DENNIS: I'M DENNIS ANDERSON, HERE'S WHAT'S COMING UP ON ALMANAC NORTH.

IT'S DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN FOR DULUTH'S NEWEST CITY COUNCILOR NOAH HOBBS.

WE'LL TALK TO HIM ABOUT HIS RETURN TO THE COUNCIL AND THE CHALLENGES FACING THE CITY.

CHANGING TIMES AT AMERICA'S SHOPPING MALLS, ESSENTIA HEALTH'S NEW SURGERY CENTER AT THE MILLER HILL MALL IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW MALLS ARE CHANGING TO SURVIVE.

AND WE'LL FIND OUT HOW A GRANT WILL HELP THE CLOQUET AREA BECOME A HEART SAFE COMMUNITY.

THESE STORIES AND VOICES OF THE REGION COMING UP ON ALMANAC NORTH!

♪ DENNIS: HELLO AND WELCOME TO YOU WILL ALMANAC NORTH, THANKS FOR WATCHING!

JULIE IS OFF TONIGHT AND WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK.

NOW HERE'S A LOOK AT SOME OF THE , WEEK'S HEADLINES.

THE CITY OF DULUTH DROPPED ITS MASK MANDATE IN CITY FACILITIES THIS WEEK, AS COVID CASES CONTINUE TO DECLINE.

IN A NEWS RELEASE, THE CITY SAID IT WILL NO LONGER REQUIRE MASKS BUT WILL ENCOURAGE THEIR USE IN CITY BUILDINGS.

IT WAS TWO-YEARS AGO THIS WEEK THAT THE FIRST CASE OF CORONAVIRUS WAS IDENTIFIED IN MINNESOTA.

ANOTHER LONG-TIME NORTHLAND LEGISLATOR HAS ANNOUNCED HE IS NOT RUNNING FOR REELECTION.

REPRESENTATIVE MIKE SUNDIN, A DEMOCRAT FROM ESKO, HAS SERVED FIVE TERMS IN THE LEGISLATURE AFTER FIRST BEING ELECTED IN 2012.

SUNDIN REPRESENTS HOUSE DISTRICT 11-A WHICH INCLUDES CARLTON COUNTY AND PARTS OF PINE AND ST. LOUIS COUNTIES.

THE MINNESOTA SENATE THIS WEEK UNANIMOUSLY PASSED AN ALS RESEARCH FUNDING BILL AUTHORED BY STATE SENATOR DAVID TOMASSONI OF CHISHOLM.

TOMASSONI HIMSELF WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ALS LAST YEAR AND IS NOT RUNNING FOR RELECTION.

THE BILL PROVIDES $20 MILLION DOLLARS FOR RESEARCH AND ANOTHER $5 MILLION FOR ALS CAREGIVING.

AND THE VISIT DULUTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS THIS WEEK NAMED A NEW LEADER OF THE TOURISM ORGANIZATION.

DANIEL VILLA IS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF SALES AND OPERATIONS AT THE ORGANIZATION.

IN A NEWS RELEASE, VILLA SAID HE PLANS TO POSITION DULUTH FOR SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN THE CONVENTION AND SPORTING EVENTS MARKETS.

DULUTH'S NEWEST CITY COUNCILOR IS NO STRANGER TO THE JOB.

HE WAS CHOSEN BY THE CITY COUNCIL LAST WEEK TO REPLACE DEREK MEDVED, THE AT-LARGE CITY COUNCILOR WHO RESIGNED DUE TO GROWTH IN HIS BUSINESS INTERESTS.

JOINING US NOW IS NOAH HOBBS, WHO WAS SELECTED BY THE COUNCIL LAST WEEK TO SERVE THE REST OF THE AT-LARGE COUNCIL TERM.

NOAH, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

WHAT ARE YOU BRINGING TO THE CITY COUNCIL?

>> FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT TAKES TO DO THE ROLE AND HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

THE COUNCIL IS A NEW, HAS A BUNCH OF NEW FACES ON IT SO THAT IS SOMETHING I BRING TO THE COUNCIL AS WELL AS ALSO BEING A RESIDENT AND FORMER COUNSELOR MEDVED.

DENNIS: WHAT GOALS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEEIN NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS?

>> LORING RESIDENTIAL STREETS FROM A 30 WAS AN HOUR TO 20 WAS AN HOUR TO MAKE IT SAFER FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE OUT THERE PLAYING AND WALKING AND DECREASE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD HAPPEN.

LOOKING AND EXPLORING REDUCING OR ELIMINATING PARKING MINIMUS -- MINIMUMS FOR DEVELOP ITS PROMOTES HEALTHY ACTIVE LIFESTYLE AND TRANSPORTATION RATHER THAN AN AUTOMOBILE.

LOOKING AT HOW TO BE MORE GETTING RID OF BLIGHTED PROPERTIES AND TURN THOSE INTO PRODUCTIVE USES.

DENNIS: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOUSING.

FIRST, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LARGE CHALLENGES THAT DULUTH HAS?

>> INFRASTRUCTURE IS BIG, MAINTAINING A 26 MILE LONG CITY AND MAKING SURE WE ARE PROVIDING GOOD CONSTITUENT SERVICES TO FIX ISSUES.

WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF WATER LINES BREAKING DUE TO THE COLD.

THE IN -- THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT AS WELL.

DENNIS: WHAT CAN THE CITY OF DULUTH DO TO PROVIDE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR ITS RESIDENTS?

>> WE STARTED WITH THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND THAT WAS CREATED EARLIER IN THIS YEAR.

IT IS A GOOD FIRST STEP.

DENNIS: WHAT DOES A TRUST FUND DO?

>> THERE ARE FUNDS THAT ARE GOING TO BE 0% OR LOW INTEREST RATES AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS TO INCENTIVIZE HOUSING AND CRATING THOSE UNITS.

THAT IS A PRETTY GOOD THING AND IT IS HAPPENING IN OTHER MINUTE'S APOLOGIES -- MINISTER POLITIES.

-- MINISTER POLITIES.

DENNIS: WHAT ARE SOME COMMON COMPLAINTS YOU MAY HEAR FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR HOUSING THAT IS AFFORDABLE FOR THEM?

WE JUST HAD A LACK OF HOUSING ACROSS THE BOARD.

WHEN YOU HAVE THE LACK OF HOUSING, IT FORCES HOUSING THAT WOULD BE AFFORDABLE TO BE MORE EXPENSIVE.

WE HAVE TO ADD FROM THE MAXFIELD STUDY FROM 2019 ABOUT 3500 UNITS IN THE NEXT YEARS, THAT IS A BIG NUMBER BUT A GOOD ONE BECAUSE THE CITY NEEDS TO GROW.

THERE ARE PROJECTIONS THAT PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE HERE AND AS LONG AS THEY HAVE A PLACE CALLED HOME THEY CAN.

DENNIS: DOES A CITY COUNCILMAN A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF UNITS RIGHT NOW?

>> WE HAVE A HEALTHY NUMBER OF RENTAL UNITS AND WE HAVE TO ADD MORE WITH THE CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS AS WELL.

YOUNGER GENERATIONS TO NOT NECESSARILY WANT TO BE HOMEOWNERS AS MUCH AS OLDER GENERATIONS.

WE STILL HAVE TO HAVE THAT MIX OF HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AFFORDABLE AS WELL AS AFFORDABLE RENTAL OPPORTUNITIES.

DENNIS: BECAUSE YOU HAVE SUCH AN INTEREST IN HOUSING AND MAKING CERTAIN PEOPLE HAVE A STOCK OF HOUSING OUT THERE TO BE RENTED OR PURCHASED, WHAT -- IS IT EASY OR DIFFICULT TO GET FUNDING FOR HOUSING HERE IN THE CITY?

>> ON THE STATEWIDE OF THE DOLLARS ARE COMPETITIVE.

