DULUTH, Minn. — The New Scenic Cafe on highway 61 is back open for in-person dining bringing back some normalcy to the popular eatery. While this is exciting there are still staffing issues causing hours of operation to be limited. The owner tells Fox 21 it’s just another piece of their road to recovery. This after the restaurant was forced…
DULUTH, Minn. — As we approach the end of the 2021 school year area districts like Duluth and Hermantown are concerned about their substitute teacher staffing moving forward. Not only subs but bus drivers, paraprofessionals, custodians people behind the scenes who lift the educations system for the students. It all affects the district’s ability to keep students learning in person,…
DULUTH, Minn. — After nearly 18 months the Zeitgeist Restaurant finally reopened its doors to the public after hosting several pop-up restaurants throughout the pandemic. Among the changes, customers can expect no longer having the option to tip your server. After hiring a new general manager and executive chef with 17 years of experience the restaurant is back open with…
DULUTH, Minn. — Long-time Duluth shoe store Austin Jarrow has moved into a larger location. The owner says inventory shortages are following, due to the nationwide supply chain backlog. After spending 17 years at their previous location in the Stone Ridge Shopping Center along center entrance. Owner Jarrow Wahman says they needed more space to put all of their products….
IRON RIVER, Wisc. — The Bayfield County Fair has been going strong for over 100 years. Even with the pandemic cancelling the fair in-person last summer, they were still able to host a virtual event. “They did video showing of the animals and sold online and did really well. We had really good participation with that and people were able…
DULUTH, Minn.- A downtown Duluth restaurant which has been closed since the first COVID shutdown reopened Monday. Lyric Kitchen and Bar in the Holiday Center Downtown opened its doors for the first time since last march. Management says roughly 35-40 employees, which is about a full staff, returned after being laid off this whole time. After more than a year…
DULUTH, Minn. — Truck drivers around the area are experiencing a shortage. Because of the pandemic, there has been a bigger need for shipping and less people joining the industry. To combat this, local trucking company Halvor Lines Inc. is offering another pay increase in early January along with other incentives, like new trucks for drivers. “They all have two…
CLOQUET, Minn. — The Cloquet Salvation Army continued their weekly drive-thru food shelf Tuesday morning. The Salvation Army typically gives away 12,000 pounds of food a week to roughly 20-40 households, including during the drive-thru that runs from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. every Tuesday. They just recently expanded their food shelf hours to help anyone in Carlton County. “Just this week…
DULUTH, Minn.- Canal Park Brewing Company has reopened for indoor dining after six months closed, just in time for a post-pandemic summer set to be busy with Bayfront festivals and events in the Canal. “It’s been really awesome just to have the energy back in the building and beer on tap and the kitchen fired up for the first time…
AURORA, Minn. – A temporary COVID testing site is now open at the Aurora Community and Senior Center. Due to the recent spike in cases in the area, the Minnesota Department of Health got the go-ahead to open up a facility in the East Range Area. “What we noticed over the last few weeks specifically in town here and kind…
DULUTH, Minn. – Spring is beginning to take shape. “Unless we get a lot of snow I don’t anticipate rebuilding it again this year,” Hunters Park Resident, Norman Boucher says. This spells bad news for the hunters park neighborhood creation “Snowhenge.” “By the end of the week I suspect it will be pretty much gone,” Boucher says. During a winter…
CLOQUET, Minn.- After months of pandemic-related shutdowns and restrictions where some or all of their establishments sat unused, some bar and restaurant owners in Cloquet are asking the City Administration for a break in liquor license fees. “Quite honestly at this point we’re just asking them to help us with something. Whether it be prorated by day, prorated by month,…
CARLTON, Minn. – It was a roller coaster 2020 for restaurants like The Street Car in Carlton. “That’s when it really hit hard for us. That brought a whole different style of business. We had to essentially recreate how we do business,” Street Car Kitchen & Pub General Manager, Mike Walsh says. Going to only curbside the pandemic forced them…
HAYWARD, Wisc. – The 47th annual Birkie will be looking a lot different this year. Organizers say that in an effort to keep everything socially distanced, participants will start in waves throughout the week. With around thirty-thousand people in attendance in past years, this year spectators will be able to view the race virtually. Skiers will also be encouraged to…
DULUTH, Minn. – With plans to reopen April first, the Lake Superior Railroad Museum is getting the chance to make some much-needed changes. “Right now when people come in they will be able to come to the brand new ticket window here in the lobby of the north shore scenic railroad. Be able to buy train tickets for the north…
DULUTH, Minn. – Animal Allies Humane Society has just received wrapping on their brand new transport vehicle. The non-profit was able to raise $60,000 through their 2019 Fur Ball fundraiser and just received the new transport van in May of 2020. This past week, Animal Allies received new wrapping. The van will be used to take animals for vet appointments…
DULUTH, Minn. – Walmart and Sams Club Pharmacies will be yet another location for people to get Covid-19 vaccinations. The two stores will begin administering the vaccinations in Minnesota starting on Friday as part of the U.S Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. Any eligible customers are urged to schedule an appointment via the companies websites once they are available. For more…
MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – Dee Jirovec and her husband have owned Gampers in Moose Lake for eight years and are grateful to be back open following a second shut down. “It’s wonderful to be open again and have the customers come in to be able and talk and have a good time with them,” Gampers Owner, Dee Jirovec says. And…
HERMANTOWN, Minn. – As winter continues, recreational vehicle dealers in the Northland are seeing a lot of people eager to hit the road for new adventures. It has been a wild year for RV dealers, like Bullyans in Hermantown as most of their inventory keeps selling out. “We’re just starting to get it trickled back in. After we sold it…
CLOQUET, Minn. – The Cloquet Public Library is back open for business. The library had closed down for the second time during the pandemic on November 19th to only offer curbside pickup. Although programs like Movie Nights have been cancelled, the library is facilitating educational projects like make-and-take crafts. Library staff hope that everyone can follow the proper guidelines. “Now…
CLOQUET, Minn. – Do you want to build a snowman? National Honor Society students at Cloquet High School have said yes to the challenge. After a wild 2020, staff at the Sunnyside healthcare center in Cloquet were looking for a little pick-me-up for all the people living there. “Just trying to think of something to help put a smiles on…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Sew with Me brand name has been around for almost 10 years. “We started in Stillwater and expanded from there to meet the needs of sewers throughout the state,” said Laura Maki, owner of Sew with Me. Although the Piedmont neighborhood location has been open for several years, owners say fabric right now is a hot…
DULUTH, Minn.- A longtime retailer in Duluth, Art in the Alley was forced out of their location on East Superior Street by the pandemic. The owner, now focusing her attention on sales at the Miller Hill Mall — where she says business is booming. “The thing about being a small business owner, 13 years in may we’ve been through a…
DULUTH, Minn. – Hotbox Duluth has called Zeitgeist a home since January 27th. “Right now we’ll just to to-goes and try to give people a good time,” HotBox Duluth Owner, Rob Abrahamson says. The restaurant has a nostalgic, throwback feel. “We’re going to elevate the food a little bit. Like the term that we came up with at home is…
DULUTH, Minn.- The effects of the Coronavirus pandemic left more than 15,000 people in the Twin Ports to rely on CHUM’s Food Shelf to put food on the table — an increased demand they haven’t seen in more than a decade. “In my tenure it was a pretty big record setting year on my terms,” Distributive Services Director Scott Van…
MADISON, Wisc. – According to Wisconsin’s Department of Health, thousands of vaccines have been distributed across the state. Almost 50,000 doses were given to eight hubs throughout the state of Wisconsin so far this week to a small amount of healthcare providers. So far, almost two hundred vaccines have been administered, but how the vaccine will be administered in nursing…
DULUTH, Minn.- At their second to last meeting of the year Duluth City Council voted on, among other things, next year’s distribution of a smaller pot of Tourism Tax Revenue due to the effects of the pandemic. Last year, about $12 million in Tourism Tax — or Hotel, Motel, Food and Beverage Tax — Revenue was collected for Duluth tourism-related…
DULUTH, Minn. – At Essentia Health in Duluth, capacity is stretched thin with both COVID patients and the normal patient population. Dr. Melissa Simonson, section chair of hospitalist services at Essentia Health, says over the last two weeks they have seen a slight improvement in the number of COVID patients. Right now, 20-25 percent of regular medical patients are COVID…
DULUTH, Minn.- A clothing business in Duluth’s Hillside neighborhood is seeing more online business going into its only second holiday season open. Staff at women’s clothing boutique Ivy Moon over on Superior Street said they have seen more online traffic over Black Friday and Cyber Monday. While their entire inventory isn’t online just yet, the popularity of the items they…
MAPLE, Wisc. – The Maple School District is under pressure to add more substitute teachers. “If there were about half of our total population of subs before who said no, I’m not willing to do it even though I love kids. I don’t know what amount of money it’s going to take. I would be thrilled if we get all…
DULUTH, Minn. – The College of Saint Scholastica will be having a different variation of homecoming this year. Due to the pandemic, the school will be hosting a virtual homecoming. The events begins on Thursday with a virtual 5K. For a list of full events and schedules, click here: Saint Scholastica Homecoming Categories: Community, Minnesota, News Tags: 2020, Homecoming,…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- With August’s National Night Out postponed to Tuesday, Sterling Silver Dance Studio at the Mariner Mall in Superior held their own event. Live music from local bands Born Too Late and Crescent Moon were featured, as well as hot dogs and prizes from local organizations like World of Wheels skating rink. According to the Director of Sterling Silver…
MADISON, Wis.- Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced Tuesday he is dialing back the opening of the state, issuing his third emergency order to limit indoor building capacity to 25%, effective Thursday. While ramping up restrictions the Governor also announced $100 million in additional funding to support the state’s small businesses. No more than 25% the total capacity of an indoor…
ST. PAUL, Minn.- As President Donald Trump returns to the White House after being treated for the virus Monday, Minnesota state health officials continue to urge people who were at his rally in Duluth to get tested several times over the next few weeks. In a COVID-19 Briefing Monday, Minnesota Department of Health leaders said just because you test negative…
