Minneapolis firefighters free man pinned under light-rail train

PHOTO: Minneapolis firefighters worked Tuesday night to free a man who was pinned underneath a light-rail train after falling onto the tracks. Rescue crews responded to the Lake Street LRT Station shortly after 6:30 p.m. for a technical rescue. At the scene, fire crews found the man's leg was pinned underneath the train. Using airbags and a spreader, crews were able to cut the LRT door to free the victim. Metro Transit says the man was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. It's unclear how the victim fell onto the tracks from the platform. The incident is under investigation.
KMSP-TV FOX 9 Minneapolis

Duluth City Council adds increased pay for firefighters into proposed budget

Duluth city councilors opened the door for possible firefighter pay raises and more library funding in next year’s budget. The council unanimously voted to set the maximum possible tax levy on Monday night. Officials say this is the highest possible tax increase they could impose when the council votes on the final 2024 budget in December. The council’s additions include a proposed 8% raise for firefighters and about $250,000 in additional funding for the library. These additions would add a 1.1% on to Mayor Emily Larson’s current 2% levy increase proposal. If things don’t change from where they’re at now, if you own a $200,000 dollar home in Duluth, that would increase your property taxes by about $8 next year. However, there is still time for discussion. The final budget won’t be voted on until December.
KBJR-TV NBC 6 Duluth

Former Maynard Fire Chief Melvin ’Smitty’ Lorentson passes away at 87

Melvin “Smitty” Lorentson, age 87, of Clara City, & formerly of Maynard, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Clara City Assisted Living. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, Sept. 28, at 11AM at Maynard Lutheran Church in Maynard with burial following in the church cemetery. Clarence Melvin “Smitty” Lorentson was born on May 10, 1936, in Beardsley, MN, son of Clarence & Myrtle (Olson) Lorentson Sr. When he was only 4 years old, the family moved to Maynard where his Dad opened a blacksmith shop. Smitty joined his Dad at the blacksmith shop in Maynard & continued even after his Dad died. His job brought much variety. Smitty provided different pieces of iron work around Maynard & he did a lot of welding for Thorstad Construction & other businesses through the years. Smitty was a member of the Maynard American Legion, volunteered on the Maynard Fire Department even served as fire chief.
West Central Tribune - Metered Site

Silver Lake Fire Station paints new community mural

VIDEO: A local artist received a grant to create two community focused murals in Rochester. Artist Cassandra Buck earned a Minnesota State Arts Board grant and partnered with the Lowertown Neighborhood board to organize a community mural painting to help create her artwork. The painting lasted from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the Silver Lake Fire Station. Participants painted the mural on the station’s garage door. Residents and passersby also stopped in throughout the day to contribute. “It’s been delightful to have people stop by that we didn’t expect. we’ve had all age groups from ten all the way to grandparents. And we’ve also had a lot of people driving past honking and saying, ‘wow that looks really great,’ or walking by and saying, ‘wow we love what you guys are doing the colors look really awesome’,” Lowertown Neighborhood Board member & Communications Committe Chair Laura Zastrow said.
KTTC-TV NBC 10 Rochester