AND THEY ARE LIMITED.

THE BIGGEST THING CITIES CAN ACCESS IS HOUSING AGENCIES FOR A LOT OF FINANCIAL AGENCIES, MODERATE TO LOW INCOME HOUSING AS WELL.

THOSE DOLLARS ARE LIMITED.

WE HOPE TO GROW THAT PART ON THE STATE LEVEL.

AS THE PIE GROWS WE HOPE IT IS EASIER FOR THE CITY AND CITIES ACROSS THE STATE TO ACCESS THOSE FUNDS.

DENNIS: IF THERE ARE PEOPLE WATCHING THIS WHO ARE CONTEMPLATING MOVING TO THE CITY OF DULUTH AND WOULD LIKE TO BUY OR RENT WHILE THEY ARE HERE< WHAT WORDS OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM?

>> CONNECTING WITH HOUSING IS ALWAYS GOOD.

FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS, EDUCATION CLASSES THAT CONNECTS FOLKS TO RELEVANT PARTIES THAT WOULD BE MOVING FORWARD IN THE HOMEBUYER PROCESS, INSPECTORS, REALTORS, BANKERS, QUALIFIES YOU FOR HOMETIME FIRE MORTGAGES WHICH MAKES THE PURCHASE MORE AFFORDABLE.

ALSO, LOOKING AT THE PAPER FOR VACANCIES WHICH IN THE RENTAL WORLD IS LIMITED BUT HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE MORE IN THE FUTURE.

DENNIS: WHAT IS THE NEXT BIGGEST ISSUE?

>> INFRASTRUCTURE IS BIG.

IT WILL ALWAYS BE AN ISSUE FOR DULUTH GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE ARE CITY BUILT FOR 110,000 PEOPLE AND WE HAVE AN 86,000 POPULATION RIGHT NOW.

HAVING THAT GROWTH TO BETTER FUND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND INCREASING THE DENSITY WE HAVE IN BUSINESS NOTES FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS.

DENNIS: WHAT IS THE CITY HOPING TO GET THIS YEAR FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE?

>> WE HAVE THE SEAWALL OUTSIDE OF THE DECK, ONE OF THE BONDING PRIORITIES WE HAVE.

WDSE HAS A REQUEST IN HOPEFULLY INCREASE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID, LGA WHICH IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHUNKS OF FUNDING THAT DECREASES THE TAX BURDEN ON PROPERTY TAXES IN THE CITY.

THAT FORMULA IS BEING CHANGED.

WE ARE HOPING THERE IS AN ALLOCATION OF FUNDS AT LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

DENNIS: ARE YOU VOWING NOT TO SEEK REELECTION AFTER YOU HAVE IT PICKED UP THESE TWO TERMS FROM MR. BENNET -- MR. MEDVED?

>> I AM NOT SEEKING ELECTION.

I WILL FILL OUT THE TWO YEARS AND LET SOMEONE ELSE DO IT.

DENNIS: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

♪ DENNIS: SINCE PURCHASING THE SEARS LOCATION AT THE MILLER HILL MALL IN FEBRUARY OF 2020, ESSENTIA HEALTH HAS BEEN BUSY TRANSFORMING WHAT WAS ONCE A RETAILER INTO A STATE-OF-THE-ART SURGERY CENTER.

PRODUCER MEGAN MCGARVEY TOURED THE CONSTRUCTION SITE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THIS RENOVATION IS REVITALIZING THE MILLER HILL MALL.

>> THE TREND HAS MOVED THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES FOR OUTPATIENT SURGERY.

PATIENTS WANT THAT EFFICIENT CARE AND ENVIRONMENT.

WE HAVE TO MEET THE SAME GUIDELINES THAT HOSPITAL DOES.

TO EVEN SAY WE ARE OUTPATIENT DOES NOT CHANGE IT.

