Dispatches from Douglas County: Nearly-New Year's installment

123022.N.ST.Globe hug.JPG — Hillary Olson of Duluth gives Tom Unterberger a hug in the collectibles area of Globe News in Superior on Tuesday, Dec. 27. She and husband Dan initially stopped by the store while dating, and have been returning for weekly adventures. During the pandemic, her son found comics and sparked a renewed interest in collecting. Unterberger, who has owned Globe News for 40 years, will retire Friday, Dec. 30.

By Jen Zettel-Vandenhouten

December 30, 2022 08:00 AM

SUPERIOR — It's almost unfathomable that 2023 is right around the corner — almost.

I enjoy the end of the year because it gives me a chance to look back at some of the great work we did. That being said, we decided to take our year-end package in a different direction: We're looking ahead to the big stories we're planning to follow in 2023.

I also want to take a moment to thank you for supporting our work. We couldn't produce meaningful journalism without the support of subscribers and advertisers, so thank you for believing in us.

My best wishes to you and yours for a happy and healthy 2023!

Now, here are some additional stories for your consideration:

Changing hands

Two men stand behind a cash register — New owner Jon Fritsche, left, stands with Tom Unterberger behind the front counter at Globe News in Superior on Wednesday, Dec. 28. After 40 years of running the store, and caring for the 1889 building it is housed in, Unterberger is retiring. A partnership of owners from Poplar purchased the building; Fritsche, a Magic the Gathering card collector, will be in charge of day-to-day operations.

One of Superior's most well-known buildings will be under new ownership come Jan. 1.

Tom and Jill Unterberger have sold Globe News, and Tom will retire today -- Dec. 30. Reporter Maria Lockwood caught up with Tom to hear more about his 40 years owning the business and with the new owners to learn more about their vision for the business and the building it's housed in.

Leaving a legacy

100920.n.st.Emmy1.jpg — Joe Mann poses with his Silver Circle Emmy outside of the Douglas County Historical Society in Superior Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020.

Broadcaster and local historian Joe Mann died Dec. 21. He was 49 years old. Reporter Shelley Nelson caught up with some of Mann's colleagues and friends, who described him as passionate and kind.

Spartans surge

Superior captain Autumn Cooper (21) moves the puck up the ice during the Spartans game with Duluth Marshall at the Superior Ice Arena in early December 2022.

The Spartan hockey teams are off to incredible starts this season.

The girls team is 8-1 after finishing 8-18 last year, led by junior Autumn Cooper, pictured above.

Meanwhile, the boys are showing what they're made of after losing many players to graduation and starting the season with a new coach.

More stories to check out:

Funding for the Douglas County Highway W bridge was included in the federal omnibus bill approved by Congress last week.
A fire at a home on N. 17th Street Wednesday, Dec. 28, displaced residents and caused $50,000 in damage, but no injuries were reported.
The Superior City Council is going to take up proposals next week to raise nonunion employee wages 5% and on a landscaping pilot project.

Editor's note: Dispatches from Douglas County is a newsletter I publish every Friday morning. Please consider subscribing — it's free — and hits your inbox just once a week. You can sign up here.