News and Current Affairs
Former ‘RecyclaBell’ recycled into apartments
Developer Mike Poupore stands outside the historic Northwestern Bell Telephone building at 1804 E. First St. The building housed the RecyclaBell all-ages music venue from 1993-1997. (Photo by Mark Nicklawske)
A look inside a newly-restored building that helped foster the 1990s Duluth indie rock scene is featured in a series of historic property video tours launched on the internet this week.
The Duluth Preservation Alliance explores changes in five iconic properties that once served city businesses and local government during a 2021 Virtual Historic Properties Tour available now on its website. The project provides a first look inside the newly remodeled Northwestern Bell telephone exchange building at 1804 E. First St. — which later housed an unlikely but locally significant music venue called the RecyclaBell from 1993 to 1997. (more…)
Wouldn’t we all rather have sex in Duluth?
About once a year, satirical news website the Onion references Duluth in a story. The 2021 example appears in a list of “What Your Partner Is Actually Thinking During Sex,” published this week. (more…)
Duluth 2021 General Election Sample Ballot
General Election Day for the city of Duluth and Independent School District #709 is Tuesday, Nov. 2. Early voting is already underway. (more…)
Duluth Electric Fetus merchandise up for auction
What’s left of the Duluth Electric Fetus? Sadly, only nostalgia. And just like when the store was open, it’s all for sale. Auction Masters of Osseo launched the Electric Fetus (Duluth, MN) online auction this week. Bidding ends at 6 p.m. on Oct. 11. (more…)
PDD Quiz: September 2021 in Review
Fall into this month’s quiz of local-ish headlines and happenings!
The next PDD quiz will celebrate the season by exploring local spookiness; it will be published on Oct. 17. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by Oct. 14. (more…)
Minnesota’s Mountain-biking Trail Boom
Minnesota Public Radio reports that professional builders have constructed more than 100 miles of mountain-biking trails in northeastern Minnesota in the past five years.
Duluth’s Ten Most Endangered Properties in 2021
The Duluth Missabe and Iron Range Railway Dock #5 has not been used since 1985. The Duluth Preservation Alliance has listed it as an endangered property. (Photos by Mark Nicklawske)
A slowly disappearing neighborhood rich in Native American history, a large building once home to a radical labor college and an iconic, unused iron ore dock are included in a list of places historians fear may disappear from the Duluth landscape.
The Duluth Preservation Alliance released a Top 10 Most Endangered Places list during an event outside the soon-to-be demolished Esmond Building in Lincoln Park Saturday, Sept. 25. The list, regularly compiled by the group, is designed to raise preservation awareness and encourage the reuse of historic properties. (more…)
Warrior Brewing’s stout takes silver at Great American Beer Fest
Co-owner and head brewer Ben Gipson and his wife Emily show off Warrior Brewing’s silver medal from the Great American Beer Festival. (Photo via Warrior Brewing Company)
Duluth’s newest brewery is also its newest medal winner. Warrior Brewing Company was awarded the silver medal for its Barbarian Imperial Stout at the Great American Beer Festival. The Lincoln Park neighborhood business released its first batch to liquor stores in June.
It’s the fifth year in a row that a Duluth or Superior brewery has won a medal at the festival. (more…)
PDD Quiz: August 2021 in Review
Test your memory of this August 2021 headlines with this week’s current affairs quiz!
The next PDD quiz will take a look at weird Duluth laws; it will be published on Sept. 12. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by Sept. 8. (more…)
Duluth’s ‘Mushroom House’ looks for new owner
The “Mushroom House” near the University of Minnesota Duluth is for sale. (All photos via realtor.com)
When it comes to houses, Duluth is noted for the grand, turn-of-the-century mansions clinging to the Lake Superior shoreline or more modern places with stunning hilltop views but there are unique gems sprinkled throughout the city and one of them is on the market.
“The Mushroom House,” located at 1401 Mississippi Ave., just northwest of the University of Minnesota Duluth campus, was listed for sale Aug. 9. The five-bedroom, three-bath home was built in 1971 in a striking triple-dome shape that seems to grow out of its wooded, half-acre lot. The listed price is $279,900. (more…)
R.I.P. Gannucci’s Italian Market
The Duluth News Tribune reports Gannucci’s Italian Market in West Duluth is closed and a liquidation auction will be held Aug. 25.
