Cook County News Herald's Podcast: Recent Episodes
Cook County News Herald
Starting August 1, 2023, anyone 21 and older will be able to possess or transport two ounces of cannabis flower, and up to eight ounces of cannabis concentrates. Adults will also be able to keep up to two pounds of adult-use cannabis flower in their place of residence. A person can possess up to 800 milligrams of edible THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. The law that legalized recreational cannabis use for adults was sponsored by Rep. Zack Stephenson (DFLCoon Rapids) and Sen. Lindsey Port (DFL-Burnsville). Penalties established under the legislation include violation possession limits, making illegal cannabis sales, selling...
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Tuscarora/Hungry Jack Outfitters combo takes top prize The Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department is The Real Winner Vi Nelson The predicted rain never came, but several hundred friends, neighbors and guests on the Gunflint Trail were there July 19th for the 2023 Gunflint Trail Canoe Races. They came to Gunflint Lodge to support their favorite racers and the Gunflint Trail Fire Department. For the 44th time, this annual event raised substantial funds from raffles, t-shirts, caps, and food sales. The funds raised will be used to support the volunteer EMTs, EMRs, fire trucks, ambulances and three Fire Halls along the...
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This beautiful creature is Clio, and she was Jane Burley’s wonderful companion during their years together on the big lake in Croftville. Clio was gentle, playful, and curious. Jane Burley named Clio after the Greek Goddess Muse of History and Poetry. Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town Hall, 7240 Tofte...
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“This dragonfly was waiting for the sun to dry the morning dew off as it rested on this wild Iris which is also called blue flag,” noted wildlife photographer David Johnson.
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Back by popular demand, the Happy Hikers will hike the Superior Hiking Trail section to Carlton Peak. Beginning at the Britton Peak trailhead, we will travel along wooden walkways, a spruce plantation and maple forest. The trail travels by high rock walls to Ted Tofte Overlook. We will then continue through the woods to the top of Carlton Peak. We will enjoy our lunch at the top, and then turn around and hike back down. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, on a leash. Difficulty level: Moderate. Approximate distance: 3 miles Meet at the YMCA parking lot near the tennis courts at...
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Soon, readers who get the Cook County News-Herald online will be notified that we are no longer using Our Hometown as our web provider. Instead, CherryRoad Media has built its own website, which we will transfer to. We hope the transition will be smooth but understand there could be a bobble here or there as we relaunch. We want to thank the staff at Our Hometown for their very fine service and attention to detail. They have done an excellent job for us, and we wish them nothing but the best. Here are a few key notes related to this...
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Wilderness Health has completed a series of listening sessions around internet access in rural northeastern Minnesota. Between May 19 and June 21, 2023, residents of Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Grand Marais, and Grand Portage shared their challenges and opportunities in using the Internet in rural Minnesota. The listening sessions were sponsored by Wilderness Health in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Office of Broadband Development . Internet Challenges and Opportunities in Lake County Two Harbors residents met at the Two Harbors Public Library Sale in Lake View Hospital (Lake View is a Wilderness member hospital)...
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BALLY BLACKSMITH SHOP SUPPLIES This photo was taken when the Bally Blacksmith Shop on Broadway Avenue in Grand Marais was still an operating welding and repair shop, maintained by Al Bally and his son, Bill Bally. The Bally Blacksmith Shop has been organized and restored by staff and volunteers of the Cook County Historical Society. Visitors are welcome to step back in time.
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Consumers have new protections involving debt collection and payday lending that affect thousands of Minnesotans. The new laws were passed in the 2023 Legislative Session and signed into law by Governor Tim Walz in May. The Minnesota Department of Commerce is implementing the laws. “The new laws add consumer protections for Minnesotans who, due to life circumstances, are dealing with debt collectors or have turned to payday loans. Too often, borrowers have been harmed by falling into a debt trap of multiple payday loans each year,” said Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold. “These reforms align with Commerce’s ongoing efforts to build...
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Judy Loris Herrick, Eagan, Minnesota, passed away on February 28, 2023. Judy was born December 16, 1956. She lived in Tofte for more than 30 years.
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Valinda Missy (Smith) Hagen born February 22, 1967, lost her battle to cancer on July 10, 2023. Missy was born and raised in Grand Marais and lived here her whole life. She is survived by her husband of 25 years Warren Hagen; a brother Tony (Missy), nephew’s Devin (Amanda) and Connor (Felicia Nelson) great nephew Callan and Brandon. No service is planned.
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First born son of Kenneth and Junice Bonin was born on July 23, 1947, in Duluth, Minnesota. Fred passed away on July 13, 2023. Fred attended grade school in Tofte and Lutsen. He attended Cook County High School and graduated in 1965. He also went to Sulters Trade School in Duluth and learned carpentry from his dad. He served in the Navy from 1968-1972 as a torpedo man on the submarine Black Fin. He was very proud of his service and said he had the time of his life. Fred helped his grandpa in the fish house cleaning herring and...
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It is with great sorrow and sadness to announce the passing of Ellen B. Olson on May 15, 2023. Ellen was an enrolled member of the Grand Portage Band. She is survived by numerous relatives residing in Grand Portage and other parts of the country. She is also survived by daughters, Shelley and Marcie. Ellen was the daughter of Peter and Sophia Bushman. Since the age of two years, Ellen was nurtured and educated by the kind and benevolent couple, Maymashquash and Songwewence, whose English names were Alex and Mary Posey. Consequently, Ellen spoke the Native language as a first...
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Geoff Akins (Mr. Bubbles) put on an amazing bubble show at the Grand Marais Library in front of nearly 100 kids and adults last Saturday. Akins bubbled with excitement throughout the show, filled with jokes, nuggets of wisdom, some science, and lots of amazing bubbles that drew laughs and oohs and ahs. The free show was sponsored by the Arrowhead Library System and was funded in part or whole with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.
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Members of the West End Garden Club rose to the theme Grammas Attic. Creativity abounded from pitchers, coffee grinders to a 1940s wedding dress. Bouquets were placed in doll houses and history scrapbooks were viewed by many. The setting at the Surfside Event center gave a special backdrop to Lake Superior. Over 125 guests marveled at the arrangements and enjoyed refreshments provided by Surfside.
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Many displays of floral treasures graced the display tables of the Community Center last Saturday at the Garden Club’s annual flower show. The show was well attended and even welcomed 20 Thunder Bay Horticultural Society members. All of the garden club members wore their new bright green T-Shirts. Here three generations of Andersons show off their shirts.
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Spruce budworm has a visible impact on Minnesota’s Northeast Arrowhead forests. Dead and dying balsam fir and spruce are key signs of spruce budworm infestation, which leaves many of us concerned about managing our woodlands’ health. Join the University of MN Extension for an in-person workshop at the Cook County Higher Education Building in Grand Marais on August 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. CT to learn more about the identification, impacts and management of spruce budworm with Extension educators. Learn about resources available through Cook County Firewise and Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District for responding to...
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North Shore Health (NSH) in Grand Marais announced that they have successfully launched their new virtual hospitalist services with provider, Horizon Virtual. Until recently, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic (SMC) provided inpatient, swing bed and observation services to NSH patients. In April, SMC announced that their physicians would soon focus on clinic primary care and would discontinue providing the aforementioned services as of July 1, 2023. To continue to provide these services without interruption, NSH conducted thorough research on a variety of options. In early May, NSH announced to their leadership team that they had committed to enter into a contract with...
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Due to high interest in additional mediums, the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery (JHP) of the Cook County Historical Society (CCHS) is re-posting an opportunity for an artist or collaborative team to design and install a public art piece for the main plaza entrance of the JHP Art Gallery in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Through the artwork, the JHP aims to celebrate both our community and the cultural heritage of the region, and to enhance the JHP public gathering space. The goal is to commission an artwork that reflects artistic and technical qualities and fosters a welcoming and uplifting environment. This...
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During the 2023 legislative session, a new law was passed that legalized adult-use cannabis in Minnesota beginning Aug. 1, 2023. This legislation will bring about interesting changes to our social norms. The Grand Maras Council and Staff are committed to navigating these changes with care in an effort to balance personal freedoms, public safety, and goodwill in the community. The City of Grand Marais is adopting an ordinance to provide some additional regulation to the use of marijuana consumer products in certain public places in the Grand Marais “downtown” area (the DW, H61, Protect Resources, and MU Zone Districts.) These...
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This week, Ulland Bros. is installing curb & gutter, sidewalk, and driveway approaches between MN 61 and 2nd St. This work will be complete early next week and followed by base course asphalt paving of the roadway late next week or early the following week. Base course paving will remain in place until the end of the project when the final wearing course of pavement is placed. At the Courthouse, Ulland has begun installing the project’s stormwater infiltration / filtration system. This system is designed to slow and clean stormwater collected from 5th Ave. above the Courthouse. The system is...
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Folks lined up in droves for the 2023 Lutsen Rummage Sale held on July 15. Eager shoppers descended on the grounds of Lutsen Evangelical Lutheran Church at 9 a.m. sharp. No early shopping is allowed, so it’s first come, first serve. Whatever was left after Saturday was on sale the next day with a deep discount. This year, just over ,000 was raised, said Sharon Hexum Platzer, one of the longtime helpers of the sale. “It was a good turnout but specifically want to thank the community at large.... first for giving and donating treasures....and helping with set up and...
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The Grand Marais Lions Club welcomes you back for the 94th annual Fisherman’s Picnic. The Bingo Tent is back again. Thanks to a partnership between the Sons of the American Legion, Buck’s Hardware, Gunflint Tavern, and the Lions, come enjoy the fun of waiting for your lucky numbers with a cold one! The picnic begins with WISE Women’s “Buffet in a Box”, taking place on Wednesday, August 2nd and concludes with the Lion club’s drawing on Sunday, August 6th at 5pm in the Harbor Park of ,000 along with many other prizes donated from our great local businesses. Come and...
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While out on a morning stroll this female timber wolf nonchalantly walked by David Johnson “without a care in the world,” said Johnson.
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Pond weeds, like spaghetti, can be messy when you eat them, but this big fellow doesn’t appear to care one iota about his somewhat untidy eating habits.
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) monitored ATV, boating, and angling activity. Time was spent maintaining station equipment and fielding calls about ATV use, BWCA and bear hunting. Remote lakes were checked, with...
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Viewed from the street, the courthouse lawn looks like it has been attacked by giant gophers who have dug some very large holes and left some very large piles of dirt. Instead, what’s really going on is that a stormwater filtration system has been installed at the Cook County Courthouse that will serve to filter stormwater runoff before it reaches Lake Superior. This project is being done in conjunction with the work on the old Gunflint Trail that is being entirely redone through town.
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The Superior Hiking Trail Association is improving water crossings and building boardwalk this summer to make the trail more sustainable and hiker friendly. The Association is in need of 200 volunteers over the next six weeks in several locations from Duluth on up the North Shore. The Superior Hiking Trail is an incredible community asset that has connected hundreds of thousands of people to the North Shore. The trail bolsters the quality of life for locals and plays a vital role in the regional recreational tourism economy by attracting thousands of visitors annually. Join us to see the Trail in...
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It took longer than expected but the good news is that the 1st & 2nd Thrift Store is open at its’ new location at 11 1st Ave West (the newly rehabbed Birchbark and Gifts building). The store had a “soft” opening on Saturday, July 22 and despite no advertising, business was brisk, said Anne Mershon. Since its inception in 2007, more than 5,000 has been raised through sales of donated merchandise and clothes with the money returned to the community. Volunteers run the operation with volunteers directing their “earnings” to a church, club, charity, school or some other nonprofit. The...
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Cook County will join more than 600 communities nationwide with two walks to end Alzheimer’s this coming September. The Grand Portage team will walk on Saturday, September 9 and the Grand Marais team will walk on Saturday, September 23, leaving the Hub/Senior Center at 2:30 p.m. Care Partners of Cook County and the Cook County Council on Aging are hosting both walks. To learn more about the walk in Grand Portage please call the Elderly Nutrition Program at 218-475-3788. To learn more about the walk in Grand Marais please call (218) 387-3788 or email info@carepartnersofcookocounty.org. A financial goal is to...
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Richard Sherry, frequent visitor to Grand Marais, sets his second political thriller in Grand Marais. Just look at that retired professor sitting in the Blue Water, having coffee. Suppose he’s about to strip away all the privacy of Supreme Court decisions? He might be. Mondays, Mondays follows Sherry’s first novel about Dr. Ed Baker, a retired political science professor with a chip on his shoulder. In A Month of Sundays, Baker sends out to the public, once every week, emails to and from U.S. Senators and Representatives that no one thought they’d ever see. All the details with lobbyists, corporations,...
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Ulf seems slightly perplexed as her mother holds her on the moose at Gunflint Mercantile. The name Ulf stands for wolf in Norway, her mother said. It is an Old Norse name that is considered a strong, feminine name. Ulf and her family were visiting from the Old Country when they stopped at Gunflint Mercantile on Tuesday, July 25, as the establishment was celebrating “Christmas in July.” Owner Chelsea Pusc has made holiday Eggnog fudge, buttered rum truffles, pumkin pie fudge, spiced apple truffles, caramel apple floats and more! The holiday celebration runs through Monday, July 31. Joynes, The Big...
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Dave Walter is an interesting fellow. He recently purchased the Yellow House from North House Folk School and is currently moving it onto a lot he bought in town and will work to renovate it in his free time. But Dave has another job; he makes custom sandals, taking something old and making it brand new. He calls his company Recycled Treads. More about the business later. First, let’s get to know Dave a little bit. Q- Tell us a little bit about your background, where you grew up, and how you ended up in Grand Marais. “I lived in...
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I cannot stop gardening. We are in the dogs’ days of summer and the early spring cold crops – radishes and beets and lettuces - are coming to an end. Not a necessary end; only that I’m tired of eating and harvesting and cleaning and re-seeding them. Still, today I re-seeded a bed a fast-growing green vegetable for September. I can’t stop. Their maturity in the early fall will take my focus, from the bright, young, early hunting season, from the immediate concern of firewood and winter weathering. I can foresee it. I can just tell. I’ll be composting and...
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One of my favorite summer activities has to be The Summer Read. Everywhere you look someone wants you to read something: billboards; menus; pamphlets. Heck, even some sights on the internet still demand that you read. But you heard it here first. The thing you’re really going to want to read this summer is a book. Yes, books are in; pamphlets are out. Yes, Rob, but I can’t very well waltz right into a bookstore and just ask for a book?! As a matter of fact, Dear Reader, you will learn how to do just that. The question is: what...
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After a couple of stressful weeks, it’s time to look forward to August. Grand Marais has the Fisherman’s Picnic the first full weekend of the month. If you’ve ever tossed a fish or rolled on a log, this is the place for you! When I was a kid living in the West End, it was finally a chance to see all the town classmates that I hadn’t seen since June. Sidewalk sales, artists, musicians and street dances fill the days. Every class to have graduated from Cook County High School hosts their class reunion on Fisherman’s Picnic Weekend. It all...
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After the first inning, Taconite led 1-0 over the Cook County/ Silver Bay Legion baseball team, but the boys from Aurora would only lead for a short time. Neither team scored in the second, but the Vikings erupted for ten runs in the third and added one in the fourth and one in the fifth to take a 12-2 win. The game ended after five innings because of the ten-run rule. Landon Sheils was 2-4 with two RIBs to lead Viking hitters. Landon also had two stolen bases and scored twice. Amos Falter and Hunter Gomez each had one hit;...
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In her first year as a professional, Allie Duclos, Lutsen, placed sixth in the Women’s Boom Run and ninth in the Women’s Elite Log rolling competition at the Lumberjack World Championships held in Hayward, Wisconsin from July 20-22. Allie qualified for the boom run championship round on Saturday and had a clean, fast first run. However, she fell on the second run and had to scramble to get back on the log and finish the run, costing her precious time and places. Lily Duffy won the boom run with a time of 15.1 seconds, beating Meredith Ingbretson who finished in...
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With the Fisherman’s Picnic right around the corner the tennis courts at the high school will be very busy as players prepare for the Fisherman’s Picnic tennis tournament. The three-day tourney will be held August 4-6 and will draw top female and male amateur singles and doubles players from all over the state. Sponsored by the Cook County Tennis Association, this will be the 46th annual tournament. Older players will compete in their age groups if they so desire. There will be a men’s bracket, women’s bracket and mixed doubles bracket. To learn more about the upcoming event, go to...
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Cook County/Silver Bay Senior Legion baseball team took a 2-0 lead after the first inning in their July 10 game against Proctor and then ran out of offense. Meanwhile, the floodgates opened for Proctor hitters who collected 19 hits and ten walks on their way to a seven inning 19-2 win. Proctor scored six in the fourth and eight runs in the seventh while blanking the Vikings the rest of the way. J Shannon was 2-3 at the plate and Ethan Tate was 1-1 with a walk. They were the only Viking’s to get a hit in the game. Proctor’s...
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The Happy Hikers will travel 40 miles up the Gunflint Trail to the Kekekabic Trailhead where the Centennial Trail begins on July 26. We’ve tried to do this hike the last two years, but have had to cancel due to rain or fire in the area. Hopefully, third time’s a charm! This 3.3-mile interpretive loop follows a historic railroad bed. It is the site of the ill-fated Paulsen Mine. Hikers will be able to see the original mine test pits from the 1890’s. The Centennial Trail was developed to honor the Superior National Forest’s 100th anniversary in 2009. An interpretive...
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Cook County High School Spanish teacher Erin Petz Giguere hopes to take a group of students to Costa Rica next year, reviving a tradition that she took advantage of in high school. As near as anyone can remember, the last time kids from CCHS went on an international cultural trip was around 2010. That said, one was planned for 2020, but that—and pretty much everything worldwide—was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, 11 kids, three boys and eight girls, grades 9th-10th, have signed up to spend eight days in Costa Rica next July. “The trip is open for...
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The 2024 budget season began on April 11 when the county board approved the budget calendar. Preliminary department budgets were due on May 26 with the deadline for final department requests on June 29. We continue to work with departments to refine their requests and to assemble them for presentation. The county board will get its first look at the General Fund requests on July 25. The Highway Department and Public Health Human Services will make their presentations before the board in August. The county’s preliminary budget is expected to be adopted on September 12, well ahead of the September...
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Private Andrew Jackson Scott, AKA Edwin G. Secor, the last Civil War veteran buried in Cook County, Minnesota will be honored in a ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 29th, 2023, at Saint John’s Catholic Cemetery at Grand Marais, Minnesota. The ceremony is open to veterans, those with an interest in Civil War history, and the general public. Wearing Civil Warera attire is encouraged. Private Scott’s descendants are most cordially invited to attend as special guests. Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) William Colvill Camp #56, Department of Wisconsin, will be presiding over the ceremony. The...
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“Four Old Broads” A hilarious comedy by Leslie Kimbel opens this weekend. The Grand Marais playhouse is very proud to present the second show in our summer theater festival opening Friday July 21 at 7 p.m. Four sassy senior ladies: Beatrice, Eaddy, Imogene, and Maude need a break from bingo and macramé. They want to take a SASSY SENIORS Caribbean cruise. Unfortunately, things have not been pleasant at Magnolia Place Assisted Living since nasty nurse Pat came to work there. A mystery unfolds with laughter as the gals try to outsmart her. Throw in a senior citizen beauty pageant, an...
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It was all Cook County/Silver Bay in the July 13 away game against the Two Harbors Agates as the Jr. Legion team polished off the Agates 16-0. Two of Harbor’s batters were shut down, going hitless in four innings, and the Agates only collected four walks. Meanwhile, the Vikings scored two in the first, six in the second, one in the third, and seven in the fourth to close out the game based on the ten-run rule. Jacob Carpenter was 4-4 with five RBIs to lead Viking hitters. Ethan Tate was 2-3 with one walk and three RBIs, and Hunter...
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The first two innings told the tale of this game as Two Harbors scored three in the first and three in the second while holding the Vikings scoreless. Down 6-0, the Vikings scored one in the third and one in the fourth, but Two Harbors punched back with two in the fourth and went on to win 8-2. Jacob Carpenter and Ethan Tate both had two hits in the game. J Shannon, Hunter Gomez, and Jake Stadler all had one hit. Jacob Carpenter started on the mound and pitched one inning. Jacob gave up one hit, five runs, three walks,...
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The Grand Marais Playhouse is very pleased to present two shows this summer in repertory weekends from July 20 through August 13. The two shows are Shout! The Mod Musical and the comedy Four Old Broads. Shout! The Mod Musical was created by Phillip George, David Lowenstein, and Peter Charles Morris. Originally produced Off-Broadway in New York City by Victoria Lange & P.P. Piccoli and Mark Schwartz, it celebrates the music, fashion, and freedom of the 1960s! This delightful musical revue follows five groovy gals as they come of age in 60s England and chronicles the dawning of the female...
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Grand Portage guitarist Briand Morrison has created a new CD titled “Old Feathers.” He released it on July 14 at Grand Marais Art Colony’s Studio 21. Briand is a recipient of an Arrowhead Regional Arts Council Established Regional Artist Grant 2021 to support this project’s writing, recording, production, and release. Morrison was born in 1961 and raised by two incredible artists, George Morrison and Hazel Belvo. Briand learned to play guitar at a young age, playing basic chords while his mother and father would sing around the kitchen table. In 6th grade, Briand joined his first rock band, playing piano,...
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Bob Spry, a community servant/leader died recently, joining two other community pillars, Bob Carter and Dick Swanson, in our memories and among our saints this year. Spry’s service at St. John’s Catholic Church provoked many thoughts. Most obviously, the sanctuary at St. John’s rivals Bethlehem Lutheran’s as the largest religious hall I have been in here in Grand Marais. More importantly. Father Steven Langenbrunner gave the kind of homily we likely all want—Bob Spry’s life as it showed the gospel life of service. Former Mayor and school principal Mark Sandbo gave a heartfelt remembrance of his friend of 25 years,...
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July is red hot, filled to the brim with dinners on the patio, swimming, summer camps, mosquitos and, of course, tennis. But July is a unique month in that it is also the time we celebrate The Wife’s birthday. Thus, I was thinking of some nice things I could get her: jewelry; a pony; a day at the spa; romantic dinner; cleaner children, etc. But I love The Wife. I really do. So, I really want to get her something thoughtful. I want to get her something exciting, nuanced, new, and personal. But I also want to get her something...
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The Cook County/Silver Bay Senior Legion baseball team has played a lot of baseball over the last few weeks, taking their share of wins and losses over that period. On July 15, following a stellar win over Aurora, the Vikings second game was played against Ely, and the results weren’t as good with the Vikings falling 7-1. Through three innings the score was tied 0-0 as both pitchers dominated hitters. The Vikings Jake Stadler and D. Marolt from Ely, kept hitters at bay. However, Ely erupted for six runs in the fourth, added a run in the fifth and the...
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Responding to a petition received on October 18, 2021, from Friends of Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas, requesting that the state ban the use of lead shot and bullets and lead fishing tackle in Scientific and Natural Areas (SNAs) and Minnesota State Parks, the DNR announced it would allow the ban of nontoxic lead ammunition and fishing tackle in 57 SNAs. In issuing its ruling, the DNR stated, "To completely ban the use of lead or other toxic ammunition and tackle on all SNAs and State Park lands necessitates statute or rule changes that warrant a comprehensive exploration of the...
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The Cook County Minnesota Highway Department announced an update on their solicitation for an IIJA Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant for the Gunflint Trail Improvement Project. There were four projects selected in Minnesota and Cook County was not one of them. All told the Department of Transportation received billion in requests but only had .26 billion available. The county requested ,500,377.46 from the RAISE grant. In January, the second of two well-attended Visioning Sessions were held with the community to present a draft and solicit public input on the project. “I appreciate all the input...
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The Superior Hiking Trail Association is improving water crossings and building boardwalk this summer to make the trail more sustainable and hiker friendly. The Association is in need of 200 volunteers over the next six weeks in several locations from Duluth on up the North Shore. The Superior Hiking Trail is an incredible community asset that has connected hundreds of thousands of people to the North Shore. The trail bolsters the quality of life for locals and plays a vital role in the regional recreational tourism economy by attracting thousands of visitors annually. Join us to see the Trail in...
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The Grand Marais Farmers Market is introducing a new free kids program called the Power of Produce Club (PoP Club). This program was created at the Oregon City, Oregon, farmers market in 2011. Due to its success, it has spread to farmers markets all over the nation. The PoP Club has been in Minnesota since 2013 and is added to additional markets every year. The goal of the PoP Club is to empower children to make healthy choices when selecting food to eat. The program offers a chance for children to explore the farmers market and learn about the different...
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Mixed Precipitation celebrates 15 years of outdoor summer fun, performing one of the most beloved and famous tragedies in the theatre tradition, Romeo and Juliet, adapted from Vincenzo Bellini’s 1830 opera, I Capuleti e i Montecchi (The Capulets and the Montagues). Juliet and Romeo are online strivers in a time of global strife. She’s lifting up others through her social media career—teaching survival skills, sharing recipes and DIY crafts. Romeo is documenting his van-life travels, inspiring millions to live life to the fullest, even in the darkest times. These two social media sensations are tired of depending on clicks and...
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When you break into the Frost River proper, you break into an intimate, great country. Though the Frost is a famous river, it is humble and small, mostly quiet, occasionally babbling. And though it is called a river, it comes to you like a brook, or a stream at most. And though it presents itself as a stream or brook, it is navigable – meaning travel-able by paddling or portaging or dragging or pushing a 16-foot canoe by two brothers with Duluth packs and a game cocker spaniel. From the upstream end proper coming out of big, windy Frost Lake...
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Last year was a banner year at the Grand Marais Rec Park but so far revenues are 10 percent higher this year than last June, reported Grand Marais Parks Director Dave Tersteeg, who added, “Year-to-date revenue is trending up about 12 percent over 2022.” Tersteeg was addressing the Grand Marais Park Board on Tuesday, July 11. Rick Crawford Excavating completed the 8th Avenue stormwater project in June, with seeding and erosion control blankets installed just before rain fell. Tersteeg said the area was greening up nicely and he gave a big shout out to Cook County Soil and Water Conservation...
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Jean Boostrom Blackwell Roberts, age 97, passed away on December 17, 2022. Jean was born January 3, 1925, at home on the west side of the Grand Marais harbor. She was the second of two children of Alec and Josephine Zimmerman Boostrom. In 1943, after graduation from high school in Grand Marais, she went to Chicago for training as a meteorologist for the federal government. This was during WW 2 and weather bureau stations were being established throughout the nation. She was assigned back to Grand Marais. After the war she married Jack Blackwell and together they raised three children,...
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Valerie Spieker found her path from this earthly home on July 9, 2023, and was promptly met at Heaven’s gate by her favorite animal companions Cooper, Abby, Sophie Jo, Gypsy and the spirits of more dogs and cats than you can imagine. She was born on July 27, 1955, in the small town of Winton, right outside of Ely, Minnesota to Bill (William) and Jean Kosorok (Mikolich). She attended school in Ely and spent one year at Vermilion Community College (where she met her forever best friend and husband Terry) before completing a three-year Nursing program at St. Luke’s Hospital...
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Pearl Ruth Schlienz gained her angel wings on June 8, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Pearl was 98 years young. Pearl was born on September 19, 1924, to Mabel (Sylvester) and Sidney Drowley in St Charles, Michigan. Pearls early years were spent traveling around Michigan as her father owned and operated a sawmill which meant the family went where the timber was, which is also what brought them to Grand Marais, Minnesota in 1948. Although she raised five children, she also worked 18 years at El Rays (Blue Water Café) and 33 years at the Cook County Care Center,...
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Anthony “Shooter” Scalise (Knill) left his physical form on Saturday, July 1st and began making his way to the Spirit World. He was born April 25, 1964. He grew up in Duluth, Minnesota and graduated from Duluth East High School. He moved to the twin cities shortly after graduation and began his drywalling career. He moved to Grand Portage in 2002 to raise his family. Tony loved spending time outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a very talented man who enjoyed making traditional native crafts, dream catchers, pipe carving, and powwow regalia. He loved music and...
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Elaine Marie Rabold, 79, of Grand Marais, passed away on Sunday, July 16th, 9 years to the day after her own mother, at North Shore Health in Grand Marias, MN surrounded by family. She was born November 29, 1943, to Axel and Sylvia (Helmerson) Haavisto in Duluth, MN. She went to school in Grand Marais until she and her family moved to New Smyrna Beach, FL for three years. They then moved back to Grand Marais, where she graduated from Cook County High School in 1961. She remained lifelong friends with several of her classmates and enjoyed their many get...
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Cook County News Herald archivesJuly 2, 1990NEW GROCERY STORE OPENING SOON The shelves are being stocked at the new Gene’s I.G.A. east of Grand Marais. The store will feature new computer inventory control. The Lashinski family is hoping to open the store July 4.
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Doris Elaine Croft, age 91, passed away November 2, 2022, at the North Shore Hospital in Grand Marais unexpectedly but peacefully with family near. She was born on July 14, 1931. She was the second child of four. She was preceded in death by her parents, John A. Johnson and Sylvia M. (Carlson) Johnson., her husband of 65 years (Sweeney) Wilmer Croft, and oldest brother Lloyd (Delores) Johnson of California. She is survived by her sister Shirley (Dick) Kerr of Minneapolis and brother Walter (Linda) Johnson, Colorado.; her loving “baby dog” Oscar Bo,” son Gary Croft, daughter Lynetta (Sheldon) Houglum...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town Hall, 7240 Tofte...
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Playing at home on Monday, July 10, the Cook County/Silver Bay Jr. Legion baseball team put on a show for their fans with a 14-4 win over Proctor. The Vikings put up four runs in the first, one in the second, eight in the third to take and one in the fourth. a 13-2 lead into the fourth. Meanwhile the Rails scored one in the second, one in the third and two in the fifth, not enough to escape being ten-runned by the Vikings and the game ended in the fifth inning. Amos Falter started on the mound pitching 3.1...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Matthew David Thompson, 33, Grand Portage, Minnesota, convicted on June 26, 2023, of two petty misdemeanors: Traffic Speeding 70/60, and Driving After Suspension of License, on April 2, 2023. Fines and fees total 5. Kevin Dale Buck, 64,...
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Music in the park has started with different acts playing Sunday and Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (weather allowing) at Harbor Park. Sponsored by the Grand Marais Music Collaborative, the music is free but those busking appreciate tips. Playing last Monday was Robert (Bob) LaMettry on drums, Fred Anderson on guitar and vocals and Ben Obinger on violin.
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Bruce Kimmel, a senior financial advisor from Ehlers Public Finance Advisors came before the board to discuss updates to the county’s financial plan which includes revenue and expenditures through 2032. Kimmel proposed a strategy that will be updated periodically for financing the implementation of the County’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). After going through scenarios involving using general funds, the tax levy, bonding, debt service and several other financial maneuvers, Kimmel said he and his firm thinks the county has the “financial capacity to do these things,” and keep “taxes at a reasonable rate.” What Kimmel was referring to was Option...
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Time to sign up for the Fisherman’s Picnic parade on August 6th. Parade starts at 1 pm. Help us out and register ahead of time. Email gmlionsclub@gmail.com or call 218-370-1602. Provide Name of entry, contact person’s name and email address or phone number. Also, type of entry: float, marching, vehicle, music etc. You will get a reply back with confirmation.
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A house once owned by David and Margaret Hilton called the “Jagerhaus German Bed & Breakfast” burned to the ground on Tuesday, July 11. A caller at 8:52 p.m. to the Cook County Law Enforcement Center said the house was fully engulfed. The house was located at 184 County Road 14, about one mile up County Road 14 from Lake Superior. No one was injured in the blaze. Colvill, Maple Hill, and Hovland fire departments were called to the fire. The large house was noted for its exquisite Scandinavian/Germanic artwork on doors and walls. It was the site of Oktoberfest...
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With fewer than a third of Minnesota students achieving grade level-proficiency in literacy and math, one Math Corps tutor is being sought to serve in Grand Marais area schools and preschools beginning in August. “Those numbers seem really daunting, but the good news is we have a solution that works,” says Christine Fankhanel, Director of Minnesota Programs with Reading Corps, Math Corps and Early Learning Corps. “When students work with a tutor, incredible things happen,” she says. “They often make more than a year’s progress during the school year!” Tutors placed at local schools, can choose to serve 35, 25...
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Paul and Karla Sundberg are lucky to have this very cute, committed, chipmunk watch over their flower garden.
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Artists will be selected to install works of art in designated public locations within North Shore Health September 1, 2023 – January 1, 2024. North Shore Health (NSH) has enjoyed a proud history of displaying the creative work of local artists in their facility’s public areas. During COVID, that activity was paused due to safety protocols that discouraged public gatherings. Now that the pandemic has passed, NSH announced that they will reinstate their local artists’ exhibit program. “We thank all the artists who allowed their work to adorn our walls throughout the pandemic. We are thrilled to restart our art...
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Here are Hobbs and Dylan preparing for some entertainment. Hobbs is the boss of the house and of the remote control. Dylan is interested in the fishing wand that swings toys around for him to capture. These beautiful cats are important members of the Belle Janicek family. Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to...
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In March of 2023, we featured an article that welcomed several new employees to our Cook County Minnesota staff. Some grew up here, others came from afar. All had interesting stories to tell about what compelled them to come to Cook County and work with us. By sharing their profiles and photos, we felt that would be a nice way to introduce them to our community. We were thrilled with the warm reception they received from the welcoming members of our community. It is interesting to learn about the diverse backgrounds and experiences that help to shape the unique collection...
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At the Grand Marais City Council meeting held at the end of June, City Councilors received information concerning the new law that will soon go into effect about the use of marijuana and its byproducts. Grand Marais Mayor Tracy Benson said she was at the League of Minnesota Cities Conference, joining with more than 700 folks from around the state, and a big topic of discussion was around the new cannabis legislation. This year Minnesota legislators passed a law legalizing “the possession, use, manufacturing, and sale of certain cannabis products within the state.” The law governing possession, use, and home...
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Levi Axtell’s criminal case was temporarily suspended, and he won't be brought to trial until he is "returned to competency," a judge ruled in a review hearing held through Zoom on Monday, July 10, in Cook County District Court without an appearance by Levy, who has been committed to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Neither Cook County Attorney Molly Hicken nor Levi's attorney Christa Groshek objected to the judge’s ruling, and over the following months, Levi's mental health will be re-evaluated. According to Levi, he suspected the 77-year-old Scully, a convicted pedophile, of stalking his young daughter. On March...
