Rice Lake Road in Duluth will re-open to thru traffic on Saturday, August 26, by no later than 5 p.m. The road has been closed for approximately three weeks between Arrowhead Road and Public Safety Drive due to work to replace a culvert on Chester Creek. Even though the road will be open, significant delays are expected to occur next Thursday, August 31, as paving will be occurring near the intersection of Rice Lake Road and Arrowhead Road. Drivers are recommended to use alternate routes that day.

The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office has taken numerous reports of scam calls in our area. The caller claims to be a member of law enforcement and says the person missed a court date and demands a monetary payment over the phone. These calls are not legitimate.

On August 23rd, 2023, at 2205 hours, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office responded to the 7400 Block of Crane Lake Road due to a reported ATV crash with injuries.  The ATV had been located in the ditch by a local resident, with the driver of the ATV pinned underneath the machine. The injured driver was subsequently transported to the Cook Hospital by Orr Ambulance due to injuries received from the crash.

No one was injured in the fire, which destroyed a home in Makinen. One person has been arrested.

Rice Lake Road in Duluth will remain closed to through traffic for an extra week between Central Entrance and Arrowhead Road. The road is now set to reopen August 26. The closure is necessary for the replacement of a culvert on Chester Creek. Working around existing utilities has taken longer than expected. The extended closure will also enable the contractor to make further progress with intersection work to better accommodate the increased traffic that will come when area schools reopen.