Duluth Population: 1860 to 2020
According to the 2020 United States Census, Duluth’s population hit 86,697, up 432 people from the 2010 count but still down 20,187 from the all-time high in 1960. (more…)
Duluth Primary Election Results 2021
With 34 of 34 precincts reporting …
Duluth At-large City Councilor
Top four candidates advance to General Election
Azrin Awal | 2,946
Terese Tomanek | 2,893
Joe Macor | 2,589
Timothy L. Meyer | 989
Ashlie Castaldo | 988
Scott Jenkins | 703
Dezuwon “Pez” Davila | 594
Nancy Stam | 508
Duluth Second District City Councilor
Top two candidates advance to General Election
Mike Mayou | 954
Dave Zbaracki | 289
Andrew C. Jarocki | 254
Andrew Hilfers | 24
Duluth Fourth District City Councilor
Top two candidates advance to General Election
Renee K. Van Nett | 653
Howie Hanson | 524
Nathaniel Rankin | 118
Live music returns to Sacred Heart, fall concerts announced
The Cactus Blossoms performing on the Sacred Heart Music Center altar stage in 2019. (Photo by Michael K. Anderson)
After an 18-month pandemic closure, Sacred Heart Music Center will welcome live audiences back to a full concert schedule beginning in September. (more…)
League of Women Voters 2021 Duluth Candidate Forum
The League of Women Voters held this candidate forum for At-large Duluth City Council candidates on July 28. Mary Faulkner is the moderator.
Duluth 2021 Primary Election Sample Ballot
Most Duluthians will see a ballot that looks like the sample above when they vote in the Primary Election on Aug. 10. There are two other city council races that will appear on ballots in specific parts of the city. (more…)
Algae blooms on Lake Superior continue
The first confirmed sighting of blue-green algae on Lake Superior was in 2012. Since then, scientists have been trying to determine what’s causing it and if it’s linked to climate change.
Spirit Mountain, Mission Creek trail link ready
A biker crosses the new Sargent Creek bridge on the DWP Trail Connector west of Ely Peak. (Photos by Mark Nicklawske)
A critical bridge is open, a tunnel has been repaired and work is nearly complete on a six-mile scenic trail that uses a former rail line to connect two large recreation sites on the west side of Duluth.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Division is in the final stages of improvements to the Duluth Winnipeg & Pacific Trail Connector which provides a direct link between the Mission Creek trail system in the Frederick Rodney Paine Forest Preserve and Spirit Mountain. A ribbon cutting on the $600,000 trail project is expected later this summer. (more…)
PDD Quiz: July 2021 in Review
Another month of summer has flown by. Were you paying attention to current events? Step up to this week’s quiz and find out!
Duluth movie mentions will be the theme of the next PDD quiz, which will be published on Aug. 15. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by Aug. 11. (more…)
Ride or Die Pizzeria open in Superior
The Superior Telegram reports a new pizzeria has opened in Superior. Terry and Dawn Johnson are the proprietors of Ride or Die Pizzeria at 1623 Broadway St., the former home of Thirsty Pagan Brewing, which moved to new location a block away in 2019.
The Johnsons also own Lee’s Pizza in Duluth’s Lincoln Park Craft District.
PDD Quiz: June 2021 in Review
See how many of this month’s headlines you remember with this week’s current events quiz!
The next PDD quiz will test your ability to match historical buildings to their modern occupants; it will be published on July 18. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by July 15. (more…)
Mysterious timber crib disappears from Canal Park beach
A large timber crib, shown here in 2010, was beached for almost 15 years. City officials said the structure was removed and demolished as part of the recently completed Lakewalk improvement project. (Photo by Kip Praslowicz)
A mysterious wooden structure that had been shipwrecked for years on a Canal Park beach has disappeared following a year-long project designed to improve a popular Duluth walking trail battered by Lake Superior storms. (more…)