June 8 – Firefighters from several Iron Range fire departments took part in regional training today in Biwabik Township.  The training dealt with such topics as: water supply, hose lays, and pump operations.  Departments participating included: Biwabik Township, McKinley, Eveleth, and Virginia. 

June 2 – Gilbert, Eveleth, and Fayal Township firefighters were dispatched this afternoon to a report of smoke near and in the Anthem, Inc. building in Gilbert.  The incident was reported shortly before 4:00 p.m.  After a thorough investigation, it was determined that the smoke came from a nearby outside fire.  Crews were on the scene for less than hour.

June 2 – Firefighters from Aurora, Palo, and Lakeland, along with crews from the Minnesota DNR and US Forest Service battled a wildland fire this afternoon in the Palo area, near Aurora.  The fire, which consumed 17 to 20 acres, was along the Trigstad Road.  The firefighting effort involved tracked vehicles and a helicopter. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department shut down the road while fire operations were underway. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

May 25 – The Virginia and Hibbing fire departments participated today in the funeral for WWII veteran Dante Tini of Virginia.  Tini was with the battleship Oklahoma during the Pearl Harbor Attack on December 7, 1941 and was killed in action.  His remains were identified last year through DNA testing.  Tini’s funeral included services at the Holy Spirit Church in Virginia, along with a procession from the church through downtown Virginia to Calvary Cemetery for full military honors, along with a flyover by two jets from the 148th Minnesota Air National Guard.

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May 21 – Firefighters from nearly half a dozen agencies battled a wildland fire this afternoon and this evening in the Makinen area.  The fire was reported in the 3000 block of the Little Lake Road.  The firefighting effort involved two FireBoss aircraft, a helicopter, and a number of tracked vehicles.  The fire consumed about 70 acres.  Agencies on the scene included: Minnesota DNR, U.S. Forest Service, Makinen Fire Department, Central Lakes Fire Department, and Lakeland Fire Department.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

May 17 – The region said “goodbye” to former Hoyt Lakes Fire and Police Chief Steve Stoks, who was tragically killed in a garbage truck accident earlier this week in Biwabik. Public Safety personnel from throughout the region gathered at the Assembly of God Church in Aurora for funeral services.  Beforehand, a procession of emergency vehicles made its way from the Hoyt Lakes Public Safety Building to the church.  Chief Stoks had served the East Range for more than 32 years as a firefighter, EMT, and law enforcement officer. 

QMay 13 – EMS and fire/rescue personnel from Biwabik responded around 8:30 this morning to a report of a man pinned against a fence and dumpster by a garbage truck. The 61 year old man was pronounced dead at the scene. The Hoyt Lakes EMS and Fire Department Facebook Page announced that former Hoyt Lakes Fire Chief Steve Stoks, who also retired as the Hoyt Lakes Police Chief, had died today. The investigation into the incident is being conducted by the Gilbert Police Department, Midwest Medical Examiners Office, and the Minnesota State Patrol. Some information provided by WDIO-TV.

May 13 – Virginia, Eveleth, and Mountain Iron firefighters responded around 3:30 this afternoon to a report of a house fire in the 600 block of 3rd Street South in Virginia. A small fire was contained to one room. There were no injuries and the cause is under investigation.

March 13 – Virginia EMS and fire/rescue personnel responded to a multiple vehicle crash this afternoon at the intersection of Highway 53 and 12th Avenue South in Virginia.  Several people were transported by ambulance to a local hospital.  The crash, which involved three passenger vehicles and a commercial truck, is under investigation by the Minnesota State Patrol.