PDD News Sieve
New York Times back in ‘climate-proof Duluth’
The New York Times is vaguely claiming Duluth “has welcomed thousands of new residents from out of state” in the past four years, citing climate change as the “motivating factor.”
St. Paul nonprofit is new owner of Duluth North Pierhead Light
Minnesota Public Radio reports the historic lighthouse at the entrance to the Duluth Ship Canal is St. Paul-based Rethos, a nonprofit that plans to open the lighthouse to tours.
Efforts revived to assess mercury in St. Louis River watershed
Agate, an online magazine focused on the environment and people of Minnesota and the surrounding Great Lakes region, published a story this week about the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s recently revived effort to calculate how much mercury the St. Louis River watershed can handle and still meet established water quality standards. The goal is to determine the mercury reductions needed to meet water quality standards and support healthy consumption of fish.
Northern Waters Smokehaus moving to Amazing Grace spot
Fox 21 is reporting that Northern Waters Smokehaus will move its business from the main level of the DeWitt-Seitz Marketplace into the basement-level space formerly occupied by Amazing Grace Grocery and Café.
Apostle Islands in National Geographic
The March issue of National Geographic has a 16-page feature on Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands. The online version has the headline, “These Lake Superior islands are ‘no place for amateurs,’” while the print edition carries the title “Return to Wild Waters.” Writer Stephanie Pearson accompanied photographer David Guttenfelder on part of his August 2021 kayaking journey in which he paddled to 19 of the 22 islands.
Amazing Grace Café and Grocery closing
Amazing Grace Café and Grocery in Canal Park will close on Feb. 27 according to a news release from owner Connor Riley. (more…)
Management shift at WDSE “The North” brings change
Under new station manager Brian Rickman, 103.3 FM WDSE has moved to new music programming software and begun considering changes to its schedule, the Duluth News Tribune reports.
Superior FunLand is open at Mariner Business Center
The Superior Telegram reports that a new indoor play space for kids has opened in the Mariner Business Center, 69 N. 28th St. Superior FunLand had its grand opening on Jan. 14. It’s owned by Paul Bothun and Desiree Hughes.
Duluth reconsidering mandated parking minimums
The Duluth News Tribune reports that proposed changes to city code would eliminate requirements for developers to provide a specific number of parking spots.
Merry Kiss Cam and Bizzaro Duluth
Noting when movies reference Duluth is a top hobby on Perfect Duluth Day, but when its comes to Merry Kiss Cam — the flick that has more Duluth scenes than any before it — we hesitated. So now we’ll let Minnesota Public Radio explain the convenient taxi system, clean street-side snow and disappointing hockey team that make our city great.
One Book Northland 2023: The Wolf’s Trail
The Wolf’s Trail: An Ojibwe Story, Told by Wolves is the One Book Northland community read title for 2023. Written by Thomas D. Peacock and published by Duluth-based Holy Cow! Press, it’s about Ojibwe teaching and the truths of Ojibwe existence as seen through the words of a wolf elder as he “talks story” to wolf pups. (more…)
Bob Dylan’s Hibbing High School love letters sold for $670K
The Associated Press reports 42 handwritten love letters from Robert Zimmerman to his high school sweetheart, Barbara Ann Hewitt, were sold at auction to a Portuguese bookshop for nearly $670,000.
Duluth 2022 General Election Results
With 4,103 of 4,103 precincts reporting, here are the statewide numbers for races relevant to Duluth.
FEDERAL OFFICES
District 8 United States Representative
Pete Stauber | 188,070
Jen Schultz | 140,433
Write in | 325
(more…)
Chuck Haavik – “I Hung a Cross in My Heart”
The fifth single from Duluth’s Chuck Haavik is a bit more Gospel leaning than his previous songs. “I Hung a Cross in My Heart,” features Dave Mehling keys and Taylor Donskey on string bass.
Farewell to Mimi Parker, from Slate
Slate senior editor Sam Adams on the life and death of Mimi Parker and the music of Low.
Mimi Parker of Low has died of ovarian cancer
Duluth News Tribune: “Mimi Parker, of Duluth band Low, dies of ovarian cancer
Pitchfork: “Low’s Mimi Parker has died”
NPR: “Mimi Parker, vocalist and drummer of the minimalist rock band Low, has died”
Rolling Stone: “Low’s Mimi Parker, whose otherworldly vocals helped define slowcore, dead at 55 after cancer battle”
PDD Calendar: Mimi Park Vigil at Sacred Heart
Former St. Louis County Jail renamed Leijona
The Duluth News Tribune reports that remodeling of the former St. Louis County Jail is near completion. It is expected to open in January as a 33-unit apartment building named Leijona, the Finnish word for lion.
Walt Dizzo on ‘The Local’ spinning Duluth oldies
Longtime KUWS radio host Walt Dizzo crossed the bridge to appear on WDSE “The North” for the Sept. 28 episode of “The Local.” Joining the show’s host, Malachy Koons, Dizzo dove into rare finds from his personal collection to share on the show, which generally features more modern local music. Three tracks were from the present millennium, but most of them were golden oldies. The episode is archived online an can be listened to at thenorth1033.org. (more…)
Duluth 2022 General Election Sample Ballot
The Minnesota State General Election will be held on Nov. 8. Above is the front side of the ballot for Duluthians on the western side of the city. Those on the eastern side will see candidates for Minnesota State Representative for District 8B instead of 8A. Duluthians living in the center of the city will also see the St. Louis County Commissioner race for District 1 on their ballots. A few Duluthians on the western edge of the city will also vote on the Minnesota House of Representatives District 3B. And the backside of everyone’s ballot has numerous judicial races. (more…)
Warrior Brewing opens tap room
The Duluth News Tribune reports Warrior Brewing Company opened a tap room at its Lincoln Park neighborhood brewery on Sept. 24. The brewery began producing off-sale beer for distribution in cans and bottles in 2021.
Duluth Kelleys defeat the Green Bay Packers in 1922
Although the Green Bay Packers generally get the last laugh, let it stand for the record that the Minnesota Vikings won the season opener in 2022 and the Duluth Kelleys topped the Pack one hundred years ago today. (more…)
Cirrus investing $15 million in Duluth ‘innovation center’
Minnesota Public Radio reports Cirrus Aircraft plans to invest $15 million in a new “Innovation Center” at the former Northwest Airlines maintenance base. The company said it plans to hire 80 additional engineers over the next three years.
Council approves demolition of Astoria Hotel
Another contributing building to the Duluth Commercial Historic District could soon be gone. The Duluth City Council voted to reverse a decision by the Heritage Preservation Commission to block the demolition of the former Astoria Hotel at 102 E. Superior St. The two-story white brick building housed the Chinese Dragon restaurant, Hucklebeary store and Old Towne Antiques until the end of 2021, when the building’s new owner, ZMC Hotels, terminated the leases.
The building was constructed in 1905 and was recently listed on the Duluth Preservation Alliance’s list of the city’s most endangered places.
Duluth’s Ten Most Endangered Places in 2022
The Duluth Preservation Alliance has announced its 2022 list of the ten most endangered places. The intention is to raise awareness about historic properties that are likely to be lost. The organization previously released endangered properties lists in 2021 and 2017. An interactive story map for the 2022 list is available at arcgis.com. (more…)