News & Articles

Husky Refinery Fire Update 

Husky Energy said in a statement Sunday 2,233 claims had been made relating to the refinery fire that caused the evacuation of parts of the Superior area on April 26. 
“Good progress is being made in addressing the claims and in many cases we have been able to issue payments by direct deposit, or via check with claims adjusters on site at a local hotel,” the statement read. 
They also went into detail on the progress made the clean up the refinery and area surrounding it and that Stinson Avenue should be reopening this week. They said they have over 300 employees and contractors on the site each day. 

Finance Committee Meeting 5/10

The finance committee had a number of important items on its agenda last week. 
The Douglas County Historical Society requested $10,000 for its general fund. Executive Director Tony Tracy and board member Doug Dalager spoke to the committee on the importance of funding the historical society.
Councilor Brent Fennessy was concerned because the historical society has lost money over the past few years.
“I have no problem supporting you guys with the grant request but my fear is looking at this is,” he said. “Are you guys going to be around a year from now? Because it doesn’t look good. What you guys do-- I love the historic side of things but, financially it doesn’t look good.” 
Dalager explained they had a “reset” in direction since changing directors, and they were on the wrong track for a while. They are considering raising membership fees, having membership drives and fundraisers. They’re also investing in their theater productions as a way to make money, according to Dalager. 

Mayor Jim Paine discussed hiring a Public Relations/Marketing director for the city. The committee went on to discuss exactly how to fund it. The finance committee approved to have the position funded 40 percent from the surplus Hotel/Motel Tax Fund, 20 percent from the Economic Development Fund, 20 percent from the Stormwater Fund and 20 percent from the General Fund. 

Deer Committee chair Joe Maki spoke to the Finance Committee on continuing to fund the deer management program. The program each year harvests deer in the city of Superior to limit their population. The finance committee approved about $4300 in funding that Maki said could last them as much as four hunting seasons. 

Police Chief Nick Alexander spoke before the committee on the Take Home Squad program. Paine said the program is good for public safety because neighborhoods are safer when there is a police car in them, and that its an incentive for police officers to live in Superior. The finance committee approved the program as well as the purchase of three additional squad cars paid for through the city’s capital improvement fund. 

City Council Meeting 5/15

The Superior City Council met for approximately five minutes Tuesday night. Council President Keith Kern sat in for mayor Paine. 
The council approved a resolution to support the proclamation of International Migratory Bird Day in the city of Superior on June 2nd. There will be a hike through the Superior Municipal Forest by local birding experts in the morning. At 11 a.m. there will be a presentation by Kim Grvels, coordinator of the Wisconsin Stopover Initiative, about helping migratory birds in the community.

Superior High School 

Alumni said a final goodbye to the Superior High School circle Saturday as construction of the new school continues. A similar event for people to see and say goodbye to the circle will be held on June 2. The circle is set to be demolished this summer. 
In 2016, Superior residents voted to approve $92.5 million in funding for improvements to the high school and a new elementary school.