EVELETH — Construction on Highway 53 for the Eveleth and Rock Ridge Transportation improvements is making progress, with the project expected to be completed in October.
Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 27, traffic will be moved back onto Highway 53 off of the detour route. Drivers can expect lane shifts and areas of head-to-head traffic.
The roundabout at Progress Parkway will also open Wednesday, providing access to the schools ahead of the start of classes.
Drivers will still be directed up and down the Highway 37 ramps as bridge work continues. A truck detour will take traffic through Gilbert via Highway 135 and Highway 37.
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Plus: Minnesota nonprofit offers $25K reward for information on Wadena disappearance; and Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince accepts award for disaster leadership.
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Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince accepted the Tommy Longo Disaster Leadership Award from LeadersLink during the Bemidji City Council meeting on June 15, 2026.
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Carla Beth Anderson, a 23-year-old woman, was last seen nearly 40 years ago at her Wadena apartment. Despite hundreds of leads and interviews, no arrests have been made in her disappearance.
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Plus: Itasca County reuses flag poles to fly new and old state flags; Crow Wing County adds 10 license plate readers to Flock Safety network; and Red Lake County takes 2nd in state baseball tourney.
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The county avoided buying new flag poles by flying the current and former Minnesota flags on poles that were previously used for a memorial.
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The formal move on June 8, 2026, follows discussion on the perpetual vacancies and rising costs of operating a rural police force.
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The Rebels entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed and defending champions. South Ridge, Grand Rapids and Aitkin also competed in the tournament.
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The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office identified William Helgemoe, 56, as the rider killed on Industrial Road on June 12, 2026.
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This is the Up North Lookback, where we’re digging into the local news archives from 50 years ago — the year KAXE was born. It’s the week of June 15.
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And: COVID learning woes still haunt MN kids' well-being.