The two victims stabbed early Thursday on Chisholm's main street are improving at a Hibbing hospital and are expected to recover.
Nathan Rutchasky was upgraded to good condition Friday, according to the nursing supervisor at Fairview University Medical Center in Hibbing. A friend said Rutchasky, of Chisholm, hopes to go home Saturdayin time for Christmas. His girlfriend, who has not been identified, remained in intensive care Friday with a collapsed lung but also is doing better.
Chisholm Police said both were stabbed while outside the United Steelworkers hall on Lake Street just after 1:30 Thursday morning after an apparent argument. Michael Jon Madich, 51, of Chisholm, was arrested and remains in custody in connection with the stabbings.
Beckie Golnick, a friend of Rutchasky, said Madich apparently did not want to leave Jim's Sports Club Bar and Grill at closing time. She said words were exchanged, some punches were thrown and Madich eventually pulled out a knife. Rutchasky, a guitar player and signer, had performed his acoustic set at the bar before the incident occurred.
"They know each other. Nathan knows his (Madich's) son. But they don't know each other that well,'' Golnick said. "He (Madich) didn't want to leave and then it turned into a fight.''
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The stabbing occurred across the street from the bar.
It's the second violent incident involving the same Chisholm bar in 10 months. In March two men were wounded and one was killed when a man walked into the bar and opened fire, returning after a previous argument. A man who answered the phone at the bar Friday morning hung up twice.
"Luckily he (Madich) didn't have a gun or this could have been the same thing,'' said Golnick.
Rutchasky, 34, is well known in the Iron Range music scene where he's been a regular in several bands. He currently plays and sings in the band Slapshot. He also runs an internet marketing business.
Rutchasky's Facebook page says he graduated from Chisholm High School in 1994 and from Hibbing Community College in 2001.
St. Louis County, State Patrol, and the Hibbing ambulances assisted at the scene. Madich is expected to be formally charged in court on Monday.
