DULUTH, Minn. – It’s not the permanent ship, but the arrival of the Hollyhock means the start of ice cutting activities in the Duluth and Superior ports. This ship, along with the Neah Bay, will start cutting around the tugboats in the ports. That will allow them to assist the five vessels that have been docked through winter get ready…
DULUTH, Minn. – The arrival of spring weather means the emergence of baby animals in the wild. Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation took their first assistance call of the season March 21, reuniting a baby squirrel with its mother. They are reminding people to watch for nests, burrows, and dens as they begin yard, tree, and garden work. Removing a baby animal’s home…
DULUTH, Minn. – Winter weather is not leaving the Northland yet, and road crews have been busy prepping for the wide range of precipitation that has fallen. MnDOT says this winter has seen few days of rest with persistent light snowfalls and below zero temperatures. Preparations for this storm have been routine, with warmer temperatures last weekend allowing them to pre-treat…
PROCTOR, Minn. – The leaders of the three cities that surround Duluth to the north and west gave their annual updates to area businesses Thursday. The Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce hosted their State of the Cities luncheon at the Black Woods Event Center in Proctor, featuring the mayors of Hermantown, Proctor, and Rice Lake. Chamber President & CEO Kimberly Parmeter…
DULUTH, Minn. – Time is running out to enjoy the slopes of Spirit Mountain this winter season as they will soon begin their transition to summer activities. Interim Executive Director Ann Glumac says they will reduce their hours next week during the weekdays from 10 to 6. After their last formal day March 27, they will remain open as long as…
DULUTH, Minn. – The DECC is transforming into an automotive paradise as Motorhead Madness returns this weekend. People can see around 150 classic cars on display, along with vendors, RC racing, the crowning of Miss Motorhead, and door prizes. “We’re marking the floors (Thursday),” says show co-owner Mike Podgornik, “getting the location set up for the cars and vendors and everyone…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s Community Relations Officer is the latest to announce her bid to represent District 8B in the Minnesota House. Alicia Kozlowski has been active in the Duluth community over the past 12 years; first as a community organizer before joining the city’s Leadership Team in 2019. She highlights her heritage as strengths for her candidacy. That includes…
DULUTH, Minn. – The National Weather Service is looking for more volunteers to report rain, snow, and hail totals. March is the annual push for new members to join CoCoRaHS, which stands for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network. It’s a program that allows people to measure precipitation from where they live, and supplement measurements recorded by automated devices…
DULUTH, Minn. – Ordean East Middle School is getting assistance from a traveling artists on a new mural. Adam Swanson is helping students this week create the wall-long design that will be placed near the entrance to the school’s garden. Some of the various images will be coded so that it can be linked to student-generated research projects in the future….
SUPERIOR, Wis. – March 15 is the first day Superior is sending out absentee ballots to those who have requested them for the spring election April 5. Those who get one are being asked not to put them off inside the drop boxes outside City Hall. This method of ballot collecting saw its use increase across Wisconsin during the COVID pandemic. …
DULUTH, Minn. – The community kitchen at Damiano Center celebrated its 40th anniversary Tuesday. It recreated its first meal, served March 15, 1982, by offering the same hamburger soup recipe to everyone who attended. In addition, the meal offered side such as a salad and mixed fruit, and pie ala mode for dessert. Kitchen manager Flora Woodfork helped with the first…
DULUTH, Minn. – New federal funding will help the Duluth Police Department improve their customer service. Chief Mike Tusken says the $750,000 will focus on adding or upgrading technology within the department that will focus on three initiatives. One of them regards SPIDR Tech, a program that gives people who make a call to 911 progress updates on their case through…
DULUTH, Minn. – After 37 years, Perkins next to Miller Hill Mall has closed its doors. “It’s a sad day,” says owner Dillon Flaherty. “I didn’t plan my 37 year career ending this way, but it has. It just wasn’t sustainable anymore.” Flaherty says a number of factors, from COVID to inflation to staffing, led to this decision. “It’s not one…
DULUTH, Minn. – March is Women’s History Month, and one area bookstore is helping to spread the word about those who have been major female figures in the past. Zenith Bookstore has set up a display of several dozen books that are by women, for women about women, ranging from history and autobiographies to children’s books and gifts. Manager Sarah Brown…
DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth is still looking for Duluthians to fill openings on their boards, commissions, and authorities. Over a dozen of them have one or multiple spots available for people to help decide how city services could operate this year. “There’s everything from what the airport’s doing,” says Public Information Officer Kate Van Daele, “to being involved…
DULUTH, Minn. – The rise in gas prices is not impacting people who have made the switch to one that only needs electricity to power it. Tim Melby of Cloquet says he’s able to get to work and back with a few hours of charging every day at Duluth’s charging station at Canal Park. While his family’s decision to buy the…
