News and Current Affairs
Duluth sees its first ‘virtual restaurant’ with Bowls to Go
Restaurant developer Rick Lampton shows off the 310 Pub kitchen in Duluth where Bowls to Go menu items are prepared. Lampton and his partners own the 310 Pub, 7 West Taphouse and Grizzly’s Wood-Fired Grill.
A new Duluth restaurant is going without wait staff, tables, even walls because its fresh, hot food is delivered wherever hungry customers want to eat. (more…)
Adas Israel Congregation synagogue destroyed by fire
The Duluth Fire Department responded at 2:23 a.m. to a report of a structure fire at Adas Israel Congregation, a Jewish synagogue at 302 E. Third St. (more…)
Missing Person: Jacob Lavoie
The Duluth Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating 21-year-old Jacob Michael Lavoie. He was last seen at Grandma’s Sports Garden in Canal Park on Saturday, Aug. 31, at around midnight, and early on the morning of Sept. 1.
Lavoie is a white male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing approximately 150 pounds, with strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes. He might be wearing a black Nike baseball hat, red/salmon long-sleeve shirt and jeans. Anyone who has information about Lavoie’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Duluth Police Department Juvenile Services Unit at 218-730-5560, or call 911. (more…)
Iwen wins prize
The Arkansas Democrat Gazette reports that UW-Superior professor Jayson Iwen has won a $5,000 poetry prize. (more…)
Superior Entry Lighthouse on Wisconsin Point sold
The century-old Superior Entry Lighthouse on Wisconsin Point sold for $159,000 to Steven Broudy of San Francisco, Calif. The new owner will have to maintain it. (more…)
PDD Quiz: August 2019
August is drawing to a close; how many of this month’s headlines do you recall? Quiz on to find out!
The next PDD quiz, on Duluth in literature, will be published on Sept. 15. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by Sept. 8. (more…)
Duluth 2019 General Election Primer
One week ago the field was thinned. Below is a look at the Duluth municipal and school board races to be decided during the General Election on Nov. 5.
Duluth Mayor
Emily Larson
David Nolle (more…)
West Duluth bar scene adding Boreal House
Katie Fast, left, and Julie LaTourelle stand outside 330 N. 57th Ave. W. The two women purchased the former home of RJ’s Coffee Den and plan to open a new bar in West Duluth. (Photo by Mark Nicklawske)
Two women plan to open a new bar later this fall in a West Duluth neighborhood that boasts some of the oldest drinking establishments in the city.
Katie Fast and Julie LaTourelle, operating as K & J Industries LLC, recently purchased the former RJ’s Coffee Den at 330 N. 57th Ave. W. The century-old building is being remodeled and is expected to reopen as the Boreal House in late November. (more…)
All hail Duluth’s new flag
Duluth has a new flag. Blane Tetreault was selected as the overall winner of the city’s flag-design contest launched earlier this year.
“This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to contribute to a community that I love,” Tetreault said in a news release from the city. “My goal in participating in this project was to help establish a symbol that represents the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of Duluth.” (more…)
Duluth 2019 Primary Election Results
With 34 of 34 precincts counted …
Duluth Mayor
(Top two candidates advance to General Election)
Emily Larson – 5,225 | 66.87%
David Nolle – 992 | 12.7%
John Socha – 450 | 5.76%
Daniel Weatherly – 285 | 3.65%
Donald Raihala – 220 | 2.82%
Caleb Anderson – 206 | 2.64%
Jesse Peterson – 193 | 2.47%
Corey Ford – 160 | 2.05%
Doris Queen Lavender – 83 | 1.06%
At-large Duluth City Councilors
(Two positions; top four candidates advance to General Election)
Arik Forsman – 3,570 | 26.87%
Noah Hobbs – 3,313 | 24.94%
Derek Medved – 3,003 | 22.6%
Mike Mayou – 2,338 | 17.6%
Stephen Abernethy – 498 | 3.75%
Nathaniel Rankin – 321 | 2.42%
Matthew William Stewart – 242 | 1.82%
Third District Duluth City Councilor
(Top two candidates advance to General Election)
Roz Randorf – 661 | 47.9%
Theresa O’Halloran-Johnson – 454 | 32.9%
Henry Banks – 185 | 13.41%
Ryan Glenn – 80 | 5.8%
Hey look, a 45-inch Lake Superior trout
Caught by Steven Gotchie and Jordan Korzenowski on Lake Superior, about five miles out from the Aerial Lift Bridge.
Big changes at Wildwoods rehab facility
Left: New Wildwoods Executive Director Jessica LaBumbard. Right: Outgoing Director Farzad Farr.
Wildwoods, the Duluth-area wildlife rehabber, recently posted its early-season stats: 1,260 animals have been helped by the organization this year, through Aug. 1. Migration season, a busy time for Wildwoods, is still to come.
Meanwhile, Executive Director Farzad Farr will be stepping down on Sept. 21 after 13 years with Wildwoods. He’s going back to California to be close to family. New director Jessica LaBumbard has already began. (more…)
Taps are flowing at Rapids Brewing in Grand Rapids
Executive Chef Erik Halverson, General Manager Bill Martinetto and Head Brewer Darin Jensen are ready to spread beard and beer culture in Grand Rapids.
The newest brewery on Minnesota’s Iron Range has begun serving up suds. Rapids Brewing Company opened Aug. 2 for its first “Summer Sneak Peak Weekend,” with limited beer and food options. General Manager Bill Marinetto said he expects the business to be open seven days a week before the end of the month, and his target is next weekend. (more…)
Missing Person: Priscilla Joy Sohm
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance with locating Priscilla Joy Sohm, a 25-year-old Native American female who left the At Home Living group home facility in Canosia Township on July 21.
Sohm has a history of leaving the home without permission and was missing for approximately one month in May before being located in Superior. She is described as having black hair, brown eyes, approximately 5 ft. 8 in. tall and weighing 150 pounds.
Anyone with information about Sohm’s whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at 218-336-4350.
Aug. 21 Update:
Over the past month Sohm has been in contact with her family, but is unwilling to come home or ask for assistance. She is diagnosed with mental health issues that designate her as vulnerable. She is believed to be accompanied by a friend named Joseph Reynolds.
On Aug. 13, Sohm was observed in Downtown Duluth, however, she was gone before law enforcement could locate her. She is still likely to be in the Duluth/Superior area.
Aug. 23 Update:
Sohm was located and brought to a local hospital by the Hermantown Police Department. She was not far from the Kings Creek Park area of Hermantown. A concerned caller had reported to 911 that people may have been camping in the area. She appeared to be in good health.