The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan's Upper Peninsula have opened for the 2013 Great Lakes shipping season.
Soo lockmaster Bill Campbell said Monday that the Paul R. Tregurtha was the first ship to enter the Poe Lock at 12:01 a.m. headed from Sturgeon Bay, Wis., to Duluth, Minn.
Six vessels had passed through the Poe Lock by 9 a.m. Monday.
The locks were closed on Jan. 15 and underwent routine repairs and maintenance during the winter shutdown. The MacArthur Lock beside the Poe Lock will continue maintenance for several weeks.
Freighters hauling coal, iron ore, grain and other materials pass through the locks each year.
associated press
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Local
Local
One day in the frantic life of a Children's Minnesota emergency room nurse
The pediatric provider revealed life in its St. Paul emergency department as part of a hiring campaign to beat other Minnesota hospitals to scarce nurses and caregivers.
East Metro
State Sen. Nicole Mitchell off committee assignments while case under review
The Minnesota DFLer was arrested earlier this month in an alleged burglary attempt. She also will be removed from caucus meetings although she is expected to vote in the meantime.
Election
GOP endorses Tad Jude for congressional seat Dean Phillips is leaving
Longtime Republican legislator, county commissioner and judge won after three rounds of voting.
Minneapolis
Help on the way for north Minneapolis neighborhood prone to extreme flooding
Several low-lying blocks of the Cleveland neighborhood have weathered excess storm water for decades. New flood modeling finally has identified the area as a priority for street and sewer improvements.
Local
New director of Minneapolis Animal Care and Control is longtime abuse investigator Tony Schendel
Schendel will be in charge of navigating the city's animal control unit through challenges with overcrowding and an uptick in neglect cases.