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If you have some free time the Grand Marais Lions needs some helping hands to host the 94th Fisherman Picnic celebration that will take place August 2-6 in Grand Marais. The Lions need assistance running the Fishburger Stand, the Info Booth and the Kiddie Rides. All of the money earned from the Fisherman’s Picnic goes back into the community so your volunteer service will have an impact on local nonprofits as well as helping the Lions Club. If you would like to volunteer, please visit the Lions' website at grandmaraislions.com, click on SERVICE at the top of the page, click...
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When the United States and Canada couldn’t decide who was going to pay for a bridge over the Pigeon River that would connect the two countries, the Rotary clubs in Thunder Bay and Duluth agreed they would get together to plan, fund and build the bridge, and that’s just what they did in 1916-1917. Canada was in the midst of World War 1, and the U.S. said it would be three years before they had funds for a bridge, and Minnesota said it didn’t have any money, so that left it up to the Rotarians. “Thus, the Outlaw Bridge represents,”...
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This was the first time in more than 40 years that the Grand Marais Lions July 4th fireworks weren’t lit by Bob Spry, a certified fireworks operator and a “Mr. Do Everything” for the Lions and community in general. Bob passed away on June 9, 2023. To commemorate his memory and many years of service a truck with a sign saying in “Memory of Bob” was driven slowly through town before this year’s awesome fireworks display. Bob’s nephew, Mike Ryden, came up with idea. His sister, Phyllis Ryden and sister-in-law Laurie Spry made the signs. Brother, Lyle Spry, brother-in-law Pete...
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We all stop whatever we are doing, even sleeping when we hear that call on the lakes of our state bird and friend on the lakes the LOON. It's the sound of summer on a lake and we are so very lucky to have these beautiful birds grace our days and nights. Cook County Coalition of Lake Association has taken on the initiative this year and for the foreseeable future to educate and ask our community to join forces to reduce and eliminate the use of lead fishing equipment in our waters. Lead is toxic to wildlife even in small...
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A report last week about an individual suffering a medical issue in the BWCA gave the highlights of the rescue, but a closer look explains more about the process and complexity a backcountry rescues involves. Below are some questions and answers provided by Karla Pankow, NRP, CCP-C, EMS Director of North Shore Health Ambulance. Q- Can you say what kind of medical emergency the patient was suffering? This patient experienced a new onset of seizure activity with the first episode taking place early that morning in their sleep and the second in a canoe in the middle of the lake...
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Betty Jane (Keapproth) Base passed away peacefully on July 1, 2023, at Benedictine Living Community in Duluth, Minnesota, where she had resided since 2014. Betty was born on February 20, 1930, to Herman and Grace (Purvis) Keapproth in Bancroft, Iowa, the last of nine children. Her family immigrated from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1920. She graduated high school in Bancroft when she was 16, having skipped several grades, and moved with her family to St. Paul, Minnesota. Betty attended Globe University and was a secretary at State Farm Insurance. On May 14, 1949, she married Richard (Dick) Base, and they...
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With the passing of Duncan McDonald Cook County has lost the University of Michigan quarterback who inspired a generation of college football players, an insurance executive who was prominent in bringing the industry into the 21st century, a boyfriend and husband of 75 years to wife Evelyn, father to his wonderful daughter Deborah, an engaged kind and understanding grandfather and great-grandfather, and good friend to many. Born to Anne Crawford McDonald and Duncan McDonald, Sr. in Flint on July 1, 1933, Dunc’s father was a manager at the GM Factory, but when Dunc was in high school Duncan, Sr. was...
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The Treasure of Princess Prunella Stithel play was performed by (left to right) Sandy Suck (the dragon and author of the play), Debbie Toftey (Princess Prunella), Peggy Staples (Narrator), Kathryn Nelson (special effects), and Kristi Erickson (the king). The play was performed for several classes at the Lutheran Church building.
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The quest to enjoy the beauty of our north woods and the proximity to the BWCAW draws many to Cook County. Unfortunately, not everyone experiences the idyllic adventure they envisioned and occasionally there are tragedies to deal with. When that happens, a page goes out to the volunteers of the Cook County Search and Rescue (CCSAR) team for assistance. These are unselfish volunteers who will drop whatever they are doing to lend a hand to those in need. Well today the tables are being turned because the CCSAR is reaching out to the public for your help. We were recently...
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The Happy Hikers will hike the Shovel Point Trail at Tettegouche State Park on July 19. This 1 (plus) mile hike starts at the visitor center and follows the rugged Lake Superior shoreline along a clifftop. We will end at the tip of the point with a stunning view of Palisade Head to the west. Uneven terrain, wooden stairs and boardwalk. We will then go the opposite direction to the mouth of the Baptism River, then follow this trail up the side of the river to the High Falls—the highest waterfall completely within the boundaries of Minnesota. This 3-mile round...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town Hall, 7240 Tofte...
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Nashville performer Caitlin Nicol-Thomas celebrates the release of a new recording of original songs, “Derecho”, with a series of performances in Minnesota. She will be joined onstage by multi-instrumentalist Al Oikari, who has been a musical collaborator for her Minnesota performances since 2015. Some shows will feature lineup additions with rhythm section musicians, and other shows will be as a duo, as listed below. Whether playing a heartfelt original song or adding her own flavors to a cover song, Caitlin delivers mesmerizing performances. Contact venues for additional show details. Friday 7/14 - Caitlin Nicol-Thomas & The Southpaws, Birch Terrace Supper...
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Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful to return them to you. Mailing address is Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604-0757. Digital images can be emailed to ccnh@boreal.org Thank you!
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Allie Duclos has left the amateur ranks and is now log-rolling and, boomrunning professionally against the top women in North America. Duclos, 17, made her professional women’s log rolling debut at the Lumberjack Games - Splash n’ Dash in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. It was an excellent way for her to dip her toes into the professional world. Allie had a first tough match with the legendary Shana Verstegen and lost but not without taking a fall on Shana by surprising her with a tremendous splash. Allie is currently ranked 12th in the women’s log rolling field after taking 5th place at...
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Each summer, the members of the Grand Marais Garden Club come together around a theme to create a floral display for our community members and area visitors to enjoy. This year’s theme is “Garden Treasures”, and we can’t wait to show off gems from our gardens! We invite you to join us for the show on Saturday, July 22nd from noon to 4 p.m. at the Community Center located at 315 5th St. This event is free and open to all. In addition to the show, we will have a plant exchange/ sale. The club members will be wearing their...
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National Park Service Wildlife Biologist Dr. Steve Windels was recently honored with the 2023 Distinguished Moose Biologist Award at the 55th North American Moose Conference and Workshop held May 22-26, 2023, in Grand Portage, Minnesota. The Distinguished Moose Biologist Award was established to honor “the outstanding contribution of an individual to the understanding and management of moose” in North America and Eurasia. Windels is the thirty-nineth person to receive this honor since the award was established in 1981, and the sixth from Minnesota. Windels first started working with moose in 1994 as an undergraduate research technician working for parts of...
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Grand Marais Public Library’s Summer Reading Program continues to inspire young readers ‘find their voice’ this month with a live performance of Bubble Wonders, an uplifting show, full of surprises, using bubbles to encourage participants to follow their dreams. Geoff Akins combines incredible bubble-wizardry with whimsical words of wisdom and will leave the audience feeling like anything truly is possible. This family friendly program is free of cost, open to the public, and happening on Saturday, July 22 at 10:30 a.m. at the library. This program, sponsored by Arrowhead Library System, was funded in part or in whole with money...
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For Tim O'Brien, and for the men - young once – of the Air Cavalry. At the bow one paddled an old, old paddle. Long, thick and wide. He portaged it with the bulky camouflage lifevest slung through the shoulders while he humped a Duluth pack over 50 pounds. In the Duluth pack he carried a hammock system of a rain tarp and blanket and hammock and many guy wires. He carried fuel and canisters and a stove – two stoves for contingencies. He carried a hatchet and clothing and food. The food was dehydrated packets, and fresh eggs in...
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For those you who follow me on Facebook you know that recently our family faced a terrible car accident where my nephew Tanner and his 7-year-old little boy Brody were seriously injured. It happened in a blink. They were on the way to a baseball game and Brody dropped his bat while riding in the back seat. He took off his seatbelt “just for a second” to get the bat. Tanner, trying to help Brody, swerved into oncoming traffic and had a head on collision. Their lives will never be the same. Both survived but will have to face several...
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Nope, it’s not about cleavers. Read on. I’ve always been known as a Pollyanna, accused of seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. “Cleave ever to the sunnier side of doubt,” a quote by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, hangs above my computer and rests at the bottom of my emails. But you know what? It isn’t always that easy. Sometimes I have to rely on a psychological technique called reframing— casting a negative in positive terms. A simple example would be calling an overly chatty person “gregarious” rather than “blathering.” My tendency to be overcommitted might be reframed as “involved,” “engaged,” or...
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For some, a summer tradition means all-whites and strawberries and cream at Wimbledon. For others, it’s the array of colorful wildflowers decorating the natural landscape. And yet for others, the summer tradition is a Road Trip. From Homer’s “The Odyssey” to Kerouac’s “On the Road” the road trip has been of considerable interest. Yes, it’s ironic that Odysseus ended up on an odyssey. Yes, the only people for Sal Paradise were “the mad ones”. But maybe Sal would have found plenty of madness if he only shoved a couple of kids into the backseat? Yet neither the epic poem nor...
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The 32nd annual Grand Marais Arts Festival attracted large crowds over two days as visitors came from across the region to view and purchase works of art from 60 juried artists. This year the event moved back downtown from the High School parking lot where it had been held the last two years. Artists' booths were set up between Broadway and 1st Avenue and on 1st. Avenue south of Wisconsin Street. Once again, the art festival was hosted by the Grand Marais Art Colony with funding coming from Visit Cook County.
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Chmelik qualifies for the Dean’s List Cece Chmelik, Grand Marais, qualified of the Hamline University College Liberal Arts Dean’s List for Spring 2023. Students must have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher and complete a minimum of 16 credit hours to make the Dean’s List. Cecelia is the daughter of Teresa and Michael Chmelik, Croftville. Nesgoda named to Hamline University Spring Dean’s List Olivia Nesgoda, Grand Marais, was named to the Hamline University College of Liberal Arts Dean’s Lis of the Spring semester, 2023. Students must complete at least 16 credit hours and maintain a GPA of...
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The Cook County Food Shelf is in need of help once a month on Mondays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers will be asked to be at the First Congregational Church of Christ and 2nd Street and 3rd Avenue west to distribute food to clients. Volunteers will always be paired with an experienced volunteer. Again, this is a once-a-month commitment for approximately two hours. If you can’t make that help is also needed to unload the Food Truck on the first Mandy of the month at 11:30 a.m. until about 1 p.m. You will meet some amazing people! Call...
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On Friday, June 30, the Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway Committee, the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe, and the Superior National Forest unveiled a new Swamper Lake 3-panel kiosk, located halfway up the Gunflint Trail. The colorful kiosk shows the locations of more than ten lakes and gives their Ojibwe names and stories behind the names. Consultation and input by the 1854 Treaty Authority and the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe during the development of the content ensured that the story of the lake names cultural significance was told. The lakes on the kiosk include: Hivernant Lake, Lake Saganaga, Lake Ogishkumuncie,...
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Properties along the Gunflint Trail in Grand Marais, Minnesota remain open and unaffected amid the 22-acre Spice Lake fire located within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness approximately 10 miles west of the Gunflint Trail. As of Monday, June 19, 2023 the U.S. Superior National Forest Service announced that fire reduction efforts are successful and crews will be scaling back. Throughout the duration of the fire which began on June 13, 2023, the Gunflint Trail and the majority of the Boundary Waters have remained open to travel. “There is a misconception that we are adversely affected by the current fire...
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The Cook County Sheriff ’s Office 911 Dispatch was notified at 6:44 p.m. on June 21, 2023, that fishermen on Gillis Lake had overturned their canoe and one of the canoeists who wasn’t wearing a PFD had never resurfaced. On Friday, June 23, the body of Lester Jay Hochstetler, 18, of Clear Lake, Wisconsin, was recovered from Gillis Lake where he had been canoeing with three other men. Assisting the Cook County Sheriff ’s Office was Cook County Search and Rescue, St. Louis County Search and Rescue, USFS, and Gunflint First Responders. During the initial search, Cook County Sheriff ’s...
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Karla Pankow, NRP, CCP-C, EMS Director North Shore Health Ambulance shared a story about a BWCA rescue the ambulance crew performed. May I just take a moment to brag a bit about this EMS crew? At 5:58 a.m. June 29, we were dispatched to Beth Lake in the Boundary Waters. The Beaver seaplane was unable to fly. Without hesitation, we ventured out under the guidance of one of our own EMTs, Eric (who, along with volunteer Dennis, responded on his day off to represent Search & Rescue). After traversing across three lakes (Sawbill to Alton to Beth Lake) and a...
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More than 3,000 people attended the two-day semi-annual Hovland Arts Festival held at the Hovland Town Hall July 1 and 2 on a weekend blessed with beautiful weather. With 40 artists on hand displaying their work and wares there was a lot to look at and choose from. Shannon Crossbear was back with a story hour and half a dozen local musicians played over the two days. The arts festival is a semi-annual event showcasing the talent and artistry of Hovland residences or folks who have ties to Hovland. There were also tables set up by folks from Arrowhead Animal...
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Roger Allen MacDonald passed away at the age of 99 at the Care Center in Grand Marais, Minnesota on June 21, 2023. He lived a full life serving as a family physician in Koochiching County, Minnesota from 1948-1962 and in Cook County, Minnesota from 1962-1978, as well as a brief stint in St. Peter, Minnesota with his brother in-law, Dr. Robert Nelson. Roger was born in Sheffield, Pennsylvania on March 27, 1924. His family moved to Winona, Minnesota in 1935. Roger started playing violin when he was 11 years old and continued playing for the next 80+ years. He achieved...
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Dr. Roger Warren Strand passed away peacefully, on Tuesday June 6th, at Bethesda North Pointe, New London, Minnesota. Roger was born in St. Paul, Minnesota March 23rd, 1936, and raised in Minneapolis. He spent summers at(in) Green Lake in Kandiyohi County. Roger graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1953 and was inducted into the Roosevelt Alumni Hall of Fame in 2022. He graduated from Macalester College in 1957, and was awarded a Distinguished Alumni Citation. After graduating from the University of Minnesota Medical School with an MD, he served his compulsory military service on the Rocky Boy Reservation in Montana...
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Terry L. Cave, age 74, went home peacefully to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 25th, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. Terry was born March 29, 1949 in Cook, Minnesota to Norman and Ilah (Mills) Cave. The Lord blessed Terry with 50 years of marriage to his beautiful bride Joyce (Pearson), three children Tim (Lisa) Cave, Kristin (Nate) Stenholtz, Lindy (Ben) Bakeberg along with 11 grandkids and one great-grandchild. Terry’s hard work, dedication and attention to detail was displayed during his years as a baker in Duluth, MN, working in the Homestead Mills Feed Store in Cook,...
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Notice for Postponement of Memorial Service for Roger Arvid Nelsen The family of Roger Arvid Nelsen regretfully finds it necessary to postpone the memorial service, previously scheduled for July 15, 2023, to a date yet to be determined.
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Lutsong Productions, LLC is pleased to announce its second annual event, the Lutsong Music Festival, to be held in Lutsen, Minn. on Thursday, July 13 through Sunday, July 16. Twenty acts are scheduled to play music during the four-day weekend at Caribou Highlands Lodge and the North Shore Winery located on Ski Hill Road in Lutsen. In addition to great music, attendees can enjoy the vendor village, a bronze metal pour, food, and beverages. “We are excited by the support we received from musicians, vendors, attendees, and the community for the first festival in 2022,” stated Scott Schuler, co-founder of...
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A murder that occurred in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in June of 2021 with deep roots to Cook County may be coming to a conclusion as the final person, Jacob Colt Johnson, goes to trial in Duluth. Johnson’s trial is set for July 18, but the family of the murder victim, Richard (Ricky) Balsimo Jr., has asked the case to be moved to Saint Paul, where Ricky was murdered. Richard (Ricky) Anthony Balsimo Jr. of St. Paul was reported missing by his family in late June 2021. When authorities failed to locate Balsimo, his family hired private investigators who found information...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town Hall, 7240 Tofte...
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Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful to return them to you. Mailing address is Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604-0757. Digital images can be emailed to ccnh@boreal.org Thank you!
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Friends of the Gunflint Trail Fire Department will host a Pre-Party and Dance at Poplar Haus on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, to generate even more excitement for the Gunflint Trail Canoe Races taking place the following Wednesday, July 19th. The partying begins at 8:00 p.m., with the incomparable DJ Bryan Gerrard at the board to get everyone on their feet and dancing! Refreshments will be available for purchase from Poplar Haus. A donation to the Gunflint Trail Fire Department is suggested. All are welcome. Carpooling is encouraged due to limited parking. This year’s Gunflint Trail Canoe Races on July...
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The Cook County/ Silver Bay Jr Legion team was held to five hits and one run in their 9-1 Tuesday, June 27 loss to Ely. The Vikings lone run came in the third inning while Ely put two on the board in the first, one run in the second, two more in the fourth, one in the sixth and three in the seventh. Five Vikings each got one hit, Amos Falter, Hunter Gomez, C. Smith, T. Shannon, and R. Tersteeg. Amos Falter starred on the mound. He threw one inning allowing one hit, two runs, two walk and two strikeouts....
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Dave Duede of Eagan, Minnesota, won the Tofte Trek 10K on Tuesday, July 4th, in 38:33, averaging 6:12 per mile on the hilly, somewhat swampy (in places) trails. Not far behind was Joey Chmelik of Grand Marais. Joey crossed the line in 38:57, a 6:16 per mile pace and more than a minute faster than his previous best time here. Other local finishers in the men’s race were Aulis Nelson, Grand Marais, who finished in 51:24; Haddon Taylor, Lutsen, ran the distance in 59:31; Eero Moody, Grand Marais, finished in 1:00:27 with his dad, Anton Moody, not far behind in...
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Is there a better summer accessory than sunglasses? Shades, as the cool kids don’t call them, are ideal for people who are into optometric health and not squinting. Sunglasses are also good for hiding tells and, if you can dig it, being cool. This year our son attended a water-sports-focused summer camp, and they recommended sunglass straps. Sunglass straps are useful in water sports because the person might end up in the drink and a strap means your shades won’t sink. But instead of one pair we ended up with a pack of ten. And, like passing a bowl of...
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A family reunion in southern Ohio provided the occasion for us to return home via Lake Superior’s Canadian North Shore. It was a pleasure with some surprises. We were vainly proud here of being what passes for scenic in Minnesota. We expected great open spaces and flatness above the Lake. It turns out that Grand Marais is at the bottom of the Canadian Shield that extends from Nunavet down to us and back up to Newfoundland and Labrador, including Lake Superiors’ North Shore. Driving the Trans-Canada highway on top of the Lake is like driving our Highway 61—on steroids. Eleven...
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We’re used to this, right? We know about black flies and head nets and repellents, but my goodness! This has been the bug year of bug years. I had hopes, what with the dry spring (well, when it finally came), that the dryness might ameliorate the insect populations, but for some reason it did the opposite. We’ve been deluged. Not just with the usual black flies, but with an incessant supply of mosquitoes. The good news, I guess, is that we’re in this together. Something to moan about instead of the weather, which, by the way, has been gorgeous. Except...
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Blessed with great weather—not too hot and not too cold--more than 1,000 people enjoyed the Tofte July 4th festivities. Food vendors, games for kids, live music, and booths filled with many items for sale were available to the public. The longest line for food was the one manned by the Tofte firefighters and EMS workers. While many people milled about, some danced to the good vibrations and sounds of the South Paws, a local band with two “kids” from the West End, Steve Johnson and Al Oikari, making up half of the band.
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DEVIL TRACK RIVER – JULY 12, 2023 This week the Happy Hikers will hike along the Devil Track River section of the Superior Hiking Trail, beginning at County Road 58 (Lindskog Rd.) trailhead parking lot (a few miles east of Grand Marais). We will travel through a 1937 tree plantation. Watch for scenic waterfalls and gorgeous red cliffs. We will hike 2.4 miles to the Devil Track River Bridge, a 50-foot “A”-shape bridge that was built in 1992. The canyon is deep and remote. There are campsites on both the west and east side of the river, and we will...
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Following the recent Lake Superior drowning of two 18-year-old men near Silver Bay, State Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL) has called on the U.S. Coast Guard to reopen the Grand Marais Coast Guard Station. In a press release, Hauschild stated, “Our U.S. Coast Guard personnel have one of the most dangerous jobs out there, and I commend them for their response to the incident outside of Silver Bay. Given the dangers Lake Superior poses to residents and tourists along the Northshore, I am requesting that the U.S. Coast Guard reevaluate their decision to close the Grand Marais Station.” The Coast Guard...
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Here is Phil Hedstrom with some machines that were used to create logging roads that allowed men, horses, machines, and logs to move throughout the forest. The year the photos were taken is unknown. The photos became part of an International Harvester Company collection.
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While four Minnesota towns were listed among the top 175 “Cheap U.S. family vacation survey”, only one of those, Grand Marais, cracked the top 100 landing 64th. The poll was conducted by Family Destination Guide with more than 3,000 families surveyed asking which affordable destinations those families would most likely visit in 2023. The top three selections were Long Beach, New York, Coney Island, New York and Surfside Beach, South Carolina. Minnesota towns included Lanesboro at 132, Nisswa at 154 and New Ulm at 164. Baraboo, Wisconsin, landed 38th on the list with the Wisconsin Dells coming in at 143.
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If you have 9,000 there are 40 acres of property for sale at 932 Pike Lake Road with a nice gravel road and some brush and trees cleared for a building site. It’s beautiful property. Could be the property you are looking to buy! In December 2018, Seth Jeffs, as the “Managing Member” of Emerald Industries LLC, purchased 40-acres of property just off the Pike Lake Road with the hopes of building a 5,760-square-foot pole barn complete with living quarters. However, after Jeffs pushed in a 900-foot-long road and tried to level and clear some ground with heavy equipment, he...
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The Cook County Highway Department has lifted all seasonal load restrictions, and all gravel roads will open to legal haulers. Cook County thanks everyone for their patience while conditions were monitored throughout the spring season. Seasonal load restrictions are put into place to protect roads from damage or failure during the spring thaw when melting snow and rain can saturate road base material. Damage done to roads is usually deeper than just on the surface and can end up costing thousands of dollars to repair. Haulers are asked to be mindful of posted bridges, which have year-round varying load restrictions,...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News- Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Michael John Wendt, 62, Rice Lake, Wisconsin, pled guilty June 14, 2023, to a petty misdemeanor of Possessing Fish Unlawfully Taken or Possessed in Canada, on May 27, 2023. Fines and fees total 5. Benjamen Erik Sundin,...
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Dora was David Copperfield’s first wife of two, his second true love of three. She was enchanting - a Fairy and a Sylph - with a delightful little voice, the gayest little laugh, and the pleasantest little ways. Girlish and graceful. A Dickensian ‘femme parfait’. She had a little dog named Jip, who was her first and last true love. Her “Pet” and her “Dear”. A rambunctious small pug. So jealous of David, it snarled and barked at him; growled at David even when Dora reprimanded it on its short snout. Gave David the evil eye even as Dora squeezed...
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“My parents took care of us, and we didn’t even know a war was on. We had a garden, lived on a farm and we never went without. We got 2nd hand clothes from relatives.” “I remember being in the band and playing for everyone. My dad was a Veteran; he was in the Coast Guard. My Grandpa’s family were in WWII. A brother was a P.O.W., one lost an eye, and another did not return from the war.” “My aunt and uncle were Vaudeville performers in the 1ST War in France, and they entertained the soldiers. They came back...
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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will set approximately 20,000 traps this year looking for spongy moth (Lymantria dispar), formally known as gypsy moth. The traps will be set throughout the eastern half of the state and in far northwestern Minnesota as part of a “western rotation.” This work is part of the MDA’s annual trapping survey program and is designed to protect Minnesota’s forests and urban areas from new infestations of spongy moth by detecting potential problem areas for future treatments. While the goal of the program is not to trap every spongy moth, trapping is vital to early...
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The West End Garden Club is pleased to announce that their annual flower show will be held in a new location this year. It will take place at Waves of Superior Cafe Surfside Resort ballroom, Tofte, on Saturday July 15 from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. All are invited to enjoy dozens of beautiful flower arrangements displayed in this stunning venue. The theme this year is “Grandma’s Attic”, which promises to be fun and creative. In addition to WEGC members, anyone is welcome to display an arrangement which should be brought to the ballroom between 9 and 10 a.m. the morning...
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Northern Minnesota counties will receive a boost of nearly Million thanks to the 2023 Legislature. The new funding is designed for Counties with large public land holdings and is known as Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT). It is intended to compensate counties for the loss of property taxes on the State’s vast acreage of public land in Northern Minnesota. Northern counties are disproportionately dependent on PILT funding. when compared to other regions of the state. Due to the large acreage of public lands in these counties and the resulting lost tax base, PILT can account for 10 percent...
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Through April, lodging tax collections for Lutsen and Tofte and the Grand Marais area were down when compared to last year over the same period. That said, they are slightly up for the Gunflint Trail area. Through the first four months of 2023, collections for the Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association (LTTA) were ,944.52 in January, ,995.18 in February, ,287.41 in March and ,817.96 in April. Starting in January 2022, collection for the LTTA over the same four months was ,714.16; ,744.54; 7,465,93, and ,345.70 for April 2022. Year-to-date lodging taxes are down 9.0 percent over 2022 for Lutsen and Tofte. With...
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For almost a decade, North House has wrestled with a tough decision— the iconic Yellow house’s foundation was shifting in opposite directions, and the building used first as staff office and now as a school store was being ripped in half. Countless repairs to the roof had been made over the years, and the question became: how much money do you invest in a building that no longer fits your needs? And then, is there some way to give the building a second life? First, North House reached out to Hamilton Habitat and the Cook County HRA to see if...
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An Eagle comes in fast and furious as it gets ready to pluck an unsuspecting fish from the water.
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On June 24, a fire leveled Papa Charlie’s bar and restaurant at Lutsen Mountains. Almost exactly two years ago, the building’s namesake, Charles Mather Skinner III, died unexpectedly at the age of 87. (August 30, 1933 – June 17, 2021). The man, like the building, may have left us. But Charlie Skinner’s memory, impact, and visionary spirit live on. Who was “Papa Charlie?” Charlie Skinner was a ski area manager who bought Lutsen Mountains in 1980. By opening ski runs on the rugged Moose Mountain, Skinner and his hard-working team of employees quickly turned Lutsen Mountains into the biggest ski...
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The Grand Marais Lions Club is soliciting nominations for Citizen of the Year to be awarded on Saturday, August 5, 2023, during Fisherman’s Picnic. The Citizen of the Year award is for an individual or couple whose volunteerism and service to the community has made Cook County a better place to live. In choosing a recipient, consideration will be given to the nominee’s past and on-going contributions to the community. A nominee only needs to be nominated once to be considered. If multiple nominations are received for a nominee, all information provided will be compiled and considered, but number of...
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Fire destroyed a house on 230 Devil Track Road last Saturday, July 1. Dispatch at the Cook County Law Enforcement Center was notified at approximately 11 p.m. that a house was fully engulfed in flames. Calls went out to the Maple Hill and Grand Marais fire departments who responded quickly but the house was too far gone to save. One of the owners of the house, Kathleen Wallace, Woodbury, Minnesota, was notified by the Cook County Sheriff ’s office that the house had burned. Neighbors reported no suspicious activity in the area. The house was unoccupied during the fire. The...
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Just down the shore in Silver Bay there is quite a list of well-known regional musicians playing free concerts this summer. The concerts will be held in the Center City park next to City Hall. The venue is brought to the public by Rocky Wall Productions. In its’ third season, Rocky Wall Productions attracted 1,500 folks in 2021 and 2,750 in 2022 with the goal of having 4,000 people attend the concert series this summer. And judging from the lineup of artists, that might be a low number. The acclaimed country blues musician Charlie Parr will kick off the series...
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On June 13, 2023, the County Board of Appeals & Equalization meeting adjourned, finalizing the 2023 assessment. The final 2023 assessed values show that Cook County’s overall taxable market value increased 14.2 percent over 2022. On June 26, 2023, the sales ratio study that is administered by the Minnesota Department of Revenue was also finalized and no state board orders were issued for Cook County’s 2023 assessment. The sales study period used by the Assessor to set assessed values runs from October 1 through September 30 each year. Looking at the sales that have occurred during the first nine months...
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Will Surbaugh, 21, Grand Marais, won the 2023 Lutsen 99er by a whisker over Dillon McNeill of Papillon, 21, Nebraska, who was credited with the same time as Will, five hours, two minutes and 46 seconds (5:02:46), for the 99-mile course. The two muddied riders averaged 17.02 miles per hour over the grueling course. There were 589 entrants in the field and a total of 2,200 riders entered over four races. Kyle Fry, 34, Shuniah, Ontario, Canada, placed third in 5:04:58. Nora Klingfus, 29, Longboat Key, Florida, won the women’s division in 6:00:17. Maria Osowoski (Statz), 39, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin,...
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Fresh off of his 5th place finish at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships held June 8 in Innsbruck- Stubai Valley, Austria, Drew Holmen decided not to race the Western States this year. Instead, Holmen, 31, will pace a teammate for the last 20 miles of the 100-mile competition. Holmen called on Thursday, June 22, from Olympia Valley, Washington, the starting point for the Western States, with an update on running and work. “I decided to skip the Western States this year, and I’m glad I did,” Drew said. “Instead, I will pace my friend and teammate, and I’m...
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Playing at home, the Cook County/Silverbay Legion baseball team beat Cherry 9-2 on Thursday, June 22. The Vikings led 3-1 after the first inning and tacked on two more in the second, one in the fourth, and three in the fifth. Meanwhile Cherry had bookend runs, one in the first and one in the seventh, otherwise they were held scoreless. Jake Stadler took the win on the mound for the Vikings. Jake gave up four hits, two runs, one walk and struck out 11 in 6.1 innings. Ethan Tate closed the last two-thirds of an inning and allowed one hit....
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For six innings, the game against the Ely Timberwolves Senior Legion baseball team was close. The boys from Cook County/Silver Bay hosted the Ely Timberwolves Legion baseball team here on Tuesday, June 27, and fell behind 3-0 after the first inning. Neither team scored in the second, and CC/SB pushed two runs across the plate in the third while giving up a run to Ely to make the score 4-2. The Vikings scored one in the fourth while blanking Ely through the sixth inning. Trailing 4-3 in the seventh and final inning, the Vikings gave up eight big runs while...
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Just a stone’s throw from here, right around the corner, is an intersection of note. A smaller road intersects into the larger road on a curve. Because it’s on a curve, instead of standard T-bone, the smaller road diverges into two even smaller roads and looks like more like the letter “Y”. In the middle lives a small patch of land we call “The Triangle”. Roughly half the size of a tennis service box, The Triangle’s so small it scarcely should be called “land” at all. I wouldn’t bring up this small, inconspicuous real estate but it turns out The...
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“When is the thrift store opening?” “Are you taking donations yet?” As president of the First & Second Thrift Store Board of Directors, I’m barraged with these questions daily. What was I thinking when I accepted that position? Actually, I’ve enjoyed volunteering for the thrift store, but I never signed up for this particular gig. None of us did. It’s just the way things go. I expect all of us have moved to a new apartment or home, and it’s a lot of work. Well, multiply that by a hundred. I may be exaggerating, but I sure hope we never...
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Commercial and sports fishermen will be heartened to hear that the numbers of Lake Superior juvenile cisco caught in bottom trawl surveys this season are reaching epic numbers. The surveys have been conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). As reported by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, “The number of one-year-old cisco in a haul is a huge indicator of the future adult population. Once cisco successfully reach one year of age, they’re likely to make it to adulthood (three years of age) and can live up to over 30 years old. “Age one cisco have been hard to...
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Doran Acero, Grand Marais earned Dean’s List honors for Spring Semester 2023 at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC) in Cloquet. Requirements for earning Dean’s List honors at FDLTCC include maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher while completing 12 or more course credits during the semester. Students may take daytime classes, evening classes, weekend classes, online classes, or a combination of the above classes. Sadie Wilson named to Dean’s List Sadie Wilson, Grand Marais, was named to
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Abigail (Abby) Crawford, Grand Marais, was named to the Spring 2023 Dean’s List at St. Scholastica. Dean’s List members have achieved a 3.75 grade point average or above on a 4.0 scale. Abby is the daughter of Rick and Cindy Crawford, Grand Marais. Frances Zigmund named to St. Scholastica Dean’s List Frances Zigmund was named to the St. Scholastica Spring Dean’s List for academic achievement. Students who have achieved a 3.75 grade point or above average on a 4.0 scale earn Dean’s List honors.
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Mia Rose Huagan, Grand Marais, was named to the North Dakota State University Dean’s list for the spring quarter. Mia is majoring in microbiology. Students must earn a grade point average (GPA) average or higher and be enrolled in at least nine class credits to qualify.
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Arrowhead Transit is thrilled to announce the return of its most requested bus route from Grand Marais to Duluth. After careful consideration and community feedback, this convenient and comfortable transportation option will be available every Tuesday starting July 11th. Whether planning a day trip, a medical appointment or exploring the vibrant city of Duluth, Arrowhead Transit has got you covered! Schedule: The new bus route schedule ensures a smooth and efficient journey for passengers. Here are the departure and arrival times: Departure Times: 8:00 am: Depart from Grand Marais 9:00 am: Depart from Silver Bay 9:45 am: Depart from Two...
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On Friday, June 16 Cook County Public Health presented data from the 2022 Minnesota Student Survey in relation to local youth mental health and substance use. The Minnesota Student Survey asks students questions about activities, opinions, behaviors, and experiences, including a variety of risk and protective factors. The presentation was recorded for future use. Additionally, Cook County Public Health is working to form a Substance Use Prevention Coalition to navigate the local landscape of youth substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery. The Coalition will work on: Identifying what substance use concerns exist locally. Discussing how risk and protective factors affect...
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Celebrating thirty-two years on the shore of Lake Superior, the Grand Marais Arts Festival is a celebration of fine art, attracting over 8,000 visitors. In 2003 the Art Colony will host 60 juried artists. Funding for this event is generously provided by Visit Cook County. Having temporarily hosted the event at Cook County Schools, due to road construction on Highway 61 and ongoing COVID-19 social distancing, the festival will return to the downtown corridor of Wisconsin Street. Artists will set up between Broadway and 1st Avenue and on 1st Avenue south of Wisconsin Street. Parking and traffic will remain open...