EVERYTHING WE DO IS THE SAME AS A HOSPITAL, BUT IT JUST ADDS THAT FOCUS FOR PATIENTS THAT THEY CAN HAVE OUTPATIENTS AND HAVE THE EFFICIENCY, COST EFFECTIVE SURGERY AND BE ABLE TO GO HOME AT THE SAME DAY.

>> PUTTING US AT THE SEARS BUILDING KEEPS THE MALL ALIVE.

IT SEPARATES SOME OF THE CARE AND BUSYNESS FROM HAVING THAT CARE DOWNTOWN IT IS EASIER PARKING FOR OUR PATIENTS.

IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE AND IT KEEPS THEM ALL.

>> YOU CAN'T BE IN THE MALL BUSINESS WITHOUT ACCEPTING AND ADAPTING TO CHANGE.

THE MALL HAS BEEN TRANSFORMING OVER THE LAST 49 YEARS.

WE HAVE THIS ESSENTIA HEALTH AND HEALTH COMPONENT CENTER, THAT REALLY GOES TO SHOW THAT WE CAN BE VERSATILE.

WE CAN KEEP MOVING AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY IN MULTIPLE WAYS.

>> THE POSITIVE OF THIS IS THAT PATIENTS IN THIS AREA CAN COME INTO THE CENTER, GREAT PARKING, GREAT UPFRONT, EASY ACCESS.

THE LAYOUT OF THIS IS VERY EASY.

YOU COME IN PREOP, REGISTER, OR IS JUST DOWN THE HALL TO RECOVERING DISCHARGE.

IT IS A NICE CONTINUING CARE FOR PATIENTS.

>> WE ARE NOT ALWAYS CENTERED ON THE PATIENTS BUT ON THEIR FAMILIES TOO.

WHILE THERE -- WHILE THEY ARE HAVING THEIR SURGERIES THEY HAVE A PLACE TO EAT AND WALK AROUND TO KEEP THEIR MINDS OFF OF THINGS.

IT IS EASY TO FIND, IT IS EASY TO DROP THEM OFF WHEREAS OUR DOWNTOWN CAMPUS IT IS A LITTLE MORE CONTRACTED.

IS A LITTLE BUSIER AND IT IS A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT FOR FAMILIES TO FIND OUT WHERE TO DROP THEM OFF, WHERE TO PICK THEM OFF -- PICK THEM UP.

WE THINK THIS IS A NICE ENVIRONMENT WHEN YOU'RE HERE FOR THE DAY.

IT IS EASIER ALL THE WAY AROUND.

>> MILLER HOME ALL OPENED -- MILLER HILL MALL OPENED IN 1973.

WE ARE HOPING TO CELEBRATE OUR ANNIVERSARY NEXT YEAR.

AS A COMMUNITY ARE PRIMARY TRADEMARK IT IS JUST OVER 300,000.

ESSENTIA HEALTH, THE HEALTH PLAZA AND THE AMBULATORY SERVICE CENTER THAT IS COMING UP THEY ARE KEY FOR MANY REASONS.

NOT ONLY THE COMMUNITY TO THE MALL, ONE OF THOSE REASONS IS THEY ARE GOING TO BE DRIVING TRAFFIC.

IT SHOWS VISITORS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN HERE IN A LONG TIME THAT THERE IS AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT HAPPENING.

EVEN WHEN HE WALKED TO THE CENTER, YOU SEE SOME VACANT SPACES BUT YOU ALSO SEE THE COMING SOON SIGNS.

THE MALL IS FULL RIGHT NOW.

HISTORICALLY IT HAS BEEN.

ADDING THESE MEDICAL COMPONENTS IS REALLY ONLY GOING TO HELP MAKE THEM ALL A BETTER AND DIVERSE PLACE FOR RETAIL, DINING AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.

>> WE HAVE NOT HAD A STANDALONE OUTPATIENT CENTER.

THIS IS THE STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FOR PATIENTS.

WHILE WE ARE PROVIDING STATE-OF-THE-ART MEDICAL CARE NOW, NOW WE WILL HAVE IT TO STATE-OF-THE-ART MEDICAL FACILITIES TO GO WITH IT.

