395 POSTS

John Ramos

Observation Hill NIMBYs oppose vacation rental

On Jan. 25, 2021, the Duluth City Council will consider Resolution 28, which grants Benjamin Klismith a permit to operate a vacation dwelling unit (VDU) at 621 West Fifth...

City cuts tourism tax support for most, gives Spirit Mountain raise

On Dec. 8, 2020, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson held a virtual press conference to deliver some sobering news: Tourism tax collections were projected to drop by 25 percent in...

City leaders fast-track Visit Duluth-DECC merger

Tourism taxes in Duluth are applied to hotel stays, restaurant bills, and bar tabs, with the proceeds used for a variety of tourism-related purposes. By law, the Duluth Entertainment...

The Horse: An anagram of The Raven

Edgar Allan Poe’s classic poem “The Raven” consists of 4,891 letters, including the title and author. In 2015, I rearranged those 4,891 letters into a new poem, titled “The...

Publisher’s Desk

Hello, readers. I have always felt that a job was worth devoting time and energy to if it (a) made me money; or (b) gave me immense personal satisfaction....

County commissioners, employees allegedly self-screen for COVID

On Oct. 6, 2020, after an eight-month absence from St. Louis County Board meetings, I donned a facemask and headed down to the Government Services Center (GSC) to attend...

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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,...