News and Current Affairs Posts

Interpretive signs will mark former Incline Railway sidewalk

The Duluth News Tribune reports the sidewalk and stairway that marks the location of the former Incline Railway at Seventh Avenue West, designated as a recreational hiking trail, will soon have interpretive signage.

PDD Quiz: April 2023

It’s time to take stock of another month of 2023. How many of the local headlines do you remember? Step up to this week’s current events quiz and find out!

The next PDD quiz, previewing upcoming summer events, will be published on May 14. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by May 11.

Edgewater Resort and Waterpark taking down abandoned wing

The Edgewater Resort and Waterpark will be tearing down a portion of its complex that served as its main motel for decades. (Photos by Mark Nicklawske)

A long-running and ever-changing Duluth hotel will tear down the oldest part of its sprawling complex as owners begin work on a new renovation plan for the Endion neighborhood tourist destination.

The Edgewater Resort and Waterpark, 2400 London Road, started demolition work this month on a vacant, two-story wing that was constructed in 1965 and served as the Edgewater Motel for decades. The Edgewater Resort and its adjacent waterpark will remain open during the project.

Record Breaker: Winter 2022-23 is snowiest in Duluth history

The Duluth News Tribune reports that the 2 inches of snow that fell overnight was enough to make the winter of 2022-23 the snowiest since records starting being kept in 1870. The season snowfall total as of 6 a.m. today sat at 137.1 inches.

Timber structure washes up near Lakewalk

A large timber structure has washed up on the Lake Superior shoreline just west of the Beacon Pointe condominium and hotel complex. (Photo by Mark Nicklawske)

Another large timber structure has washed up on the Lake Superior shoreline just west of the Beacon Pointe condominium and hotel complex.

The structure appeared on the shoreline below the Duluth Lakewalk trail following an April 4 snow and wind storm. It is made up of 12 x 12 timbers, metal cables and bolts and looks to be the size of Chevrolet Silverado crew cab pick-up truck.

Duluth Mail Bag: Potholes, TIF, Snowplow GPS and More

Hobbs Mail BagAs a two-time Duluth city councilor, now in my final year of service, one of my goals is to make city government more accessible, or at least help citizens become more informed. I figure there are many Duluthians who would like some simple answers to some simple questions. I learned in school that if there is something you don’t understand it’s likely there are many others who feel the same way. Hence the idea of the Duluth Mailbag column.

I won’t divulge who is asking the questions, but I’ll answer them in this format about once a month. Feel free to put a question in the comments for next month’s “Duluth Mailbag” or tweet me via @Hobbs_Duluth or email me at hobbsforduluth @ gmail.com.

Also, if you want to have a longer conversation, you can sign up for a 45-minute cup of coffee through my 100 Cups of Coffee project.

OK, here we go!

Renovation of Androy Hotel ballroom in Hibbing underway

The Duluth News Tribune reports that BoomTown Brewery & Woodfire has partnered with Androy Hotel owner Trellis Co. to retrofit the 1920s ballroom of the historic Androy Hotel in Hibbing into an event space, expanding catering abilities with a new commissary kitchen.

Press releases supporting Giant Colossal Statues of Bob Dylan

The Committee for Building Giant Colossal Statues of Bob Dylan is pleased about the following press releases from the Building Trades and Essential Health:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MN Trades and Building Council Endorses Plan to Build 12 Giant Colossal Statues of Bob Dylan

[Duluth, MN] – The Minnesota Trades and Building Council (MTBC) is proud to announce its full support for the construction of 12 giant colossal statues of Bob Dylan.

The MTBC believes that this project will bring significant economic benefits to the local community, and we look forward to working with the Committee for Building Giant Colossal Statues of Bob Dylan to make this project a reality.

PDD Quiz: March 2023

Another month of 2023 is in the books; how much of it do you remember? Quiz on to find out!

An April Fool-ish quiz comes your way on April 16; submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by April 10.

New harbor commission seeks to buy Madeline Island Ferry Line

Minnesota Public Radio reports the town of LaPointe has formed a harbor commission is negotiating with the owners of the Madeline Island Ferry Line to purchase the business and transfer its assets to public ownership.

Video: Duluth State of the City Address 2023

Via PACT-TV, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson outlines priorities for Duluth with her State of the City address, which she gave on March 22 at the West Theatre.

Mayor Larson’s remarks begin at the 20:30 mark in the video.

London Road roundabout plan riles residents

Minnesota Public Radio reports that the Minnesota Department of Transportation is moving forward with a plan to install a roundabout at 60th Avenue East and London Road despite objections from residents.

New York Times back in ‘climate-proof Duluth’

The New York Times is vaguely claiming Duluth “has welcomed thousands of new residents from out of state” in the past four years, citing climate change as the “motivating factor.”

St. Paul nonprofit is new owner of Duluth North Pierhead Light

Minnesota Public Radio reports the historic lighthouse at the entrance to the Duluth Ship Canal is St. Paul-based Rethos, a nonprofit that plans to open the lighthouse to tours.

Efforts revived to assess mercury in St. Louis River watershed

Agate, an online magazine focused on the environment and people of Minnesota and the surrounding Great Lakes region, published a story this week about the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s recently revived effort to calculate how much mercury the St. Louis River watershed can handle and still meet established water quality standards. The goal is to determine the mercury reductions needed to meet water quality standards and support healthy consumption of fish.