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John Ramos

DECC sponsored $10,000 retreat, $1,500 Vista cruise for board of directors

When it comes to local board meetings, few venues offer surroundings as comfortable as the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). The state authority’s monthly board meetings are most often...

Family of Ryan Moats, Virginia police chief seek independent review of 2021 homicide

By John Ramos On June 26, 2021, outside a townhome in Virginia, Minnesota, James Edwards, age 31, and Ryan Moats, age 41, were involved in an altercation. When it was...

“A wake-up call”: DECC ammonia leak exposes safety concerns, draws EPA investigation

One year ago, on July 13, 2021, the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) and the neighboring Marcus Theaters were evacuated due to an ammonia leak from a chiller housed...

While under contract with Ruth’s Vegetarian Gourmet, Mayor Swanson advocated for their expansion project with city

In late January of 2020, Jennifer Sterbenz, the newly-hired Director of Community Development for the City of Two Harbors, received an email from a citizen with concerns about “the...

Publisher’s Desk

Hello, readers. Man, oh man. Life is crazy sometimes. One story. Three months ago, we planned to publish one story about Mayor Chris Swanson and Two Harbors, Minnesota—“Unmasking Mr. O.” Today,...

Boss Swanson, Part II: Shining light of hope

Two Harbors Mayor Chris Swanson loves entrepreneurs, and takes pride in what he has done to promote entrepreneurialism in Two Harbors. One might even say that entrepreneurialism is Swanson’s...

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Entire jury pool dismissed in Deyette case; trial postponed indefinitely

On Feb. 3, 2026, jury selection for the Andrew Deyette case began in Lake County District Court, in Two Harbors. Since being filed, in...

Burger King franchisee settles with City of Duluth for failing to comply with Sick and Safe Time ordinance

On Jan. 26, 2026, the Duluth City Council passed Resolution 70, approving a settlement agreement with Cave Enterprises, a franchisee which operates 178 Burger...

Grand Marais church youth leader arrested for stalking, threatening minor girl

On Jan. 12 and Jan. 13, 2026, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office received calls from members of the Grand Marais Evangelical Free Church, because...

Council approves $35,000 to pay for delays in DECC hot water line project

In March of 2025, the City of Duluth advertised for bids to replace the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) hot water line, which heats...

Hayward school district covers up basketball coach’s complaints

For three years, Matthew Lobitz was involved with the Hayward, Wisconsin athletic program. As Junior Varsity boys basketball coach and an assistant soccer coach,...