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Minnesotans celebrate our nation’s independence each year on July fourth with parades, backyard barbecues, family get togethers, camping, campfires and yes, fireworks! Did you know? There is an average of 75 hospital visits each year in Minnesota due to fireworks injuries. Nearly 45 percent of fireworks injuries each year happen to children. Fireworks that explode or shoot into the air are illegal in Minnesota. Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees, hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping them on their feet. According to the National Fire Protection Association,...
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Trust is earned, not given. County powerbrokers and placeholders have lost the public trust. Taxpayers are burned out on years of expenditures, expansions, mismanaged contracts, construction oversights and shortsighted “needs” analysis. An explosion of local government disproportionate to our slow growth population leads to distrust. Wasting limited tax dollars; acting on wants, not needs; baited with one price and project then switched to more, more, more; avoiding true needs analysis; and solutions seeking problems i.e., messing with unorganized territory town hall use—all leads to distrust. People feel the exponential nature of change. As leadership condescends to local expressions of change,...
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Handlebar to handlebar, arms almost touching, Will Surbaugh and Dillon McNeil battle to the wire, with Will getting the nod. Every year since he began racing in the Lutsen 99er Will has improved his place, and this year—by the thinnest of margins—he won first place in a frenzied sprint to the finish. Now a professional racer Will beat Dillon McNeil of Papillon of Nebraska. Both riders, age 21, were given the same time in the most exciting finish ever at the Lutsen 99er.
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Lutsen’s Papa Charlie’s Tavern, a popular place to eat and drink and the county’s largest indoor venue for live music, burned to the ground on Saturday, June 24. Cook County dispatch was notified at 6:01 a.m. that there was a fire at the iconic 27-year-old structure, and the Lutsen Fire Department was paged and responded immediately. Once on the site, the Lutsen Fire Department requested mutual aid from the other fire departments in the county. Responding to the call were fire departments from Tofte, Schroeder, Maple Hill, and Grand Marais. Also responding were the Silver Bay fire department as well...
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Abigail (Abby) Sutton, a student at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, earned a spot on the Academic Dean’s List for the spring 2023 semester. The Dean’s List is comprised of students who have achieved a semester grade point average of 3.50 or above while carrying a minimum of 12 graded hours. Abby is a senior majoring in social enterprise from Grand Marais. She is the daughter of Kevin and Jennifer Sutton, Grand Marais. Northwestern College is a Christian college of more than 1,700 students in Orange City, Iowa. Rated a best-value by U.S. News & World Report magazine, Northwestern...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has received a proposal from Talon Metals LLC (Proposer) for a new nickel mining project in Aitkin County in central Minnesota. The proposed project, known as the Tamarack Nickel Mine (Project), would involve construction of an underground mine and supporting facilities approximately 1.5 miles north of Tamarack, Minnesota. The Project would have an 80-acre footprint on the surface that would include an access portal to the underground mine, temporary storage for ore and waste rock, and facilities to collect and treat water. The Proposer would mine ore-bearing rock containing nickel and other precious...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News- Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Dan George Beleane, 79, Hovland, Minnesota, convicted on April 10, 2023, of a gross misdemeanor of Child Neglect - Knowingly Permitting Physical/Sexual Abuse, on June 1, 2019. Sentenced on June 7, 2023, to serve Concurrent/Consecutive with following...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports bumping into quite a few anglers throughout the week as groups were preparing for rain showers over the weekend. Hill watched one person fishing with a topwater...
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In the absence of human-created attractions, bears rely on small, scattered patches of natural foods: specific types of young green vegetation in spring, certain species of ants and ant pupae in June, berries in summer, and nuts in fall. But if bears can get access to concentrated, high-calorie, easily accessible foods around people’s homes and campsites, they are quickly enticed away from their natural food sources. It is important to secure anything that a bear would consider food. Don’t condition bears to associate homes or campsites with an easy meal by leaving out unsecured garbage, birdseed or pet food. Learn...
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Lutsen photographer Jean Brislance recently sent this collection of warblers that have been visiting his yard. A keen eye and great photographer, Brislance never disappoints with his pictures. “Our most exciting one was the Black-throated Blue Warbler. They are considered somewhat rare in our state. However, there is a small population of them that nest in a narrow range of northeastern Minnesota, which is also the far western edge of their breeding range in the U.S. A very classy looking bird. “This bright yellow warbler with the black cap is the Wilson’s Warbler. They are really quick and rarely sit...
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The sale will take place July 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Submitted by Sandra McHugh This is the sixteenth year of repurposing great stuff at the Lutsen Lutheran Rummage Sale. Located in beautiful downtown Lutsen, the sale is always a fun gathering spot for locals and visitors. We are fortunate to benefit this year from several households which are downsizing or moving. That, along with loads of high-quality items that folks no longer need, creates a sale worth getting to. Count on finding tools, toys and sporting gear as well as housewares, linens, furniture and home decor. A...
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Color crayons and chemistry came together last Wednesday, June 21, as 30 children from the Cook County YMCA met with scientists and educators to learn about water chemistry and biological invasive species that can harm the lake and people, plants and fish that swim in the water. The group met on the beach by the Lake Superior Trading Post for several hours of learning and fun. The kids, ages 5-9, collected samples of algae and water as they got a first-rate primer on water ecology taught by scientists from the Science Museum of Minnesota. Marie Leland from the St. Croix...
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Robert Spry, Jeannette (LeClair) and Ernest Spry’s second son, came into this world on April 17, 1941. When he received his diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis he said “I thought I’d live forever. I may have to rethink that.” He died at home on June 9, 2023 Growing up in Grand Portage, MN he spent his childhood enjoying life with his brothers and sister playing sports, misadventures, and joys of boyhood with the love of his family. He attended school in Grand Portage through the 8th grade and then in Grand Marais graduating in 1959. He enlisted in the US Air...
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Jean (age 88) died from Alzheimer’s on June 20, 2023, at home in Duluth. She was born on July 1,1934, in Fargo, ND, and was adopted as a newborn into the loving home of Janice and Garvin Olson. She grew up in Hatton, ND, with her parents and younger brother, Rolf. After graduating from Hatton High School, she attended St. Olaf College where she earned a degree in Music Education in 1956. She taught for two years before returning to St. Olaf College as the Assistant Dean of Women, where she met her husband, Orwoll (Oz) Anderson, whose mother was...
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Kimberly Carlson Floyd of Northfield, Minnesota, passed away on June 23, 2023 due to complications recovering from her recent stroke. Kimberly was born on October 9, 1972 in Park Ridge, Illinois. Kimberly is survived by her son Asher (Lynsey), daughters Kyiah, Roene, and Nevaeh, parents George and Marilyn Carlson of Grand Marais, brothers Todd (Kunthida) and Marc (Carmen) Carlson, nieces and nephew Zachary, Nicole, Amy, Eliza, and Kaleigh Carlson. She was known to all of her friends and co-workers for her love of family, nature, and ballet. A Memorial Service will be set at a later date.
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January 20, 1930 – June 18, 2023 Jim Pecore passed away Sunday, June 18, 2023, in Wasilla, Alaska at the age of 93. Jim was born January 20, 1930, in Two Harbors, Minnesota, the son of Francis Albert and Etta Pecore. He grew up in Lutsen, Minnesota at the family resort on Caribou Lake. He eventually took ownership of the resort with his first wife, Shirley Smith Pecore. The family moved to Santa Rosa, California in 1964, but maintained a summer cabin on Caribou Lake. Jim then moved to Alaska with his second wife, Alta Pecore, in 1975. At his...
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Gordon “Corky” Bradford Lundquist 79, died unexpectedly on Sunday, June 18th at his home in Mesa, Arizona. Corky was born July 21st, 1943, to Mary Jane Schuyler & Gordon (Cork) Lundquist. Corky joined the Navy right out of high school. When he returned home, he went to work for Reserve Mining for many years until they shut down. He and Louise then moved to the Twin Cities for many years until retiring to Arizona, which he loved. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Louise and close friend Betty Gurule. He is survived by his son Michael...
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Duncan died on March 1, 2023, with his beloved wife, Evelyn, and daughter, Deborah, by his side. Full obituary forthcoming. A Celebration of Duncan’s life will take place on Saturday July 22 at 1 p.m. in the backyard of the family’s house on the Lake Superior shore. The address is 218 East 2nd Street, Grand Marais. (The street is lakeside behind the Aspen Lodge). Rain or shine (under a tent top). All in the community are welcome.
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The Cook County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, June 27 and covered a lot of topics. Cook County Highway Engineer Robbie Hass came before the commissioners to request the county board approve using State Aid Funds for a highway maintenance facility. Hass said in 2021, the county board approved a resolution to use State Aid Funds to construct salt-sand and cold storage buildings. That said, the highway department decided this year that it needed a heated facility instead of building a cold storage facility. Because of the change from cold to heated, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) requested...
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The Cook County DFL hosted a Community Picnic on Monday, June 26, at the Grand Marais Rec Park Pavilion from 4-7 p.m. About 50 people stopped by to have a free hotdog and ice cream on a beautiful day by the lake. CCDFL board members, left to right: Chair Kevin LeVoir, Ranna LeVoir, Kathy Sullivan, Marcie McIntyre, Denny FitzPatrick, Jennifer Schulz, Treasurer Barb Bottger, Mike Bash. Not pictured Bob Nesheim.
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Cook County Extension is proud to name the Sawtooth Mountain Maple Syrup Company as the Cook County Farm Family of the Year for 2023. Each year, Extension highlights the contributions of a farm family to the local agricultural and food landscape of Cook County. In the 1970s, Kirstin van den Berg and her brother, Chris Cordes, got their start maple sugaring as youngsters growing up in Chisago County. They used gallon milk jugs to collect sap and boiled it in a large, flat pan over an open wood fire. In 1986, Chris started a more serious operation on his property...
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Recovery potluck Recovery potluck at The Hub (10 Broadway Ave in Grand Marais) Monday, July 3, Open to all, Eats at 6 pm. Bring a dish or bag of chips to share. Beverages, pie, and ice cream guaranteed. Speaker at 7pm- Vicki B "It's All About We" Sponsored by Cook County AA More information call 218-370-0682 Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER. No financial or other qualifications—this...
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Here is beautiful Gracie, a cat that loves to play with simple brown paper, a scratch board, and an assortment of toys. She also likes to play hide-andseek. You won’t find Gracie unless she wants you too! Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful to return them to...
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The Cook County Real Estate Fund (CCREF) has poured a lot of resources, time and money into renovating the former Birchbark Books & Gifts building in downtown Grand Marais and although the building isn’t complete, they held an open house for the public on Monday, June 26. Total cost of the renovation is [post_excerpt].5 million. When finished the 1st and 2nd Thrift Store will have 2,600 square feet of space and The Title Team 1,700 square feet. Six office spaces will be for rent in the back of the building, with one of those spaces already taken. Located at 11...
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SHARPENING SAW BLADES The man working in this photo is Hilding Bjorklund. He is in the filing room of the old mill, sharpening a huge saw blade. Year of photo is unknown.
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Up from the ribbon like river rose a high sand wash on the outside bend, and that is how all the bends are created and remain, the river rolling into a hill older than the Indians made of sand and clay, and coming in contact with the high, hard Earth, deflecting and turning. Always the tongue of the inside bend is a flat green grassy land of soft maples – sage-colored silvers and deeper green boxelders. Up atop the high bank, a birch tree’s height over the river, lay the level open spot, and there squatted one wooden picnic bench...
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Cook County Commissioners met Tuesday, June 13, and just like some sports competitions, they needed to go into “overtime” to finish their meeting. With no time to waste, Administrator James Joerke asked commissioners to pass a resolution of support for a capital request to the Minnesota Management & Budget for ,700,000 to assist in the county’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). One holdup, though, was that the CIP is still a document in progress that has yet to be approved by the county board. Joerke told commissioners preliminary applications from local governments for capital improvement requests were due on June 16....
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Although they can swim and walk when they are first born, baby loons spend a lot of time riding on their parents' backs the first few days of their lives. This helps protect them from underwater predators and allows them to regulate their body temperature.
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After a smokey start to the week on the North Shore, the skies cleared, and the sun came out to kick off the 26th annual Wooden Boat Show at North House Folk School. “What a joy it was to see the commons filled with boats and craft demonstrators once again and to have so many friends and neighbors on campus,” said Executive Director Greg Wright, “The boat show is like a big family reunion, and with so many community partners involved this year AND guests from Sweden celebrating their folk school’s 100th anniversary, it was like magic!” On Friday night,...
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By: Sarah Waddle, Community Center/Extension Educator and Leanne Avery, Community Center Assistant The Cook County Community Center is a community gathering place that promotes well-being and social connection for all ages. The campus includes the main Community Center building and historic Log Cabin building as well as the ice rinks and warming house, skate park and playgrounds. In addition, the campus encompasses a ball field, tennis courts, a horse park, and community garden. The main building also houses staff offices for the Community Center, University of Minnesota Extension, and local Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP). As summer arrives in Cook...
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A Letter to The Editor a few weeks ago written by concerned parents and taxpayers about Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) held at a publicly owned entity has caused, what seems to be, some pretty unfair responses. The signers simply think that the use and promotion of DQSH in/by a government owned facility isn’t the best use of public funds. Reading some of the arguments in favor of Drag Queen Story Hour and against the above-mentioned letter and petition which I have supported, signed, and found to be appropriately reasonable has prodded me to ask a few questions. It’s stated...
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On Tuesday, June 20 thirteen firefighters were busy mopping up hot spots left by the 22-acre Spice Lake fire that started in the BWCA. The Spice Lake wildfire was detected on June 13th between Spice Lake and Ogishkemuncie Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) on the Gunflint Ranger District of the Superior National Forest. The fire was approximately 10 miles west of the Gunflint Trail. The Superior National Forest implemented Forest Order (09-09-23-03) for closure of area lakes, portage, and trails around the fire for public safety. Public safety crews are redirecting visitors and posting portages closed....
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Beth Ann Johnson, Duluth, the Council Program Coordinator for Arrowhead Regional Quality Council, a program of The Arc, was in town on Tuesday, June 20, to meet with folks from Birchwood Apartments, and she had some news to share. “One Roof Community Housing will be the new owner of Birchwood Apartments at the end of this month,” said Johnson. One Roof Community Housing is well known in the county. They completed two developments here, the 10-unit single-family homeownership project in Grand Marais, called “Nordic Star,” and the four (4) quad-plexes for a total of 16 rental units in Lutsen. This...
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The MOU between the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the Superior National Forest document and FAQs are now available U.S. Forest news release The Superior National Forest has uploaded the Memorandum of Understanding to our website Tribal Relations page, along with a Frequently Asked Questions to help answer questions our partners, cooperators, and the public may have about the impact the MOU will have on the Forests operations. “The framework that this MOU lays out is a meaningful step for the Superior National Forest...
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North Shore Health (NSH) was recently named one of the country’s top 20 critical access hospitals (CAHs) for patient satisfaction. NSH scored best among CAHs as determined by the Chartis Center for Rural Health, based on data compiled in the Chartis Rural Health Performance INDEX™, specifically the patient satisfaction domain. The rankings were recently announced by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). An awards ceremony will be held during NRHA’s Critical Access Hospital Conference in September in Kansas City, Mo. The “Patient Perspective INDEX” uses the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) Measures. All hospitals in the...
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Suellen S. Kruse, age 82, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2023, in Grosse Pointe, MI. She was born in Minneapolis on July 28, 1940, to Gordon and Evelyn Kruse. She grew up in the cities and was a graduate of Southwest High School in Minneapolis. She worked as a Trust Officer at First National Bank of Minneapolis before she and Jeanne Schlosser moved to Grand Marais, MN in 1989 and opened the Kah-Nee-Tah Gallery and Cottages in Lutsen. Suellen had a passion for art and her beloved Lake Superior, and she combined those loves into her business which she...
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Christopher Glenn Smith, Grand Marais, Minnesota, and Jessica Nicole Neel, Grand Marais, Minnesota, April 28, 2023. DeAnna Joleen Perreault, Grand Marais, Minnesota, and Sarah Jo Simondet, Grand Marais, Minnesota, May 9, 2023. Marcis Arron-Tate, Lutsen, Minnesota, and Amoy Shauna-Kay McCarthy, Lutsen, Minnesota, June 1, 2023. Austen Kenneth Graham, Grand Marais, Minnesota, and Jade Marie Wilson, Grand Marais, Minnesota, June 2, 2023.
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The Senior LinkAge Line® will offer two classes covering health care fraud, waste & abuse prevention on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and again from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how to detect and report potential errors, fraud, and abuse; review potential fraud and scams targeting older adults, learn how to read their Medicare paperwork, learn how to protect their Medicare beneficiary number, and how to protect/detect/report Medicare scams and fraud. This presentation includes information from the Senior Medicare Patrol, a federal education and prevention program. We are authorized to offer 1.5 Continuing Education...
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The Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging will be hosting the caregiver conference at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet on June 28th 9 am-4 pm with satellite sites at ElderCircle in Grand Rapids, NorthShore Area Partners in Silver Bay, Cook County Higher Education in Grand Marais. Registrants can also attend virtually. There will be respite available at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College upon request- please contact Volunteer Services of Carlton County at 218.879.9238. Melanie Bunn, Keynote speaker, is a certified mentor in Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Dementia Care. Other topics will be What to...
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The Pat Bayle State Forest is a state forest located near the town of Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. The forest falls within the limits of the Superior National Forest and is under the federal jurisdiction of the United States Forest Service. Within the forest, one can find the highest point of elevation in the state of Minnesota, Eagle Mountain. In addition to hiking, winter outdoor recreational activities are popular, including snowmobiling, snowshoeing, dog sledding, and ice-fishing. But who was Pat Bayle, better known locally as Paddy Bayle, to have a State Forest named after him? Patrick J. Bayle...
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The final photo in a trilogy of images from photographer John Vachon (1914-1975). This is a view of the Duluth harbor in 1904 from near the top of the Incline Railroad.
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town Hall, 7240 Tofte...
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Cornerstone Baptist Church hosted the first international dinner of the season on Tuesday, June 20. The countries represented were Thailand, Kazakhstan, Chile, Russia, Turkey, Jamaica, Mongolia, Dominican Republic, and Colombia. The purpose of this dinner is to welcome international students to our community and to thank them for helping our community to thrive through their hard work. Two more dinners will be held this summer at the Evangelical Free Church on July 18 and August 15 at 6:30 p.m. The church is located at 120 East 5th Street.
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When the staff at Tasting Table, a digital media company that focusses on food and drink, was asked to name their favorite donut and where it was made in the US, the Powdered Sugar Cake Donuts at World’s Best Donuts made the list, although the Grand Marais donut bakery might have had an in. Sarah O’Phelan, now living in Denver and an editorial writer for Tasting Tables, attended school in Cook County when her folks Michael and Maureen O’Phelan owned and operated Cascade Lodge and Restaurant so she was intimately aware of the donuts. That doesn’t mean Sarah was wrong,...
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If you want a chance to win this great canoe, go to Visit Cook County and plunk down for a ticket. Proceeds from the annual canoe raffle go to fund grants for the following year for the Chamber’s Great Place Project. The winning ticket will be drawn August 23, 2023. Remember, you can’t paddle away in this canoe if you don’t buy a ticket!
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Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful to return them to you. Mailing address is Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604-0757. Digital images can be emailed to ccnh@boreal.org Thank you!
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Happy Hikers alert, the schedule is set; now all you have to do is show up and hike! All hikes will meet in Grand Marais on Wednesday at the YMCA parking lot by the tennis courts at 9:00 a.m. We’ll carpool to the trailhead (suggested donation for drivers is ) and hike for two to three hours. If you would like to meet us at the trailhead (rather than the YMCA), we ask that you notify Carol beforehand so we know to wait for you. Everyone is invited to bring a sack lunch each week to enjoy after the hikes....
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One of Cook County’s largest events of the year, the Lutsen 99er, returns this weekend, June 23-24. The 99er has moved this year, with Superior National at Lutsen - Golf Course serving as the venue for the Friday event festivities, the Little Niners kids’ event, as well as the start and finish of the races on Saturday. Superior National will be closed for golfing most of Friday and all-day Saturday, with tee times available again on Sunday. Expect increased traffic on Highway 61 beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday as participants arrive to check-in and explore the expo grounds. From...
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“There are better angels among us, and Thomas Sharp is one.” Brian Larsen Red-cheeked, tired, and a bit out of it at the finish line, Tiberius, age 6, looked just like he had finished a marathon. In fact, he had, but only because of the extraordinary efforts of Thomas Sharp, who pushed him in a three-wheeled stroller the whole way. Sharp, 60, a science teacher and track and cross country coach at Eastview High School in Rosemount, Minnesota, first ran Grandma’s Marathon in 1980 when he was 16. “I think I ran it in just a little over three hours,”...
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No Joe Klecker this year. The 2018 Tofte Trek winner and 2020 Olympian is coming off a 2023 12:54 indoor 5K and an outdoor 27:07 10K and is instead racing against the best runners in the world in Europe on the Diamond League. Oh well, anything to get out of running the rugged Tofte Trek 10K! The annual July 4 Tofte Trek 10K and kids’ races will once again be held at the Birch Grove Community Center in Tofte. There will be same day registration starting at 7:45 a.m. At 9 a.m. the always competitive 10K race walk starts and...
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Starting at the U.S. Port of Entry Pigeon River border crossing in Grand Portage, Cook County Law Enforcement and friends carried the Flame of Hope to Grand Marais and then through Cook County last Monday, June 19, passing the torch to fellow law enforcement in Lake County. Taking part in the run was Paul Spry (Cook County Sheriff ’s Office), Kristi Perales (US Customs and Border Protection), Drew Olson (MN State Patrol) and Ed Belmore (USFS Law Enforcement). In Grand Marais the runners stopped at the World’s Best Donuts for a picture and then the crowd who had gathered walked...
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As a history and American Studies major in college, I cared deeply about civil rights issues then and now. I did not know most of what I read in Defying Dixie: The Radical Roots of Civil Rights, 1919-1950 by Yale historian, Glenda Elizabeth Moore, now Emerita. And I am overwhelmed at how little detail I knew and how important that detail is for providing context to our current issues of race, wealth inequality, and polarization. (Folks wanting local focus of these columns should be satisfied because some of us lived through the period 1919 -1950. And most of us care...
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Camp Winnepamakeska is nestled deep in the woods, adjacent to, of course, Lake Winnepamakeska. In an activities pavilion, ROB PEREZ and TIMMY, 19, a camp counselor, sit at a picnic table. ROB PEREZ: Timmy, thanks for taking the time. TIMMY: I’m here all summer, I guess. R: I hear you’ve been coming to Camp Winnepamakeska a long time? T: Eleven years. R: That’s quite a run. T: Complacency plagues my generation. R: Since you’ve been here so long, you probably know what “Winnepamakeska” means. T: I believe it’s an Ojibwe term for “white man take lake”. R: Yikes! Quickly moving...
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Elisha Barno was in his usual place at the 47th running of Grandma’s Marathon when he crossed the finish line in first with a time of two hours, nine minutes, and 14 seconds at the 47th running of Grandma’s Marathon, taking his fifth win. Barno, 37, led four other Kenyans who swept the top five places on a day that was cool and nearly perfect for fast times. In all, 39 men broke two hours and twenty minutes, many of those under the two-hour eighteen-minute standard to qualify for the Olympic trials. Women finishing in two hours thirty seven minutes...
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Hearing or smelling something, a curious turtle stretches its neck and then relaxes and goes back to resting on a rock in the sun.
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The Vikings senior legion team led 1-0 after one inning of play in their match against Moose Lake/ Barnum (MLB) played on Thursday, June 15 at home. However, after two scoreless innings the Vikings added a run and MLB pushed two runs across the plate to tie the game. Neither team scored in the fifth or sixth as the pitcher’s dual kept the bats of both teams fairly silent. That said, MLG scored three runs in the seventh and the VI; kings couldn’t score to lose 5-2 in a great game. Jake Stadler pitched the entire game for the Vikings....
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) spent the week working angling activity in and outside of the BWCA. Time was also spent investigating a site in the State Forest where campers were...
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On May 27th, a letter to the editor from Theresa Donovan of Hovland was published. As someone who lives in Hovland, I feel another view is needed. I have lived in Cook County all my life. The Grand Marais Public Library has always been a wonderful resource. I have used the quiet room, the conference room, and study spaces to further my education. Most of all, I have attended numerous programs hosted by the library. These have spanned many histories and cultures. The library has only ever listened to the community and supported various groups of people. Drag story hour...
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Staff at the courthouse recently through a party for David Eckel celebrating David’s 45-year anniversary in the maintenance department. David is known for his tremendous work ethic, good humor, kindness and reliability (he never missed a day going through grade school or high school and nothing’s changed). Congratulations goes out to David for his service to the people of Cook County.
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The North Shore Health Care Foundation’s 3rd Annual Taste of the Trail Picnic Adventure fundraiser will take place on Sunday, June 25 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. This event helps support equitable access to healthcare, healthy living programs and emergency services in Cook County. Navigate the beautiful Gunflint Trail on a scenic and tasty adventure, collecting multiple courses from iconic Trail venues, complete your passport and enjoy live music at the end to raise funds for the North Shore Health Care Foundation. Cost is per person or 5 per couple. Tickets include an adventure bag with treats, a Picnic...
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A wildfire was spotted ten miles west of the Gunflint Trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) late June 13. The fire is near Spice Lake and Ogishkemuncie Lake in the BWCAW in the Gunflint Ranger District of the Superior National Forest. Forest Service fire personnel flew over the fire to determine the fire’s activity and location. Moderate fire activity was seen in a mixed Boreal Forest of aspen, pine, and balsam fir. Some evidence showed that Spruce Budworm had affected trees, meaning dead and downed trees can fuel an active fire. Fire personnel searched for and found...
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In May, dandelions were thriving in the Grand Marais Rec Park. “We have a ‘no mow’ policy this month,” Dave Tersteeg said. It’s all part of a plan to encourage bees and other pollinators to thrive, added the Rec Park Director. National Pollinators Month in June seeks to encourage people to plant nectar-producing plants to attract bees, birds, bats, and other natural pollinators, and while these little creatures might seem annoying at times, they are critical to our survival. Leading the charge of pollinators in the U.S. is the honeybee. It’s a lot to buzz about; however, commercial beekeepers are...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News- Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Anthony N. Poyirier, 36, Grand Portage, Minnesota, was convicted on April 14, 2023, of two felonies: 1) Criminal Sexual Conduct - 2nd Degree with Victim Under Age 13, and 2) Criminal Sexual Conduct - 2nd Degree with...
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With a short life span of seven to ten days, Luna moths are here and gone all too quickly.
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Drying conditions continue across Northern Minnesota prompting campfire restrictions Due to continued dry conditions and worsening wildfire danger conditions, the Superior National Forest has issued an Emergency Forest Order - effective June 14 - restricting the igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire, including charcoal grills and barbeques, coal, and wood burning stoves to reduce the likelihood of a wildfire on the Superior National Forest, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Forest Order 09-09-23-02#). The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; St. Louis, Cook, Carlton, and Lake Counties; and the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Grand Portage...
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Two Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers recently were recognized for their lifesaving efforts earlier this year. CO Sean Williams, who is stationed in Ely, in February saved the life of a man who was snowshoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and was unable to get out. CO Jeremy Henke, who is stationed in Albert Lea, in May used an automated external defibrillator to help save the life of a man suffering a cardiac event. All COs have carried AEDs since this spring; this marked the first time one was deployed in a lifesaving effort. “Conservation officers...
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Summer is here, so it’s time to work on a bucket list. As a kid, nothing was more important than summer break. The entire school year seemed to revolve around how many days were left of school before the next holiday. My high school English teacher, Mr. O, kept a running total of the number of days until Summer on the chalkboard…. I think he was looking forward to it as much as we were. (Maybe more!) These are my ten favorite activities for summer fun! My kids and I have checked each of these off our list. (Yes, even...
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One cannot claim to be born either an outdoorsperson or naturalist (literally, unlike a Spartic baby trialed on its first night alone on the mountainside, or Romulus or Remus and the She-wolf along the Tiber), just as one cannot prove to be born spiritual or religious, although one may quickly and early get a feel for the world, and a liking or disliking for it. For me early was three and quickly was four and five and nine. I was first and foremost a defeatist. As children it’s gentler to call them worriers and worrywarts, and that was the extent...
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I have a bit of a background in economics so here’s how Supply and Demand works: Supply is the quantity of goods producers can provide; Demand is the quantity of goods consumers want. The intersection of these two things determines the price. This immutable truth is the only thing John Maynard Keynes and Adam Smith agreed on and is true for all goods and services in all countries in all situations. Except, for some reason, for rhubarb. Rhubarb is, at least this time of year, all supply and no demand. No demand. None. Zero. Zilch. How can I prove this?...
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Now that the high school season is over, the boys from Silver Bay and Cook County once again came together as one unit on the baseball field to participate in Legion Baseball. The CCSB boys’ baseball team traveled to Deer River on June 13 and came home with a 9-4 victory. Jacob Carpenter had a strong outing on the mound, taking the win for the Vikings. Jacob pitched 6.1 innings and gave up four hits, three runs, five walks, and struck out five. Amos Falter led the way on offense by going three for four at the plate. Amos scored...
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Drew Holmen, 31, was the top American finisher at the 2023 Trail Long section of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships held on June 8 in Innsbruck-Stubai Valley. Running a course more suited to mountain goats, Holmen ran 52.8 miles in 10:06:58 covering 19,905 feet of elevation. Drew averaged 14:59.24 per mile. The race was won by Benjamin Roubiol of France who crossed the finish line in 9:52:59. Holmen was one minute behind the fourth-place finisher. Stubai Valley is spectacular, a mecca for mountain runners and hikers. It is surrounded by 80 glaciers and 109 mountain peaks with an...
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David Eckel was competing in the recently held Le Grand Du Nord 54-mile gravel grinding race a week ago when he ran into some physical trouble. Rather than drop from the race he stopped and took a long rest and then finished in an unfamiliar spot, last place. But, as one of his fellow competitors said, David finished when most people would have dropped out. For his display of grit and endurance through pain, David was awarded the Le Grand Du Nord “Toughest Overall” medal.
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“This cross-country cycling trip is a moment of mourning for the gifts of the National Parks we’ve lost or are soon to lose, a celebration of what’s still left for us to cherish, and an acknowledgment of the activists who work to make cycling a safer, more utilized means of transportation for our communities.” Spencer Mccullough Spencer Mccullough has ridden his bicycle 3,300 miles to visit nine National Parks, and he is just a little past one-sixth of the way to the finish of an 18,000-mile bike ride. When he is done, he will have gone to all 51 of...
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Brian Larsen A little rain didn’t slow the enthusiasm of the brick collectors who attended the International Brick Collectors Association’s (IBCA) “brick swap” held at the Grand Marais Rec Park on Saturday, June 10 at the pavilion. About three dozen people were in attendance for the swap and then an auction followed where people bid against each other to purchase their favorite bricks. The auction was held to raise funds for the IBCA, which has nearly 700 members worldwide. The IBCA holds three “brick swaps” each year. According to the IBCA, “Most collectors find their bricks at random-beside a road,...
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Community Picnic Community Picnic sponsored by Cook County DFL. All welcome. Free hotdogs and ice cream. Monday, June 26. 4-7 p.m. Grand Marais Rec Park Pavilion. Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m....
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A new study produced by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) highlights the potential for telehealth to make care more accessible while providing similar levels of service to traditional, in-person ways of delivering care. Telehealth is the use of electronic or telecommunications technology to access health care remotely. The preliminary report aligns with the Health and Human Services bill recently passed by the Minnesota legislature and signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz. The law extends coverage for audio-only care past its planned sunset in June 2023 while the state develops permanent policies for those services. “Telehealth has shown strong...
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Jordan Ekroot and Vaughn Swindlehurst recently received scholarships from the Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization. Vaughn received a ,500 award that he’ll apply towards his goal of earning a private pilot certificate, in his quest to become a commercial pilot. A second Scholarship award was presented to Jordan Ekroot as a “continuation grant” to help Jordan get his transitional fixed-wing rating. Jordan is a licensed helicopter pilot and is working towards his commercial fixed-wing certificate. The Arrowhead Eagles is a local non-profit 501(c) (3) organization with a mission to support Cook County Minnesota’s airport and aviation tradition through promoting aviation events,...
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A law signed on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, by Governor Walz includes new requirements for health insurers that the Minnesota Department of Commerce says will protect Minnesotans’ access to preventive care, helping them keep their families healthy and saving them money. Commerce drafted the requirements months ago, anticipating recent federal court challenges that jeopardize no-cost preventive care guaranteed under the Affordable Care Act. The new law, modeled after the ACA, requires health insurers that are regulated by the state to continue to provide preventive services at no cost. “In the complex world of health policy and insurance regulation, the Department...
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The University of Minnesota Extension will be conducting a Master Woodland Steward Course in Cook and Lake counties starting in August and ending in November 2023. The Master Woodland Steward program delivers a complete training program for those who own property with woodlands, steward woodlands, or who are looking to buy wooded property and wish to learn more about forest management. This comprehensive program teaches family forest owners and forest caretakers the ins and outs of forest health, timber harvesting, management for recreation and wildlife, estate planning, tax incentive programs and more. The Master Woodland Steward course offers a flexible...
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Here is another 1941 picture by photographer John Vachon (1914-1975). The man in the photo is working a milk bottling machine at a Duluth dairy.
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Jane E. Shaw age 84, of Chanhassen, Minnesota, passed away from breast cancer on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Jane was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1956, she graduated from Washburn High School and went on to earn a teaching degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. In 1962 she married William “Bill” Shaw. She was devoted to Bill and dedicated her life to raising the family they built together. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandma, mormor, farmor, and friend. Jane had an unyielding faith in God and enjoyed going to church. She loved spending time at her...
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Edmund (E.J.) Isaac said it was like leaving family when after 12 years, he left his position as a fish and wildlife biologist for the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa to accept the job as the new Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries supervisor position in Grand Marais. E.J. just started his DNR fisheries supervisor job in late April 2023. With the additional hire of new fisheries specialist Ben Schleppenbach this spring, the Grand Marais area office is back up to capacity with four full-time staff to manage fish habitat and fish populations over Cook Counties’ more...
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Seven-year-old Bock hot water heaters are two years past their “useful life” and need to be replaced, North Shore Hospital Administrator Kimber Wraalstad told the hospital board. Addressing the hospital board at the May meeting, Administrator Kimber Wraalstad told the board that beginning in late 2022 or early 2023, the hospital had been experiencing irregular error codes with the water heaters. After a service check, it was found that the combustion side of the internal heat exchangers was severely restricted, which caused incomplete combustion. What followed was that Bock water heater #3 was completely inoperable. In addition, Bock heater number...
