Wisconsin

The Northland Remembers Loss Of 9/11 By Climbing Stairs

Firefighters and others climb equivalent of 110 stories in Duluth

While lowered flags were a very visible way to remember 9/11 across the country, Monday in the Northland there was also a quieter, but just as serious way to honor those who died. Inside the DECC in Duluth, several groups came together and repeatedly climbed up and down the stairs. When they were finished, they had methodically covered the equivalent…

Pudge’s Pub Reopens Under New Management

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A longtime staple of East Superior is celebrating their grand reopening with a few changes. Pudge’s is now under new ownership. For the last month they’ve been cleaning up the pub.  New at Pudge’s is a Bloody Mary bar and as part of their grand opening raffle prizes were drawn all day. For Co-owner and Veteran Bartender…

Community Leaders Learn All About Firefighting In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Friday, Superior Firefighters Local 74 hosted a program to show community members what it’s like to be them. It was called FIRE OPS 101, which is an interactive way to teach community members how firefighters keep our communities safe. The event was designed for local business leaders and elected officials to participate in hands-on operations. Those operations…

Rotary Club of Superior Raising Money for Ukraine

SUPERIOR, Wisc. –It was February 2022, when Russia invaded its neighbor Ukraine. Now a year and a half later, the war continues and the people of Ukraine continue to find ways to meet their daily needs.  Rotary groups in Ukraine have been leading the effort to raise money and coordinate the distribution of the supplies. Now the Rotary Club of…

Wisconsin Secretary of State Visits Superior

SUPERIOR, Wisc. –The Wisconsin Secretary of State wants to correct myths and disinformation that have been circulating about what her office and local clerks can do. And can’t do. The first item Sarah Godlewski wants to clear up is that her office does not administer elections. But she is responsible for witnessing and validating both the certificate of votes for…

Memory Screens Can Help Detect Dementia or Alzheimer’s Early

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Wisconsin has around 120,000 people living with dementia, reported by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. This number is suspected to double by 2040. But memory screens can offer some relief for early detection. “We get a lot of family that can call us about, you know, we’ve noticed some changes in our loved one.”  Everyone ages,…

UWS Students Move In Ahead of Fall Semester

SUPERIOR, Wis. — College move in day is a day full of excitement and nerves. Saturday was time for UW-Superior students to move in to their new homes. Before the heavy lifting began, students and family could take a picture in front of a Superior sign to show off their Yellowjacket pride. Hundreds of students moved into the on-campus dorms…

Great Northern Classic Rodeo Returns to Superior

SUPERIOR, WI. — Back for its 32nd year, the Great Northern Classic Rodeo returned on Friday, Sept. 1 to Superior. The event features everything from bull riding to calf roping and steer wrestling. Plus, mutton busting and other fun activities for the little ones. The first rodeo was hosted back in 1991 in Duluth. Two years later, it moved across…

Fentanyl Testing Strips Will be Available in Some Wisconsin Vending Machines

BAYFIELD, Wisc. — The government is expanding its efforts to battle the nation’s drug problem and help users. One approach is to make it easier for users to test their drugs to see if it has fentanyl. Illegally produced fentanyl can be impure or doses can be unpredictable. Wisconsin announced Thursday they are making more vending machines available with kits…

UWS Excited To Welcome Students Back On Campus

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Superior is getting ready to welcome students back on campus. Weekend of Welcome is quickly approaching for new and returning students. The weekend starts off with Move in Day on Saturday, then a block party on Sunday, and other events and activities to help students as they transition into college life. School starts on…

Superior Restaurant Brings Back Later Closing

Julie's faced same challenges as other restaurants: not enough staff

SUPERIOR, Wis. — There are some happy faces and stomachs in Superior this week. Julie’s Family Restaurant has added back some evening hours. The long-time food favorite had to shorten its hours earlier this summer and close at three in the afternoon. In a predicament facing many restaurants, it was difficult to find enough workers, and those carrying on were…

Barker’s Island Getting Ready To Host Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Event organizers are busy getting the grounds ready for racers and spectators to go to the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival. The 2-day event at Barker’s Island in Superior is a free family fun event. All money raised will go towards rotary clubs and the charitable partner this year, 23rd Veteran. There are 51 teams that will…

Superior Mayor Jim Paine: Double Emergencies At Cenovus Refinery ‘Unacceptable’

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Cenovus Energy is now dealing with two critical incidents at its newly built refinery within the past two days (Wednesday and Thursday) – a propane leak and a “heavy fuel oil release,” according to the Superior Fire Department.  Both incidents caused evacuations. Nobody was injured. Superior Mayor Jim Paine told FOX 21 on Thursday that he’s proud…

