are…

Coast Guard Announces Twin Ports Safety Zones for 4th of July Fireworks

DULUTH DULUTH/SUPERIOR – The United States Coast Guard has announced two safety zones for boaters on the water for the annual Duluth Fourth Fest and the Superior 4th of July Fireworks display on Tuesday. Safety zones for Duluth will go into effect from approximately 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday, July 4th, 2017 in the northwestern section of Duluth Harbor…

DNR Out in Full Force Against Drinking and Boating

Don't Boat with a Blood Alcohol Level Above .08

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and law enforcement officials will be out in full force during Operation Dry Ride this weekend, to prevent boaters from drinking and boating June 30 through July 2. The state’s 2017 boating season, has been the deadliest since 2005, with nine boating fatalities recorded so far. Operating a boat, with a…

MnDOT Urging Travelers to Use Caution in Work Zones Across the State

Extra DWI Enforcement is currently on Minnesota roads

MnDOT/D.R.GonzalezST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is urging motorists to use caution while driving through work zones during the July 4th holiday. “Some projects will have crews working Friday, Saturday and Monday, but all projects will be shut down on the Fourth of July holiday,” said Commissioner Charlie Zelle. “We ask drivers to pay attention in work…

Fireworks Sold in Wisconsin Recalled, Could Explode Unexpectedly

  MILWAUKEE (FOX 6 NOW) – The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled fireworks ahead of Fourth of July holiday weekend because of burn and injury hazards. The TNT Red, White, and Blue Smoke fireworks were sold at Walmart, Target, Meijer, Kroger, and Albertsons stores in Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, and Vermont from May through June. CPSC officials said the recalled…

UMD Testing Police Cameras

Officers are Wearing Body Cameras During Two Month Test

DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota is taking steps to make campuses safer. The three campuses with police forces; Twin Cities, Morris and here in Duluth are testing body cameras. Two UMD police officers have been wearing cameras for a couple weeks, and will continue to wear them  for a two month trial period.  If all goes well, all…

Barnum House Fire Reported a Total Loss

BARNUM, Minn. – Crews responded to the report of thick black smoke in the 4100 block of County Road 138 in Barnum around 7:11 a.m. Monday, June 26, according to the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies and fire fighters responded to the residence to find it completely engulfed. Authorities contacted the homeowner and confirmed no one was inside at the…

UMD Police to Get Body Cameras

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minnesota university is testing body cameras on its police officers for the next two months. The Minnesota Daily  reports that the University of Minnesota Police Department started giving officers tester body cameras June 14. University police department Chief Matt Clark says the university’s Twin Cities, Duluth and Morris campuses are each testing different camera brands. Mike Berthelsen…

Carbon Monoxide Suspected in Woman’s Death on Boat in St. Croix River

FOX 9 - KMSP

Photo Courtesy: FOX 9 ST. CROIX COUNTY, Wisc. (KMSP) – The St. Croix Sheriff’s Office says a 24-year-old woman died from possible carbon monoxide poisoning while aboard a boat over the weekend. The victim, Ashley Speer, was out on the St. Croix River with Justin Roskos and Hayden Johnson. They were supposed to camp at a beach, but never made…

Bemidji Woman Missing Since June 19

Photo Courtesy: Beltrami County Chief Deputy Sheriff BELTRAMI COUNTY, Minn. – A missing persons report was filed with the Bemidji Police Department on Friday, June 23 for 26-year-old Chelsea Batchelder, according to the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office. She was last seen by a family member at Batchelder’s residence in the 1200 block of Little Norway Avenue SE in Bemidji Township…

Police Canines Show Off Their Skills

Official Certification Trials Featured At Least Eight Local K-9 Teams

HERMANTOWN, Minn- The K-9s were out in full force this evening, but not for the bad guys. It was all part of the annual United States Police Canine Association. K-9s from departments all over the region put on a free demonstration at the Hermantown High School football field. But those demonstrations were serious business for the K-9s and officers as…

Twin Cities Pride Apologizes, Invites Police Officers to March in Parade

ALLIE JOHNSON - FOX 9

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – Twin Cities Price organizers now say they will allow police officers to participate in the start of Sunday’s parade after receiving backlash for their decision to scale back law enforcement presence at the event. Earlier this week, Twin Cities Pride announced thy would have only one, unmarked police car – as required by law – to clear…

Downtown Duluth Traffic Signal Painting Project Set to Begin Monday

Temporary lane shifts and closures are expected

DULUTH, Minn. – An upcoming painting project to refresh 10 traffic signal systems in the downtown Duluth area over the summer is expected to begin on Monday, June 26, according to the City of Duluth. Each intersection will take approximately two weeks to complete, weather permitting. Lane shifts and closures will be required for painting. Motorists are asked to proceed…

WATCH: Road Rage Incident Triggers Crash in Santa Clarita

Katie Tschopp - Fox 11

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (FOX 11) – An apparent road rage incident was caught on camera in Santa Clarita in a video that’s gone viral. The video was posted to Facebook showing a crash that appears to be caused by road rage on the 14 Freeway. The Facebook post reads, “Driving on the 14 Fwy just before the Eternal Valley Cemetery,…

Car Crashes into Sweeper and Plow Truck on Mitchell Bridge in Hibbing

HIBBING, Minn.-A 2002 Saturn hit a Minnesota Department of Transportation Plow Truck and Elgin Street Sweeper who were conducting work zone operations on the Mitchell Bridge in Hibbing. At about 9:30 a.m. the driver of the car, identified as Ronald Hill, 43, of Keewatin first hit the plow and then continued on Elgin Street, hitting the sweeper in the southbound…