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Thank you to everyone who has helped with the First and Second Thrift Store move. We have a community to be proud of. I’m writing on behalf of the board and volunteers of the First & Second Thrift Store, and we’d like to thank a number of individuals and organizations for their support as we plan our move to the Birchbark building. First, we’d like to thank Mike Prom and the Voyageur Brewery crew for going above and beyond, refunding a month of rent that we paid them, storing some of our heavy items for four months, and then taking...
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In case you missed it, on Saturday, June 3 the splendid Strawberry full moon rose in all of its glory.
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This is Chet McHugh, who went to dog heaven on June 1st, following loving care from Dr. Samari and his team at Cedar Grove Vet Clinic. This photo was taken six years ago on Zeke’s Road. We think that Chet is running again in fields something like these. Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo...
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A hungry bull moose beats the heat while fishing for pond weeds. A bull moose can eat 40-60 pounds of food per day.
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Lawrence (Larry) Johannes Larsen, Jr., age 76, passed away on June 1, 2023, surrounded by family at North Shore Health Hospital in Grand Marais due to complications of Agent Orange induced Parkinson’s Disease. Larry was born to Lawrence and Irma Larsen on September 28, 1946. He grew up on the shores of Lake Superior at his family’s resort “Lakeview Cabins” in Croftville, Minnesota. He is survived by his wife Cathy, their daughter Haley (Mark) Holtan, granddaughter’s Roberta (Berta) and Matilda (Tilly), children Derek and Tami Blomberg, companion Golden Retriever Tobeel, sister Jackie Hyovalti, brother Curt Larsen, and several loved nieces,...
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Praise for recently retired Joan Gardner-Goodno’s work as executive director of the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation was enthusiastic and heartfelt as seven people came forward to thank her for her dedication and kindness shown to Cook County residents, in particular to the county’s children, on Thursday, June 1 at a celebration dedicated to Joan held at the North House Folk School campus Blue Building. Valerie Marasco Eliasen thanked Joan for working with her on submitting grants for the North Shore Health Care Foundation. Of Joan’s many attributes and abilities, Valerie noted, “She is kind, gracious, and has great listening skills....
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Few things in nature are as beautiful as coming across a Lady Slipper while on a walk through the woods. Minnesota’s state flower is a “showy pink and white lady slipper.” Since 1925 in Minnesota, it has been illegal to pick or uproot lady slippers unless they are on your own property.
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An Old Time Dance Party is coming to the Covill Town Hall on Saturday, July 15 at 7 p.m. Bring some rhythm and comfortable shoes. The cost is per person but kids 12 and under can come free as long as they are accompanied by an adult. If you are not sure you know what Old Time Dancing is and want to learn, there are classes on Wednesday nights from 7-9 p.m. for six weeks at the townhall. Cost is per session. The first class was June 7, past this paper’s deadline, but in the remaining classes you...
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Big Water Jewelry & Gifts in Lutsen has a lot to like and a lot to offer. The display cases each have a different theme. The art on the walls and displays laid out on tables are elegant and interesting. It’s a fun store to peruse and shop, and owner/operator Kathryn Hatopp has a wealth of information to share if you have any questions. Kathryn has spent more than 30 years in the jewelry, antique, and collecting art business. “I am a third-generation collector. My grandparents were collectors, and my parents, both teachers, also were collectors.” Assisting Kathryn is Gemstone,...
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This is an open letter to those who choose to spread their hate in our community. Those who steal pride flags, bear misinformation as a weapon, and use religion as a shroud. There is no joy, relief or victory for you on this path. We have always existed. We will always exist. We will continue to love, grow, raise children, and foster queer joy. We will always champion our right to exist. Your disgust in pride symbols is your disgust in our fight to be recognized as legitimate human beings. In the 90’s it was resisting the criminalization of our...
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Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) announced he has been awarded the 2023 Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Awardee from the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) for his work in Congress advocating on behalf of research on Down syndrome. “It’s a great honor to receive the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award,” said Congressman Stauber. “My third son Isaac happened to be born with Down syndrome. Just over 21 years ago, this precious boy was born into our family, and none of us would change a thing. There is so much value that Isaac - and every person like him - brings into this...
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Drag is an expansive art form- Drag performers choose their roles, much like the actors and models we see in children television shows, or sponsorships for brands that advertise to children and families choose their roles. Those same actors also have the freedom to take on roles in adult oriented TV Shows and Movies, in centerfold spreads in magazines, or on the billboards that line our publicly funded highways. Theresa refers to Drag Story Hour as a parody of womanhood. You have likely enjoyed performances of drag by the likes of Bugs Bunny, or of Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire,...
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The Senior LinkAge Line® will offer two classes covering health care fraud, waste & abuse prevention on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and again from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how to detect and report potential errors, fraud, and abuse; review potential fraud and scams targeting older adults, learn how to read their Medicare paperwork, learn how to protect their Medicare beneficiary number, and how to protect/detect/ report Medicare scams and fraud. This presentation includes information from the Senior Medicare Patrol, a federal education and prevention program. We are authorized to offer 1.5 Continuing...
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The Cook County Minnesota Highway Department is seeking candidates for the Highway Advisory Committee to represent districts 2, 3, and 5 (one opening in each district). The Highway Advisory Committee is a sounding board for the County Engineer and helps make recommendations on highway department policy and responsibilities, as well as a way for the department to inform the public on upcoming projects and grant opportunities. The goal of the Highway Advisory Committee is to increase transparency and improve communication between the Highway Department and the citizens of Cook County. Members include citizen representatives from all five commissioner districts, Grand...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) monitored anglers and boating activity on area lakes. Time was also spent in the BWCAW checking anglers. Enforcement action was taken for angling, watercraft and burning violations....
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With the gymnasium filled with family, friends and onlookers, 33 Cook County High School students waited patiently to receive their high school diplomas last Saturday, June 3, 2023. The graduation ceremonies at the Cook County High School were filled with some tender moments and funny lines. Following CCHS concert bands performance of Pomp and Circumstances and the Honor Song performed by the Chippewa City Drummers the program began with a welcome by Superintendent Chris Lindholm. Next Pre-K-12 Principal Megan Myer gave a tearful Soliloquy and then the band played “Ceremony of Winds.” Valedictorian Gustaf Hahn followed with a short speech...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking volunteers to help monitor the loon population in Cook and Lake counties. Volunteers are needed for a minimum of one morning during the June 30 through July 10 monitoring period, to count the number of adult and juvenile loons on pre-selected lakes. For more than 20 years, with the assistance of hundreds of volunteer observers, the DNR has gathered information about common loon numbers on more than 600 lakes distributed among six regions, or “index areas,” throughout the state. “The Minnesota Loon Monitoring Program is a success due to hundreds of volunteers...
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The view from Artist Point looking back at the Coast Guard station and Sawtooth Mountains in the background.
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During Take a Kid Fishing weekend (Friday, June 9 to Sunday, June 11) Minnesota residents can fish without licenses if they take children 15 or younger along, and participate in one among many ways to enjoy June as the 2023 Great Outdoors Month. “Connecting kids and families to the outdoors is a professional priority and a personal passion for me,” said DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen. “With so many shore and pier fishing opportunities across our state, fishing is a fun and easy way to get outside and spend time together. I hope Minnesotans across the state take the opportunity this...
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There are some very important days on the calendar. Days for gratitude, remembrance, and recognition. Days where we honor those who’ve served. Days where we celebrate those who lead. And, of course, Flag Day. I suppose we get 365 days a year. It’s impossible to spend and give them all meaning. So, after a few drinks, even lawmakers have to pass the time. They want to give the people a day that’s both patriotic and so anodyne that their political enemies on both the right and left cannot attack it. Hence: Flag Day. Flag Day, as I hope you do...
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Is there any seed that is at once as viable and valued as the radish? In an envelope of radish seeds – any company, any brand, any variety, any degree of “organic” or generic – are very small seeds – not too small (like the lettuce or carrot) so as to lose an account of from the envelope, from one’s palm or one’s fingertips – which when sown in the dirt, loam, or soil (it matters little the quality) in the garden (and I use the term loosely) will germinate and sprout – sprout, it seems, even before it takes...
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The Vikings track team had a good showing at June 1, 2023, Section 7A championships held at the University of Minnesota Duluth track and field facility, and while no one qualified for the state meet, there were a bunch of personal records set, and some podium finishes. Ryan Christiansen, a senior, placed fourth in the 100 meters with a PR of 11.60. Keean Selin, a senior, placed fifth in the 1,600-meter run with a PT of 4:54.33. Senior Tristan Surbaugh took ninth place in the 3,200-meter run finishing in 11:13.86. Eighth-grader MaCoy Fairbanks ran a personal record 46 seconds in...
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The Vikings baseball season ended with a 6-4 loss to their Northshore rival Silver Bay Mariners. The game was played on Thursday, June 1st in Cherry. Silver Bay took a 2-1 lead in the first, neither team scored in the second. The Mariners would tack on one more run in the third and two in the fourth while holding the Vikings scoreless. The Vikings pushed two runs across the plate in the fifth to make the score 5-3, but the Vikings could only add one more run in the seventh while the Mariners scored their last run in the sixth...
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Quinn McCloughan of Bearskin Lodge placed 32nd in the 53-mile Grand du Nord gravel grinding event held two weeks ago. Quinn finished the race in 2:50:33. His finish was missed in the last week’s paper.
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Senior Katie Peck once again was named to the Girl’s Polar League Softball All Conference team. Katie is a great all-around player. You can throw her into any position, and she can conquer it. She mainly played in the catching position this year, but also played a strong role as a pitcher and first baseman at times. Katie was the Vikings leader at the plate with a 0.562 batting average, 18 hits, and 1 home-run. Next year Katie will compete in three sports, volleyball, basketball and softball at Mesabi Range College.
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Two seniors and one junior Viking baseball player were named to the Polar League All-Conference baseball team. Senior catcher and pitcher Kole Anderson hit .390 for the season with a .400 percent on-base average. Kole had four doubles and two home runs during the weather-plagued year. As a pitcher, Kole had two wins and two losses. He had an ERA of 4.51 and recorded 38 strikeouts. Kole was also voted by coaches to the All-Section team. Slick fielding senior left-fielder J Shannon ended with a .308 batting average. He had a .400 percent on-base average and stole 20 bases for...
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Nothing like having a good wrestling match with your siblings on a warm summer day while mom and dad are out hunting for your next meal.
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A Thunder Bay family was on an outing at Middle Falls on Pigeon River midday on Monday, June 5, when their Alaskan malamute “Mouse” jumped into the river and was being pulled towards the 20-foot falls. When Dillyan Dubray, 21, saw his dog struggling, he wasted little time hurtling himself into the river. He swam to the dog and pushed Mouse towards shore. The dog made it safely to the riverbank, but Dillyan was swept over the falls. He said he was being pushed down the river when his foot got stuck in some rocks and he was trapped for...
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Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful to return them to you. Mailing address is Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604-0757. Digital images can be emailed to ccnh@boreal.org Thank you!
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Grand Marais Garden Club Grand Marais Garden Club meeting June 12, 10:00 AM, St. John’s Catholic Church. Program is planning July 22nd Flower show, then carpooling to Maxwell Nursery in Finland. Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais....
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Construction of CSAH 15 (5th Avenue West) has begun in earnest. Work will run through the summer and into fall, with minor interruptions to water and sewer expected. The road will be resurfaced with sidewalks and parking on both sides of the street. The project extends from Highway 61 to just past the intersection of CSAH 7 (5th street).
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The Cook County Historical Society is pleased to announce that the recent tax bill signed by Governor Walz earlier this week included 0,000 for the Cook County Historical Society for restoration of the following Historic Cook County sites: the Cook County History Museum; the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery; the Bally Blacksmith Shop; the St. Francis Xavier Church, also known as the Chippewa City Church; and 1930s Nee-Gee Fishing Tug and Fish House; and to complete design for and to construct, furnish, and equip a new collections storage facility in Cook County. The overall estimated cost of needed site repairs,...
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The Grand Marais Garden Club meets on the second Monday of each month from May through December at St. John’s Catholic Church lower level at 10AM. This month we will be planning our annual July Flower show, and then for those interested, carpooling to Maxwell’s Woodland Nursery in Finland where you will have the opportunity to shop from a wide selection of plants. Our Flower Show will take place on Saturday July 22nd at the Community Center and the theme this year is “Garden Treasures”. If you have an interest in gardening and would like to know more about getting...
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A community pancake breakfast will be held Saturday, June 17 at the Hub (Senior Center) in Grand Marais from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to help fund activities and programs provided by the Hub. “There will be a matching grant up to ,000,” said Larry Dean, who serves on the Hub’s board of directors. The menu will consist of pancakes, sausage, fruit, juice and coffee. Adults eat for , and children eat for . The pancake breakfast is sponsored by the Cook County Council on Aging, the Hub staff and Hub volunteers.
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The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) has named Eric Meittunen Deputy Commissioner - Veterans Healthcare effective May 24. Meittunen will lead MDVA’s Healthcare Division with responsibility for five current and three new Veterans Homes, Adult Day Center, and Veteran Suicide Prevention initiatives. In addition, he will partner with the Healthcare Division Senior Leadership Team to engage our stakeholders, establish strategic plans, and execute operational excellence objectives that achieve the highest quality, safest care for our Residents.
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Grand Marais Rec Park Director Dave Tersteeg reported that this May was busier than last May at the Rec Park by as much as “eight to ten percent.” But, he noted, “May is a soft month” for business. Tersteeg was addressing the park board at its monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 6. Meanwhile, two big projects in the park are underway. Crawford Excavating has been rebuilding the 8th Avenue stormwater pond, adding a two-tier flow setting in the pond and an engineered drain to allow slower dispersal of stormwater to the creek that winds through the park. The project should...
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Northeast MN - The Northland Foundation is pleased to be welcoming Michelle Ufford as Director of Grantmaking. She will officially start June 7th. Ufford steps into the role previously held by Erik Torch, who moved on to the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation in April. Ufford has extensive work experience in the region with nonprofits, schools, governmental agencies, and businesses. She comes to the Northland Foundation from Essentia Health where she has been the Director of Workforce Strategy & Talent Pipeline Development. Prior to that, she worked at the Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training, including as its Executive Director and...
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The Minnesota DFL House and Senate passed a bill along party lines that will mandate that businesses of all sizes provide employees up to 48 hours of paid sick time each year starting January 1, 2024. Called the (earned sick and safe time) bill, employees will make one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours of work. The sick leave is capped at 48 hours per year and can be carried over to the following year, and workers can bank up to 80 hours. Sick and safe time can be used if an employee is ill or needs to...
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There will be a graveside service for Joyce Lindquist on Saturday, June 24th at 11 a.m. at the Maple Hill Cemetery. A reception will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the Grand Marais Evangelical Free Church. Friends of the family are welcome to attend.
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To celebrate the life and memory of Jean Thomas, her loving family invite you to a gathering at the Johnson Heritage Post in Grand Marais, Friday, July 21st from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Jean Elizabeth McGrath Thomas, 11/11/33 – 9/15/2022, of Grand Marais, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to F.W. McGrath and Emma (Engstrom) McGrath, the second of three children. Growing up she spent summers visiting the Engstrom family farm in Cambridge, Minnesota. Jean graduated from Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio in 1957, where she met and married college basketball star W. Lee Thomas. Jean and Lee arrived in...
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Rae Poynter is the new Communications & Marketing Director at North House Folk School. She is a familiar face to some, but not all. The Cook County News-Herald caught up with her and did a brief interview to introduce her to our readers. Q- Where did you grow up? A- I grew up near Clayton, Wisconsin, a small town in northwest Wisconsin of about 500 people. Q- What brought you to the Northland? A- I moved to Cook County in 2016 after graduating from college. Having grown up in a rural area, I had a deep love of nature and...
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A Shout Out in 3 pictures on how local youth helped Minnesota win .5 million in teen vaping lawsuit settlement In March 2018, about 20 Cook County students and chaperones appeared before the Minnesota State Legislature to inform lawmakers of the negative impacts smoking and vaping have on teens. (Read more here: www.borealcorps.org.) The action helped the state frame a winning case against e-cigarette vaping maker Juul, claiming its marketing targeted youth. As a result, the state announced on May 20, 2023, that Juul must pay Minnesota .5 million. Most of the settlement goes toward smoking and vaping education and...
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On Wednesday, May 31, immediately after the 8:00 a.m. bell and principal’s announcements, students in Emma Spoon’s ISD 166 Sixth Grade Safety Class were treated to an insightful and informative Emergency Management presentation by Mike Keyport, Cook County Emergency Management Director and Ann Sullivan, Cook County District 4 Commissioner. The session provided an overview of the Emergency Management programs in Cook County and drilled down into the specifics of each topic. As I was invited to cover the class for this article, I realized how long it had been since I had set foot in a classroom full of young...
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The Cook County Pride celebration that culminates on the weekend of June 10th is completely volunteer driven event by the informal Pride Committee made up of 20-30 residents. Approximately 10 of those volunteers work hard year-round to make this event happen while holding down multiple jobs. The core group started planning efforts last September to make sure the event meets its mission. That mission is for all LGBTQIA2S+ residents to feel safe, supported, and celebrated in our community by our community. It’s especially important to the Pride Committee that the youth growing up here experience that support. As many members...
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As this big cat was legging his way for the woods, Doug Graham spotted it as it crossed through his Pike Lake property. It’s the first lynx he has seen in the Pike Lake area, he said.
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How long would you last living alone in northern Saskatchewan in the winter with very limited survival gear, no food, and having to build a shelter that could stand the test of Arctic winds and snow coming at you? Most of us would only last a little while. Out of 40,000 applicants, former Cook County resident Ann Rosenquist was selected to compete in the 10th anniversary of the popular History Channel survival series Alone. There were ten contestants; the last one standing won 0,000 cash. Will Ann be the one to collect the allocates and the cash? Ann, 56, was...
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After 34 years of teaching excellence, elementary school teacher Jana Larson decided to turn the page and close the book on this chapter of her life. Her last day at I.S.D. 166 was Tuesday, June 6, when a party was held for her in conjunction with the all-staff year-end celebration. Deb Waage, one of her former teaching colleagues, got up at 4 a.m. and drove from Litchfield, Minnesota, to attend the party. Jana started teaching at Birch Grove Elementary when it was part of the school district. For the majority of her career, Jana taught grades 1,2, and 4 at...
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Here is a 1941 photo of two men in Duluth, Minnesota, taken by photographer John Vachon (1914-1975). The men were sitting outside a workers' union hall.
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Lobo Joseph Poyirier, 37, Grand Marais, Minnesota, pled guilty May 16, 2023, to four petty misdemeanors: 1) Operating a Vehicle without Proof of Insurance, 2) Driving too fast, not with Due Care, 3) Cracked or Discolored Windshield, and...
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There are many benefits to spending time outdoors as a family. Children and adults of all ages and all abilities can improve their mental and physical health, as well as find social connections and fun by taking time to play, walk, or simply be in nature. We are lucky in Cook County to have lots of places to play outdoors, but sometimes it can be intimidating to take your young kids out to play. An upcoming event aims to make outdoor play welcoming and possible for Cook County families. Join us on Saturday, June 3rd from 10 – 11:30 a.m....
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Saturday, June 3, 2023, 10:30 a.m. Join us at the Grand Marais Public Library on Saturday, June 3 at 10:30 a.m. for Story Time with Chione, featuring a brand new musical story based on Twin Cities author Ka Vang’s Shoua and the Northern Lights Dragon. Vang’s short chapter book tells the story of Shoua, a Hmong-American girl who discovers her voice as she saves an injured dragon while camping in the northwoods of Minnesota. Hear this story set to beautiful and evocative music composed by fellow Minnesotan Jocelyn Hagen! Chione will also share the stories of each of their instruments...
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A petition asking the Grand Marais Public Library to “stop engaging in political ideological activism” has grown to 116, up from the number of 65 posted. The writer notes, “The drag queen story hour is one example of this.” The writer had wanted the petition link included in her letter to the editor. The petition link is https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-activism-at-the-gm-public-library. The newspaper regrets leaving the petition link out of the letter.
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With the 2023 construction season fast approaching a variety of construction projects are taking place across the county: from the Sawbill Trail to Grand Marais and up to Hovland. Beginning on the west end of the county and at the end of the Sawbill Trail we will be replacing a deficient metal culvert across Sawbill Creek. This project will utilize local levy dollars that have been saved up over time and once complete will be a double barrel concrete box culvert. A temporary bypass will be utilized during construction to avoid road closures and construction is expected to begin August...
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Kids and Teens! Come learn to touch the sky and soar with the sun! Summer Solstice Pageant stilt walking practice is starting soon. Beginners welcome. Save these dates for training sessions near the Grand Marais Community Center Arena: * Sunday, June 4 — Afternoon * Wednesday, June 7 — Morning * Saturday, June 11 — Afternoon Follow Good Harbor Hill Players on FaceBook and Instagram for news and updates!
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Anyone who has attended the local Summer Solstice Pageant would agree that the puppetry and pageantry are first rate. But who makes those puppets? People just like you, that’s who! If you would like to participate in creating life-sized puppets please come to the Grand Marais Community Center Wednesday, May 31 Through Wednesday, June 14. The hours are 10 a.m.- noon and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Children 10 or younger must be accompanied by an adult. Workshops are supervised and guided by experienced makers and artists. If you have participated in the past, show up! If you want to...
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The family of Pete Walsh invites the community to a celebration of life. Please bring stories and memories of our dad, we’d love to hear them. June
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Blair (Bump) Woolsey, DDS, 92, formerly of White Bear Lake, MN passed away peacefully on Friday, May 19, 2023. He was a 1947 graduate of South St. Paul HS. He graduated from Macalester College in 1951 and from the University of Minnesota Dental School in 1959. He served in the USMC for 27 years, retiring as Colonel in 1979. Blair married Joanne Dahlin in May 1955. Together they raised their three daughters. He was a respected dentist in the WBL area and retired in 2009. He enjoyed spending time at his cabin on Lake Superior. He was part of the...
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William Thomas Doucette, aka Billy D, passed away in his sleep on the evening of October 5th, 2022, at the age of 75. All are invited to join us for a celebration of his life at the Grand Marais Municipal Campground on June 10th at 2 p.m. There will be a graveside service at 1:00 for family and friends. Bill is survived by his brother Ken, his sister Earlene, his wife Lynn Doucette of Crystal River Florida, his daughter Lara Ganz, wife of John Ganz and mother to Callum and Mireille, and his son Sean Doucette, husband to Olga Doucette...
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BRINGING HISTORY TO LIFE Playing the role of Mary Surratt, high school student Carly Puch calmly knits as she answers charges that she was involved with the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Mary Surratt was the first woman executed by the United States Government. She insisted that she was innocent to the moment of her death. Carly Puch and fourteen other students portrayed historical figures, notorious and notable, as part of Ms. Ivy Church’s UMD College Writing program offered at Cook County High School.
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Gary and Kathy Siesennop had a very large, hungry, furry visitor about 8 p.m. on May 22. The bear didn’t cause any damage, said Gary. “This time it had to settle for eating new grass and dandelion plants,” Gary said. “Woodpeckers once again cleaned out the suet feeders, so they are not a bear attractant. We remove the black-sunflower feeders overnight and when we are not guarding or close at hand. We probably should bring in the kernel corn feeder, too. The squirrels and blue jays can dine elsewhere.”
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will be conducting lake and stream surveys in the Grand Marais area, beginning in May and continuing through September. Surveys are needed to identify changes in fish populations, water quality, habitat, and to evaluate management strategies. Survey methods vary based on the type of information needed for ongoing management of individual lakes and streams. Most streams are surveyed using backpack electrofishing gear, while most lakes are surveyed using standardized gill nets and trap nets. Large lakes with heavy use are surveyed more frequently than small, remote lakes. Stocked lakes are also sampled more often...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town Hall, 7240 Tofte...
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Law enforcement, Special Olympics athletes, parents, and friends will carry the Flame of Hope through Cook County June 19 and June 20. The relay will start at the port of entry in Grand Portage and the runners should be at Steve’s Sports around 3:15 p.m. on June 19. Pictures will be taken at Java Moose after a stop at World’s Best Donuts. The first day will end at Putt N Pets. People are encouraged to come out and cheer the runners/walkers on as they pass by carrying the Flame of Hope. The final leg of the Torch Run will end...
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Here are Hannah and Phoebe enjoying a morning rest in the sun. Hannah kept a close eye on me while I was doing some artwork nearby. We had a lovely day. Hannah and Phoebe’s favorite humans are Marcia Hyatt and Tom Christiansen. Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are...
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When you are a dog or a cat, usually you depend on your humans for food and shelter, unless you are a stray dog or a cat in Cook County, Minnesota. The city of Grand Marais has been without an animal shelter since the old block building was demolished by the city back in 2021 to make way for an upgrade to the marina. Since then, Arrowhead Animal Rescue (AAR) board members have handled the housing and care of the stray and abandoned animals. At present all the board members’ homes are at full capacity fostering the cats and dogs...
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Jessica Jacobsen Smith and Christopher Smith are proud to announce the birth of their beautiful baby boy Alexander Glenn Jacobsen Smith, born May 16, 2023, 2:52 a.m. Alexander weighed 8 pounds and was19 3/4 inches long at birth.
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On a great day to ride a bike last Saturday three waves of gravel grinding bicycle racers left from downtown Grand Marais on a sunny day and traversed through the back country roads to take part in the Le Grand du Nord. 110-mile results There were 166 finishers, 135 men and 31 women who completed the 110-mile race. The average finishing time was six hours and 53 minutes and 46 seconds. Kyle Fry, 34, of Shuniah took first place overall with a time of 4:45:40. Second place went to Grand Maria rider Will Surbaugh, 21, who completed the course in...
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The Vikings played the Silver Bay Mariners and Moose Lake-Willow River at home on Tuesday, May 23, and lost both games. After three innings, Moose Lake-Willow River (MSLK) was up 7-0. However, the Vikings scored three in the fourth, two in the sixth and one run in the seventh and lost 11-6. The Vikings recorded four hits in the game. Hunter Gomez, Amos Falter, Ethan Tate, and Cade Smith all had one hit for the Vikings, who walked nine times. Amos Falter started and pitched three innings. He allowed four hits, seven runs, and seven walks while striking out five....
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The Cook County High School boys’ baseball team beat Northwoods 8-2 and then lost 10-0 to Cherry on May 30 in the first and second round of the Section 7A play-offs. With the first game win the Vikings were guaranteed two more games, however, their next loss will drop them from the play-offs. Kole Anderson pitched 6.1 innings to take the win against Northwoods. Kole allowed four hits, two runs, six bases on balls and struck out 13 in the win. Kole also led the team at the plate. He was 2-4 with three RBI’s. Hunter Gomez was 2-4 with...
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On Saturday, May 21st the Girls on the Run team in Grand Marais held a practice 5k run at Cut Face Creek. The event was well attended and full of energy with families supporting the girls as running buddies, helping at an aid station, and cheering the girls on as they crossed the finish line. Thank you to World’s Best Donuts for donating donuts. On June 4th the girls will head to Duluth with their running buddies and families to participate in a 5k with other teams from Greater Minnesota. Girls on the Run is a program for girls in...
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Several boys and one girl qualified to run in the Section meet based on their finishes at Section 7A- Sub-Section North track meet held May 25 at Mesabi East High School. The top six in each event qualified for the Section meet. Ryan Christiansen, 12th grade, won the 100 meters with a time of 11.92. MaCoy Fairbanks, 8th grade, finished sixth in the 300-meter hurdles, crossing the line in 46.50., a PR. Keean Selin, 12th grade, placed sixth in the 1,600 meters at 5:23.4. Tristan Surbaugh placed fourth in the 3,200 with a PR time of 11:05.31. The boys' 4x800...
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The white farmhouse cabin on Big Lake was built on a hillside so that it had to stand on stilts, and underneath in the crook between the bottom of the cabin and the sloping hill were all good things, like boats and paddles and canoes and coolness and must. Inside it had a woodstove, a Fisher stove or potbelly stove, I can’t remember, but I think that on July 4th weekend when I was very little, and I was intrigued by fires and wood and stoves and fireplaces I begged my father to start a fire in the stove. And...
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I first “met” author and WCCO radio personality Darragh Aldrich when friend Tom Haeg gave me his father Larry’s book, Lady in Law: A Biography of Mabeth Hurd Paige. (Find out more about Paige, a feminist, reformer, and state legislator until 1945, at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mabeth_Hurd_Paige.) I write about Darragh Aldrich because she and her husband Chilsen Darragh Aldrich had a cabin on the North Shore and because of her novel, Peter Good for Nothing. Chilson was an architect and leader of the back to the land movement in the early 20th century. His book, The Real Log Cabin, 1928, 1994, is...
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Picture a beige moonscape. Imagine each crater inflating to a tall stone mushroom— a fairy chimney. Paint a dazzling blue sky with sun articulating each dune-like shadow by day and transforming it to luminous rose and magenta at dusk. Waft a few blue-and-red-striped hot-air balloons above, and you’re in Cappadocia, Turkey’s geologic marvel. I love Cappadocia, and the Kelebek is my favorite hotel in Turkey. Now a cave hotel, it was once the home of Ali Yavuz, who I’m pleased to call a friend. No wonder, since I’ve stayed in his hotel at least ten times. The Kelebek is a...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers in the BWCAW and area lakes. He worked with officers Oberg and Schottenbauer during a detail in the BWCAW. Enforcement action was taken for fishing...
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What is reality? Is reality only what I look around and see – and touch? Or is reality only limited by my imagination? I mean, I’m certainly not tethered to reality. If there was an alternate reality, I’d entertain it. No, I have not started this column on gummies. I want to contemplate reality because I was planning on entertaining an alternate reality. More specifically, it’s time to consider Virtual Reality. A friend was kind enough to loan me the new Meta Quest Pro. It’s a headset and two hand controllers that originally debuted at 00. Many years ago, that’s...
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Running 30 miles per day on a cantered road while carrying a 25-pound backpack has had some interesting effects on Zack Jennissen. “I suffered overuse injuries. My feet hurt; arches, ankles, calves, hamstrings, everything hurt. I had to take six days off because my legs were injured,” he said. That and eating predominantly gas station food to boost his nutrition didn’t help either. Zack Jennissen, 19, is an amiable, likable young man with more than a bit of ambition. The videographer, who grew up in Foley, Minnesota, completed his run across Minnesota on Friday, May 26, at the Grand Portage...
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North Shore Health (NSH) is proud to announce that North Shore Living (Care Center) made it for over three years through the COVID-19 pandemic without a single case of COVID. The first American case of COVID-19 was reported on January 20, 2020, and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared the U.S. outbreak a Public Health Emergency (PHE) on January 31. The first known American deaths occurred in February, then the President declared a nationwide emergency on March 13. “From the get-go, North Shore Health has complied with strict COVID-19 protocols from Center for Disease...
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By one count, 170 people attended the Memorial Day service held last Monday on the courthouse lawn, a crowd more significant than has been seen for several years. Robert (Bob) Mattson once again led the ceremony. Bob has been active in planning and running the Memorial Day service since the early 1990s. “This will be my last time,” he said, following the service. “I’m handing the duties over to Rodney Carlson.” The service began at 11 a.m. on a beautiful day with blue skies, temperatures in the mid-60s, and a light breeze, a perfect day to pay tribute to the...
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The 2023 legislative session concluded Monday, May 22, and Rep. Roger Skraba, R-Ely, said it will be remembered for victories for the Northland on several issues including a bonding bill that will provide funding for numerous local and regional projects as well as disappointments including nearly billion in tax increases despite the state’s record-setting .5 billion budget surplus. “Minnesotans are struggling under the weight of persistent, high inflation that is causing serious problems for family budgets,” said Skraba. “The state’s record setting budget surplus presented lawmakers with an incredible opportunity to provide historic tax relief to put more money...
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Bruce Kimmel of Ehlers met with commissioners to discuss options for financing the county’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Cook County anticipates spending as much as .4 million over the next five years to upgrade buildings nearing or exceeding expected lifetimes. In a past column Administrator James Joerke pointed out, “By catching up on deferred maintenance and adopting regular equipment replacement schedules, we can operate and maintain our buildings in a more predictable and cost-effective way that will benefit County taxpayers.” The CIP Ehlers introduced includes plans for addressing a shortage of workspaces for deputies, garage bay space, and space...
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The 2023 legislative session came to a close on Monday, May 22nd. It was memorable in many ways: over 6,000 bills were introduced between both bodies; the session lasted a historic number of legislative days; and the session is being described as one of the most productive ever! It is important to note that there was bi-partisan work done on many of the bills and while philosophical differences are at play, final decisions were reached on the .7 billion surplus. Locally, the Cook County Chamber membership along with lobbyist Judy Erickson, visited the Capitol on many occasions. For the Cook...
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Saddle up and hold your horses for the Cook County Safe Routes to School Kid’s Bicycle Safety Rodeo! Yee Haw! Bring your bike or borrow a bike from the SRTS bike fleet, get a free helmet and helmet fit check, bike checkup, ride the safety course, and even blend your own smoothie using pedal power using a special “blender bike”! When: May 25 from 3:00 -5:00 p.m. Where: Cook County Community Center . Volunteers are still needed, no training necessary! FREE bike helmets and bike lights available thanks to a generous donation from Joynes Ben Franklin Grand Marais, MN! Also...
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Wednesday, May17 was a celebration of hard work paying off for a lot of the 2023 senior graduating class as academic/sport, and scholarship awards were given out at the ACA. The following high school kids were honored at the ceremony for their accomplishments over their high school careers or in some cases, for participating in activities that qualified for state tournaments. 2023 Varsity Knowledge Award: Ian Brooks, Aria Fitzgerald-Wells, Gus Hahn, Andrew Hallberg, Rowan Lindholm, Tristan Surbaugh, Ben Rex, MJ Wharton. Envirothon: Grace Blomberg, Iylla Christiansen, Emma Crook, Kalina Dimitrova, Wren Ferry, Ruby Gulstrand, Zoe Kacures, Knut Remmen, Finnley Taylor,...
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Lady and her young son come into the store. She asks our cashier if we have “spawn sacs.” Cashier has no idea what that even is. I’m overhearing all this from over in the fishing department, where I’m hanging products on display: spinners, spoons, crankbaits, bobbers, hooks, sinkers, jigheads, soft plastics. She comes over to look for herself and I try to help. “Whatcha need?” Spawn, she says, or worms. It was too early in the season yet; we didn’t have them. But I want to help them fish. Three men originally taught me to fish. You know who they...