>> YOU CAN IMAGINE THE VALUE OF SPACE OVER THE YEARS.

IT MEANS THAT 30 YEARS AGO WE DID NOT HAVE THE ROBOTS, OR THE X-RAY MACHINES WE HAD.

WE DID NOT HAVE THE DIFFERENT DEVICES WE HAVE NOW WE ARE TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE WITH WHAT WE HAVE NOW.

THROUGHOUT MY CAREER, I HAVE BEEN IN NOTHING BUT OLD BUILDINGS THAT WERE BUILT NEXT TO OLD BUILDINGS THAT WERE JUST EXPANDED AND MADE TO FIT WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW.

THIS IS ACCOMMODATING WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW ALREADY.

IT IS A LOT OF FUN.

>> OTHER MALLS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY ARE FOLLOWING OUR LEADS.

SOUTHDALE CENTER, THEY OPENED THAT BEAUTIFUL LIFETIME FITNESS CENTER THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE MALL.

WE ARE FINDING THAT THOSE ARE WORKING HAND-IN-HAND TO DRIVE TRAFFIC INTO THE MALL AND SALES.

THAT IS GOOD FOR EVERYBODY.

ALL SHIPS RISE WITH THE TIDE.

>>ESSENTIA AND WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY, THE MALL IT IS GOING TO ADD A NICE BUSINESS FOR THE AREA.

♪ DENNIS: THE NEW CENTER WILL PROVIDE SERVICES FROM ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY TO PEDIATRIC CARE WHEN CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETE IN JULY.

♪ DENNIS: CLOQUET IS GETTING HELP FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROMOTE HEALTHY CARDIOVASCULAR LIVING.

THE CLOQUET AREA FIRE DISTRICT WAS AWARDED A GRANT TO BECOME A HEART SAFE COMMUNITY.

HERE TO TELL US MORE IS COREY LARSON, TRAINING ADMINISTRATOR WITH THE CLOQUET AREA FIRE DISTRICT.

THANK YOU MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

WHAT IS A HEART SAFE COMMUNITY?

>> IT IS DESIGNATED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

AND LOOKS AT A FEW DIFFERENT COMPONENTS THAT HIGHLIGHT SON CARDIAC ARREST CARE AND THE PREVENTION OF CARDIAC ARREST EVENTS FROM OCCURRING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

DENNIS: THEY PROVIDE YOU WITH A GRANT WHAT IS THE MONEY USED FOR?

>> IT IS GOING TO BE USED FOR MULTIPLE DIFFERENT TECH TO PREVENT CARDIAC ARREST AND RESPOND TO KARTIK ARREST EVENTS.

WE ARE GOING TO MAKE A CAMPAIGN AND INITIATE WORLD ALL OF THE 80'S ARE LOCATED IN THE CITY.

FROM THAT IDENTIFICATION WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT ACQUIRING 80'S FOR AREAS THAT ARE LACKING AND PROVIDED TRAINING AND EDUCATION FOR THOSE EDGE -- ORGANIZATIONS WE HAVE THOSE AD'S AND BRING IN A WHOLE COMMUNITY ASPECT TO BRING TRAINED IN CPR AND THE PREVENTION OF CARDIAC ARREST.

DENNIS: YOU MENTION SOME EQUIPMENT YOU USED WHEN THERE IS SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST.

WHAT KIND OF LIFESAVING EFFORTS ARE MADE WHEN THERE IS A CARDIAC ARREST?

>> WHEN SOMEBODY GOES INTO SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST THEIR MECHANICAL FUNCTION, ELECTRICAL FUNCTION STOP WORKING PROPERLY.

THAT IS WHY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, EMS DEPARTMENTS, HEALTH CARE FACILITIES MAKE EMPHASIS ON EARLY CPR.

IF SOMEBODY GOES DOWN IN CPR IS NOT INITIATED WITHIN 5-10 MINUTES THE CHANCE OF SURVIVAL IS LIMITED.

