Virginia

The bridge is really taking shape.  'Above The Range' has been following the construction of the Highway 53 Bridge just outside of Virginia, and the latest photo shows just how far they have come.

I don't exactly remember how it came up this morning on The Breakfast Club, but we started talking about the old Pamida stores.  I remember the one in Virginia, MN.  Cathy remembers the one in Cloquet, and not long ago there was one in Two Harbors.  Some of the Pamida's were bought out by Shopko, but there are still some out there.

A major project has been underway for some time now near Virginia, MN.  The main artery to the north, Highway 53, needs to be moved off of US Steel's property.  After years of discussions and debates, the reroute is taking shape.  This video from PBS shows up close what kind of work is being done, and where the highway will end up.

Christopher Lloyd stars in 'I Am Not A Serial Killer' that's been filmed on the Iron Range in Virginia, MN.  The story follows a teenager, played by Max Records, who has homicidal tendencies and an obsession with death.  While he tries to suppress his own feelings, things get complicated when an actual murderer starts killing people in his small town.

I follow Above & Beyond The Range on Facebook because of the amazing drone videos they capture across the Northland.  I drive by the highway 53 relocation project every couple of weeks, but it's hard to see the project from the current road.  Well, it just so happens that the same weekend I drove by the project, they were getting a tour of the area and published this awesome video.

Yesterday in Virginia, MN miners, their families, retirees, community leaders, and other unions marched together in the Solidarity in Steel Rally and March.  Roughly 2,000 people participated in their "Fair Contract Now" fight.