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Hopefully, summer will soon be here, and the thought of sunshine, gardens, and flowers is on my mind. I received some sunflower seeds from a dear friend, so I have them started in the window. I swear they grow at least an inch a day. By the end of summer, these will be 20 feet tall or more. I’ve decided to convert my raised bed gardens to cut flowers this season as I can get all the fresh produce I need from the farmers market or swappers meet on Saturdays. We’re so lucky to have these shopping options in our...
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Spring is in the air just about everywhere but perhaps the most spring is at its springiest in New York City. Why is New York City so springy? Let us consider. There are many signs that will tell you that it’s spring in New York City but perhaps the most obvious one is the scent. The absence of an odor made a long Winter easier to handle in The City. Spring is different. You step out the door onto to the city street and you will be struck by an invisible army, a scent so strong I believe they base...
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It was good day for Cook County runners at the Superior Spring Trail races sponsored by Rocksteady Running as Joey Chemlik won the 25k race and his former high school track and cross country coach April Wahlstrom won the women’s division of the 12k race. 25K, 297 entrants Joey Chmelik, 27, Grand Marais, took first place in the Superior Spring 25k trail race held in Lutsen on the rugged Superior Hiking trails on Saturday, May 20. Chemlik finished the course in two hours one minute and six seconds to win by eight seconds over James Sorenson, 40, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Joey...
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Between make-up games lost to weather and regularly scheduled games, the Vikings boys' baseball team has been jam-packed over the last week. And all of those games seem to be good tonic for the team as their errors have gone down, hitting has improved and pitching become much more solid which has led them to some much-needed wins. Vikings topple Northwoods In the second game of a doubleheader, the Vikings received solid pitching and timely hitting in their 5-1 victory over North Woods in a match played at home on Thursday, May 18. Ethan Tate took the mound for the...
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Awesome! Stupendous! Fun! These words may be a bit understated to use to describe the day the Cook County Kool Cats had at the Special Olympics Minnesota Track and Field Day. Melissa Oberg who teaches special education at I.S.D. 166 filed this report. “Congrats to the Cool Cats for a victory at the Special Olympics, Minnesota Track and Field Event on May 23rd! Winner of the 25 M walk was Luke with his Unified Partner, Grace. First place in the softball throw was Benny with his Unified Partner, Kalina. First place in the 2 X 50-meter dash was the team...
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Last Thursday May 18th at 5 p.m. we had a Chamber Connect at Sivertson Gallery. There was live music by Fred Anderson, beverages, and appetizers. Jan Sivertson, owner of Sivertson Gallery, gave all guests a copy of Howard Sivertson’s book, Once Upon an Isle, as well as a 2024 calendar that has pictures of Howard’s work.
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Northeast MN - The Northland Small Business Development Center (Northland SBDC) has been honored with the Small Business Administration’s 2023 Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Center Award for Minnesota and SBA Region V, out of all 121 SBDCs within the SBA Great Lakes Region V states of Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The award was presented at a ceremony in St. Paul on May 3, 2023, by U.S. SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Vicki Hagberg, Northland SBDC’s Regional Director, accepted the award. Hagberg credits Northland SBDC consultants and partners, stating, “Our team...
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Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful to return them to you. Mailing address is Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604-0757. Digital images can be emailed to ccnh@boreal.org Thank you!
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town Hall, 7240 Tofte...
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Each year neighbors and friends on the Gunflint Trail plan and execute all aspects of the beloved Gunflint Trail Canoe Races to raise money for a worthy cause. This year’s Canoe Races will take place at Gunflint Lodge on the south shore of Gunflint Lake, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, beginning at 4:30 p.m. All funds raised will support the Gunflint Trail Fire Department. This year’s event will feature 18 Canoe Races for all ages and abilities, the celebrated Trail Cup for resort and outfitter teams, raffles for a kayak and a hand-made “Northern Connections” quilt, food and beverages by...
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Andrea Mark your calendars for the weekend of June 2 - 4 and be sure to travel up the Gunflint Trail for the beauty of green-up after a long winter! It’s a fun-filled, family friendly weekend with nature, garage sales, prizes, food, games, educational booths, and a chance to GET OUTDOORS AND GET INVOLVED. The Gunflint Green Days focus is to draw more community awareness and improve the natural landscape of the Gunflint Trail and surrounding BWCA lakes with help from you. Garage Sales are a great way to reuse items reducing the amount of waste going to the landfill....
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There’s nothing like a silly squirrel scampering about the deck to keep the cat’s interest piqued.
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Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) through the Public Health Fund. To be considered for the Public Health Fund, applicants should align their requests with goals identified through the Cook County Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan. Areas that align with these goals are: Access to specialty medical services Behavioral health Safe and stable housing Services for elders Services for families with young children Substance abuse Cook County PHHS has statutory authority to contract with agencies to provide services that promote public health, safety, general welfare, security, prosperity, or contentment for the...
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This year, we have gone immediately from winter to semi-spring, to summer, back to spring, and now we are moving towards summer again. The glorious time of year that many wait for is the Minnesota fishing opener, and each fisher-person longs for open water so they can get to their favorite lake. This is a very dangerous time of year to be on the water, and unfortunately, Cook County has experienced the first water fatality of the year. Here are some things to consider when you jump in a boat or canoe. The ice has just gone off the lakes...
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SUMMER FUN IN GRAND MARAIS These postcards are probably from the 1950s, judging from the vehicles in the Tourist Park. The Tourist Park welcomed campers using trailers and tents. The Grand Marais harbor seems to welcome different styles of boats too. These postcards are from Ed Hedstrom’s family collection.
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David Ray Brown, 75, of Wrenshall passed away on Monday, May 22, 2023, in Viewcrest Nursing Home in Duluth. David was born on March 19, 1948, in Superior, Wisconsin, to Horace and Betty Mae Brown. He was raised and attended school in Superior, graduating in 1966. David joined the Marine Corps after high school, serving his country for six years. He married Nadine in Two Harbors on February 15, 1974. In 1986 he joined the reserves for another year. David worked on the railroad; Superior, International Falls, Minneapolis and Kansas City being some of the locations, until an injury in...
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Kostya Allan Senty, 34, passed away in his home on May 12, 2023. Visitation for Kostya will be held Monday May 22, 2023, in the Breyley Suite of Mount Olivet Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held Tuesday May 23, 2023, at Mount Olivet Chapel at 12:00 p.m. Interment to follow immediately after funeral service. Kostya was born on February 9, 1989, in Pskov, Russia. Kostya grew up in an orphanage in Russia, until the age of 14. He was then adopted into a loving family in Grand Marais, Minnesota. He learned many...
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Kay Spielman, age 47, of Tofte, Minnesota, died on Saturday, May 6th at Essentia Health St Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota as the result of injuries sustained in an accident. Kay Marie, the oldest daughter of Mark and Jenifer (Thompson) Spielman, was born on August 24, 1975, in Ada, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed in her faith at Aspelund Lutheran Church near Flom, Minnesota. Kay grew up on the family farm by Twin Valley, Minnesota, where she learned strong work ethic from her parents and grandpa, Lloyd Spielman. Growing up she was involved in Girl Scouts and 4-H....
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“The Donut Lady & The World’s Best Pet Chicken” is the newest book published by Minnesota Children’s Press about the endearing charms of Cook County life. Written by the late Merieta Altrichter, founder of the beloved World’s Best Donut Shop, it was illustrated after Merieta passed away in 2008 by her daughter, Donna Wilson, of Grand Marais, and tells the tender story of Merieta’s fondness for her pet chicken, Emmy. As many people know, Merieta Altrichter was a hardworking woman who built a small business that left a lasting legacy on many who live in and visit Grand Marais. However,...
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The Grand Marais Public Library is once again part of the planning and/or sponsoring of a drag queen story hour. In previous communication with the library board and staff, the library has justified their support of such events by stating that a drag queen story hour aligns with the library’s mission and priorities of “serving underprivileged communities” to include the LGBTQIA+. The mission statement that we are aware of from their webpage is this: “The Grand Marais Public Library increases knowledge, inspires creativity, removes barriers, and builds community across Cook County.” Drag queen story hours have become so controversial that...
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Dear Editor, Thank you so much for your interest in, and article about our planned trek across the US! (May 20, 2023) And, as much as it might seem like splitting hairs, we would like to make a very important distinction. In your piece you write, “…Jess and Julie will spend six months walking across America, dedicating their journey to the war on drugs.” Actually the very opposite is true. We know that despite the on-going “War on Drugs,” which is a Nixon era initiative that has cost the US billions of dollars, countless lives, and unnecessary imprisonment, this is...
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Matt Anthony, Media Relations Specialist, Essential Health submitted this editorial Along with hospitals and health systems across Minnesota, Essentia Health continues to express grave concerns about the nurse staffing legislation currently under debate at the Minnesota Legislature. Since the start of the session, we have joined the Minnesota Hospital Association and other health care providers in voicing our opposition to this bill in its current form. Serious flaws with this legislation include a potential 15% reduction in hospital capacity, which would threaten regular access to care for 70,000 Minnesotans annually, according to the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA). It also would...
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“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” – Unknown In the excitement of a 3-day weekend, cookouts, parades, and summer being so near, it’s easy to ignore or forget about the true meaning of Memorial Day: to remember and honor all military personnel who have died in the service of our country. Let us never forget the sacrifices of our fallen and their families and to keep those who gave everything to protect our country at the forefront of our mind during our celebrations....
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“The wood ducks and marsh marigolds are alive and well in the county. Spring must be here,” writes Paul Sundberg.
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For many Memorial Day has become a day for family picnics and taking a long weekend holiday. But it should be remembered that there were many who fought and died so you could take that long weekend. Memorial Day was set aside as a federal holiday in 1971. It is a day to remember and honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. military. In Cook County the Memorial Day Service will be held Monday, May 29 at 11 a.m. the Cook County Courthouse lawn. Following the service there will be a free...
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With interest rates climbing and the country’s economy remaining sluggish, some building projects in the county have been canceled or put on hold. That said, the much-anticipated Downtown Tofte project proposed by Bluefin Bay owners Joe Swanson and Pipasu Soni will be built, just not now. Originally the plan was to start construction last year, but late spring and rising building costs, among other things, caused the project to be held back. Commenting last Summer, Joe explained, “The largest concern is the cost to build is much higher than we first saw in our bids, and the rents will not...
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When the building burned that housed Sydney’s Frozen Custard & Wood Fired Pizza this April, it looked like it would be a long summer with no frozen custard, Vienna hot dogs, gyros, salads, sundaes, etc. But owner Bruce Block has come up with a new version of Sydney’s. Bruce has leased the old Joynes parking lot and is installing a temporary structure to house his business. He expects to be open July 1st and have the same menu as Sydney’s. That includes his wood-fired pizzas. “We will be here for two summers,” Bruce said. After that, he will return to...
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Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL— Hermantown) announced Monday evening that he delivered a total of ,297,196 for Cook County in the FY 24-25 state budget. “With the departure of the U.S. Coast Guard, the funding for emergency personnel and equipment was a critical priority for me this legislative session,” said Hauschild. “With a partnership between the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Cook County, I’m confident the .124 Million will provide the necessary funds for the safe patrol along the northernmost shore.” Senator Hauschild said he delivered funding for the following projects in Cook County: Million for the...
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The Northern Lights have been spectacular as of late. This photo was taken at Caribou Lake last weekend.
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On May 14, at approximately 11:24 p.m. Cook County dispatch received a call of a missing person on Seagull Lake. Due to the time that the call came in, it was decided that search efforts would begin immediately the following day. Cook County Search and Rescue began to mobilize to include water, ground, and air searches of the area adjacent to where the person was last seen. The party was last seen paddling towards Trail End Campground. The party was wearing a PFD and was an experienced canoeist. Search efforts began and the missing person was located in the water...
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The Office of Emergency Management manages the county-wide emergency 911 (E-911) addressing system, the role of which is to provide the public with competent, timely and effective emergency and nonemergency public safety services. 911 is the telephone number that provides direct access to police, fire and medical assistance and initiates a coordinated response using this system. Simply put, your E-911 address sign lets emergency responders know where to find you. Thus, it is important that your E-911 sign is clearly visible on your property from all directions. How do I apply for an E-911 address for my property? Visit https://permits.co.cook.mn.us...
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Ashleigh Olsker has started a licensed home management company offering in-home support for those with special needs, elder care, childcare, and will be providing respite for existing caregivers. She calls her company Sage Care. “My hope is that my new business can reach as many people as possible so I can help those in need in a professional capacity,” Olsker said. Ash, as she likes to be called, is a registered Nurse’s Aide who completed her training through North Shore Health. She has worked in assisted living facilities and as a private live-in caregiver. Those jobs plus her other work...
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Stepping away from the North Shore, Odyssey Resorts last week announced the purchase of Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort in Deerwood, Minnesota, Minnesota’s oldest resort. Founded in 1898, Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort is located on 500-acres. It has about 150 rooms, cabins, and features lakeside cottages and villas, five pine lodges, two golf courses, indoor and outdoor pools, a marina with rental watercraft, fine dining and casual restaurants, a café, a lounge and a seasonal beach bar. It’s a two-hour drive from the Twin Cities which makes it a quick getaway from the urban sprawl. With this recent purchase Odyssey Resorts...
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A Grand Portage couple is planning an ambitious journey. If all goes as hoped, Jess and Julie Koski will spend six months walking across America, dedicating their journey to the war on drugs. When asked if this journey was on the couple’s “bucket list,” Jes replied, “Aside from just fulfilling a life-long desire to do a walk/run like this, we are also trying to raise awareness about overdose death prevention. Julie sees a lot of it in her work as an ER nurse, and we’ve also lost people who were friends of our kids. So, we call our walk “Walk,...
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Smoke from Canadian wildfires is causing the sun to look like a red fireball at sunrise and sunset. The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre stated on Tuesday, May 16 that the number of fires for this time of year is “somewhat above average and nearly 10 times the average for area burned for this time of year.” The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an air quality alert for the northern half of Minnesota on Tuesday because of the smoke from wildfires burning in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan.
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked the fishing opener on area lakes. Time was spent on border lakes and checking anglers in the BWCAW. Ice conditions remained on several lakes over the...
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Much to the delight of outdoor photographer David Johnson a large flock of pelicans landed on Lake Superior within camera range. A fun fact about pelicans is that some groups hunt in packs while swimming along the water’s surface, but pelicans don’t just eat fish. They will eat almost anything that fits in their very large beaks including amphibians, turtles and other birds.
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will be conducting lake and stream surveys in the Grand Marais area, beginning in May and continuing through September. Surveys are needed to identify changes in fish populations, water quality, habitat, and to evaluate management strategies. Survey methods vary based on the type of information needed for ongoing management of individual lakes and streams. Most streams are surveyed using backpack electrofishing gear, while most lakes are surveyed using standardized gill nets and trap nets. Large lakes with heavy use are surveyed more frequently than small, remote lakes. Stocked lakes are also sampled more often...
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Living Greener by Gwen Two of our faithful readers have taken up our offer to join the conversation about living greener. This week it’s Gwen Mattice, spouse of a fellow Grinnell graduate. Next time it will be Chico Hathaway, noted and very tall pickleballer. Gwen wrote: “Sorry it has taken me so long to get you the brands of compostable bags that I am using for food waste that I take to Duluth. But first I want to give you a link to the WLSSD (Western Lake Superior Sanitary District) site that gives you more information about composting food waste:...
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The classroom at that community college was something out of a film or something that you could imagine an art class would be. Easels and their quiet young adult and middle age students scattered round all facing the center where the instructor was on a short platform rise. Eventually after some weeks we would have a nude model. And the very strange thing is that I cannot remember many specifics about the nude model, and nothing about the drawing that I made of the nude model, except that I’m sure I wasn’t satisfied. And frustrated thereafter that I didn’t have...
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I’m currently recuperating from a knee replacement (happily but painfully). I thought I might write about knees, but I’ve been so moved by the kindness of friends that I decided to share a short story I wrote about connections. Better than boring you with knee issues. Enjoy. No School She sat alone in the wing-back chair, a delicate rose-painted teacup perched on the table beside her, contents long cold. Staring vacantly through frosted panes at the falling snow, she lifted a half-knit sock from her lap. Magenta. Not that she needed socks—just something to keep her hands busy. A voice...
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Fans and critics alike have called Beyond Reason many names but one thing they have never called Beyond Reason is: a Pulitzer Prize winning column. Yes, this week the winners for the Pulitzer’s were announced and I’m happy to report that Beyond Reason remains neither a finalist nor the winner of this year’s Pulitzer Prize in Commentary! Not winning a Pulitzer in Commentary evokes many feelings but mostly it makes me relieved. Columbia University gives out fifteen Pulitzers every year to unsuspecting journalists. Winners take home some dough and a certificate and then have to answer questions from other journalists...
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Two teams from Cook County High School qualified to participate in the 2023 Envirothon state competition held May 15 at in Fergus Falls, at Prairie Wetlands Learning Center. Viking Envirothon Coach April Wahlstrom said her teams placed 15th and 18th out of 30 teams. The Envirothon theme for 2023 was “Adapting to a Changing Climate.” The top four teams at the Area 3 meet qualified of the state meet. Cook County placed first and fourth while Two Harbors placed second and third. All told 34 teams competed in the Area 3 region meet. To prepare for competitions teams are taught...
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Cromwell girls got off to a big lead early and ten-runned the Vikings 11-1 on Tuesday, May 16 in a game played at the Rec Park. In the third and fourth innings the Viking’s defense was credited with five straight put-outs, three by catch and throw to first and two catches in the outfield. Katie Peck took the mound for the Vikings and overall pitched well. There were no stats available for this game. The Vikings roster is largely freshmen so the team should get stronger in the next few years. Coming up next is a flurry games before playoffs...
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The Vikings boys and girls track teams traveled to Duluth Denfeld to participate in the Matt Kero Memorial Track meet held on Friday, May 12, and while points were hard to come by, some new personal bests were achieved. Girls Lexi Surbaugh ran a PR of 5:58.99 in the 1,600 meters to take 10th in a loaded field that saw her Two Harbors cross-country teammate Lamar Gordon win with a time of 5:20.64. Kyla Knapper and Sophia Lindstrom finished 25t hand 26th together in 6:55.70 and 6:55.89. Brianna Monson ran a PR in the 100 meters finishing in 14.69 to...
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The Vikings traveled to Silver Bay Mariners on Thursday, May 11 to play against a familiar friend and foe, the Silver Bay Mariners. In the summers many of these kids join forces and play on the same Legion team so they know each other quite well. That said, when they square off representing their high schools each side wants bragging rights, and on this day, it was the Mariner’s turn to brag. During the first game one bad inning sunk the Vikings. For three innings the scoreboard showed “goose eggs” as neither team could find their offense. That changed in...
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After a long winter and one minute of spring John Storkamp had plenty of reasons to be worried about the Superior Hiking Trail, which is used for the Spring Superior trail races that he directs. Were the trails too wet? What about blowdowns? Is the trail covered with brush? Just what kind of shape was the trail in? So, John gathered some volunteers and did some trail clearing to get ready for the race(s) this Saturday, May 20. It’s one thing to host a trail race; it’s another thing altogether to race direct and clear the darn trail of blowdowns...
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Todd Ford, CC Public Communications Coordinator The Cook County Minnesota Highway Department mailed letters to 5th Avenue W residents in Grand Marais with important information about the upcoming reconstruction plans. “As this road reconstruction project will impact the traffic flow for many in our community, as well as some visitors, we thought it would be appropriate to share with our local media,” said Robbie Hass, Cook County Highway Engineer. “We want to make sure we reach everyone impacted with this information.” On May 10 the Cook County Highway Department held the 5th Ave W Reconstruction project meeting with the contractor,...
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MNsure, Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace, is offering a special enrollment period (SEP) for Minnesotans who are currently enrolled in unaffordable family insurance through an employer with a renewal date other than January 1. Under a new IRS rule, related household members who are covered by a family member’s employer sponsored health insurance may be newly eligible to receive advanced premium tax credits through MNsure that lower the cost of private health plans. As a result, some eligible household members may be able to find a better deal on health insurance by shopping for a private plan through MNsure and saving...
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The local wooded three-acre dog park is a gem but needs some help. Some fencing along the parking lot needs to be relocated to make parking more accessible, especially during the winter months. In addition, a grant has been applied for through the Cook County Community Fund to help pay for boardwalks over wet areas. Go Dog North Shore expects to hear sometime in June if their grant has been accepted, but matching funds will be needed to receive the grant. And then there are annual operating expenses to account for. All told, the group needs to raise at least...
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Thanks to Wild Country and Sawtooth Mountain Maple Syrup Companies of Lutsen, the history museum in Grand Marais has a new featured exhibit. A couple of years back, Jim Cordes brought to us the idea of asking the community to share their own personal collections. After recent updates to our exhibits, we created a dedicated exhibit space and asked Jim to be the first exhibitor of our quarterly Community Collections. Jim and his family have put together a glimpse into the history of maple syruping along the North Shore with artifacts and images that they have accumulated over the years....
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This is Jessie. You may have seen him walking Jim around town. Jessie loves everyone, human and canine, and has trouble controlling his excitement when he meets someone new. Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful to return them to you. Mailing address is Cook County News Herald,...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town Hall, 7240 Tofte...
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The North Shore Music Association joins the Cook County Pride Month celebration with music of hope, change, and connection. Come join us for an evening of gorgeous harmonies and inspiring lyrics by Sara Thomsen & Paula Pedersen! Sara Thomsen is an award-winning singer songwriter who is known for her efforts to build community through music. “Thomsen’s soulful voice, poetic lyrics and unforgettable melodies cut through to the heart and the soul of human experience,” writes the Minnesota Women’s Press. The Duluth Reader Weekly says, “The Twin Ports folk singer picks up the torch carried by the balladeers of decades past:...
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Starting at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 20, near the alley at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais there will be a variety of free trees to select from. Don’t be late! Tree varieties include Wild Plum, Red Osier, Dogwood, Choke Cherry, Juneberry, and Red Oak. Once the trees are gone the “sale” will be over.
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“The warblers have started to arrive,” said Jean Brislance, who lives in Lutsen. “We have seen several different species this week, and my favorite so far was this Cape May Warbler. Such an exotic looking bird. It is a terrific time of year to be a bird watcher.”
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Online class offered Wednesday, June 14, 2023 The Senior LinkAge Line® will offer two classes covering health care fraud, waste & abuse prevention on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and again from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how to detect and report potential errors, fraud, and abuse; review potential fraud and scams targeting older adults, learn how to read their Medicare paperwork, learn how to protect their Medicare beneficiary number, and how to protect/detect/report Medicare scams and fraud. This presentation includes information from the Senior Medicare Patrol, a federal education and prevention program. We...
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The end of the national Public Health Emergency (PHE) related to COVID-19 was Thursday, May 11, 2023. Cook County MN Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) would like to remind our community that even though the federal government is ending the national public health emergency, COVID-19 isn’t going away. While COVID-19 remains the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, we are now at a point in the pandemic where we, as a population, have broader immunity against the virus. COVID- 19 remains a public health threat, but we now have tools like testing, treatment, and vaccination that...
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A 20-year-old man’s life was tragically cut short in a Lake County River accident on Friday, May 12. Saunder Strong, originally from Minneapolis, lived and worked in Lutsen when his body was found shortly before 2 p.m. on Friday. The Lake County Sheriff ’s office received a call just before noon on Friday about an empty red kayak floating down the Caribou River upstream from the parking lot. State Park Ranger from Tettegouche State Park and a team from the Lake County Sheriff ’s Office went to investigate and, after searching the water and shoreline, found the victim’s body on...
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UNLOADING LOGS INTO THE GRAND MARAIS HARBOR Logs were trucked down the trail, unloaded into the Grand Marais harbor, surrounded by a boom, and pulled across Lake Superior to Ashland, Wisconsin, for processing. This photo is from Ed Hedstrom’s scrap books.
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Cook County Highway Engineer Robbie Haas and Lisa Sorlie presented the department’s 2022 annual highway report to the Cook County Board of Commissioners on April 28. Haas talked about new employee additions, his staff’s excellent work, and all of the projects accomplished last year. New hires included Nathan Carlson, who filled a vacant Maintenance Worker 2 position in January. Tia Parks was hired as the environmental specialist supervisor in May. Josh Dix transferred to a maintenance position, and Jesse Backstrom was promoted to maintenance supervisor. In May, Wes Higgins moved from his mechanic position to a maintenance worker-two positions. Matt...
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Hey Charles, I thought that dark money was a GOP “talking point”. Apparently the left has assumed an attempt at truth. Grant Hauschild has said he opposes everything north. He wants me to drive an EV, after I pulled 3 Prius’s out of a snowbank with my 4 WD pickup. Common sense needs to prevail! Grant Hauschild needs to demand U.S. oil independence. -Mike Eckhart, Grand Marais
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Terry G. Collins, (Terry), Age 77, of Grand Marais and Minneapolis died peacefully on May 11, 2023. Loving Husband to Carol Miller. Joyously Lucky in daughters Molly Rojas Collins (Gabriel Rojas Castanon), Bronwyn (Dan Brazil), Halley Miller (Allison Miller). Cherished Grandchildren: Elias Rojas Collins, Vivian Rojas Collins, Rhys Brazil. Parents: Aileen and Aloysius Collins (deceased). Siblings: Fran Bukrey (Dick deceased), Michael deceased (Mary Cummins), Elizabeth, Kevin (Linda Smith), many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews. Lifelong friends Pat and Bill, and an abundance of canoe and work friends. Terry was grateful for his wonderful education and the opportunity to work...
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Caron Ann (Hiivala) Pratt was born on 12/24/1944 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and died on 5/4/2023. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford Hiivala and Betty (Kelly) Hiivala, and brother Michael Hiivala. She is survived by her husband, LeRoy, son Michael (Paula), granddaughter Leah (Chris), brother Robert (Maryann) Hiivala, and special friend Sally Nelson. Carol had many friends and relatives she loved along with her cats, rock & roll music, travel, and fun times. Carol worked and retired from Cook County, Minnesota. A celebration of life will be held at Birch Terrace on June 24th from 5-8 p.m.
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A legal dispute over whether or not snowmobilers could use a Lutsen spur trail that traveled through private property has been settled through mediation, with the Lutsen Trail Breakers winning the case. The win is a bonus for all trails used for a public purpose if that trail had been in use for 15 years or more. Last year the landowners put a gate across the route that the Lutsen Trailbreakers Snowmobile Club had long maintained. Efforts to settle the matter between the Lutsen Trailbreakers and land owners Richard and Natalie Feddie didn’t go smoothly, and the club went to...
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CCCoLA is an independent organization that represents area Lake and Road Associations within the county. Our work provides an effective, focused means of advocating for water quality and resolving lake-related issues. Our first meeting of the season is in person on Friday, June 2, 10:00 a.m. to Noon, at The Schaap Community Center on the Gunflint Trail. This year we are focusing on increasing awareness of CCCoLA within the community, supporting the work of County Soil and Water to address Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and the Get the Lead Out program. These two initiatives impact the health of our lakes...
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In honor of the June, 1969 New York City Stonewall riot President Bill Clinton issued a Presidential Proclamation on June 11, 1999, stating that every June in America would be Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. In 2011, President Barak Obama officially expanded the June anniversary to include the whole LGBT community. June 2: Drury Lane: AUTHOR TALK with Lynette Reini-Grandell – Wild Things; Friday, June 2, 6:00-7:30pm at Drury Lane Books in Downtown Grand Marais; Free and Open to the Public. All are Welcome. June 3: Drury Lane Full Moon LGBTQ literary slam and bonfire: Saturday, June 3, 6:00-8:00pm; Location:...
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Since its inception in 2002, the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, along with the DNR and Explore Minnesota, has been an organizing partner of the Governor’s Deer Opener. While this is a great event, designed to celebrate the pastime that we all love and cherish, MDHA will not be participating this year. In a unanimous decision, our Executive Board voted not to support this year’s Governor’s Opener due to continued attempts to ban wolf hunting and anti-gun legislation within the state, which are in direct opposition to our mission. Until our Governor represents the interests of wild deer and deer hunters...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News- Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. William John Clayton, 55, Grand Portage, Minnesota, pled guilty on April 24, 2023, to a misdemeanor of DWI - Fourth Degree Driving While Impaired, on January 16, 2023. Sentenced to Local Confinement (60 Days Stayed for one...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Kyler Richard Johnson, 24, Grand Marais, Minnesota, pled guilty March 13, 2023, to a felony: Threats of Violence with Intent to Terrorize on October 22, 2022. Requirements include Local Confinement (4 Days with credit for time served: 4...
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On May 2, 2023 Chairwoman Cathy Chavers of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Chairperson Kevin R. DuPuis, Sr. of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and Chairman Robert Deschampe of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (the “Bands”) and the USDA Forest Service Regional Forester Gina Owens and Superior National Forest Supervisor Tom Hall, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide for co-stewardship and protection of the Bands treaty-reserved rights under the 1854 Treaty within the Superior National Forest. The agreement is the first of its kind between the Bands and the Superior...
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Two Harbors police chief Rick Hogenson at a press conference on Tuesday, May 9, released the name of the Cook County resident, Kay Spielman, 46, who died from her injuries sustained when a softball-sized rock went through her windshield at the edge of town last Friday, May 5. Hogenson said there is no threat to the public, and the cause of the rock in the roadway is still being investigated. The accident occurred just as Spielman’s vehicle, an extended cab pickup, was entering city limits on southbound Highway 61 just before Park Road (the turnoff toward the city campgrounds and...
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If you know me, you also know that I am a dog person. We now have six. Four are rescues, and two were bought, but like all “children,” we love every one of them. Our oldest is ten—a rescue from a Dakota reservation. Tessa is an English Setter cross and a runner. She puts on at least two miles before her breakfast. Our second girl, Annie, came from Mike’s parents. She is a poodle mix who just turned eight. She’s a barker and an alarmist. I spend most of my day singing Fi Fie Fo Annie. We hosted our daughter’s...
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As the seasons change, birds sing and the sun shines. Thus, we must consider Prom. Prom, which is short for promenade, is a formal dance for seniors held in the spring. Prom is a rite of passage in that if kids can endure the hype and the letdown then, yes, kid, you’re probably ready for life. Prom: Before, During, and After. Before Kids must invite someone. Or get invited. Or decide to go alone. Or with a group. Or skip prom all together. Look, kids have options. Then kids must choose their attire. Prom attire is notable for its abundance...
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NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN GRAND MARAIS First signs of new construction of the new elementary school in Grand Marais came in the form of soil testing. Here John Nepper, of the Duluth Arrowhead Testing Laboratories is shown with his drilling outfit taking soil samples for the new building which is expected to be built this summer. Photo by MJ Humphrey.
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Five years after Pam Taylor retired from coaching and teaching at I.S.D. 166, she was honored by being inducted into the Polar League Hall of Fame. Pam traveled to Esko, where she was honored with several other area coaches in April. Coach Taylor dedicated 35 years of her life to teaching and coaching kids at I.S.D. 166. As a coach, her volleyball team won 411 games. In addition, she took her team to the state volleyball tournament for the last three years as a coach. On October 11, 2019, then I.S.D. 166 Principal and A.D. Mitch Dorr announced to a...
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The race is on. After postponing multiple games due to snow and some rain, the boys’ baseball team will play a lot of ball in the next few weeks before the weather-shortened season ends. Below is a short report about three games. Vikings versus the Mercs Amos Falter had a great day on the mound for the Vikings. Amos pitched a no-hit shutout against the McGregor Mercs on May 4 in a game played in McGregor. Falter threw five scoreless innings striking out nine and walking three. Meanwhile, the Vikings offense scored one run in the first, one in the...
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Some of the best trail runners in the country will come to compete in the upcoming May 20 Superior Trail Race(s). Rocksteady Running is once again hosting the rugged Superior Hiking Trail event. John Storkamp is the race director and founder of Rocksteady Running. John said this year, 980 runners are coming from two countries, 24 states, and 200 Minnesota cities to compete. The 50K has 270 entries, while 382 folks are entered to run the 25K, and 328 have signed to race the 12.5K event. The 50k and 25k races are out-and-back competitions that start and finish at Caribou...
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Join us for the 42nd Annual Tofte Trek 10K Run/Walk, held on July 4, 2023 at Birch Grove Community Center in Tofte, Minnesota. Detailed time schedule is below. Tofte resident and avid outdoorsman Jan Horak started the Trek in 1980 as a way to bring the community together for the Tofte 4th of July celebration. Today, the Suagrbush Trail Association organizes the event to raise money for local Nordic ski trails. The 10K Tofte Trek starts at Birch Grove Community Center in Tofte and winds its way up the hill towards the Superior Hiking Trail. It then returns through lots...
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Not many kids turned out for the Cook County Safe Routes to School Day that was held Thursday, May 4, but those that did enjoyed a nice walk or bike ride in relatively warm weather. The event was hosted by Cook County Safe Routes to School Committee as a way to encourage kids to walk or ride their bikes to school. The theme for the walk/ride was taken from the Star Wars movies and kids, parents, or chaperones were encouraged to wear Star Wars themed clothing or costumes. Adult volunteers enjoyed free refreshments following the walk at the Community Center.
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Right across the street from Marathon Gas Station in the former empty lot sits a brand-new Indian Spice & Curry food truck. Marathon owner Sam Bains said the plans are to open on May 26, but that’s not a given. He said the food truck will run seven days of the week with the hours of operation 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sam and his wife sold some traditional Indian food in the gas station last summer and the public cried for more. The menu this summer will be extensive. Sam has a chef...
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Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful to return them to you. Mailing address is Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604-0757. Digital images can be emailed to ccnh@boreal.org Thank you!
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As fishing season ramps up, media are invited to use this information for story ideas or to include as part of longer articles, and are encouraged to contact the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to get connected to subject matter experts: All fish have value whether or not anglers typically pursue them. Native fish species benefit their ecosystems and the DNR is bringing more attention toward, and focus on, responsibly managing native fish species. Although not every kind of fish lives everywhere, 162 species of fish can be found in Minnesota waters. Walleye are the most sought-after fish in Minnesota,...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota IT Services have selected conservation technology company S3 as the vendor to build a modern electronic licensing system to serve the state’s anglers, boaters, hunters and recreational vehicle owners. “This is an important and exciting milestone toward making it easier for all Minnesotans who already buy licenses for their outdoor pursuits and those who would like to try something new,” said DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen. “The new licensing system will modernize DNR’s ability to connect Minnesotans with the information and services they need so they can get outside and enjoy our exceptional...
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After a lengthy discussion about merging the HRA and EDA, Cook County Commissioners voted 3-2 to keep the HRA and EDA separate. Voting for the resolution proposed by Commissioner Stacey Hawkins were Deb White, Ginny Storlie, and Hawkins. Voting against was Ann Sullivan and Dave Mills. In a separate vote, Board Chair Ann Sullivan called for the merger, with her and Dave Mill supporting and Hawkins, Storlie, and White voting against, causing the motion to fail. Long before any vote was taken, Commissioners opened the floor to public comments at the board’s Tuesday, May 9 meeting. Only two came forward,...