THAT IS WHAT WE TRY TO PROMOTE.

EARLY STANDARD CPR THAT IS GOING TO FIX THE MECHANICAL OF THE HEART BY BEATING BLOOD OUT TO THE REST OF THE BODY.

ED IS GOING TO COME INTO PLAY AND THAT IS GOING TO FIX THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTION.

AND AS EMS PROVIDERS ARE GOING TO SHOW UP ON THE SCENE AND OFFER MORE SUBSTANTIAL TREATMENTS SUCH AS CARDIAC DRUGS.

WE CAN LOOK AT ADVANCED CARDIAC ELECTRICAL THERAPY AS WELL.

DENNIS: IS THERE A TRAINING FOR THE AVERAGE INDIVIDUAL WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN LEARNING CPR?

>> YES.

THERE'S A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT OFFER THE TRAINING THROUGH AMERICAN RED CROSS, AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION.

A LOT OF LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS, CMS DEPARTMENTS OFFER THAT TRAINING.

THERE IS A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT SEGMENTS, EITHER HANDS ONLY CPR.

OR YOU CAN DO A FULL-BLOWN CPR ED AND AIRWAY MANAGEMENT CLASS.

DENNIS: OUR SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST -- ARE SUDDEN ALREADY AT -- CARDIAC ARREST COMMENT?

>> IT IS, STATISTICALLY FROM THE U.S. 383,000 EVENTS OCCUR EVERY SO YOUR.

THIS IS OUT OF HOSPITALS.

WITHIN YOUR HOME, COMMUNITY.

88% EVENTS OCCUR AT HOME.

IF YOU LEARN THESE SKILLS, YOU MIGHT SAVING A LOVED ONE AT YOUR HOUSE.

OUR -- OUT OF THOSE EVENTS, ONLY ABOUT 12% ACTUALLY END UP SURVIVING BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF CPR, THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE AND PREVENTION.

DENNIS: THE QUICKER YOU GET AN AMBULANCE THERE, THE BETTER FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.

DO YOU SEE SEVERAL IN THE YEARS TIME?

>> YES.

WE ARE COMMON AS ANY OTHER FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDING TO SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST -- CARDIAC EVENTS.

DENNIS: ARE THERE EVENTS PLANNED IT?

TO PREVENT THIS >> YES WE ARE DOING A LUNCH THIS WEEK.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDICS IN THE HIGH SCHOOL THAT IS GOING TO DO CPR AND TRAINING FOR ALL OF THE FRESHMAN GOING THROUGH.

DENNIS: OUR PUBLIC ASKED WHERE --OUR PUBLIC ACCESS DEFIBRILLATORS AVAILABLE?

>> WHEN INDIVIDUALS GET IN THAT FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE IS IDENTIFYING WHERE THEY SHOULD GO.

WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH A COMPANY CALLED PULSE POINT, WHERE INDIVIDUALS CAN PULL UP ON THEIR PHONE AND IDENTIFY EXACTLY WHERE IN AD IS CLOSEST TO THEM.

DENNIS: IS TRAINING COMPLICATED OR CAN THE AVERAGE PERSON LEARN HOW TO DO CPR?

>> ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY CAN DO IT AND UTILIZE AN ED.

DENNIS: THERE ARE STREET SIGNS TO PROMOTE HEART SAFE COMMUNITIES.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> WE DO NOT HAVE THOSE STREET SIGNS YET BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT MET ALL OF THE CRITERIA SET FORTH BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

IF YOU HIT UP HIGHWAY 61, ACCESSED TWO HARBORS THEY HAVE A HEART SAFE COMMUNITY.

THEY DID EVERYTHING NECESSARY FOR THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO AWARD THEM THAT.

DENNIS: WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF A HEART ATTACK?

>> SYMPTOMS, AND INDIVIDUALS GOING TO EXPERIENCE CHEST PAIN.