DULUTH, Minn.- An annual architecture and design expo found a way to showcase this year’s newest products in a safe way during the pandemic. The third annual Duluth Design Expo at the Clyde Malting Building in Lincoln Park was modified this year to be a trade show only. All vendors and attendees took COVID-19 questionnaires and had their temperatures checked…
DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth City Council voted unanimously to fork over $300,000 to Spirit Mountain to help it re-open this coming winter. Council also tabled another resolution Monday night which proposed leaving some homes and condominiums along the lake disconnected from the main Lakewalk. The $300,000 to Spirit Mountain is to reimburse most of the $340,000 the Mountain spent on…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- A crowd of people in Superior gathered for one last hurrah at a popular cocktail bar that’s closing for the colder months due to the pandemic. The Spirit Room is closing for the fall and winter seasons after being in business in the old city hall building on Hammond Avenue for the past six years. The owner says…
DULUTH, Minn.- Spirit Mountain could see life this coming winter, if Duluth City Council approves a new proposal to use money from the city’s half-and-half tourism tax to cover operation costs. Heard at an agenda session Thursday, the proposal would call for $340,000 from the half-and-half tourism tax to reimburse Spirit Mountain for money they spent on their lift system,…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- Superior Mayor Jim Paine announced his 2021 budget proposal Monday. Calling it the most ambitious budget of his administration, it includes the largest investment into police training in the city’s history, and adding a social worker to the department. According to Mayor Paine, excess funds of $385,468 from the year 2019 will help the city forward through the…
DULUTH, Minn.- As the Lake Superior Maritime Museum remains closed in Canal Park due to the pandemic, the gift shop is still finding a way to get little pieces of Duluth memories out to customers. Since July the gift shop has been right outside the museum on the sidewalk. The manager says while transitioning to an outdoor tent setting has…
DULUTH, Minn.- Officials at Duluth International Airport say businesses during this peak time of year, June-September, is being hurt by the pandemic. According to Executive Director Tom Werner, commercial air service last month was down 80% from July 2019, though overall activity since April has been increasing. Normally most passengers fly out of DLH for business, Werner said. But due…
DULUTH, Minn.-Enrollment at Lake Superior College has shot up in the past two weeks, putting them at levels similar to last year according to school officials. In the past week alone enrollment has increased 6%. Officials say that is because more students are choosing a more local, cheaper option with the year uncertain. On Thursday, one of the college’s Early…
DULUTH, Minn.- A local cook is bringing barbecue to the East Hillside Neighborhood in Duluth while making the most of being out of work during the pandemic. Howard’s Q is serving fresh ribs, rib tips, Jerk Chicken and more right next to the Shanty Bottle Shop on 4th Street on weekends. The cook, Howard Ross, was a Sous Chef at…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- As the Head of the Lakes Fair in Superior comes to a close, organizers said fears of the pandemic and some nasty weather kept a lot of people from coming during their six-day run. Normally attracting thousands to the Fairgrounds on Tower Avenue over the course of the fair, the director of the Head of the Lakes Fair…
DULUTH, Minn.- The largest hotel in Duluth, Holiday Inn and Suites on First Street Downtown says while business doesn’t look like last summer, it is picking up. The staff at Holiday Inn say occupancy is down 50% from what it was last summer. According to Visit Duluth hotels citywide during the pandemic saw 15-20% of available rooms early at their…
DULUTH, Minn.- Six employees have been temporarily furloughed at Visit Duluth, the tourism bureau tasked with marketing the city to outsiders. “We are at a point now where it was the harsh reality of what we’re facing in our industry,” said President Anna Tanski. “We have the resources and took these steps to stretch our operation at least through the…
DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth City Council unanimously passed Spirit Mountain’s annual multi-million dollar budget Tuesday evening, which is also calling for extra funding later this year to get the park reopened for the winter season after being shut down for the rest of the summer. Councilors just approved the adventure park’s $4 million operating budget for the 2020-2021 season, but…
DULUTH, Minn.- Healthcare workers looking out the windows of the buildings on the St. Luke’s Campus will now be treated to a big sign reading “Thank You Frontline Heroes,” put together by local artists and local officials. “When they’re laying down that kind of sacrifice, I think it’s important for them to know we’re here, and we care,” said Minnesota…
DULUTH, Minn.- The COVID-19 pandemic has left musical acts and festivals at Bayfront Festival Park in unprecedented uncertainty–forcing organizers and artists to explore different ways to give fans an experience if shows are a no-go. Bayfront has become synonymous with summer fun, filling up every season with concert-goers, food lovers, and fireworks. But the empty, bleak park you see right…
DULUTH, Minn.- People missing the smoked meat and sandwiches in Lincoln Park are in luck. OMC Express and Deli will open Wednesday, as the result of merging OMC Smokehouse and Corktown Deli and Brews. Both businesses have been closed through the pandemic. According to owner Tom Hanson, the operation should put 20-25% of the 200 employees laid off back to…