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While mental health is essential to a person’s overall health and quality of life all year round, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This is a time for us to come together around the message that mental health matters for every person living in our communities. Everyone has mental health, it affects how we think, feel, and act each day. However mental health is often ignored until something goes wrong. Experiencing poor mental health is not the same as having a mental health condition—we all have tough days and weeks when we struggle with our mental health. A mental health...
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If you’ve received grant funds from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation in Duluth, or enjoyed the benefits of the many programs the Johnson Foundation has funded, or if you know and appreciate the foundation’s retiring executive director Joan Gardner Goodno: Please join Friends of Joan in thanking her for her great service to our county and celebrating her retirement. We will be gathering from 2-4 p.m., Thursday, June 1, in the Blue Building, North House Folk School. There will be cookies! Over her long stewardship as executive director of the Johnson Foundation, Joan has demonstrated again and again her care...
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Another shooting this week and one close to home in Thunder Bay. Abortions seem to get more attention than guns. We must protect the life of a mother who is in danger, and those who are raped or subject to incest. We need to stop going after hospitals and doctors. I hear “how dare us” take away these guns and our 2nd amendment right. Guns don’t kill I hear, but these types of weapons of war should be banned. I hear we should pray. Oh! How about doing what the bible says? Thou shall not kill or recite the Lord’s...
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The Great Expectations School Writing Celebration was held on Thursday evening, April 27th. “We had a wonderful turnout for our annual event. It is a fabulous way to share and celebrate our students’ writing journey throughout their years at GES,” said Jeanne Spry. Depending on the kids’ grade level, the poems, prose, stories, and book reports were well done for the ages of the students. And some writing went beyond cute and charming to showing high skill levels for some genuinely talented upcoming authors. Overall, it was an excellent chance for the community to come together and connect after a...
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Travis Novitsky was a major part of the beautifully shot and narrated Northern Nights, Starry Skies documentary that can be found and watched on YouTube. Due to some medical issues Travis wasn’t able to reply to some questions he had been sent about the one-hour film he narrated and co-produced. Now healthy, he got back to me with some answers to questions I posed to him. Q- How many years did it take to shoot all of the night sky pictures used in the film? A- “The documentary uses photos that I’ve taken over the entire span of time that...
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The Memorial/Celebration of Life Service in remembering the life of Brian John Burmachuk (January 4, 1941 - March 7, 2023) will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the Tofte Parkview family home, 7263 Tofte Park Road. A luncheon and burial will follow.
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Claire Perkins Smith and Tyson Scott Smith of Grand Marais are proud to announce the birth of their son Aedan Bruce Smith. Aedan was born on March 19, 2023, weighing 8 lbs. 13 oz, at Essentia St. Mary’s in Duluth. The happy grandparents are Sue and Bruce Perkins, Scott W. Smith, Kristine and Roger Barton.
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About a dozen people from several Christian denominations gathered on the step of the Cook County Courthouse on Thursday, May 4, to take part in the National Day of Prayer. The 2023 theme for the National Day of Prayers is “Pray fervently in righteousness and avail much. James 5:16B “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Tim Ramey opened with a prayer, Aaron Isbell read James 1:2-6, Liz Wagner followed with Psalm 125 and the whole group recited Second Chronicles 7:14 and then joined voices to sing Our God is an Awesome God. With the wind whipping...
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A recent house-fire took everything that Harlan Schwab owned, and nearly took his life. Harlan woke up to his house burning and escaped through a window, suffering minor injuries. Unfortunately, Harlan, a senior citizen, didn’t have insurance on his house to cover the loss of his home or possessions. He is currently living in Duluth with a nephew, but he would like to return to Cook County. That said, Jordan Lambert set up a Go Fund Me page for Harlan with the goal of raising ,000. That money will be used to build Harlan a tiny home or purchase a...
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Moms who live in Minnesota are invited to join a free virtual fishing challenge Saturday, May 13, through Sunday, May 14, during Take a Mom Fishing Weekend, when all Minnesota moms can fish without purchasing a fishing license. To participate in the Mother’s Day weekend fishing challenge, moms simply need to join the Minnesota Moms Fishing Challenge Facebook group (facebook.com/groups/11732956-13370541) and submit one photo of each fish they catch. All participants who submit a fish will be entered in a random drawing for prizes provided by the Student Anglers Organization, including SCHEELS gift cards. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources...
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The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center is once again hosting a free trip for veterans to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota this summer. From July 10th to 16th 2023. This will be the fifth year and trip number 7 that the Center has offered. The trip is for any veteran that would like to get away for a week from the hustle and bustle. It offers them a chance to reconnect with nature and reset themselves. It is also for those that are disabled or dealing with PTSD and other specified traumas. “This is just a...
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Cook County High School 2023 Prom Queen Emmalli Myers is flanked by J Shannon (L) and Ben Obinger who were both declared Prom King(s) after a tie vote. The prom dance was hosted by Papa Charlies in Lutsen.
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The Cook County girls’ fastpitch softball team traveled to McGregor on May 4 to take on the Mercs and came away with a 17-3 victory. It was the first win of the season for the young Vikings, whose roster includes one senior, one junior, and the majority of starters in ninth grade. Kallie Anderson took the win for the Vikings. Kallie pitched four strong innings striking out four, allowing four hits, walking three, and giving up three runs. Cook County put together three big innings of offense. The Vikings scored five runs in the first, five in the fourth, and...
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Thunder Bay Newswatch reported that Provincial police arrested a man trying to enter Grand Portage while attempting to cross through the Pigeon River border in a stolen vehicle. The arrest of a 34-year-old Québec man came Sunday morning, May 7. An investigation led to more charges being filed against the individual who was found with fraudulent identity documents. He was remanded into custody on possession obtained by crime, personation with intent to avoid arrest, prosecution or to escape justice, and obstructing a peace officer. The accused was placed into custody until his court date in Thunder Bay.
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Northland Foundation announced 54 grant awards across the region and Cook County certainly got its share of the 6,910 that was distributed. I.S.D. 166 received ,000 to expand early childhood family education programming to the west end of Cook County and Grand Portage. Cook County Care Partners received ,000 to support programs and services to help older adults live independently in Cook County. Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Inc., was granted ,000 to support access to oral health care services and education for children, youth, and older adults. The commercial driver license training program offered by Cook County Higher Education received ,000....
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Mike Raymond The Annual Meeting of the Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization will be held at Skyport Lodge on Devil Track Lake Wednesday, May 13, 2023, at Noon. The “Eagles” will announce the winner of the ,500 2023 Aviation Scholarship at this meeting. The public is welcome. A business meeting followed by a social event and presentation on “Flying the Alaska Bush” by local pilot and retired airline captain JT McMillion will follow. The Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization is a non-profit local organization formed in 2018, which has a mission of supporting the Cook Count/Grand Marais Airport through promoting aviation events,...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town Hall, 7240 Tofte...
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The 2023 local producer scholarship applications are due by May 31, 2023. The Cook County Co-op will make its funding decisions by June 30, 2023. Preference will be given to agricultural and value added food producers whose mission, values, and practices have demonstrated a need and plan to use the grant, enhance the local food system, and work cooperatively with or purchase directly from other local farmers, producers, or businesses. Scholarships range from 0 to 0. Those applying must reside in or have a farm or food-related production business in Cook County. You must be established in your business for...
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The Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) is holding a public hearing on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 3 p.m. in the commissioners' room in the courthouse to discuss selling some land above the Birch Grove Community Center that will be used to build public housing. The HRA will consider selling property to the Temperance Trail Development LLC (Developer) for ,500. To learn more about the terms and conditions of the agreement please submit written comments in advance of the meeting by contacting director@ cookcountyHRA.org.
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Children’s Home Society and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota are affiliated organizations seeking foster parents to partner with them in caring for children and youth in need. If you are interested in making a direct difference in children’s lives, consider becoming a foster parent. During 2022, an estimated 11,200 children and youth experienced out-of-home care, according to the most recent information available through the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Children’s Home and Lutheran Social Service provide a range of services based on the unique needs of each child in foster care to ensure that all children have individualized supports they...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) attended training and checked anglers along the North Shore. CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) reports steelhead anglers continue to work the rivers and creeks, showing marginal...
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Staci Lola Drouillard has won ANOTHER book award. This time for her wonderful stories about her enduring, loving, tough as nails aunts. The book is titled Seven Aunts and was published by the University of Minnesota Press. Seven Aunts won Minnesota Book Award in the Memoir & Creative Nonfiction category, which was sponsored by Bradshaw Celebration of Life Centers. Staci received her award at the May 2, 2023, Minnesota Book Awards ceremony which was held at the Ordway. The Minnesota Book Awards is a yearlong project undertaken by The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library. In summing up Seven...
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More than 13,000 volunteers helped the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources do everything from monitoring rainfall levels to clearing trails, according to the 2022 annual DNR volunteer report. “Minnesotans benefit in countless ways because of DNR’s thousands of volunteers,” DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said. “I am so grateful they give their time in service to our natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities.” According to the report (files.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteering/AnnualReport.pdf), the estimated value of volunteer services in 2022 totaled .3 million. The annual report is out just in time for National Volunteer Week, when organizations across the country honor volunteers and recognize the...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) monitored seasonal closures and ATV activity. He attended the Healthy Kids Day that took place in Grand Marais. Equipment maintenance was executed on his patrol vehicle and...
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Several years ago, an effort was made to establish a disc golf course in the county. The main site looked at was the Gunflint Hills golf course—or, shall I say, the periphery of the Gunflint Hills Golf Course. After some thought, it was decided it wouldn’t work, and the idea was put on the shelf. However, a core group of disc golf enthusiasts have been meeting online to discuss once again creating a disc golf course in the county. Taking the disc and running with it sort of speak are Andrew Beaver and Peter Mott who appeared at the Tuesday,...
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Sadly, our weeks in Turkey are coming to a close. I’ve been amazed to find Turkish words and verb tenses bubbling up from the nether reaches of my brain. Turkish is a difficult language, but it makes up for that by being a kind one. Some of its daily niceties warm my heart: When you see someone working, you say “Kolay gelsin.” as you pass. “May it come easy to you.” I know of no similar sentiment in English, Or how about when the young woman you met recently is sick to her stomach? The Turkish kindness for difficult situations...
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Hopefully, summer will soon be here, and the thought of sunshine, gardens, and flowers is on my mind. I received some sunflower seeds from a dear friend, so I have them started in the window. I swear they grow at least an inch a day. By the end of summer, these will be 20 feet tall or more. I’ve decided to convert my raised bed gardens to cut flowers this season as I can get all the fresh produce, I need from the farmers market or swappers meet on Saturdays. We’re so lucky to have these shopping options in our...
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When I was little, I thought the Kentucky Derby was a bowler hat with a rounded crown and a narrow brim made in the Bluegrass State. No, no. The Kentucky Derby is a manned horse race. The manned part is important because that’s the thing that makes horse racing a, well, um, “sport”. Horse racing is a sport the same way Quidditch is a sport. The likelihood that you pick one up tomorrow is the exact same. The only way for you to enjoy horse racing is as a spectator. If I was interested in football, baseball, basketball, soccer or...
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Cook County I.S.D. 166 might have fewer students than most high schools, but that hasn’t stopped CCHS from becoming a powerhouse in the Envirothon competitions. Vikings' Head Coach April Wahlstrom announced that Cook County Envirothon teams took first and fourth in the Section tournament. Both earned trips to attend the 2023 Minnesota State Envirothon competition that will be held May 15 at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. So how big of an honor is it to qualify for state? Minnesota’s state meet is North America’s largest high school environmental education competition. Representing Cook County are Grace...
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The Grand Marais Park Board members have a tall order ahead of them. They are in the beginning stages of updating the city’s 2009 Grand Marais Recreation Area Park Master Plan, which will involve the public and take about six months to complete. Assisting the park board is the firm of HKGi, which was hired by the city to develop a newer Recreation Area Park Master Plan. Meeting with the park board via Zoom on Tuesday, April 27, was Gabrielle Grinde, a vice president of HKGi, who is serving as the project manager. While the main goal is to have...
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Winds blew across the county like a mini hurricane on Monday, May 1. Local photographer Paul Sundberg took this picture of the waves in the Grand Marais harbor. Said Sundberg, “I don’t think I have seen waves and wind in the harbor before that was actually blowing the top of the waves off and making spray. “You could hardly stand up in the parking lot. I wouldn’t have wanted to walk out on the break wall.”
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Ethan Tate pitched four innings of no-hit ball against the Carlton-Wrenshall Raptors and Ethan Tate came in and didn’t allow the Raptors to get a hit in his inning of pitching as the Vikings forced the ten-run rule in their 14-1 victory in a game played at Chub Lake. Wasting no time, the Vikings put up six runs in the first and eight in the second, scoring all the runs they would need to win. Ethan gave up five walks while striking out nine. Myers struck out two and walked one. The Vikings had ten hits in 23 at bats....
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The Cook County High School boys and girls track teams traveled to Two Harbors on April 25 to compete in the Two Harbors Invite. Girls Brianna Monson placed 16th in the 100-meter dash with a time of 14.71. Kalina Dimitrova finished 29th with a time of 16.08, while Siena Woerheide finished 33rd in 16.32. Once again, Monson led Viking sprinters with a time of 30.78 in the 200-meter dash, an excellent time for an eighth-grader. Zoe Kacures placed 31st with a time of 35.53, and Elizabeth Larsen crossed the finish line in 39.02 to take 34th. Ninth grader Emma Crook...
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April came and went, but it forgot to take the wind and cold weather with it. Will we ever get sun and nice weather to enjoy the outdoors? Birthdays, Bingo Winners, Community Service and Arnie Palmers Nona Smith and Ann Williams celebrated their birthdays at our monthly birthday party. On Nona’s actual birthday I asked her if we should sing to her again and she replied with a laugh, “No, I’m old enough already”. Ladies were busy little bunnies filling over 2,000 Easter eggs for kid to find at the Community Center. We had lots of laughs, sang some songs,...
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Celebrating thirty-two years on the shore of Lake Superior, the Grand Marais Arts Festival is a celebration of fine art, attracting over 8,000 visitors. In 2023 the Art Colony will host 60 juried artists. Funding for this event is generously provided by Visit Cook County. Having temporarily hosted the event at Cook County Schools, due to road construction on Highway 61 and ongoing COVID-19 social distancing, the festival will return to the downtown corridor in 2023. Artists will set up between Broadway and 1st Avenue and on 1st Avenue south of Wisconsin Street. Parking and traffic will remain open on...
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Moms who live in Minnesota are invited to join a free virtual fishing challenge Saturday, May 13, through Sunday, May 14, during Take a Mom Fishing Weekend, when all Minnesota moms can fish without purchasing a fishing license. To participate in the Mother’s Day weekend fishing challenge, moms simply need to join the Minnesota Moms Fishing Challenge Facebook group and submit one photo of each fish they catch. All participants who submit a fish will be entered in a random drawing for prizes provided by the Student Anglers Organization, including SCHEELS gift cards. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is...
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Here is Casey, guarding the house from a highpoint on the snowy ridge. Casey is a nine-year-old poodle. He is a wonderful companion for Kathy. Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful to return them to you. Mailing address is Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand...
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EXPLORADOME, a traveling planetarium from the Bell Museum in Minneapolis, visited Birch Grove Community School and exhibited the following shows: Saplings (ages 3-5): Observations of the Sky. Kindergarten: Observations of the Sky. First Grade: Observations of the Sky. Second Grade: Zoom! From the Earth to the Edge of the Universe. Third Grade: Zoom! From the Earth to the Edge of the Universe. Fourth & Fifth Grade: Mars: The Ultimate Voyage (this paired well with STARBASE Minnesota: Destination MARS program that 4/5 participated in earlier this year!). Staff and students alike were amazed by these informative and visually stunning shows. We...
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Sawtooth Mountain Elementary, the Cook County Schools Education Foundation and the Grand Marais Art Colony have teamed up this winter and spring to support primary art education. In January of 2023, the Education Foundation received a request for funding to cover use of facilities, instruction, and supplies for art instruction for 76 students in grades K-12. The Art Colony coordinated the logistical details, including supplies and instruction, and the school bused students, paraprofessionals and teachers to and from Studio 21. Through the collaboration of these three local entities, students were able to explore a variety of materials and techniques, including...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages Minnesotans to contact the state duty officer if they see evidence of a fish die-off in a lake or stream. Fish die-offs can result from a variety of natural and human causes. “People can help by reporting fish die-offs right away,” DNR Limnology Consultant Tom Burri said. “These reports alert state agencies to the situation and help us determine appropriate next steps.” To report fish die-offs, people should call the Minnesota duty officer at 651-649-5451 or 800-422-0798 (the officer line is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week). An early report...
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Every year the Eastern spruce budworm kills multitudes of balsam fir and spruce in Minnesota, and the dead trees potentially become spectacular fuel for forest fires. The Forest Service points out that the “Eastern spruce budworm is a native caterpillar and is the most destructive pest of sprucefir forests in eastern North America.” In 2021 the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reported in its Forest Health Annual Report that an infestation of spruce budworms was affecting over 380,000 acres across the state. That same 2021 the Greenwood Fire burned 27,000 acres near Isabella in Lake County and much of that...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town Hall, 7240 Tofte...
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On Thursday, April 6 the sun not only came out over the Grand Portage harbor but so did two “sun dogs” nipping at the sun’s heels. Sun dogs are often seen on cold winter days. Some attribute the name to Norse mythology while others say the name “sun dogs” came from the Greek God Zeus walking his dogs across the sky, and the two “false suns” on either side of the sun are his dogs. For some native people sun dogs are considered to be a sign from the Creator that people should live in respect and harmony with the...
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Each spring, Native American tribal members in Minnesota preserve their cultural heritage while providing a vital food source for tribal communities by harvesting fish through netting and spearing. This legally protected, regulated harvest of fish usually begins at ice-out. With the tribal spring harvest season getting underway, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recognizes tribal members’ rights to exercise their harvest rights within the 1837 Ceded Territory and within reservation boundaries. The 1837 treaty reserves to tribal members the right to hunt and fish in the ceded territory, free of state regulation. The tribal harvest within the 1837 Ceded Territory...
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With a tragic start to the off-highway vehicle riding season, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds all riders to make safety their top priority. This past weekend, two 10-year-old riders and a 13-year-old rider died in OHV crashes. The Washington and Chisago county sheriffs’ offices are investigating the crashes. In the past six years, an average of 22 people each year have died in OHV crashes. In that same timeframe, the number of all-terrain vehicles registered in Minnesota has risen from 428,060 to 510,383. “We continue to see an abundance of new riders who, regardless of their age, don’t...
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County-wide lodging taxes are down 6.3 percent when compared to the first two months of 2022, and no doubt our winter weather had a big part in those numbers. The Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association brought in lodging taxes of 8,914.12 for January and February in 2023, about ,000 less than 2022 for the same months, a 7.3 percent decline in revenue. With ,011.32 collected for the year’s first two months, Grand Marais Tourism Association was down 12.7 percent from 2022. A bright spot in the County Auditor’s lodging tax report was the Gunflint Trail Tourism Association’s numbers. When year-to-date apples-to-apples are...
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Schroeder residents or landowners in Schroeder Township who have questions about their property taxes should first contact the county assessor with questions, but if you believe the value or classification of your property is still not correct, then come to the Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting. The Schroeder Township Local Board of Appeal and Equalization will meet at the Schroeder Townhall at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 22. The board will review valuation, classification, or both if necessary, and make corrections as needed. Generally, an appearance before a local Board of Appeal and Equalization is required by law before...
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has taken steps to simplify COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and allow more flexibility for people at higher risk who want the option of added protection from additional COVID-19 vaccine doses. This past week CDC changed the COVID-19 vaccine recommendations to allow adults ages 65 years and older, as well as people with compromised immune systems to choose to get a second dose of the bivalent mRNA vaccine. This new recommendation is due to data showing that protection from COVID-19 vaccines wanes over time for older adults, and that an additional dose of the...
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Here is another photo from Butch Schulte’s family scrapbooks. His sister Darlene Schulte is part of this young group of artists. The girls are holding the brushes; the boys are holding the paint.
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The first public meeting will be held to discuss the Devil Track Road Reconditioning Project on May 11, 2023, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Commissioner’s Room at the County Courthouse. The purpose of the meeting will be to gather input from the public on desired changes and/or how this section of roadway is utilized to better inform the design process. The project is slated for 2025 construction. The project location will be the end of the paved portion of CSAH 8/Devil Track Road on the north side of Devil Track Lake from the end of the pavement at Devil Track...
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Schroeder residents or landowners in Schroeder Township who have questions about their property taxes should first contact the county assessor with questions, but if you believe the value or classification of your property is still not correct, then come to board of appeal and equalization meeting. The Schroeder Township Local Board of Appeals and Equalization will meet at the Schroeder Townhall at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 22. The board will review valuation, classification, or both if necessary, and make corrections as needed. Generally, an appearance before a local board of appeal and equalization is required by law before an...
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Being a big fan of the Cook County News Herald, I was dismayed to see that in a recent (April 15, 2023) edition, the paper published a full-page attack ad on our district’s state senator, Grant Hauschild. The ad was disturbingly dark and ominous, suggesting — without any evidence that it’s actually true — that Hauschild just might be about to act against the public interest and sell out his constituents to big business, big pharma, big insurance, etc. So, the ad implies, Hauschild is untrustworthy and we should all be very afraid of what he might do next. This...
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A story in the Star Tribune about a Grand Marais murder exhibits troubling journalistic judgment in my view, and the result victimizes Grand Marais. Here's the headline and subhead, which give you the gist of the story: “ ‘He killed a monster': Grand Marais man's death has locals pulling for his alleged killer." “Levi Axtell, who has confessed to murdering Lawrence Scully, has a lot of support from those who knew about the dead man's past. “ **** The reporter does not appear to have interviewed anyone who expressed an alternative viewpoint -- which I bet is far more common...
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A week or so ago this sweet looking bobcat came to eye David Johnson’s birdfeeder. Not sure if the cat was interested in the contents in the feeder or the birds gathered at the feeder but one thing’s for sure, this cat was patient and its’ interest highly piqued.
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What are aquatic invasive species? At a basic level, aquatic invasive species (AIS) are things living in water that are not native to that location. Watch this short video with Cook County residents about AIS prevention: https://youtu.be/ Y8ZHWgJ8NLU. What’s the big deal about aquatic invasive species? The impacts of AIS vary; however, they all cause problems. Some common impacts include: Ecological harm: AIS infestations disrupt the entire food chain and eliminate food sources for keystone species, which limits the survivability of desirable fish species. Economic harm: AIS infestations can reduce property values and recreational usage, which impacts the economic health...
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Tissues for tears, sheets of music, and candles were available for the 25 or so folks who attended the Cook County Violence Prevention Center Candlelight Vigil of Hope, held at the Grand Marais Rec Park on the evening of April 19. Candles were lit to illuminate a path of healing for survivors of sexual assault. The weather was cold, and snow was peeking right around the corner, but the folks on hand were hardy and heartfelt. Lindsey Gau, executive director of the Violence Prevention Center, talked about the impacts of sexual violence and how it impacts not just the survivor...
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Moose have long legs which help them navigate through deep snow, but these moose appear to be sick of wading through deep snow and instead decided to hike up a somewhat bare road. Where are they off to? Maybe they are walking to a place where it is actually spring.
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The Grand Marais City Council held a short but productive meeting on April 26. Shane Steele, Sustainability Coordinator, came before the city council to present two Stormwater Grant Project service agreements to the council and asked them to approve hiring EOR Inc. to do the work. EOR Inc. is well aware of the city’s stormwater issues, noted Steele, adding, “They did write the city’s stormwater management plan.” Steele said the city has received grant funding from the Minnesota Lake Superior Coastal Program to pursue two stormwater projects. Those projects include updating the city’s stormwater management model and conducting a feasibility...
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The Cook County Highway Department announced that they will hold their first public meeting for the Devil Track Road Reconditioning Project on Thursday, May 11, 2023, from 6:00 -7:00 p.m. in the Commissioner’s Room at the Cook County MN Courthouse. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. The purpose of the meeting will be to gather input from the public on desired changes and/or how this section of roadway is utilized to better inform the design process. The project is slated for 2025 construction. The project location will be the end of the paved portion of CSAH 8/Devil Track...
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After Jes Rodne pegged 14, all her partner Jeremy Wagner had to do was have any points in his hand to win the game and play one more game to see who would be crowned champions of the Bob Pratt Scholarship Cribbage tournament. Sadly, Jeremy came up empty—which is almost unheard of—in his hand, and the father and son team of Richard and Richie Furlong took home the 0 first-place winnings and a shiny trophy to boot! As for Jes and Jeremy, they were third last year and Richard and Ritchie placed second last year to Bev Pratt and Skip...
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Recently, I attended our local annual rural electric cooperative meeting. The purpose of the annual meeting is to gather together all of the member owners of the co-op to share important information about the status quo of our rural utility company. It is an open meeting with member owners encouraged to use the microphone and voice their concerns. What could have been an energizing, uplifting meeting, especially in light of the recent inflation reduction act provisions and financial support for transitioning to clean energy, unfortunately turned out to be quite a disappointment. Many of the voices that were loudest in...
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In her “Are you ready to look at new ways to build?” (3-18-2023), Arvis Thompson suggested that we rethink what we consider as essential in a home. She especially focused on water usage. This is a great thing to be thinking about not only to help our community’s housing concerns, but also in terms of energy use and our environment. Unlike our big city friends, people in Cook County are no stranger to life without plumbing. Some have chosen this way of life to reduce their carbon footprint. Some have gone this way out of necessity. I fall in the...
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Senator Grant Hauschild, representing NE Minnesota District 3, has kept his promise of delivering for his constituents. He has been the chief author of 90 Senate bills designed to help our NE Minnesota families and communities, and he has co-authored 181 bills since the legislative session began on January 3rd, 2023: a truly incredible accomplishment! Sen. Hauschild was the chief Senate author of the bipartisan legislation that brought extended unemployment benefits to address the terrible financial situation faced by over 400 Northshore Mining families of Silver Bay; and he helped get it signed into law in less than one month....
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Most Cook County Property Owners have received their 2023 Property Tax Statements and 2023 Valuation Notices (for taxes in 2024). The 2023 Valuation Notice contains important information on the Assessor’s estimated market value & classification and will provide instructions on how a taxpayer can appeal, if they feel the information is incorrect. For the 2023 assessment, the overall valuation increase on residential homes and cabins in Cook County was about 12 percent, in 2022 the increase was roughly 32 percent. In northern Minnesota, preliminary assessment data reflects that average county wide residential valuation increases of 10-15 percent are common. Our...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) monitored seasonal closures and ATV activity and worked on equipment maintenance. He met with the assistant county attorney to review and prepare ongoing cases. CO Hudson Ledeen...
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As noted recently, Charles Hathaway, aka “Chico,” responded to the living greener invitation. Here is his writing, only lightly edited: “I appreciate your recent columns giving suggestions on how we all can do a better job of ‘living green.’ As has been pointed out, there are many different actions we can take to try to reduce our individual impact on the global ecology. But as it happens, there are also old sayings that stand as guideposts pointing the way to a life generally more in harmony with nature. Here are a few that resonate with me. Leave no trace. People...
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As my friends back home struggle with yet another snowstorm, I sit in the Istanbul airport reminiscing about our last three (sunny) days in the city. Though I lived here for years and know the city well, each day brought new experiences, new history, new insights. It’s Ramadan now, so a good percentage of the population fast from sunrise to sunset. We’d arranged to enjoy an iftar dinner (the breaking fast meal) on our first night, so we strolled down to the Matbah restaurant eager to see what lay ahead. Our table for six was set with mouth-watering mezes (appetizers),...
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If you have any information about who owned this business and what it later became, please contact history@boreal.com.
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It’s early season for the Viking boys and girls track team but the kids are starting to show some nice results despite training through the late snow. The team recently traveled to Moose Lake and while no team scores were kept, the individual times, throws and jumps were recorded. Boys’ 100 meters: Ryan Christiansen ran 11:36; MaCoy Fairbanks (8th grade) 12.08; Talon DeBoer 12.68; Finn Taylor 12.82 and Ben Rex 13.01. Boys’ 200 meters: Ryan Christiansen 24.02; MaCoy Fairbanks 25.46; Finn Taylor 27.63; General Higgins 29.0; Graham Oberholtzer 32.0; Gary Thompson 32.0; Adam Oberg 32.2. Boys’ 400 meters: Ben Rex...
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The Cook County Curling Club recently wrapped up its 2022-2023 season with the ever-popular Charles J. Futterer Memorial Bonspiel followed by league playdowns. Now that the final shots have been played, and the ice is out of the arena, there is a chance to reflect on what made this season so special. The curling club could not exist without the numerous dedicated club and community members who volunteer their time. Special thanks goes to the ice crew, bonspiel organizers, meal and beverage coordinators, league captains, coaches, and board members. The Charles J. Futterer Memorial Bonspiel was held on March 10th-12th,...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will begin temporarily closing some roads and trails in state forests, state parks, recreation areas, and wildlife management areas as the spring thaw impacts road conditions. Seasonal melting makes these roads and trails too soft to support vehicle traffic without damage. Depending on weather and local site conditions, the temporary closures could remain in effect until sometime in May. “Closures protect roads and trails from damage when cars, trucks, ATVs, or any vehicles travel on the wet, unstable road conditions present during spring thaw,” said Matt Huseby, roads coordinator for the DNR’s Forestry Division....
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Prospective bear hunters have until Friday, May 5, to apply for a bear hunting license from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Applications for the 2023 season can be submitted online, at any license agent or by telephone at 888-665-4236. A total of 4,035 licenses are available in 14 permit areas for the 2023 season, which opens Friday, September 1, and closes Sunday, October 15. Lottery winners will be notified by Thursday, June 1. The deadline to purchase bear hunting licenses awarded by lottery is Tuesday, August 1. Any remaining unpurchased licenses will be available over the counter starting at...
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The Northland Foundation has received 0,000 in funding from the State of Minnesota to support Main Street revitalization projects in Cook County. The Cook County corridor for this grant is defined as the Townships of Lutsen, Schroeder and Tofte; the City of Grand Marais; and the Highway 61 corridor, north through the Grand Portage Reservation, and includes the Gunflint Trail. This program offers leveraged grant opportunities for eligible construction-related projects, with a focus on revitalizing main street corridors. Grants can be for up to 30 percent of the total project. Eligible recipients can use leveraged grants and/or loans to repair...
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Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful to return them to you. Mailing address is Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604-0757. Digital images can be emailed to ccnh@boreal.org Thank you!
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Minnesota Homeland Security and Cook County MN Emergency Management announced that there will be a Local Emergency Disaster Proclamation Process Presentation. The event will take place at 6:00 p.m. on May 2, 2023, at the Cook County Community Center, which is located at 317 W. 5th Street, Grand Marais, Minnesota. Presentations will be made on the following subjects: Public Assistance - Learn who is eligible for State and Federal reimbursement. Individual Assistance – Learn what private homeowners are eligible for. Businesses – What programs are local businesses eligible for. Flood Insurance – Are we eligible for Flood Insurance in Cook...
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Minnesota lost 5,700 jobs in March, 6,100 in private sector; wage growth catching up to inflation rate. St. Paul – Minnesota’s unemployment rate inched down two-tenths of a percent to 2.8% in March 2023 from February, and the labor force participation rate stayed the same over-the-month at 68.0%, according to new data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Nationally, the U.S. unemployment rate ticked down one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.5% and the labor force participation rate ticked up one-tenth of a percent to 62.6%. Minnesota lost 5,700 jobs, down 0.2%, from February to March...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town Hall, 7240 Tofte...
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The Northern Lights put on quite a show on Sunday, April 23, above Grand Marais. This photo was taken with a cell phone in town just before midnight.
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When it rose to 53°F in the April sun there was still some suet in the three suet feeders, the suet softening in the sun and warm wind, and there were still blackoil sunflower seeds settled in the two red-painted, wooden birdfeeders – the hanging platform feeder and the hanging tray. From my normal place, looking out a small north-facing window and craning a bit, I could see one of the suet feeders hanging in a balsam fir. If I moved more there was the red platform hanging on the shepherd’s staff over the black compost of the wildflower bed....
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Get your binoculars ready, the large freighters have returned after a winter hiatus and are busy sailing to and from Duluth or other ports on their long journeys. The shipping season started on March 25, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, Soo Project Office, opened the Poe Lock at 12:01 a.m. marking the 2023 Great Lakes shipping season.
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This photo is from Butch Schulte’s mother’s scrapbook. She was from the east end, so this may be the Hovland area in the 1920s. The people gathered around seem to be wearing their Sunday best with hats, ties, vests, suit coats, dresses, and knickers.
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North Shore Waste is growing its business. The company announced on April 8 through Facebook that it purchased Nelson Machine Products in Tofte. “We will be expanding our Roll-off, resident, commercial trash services to Lutsen, Tofte, Schroeder, Finland and surrounding areas. “We are thankful for the many years of hard work Rich and Kathy (Nelson) dedicated to servicing this area. We have big shoes to fill and plan to continue offering exceptional services to the residents of the North Shore,” wrote North Shore Waste co-owners Dustin Hansen and Barry Pederson. The recent purchase fits with the business plan unveiled at...
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“Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight.” Anonymous. A one-hour documentary exploring the dark skies of northeastern Minnesota and the Anishinaabe connection to those skies came out this March, but it can still be seen on YouTube and found on other sites. Co-produced by WDSE WRPT - PBS in Duluth and Hamline University’s Center for Global Environmental Education, the film spotlights the accomplished night photography of Grand Portage photographer Travis Novitsky and Carl Gawboy, Bois Forte, a retired St. Scholastica professor, educator, artist and...
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On Wednesday, May 3, the Grand Marais Planning Commission will meet at 5:15 p.m. at City Hall to consider several zoning requests. The largest of these is a proposal by P&R Development LLC and the Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) to build a 51-unit multifamily residential apartment project on property zoned R-1 in Creechville on the approximately 12 acres sold to the HRA for one dollar by the city of Grand Marais. P&R Development LLC is headquartered in Elk River, Minnesota. All Planning Commission decisions are brought before the Grand Marais City Council for approval or denial of...
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A comprehensive advocacy training course offered by Partners in Policymaking®, is taking applications from Minnesotans with disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities. There is no cost for this program. Starting September 15, the nationally recognized leadership training is presented in eight sessions over nine months. Applications are due on July 14. “We help individuals be more effective in advocating for their needs. The result is self-confidence and understanding of disability law and policies,” said Dr. Colleen Wieck, executive director of the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. “As they gain experience in speaking up for people with...
