City of Duluth provides snow plow operations update

By Kelli Latuska

City of Duluth Street Maintenance crews continue to remove snow and ice from city roadways today as the winter storm continues through this evening.

The city’s full fleet of 23 plow trucks were out at 2 a.m., clearing Priority 1 roadways while working through some Priority 2 roadways throughout the morning and afternoon. Full plow crews will take a rest at 6 p.m., with reduced staffing staying through the overnight. Full-fleet plow operations will resume at 2 a.m. Thursday morning to continue storm clean-up.

For detailed information on the City’s snow and ice policy and how roads are prioritized, please visit https://duluthmn.gov/snow/.

The National Weather Service’s forecast includes mixed precipitation falling at an increased rate more than .75 inches per hour through the afternoon/evening commute, at times. This will make travel difficult, and residents should plan their commutes accordingly. Blowing snow may also create whiteout conditions intermittently, making travel even more treacherous.

Spring snow events are always tricky due to a number of factors, including moisture content and variability of snowfall across our region. Additionally, gravel and dirt roadways are especially vulnerable during the spring months due to frost heaving out of the ground. Because of the softer state of these roadways and alleys, Street Maintenance operations must treat those surfaces with a softer touch; this may include either raising the snowplow blades up an inch or so to keep contact with the surface at a minimum to prevent damaging the gravel surface. It may also include leaving a passable gravel surface unplowed and allowing the coming warmth and sun to remove the snow naturally. In those rarer cases, residents should take extra care while traversing those surfaces.

Breaking Sports News

Glen Taylor cedes ownership of Timberwolves and Lynx to Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Quote Me, Howie

Duluth Denfeld baseball coach Joe Wicklund on his 2025 Hunters – “We have a strong core of returning seniors and two top-notch sophomores coming back from a section runner-up squad last year. If we can fire on all cylinders – throwing strikes, playing strong defense, and getting the key hits – we have a real shot of winning the section (3A, Section 7) title this year.”

Local Prep Baseball Players to Watch

Vinny Udd, Duluth Denfeld sophomore pitcher-third baseman

Nicholas Terhaar, Proctor, senior pitcher-outfielder

Noah Asuma, Cherry junior shortstop

River Freeman, Hermantown senior catcher-pitcher

Max Berrisford, Duluth Marshall, senior catcher-third baseman

Owen Marsolek, Duluth Marshall senior pitcher-first baseman-outfielder

Vikings Notebook

By Craig Peters

The Minnesota Vikings are currently slated to make three selections in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Current Vikings 2025 Draft Picks:

Round 1: 24th overall
Round 3: 97th overall (compensatory)
Round 5: 139th overall (choice from Cleveland)
Round 6: 187th overall (choice from San Francisco)

The team traded it's second, third and fourth round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft in exchange for the pick the team used to take OLB Dallas Turner during the 2024 NFL Draft.

The team's sixth and seventh round picks were traded to the Cleveland Browns in the Za'Darius Smith deal which took place in May of 2023.

The Vikings are expected to be awarded one compensatory pick according to this NFL.com article based on free agency comings and goings this past year.

2025 NFL Draft Order

The order of the first 18 picks of the 2025 NFL Draft has been set, and Tennessee is on the clock.

The Titans have the No. 1 overall pick in the annual selection meeting, which will be hosted the first time by Green Bay from April 24-26.

Below is the order, which is based on reverse order of finish. The placement of team's in the playoffs will be determined as the postseason continues.

1. Tennessee (3-14)
2. Cleveland (3-14)
3. N.Y. Giants (3-14)
4. New England (4-13)
5. Jacksonville (4-13)
6. Las Vegas (4-13)
7. New York Jets (5-12)
8. Carolina (5-12)
9. New Orleans (5-12)
10. Chicago (5-12)
11. San Francisco (6-11)
12. Dallas (7-10)
13. Miami (8-9)
14. Indianapolis (8-9)
15. Atlanta (8-9)
16. Arizona (8-9)
17. Cincinnati (9-8)
18. Seattle (10-7)
19. Tampa Bay (10-7)
20. Denver (10-7)
21. Pittsburgh (10-7)
22. L.A. Chargers (11-6)
23. Green Bay (11-6)
24. Minnesota (14-3)
25. Houston (10-7)
26. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
27. Baltimore (12-5)
28. Detroit (15-2)
29. Washington (12-5)
30. Buffalo (13-4)
31. Kansas City (15-2)
32. Philadelphia (14-3)

Source: Vikings press release

Forum to discuss high potency cannabis and its impact on teens' brains

How does high-potency cannabis affect brain development in teenagers? That is the topic of free forum being offered through a partnership of St. Louis County Public Health and Lincoln Park Middle School in Duluth. The event will be held Wednesday, April 9, at Lincoln Park Middle School. A resource fair and light meal with live music will be provided from 5:30-6 p.m., followed by a presentation at 6:15 entitled "Be Extraordinary, Be You."

This programming was started by Heather and Randy Bacchus after they lost their son to cannabis-induced psychosis and suicide. They wanted to educate others about the potential risks of today’s cannabis, while also helping to empower youth and families and remind them they are important, valued and loved.

The event is free to attend but advance registration is encouraged to ensure enough food is available. The program is open to anyone but due to the sensitive nature of the topic is recommended for middle school aged students and older. People can register to attend at https://forms.office.com/g/FVm4DnFe98.

The presentation will be livestreamed for anyone who wishes to view it virtually. That link is https://youtube.com/live/zFwaJaPz7XY.