The City of Duluth’s Parks Maintenance Division will place clean, discarded wood chips for public use and pick up in bulk at the U-shaped driveway by Tony Emanuel Field at Woodland Park beginning Saturday.
The wood chips, which are an urban forestry byproduct and are untreated, are available on a first-come, first-served basis to anyone wishing to use them. If the pile depletes, parks maintenance staff will continue to refill them until the spring.
Local Government Aid alone covers nearly $35 million, about one-third of the budget. It’s the difference between black ink and red. Lose even 5 percent of that aid, and Duluth’s “balanced” budget implodes by millions. That’s not financial strength — that’s dependence disguised as stability.
Duluth’s short-term goal is tactical — keep Inland’s exclusivity alive, hit the paperwork milestones, and convince the Legislature to fund the $10.85 million in site-prep money the city calls the key that unlocks $250 million in private investment.
In 2025, for instance, they raised the levy by 1.85 percent but declared it a “0 percent” year for current taxpayers because new development supposedly absorbed the increase. But that’s a shell game. The levy still grew by nearly $800,000.
The city expects test results over the weekend and will share updates when available.
Completing a life both rugged and tender, Robert Ronald Slater, 85, passed away peacefully on his Mahtowa farm Monday, November 17, 2025. He was surrounded by family, friends and caring neighbors during his final days. Born to Roy and Pauline Slater on Nov. 21, 1939 in Hope, North Dakota, Robert
Minnesota signed wide receiver Jahmal Banks, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound target from Nebraska. Banks brings size and catch-radius to the Monsters’ evolving offensive system, adding another option for a team that has emphasized physical receivers throughout the offseason.
Minnesota officials framed the signing as another example of the franchise’s aggressive push under new owner Jacob Lambert, who has vowed to go “all-in” as the former, rebranded Duluth Harbor Monsters — winners of two straight league titles — move up to the stronger AF1.
Lana is survived by her daughter, Jodi (David) LaFontaine; grandsons, Adam (Chelsea) LaFontaine, James LaFontaine; great-grandchildren, Jaxson, Landon, and Mallorie LaFontaine; and many nieces and nephews.