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The Senior LinkAge Line® will offer two classes covering health care fraud, waste & abuse prevention on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and again from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how to detect and report potential errors, fraud, and abuse; review potential fraud and scams targeting older adults, learn how to read their Medicare paperwork, learn how to protect their Medicare beneficiary number, and how to protect/detect/report Medicare scams and fraud. This presentation includes information from the Senior Medicare Patrol, a federal education and prevention program. We are authorized to offer 1.5 Continuing Education...
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In a galaxy far, far away, located at a school near you… May the Fourth Be With You! Cook County Safe Routes to School Committee is hosting a Star Wars Themed Walk and Bike to School Day on Thursday May 4. On that day, all students, families, and community members are encouraged to join in the fun by starting their day with a walk or bike ride to school, work, or anywhere. Costumes and bike decorations are optional but encouraged. No weapons are allowed and vision obstructing masks are discouraged. Choose from four routes of “Walking School Busses or Bike...
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One recent day in April, with the threat of a spring ice storm bearing down on northeastern Minnesota and the school district already calling for a subsequent E-learning day, a committed group of Cook County residents gathered to become certified in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). This was the second cohort to gather in as many months—the first focused on adult mental health, the second on youth. Much like other first aid trainings, which equip you to respond when someone experiences a physical health crisis, MHFA training equips you to respond to signs of mental health distress and substance use...
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A man is homeless after his house burned on April 24, 2023. The Maple Hill Fire Department, Grand Marais Fire Department, Cook County Ambulance, and Cook County Sheriff ’s Deputy Christopher Schrupp responded to the fire. Harlon Schwab told Deputy Schrupp that he had cleaned the ash from his fireplace and placed the ash inside a bin on his porch. Harlan then proceeded to eat lunch and take a nap. When he awoke, his house was on fire. Harlan said he was trapped and had to jump through a window to get out. He suffered some burns on his head...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News- Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Samuel David Kent, 23, Moose Lake, Minnesota, pled guilty April 4, 2023, to two petty misdemeanors: 1) Driving without a valid license for vehicle class or type and 2) Possessing Over 1.4 grams Marijuana in a Motor...
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In an open, muddy field, Rob Perez joins Zephyrus who flies a kite in the brisk morning air. ROB: Zephyrus! ZEPHYRUS: My friends call me Z. R: Z, a pleasure. Z: Let’s throw caution to the wind and jump in. R: Could you introduce yourself to my readers? Z: Okay. Sure. I’m Zephyrus, god of the west wind. I bring the spring. R: Oh, that’s good. Z: It’s kind of my tagline. R: I like it. And how do you spend your free time? Z: I… (gestures to kite). When it warms up, I wind surf. I sail. I also...
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The Cook County Commissioners met on Tuesday, April 25, for a lengthy meeting. The big ticket on the agenda was the lengthy annual report from the Cook County Highway Department. That will be featured in next week’s paper. In further business: • LaBoda Grading, Inc. was awarded the summer maintenance Subordinate Governmental Service District (SGSD) contracts for the following SGSD roads: Kelly’s Hill, Voyageur’s Point, West Rosebush Lane, Rosebush Hill, Little Ollie, and Private Arrowhead Trail. In addition, Mike Rose Excavating was awarded the contract for the Evergreen Road SGSD. • Commissioners approved a resolution for the Gunflint Trail Property...
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Janice Lee Toftey, age 80, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, passed away Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023. She was born July 28, 1942, in Duluth, Minnesota to Norman and Evelyn Toftey. Jan grew up in Grand Marais and also lived in Minneapolis and Chicago. Jan was very proud of her North Shore roots. She always said her first job was working behind the counter of the Ed Toftey store when she was 8 years old! She worked for Cargill and Volkswagen before moving to the Sara Lee Corporation, where she managed the office of the chairman and CEO. This position...
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Should the newly formed Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) be dissolved with all its duties and assets transferred to the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA)? That will be the central question Cook County commissioners will want the public to weigh in on at the May 9 commissioners meeting. The public forum will be held at 8:45 a.m. in the commissioner’s room. Both the governing boards of the City of Grand Marais and Cook County will hold meetings to discuss the potential for the plan that has been green lighted by boards of the EDA and HRA....
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For three decades Cook County Emergency Management has brought forth an Emergency Services Conference and this year is no different. The 31st offering of the Emergency Services Conference will be held in Grand Marais on April 28 and 29, 2023. Registration is open. The full agenda and much more information is available on the link below. Cook County Emergency Services Conference 2023 Tickets, Fri, April 28, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. | Eventbrite This year’s conference is fast approaching, and everyone is welcome.
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Aurora Schelmeske ‘24 from Grand Marais Minnesota is performing with the Gustavus Dance Company at Gustavus Adolphus College. That single fleeting moment portrays how dance happens in the body and in the now, as well as the experience of an audience member who sees the performance, but not all the time and preparation that goes into it. As an audience member, we see the dance, and then it’s gone. “We spend so much time on a work for that single moment; live for an audience to experience just once,” explains Melissa Rolnick, dance professor at Gustavus. “The two-dimensional experience doesn’t...
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In the last 12 months, Cook County Higher Education (CCHE) has enrolled thirty four Cook County residents in Commercial Driver’s License A, B or B-Bus training, and aided twelve more residents in securing their CDL license by providing Behindthe Wheel (BTW) training. Starting May 1st, there is an opportunity for up to 20 more participants to enroll in this FREE training. The training is normally taught in Hibbing through Minnesota North College - Customized Training Solutions. However, through the efforts of CCHE and many local and regional advocates, CCHE has been able to bring the online learning modules, the written...
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Grand Marais City Counselors listened to a presentation about the proposed merger of the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) at the council’s April 12 meeting. Coming before the council to present the concept was Steve Surbaugh, President of the EDA board and Mary Somnis, President of the HRA board. “We’re here because we think it’s a great idea,” Surbaugh said of the possible merger. Surbaugh pointed out that the EDA was created in 1988 by Minnesota Statute “for the purpose of holding title to the land for development of...
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The Bob Pratt Skills, Trades & Technology Scholarship Fund was created in 2021. Many community members have contributed to the endowed fund, and the scholarship has aided several members of our community. If you knew Bob Pratt, you know he was always looking out for the little guy. Background, family life, prior education – none of it mattered to him. He helped many people recognize their potential, and then did his best to help them remove the barriers to success. The scholarships are aimed at helping Cook County residents start, progress, and gain new skills. The latest recipient was Andrea...
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The Cook County Attorney’s Office’s victim witness program has been building a positive relationship with people impacted by crime for over twenty years. The criminal justice system in the United States is centered around the constitutional rights of the accused, historically leaving out the voice of victims. Having victim-specific services available to those harmed by crime means that victims are updated and provided a liaison in the criminal justice system. Minnesota statutory rights for victims allow them the ability to observe hearings and provide meaningful feedback during sentencing. Collaboration with other community partners is vital for the victim witness program...
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Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL — Hermantown) appeared at a press conference on Friday morning April 14, to address recent attack ads displaying misleading information related to his support for a Prescription Drug Affordability Board that would reduce the outrageous costs of prescription drugs. “Boy, did we make some folks mad, and we made the right folks mad,” said Senator Hauschild. “In my day job, I raise money for families and patients who can’t afford the care and the prescription drugs that they need. But no family should have to rely on fundraising and GoFundMe pages to get their prescriptions. “I...
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The Grand Marais Planning Commission will hold a meeting at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, City Hall, to contemplate three zoning requests. The first will be to consider Dave Walter's request for a variance to build a new home on property within the 25-foot rear yard setback. The property is on 5th Street East. Next, the planning commission will hear Tom and Hana Crosby’s request for a conditional use permit to operate a two-bedroom long-term rental apartment on the second story of their proposed bakery located downtown between Sivertson Gallery and the Blue Water Cafe. Finally, the planning commission...
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Rob Perez does not like pickleball. At least in his column. I know he plays tennis and occasional (gulp) golf. Perhaps he fears being shown up by a bunch of aging pickleball players. Steve Aldrich, Mostly Retired, Grand Marais
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I don’t have a dog in this hunt anymore, haven’t sold a pump in over 20 years. I have to ask why the fire trucks are not equipped with an end suction centrifugal pump on the front PTO? We are surrounded by water! To rely on water tankers and small cabin sized gasoline lake pumps seems absurd. Mike Eckhart, Grand Marais
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Open Letter to Congressman Stauber: It’s getting ridiculous that you and your Republican friends are gambling with the debt ceiling. The ceiling is about paying the bills that the country has already charged on its credit card. If my family were to do that, we’d get thrown out of our house. We pay our bills. Period. The United States should pay its bills. Period. You needlessly messing around like this with the debt ceiling when it was raised without question three times under President Trump is going to hurt many in the 8th. Raise it now with a clean bill...
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North House Folk School held its annual Instructor Retreat last weekend that brought in people from throughout the Midwest and beyond who teach classes at the school. This weekend, April 21 and April 22 there will be Volunteer Weekend at the school. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. volunteers will be cleaning up the grounds, washing windows, furniture refreshing, garden clean-up and more. A wood-fired pizza bake will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday for those that show up and work.
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Three Walk! Bike! Fun! training events will be held in May and are now accepting free participant registration. Each event will be held at the Cook County MN Community Center Log Cabin at 357 W. 5th Street in Grand Marais. The Educator Training session will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2023, from 8:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN) is hosting a FREE local training of the Walk! Bike! Fun! Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Curriculum. Walk! Bike! Fun! encourages more children to walk or bike to school and throughout the community by providing educators with...
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The Cook County Commissioners met Tuesday, April 11 with a wide variety of subjects to tackle. Cook County Commissioners approved a revolving loan for 5,000 to the Cook County Real Estate Fund for the renovation of the former 6,500 square foot Birchbark Books and Gifts building. The loan is for 20 years with interest at market rates. The loan is contingent upon approval of the county attorney and completion of borrower documents including personal guarantees, a promissory note and borrower agreements. Once the renovations are complete the First & Second Thrift Store will take half of the building for its...
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The family of Nicholas Bryan Norman are sad to acknowledge his passing on April 13, 2023. Nicholas was born on January 23, 1981, to Shelly and Dennis Norman of Chaska Minnesota. He spent most of his youth in Chaska, later teenage years in Arlington, and made Bloomington his long-term residence. As a young boy he was the definition of mischief with a sly grin on his face and fun new ways to avoid being grounded with his charming personality. Nicholas is missed by his mother, Shelly Norman of Grand Marais; father, Dennis Norman of Hollister, MO; siblings, Jacob (Lesli) Norman...
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GLENN LARSEN ENJOYING A SHORT LEAVE Glenn Larsen, Petty Officer 2nd Class, US Navy, is enjoying a short leave at home after spending one year on Adak Island in the Aluetians. He was a crew chief on a twin jet engine helicopter. Larsen was engaged in search and rescue operations and has received three citations for rescues performed during his stay on Adak.
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On Sunday, April 16, 2023, Jean Brislance took this picture of a bird that looked a little upset about the dastardly weather. Jean said, “This week we saw our first warbler of spring, the Yellow-rumped Warbler. I got this shot today in our yard during the snow and sleet. Because insects are scarce, this one was coming to our feeder to eat suet, which the Yellow-rumps are known to do when insects are scarce.”
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town Hall, 7240 Tofte...
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Brian Larsen Time to get your snow shovels back out. A Saturday night rain turned to heavy wet snow over Sunday and Monday (April 16-17) this past week as winter made a nasty return to Cook, Lake, and St. Louis County, as well as an unwelcome visit to northern Wisconsin. Winds gusted up to 55 mph in Grand Marais on Sunday and Monday, creating blizzard conditions at times. Soils already saturated from the spring melt caused trees to be more susceptible to falling in the high, gusting winds, and quite a few trees succumbed to the unrelenting blow. According to...
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Fresh off a mile interval and somewhat winded and rosy-cheeked, the kids running mid to long distance for the Vikings track team took a short break last Thursday, April 13. The kids were training in the Grand Marais Rec Park. And while It’s often cold and windy at the Rec Park, it’s also relatively traffic free and flat, which makes it an excellent place to run intervals, especially when there isn’t a track to train on. Viking Head Coach April Wahlstrom wasn’t just busy putting the kids through their paces; she joined them. She recorded a 6:02 mile while running...
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The Cook County boys’ baseball team traveled to Aurora on Friday, April 14 to play Mesabi East Giants and lost 6-2 in a game that was much closer than the final score would indicate. Mesabi took a one to nothing lead after the first inning. Neither team scored again until the fourth when the Vikings pushed two runs across the plate to take a 2-1 lead. Mesabi scored one in the fifth while blanking the Vikings to tie the score. The sixth inning was big for Mesabi as they scored four runs. The Giants blanked the Vikings in the Vikings...
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Drew Holmen continues to improve at long distance running, so much so that he will represent the U.S. at the World Mountain & Trail Running Championships on June 9 in Innsbruck, Austria. The former Cook County High school cross country runner won the Lake Sonoma 50.8 -mile race in Healdsburg, California on April 8 with a time of 6:44:20 to qualify. He was more than ten minutes ahead of the second place finisher Caleb Olson, a fellow Strava runner. Drew earned ,000 for the victory. The top three men and women finishers at Sonoma punched their tickets to the 2023...
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I am beyond proud of one of my former students. Staci Lola Drouillard is a soft-spoken, unassuming dynamo. She’s also a writer (as well as a fine baker). Staci’s most recent book, Seven Aunts, is a deep-dive into her family history with a focus on her aunts. I clearly recall my Ojibway students having strong ties to their “Aunties,” and Staci’s family has indigenous roots. In native communities it’s the women, the aunties, who carry the cultural traditions of the tribe, so it stands to reason that Staci would choose to view her family system through her seven aunts. Her...
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Louis XIV of France famously said, “Après mois le deluge (“after me the deluge.”) It took two more Louis, but he proved right leading to several years of social disruption followed by Napoleon followed by his two attempts at a French empire. I just finished reading The Deluge by Stephen Markley. It is a sobering look at where we might be headed in climate change over the next 20 years and who might be responsible or able to help. If you are already depressed, do not read this book. If you can’t stand to consider what may happen if the...
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How lucky we were to have libraries in each school, and librarians to work them. I learned to use the card catalogs and the Dewey Decimal System to look up ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), river otter (Lontras canadensis) and beaver (Castor canadensis). ‘Castor’ refers to the expensive beaver castor glands, and ‘canadensis’ means ‘Canadian’ or ‘North American.’ We learned how the Indians used fish as a fertilizer, and learned the words Chippewa and Ojibwe from Miss Kalland, who was part Chippewa. We learned about boat people (Khmer and Hmong and Vietnamese) and Henry Hudson “discovering” his river in New York...
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Man can get too comfortable on terra firma. It’s cozy here, familiar, solid underfoot. Personally, I like earth because it’s near. But Beyond Reason considers near and far. That’s why it’s time we consider… space. I’m not talking about elbow room or square footage or personal space. I’m talking about space. Like outer space. Space is in the air. No, not literally. But figuratively space is in the, well, let’s say, zeitgeist. And just what do we know about space? First, it’s big. You could go for miles and miles in any direction and feel like you’re not getting anywhere....
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais #1) checked anglers along rivers during the inland stream trout opener. The water is still very cold, but anglers were happy to finally be out. He attended...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News- Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Christina Diane Haselow, 37, Silver Bay, Minnesota, pled guilty March 14, 2023, to a petty misdemeanor of No Proof of Motor Vehicle Insurance, on February 16, 2015 (date on record). Fines and fees total 0. David Joseph...
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The Violence Prevention Center acknowledges the far-reaching effects of recent criminal justice cases in Cook County as well as sexual violence in all forms. Sexual violence usually occurs in private, but like all crime, it impacts victims and entire communities, including our community. The media attention around recent cases may be triggering to those who have been impacted by sexual assault and child sexual abuse. A trigger is an event or situation which in some way resembles or symbolizes a past trauma, setting off a memory and transporting a survivor back to the sexual violence they were subjected to. Triggers...
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After three years of postponing health care renewals, Minnesota will resume renewal processes for Medical Assistance in 2023. Like all states, Minnesota has maintained health care coverage for its Medicaid (called Medical Assistance in Minnesota) enrollees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March 2020, Minnesotans who newly gained eligibility or already had eligibility for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare have remained enrolled in the coverage regardless of most changes in their lives that previously would have affected their coverage. Continuous coverage helped Minnesotans access care during a global pandemic and maintained high insurance coverage rates in the state. In December 2022, Congress...
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Five swans came for spring and beat it out of the area when they felt the onslaught of winter’s return.
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Through its semi-annual Community Grants for Health program the North Shore Health Care Foundation (NSHCF) will be awarding ,000 this year, to community organizations and programs that contribute to equitable health care and healthy living in Cook County. Applications are due by 4 pm on Monday, May 1, for the first-round of 2023 grants. The deadline for the last round of 2023 funding is Oct 1. Grant application forms and eligibility criteria are available at www.NorthShoreHealthCareFoundation.org. Priority is given to projects/programs which address the Foundations key priorities, including: • Children’s mental health and substance misuse. • Seniors’ services and aging...
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The first 2023 Cook County Chamber of Commerce Exchange was held at North Point Youth Center on April 6 at 9 a.m. Chamber Director Linda Jurek hosted the event while Grand Marais City Administrator Mike Roth, Grand Marais Maintenance Director Lenny Bloomquist, Mayor Tracy Benson and Grand Marais Parks and Rec Director David Tersteeg were on hand to answer questions about city operations as everyone prepares for an upcoming busy summer. The event was well attended with lots of interesting questions and answers.
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JIM HALL RECOGNIZED BY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION The National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils (NARC&DC) has announced that Jim Hall has been inducted into the National Association’s Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to the RC&D Program. Jim Hall, a Lutsen resident and former Cook County Commissioner, was chosen because of his tremendous commitment to the expansion of the program in Minnesota. He worked tirelessly with community organizations, individuals, and RC&D councils in his home state to create the Laurentian RC&D Council in 1996.
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If you are venturing into Canada, expect delays at the Pigeon River border crossing. The Minnesota Department of Transportation began construction on the Highway 61 Pigeon River bridge at the US-Canadian border on April 10, 2023. Traffic across the bridge will be reduced to a single lane controlled by temporary traffic signals and will remain that way until October 2023. There will be intermittent alternate full lane closures of up to 15 minutes that will occur though the whole project. Work will be done to replace the Pigeon River Bridge deck, including adding new bridge surfacing, railing, guard rail, lighting...
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Kids, parents in tow, lined up and made a mad dash to collect as many Easter Eggs as they could on Saturday morning, April 8 at the Grand Marais community campground (Rec. Park). The annual Easter Egg hunt was sponsored by Cook County Kids Plus and had a great turnout.
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Last summer the County began collecting data on County buildings to assess deferred maintenance needs and develop a plan for addressing those needs. Data collection concluded in the fall, and the County hosted open house sessions – three on December 1, 2022, and another three on February 16, 2023 – to share information with residents about the work to date. The analysis shows that the County will need to invest an estimated .4 million over the next five years to address all the maintenance needs in its 25 buildings. At the meeting on February 16, the County began gathering public...
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No one is above the law. As Americans, we deserve leaders who follow the law, act honorably in our interests, and govern in our name. A Grand Jury of everyday Americans across race, background and party has indicted the former MAGA President for bribes and corruption. They weighed the evidence, and decided he must stand trial. Yet the MAGA Republicans in office support him and lie for him. They are trying to undermine our legal system by covering up for him. They knowingly back this con-man because they support his efforts to rule for the wealthiest few. We must vote...
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This year’s population estimate of 3,290 moose marks a decade of Minnesota’s moose population remaining relatively stable, according to the results of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ 2023 aerial population survey. Although the estimate dropped from 2022’s estimate of 4,700, the change continues to reflect the population stability observed in previous years. After a decline from a population estimate of approximately 8,000 in 2009, Minnesota’s moose population appears to have stabilized at about 3,700 animals in recent years. Stabilized doesn’t mean the population is constant, said John Giudice, DNR wildlife biometrician. Instead, annual changes since 2013 appear to be...
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WTIP Community Radio is thrilled to announce the 2023 Radio Waves Music Festival, September 8 to 10, at Sweetheart’s Bluff in the Grand Marais Recreation Area. This marks the 25th birthday of WTIP Community Radio and the 16th year of this family friendly festival, which features an array of diverse musical genres. The event showcases three days of live music under the big sky and bright stars on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Twenty-two local, regional and national acts will take the stage this year, including R & B legend John Ellison and The Carpenter Ants, who will perform...
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Anna L. (Everson) Speck, 96, of Grand Marais, passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at the North Shore Care Center in Grand Marais. Anna was born April 18, 1926, to Adolph and Celia (Johnson) Everson at the family home on Maple Hill, Grand Marais, Minnesota. She fondly told memories of living on the farm where she helped take care of the animals and siblings. The oldest daughter of nine children, Anna, was a very hard worker her entire life. She held various jobs, including working at the veneer plant in the sixties until it burned down. After that, Anna...
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Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota (LASNEM) is pleased to announce its upcoming Law Day 5K fundraiser event to be held on April 30th at 9:00 a.m. in Duluth. This event aims to raise awareness and funds for LASNEM, a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to low-income individuals and families in the region. The Law Day 5K will be a fun-filled and family-friendly event, where runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate. The route will begin at Duluth East High School and take participants along Duluth’s scenic Lakewalk, providing a memorable experience for...
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Seth Jeffs is on the move again. Seth Jeffs, a leader of the FLDS, an offshoot group of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who believe in child brides and that polygamy brings exaltation in heaven, purchased 80 acres of secluded property in rural Menomonie, Wisconsin and has been building on the property. In December 2018, Seth, as the “Managing Member” of Emerald Industries LLC, bought 40 acres of property just off Pike Lake Road with the hopes of building a 5,760-square-foot pole barn complete with living quarters. To date, all he has done is push in a...
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After the smashing success of the event in 2022, the Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP), Zero Waste Cook County, and the Cook County Climate Action Team are pleased to announce that Cook County Earth Day Fair is back for its second year. Mark your calendar for April 22, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. This zero-waste event will take place at the Cook County Community Center and Log Cabin and will highlight 40 informational and interactive booths comprised of local organizations. This event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Join in on the fun with interactive...
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Firefighters were called to a fire at a popular summer eatery in Grand Marais on Monday, April 10. Sydney’s Frozen Custard & Wood Fired Pizza suffered heavy damage from an angry blaze that threw thick grey smoke into the air for over an hour. Bruce Block, a building contractor and owner of Sydney’s, said the building was a total loss. “That morning, I shook hands to sell the business, but I was feeling like I had sold one of my children. I was heading out of town to the State of Washington, where I was going to buy a sailboat,...
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Taking a break from real gymnastics, this little red squirrel seems to be locked into some mental gymnastics. Maybe he/she can break The Collatz Conjecture, or simply the “3n+1” mathematical problem? Or maybe this little squirrel is really thinking of raiding a nearby birdfeeder? It’s hard to know, but a squirrel inspired math breakthrough would be nice.
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From time to time, Beyond Reason ponders serious questions. What is a good life? Is love stronger than hate? Why do good people like Pickleball? Enlightenment may exist not in the answer to the tough question but in pursuit of it. (It may not but it’s worth a shot.) Thus, it’s time to consider the fanny pack. The fanny pack is a small bag worn on your fanny. Some say the fanny is your backside. But that distinction is unhelpful. Everyone has a backside, right there opposite the frontside. It starts at the heel and ends at the top of...
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I have said that there is no upside to an extended Minnesota winter. I am about to have a fit when it continues to snow, sleet, and produce icy rain into April. But I know that attitude is everything, and I must adjust mine—a “tune-up,” so to speak. My one savior is books. Now, as in my childhood, I seek books to move me from long winter days to stories of adventure and wonder. When I was young, I preferred the Boxcar Children. Gertrude Chandler Warner was my favorite author. I dreamed of living in a boxcar and cooking outside....
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In early grade school there were always the pictures of old men: paintings of the founding fathers, or black and white photos of our principal or the superintendent of our school district, maybe a famous Minnesotan. For George Washington, it was the painting of him at the bow of the wooden skiff while crossing the frozen Delaware river in the sleet, for his surprise attack on the British garrison at Trenton, New Jersey. I thought about that years later when I was still in public school but when I was a deer hunter with the old men down on the...
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Does anyone remember the PURE gas station? What’s in that location today? Email your answer to history@boreal.org and email ccnh@boreal.org.
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Hovland’s Rolland LaBoda of Night Train Racing Sled Dogs, age 12, was the second youngest musher at the CopperDog 15 sled dog race. His father, Charlie, finished third in the CopperDog 15. Rolland placed seventh out of 21 mushers who entered. Sheryl Johnson won the race with a time of one hour, seven minutes, and five seconds. Charlie was just a little behind in one hour, thirteen minutes, and fifty-four seconds. Back in seventh, Rolland wasn’t exactly left in the “snow dust” with a fine finish time of one hour, twenty-six minutes, and thirty-two seconds. The youngest musher was Nicole...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town Hall, 7240 Tofte...
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The Cook County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to host the April 20th Chamber Connect at Best Western Superior Plus Inn. All are welcome to celebrate this milestone anniversary. Please join us as we recognize the entrepreneurialism and investment achieved by the Holland and Mehlhaff families. Not only is the family celebrating its 40th year in business at Best Western Plus Superior Inn in Grand Marais, they are also honoring the 70th year and 4th generation of their family providing excellence in hospitality. The approach to hospitality by the Holland Hospitality Management Company has always been about providing a quality...
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It won’t be too long before we will start seeing adorable baby fox like this one pictured above. Usually in late March, early April, fox kits are born. They spend about 12 weeks with their mom and dad before being weaned and then join adults on hunting expeditions, learning how to find food on their own.
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Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful to return them to you. Mailing address is Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604-0757. Digital images can be emailed to ccnh@boreal.org Thank you!
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota received a waiver from the federal government to temporarily provide extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits known as Emergency SNAP, or E-SNAP. The temporary increase boosted households’ monthly benefit to the maximum allotment for their household size – or, if they were already getting the maximum amount, households received an additional each month. Federal officials declared that the extra COVID Emergency SNAP benefits would end after February. Because Emergency SNAP is issued the month after SNAP is approved, most households received their last Emergency SNAP payment in March and benefits will return to...
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Technology has tremendous potential to improve people’s lives. It can help people communicate, connect with others, and live, work and play more fully. The challenge is knowing what technology is best – and how to use it. The Lighthouse can help. Their technology professionals help people discover, acquire and use the technologies that are right for them. Technology needs for everyone are different. Someone might need low tech technology like grab bars or ramps, and others may need high tech technology like tablets or smart home devices. If you need any technology but are unsure of how to use it,...
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I was walking my dog early Easter morning when she slipped from her harness, ran out onto Highway 61 and was hit by a vehicle. The driver had no chance to stop to avoid the collision. This happened in a split second. The driver pulled over and apologized but as I told him, he couldn’t have done anything to prevent the accident. He would have taken my dog and me to the veterinarian, but he had his dog in his vehicle and that wouldn’t work. Another driver pulled over and asked to assist and a lady across the highway stopped...
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To get rid of a few of our winter doldrums we had a Fun in the Sun themed week from March 13-17. Monday one of our residents was busy painting bikinis on cardboard for whoever wanted to enter our bikini parade when she received a phone call. The caller asked her what she’s doing, and she nonchalantly answered, “Oh I’m painting a bikini.” The caller has no clue what she’s talking about, but laughed none the less. We painted about 12 bikinis including an itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini and two hairy chested speedos. On Tuesday we...
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The northern lights over Grand Marais were spectacular last week, and they lasted until daybreak.
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Applications for the 2023 Cook County Chamber of Commerce Great Place Project are now open. The Great Place Project is a program which financially assists Chamber Member businesses in making aesthetic improvements to their businesses. These projects are outside of the normal operational budget. Think of a wish list. Awards range from 0 - 00. The Chamber Board of Directors has approved allocating 00 in 2023. Applications are open from April 1st - May 15th. Awards will be announced June 9th. Examples of past projects include: benches in front of businesses, support of mural projects, lawn chairs, flowerpots, bike racks,...
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Sawtooth Mountain Clinic (SMC) and North Shore Health (NSH) have announced upcoming changes to physician services for the Cook County, Minnesota community. SMC physicians have traditionally provided care to inpatients and swing bed patients at NSH in addition to seeing patients at the clinic. Due to physician shortages, SMC physicians will soon focus on clinic primary care. Starting July 1, 2023, SMC physicians will no longer be able to provide care to inpatient and swing bed patients at NSH. For over 18 months, SMC has actively recruited for physicians to replace providers who are retiring, relocating and/or cutting back hours....
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On Tuesday, March 28, Cook County Highway Engineer Robbie Hass spent the better part of an hour explaining to Cook County Commissioners why the Cook County Highway Department was recommending the commissioners vote to dissolve the Kelly’s Hill Subordinate Governmental Service District (SGSD) Private Roadway Maintenance Policy. To summarize the situation, Hass said, “It’s been threeand one-half years of policy and contract violations,” adding, “This relationship isn’t working anymore.” Hass said Cook County is the only county in Minnesota that provides an SGSD for residents/owners of private roadways. And while the county had “eight or nine other private roadway SGSD...
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The American Pickers are excited to return to Minnesota. The hit series plans to film episodes of the History Channel hit television series throughout northeastern Minnesota in June 2023. We at American Pickers are still taking the pandemic very seriously and will follow all guidelines and protocols for safe filming outlined by the state. However, we are incredibly excited to continue connecting with the many collectors in the area to discuss their years of picking! American Pickers is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on the History Channel. The hit show follows skilled pickers in...
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University of Minnesota Extension is the local connection for residents across our state to the research, expertise, education, and training of the University. Here in Cook County, our local Extension office provides programming, education, and connection to university resources. The focus of the educational efforts of Extension across the state are driven by the needs of local communities, and here in Cook County one of our main focus areas is supporting a healthy local food system with a particular emphasis on supporting local food producers. What is a food system, you might wonder? The food system is all the interconnected...
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H. F. No. 5 recently passed the Minnesota Legislature with the support of 103 Democrat and 6 Republican Legislators and signed by Governor Walz. The purpose of the program is to help the children more “effectively learn.” The Bill provides “free” lunch and breakfast for all participating Minnesota school children from preschool to grade 12. I’ll come back to “free” in a minute, so hold that thought. According to Its authors, this is a “bill relating to education” and the meals can be had by anyone. So, if Bill Gates had kids in one of our schools, and old Bill...
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Cook County Higher Education invites you to settle in on Sunday, April 16 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for a community conversation with Author and Educator Diane Wilson about her award-winning book The Seed Keeper. Bring your questions. The Seed Keeper is a masterfully written story of reawakening, remembering our original relationship with seeds and, through them, with our ancestors. The story follows three generations (1862-2002) of Dakota women as they struggle to preserve their way of life and their sacrifices to protect what is most important. “In her Author’s Note, Diane Wilson writes that the book was inspired by a story...
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Cook County needs a Firewise Coordinator. The Firewise Coordinator will work with the Cook County Emergency Management Director, local Fire Departments, and other partner agencies, and the citizens of Cook County to reduce the risk of wildfire damage to structures in Cook County through planning and implementation of mitigation strategies as outlined in the Cook County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Cook County seeks applicants to provide professional services to coordinate Firewise activities in the county, in cooperation with the Cook County Firewise Committee, Cook County Community Wildfire Protection Plan coordinating committee and partners in wildfire hazard mitigation. This is...
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SPRING FEVER AT THE CARE CENTER There was unusually beautiful weather for a St. Patrick’s Day outing to Cascade Restaurant on March 15th. Enjoying the day were (L-R) Amber Pfeil, Irma Larsen, and Dorothe Vaughn. Photo and story courtesy of Kay Rosenthal.
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For three decades Cook County Emergency Management has brought forth an Emergency Services Conference and this year is no different. The 31st offering of the Emergency Services Conference will be held in Grand Marais on April 28 and 29, 2023. This great Cook County “get together” attracts local Firefighters, Emergency Medical Service personnel, US Customs and Border Protection, US Border Patrol, local law Enforcement, Dispatch, Search and Rescue, and Emergency Management. The conference over the years has also welcomed participants from all over the Northeast Region, from Minnesota State Homeland Security, Emergency Management and other State agencies. Registration is open...
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St. Paul - Minnesota has completely recovered the private sector jobs it lost during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota gained 10,100 jobs in the last month (seasonally adjusted basis), up 0.3 percent. The private sector gained 9,400 jobs, up 0.4 percent. In comparison, U.S. employment increased by 311,000 jobs, up 0.2 percent, with the private sector up 265,000 jobs, or 0.2 percent, from January to February. Minnesota lost 416,000 jobs from February through April 2020 (benchmarked) and has since gained 405,900 jobs as...
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The cost of buying a house has soared in Cook County. For those of us who live here, that’s not news. But what might be news is just how many people are struggling. So, how affordable is housing for Cook County residents? Not very, according to a 2021 housing report issued by Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP). The study was an eye-opener and didn’t include recent inflation costs for food, gas, heat, etc. Cook County Administrator James Joerke presented this information to the county board at the March 28 meeting. However, the report was information only, with no action taken by...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town Hall, 7240 Tofte...
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WTIP North Shore Community Radio has received six awards in the small-market media category at the 2023 Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association Awards. Following are the locally produced pieces acknowledged at the MBJA ceremony in Minneapolis on April 1: Investigative Journalism - First Place: “WTIP and MN Dept of Health investigation finds no evidence for brain cancer cluster in Cook County,” written and produced by Joe Friedrichs. Series - First Place: “It Happens Here: The Roots of Racial Inequity on the North Shore,” written and produced by Staci Drouillard and co-hosted by Leah Lemm. Writing for Broadcast - First Place: “Notes...
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With an April 4, 2023, snowstorm brewing just outside the windows of the city council room, Grand Marais Parks and Rec Director Dave Tersteeg addressed the Grand Marais Park Board and said the Rec Park and bathhouses were slated to open May 1, depending on the weather. Tersteeg announced that the city council hired Global Specialties to build the Overlook Landing this summer. There is one more issue to settle, noted Tersteeg, and that is with the honorarium that will be paid to the Morrison family for the right to use George Morrison-themed artwork within the arbor and metal panels...
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Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful to return them to you. Mailing address is Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604-0757. Digital images can be emailed to ccnh@boreal.org Thank you!
