Remember Jack KcKenna?

There is a rather large file in the News Tribune attic on Jack McKenna, a former Duluth television personality who apparently began his career here in the 1950s as "Captain Q" on a children's program and later played "Professor Fantastic" on a late-night horror show on WDIO-TV Channel 10. The next mention of him in the file is as a WDIO weathercaster in the late 1960s or early 1970s.

Jack McKenna does his weathercast at WDIO in 1977, the same year he was
chosen favorite TV personality by Twin Ports residents.

McKenna portrays "Captain Q" in the early 1960s.

After that, he made moves to weathercasting positions in Denver and San Francisco in 1973, returning to WDIO in 1975. Sometime after that, he moved to Tucson, Ariz., for another weathercasting postion that didn't suit him well. He returned to Duluth at KBJR-TV Channel 6 in 1979 for a position as a news host. He returned to weathercasting at KBJR in about 1983. He was laid off by that station in 1989. That's where the attic trail ends. Does anyone know what McKenna did after 1989? Do you have any stories to share about his on-air personality, style and quirks?

-Dave Ojala, copy editor

McKenna in 1970.

Posted by: dntattic on 3/12/2010 at 4:10 PM | Comments (17) | Permalink

Dominant Broncos: State hockey tourney

International Falls hockey coach Larry Ross and the Broncos during a game in the mid-1960s against Duluth Cathedral in Duluth. News Tribune photo by Charles Curtis

There have obviously been many good teams to play in the Minnesota high school boys hockey tournament, but there were none as dominating as the International Falls Broncos during the 1960s.

The Broncos have won seven state championships overall, with four of those coming in the 1960s. The Falls put up some impressive numbers in accomplishing that feat.

--The Falls had a 59-game winning streak from 1962 to 66.

--The Broncos won three consecutive state titles (64-65-66), and were an overtime loss away from five straight. The Falls beat Roseau for the 1962 title, then lost 4-3 in overtime to St. Paul Johnson in the 1963 title game. The Broncos came back to win the next three state titles, including undefeated seasons (26-0) in 1965 and 1966 under the guidance of coach Larry Ross, who was with the Broncos from 1954-85.

Falls hockey coach Larry Ross, who had a record of 566-169-21 in 31 seasons (1954-85), including six Minnesota state titles. News Tribune photo

One other interesting note about those teams. Before Bronco Arena was built in 1968, the Broncos played their "home games" at Memorial Arena in neighboring Fort Frances, Ontario.

Many argue the undefeated 1965 Falls team with players like Tim Sheehy and Pete Fichuk was among the best in Minnesota boys hockey history. I tend to agree, but I may be a little biased being from the Falls. Agree or disagree, I'd like to hear who you think was the best prep hockey team in Minnesota history.

--Dave Nevanen, copy editor

Posted by: dntattic on 3/06/2010 at 8:26 PM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Tags: blogs, dnt attic, hockey, international falls, iron range, minnesota, preps, sports

Duluth Bike patrol

With the warmer weather and ice melting off the streets of Duluth, bicyclists are once again becoming more common and visible. Recent events, such as four young people being ticketed for blocking traffic while delivering food donated to charity, prompted lots of comments on the News Tribune's Web site during the past year. As bicyclists again take to the streets, it's important for cyclists and drivers to follow the rules of the road.

In 1980, the News Tribune published a photo and short story about the Duluth Bike Patrol, a group of six UMD students who carried police radios while cycling the city, and had authority to write tickets to cyclists who violated traffic laws. In the program's third year in 1980, the emphasis was shifted from educating cyclists to enforcement,Milo Tasky, then police chief, said.

This is the only reference to the Bike Patrol in the DNT attic. Does anyone know what happened to the program? Was it cut because of budget constraints? Is another such program needed today, and would it be effective?

- Dave Ojala, copy editor

Posted by: dntattic on 3/05/2010 at 2:52 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Kevin McHale

Hibbing native Kevin McHale played basketball at all levels, including the University of Minnesota and in the NBA with the Boston Celtics during the 1980s and early 1990s. He later became a front office member of the Minnesota Timberwolves, including a stint as coach. Here are some notable encounters for McHale.

Dave Nevanen/copy editor

Bob Zbasnik tries to guard Kevin McHale. 1978 / Duluth News Tribune

Bill Walton (left) makes a point to Kevin McHale when the Celtics were playing in the NBA Championship in 1986. Associated Press

Kevin McHale collars Kurt Rambis of the Lakers during the 1984 NBA playoffs. Ironically, Rambis replaced McHale as coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2009. Associated Press

Detroit Pistons' Dennis Rodman (center) reels backward after Kevin McHale (left) of the Celtics hit him in the neck in 1991. Looking on is Larry Bird. Associated Press

Kevin McHale (right) made a cameo appearance on the NBC comedy "Cheers" in 1990. Bartender Sam Malone (Ted Danson, left) tried to convince McHale of the Celtics to play for Cheers in a basketball game against a rival tavern. Photo by NBC

Posted by: dntattic on 2/26/2010 at 9:17 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Tags: basketball, boston, hibbing, iron range, minnesota, sports

Fatal 1971 train accident

I've always wondered if any train cars have fallen off the trestles over I-35 in West Duluth that lead to the ore docks. One accident file in the DNT attic answered the question. On Jan. 30, 1971, three locomotives, 15 ore cars and a caboose were headed down the hill from Proctor when they apparently lost their brakes. The caboose operators detached from the rest of the train and managed to stop it with hand brakes. The rest of the train rolled all the way to the docks and collided with ore cars already on the docks.

Railroad officials view the wreckage on DM&IR Dock 6.

Killed in the accident were Emmett Byrnes of Duluth and Donald Mandrey of Redore. Mandrey, a fireman in the lead locomotive, stayed with the train and died in the crash. Byrnes managed to jump from the train and was picked up by the caboose, but suffered a heart attack from the stress of the incident and died at St. Mary's Hospital.

The "death train," as the News Tribune called it, plunged out of control down
this grade on its approach to the ore docks.

Three ore cars were knocked off the side of the dock onto the ground below. The rest of the cars blocked the dock until they were removed days later. Ironically, the locomotives and ore cars were part of a train that derailed near Floodwood the day before. They were the only cars left on the tracks in that incident.

Does anyone remember this accident, know people involved or have more information to share? Is this the only such accident at the site?

- Dave Ojala, copy editor

Posted by: dntattic on 2/26/2010 at 1:50 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink