Articles

Appeals Court: Builders Commonwealth must pay back taxes

The Duluth construction firm perhaps best known for building an “Extreme Makeover” home in South Range will have to pay several years’ worth of unemployment-insurance taxes after a ruling by the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

• Builders Commonwealth

Official’s land deal raises hackles in Grand Marais

In late April, after a closed-door meeting and using records the city wouldn’t release to the public, the director of Grand Marais’ Economic Development Authority bought from the city 20 acres of scenic land overlooking Lake Superior and next to the Gunflint Trail for $75,000 — that he’ll develop for his own zip line business.

Proposed Duluth methadone clinic loses Minnesota's OK

The Minnesota Department of Human Services commissioner has overruled a previous decision by her department, denying the Superior Treatment Center a “determination of need” — a required component to open a second methadone treatment clinic in Duluth.

State rejects second Duluth methadone clinic

“I find this whole situation unusual," said Chad Braafladt, who has proposed the second clinic. "We’ve been working on this since last summer, and have been doing everything we’re supposed to do.”

Another group wants to open Duluth methadone treatment clinic

With a second methadone treatment center for opiate addicts in Duluth about two months from opening, according to its director, another group hopes to open one as well.

Property tax appeals jump in Duluth and the Northland

It’s an annual rite of spring: getting your property tax statements, which were sent out in the mail last week. But this year, property owners can be forgiven if they still have the winter blues, as levy increases and the loss of the homestead credit have pumped taxes up.

• Property tax refunds
• Property value appeals

Appraiser’s work for St. Louis County under scrutiny

NEWS TRIBUNE INVESTIGATION: Independent real-estate appraiser Jan Jackson says the county is trying to profit from the 25 townships she’s responsible for.

• EARLIER: St. Louis County properties not added to tax rolls cost others money
• Cook home

St. Louis County properties not added to tax rolls cost others money

NEWS TRIBUNE INVESTIGATION: Hundreds of homes and businesses in St. Louis County went for years either off the tax rolls or significantly undervalued, a News Tribune investigation has found.

• UPDATE: Appraiser’s work for St. Louis County under scrutiny
• Cook home
• Map of problem assessments by municipality
• Spreadsheet detailing problem assessments

Minnesota Legislature considers bill to stop synthetic-drug sales

State Sen. Roger Reinert, DFL-Duluth, is co-sponsoring legislation that backers hope will bring an end to synthetic drug sales in Minnesota, including at the Last Place on Earth in downtown.

• Customers at Last Place on Earth
• Outside Last Place on Earth

Reinert co-sponsors Minnesota bill against synthetic drugs

The House version of the bill, which Police Chief Gordon Ramsay testified on last week, would broaden language that would ban sales of synthetic drug analogs — compounds similar to the ones already banned by state and federal law.

• Jim Carlson
• Insurance executive with no pilot's license pleads to intoxicated flying

Columns

Reporter's view: City Council vote hits close to the wallet

While it felt good to blow off some steam with the “what councilors don’t do” rant that appeared in my blog and in the paper before the primary, I think it gave off the impression that councilors have little role in city government.

Reporter's view: Remember these truths about role of city councilor

Returning from a City Council candidate forum this election season, it struck me that many of the people in the audience — and, indeed, some of the candidates — had no idea what city councilors do. The average voter probably doesn’t know, either, so I offer this guide.