THEY COULD SEE A SHORTNESS OF BREATH.

THEIR SKIN CONDITION CAN CHANGE TO PALE, COOL, CLAMMY.

THEY CAN EXPERIENCE NAUSEA, WEAKNESS, DIFFERENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS.

GENERALLY CHEST PAIN IS THE GOLD MARKER THAT WE WANT TO GET THE 911 ISSUE SHADE -- INITIATED.

DENNIS: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO.

IT'S TIME NOW FOR VOICES OF THE REGION.

EACH WEEK WE HEAR FROM A JOURNALIST COVERING STORIES OF INTEREST IN THE NORTHLAND.

THIS WEEK OUR REPORTER IS MARSHALL HELMBERGER FROM THE TIMBERJAY NEWS IN TOWER, MINNESOTA.

♪ >> WE ARE REPORTING ON TWO STORIES OUT OF THE TINY TOWN OF OR.

A LOGGING TRUCK HAULING TREE LENGTH LOGS TURNED THE WRONG WAY WHILE LEAVING THE FUEL PUMPS IN FRONT OF THE PELICAN-BASED FOOD STORE.

THEY TOOK OUT AN ENTIRE LINE OF EIGHT PUMPS DESTROYED MOST OF THEM WHILE LEAVING THE REST BADLY DAMAGED.

NOT SURPRISINGLY, IT SHUT DOWN OPERATIONS AT THE FUELING STATION ON A BUSY FRIDAY.

IT PROMPTED THE DISPATCH OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHICH TURNED OUT TO RESPOND AND RESULTING FUEL LEAKS OR FIRES.

THE AUTOMATIC SHUT OFFS WORKED AS THEY WERE DESIGNED TO DO ON THE PUMPS.

NO FUEL SPILLED.

THE TRUCK DRIVER WAS NOT EVEN AWARE THAT HE HAD TAKEN OUT THE FUEL PUMPS AS HE WAS LEAVING HE CONTINUED ON HIS WAY ON HIGHWAY 53.

HE WAS FLAGGED DOWN BY THE STATE PATROL WHO INFORMED HIM OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED THE INCIDENT WAS DETERMINED TO BE AN ACCIDENT.

BUT IT PROBABLY WILL BE ONE -- SOMETIME BEFORE THE DRIVER LIVES THIS ONE DOWN.

HE WILL FACE A RIBBING BY SOME OF HIS FELLOW TRUCK DRIVERS IN THE AREA.

OUR REPORTER WAS IN OREM AT THE TIME TO REPORT ON ANOTHER STORY WHICH CENTERS ON FALSE CLAIMS MADE ON A HOMEBUYING WEBSITE.

IT HAS BEEN ADVERTISING THEIR ONLY CAF É.

AS IN FORECLOSURE.

AND IT IS CURRENTLY FOR SALE FOR PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR.

HOMEFINDER.COM AND SEVERAL OTHER WEBSITES HAVE ALL BEEN SHOWING THIS CAF É BUILDING UP FOR SALE OF JUST OVER $11,000.

THE PROPERTY IS VALUED AT MORE THAN $100,000.

IT IS OWNED AND FULLY PAID FOR BY THE LONG TERM CAF É OWNER AND OPERATOR TARA PATTON.

WHO WE CAN REPORT IS NOT HAPPY ABOUT THESE LISTINGS.

SHE HAD TAKEN TO SOCIAL MEDIA TO TRY TO END OF THE RUMORS THAT THE ONLINE POSTS HAD CAUSED AND TO CLEAR HER NAME.

WE ACTUALLY CHECKED COUNTY RECORDS AND WERE ABLE TO CONFIRM THAT THERE IS NO MORTGAGE OR ANY MEANS ON THIS PROPERTY AND SHE OWNS IT OUTRIGHT.

IT IS VALUED WAY OVER WHAT IT IS FOR SALE FOR ON THIS WEBSITE.

SO, THERE ARE NO PLANS TO CEASE OPERATIONS.