DULUTH, Minn. – This week is Women in Construction Week, and the City of Duluth is highlighting their efforts to increase their numbers in these trades. Their Workforce Development office teams up with others in the region to educate women about the benefits through videos and presentations. One way this is done is through the website 218 Trades, which has a…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – After seeing a surge in COVID cases in January, Douglas County say they have dropped to levels not seen since last summer. That is allowing health officials to change their focus on how they respond to new cases, as well as their messaging to slow its spread. “We’re seeing definitely a decline in cases overall, which has been…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – The ice on area lakes, rivers, and streams have kept boats off the water the past several months. That doesn’t means companies that help keep boats in top shape have been enjoying an off season. Barker’s Island Marina says this winter has been their busiest on record, having their largest staff ever to help repair and touch up…
DULUTH, Minn. – It won’t be long before spring weather makes roads and trails more bicycle friendly in the Northland. As a result, Ski Hut is seeing business pick up for their bike services. That can range from general maintenance and extensive repairs. “We have a lot of people maybe planning a spring mountain bike trip,” says Ansel Schimpff, who works…
DULUTH, Minn. – Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is being felt by people in the Northland through higher gas prices. AAA says as of March 8, Superior has seen its average price for a gallon of unleaded regular go up 62-cents over the past week to $4.03. Duluth have seen a 52-cent increase over the past week to $3.88. Nationwide, the average…
DULUTH, Minn. – Students at North Star Academy showed their support for Ukraine this morning through a performance of the country’s national anthem. Members of the combined eighth grade band, choir, and North Star Singers started learning the music and words last Thursday. It is part of the school’s overall approach to teach students about what is happening in Eastern Europe….
DULUTH, Minn. – People who are looking for a way to contribute to help those in Ukraine directly can do so through the Salvation Army. The Duluth chapter says they are not doing anything specific other than offering people a chance to give to the organization as a whole. There’s a special donation button on their website, and checks can be…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – For the first time since Harry Truman came through the city in 1948, a sitting President will be making a stop in Superior Wednesday. UW-Superior’s Yellowjacket Union is undergoing a transformation as President Biden, along with First Lady Jill Biden, will speak to an invite-only crowd at Shippar Family Atrium, focusing on the infrastructure bill that passed…
DULUTH, Minn. – An organization that helps homeless people recovering from acute medical conditions in the Twin Ports is planning on how it can sustain and expand its services in the future. Bob Tavani House, located next to First Covenant Church in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, has been around since 2018. They converted the church’s old parsonage into a space where…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – As military action continues to escalate in Ukraine, could the United States and NATO nations soon get involved in direct conflict with Russia? The commander of Superior’s American Legion Post 435 believes it can happen, but it may not be in Ukraine. Eual Moore, who served two tours during the Vietnam War, has spent time in Lithuania and…
DULUTH, Minn. – The events in Ukraine since late Wednesday evening have people who have connections to the country concerned about its future, and the current health and safety of people they know and love. “(Wednesday) night it was horrible,” says Liliya Kacharova, a lab chemistry professor at the College of St. Scholastica and chemistry teacher at Lake Superior College,…
DULUTH, Minn. – Spirit Mountain is saying thank you to Duluth by offering special discounts for city residents. On Thursday, February 24, and Sunday, February 27, they are offering five-dollar rates for lift tickets, Nordic passes, rentals, as well as free ski and board beginner lessons. This evening also features a special for glow tubing. This is the second year Spirit…
DULUTH, Minn. – Musical theater returns at The College of Saint Scholastica as they open their production of “Little Shops of Horrors” Thursday, February 24. The college did return to theater productions last fall with “The Frogs, A Modern Adaptation”, but this is the first production with songs since the COVID pandemic began nearly two years ago. Nearly 50 students, staff,…
DULUTH, Minn. – The combination of winter break for Duluth Public Schools and the recent snow and cold is making for a busy week for indoor activities across the Twin Ports. The Duluth Children’s Museum says they are ready to handle the higher number of kids and parents looking to do something outside the home. “If last weekend was any indicator,”…
DULUTH, Minn. – Dozens of builders, contractors, and others in the trades have spent the past two days at the DECC learning how they can make new and existing homes more energy efficient. The 32nd annual Energy Design Conference, hosted by Minnesota Power, allows people to learn new information covering a range of building practices. “We do see a large…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – When the weather turns nasty outside, places that deliver food become a popular option for people looking to stay inside. Toppers Pizza in Superior says they adjust employee’s schedules so they can have more people available if business and delivery calls increase. “As long as we know that the storm is coming in a few days in…
DULUTH, Minn. – As the latest winter storm moves out of the Northland, it’s time to follow the city’s sidewalk snow removal ordinance. Property owners who have sidewalk along their property are required to remove all snow and ice from it within 24 hours after a snow event ends. The department works with the National Weather Service to determine when…