Underage Alcohol Party Ends In Fatal Hit-And-Run

SAND LAKE, Wis. — A teenage girl is dead after a hit-and-run related to an underage alcohol party, according to the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office. The crime happened just before 7 a.m. Aug. 19. Kaylie Schwingle, 18, of Chippewa Falls Wisconsin was run over by a 16-year-old boy driving a Ford F-350. Officials said the victim was sitting along Snowmobile…

‘Heavy Fuel Oil Release’ At Superior’s Cenovus Refinery One Day After Propane Leak

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Just one day after an emergency evacuation at Cenovus Energy because of a propane leak, another emergency situation unfolded Thursday involving a “heavy fuel oil release,” according to the Superior Fire Department. The call for help came in around 1 p.m. Superior fire crews responded to a report of a “release of heavy fuel oil in a…

Superior School District Asks for Community’s Input on Elementary Boundaries

SUPERIOR, Wis –In the 2024 -25 School year, there will be one less elementary school in Superior. That decision was made last April by the School Board.  Now, the district is asking for community input about what are the most important things to be considered when drawing new elementary boundaries. The district, along with Cooperative Strategies, has created a survey…

Emergency Crews Respond To Propane Leak At Cenovus Energy

SUPERIOR, Wis.– A propane leak at Cenovus Energy refinery caused the facility to be evacuated for a short time Wednesday morning. The Superior Fire Department was called to the refinery just before 8 a.m. to assist Cenovus’ on-site emergency response team as they used tactics to control the propane flow. Superior Fire Chief Camron Vollbrecht said, “The Cenovus emergency response…

Employees Temporarily Evacuated From Cenovus Superior Refinery Due To Propane Leak

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Employees were temporarily evacuated from the Cenovus Superior Refinery after a propane leak happened Wednesday morning. The Superior Fire Department says at 7:53 a.m. crews initially showed up to a report of a fire but found an ongoing propane release. Emergency personnel used water fog steams to stop the release by 9:25 a.m. The fire department says…

Funding and Planning Aimed at Rural Health Care

Recruiting and training are two of the goals and challenges

Health care in smaller, rural communities faces some special challenges. A federal grant has providers hoping it can help in some ways. A project for finding and developing health care employees was the subject of a meeting at St. Luke’s Monday. Wilderness Health is a collaborative group of independent, rural health care providers serving patients in Northeast Minnesota and Northwest…

18-Year-Old Woman Dies After Being Struck by Pickup at Underage Alcohol Party

SAND LAKE, WISC. –Early Saturday morning Sawyer County Deputies responded to a report of a person being struck by a vehicle. The incident took place at Snowmobile Trail number 31 north of Sissabagama Rd in the town of Sand Lake, Wisconsin. A news release from the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office reported that when Deputies arrived they found an 18-year-old woman…

Gondik Law Speedway Hosts 5th Annual Suicide Awareness and Prevention Night

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Gondik Law Speedway in Superior is doing their part to raise awareness for an important cause. Friday was the 5th annual Suicide Prevention and Awareness Night at the speedway. Door panels of race cars were raffled off, as well as nearly 20 bikes for kids. Donations were also accepted, the money going toward foundations that focus on…

New Natural Gas Plant Coming To Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The planned new natural gas plant in Superior took another major step toward completion. Thursday, Minnesota Power and Northern Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades signed a letter of intent on the construction of the Nemadji Trail Energy Center. Officials tell Fox21 it’ll fill the gap between retiring coal facilities and future renewable energy. Minnesota Power will hire…

DOJ Investigating Fatal Shooting Involving Ashland County Sheriff’s Deputy

TOWN OF MORSE, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in the Town of Morse in Ashland County. The incident happened around 6 p.m. Tuesday in the 33000 block of N. Foley Road. Upon arrival, deputies with the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office witnessed a male assaulting two adult females with a “bladed weapon,” according…

President Biden Travels To Battleground Wisconsin To Talk About The Economy A Week Before GOP Debate

MILWAUKEE (AP) — In a show of preemptive counter-programming, President Joe Biden on Tuesday traveled to Wisconsin to highlight his economic policies in a state critical to his reelection fortunes, just a week before Republicans descend on Milwaukee for the party’s first presidential debate. His arrival in Milwaukee comes on the eve of the anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, major economic legislation that he signed into…

Superior School Board Member Resigns Amid Election Fraud Charges

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Embattled Superior School Board member Steven Stupak resigned Monday morning amid election fraud charges against him. Board President Steve Olson confirmed the resignation at Monday night’s board meeting. It was not immediately known Monday night what the board’s process will be moving forward with the vacant seat. Stupak’s announcement comes just one week after former school board…

