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Winter attractions dropping like flies, Ice Castles latest victim
On Thursday both Ice Castles in Maple Grove and Art Shanty Projects in Minneapolis pulled the plug, citing record warm temps.
MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — Outdoor winter attractions keep falling by the wayside, victims of unseasonable temps and rapid melting that put the safety of visitors in question.
After delaying the opening of Ice Castles in Maple Grove until Jan. 24 due to daytime warmth and balmy overnight temps, the operation welcomed thousands to enjoy the icy slides, thrones, tunnels, and towers of light.
Sadly, the excitement would be short-lived. On Thursday Ice Castles announced the operation was closing for the shorter-than-expected season.
“Our disappointment in record warmth forcing this difficult decision is met with appreciation for the Ice Castles team, the amazing Castles they did build and the excitement and attention this event brought to Maple Grove,” said Experience Maple Grove Executive Director Greg Anzelc in a news release announcing the closing.
“We tried to stay open as long as the weather would let us, and unfortunately, it has been much warmer than anyone could have anticipated in this historic Minnesota season,” added Ice Castles CEO Kyle Standifird.
Standifird said the company is already planning its return to Maple Grove for the 2025 edition of Ice Castles.
It is also one-and-done for Art Shanty Projects, the eclectic outdoor celebration of art, music and performance. After postponing its opening a week to allow ice on Lake Harriet to thicken, the festival welcomed more than 10,000 visitors the weekend of Jan. 27. But with record temps this week, and an extended forecast that looks to remain in the 40s, organizers shut down Art Shanty Projects and told artists to begin tearing down their facilities and getting them off the lake as conditions worsen.
“With low temps mostly above freezing and highs upwards of 50 it’s simply no longer reasonable to think it will be safe to welcome crowds onto the ice,” reasoned Artistic Director Erin Lavelle. “It is not possible at this time to move into the park and continue our program (aka Plan Beach), as the ground is not frozen, there is no snow, and we would trample and damage the landscape and make a muddy mess of the shanties. The safety of artists, visitors and staff, along with preserving the environment and the art, are top priorities for us.”
Besides disappointing guests and artists, Lavelle says the forced closure also puts the festival in precarious financial straights as the operation relies on visitor donations for funding. She says visitors donated $33,000 over the first weekend, but that Art Shanty Projects’ goal for individual donations over the course of the celebration was $99,000, leaving a significant gap.
Lavelle is encouraging anyone who would like to help Art Shanty Projects continue to donate at their fundraising page.
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There has been a 74% drop in catalytic converter theft claims in the U.S. for the first half of 2024, compared to the first half of 2023, State Farm said.
MINNESOTA, USA — New data from State Farm shows catalytic converter thefts may be on the decline in the U.S., and in Minnesota.
According to the insurance company, the first half of 2024 saw a 74% drop in catalytic converter theft claims, compared to the same time period in 2023.
In Minnesota, State Farm said there were 68 claims during the first six months of this year, compared to 400 claims made in 2023.
Catalytic converters are part of a car’s exhaust system. According to JD Power, converter scraps are stolen and sold for their precious metals.
But in 2023, new legislation in Minnesota made it illegal to possess a detached catalytic converter that doesn’t contain the VIN of the matching car. The law also requires scrap metal dealers to enter sales into a BCA database.
State Farm said the 74% drop nationally is especially good news when compared to when theft claims peaked in 2022.
The North Star State has the ninth most claims in the U.S. so far this year. California saw more than 2,000 claims in the first half of 2024, State Farm said in the news release, with Illinois in second with 540 claims.
The insurance company gave some tips to prevent theft, like engraving your VIN into the car’s converter and having a security camera pointing at your usual parking spot.
“Always be mindful of your vehicle and exercise precaution when necessary,” JD Power says on its website. “If you find that your car is too loud and something seems off, it is possible you have become a victim of theft. In this case, you should call your insurance company and check if catalytic converters are covered in your policy.”
Officials say extrication was needed to pull the man from the vehicle, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
SHERBURNE COUNTY, Minn. — A 48-year-old is dead after hitting a tree Monday night in Livonia Township.
The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office said the driver was on 112th Street Northwest when his vehicle left the road near 233rd Avenue and crashed into a tree. Deputies were called to the crash around 7 p.m. and found the man trapped inside the vehicle. Authorities say extrication was needed to pull him from the vehicle, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials identified the man as Michael A. Calavicco of Zimmerman.
Emergency officials say Stubs and the Gunpowder Bar appear to be a total loss after Monday night’s fire, which took at least eight fire departments to knock down.
BATTLE LAKE, Minn. — Restaurants are frequently the heartbeat of communities in Minnesota’s lake country, places that draw both locals and visitors to eat, drink, and catch up.
For 55 years, Stub’s has served that role in Battle Lake, a long run that may be over following a raging fire Monday night.
Battle Lake Police Chief Eric Dison says he and a handful of units from the Battle Lake FD responded just before 9:30 p.m. on reports of smoke billowing from the roof of Stub’s Dining & Gunpowder Bar, and it was clear more help would be needed. Battle Lake firefighters quickly requested a ladder truck from nearby Fergus Falls, and then another from Perham as flames began leaping through the roof.
Eventually, units from seven communities outside Battle Lake arrived with engines and crews to battle the blaze. Dison says water was sourced both from the city’s municipal system and Battle Lake itself using portable pumps. The police chief was impressed at the coordination of resources and manpower during the firefight.
“This one couldn’t have gone any better,” Dilson said.
While it’s not official, Dilson believes the building will be declared a total loss due to the collapse of the ceiling and extensive fire and water damage. He says the State Fire Marshal’s Office is on scene working with Battle Lake investigators to determine how the fire started.
The business was closed Monday night, which is common for bars and restaurants in lake country so owners and staff get at least one day off.
Stub’s website says the bar-restaurant was born In 1968 when Stub Digre put $100 down on an farming implement dealership that had closed and started laying out his plans for a supper club. After a total remodel and the installation of kitchen equipment, Stub’s Dining Hall & Saloon officially opened its doors in August of 1969.
As the business changed hands and evolved, Stub’s added an event space and a piano bar, billing it as “Second Best Restaurant in Minnesota.”
