Public Works professionals from around the region gathered at St. Louis County's Public Works facility in Pike Lake on Wednesday to share best practices in reducing salt use while maintaining safe driving conditions throughout the winter. Winter maintenance requires finding balance between public safety, budget considerations, and reducing harm to the environment caused by salt.

Leona Gifford, a longtime librarian who prioritized literacy and valuing all human life, was honored Tuesday afternoon in a name dedication event. Commissioner Annie Harala, the great-neice of the late librarian, was present along with other family members, county commissioners, and jail staff. 

On October 3rd, 2023, at 3:45pm, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a car accident at the dead-end of Milroy Road, approximately 9 miles north of Viginia. The single-occupant was extricated from the vehicle by the Virginia Fire Department due to extensive injuries and damage to the vehicle. Witnesses saw the vehicle driving in the area, at a very high rate of speed.  Speed is believed to be a contributing factor for the crash and the lack of seatbelt use made the injuries worse. 

On September 29th, 2023 at approximately 10:30 P.M. Saint Louis County Sheriff's deputies along with the Saint Louis County Rescue Squad responded to the area of the 12000 block of Leslie Road in unorganized Township 68R21 for an overdue hunter. A 62 year old male along with his dog walked from a cabin in the area to go hunting at approximately 5:00 P.M. and had not returned.  At approximately 8:45 A.M. on September 30th the male was located after he walked out of the woods near the Rescue Squad Command post that was setup in the area.  

On 9/28/2023 at around 6am, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office along with other EMS and Law Enforcement agencies responded to a two vehicle crash on Park Ridge Drive at the MinnTac entrance in the City of Mountain Iron.  The crash involved a commercial vehicle carrying hazardous materials (oxidizing agent) traveling west and a Ford SUV traveling east.  The driver of the Ford was deceased and trapped in his vehicle upon arrival of deputies.  The driver of the commercial vehicle was taken by ambulance to the Virginia hospital with non-life threatening injuries.  The investigation is ongoing at this time.  Excessive speed is believed to be a contributing factor to the seriousness of the crash. No hazardous materials leak resulted from the crash.