SHS to Participate in “Away for the Day” for 2023-24 School Year

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Starting on Sept. 1, Superior High School will be joining the rest of the Superior School District implementing “Away for the Day”.  During school hours, Superior High School students are expected to keep phones and other mobile devices such as smartwatches, tablets, and portable gaming systems in their lockers. The School District of Superior offers laptops to…

New Community Solar Garden Project Underway In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior Water, Light, and Power is creating its first community solar garden. It’s located near Heritage Park in Superior. The garden contains nearly 1,300 panels large enough to power around 115 homes. The community solar garden is expected to produce energy by October. The project is currently subscribed to 80 customers. “The community solar garden is really…

Operation K-9 Demonstrates Dogs For Community

SUPERIOR, Wis. — In its ninth year, Operation K-9 returned to the Northland presenting the talents of the police dogs that serve our areas.  Dogs serving from Hermantown, Duluth, Superior, Douglas County, and St. Louis County showcasing why K-9 units are important in communities. These K-9 are trained in drug detection, apprehension work, and tracking. During the demonstration, audiences were…

Bayfield County Fair Open Through Sunday

IRON RIVER, Wis. — Ready for a weekend of fun fair festivities? The Bayfield County Fair has just about something for everyone.  From fair food, to carnival rides, and numerous grandstand events like Monster Trucks and Dirt Dashes. Each day the kids ages four and under will get in for free with everyone else paying $15 per entry ticket. Friday…

Former School Board Members Speak Out Against Steven Stupak After Felony Charges

SUPERIOR, Wis.– “We the undersigned have all read this letter and given permission to adhere to our names to be attached. We strongly urge you to move forward with filling the vacant seat and restore integrity to the Superior School Board,” said Rob Morehouse, representing 14 former school board members. Former school board members wrote a letter to the current…

Coffee Conversation: 9th Annual Operation K-9 Returns to Superior

SUPERIOR, WI. — On Thursday, August 10, Operation K-9 returns to Superior for its ninth year to raise funds for the Northland Law Enforcement K-9 Foundation and shed light on the work these animals do with local law enforcement agencies. Board Member of the Northland K-9 Foundation Dana Kazel joined FOX21 live on the morning newscast Fri. August 4 to…

Noodles & Company, Boulder Tap House Coming To Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Demolition is underway in Superior to make way for the city’s first Noodles & Company restaurant. Crews were out Thursday continuing to remove what’s left of the former Huntington Bank building on the 1600 block of Belknap Street, which is between the Superior Public Library and Hardee’s. The city confirms Noodles & Company will open sometime in…

Initial Suspect Cleared In Attack Near Superior Baseball Game

DULUTH, Minn. — Charges have been dropped against a man accused of cutting up a member of the Superior Youth Organization during a game last week, according to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office. The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. July 20 in a wooded area near the Hayes Court Complex baseball fields. The victim said he heard what sounded…

Playing Golf to Raise Money For CASDA

SUPERIOR, WISC. –The Center Against Sexual & Domestic Abuse, commonly known as CASDA, held one of its largest fundraisers on Thursday at Nemadji Golf Course in Superior. CASDA’s 11th annual Survivors Golf Scramble had 144 people taking part. The goal was to raise at least $10,000. Tom Beaudry the golf pro at Nemadji, where the golf was played, said it…

Woodstock Bay Closing For $1.4 Million Improvement Project

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Big changes are on the way for Woodstock Bay in Superior. A major $1.4 million improvement project begins on Monday. Wisconsin Costal Management will contribute a $250,000 grant. Woodstock is currently a boat landing for water enthusiasts, but with the improvements will have much more to offer. “There will be a pavilion, a restroom, parking spots, access…

Superior School Board Member Charged With Election Fraud

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A Superior School Board member has been charged with two felony counts of election fraud. Steven J Stupak Sr. allegedly provided false information in election filing, and to an election clerk. The charges are outlined in a criminal complaint filed in Douglas County last Thursday. One charge says that when he filed for office, Stupak’s sworn declaration…

Wisconsin Drops Lawsuit Challenging Trump-Era Border Wall Funding

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin is dropping out of two multistate lawsuits that challenged former President Donald Trump’s decision to divert billions of dollars to fund a wall across the southern U.S. border. Lawmakers in Wisconsin granted the state Justice Department permission to exit the lawsuits on Tuesday. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, had jointed other states in…

Spill Contained After Train Cars Derailed

SUPERIOR, Wis.–Several BNSF train cars derailed in Superior spilling “some” amount of chemicals early afternoon on Monday. Mayor Jim Paine posted on social media several train cars, including a few tankers, derailed near 28th Street and spilled magnesium chloride, a chemical that is commonly used for road de-icing. Magnesium chloride is a dangerous chemical if exposed in large amounts to…