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THE CITY OF DULUTH WILL host a public open house Thursday, Jan. 15, to introduce a planned reconstruction project on Fourth Street between Mesaba Avenue and Sixth Avenue East and to gather early community feedback.
The open house will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Central Hillside Community Center, 12 E. Fourth St. Residents may attend at any time during the two-hour window.
The meeting is intended to give community members an overview of the project and an opportunity to share how the corridor is currently used and what improvements they would like to see.

Project design and engineering are scheduled to continue through 2027, with construction planned for 2028 and 2029. The project will be funded through Municipal State Aid for Streets and utility funds.
The scope of work includes a full reconstruction of the roadway and utilities, a traffic signal study with recommendations, stormwater drainage and infrastructure improvements, street lighting replacement and upgrades, pedestrian improvements, and multimodal enhancements for cyclists and other lightweight human-powered and electric-powered devices.
No formal presentation is planned. City staff and members of the design team will be available throughout the open house to answer questions and collect feedback.

OWNERSHIP OF THE BREWHOUSE FAMILY of restaurants is changing hands, with co-founder Rod Raymond transferring co-ownership and day-to-day operational control to longtime manager Marcy Wojick, the company announced today.
Wojick will assume full operational responsibility across the group’s portfolio, including Fitger’s Brewhouse, Fitger’s Beerstore, Barrel Room Events Center, Burrito Union, The Rathskeller, and Snively’s Lounge.
Raymond said the decision reflects long-standing confidence in Wojick’s leadership and vision.
“We have so much confidence in Marcy … she is committed to keeping the food fresh, the beer world-class! The staff love her, the regular customers adore her…There’s no one more deserving of this opportunity,” Raymond said.

Wojick has spent more than a decade with the organization and has played a key role in its growth and operational success. The transition positions her to guide the restaurants’ next chapter while maintaining their established focus on handcrafted food, beer and hospitality.
“I am incredibly honored by this opportunity and grateful to Rod for believing in me,” Wojick said. “I am committed to taking great care of our staff, beloved customers, and keeping our food and beer handcrafted.”
Founded as a cornerstone of Duluth’s Canal Park dining scene, Fitger’s Brewhouse and its sister establishments are known for world-class craft beers, house-made food, handcrafted cocktails and event-driven experiences.

WILLIAMS LOBERMEIER BOETTCHER FUNERAL HOME OBIT

Eileen Gladys Nelson, 101, Duluth, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2025 in Aftenro Assisted Living.
She was born in Duluth on August 12, 1924 to Nels Nelson, and Ann (Maas) Nelson. She graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1942. Eileen worked for Christie Lithograph & Printing, Word One, Duluth Paper Specialties, and was owner and operator of Secretarial Services.
She was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She served on the Board of Deacons, directed Junior choir, Sunday school supt. for 16 years, printer/publisher of church bulletins and newsletters. She also sang in the Senior Choir since high school.

Her interests included woodworking, needlework, reading, and music. Eileen was a member of the Duluth Community Band since it began in 1978 and Windjammers Big Band since it’s beginning in 1986, the Duluth Court Jesters, and two polka bands.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Robert; sisters, Grace Bartash, Dorothy Peterson and Lois Callen Nelson; a grand nephew, Richard Swanson.
Eileen is survived by nieces and nephews, Kathleen (Terry) Morehouse of Naples, FL, Nancy Peterson of Duluth, Dean (Vicki) Peterson, Sr of Duluth, Barbara Peterson of Duluth, Janice (Al) Porter of PA, Douglas (Ginny) Callen of PA, Joanne Gaudette of Downers Grove, IL, Susan Richardson of Downers Grove, IL and Deborah Bartash of Woodridge, IL; many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.

Visitation 11 am until the 12 noon funeral service Friday, January 16, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church. 1108 East 8th Street. Pastor Shivon Miller officiating. In lieu of flowers, Memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church would be appreciated.
Eileen’s service will be live streamed, click on the link. Arrangements by Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home. 218-624-1059.
