Heavy Snowfall, LKAB Claims and Moose on E4

SMHI warns of heavy snowfall in southern Norrbotten. In Kiruna, homeowners are making demands of LKAB ahead of the relocation of the town, and Luleå Hockey faces HV71.

SMHI warns of heavy snowfall in southern Norrbotten

SMHI (the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, which issues weather forecasts and warnings) has issued both an orange and a yellow warning for heavy snowfall in parts of southern Norrbotten. The snowfall area is moving in from the south during Thursday morning, and the warnings will also apply on Friday.

In the southern parts of Norrbotten, the forecast primarily affects Piteå municipality. The snowfall is expected to be heavy at times and could bring 20-30 centimetres of snow, locally up to 40 centimetres. In connection with the precipitation, fresh to strong gusts of wind are expected, which could create blowing snow drifts. SVT Nyheter Norrbotten

Homeowners in Kiruna demand action from LKAB

There is growing disquiet among the 850 homeowners in Kiruna whose homes are to be replaced with new ones by LKAB, the mining company, as part of the continued relocation of the town. The Homeowners’ Association has established a local branch in Kiruna and has quickly grown to 600 members. A recently compiled survey showed widespread dissatisfaction with how the process involving LKAB has worked so far.

Next week, the Homeowners’ Association has called an information meeting with LKAB, where it will present a number of demands. Among other things, the association wants to be able to obtain legal assistance at LKAB’s expense, commission an independent valuation and have greater involvement in the construction process. Another issue is how so-called ancillary spaces in basements and outbuildings are to be compensated. LKAB’s community transformation department believes the question has been misunderstood and says it will examine the function of the properties. SVT Nyheter Norrbotten

Mould-infested school in Vittangi to be demolished – modules to be purchased

The mögel infestation at Vittangi school has proved so extensive that the school cannot be renovated. Kiruna municipality (the municipality is the local authority responsible for, among other things, the school) has decided to demolish the building and will now order temporary modules while waiting for a new school to be in place.

The first municipal council meeting of the new term of office (the municipality’s highest decision-making body) decided that Vittangi school is to be demolished and allocated 25 million kronor for the demolition, 2.5 million kronor for a pre-study for a new school and 20 million kronor to rent temporary school modules. Today, pupils in Vittangi are in various local facilities, including the former residential care home for older people Ängsgården and basement premises at Folkets hus. SVT Nyheter Norrbotten

Ikea in Haparanda turns 20

When Ikea chose Haparanda over larger, more self-evident alternatives, one of the most unlikely chapters in Norrbotten's modern history was written. 20 years later, the store remains as a landmark where the E4's Swedish road signs will soon make way for Finnish ones.

For many, the establishment marked the beginning of a new chapter for a town that had long struggled with population loss and declining confidence in the future. But the story of what the furniture giant's establishment actually meant is still a subject of debate. NSD

Luleå Hockey faces HV71 after the break

The break is over for Luleå Hockey, who face HV71 on Thursday evening. The team says it knows what situation it is in and that it must be involved from the start and put together 60 good minutes to beat them.

One of the team’s players tells the newspaper that it feels like the team is in a pretty good place right now and is looking forward to the snow that has been promised to arrive this week. Norrbottens-Kuriren

Hospital clowns spread joy at Sunderby Hospital

The hospital clowns Puck and Allis spread laughter and joy at Sunderby Hospital. Through play, mischief and warmth, they give both children and their families a break.

The clowns started working as hospital clowns after the pandemic, and neither of them has an acting background. NSD

In brief

• A moose has come onto the road and is affecting traffic in both directions on the E4 between Hedars and the Norrfjärden interchange, according to Trafikverket. NSD Piteå-Tidningen
• A single-vehicle accident involving a car on road 831 between Mellanvägen and Koskullskulle S interchanges affected traffic in both directions until 21.53, when traffic was no longer affected. Norrbottens-Kuriren
• Two accidents involving excavators have cut off district heating and internet connections and caused a power outage in Svartöstaden in Luleå, and on the first occasion 135 properties lost their connection. Norrbottens-Kuriren
• This year's bear survey in Norrbotten is complete: around 900 droppings samples have been collected throughout the county with the help of the public, hunters and Sami villages, and around 400 people have contributed. Piteå-Tidningen
• Two new companies have been registered: Lundholms Skogstjänst AB in Bodens kommun, registered with Bolagsverket on 10 November, and Zarah Lundberg Handel AB in Piteå kommun with share capital of 25 000 kronor. Norrbottens-Kuriren Piteå-Tidningen
• The house at Hermelinsgatan 16 in Boden has been sold for 2 260 000 kronor and has a floor area of 97 square metres. Norrbottens-Kuriren
• The snow cannons are running at full capacity in Kanisbacken and if everything goes according to plan, the toboggan slope may be open in a few days. Piteå-Tidningen
• A woman in her 60s was hit by a car in central Haparanda, was taken by ambulance to Sunderby sjukhus and sustained minor injuries during the evening, according to Region Norrbotten (the region is responsible for healthcare in the county). SVT Nyheter Norrbotten