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John Ramos

“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...

Woot woot! Mayor Swanson promoted Swanson businesses 50 times on Facebook

On March 9, 2022, I published an article entitled “Mayor Swanson promoted own businesses 97 times on city Twitter account.” The mayor, who did not appreciate my findings, filed...

Short-term rental boom creates housing shortage in Two Harbors

“There’s one house for sale in Two Harbors,” realtor Sue Bott told the Two Harbors Planning Commission, incredulously, on March 1, 2022. “Well, there was a couple hours ago....

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Remaining two residents ordered to leave beleaguered Hermantown trailer park

In December of 2024, due to ongoing building code violations at Hermantown’s Maple Field Trailer Park, the owner, Steven Schneeberger, was charged with six...

Five companies file mechanics liens against Urbane 218 as building nears completion

On Dec. 18, 2025, Duluth Economic Development Authority Director Tricia Hobbs issued a Notice of Breach to Urbane 218 LLC, the developer of the...

Two wrongful death lawsuits against Cirrus Aircraft moved to St. Louis County

Within the past year, two active lawsuits against Cirrus Design Corporation have been transferred to the St. Louis County District Court. Both lawsuits allege...

Firefighting airplane struck multiple times by gunfire, alleged sovereign citizen arrested

On May 20, 2026, St. Louis County deputies arrested Portage Township resident Daniel Pettit on suspicion of shooting at a firefighting airplane as it...

Convicted murderer appeals sentence, receives longer sentence

A man convicted of murdering three Duluth men in 1994 appealed his sentence in 2025, on the grounds that it was illegal. St. Louis...