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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth - Police Department
Mike Ceynowa, Chief of Police
2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information contact:
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
DATE: 8/11/2026
SUBJECT: Fountain of the Wind Soap Incident
BY: Mattie Hjelseth, Duluth Police Department Public Information Officer

NATURE OF INCIDENT:
CASE NO.:
INCIDENT DATE:
INCIDENT TIME:
INCIDENT LOCATION:

Fountain of the Wind Soap Incident

Update:

During the investigation into the soap incident at the Fountain of the Wind (400 Canal Park Drive), a Duluth Police Officer on A crew identified and issued a citation to 20-year-old Hermantown resident Travis Sundberg for public nuisance. The Duluth Police Department reminds the public that tampering with city infrastructure poses a safety risk and results in unnecessary strain on city resources. This event cost about $3,000 to clean.

Three other people were involved in the incident, but we are unable to identify them at this time. If you have any information on this incident, you’re encouraged to call the Duluth Police Department at (218)-730-5684.

 

Original:

On 08/01/2026 shortly after 10pm, officers responded to a report of people putting soap in the Fountain of the Wind located at 400 Canal Park Drive. Squads blocked off the roadway and sidewalks. Squads also put up markings to alert the public to the hazard. The city plumber was called to shut off the fountain until it could be cleaned up. The Duluth Police Department is still following up on this incident, and it remains an active investigation. 

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