DULUTH, Minn.- City of Duluth officials say they are ready for their second snow emergency, which will run from 9 p.m. Tuesday, February 22, through 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 23. This declaration means there will be no parking allowed on the roughly 120 miles of city streets that have been designated snow emergency routes. A map of those streets can be…
DULUTH, Minn. – As people continue to clean up from the most recent snow storm, a reminder from the Duluth Fire Department to adopt a hydrant. They are asking people who live near one to help move snow away, leaving a clearing to the street several feet wide on all sides, so that they have easy access to it if it…
DULUTH, Minn. – It may still be winter in the Northland, but preparations are underway for summer activities at Hartley Nature Center. Their slate of summer camps are set, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. on March 21. Park officials say they will be offering more all day options for 3 year old through sixth grade. New this year will be…
DULUTH, Minn. – The 21st annual Duluth Polar Plunge is set to take place Saturday, February 19, at Park Point Recreation Area. Over 500 people are expected to take the plunge into Superior Bay starting at 2 p.m. “Everybody that has raised $75 for Special Olympics is going to have that opportunity to run out, jump into the lake, and come…
DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth and Saint Louis County are beginning the planning process for projects that would limit the erosion impact along parts of the Twin Ports region shorelines. They are using a $258,000 grant from FEMA to look at how to best handle the matter on the bayside of Park Point, and the North Shore between Brighton…
SAGINAW, Minn. – A fundraiser kicks off Friday, February 18, for what would be the first pizza farm in the Northland. Fairhaven Farm is looking to raise 33-thousand dollars to help build a new building that would house their current stone over, and allow them to cook and sell their pizza on site. “The building would be 40 feet by 56,”…
DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Senator Tina Smith is continuing her push to make high speed internet access available to everyone. She joined three other Senators in introducing a bipartisan bill this month that would focus Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect Program funds to communities in greatest need to establish broadband services. “The federal government is investing billions of dollars in expanding broadband,”…
DULUTH, Minn. – Registration for this year’s Grandma’s Marathon is seeing people sign up at a record pace. Organizers say all spots for the half-marathon are taken, with fewer than 2,000 spots for the marathon, and fewer than 400 for the 5K. If the current registration rate continues, all roughly 22,000 spots will be filled by the end of April. This…
DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth has its first ever climate action work plan. City council members got their first look at it Monday, February 14, coming months after they passed a resolution declaring a climate emergency. You can read the full plan here. The plan is led by Mindy Granley, the city’s Sustainability Officer. “My job is to listen…
DULUTH, Minn. – The future of the former Kmart in West Duluth remains up in the air. The Duluth Planning Commission unanimously voted down plans in early February that would have transformed it into a U-Haul mini-storage site, citing it did not meet the retail development standards for Spirit Valley. “Generally in this type of neighborhood location it would be atypical…
DULUTH, Minn. – The addition of Sun Country to Duluth International Airport in late 2021 has helped one business offering services to people looking to get to and from the Twin Cities. Landline says they have been partners with the airline just a few months after they started in 2019. Despite the pandemic, they continued to offer rides and have been…
DULUTH, Minn. – Wednesday saw CHUM’s location in downtown Duluth busy as they held their latest food shelf distribution. Despite a persistent breeze, boxes filled with canned goods, pantry staples, meat, dairy, and other times were waiting for people who were seeking this help to take it and go on their way. Even with temperatures at times dipping below zero this…
DULUTH, Minn. – Thursday marks the one year anniversary of the opening of the Ronald McDonald House Northland. They have provided 739 nights of free lodging and amenities to parents and guardians as their child received treatment at Essentia Health. That translates to families saving more than 190-thousand dollars if they had to pay for their own hotel rooms, meals, and…
HERMANTOWN, Minn. – With the Super Bowl coming up this Sunday, pizza restaurants are preparing for a busier than usual day. Do North Pizzeria and Pub in Hermantown says they enjoy the added business during the winter months, as they see an increase in deliveries when compared to a typical Sunday. “We do a lot of deliveries all the way up…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Chamber welcomed a new member Wednesday, the West Duluth Business Club. The organization with its around 150 members say they are ready to help contribute to the chamber, as well as use the chamber’s resources to help their businesses grow. “To expose our businesses to other opportunities of learning how to run our businesses better,” says…
CLOQUET, Minn. – It was a busy Tuesday at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. It was a campus visit day for prospective students, and the college’s annual Nursing and Healthcare Expo. Everyone who attended, from current and future students to members of the public, got their chance to learn more about what opportunities are available in health care. The…
CLOQUET, Minn. – Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College students have an expanded food pantry to help them achieve food security. Thunder Food Pantry opened last week, increasing what had originally been in on-campus housing prior to the pandemic. Organizers say all Minnesota State campuses are working to have this type of pantry available. It also means working with Second…