THE BUILDING IS NOT FOR SALE.

WE CONTACTED THE COMPANY BEHIND THE WEBSITE LISTINGS, THEY DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR QUESTIONS.

THESE COMPANIES MAKE THEIR MONEY IN PART BY TEMPTING VIEWERS WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE LUCRATIVE REAL ESTATE DEALS.

YOU NEED TO PAY A PRETTY HEFTY FEE ANYWHERE FROM $40, 60 DOLLARS, $70 TO ACCESS MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE PROPERTIES.

PEOPLE MAY WANT TO BE CAUTIOUS BEFORE SHELLING OUT MONEY TO THESE WEBSITES, YOU MAY BE PALLING -- PAIN FOR INFORMATION THAT IS INACCURATE.

♪ >> THE SNOWMOBILE SEASON HAS BEEN LONG AND BUSY IN OUR AREA.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE ANOTHER WEEKEND OF GOOD TRAIL CONDITIONS AND POSSIBLY MORE.

FREQUENT SNOWS THIS WINTER AND CONSISTENT COLD TEMPERATURES HAVE MADE FOR EXCELLENT TRAIL CONDITIONS.

SINCE ABOUT MID JANUARY.

THAT COMMAND -- COMBINED WITH THE OUTDOOR RECREATION WE HAVE SEEN FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAS HELPED TO FILL MOTEL ROOMS, RESTAURANTS, FUEL SALES AT CONVENIENCE STORES.

WE TALK TO RANDY WHO OPERATES GOOD OLD DAYS, HE SAYS HE IS SEEING SUMMERLIKE TRAFFIC AT HIS BUSINESS FOR WEEKS.

HE SAYS IT IS THE BEST WINTER HE HAS EVER HAD.

HE HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR A LONG TIME.

JANUARY AND EARLY FEBRUARY SURGE OF THE OMICRON BUYER -- VARIANT, LIMITED THE TRAFFIC TO THE AREA.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER.

STILL, MANY MOTELS REPORTED UNUSUALLY HIGH NUMBERS OF CANCELLATIONS THIS WINTER, DUE MOSTLY TO COVID.

IN MOST CASES THEY WERE ABLE TO QUICKLY FILL IN THOSE VACANCIES WITH OTHER PARTIES BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH INTEREST IN COMING UP HERE.

TOURIST RELATED BUSINESS OWNERS SAY THEY SAW A LOT OF NEW VISITORS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE MIDWEST WHERE THEY HAVE NOT SEEN FOLKS FROM BEFORE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

THEY ARE HOPEFUL THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE BACK IN THE FUTURE, GIVEN THE TRAIL CONDITIONS WERE SO GOOD THIS YEAR AND JUST OUR TRAIL NETWORK APPEAR AS SECOND TO NONE ARE YOU -- SECOND TO NONE.

THE WEEKEND ATTRACTS NEW VISITORS TO THE AREA AND THEY ARE GOING TO KEEP COMING BACK BECAUSE THIS IS A DESIRABLE AREA.

♪ DENNIS: THAT'S OUR TIME THIS WEEK, BUT YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST UPDATES BY FOLLOWING ALMANAC NORTH ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

BOOKMARK THE WDSE WEBSITE FOR PROGRAM SCHEDULES, NEWS ABOUT THE STATION AND UPCOMING EVENTS.

AND DOWNLOAD THE PBS VIDEO APP TO WATCH YOUR FAVORITE PBS PROGRAMS ANY TIME YOU'D LIKE.

AND FOR NEWS FROM THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE, TUNE IN TO THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL, ONE OF OUR FIVE DIGITAL CHANNELS.

YOU WILL FIND GAVEL-TO-GAVEL COVERAGE OF EVENTS AT THE STATE CAPITOL EVERY DAY THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION.

THANKS TO OUR GUESTS AND THE CREW HERE IN THE STUDIO!

I'M DENNIS ANDERSON, GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY, AND BE KIND!

♪