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Mark your calendar for Sunday, April 23 if you want to play in the double elimination double’s cribbage tournament that will be held at the Birch Terrace Supper Club. Check-in will be at 12:30 p.m. with a 1 p.m. start. The entry fee is per team. Back to defend their title will be Bev Pratt, the widow of Bob Pratt, and Skip Joynes. The ladies bested 23 other teams last year to take the crown and the 0 first place cash. There are cash prizes for second and third place as well as random drawings for prizes held throughout...
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On Tuesday, March 28, Cook County Auditor/Treasurer Braidy Powers told Cook County Commissioners he is sending a notification to Visit Cook County announcing that as of May 1, the county will collect five percent of the lodging taxes it receives as a way for the auditor’s office to recoup costs spent collecting and distributing those funds. Minnesota Statute 469.190 requires that 95 percent of lodging taxes be sent to tourism bureaus and used for tourism or event promotion, with up to five percent of the tax kept for administrative fees. Since the inception of the lodging tax in the 1980s,...
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On Monday, March 3, 2023, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution disapproving of the northern long-eared bat’s endangered listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) introduced the Senate version of the CRA. “The listing of the northern long-eared bat is an example of the ESA being used to stifle development rather than its intended purpose, which is to protect species from human-caused harm,” said Congressman Stauber. “The northern long-eared bat unfortunately suffers from whitenose syndrome through no fault of humans whatsoever. The listing of the bat due to this disease declares...
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Cook County High School baseball Coach Arleigh Jorgenson posted on boreal that the April 4th double header in Aurora has been rescheduled for April 10th. Also, a game has been added to the Vikings' schedule. On April 14 the Vikings will return to Aurora to play Mesabi East.
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Would you like to make a difference in your community this summer? Join us for the 2023 Cook County Youth Volunteer Program. During the summer you can volunteer 25 - 50 hours at one of this year’s fantastic community sites where you could do a variety of tasks such as helping with children, cataloging historic artifacts, taking soil samples, or helping with journalism tasks. At the end of the summer, you will receive a certificate that you can redeem for a recreation or cultural activity of your choice such as music lessons, discounted ski pass, art class, golf pass or...
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Cook County High School is seeking to raise funds to purchase strength and conditioning equipment for use by Cook County athletics and the I.S.D. 166 physical education department. The current weight room is rather anemic and in need of a huge upgrade. Needed are power racks, barbells, hex-bars, resistance bands, bumper plates, storage equipment for organizing, and bands and weights along the walls of the weight room. Funds will be raised by seeking sponsorships from local businesses as well as families or individuals. These dollars would be used to purchase more comprehensive equipment in order to develop a summer strength...
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On March 29 the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board announced it was awarding over million to business, communities and outdoor recreation in the northland. One of the organizations receiving money was the North Superior Ski and Run Club, which was awarded ,500 to repair and rebuild several segments of the Pincushion trail system including the replacement of culverts. The project will purchase a new flail mower for summer trail maintenance. Approximately [post_excerpt].5 million in loans, .4 million in infrastructure grants, and 1,000 in trails grants was approved at today’s meeting to advance projects in northeastern Minnesota. Agency total...
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Students, staff, and cast alike were highly expectant the morning of March 23 to see the Lake Superior Community Theater’s first performance since before COVID, with students from four schools traveling to the William Kelley Auditorium to join Silver Bay students in attending “The Diary of Anne Frank.” According to Superintendent Jay Belcastro, just minutes before the performance was due to begin, Silver Bay Principal Joe Nicklay pulled him aside to review a “meme” (short cartoon) that was air-dropped into student phones, stating that there was an active shooter in the building. A concerned student had brought this meme to...
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Personality inventories intrigue me, so how could I resist offering to play guinea pig for a friend learning to analyze personalities? Piece of cake, I thought. I know myself. When we got to talking about organization, I explained that I’m random and don’t come by organization naturally, but that I’ve learned to organize myself. My elementary school desks were always a mess, and my mother made me clean my room every Thursday. It took hours, but my room was tidy once a week for Friday cleaning. My friend disagreed. He convinced me that I AM an organized person, whether it’s...
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In the Spring of 1888, Ole Brunes and his friend Nels Ludwig Eliasen left Duluth in a 26-foot sailboat the two carpenters had built over the winter. They headed up the shore, landing at Chicago Bay where they planned to pursue a commercial fishing business. They became the first white settlers of a village called Hoveland, named by Brunes’s wife. Anne Sorine Skreteberg Brunes named the settlement after the Norwegian estate of her grandfather. Brunes was born in Modum, Norway on February 23, 1854. As a young man, he learned architecture and cabinetry, the trade he chose to pursue. He...
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Easter is approaching. For Christians, it’s a solemn and joyful time to celebrate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For many it’s the one time of year they actually go to church. It is a time for reflection, celebration, and, of course, Peeps. Peeps, as everyone already knows, is an Easter candy, a yellow marshmallow shaped like a bunny. And if that was all a Peep was, I wouldn’t mention it. But every year the Peep seems to creep deeper into our lives and psyche. And it makes me nervous because, what the heck is going on here? Why...
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The kids used to make the holes for the house wren house one inch in diameter. That was from the instruction books. Those books are outdated now, and the kids are old. Now all the newer instruction books advise the hole for a house wren home to be one-and-one-eighth inch. For the downy woodpecker the holes are to be one-and-one-quarter inch. The old birdhouse books always began with the wren house, with a base, two sides, gabled back and front and peaked roof – seven small boards in all – and the hole as mentioned with a dowel perch under...
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On the 31st last, my brother Byron, friend and author Dave Saari, and I joined 47 other alleged Scotch snobs at the second annual Scotch Tasting Fundraiser. It benefits the Cook County Community Fund (“CCCF”) and was a most pleasant way to celebrate Byron’s advancing years. The event was limited to 50 people, so if you think your Scotch snobbery deserves a place at a table, mark your calendars to find it near the end of March. “Scotch Snob”—a person who drinks only single malt Scotches, preferably costing to 0 a bottle and would not dream of insulting the...
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LHB, Inc., of Duluth, Minn., has earned a National Recognition Award for exemplary engineering achievement in the American Council of Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) 56th annual Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) for the reconstruction of Trunk Highway 61 in Grand Marais, Minnesota. The comprehensive 11.3-mile-long project through downtown Grand Marias included a 3/4-mile conversion of rural commercial corridor to urban design with pedestrian curb bump-outs, narrowed driving lanes and shoulders to slow traffic. Other features include a 6-foot-wide sidewalk, a 12-foot-wide shared-use path, and improvements to business access, underground infrastructure, a new traffic signal, and dark-sky compliant roadway and pedestrian-scale lighting. The...
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During the 1930s,’40s, and early ‘50s there was considerable interest in the impact of deer browsing on tree and shrub growth. Rampant logging and numerous large wildfires earlier in the century had created nearly ideal deer habitat. Also, very mild winters during much of that time also contributed to major deer population increases. According to some old hunters, it was not a matter of if you bagged a deer; but which deer did you want? In order to evaluate browsing pressure, numerous fenced deer exclosures were constructed (some were also fenced to keep out snowshoe hare). Typically, they were about...
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MINNESOTA POLLUTION ISSUES DISCUSSED State Representative Jim Ulland (on the left) discusses problems of pollution in Minnesota with research personnel from General Mills, Inc. at the James Ford Bell Technical Center in Golden Valley, Minnesota.
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Paul Dorr cuts down the nets for his Holy Family basketball team at the Section championships. Holy Family ended up in third place at the state basketball championships.
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At a local Mediterranean restaurant, Rob enters and sees Julius Caesar, sporting a white toga, sipping wine at a booth in the back. Rob crosses to him. Rob: You must be Julius Caesar. JULIUS CAESAR: Please just call me, JC. R: Can do. Rob sits, looks around. R: Nice place. JC: I’m a big fan of the Mediterranean diet. R: I bet. JC, should we jump right in? JC: Carpe diem. R: Ah, Latin. I want to come back to that. Let’s see. You achieved a lot in your lifetime. (Refers to notes) A successful military general, led a successful...
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With more than one million acres of motorless wilderness, the Boundary Waters Canoe Park has become the second place in the U.S. to receive a Quiet Parks designation. Last year Glacier National Park became the first place in the U.S. picked for this designation. Quiet Parks International (QPI) made the announcement on March 23. In the press release, QPI states, “The award recognizes the BWCAW’s pristine soundscape and lack of man-made noise intrusions, a rare feat even in the United States’ most remote Wilderness Areas.” Over the last two years, QPI volunteers collected and analyzed “soundscape and noise pollution data”...
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The North Shore’s first local radio station celebrates its 25th birthday this year. WTIP was conceived around a kitchen table by a small group of citizens with visions of a local radio station serving the local community. The first broadcast was April 29, 1998; the first schedule consisted of a few hours of locally-produced programming a day, airing KUMD’s (Duluth) signal the rest of the day... and playing music from a CD changer overnight. The studios were housed in two small windowless rooms in the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. Since then, WTIP has grown to become the trusted source...
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Josh Belanger will take over for current I.S.D. 166 principal Megan Myers on July 1, while Myers leaves to take the superintendent job in Parker Prairie, Minnesota, in July 2023. The school board announced his hire at the board’s March 16 meeting. Myers announced she was leaving in January to give the school board plenty of time to find her replacement. According to his LinkedIn page, Belanger has been the assistant principal at Coon Rapids High School since August 2022. Before that, he was a Special Education teacher for one year and three months and spent ten years as a...
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After winning the section championship, the I.S.D. 166 varsity Knowledge Bowl Team is off to the state meet. This is the first time in eight years that Cook County has won sections, but the team has qualified for state multiple times since then because Cook County consistently places in the top couple of squads at sections. Leading the I.S.D. 166 team to the section title were Gus Hahn, Aria-Fitzgerald-Wells, Mj Wharton, Tristan Surbaugh and Rowan Lindholm. Competition is always tough at sections, and this year was no different as Cook County nudged out Duluth Marshall and International Falls in a...
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There have been some spectacular sunsets and sunrises lately, and when you mix in the northern lights that periodically blanket and color the sky at night one can understand some of the reasons for living and visiting here.
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Crossing Guard Appreciation Day is Wednesday, April 19. Our local crossing guards ensure children make it to school safely. Each day, rain, snow, or sun, they are there with a smile to allow children to safely cross intersections and streets before and after school. On behalf of the Safe Routes to School Committee, we say, “Thank you!” to the amazing people providing this service to our school children. You truly are appreciated! For more information about Safe Routes to School, contact Cook County Public Health Safe Routes to School/ SHIP Coordinator, Kristina Mattson, at 218-302-1342 or Kristina.Mattson@co.cook.mn.us. *Please note that...
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For three decades Cook County Emergency Management has brought forth an Emergency Services Conference and this year is no different. The 31st offering of the Emergency Services Conference will be held in Grand Marais on April 28 and 29, 2023. This great Cook County “get together” attracts local Firefighters, Emergency Medical Service personnel, US Customs and Border Protection, US Border Patrol, local law Enforcement, Dispatch, Search and Rescue, and Emergency Management. The conference over the years has also welcomed participants from all over the Northeast Region, from Minnesota State Homeland Security, Emergency Management and other State agencies. Registration is open...
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DF&A is proud to announce an exhibition featuring the work of two esteemed Minnesota painters, Hazel Belvo and Marcia Casey Cushmore. Belvo and Cushmore share their life and studios in Minneapolis and in Grand Marais. The exhibition runs from Saturday, April 8 - Saturday, May 13, 2023, and is titled Juxtaposition: Two Artists - Two Stories, Paintings by Hazel Belvo and Marcia Casey Cushmore. Exhibition Opening Saturday, April 8 from 4 to 7 pm, 5025 France Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410, 612-920-3497, flandersart.com for more information. This show is a result of living in isolation during the Covid quarantine. Both...
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On the water meter in your house there is probably a little red wheel that spins when water is flowing through the meter. The wheel goes around one time for every tenth of a gallon (about one- and one-half cups) of water you use. But when everything — the toilets, the dishwasher, the wash machine, etc. — is shut off, and nobody is taking a shower or using the sinks, that little red wheel should spin… not at all. If it’s moving even a little bit when everything is shut off, there’s a leak somewhere. If it’s turning quickly, that’s...
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We recently spent an enlightening three days with journalists from around the world, fellows in the 2023 World Press Institute Program. The ten of them are in the U.S. for nine weeks, and little Grand Marais is a part of their annual program, thanks to Marja Wiinanen and the Cook County Historical Society. Other cities they’re visiting include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, Miami, Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C. Impressive itinerary. Impressive journalists. I was shocked to learn that the BBC hires journalists just to investigate (and counteract) misinformation. Fauziyya Turkur, from Nigeria, shared information about that daunting and...
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While it may not look like spring just yet, the Garden Club is already planning for a wonderful year of growing together! Our first meeting will take place Monday, April 10th at 10 a.m. We meet at St. John’s Catholic Church, 10 5th St, in the lower-level meeting room. There is ample parking just outside the door, as well as on-street parking and parking in the church’s upper lot. Anyone with an interest in gardening is welcome to join us, whether you live in the area or are just visiting. Annual membership dues are only , so if you think...
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Barbara Jean (Hart) Hatanpaa, 83, passed from this life on March 6th, 2023, at The Waterview Shores in Two Harbors, Minnesota. She was born on January 3rd, 1940, to Bert & Kathryn (Hagemeister) Hart in Minneapolis. Barbara was raised on her parent’s farm near Grand Marais, Minnesota and attended Cook County High School until her marriage to Jacob V Hatanpaa on January 4th, 1958. To this union were born eight children. “Gramma Barb” lived most of her life in Schroeder, where she became known for her good cooking, fresh-baked bread and warm hospitality. Barbara was preceded in death by her...
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U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) received the 2023 Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) Humanitarian of the Year Award for her work to address Alzheimer’s disease from the Alzheimer’s Association and AIM. The Humanitarian Award is given each year to public officials who have made significant contributions to help create a world without Alzheimer’s. Currently, over 6 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s, including almost 100,000 Minnesotans. “As a long-time advocate for Alzheimer’s patients and their families and caregivers, I am honored to receive the 2023 Humanitarian of the Year Award. Alzheimer’s is personal to me, like it is for so many families....
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The second annual Cook County Earth Day fair will be held Saturday April 22nd from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.at the Cook County Community Center. Hosted by Cook County and the Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP), this event is free and open to the public. There will be live music featuring Ben Nichols, Dre aka Jamaican, and GES rappers. In addition, there will be speakers, booths, games, activities and a story hour. Tea coffee and water will be provided, and food vendors will be on hand if you wish to purchase food. Please bring your own travel mug eating...
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North Shore Health was one of the lucky Minnesota hospitals to receive a generous grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. On Tuesday, March 21, the foundation announced grant recipients. North Shore Health will receive 7,035 from the Helmsley Charitable Trust. North Shore Health CEO/Directory Kimber Wraalstad said the grant will pay for a Point of Care ultrasound which is “here and being used,” and a diagnostic ultrasound which is on order. The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust granted nearly .3 million to help Minnesota hospitals and health centers purchase nearly 200 ultrasound...
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On March 22, Tuesday, 23-year-old Bradley Joseph Wilson, Jr. of Grand Marais was convicted by jury trial of felony level Stalking (Pattern of Stalking), Harassment, and Violation of Harassment Restraining Order. Twelve dedicated jurors served for a week to bring the case to resolution, including jury selection, testimony, and 13 hours of deliberation. “This is a victory on behalf of the survivor for both the Cook County Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff ’s Office,” County Attorney Molly Hicken said. “I applaud our primary witness for her bravery in coming forward and thank the professionals at the Violence Prevention Center for...
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The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) has received the prestigious Abraham Lincoln “Pillars of Excellence Award” from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. MDVA was the sole winner in the category of “Eliminating Veteran Homelessness” in recognition of three new homeless Veteran initiatives: Operation OVER (Opening Veterans to Every Resource), Minnesota’s Veterans Entering Stable Tenancy (MNVEST) and Veteran Supportive Housing Opportunities (VSHO). This award recognizes outstanding state programs that support Veterans within their states. The 2022 awards were presented by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough at the mid-winter conference of the National Association of State Directors...
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Minnesotans encouraged to explore outdoors with friends, family The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is waiving vehicle permit fees at all 75 state parks and recreation areas on four dates in 2023. The Free Park Days will be Saturday, April 22; Saturday, June 10; Saturday, September 9 and Friday, November 24. With the support of the state legislature, the DNR offers Free Park Days to encourage Minnesotans to get outdoors and enjoy the health and wellness benefits of spending time in nature. “Minnesota state parks and recreation areas are open year-round, and there’s plenty of fun to be had in...
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We’re halfway through the legislative session, and things are busy in Saint Paul. There are a lot of ideas on the table at the Capitol this year, and some of them are moving with a sense of urgency after years of being held up by gridlock. Last weekend, I hosted town halls with Representative Zeleznikar in Proctor and Two Harbors. We discussed our priorities on education and healthcare, and addressed a wide array of questions from constituents. These were thoughtful discussions, and I was grateful to hear the opinions of all who took part. Despite our party differences, I am...
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The Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation Board of Directors is excited to announce Erik Torch as the organization’s next Executive Director. Erik will assume the position held by the Foundation’s first Executive Director, Joan Gardner-Goodno, who has served in this role since 2007. “Erik brings a depth of experience in philanthropy, great knowledge of the Foundation’s service area, and a strong commitment to community service. We are excited to have him join our efforts” states Board President Steve Surbaugh. Erik has served as the Director of Grantmaking for the Northland Foundation for the past 14 years, where he oversaw nearly M...
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What if Mental Health First Aid was as well-known as traditional First Aid? Many lives have been saved by the widespread knowledge of basic first aid, such as call 911, apply pressure to a bleeding wound, and check the airway. Many of us are trained in crisis response for a physical injury but what if it was just as common to have the skills to support a person experiencing a mental health crisis? Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a Mental Health First Aid for Adults training at Cook County Higher Education presented by regional instructors. This opportunity was...
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Cook County needs a Firewise Coordinator. The Firewise Coordinator will work with the Cook County Emergency Management Director, local Fire Departments, and other partner agencies, and the citizens of Cook County to reduce the risk of wildfire damage to structures in Cook County through planning and implementation of mitigation strategies as outlined in the Cook County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Cook County seeks applicants to provide professional services to coordinate Firewise activities in the county, in cooperation with the Cook County Firewise Committee, Cook County Community Wildfire Protection Plan coordinating committee and partners in wildfire hazard mitigation. This is...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town...
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Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful to return them to you. Mailing address is Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604-0757. Digital images can be emailed to ccnh@boreal.org Thank you!
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With eight inches (or so) of recent wet snow dumped across the region on March 22, winter is hanging on for all of its worth. But all that snow will cause potential problems if it melts fast, says the National Weather Service in Duluth. With most river basins near record water levels in the snowpack, the National Weather Service in Duluth states, “The potential for spring flooding across the Northland is above normal. There is a very high amount of water in the snowpack across the region, with the north shore, east-central Minnesota, and all of northwest Wisconsin currently ranking...
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On the weekend of March 17th, Arlo Litterst, age 10, a member of the Cook County YMCA Northerns Swim Team, competed in the North Central Regional Championship swim meet. The Wellmark YMCA, a branch of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines, Iowa, hosted the meet for 35 teams across the North Central Region. Participating swimmers who earned qualifying times were from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Arlo competed in two regional events; the 100-Yard Individual Medley where participants swim 25 yards each of the butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle, and the 50-Yard Butterfly. He placed 13th...
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So, Japan beat the U.S. 3-2 to take the World Baseball Classic with the two best players in today’s game facing off against each other for the final out, with Shohei Ohtani striking out his California Angels teammate Mike Trout on a full-count slider. Baseball doesn’t get better than that. Well, except for when the local boys take the field. OK, so there won’t be the same drama. And though the skill level isn’t the same as the professional players, the passion and the love of the game are much the same, and the effort, hustle, and caring for the...
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Three local mushers had good results at the CopperDog 150 sled dog race held in the Michigan Keweenaw Peninsula. The Calumet, Michigan race was held over two days and run in three 50-mile stages to let the dog’s and mushers rest. The race ended on Sunday, March 5. Rita Wehseler of Tofte took fourth with a time of 11:05:35. Joanna Oberg of Grand Marais wasn’t far behind Rita in fifth place with a time of 11:13:35. Hovland musher Mary Manning placed 10th, finishing in 12:06:09. Joanna operates Run Silent Racing Kennel, Rita runs Stoney Creek Kennel, and Mary races out...
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When Paul Dorr moved with his family at the end of his junior year it meant an opening for someone else on the Vikings' basketball team. Well, also the football and baseball teams because Paul had been the starting quarterback and a strong pitcher/fielder in baseball. Last week the former 6’4” Viking guard, who has been the sixth man on Holy Family’s basketball team, came in with 11 minutes to go after Holy Family’s star 6’11” player Boden Kapke fouled out. Paul scored seven points against Minneapolis North to help his team secure a berth in the state championships. Dick...
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Keeping up with maintenance and critical home repairs can be difficult but it is key to loving and staying in your home. The Arrowhead Area on Agency is Partnering with USDA Rural Development to bring you a webinar on USDA Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants on April 13th at 10:00-11:00 a.m. USDA Representatives will discuss the key elements of the program and how it can assist homeowners in your community. The program provides federal dollars to low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their home or provide grants to low-income older adult homeowners to remove health and safety...
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Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful to return them to you. Mailing address is Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604-0757. Digital images can be emailed to ccnh@boreal.org Thank you!
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Our state has over 500 lake associations. Cook County Coalition of Lake Associations includes 17 Lake and Road associations representing over 1000 lakeshore, road, and landowners focusing on issues of common interest such as promoting and implementing sound and responsible management practices for lakes, waterways, wetlands, and shorelands. The Coalition serves as an umbrella group bringing these associations together to better understand and implement practices that preserve water quality and environmental integrity. CCCoLA works to ensure its members' voices are considered by local and state agencies, policymakers, and other entities whose decisions and actions impact Cook County waters and lands....
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Cook County Veteran Services announced event details regarding the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the End of the Vietnam War. The Open House will be held on Wednesday, March 29 in the main floor dining room in the American Legion Post 109 in Two Harbors, Minnesota. This will be a community event open to the public, all veterans, and their family members. A free light lunch and non-alcoholic beverage will be provided for Vietnam War-era veterans and one significant other. The Post is located at 614 First Avenue, Two Harbors Minnesota. There will be country maps, displays, and informational tables on...
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Applications are now available for a ,500 aviation scholarship to be awarded in 2023 by the Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization. The scholarship is open to anyone that aspires to a career in the aviation industry, including flight training leading to a private pilot’s license, or advanced rating. The scholarship is made possible by funds raised through the annual Eagles Fly-In/Drive-in Breakfast and private donations. The winner will be announced at the Eagles annual meeting, Saturday, May 13, 2023. Applicants must be 15 years or older and be enrolled within a year of acceptance of the scholarship into an aviation training...
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The Senior LinkAge Line® will offer two classes covering health care fraud, waste & abuse prevention on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and again from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how to detect and report potential errors, fraud, and abuse; review potential fraud and scams targeting older adults, learn how to read their Medicare paperwork, learn how to protect their Medicare beneficiary number, and how to protect/detect/report Medicare scams and fraud. This presentation includes information from the Senior Medicare Patrol, a federal education and prevention program. We are authorized to offer 1.5 Continuing Education...
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Press release from the IRRR On Thursday, Mach 9, the Minnesota Senate voted to confirm Ida Rukavina as Commissioner of the Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. On December 21, Gov. Tim Walz appointed Rukavina to lead the agency. She officially assumed the role on January 2. Rukavina oversees the state of Minnesota economic development agency, with a mission of investing resources to foster vibrant growth and economic prosperity in northeastern Minnesota. Rukavina was born and raised on the Iron Range. Most recently, she served as the executive director of the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS). She...
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Stuart W. Peterson, 80, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at his residence in Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin. He was born in Duluth on July 3, 1942, to Wendell and Ellen (Freeberg) Peterson of Grand Marais, Minnesota. He graduated from Cook County High School in 1960. After serving in the US Army, he attended UW-Superior earning a degree in business and accounting, later becoming a self-employed CPA. He enjoyed skeet shooting and was an excellent hunter and fisherman having grown up using those very skills. He followed UMD hockey and was definitely a Minnesota Viking fan. A long-awaited wish to revisit...
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A much loved Northwoods - themed public paint-by-number mural designed by local artist Mila Horak was removed from the north side of the wall of the former Birchbark Books & Gifts building on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. It has yet to be determined whether it can be returned to the wall from which it was taken. The 6,500-square-foot former bookstore and gift shop was purchased by the Cook County Real Estate Fund and their partner, REVocity, who gutted the interior and are renovating the entire structure. The building was sold by husband and wife Tim and Beth Kennedy who are...
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The Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation Society is raising ,000 to restore and repair a historic 132-foot lighthouse off the coast of Isle Royale on Lake Superior. The Rock of Ages Lighthouse is one of the most remote lighthouses on the Great Lakes, located about three miles from Isle Royale’s west end and 15 miles from Minnesota’s North Shore. The lighthouse was completed in 1908 and remained in operation until 1978, providing a navigation aid for vessels traveling between the North Shore and Isle Royale. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and owned by the National Park Service,...
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For three decades Cook County Emergency Management has brought forth an Emergency Services Conference and this year is no different. The 31st offering of the Emergency Services Conference will be held in Grand Marais on April 28 and 29, 2023. This great Cook County get-together attracts local Firefighters, Emergency Medical Service personnel, US Customs and Border Protection, US Border Patrol, local law Enforcement, Dispatch, Search and Rescue, and Emergency Management. The conference over the years has also welcomed participants from all over the Northeast Region and from Minnesota State Homeland Security, Emergency Management and other State agencies. This year’s conference...
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Following the resignation of Cook County/ Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) Executive Director Elizabeth (Beth) Drost on January 20, 2023, the EDA board of directors began exploring the possibility of merging its operations with the Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). Beth Drost left the EDA to accept the Executive Director position for the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. After two meetings between the two boards, the two sides agreed to join the organizations. However, the final decision is up to the Cook County Board of Commissioners and Grand Marais City Council to make the final determination about the merger....
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THE BIG FISH THAT DIDN’T GET AWAY Bill Baumgartner of Grand Marais caught this fish in Saganaga Lake last week. This fish weighed 18 1/2 pounds. Bill also caught a three-pounder. Photo by M.J. Humphrey
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Barb Teahen took the picture of the Bobcat climbing the tree in the March 11 paper. Her name wasn’t in the photo credit. The Cook County News-Herald regrets the mistake.
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We ALL know what the AVID study skills class is supposed to be. It sounds very Minnesota nice… Nobody is arguing that. However, that is not what is happening in Cook County. Putting that aside- let’s remember the facts. No matter how good the class is supposed to be, this class is an elective- Not required. However, ALL kids were automatically put in it. Nobody signed up for it. This class started to create chaos for a lot of students- and when parents asked to have their children dropped from the class- they were told they could not. The parents...
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Glowing like a candle flame, the March moon hovers over the Grand Marais lighthouse. There are many names for the March moon. It is called the full “Worm” moon, as the temperature rises and the ground thaws, earthworm castings appear, heralding the return of robins. Thus, the origin of March’s full Moon name, the Full Worm Moon. Northern American Indian tribes know this Moon as the Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signals the end of winter. March’s Moon is also referred to as the Crust Moon. This is because snow cover melts by day and freezes at night,...
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On Tuesday, March 14, four speakers came before the county board during public comments to ask commissioners to grant a petition requesting an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the proposed Conditional Use Permit requested by KGM Contractors Inc. KGM wants to run a six-acre intermittent gravel pit operation and temporary asphalt plant near Tait Lake and close to Mississippi Creek, a designated trout stream. Gary Maciejewski, Tait Lake, said a doctor had done some research and found three carcinogens (benzine, arsenic, and formaldehyde) are produced from running a gravel pit/ tar plant, and those chemicals could travel the distance to...
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Grand Marais City Councilors held the second reading of Ordinance 2023-02 to rezone about 12 acres of land in Creechville from a Recreation Commercial designation to a Residential District designation. The second reading was held at the council’s March 8 regular meeting. All the counselors voted for the rezoning request brought by the Cook County/ Grand Marais Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). The Planning Commission held a public hearing on February 15 to listen to the pros and cons of the rezoning request. At that meeting, there were many comments, both in support and against the proposed change. Those who...
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A good deal of progress has been made to correct plumbing and heating issues that have been occurring at Birchwood Apartments over the past year or so, reports Lilean (Garner) Sedlacek, one of the owners of the property. Following a list of complaints from tenants living at Birchwood Apartments, USDA federal investigators paid a visit on January 24, 2023. Residents had been complaining about problems with leaky pipes, mold, bugs, wiring, and a lack of heat for some time this winter. Unfortunately, the management company taking care of the two apartment buildings was slow to respond to resident complaints which...
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On a sunny day when the Lake Superior waves are crashing against the rocks the air looks like it’s filled with diamonds.
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On March 16, Jean Brislance took this picture of an American Goldfinch during a small snow squall. Said Brislance, “We have reached the time of year where the goldfinches are starting to transform into their bright yellow plumage. So, this is a sign of spring, even if it doesn’t feel like it!”
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) reports snowmobile trails remain in excellent condition. Anglers are still catching trout. Enforcement action was taken for fishing with more than one line on a designated...
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If one leads a long life, there are rites of passage in every man’s life wherein he must share the spotlight. A child’s first steps. First day at school. First time the kid tried to kill themselves by walking into the street without looking for cars. Fond memories, yes. But we don’t need Oedipus to tell us that these transitions can also be challenging. I’ve been atop the pecking order for a long, long time. Decades in fact. I don’t need to stay here forever. I’m quite willing, when that day comes, to relinquish the throne voluntarily. I’ve had a...
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North Country denizens live in hope this time of year. We know that spring is just around the corner. How? The 2023 Directory of Minnesota Golf Association (“MGA”) member courses arrived last weekend. Be still our hearts! Minnesotans have 400 MGA member courses for our 5.7 million residents to choose from. That is one golf course for every 14,000 Minnesotans. But wait! Another 175 Minnesota courses are not MGA members, so--one for every 9,000 of us. That is ninth in “golf wealth;” The Dakotas lead the list of states. California is last at one course per 32,000 people. Tee times...
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There is a theory; a popular theory; in casual discussions. It’s called The Acorn Theory. Rather Jungian, rather Adlerian. It states that one’s overarching identity – manifest in theory by a great oak tree – is present at inception, within the nascent acorn. The acorn knows it will grow into an oak. The Sigma and Omega are in the Alpha. When I was very, very young I was prescient in negative space, in a brooding, moody way. As in, I knew I was not going to be a sequoia or palm tree or eucalyptus. You just knew. I knew by...
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The three west-end townships, Schroeder, Tofte, and Lutsen, held their annual township meetings on March 14, with elections and budgets (mostly) set for the coming year. Each township’s Board of Canvas met following the annual meetings to certify the elections. Schroeder The annual township meeting was held at the Schroeder Townhall. The turnout was relatively light, with no hot-button topics on the agenda. Mary VanDoren was selected as the Schroder Citizen of the Year. Carla Mennsen, Treasurer, and Lloyd Chase, supervisor, were both reelected. Chase received ten votes, and Carla got 11 votes. Mary Somnis gave an update about the...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town...
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For more than forty years, Minnesota native Ann Reed has used her rich, resonant voice and songwriting skills to tell stories of the human experience with humor, irreverence, and heart. A lifelong performer, Ann has toured from coast to coast, making fans and friends along the way. At age twelve, Ann began teaching herself how to play the guitar. Her early influences were the musical artists she heard at home—the Kingston Trio, Joni Mitchell, the Beatles, Mary Travers (Peter, Paul and Mary), Pete Seeger, Cole Porter, Ella Fitzgerald, and Rosemary Clooney, to name a few. Inspired by remarkable women who...
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Over a decade ago, a small group of local citizens drafted Articles of Incorporation for the Flintlock Range Association. This group had a dream of creating a gun range in Cook County, as this is the only one of the 87 counties in Minnesota that doesn’t have a range! In order to improve safety and protect the environment, these individuals had the vision to build a gun range. This group of dedicated people drafted bylaws, looked for land, developed range rules, got an EIN number from the IRS, and even filed with the Minnesota Department of Revenue. There was hope...
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Here are the 2023 Dog Days of Winter results: 4-dog, 2.5-mile dog sled race:1.) Julia Cross2.) Elena Morgan3.) Elliot Wheatley4.) Kit Gottfried5.) Xander Gottfried 6-dog, 5-mile dog sled race:1.) Jason Fries2.) Hannah Soule3.) Don Deckert 8-dog, 10-mile dog sled race:1.) Odin Jorgenson2.) Melissa Domino 2.5-mile skijoring race:1.) Jacob Rachuy & Tuff2.) Sonia Kaminski & Echo3.) Jess Lang4.) Mike Crook & Kota5.) Amy Schwarz & Lumi6.) Erik Larson & Nigel7.) Missy Prieve & Luke8.) Hannah Taluitie & Holly Jolly 5-mile skijoring race:1.) Adrian Hess & Mowgli & Callie2.) Adam Mella & Arrow3.) Patty Johnson & Newt Falling snow might have slowed...
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Cook county High School fastpitch softball players are practicing hard for the upcoming season. The High School gym was alive with the sounds of softballs slapping hard into the fold of leather gloves as the girls played catch and worked on a variety of drills this past week. There was the ping of hard-hit balls coming off of metal bats from the hitting cage and runners sliding headfirst into mats on the floor. Vikings Co-Head Coaches Hayley Scott and Ann Schultz welcomed 18 girls out to practice, but more kids are on the way, with some sixth graders slated to...
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Cook County High School Sophomore guard Denali Blackwell had an outstanding year on the basketball court and area coaches noticed, casting their ballots which named him to the 2023 Polar League all-conference team. Denali averaged 19.3 points per game to lead the Vikings in scoring. He ended the season with 385 points which puts him on track to score over 1,000 points for his high school play. If he accomplishes this feat, he will join a very small group of Vikings who have gone over 1,000 points. The most notable one of course is Will Ramberg who now plays for...
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The third Chamber Connect of the year happened last Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Bluefin Bay’s Tofte Room. There was a delicious spread of appetizers, spirits, and refreshments. Chamber Connect attendees were treated with a tour of the newly renovated indoor pool, jacuzzi, and facilities. Next month, we have our first Chamber Exchange of the year located at North Point on Thursday April 6th at 9 a.m. The subject for this first exchange is: The business of operating the City of Grand Marais. Getting ready for summer, staffing up, lawn care, increase in waste, and other projects. Mayor Tracy Benson...
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As a born-again Believer, I attended the Drag Queen Story hour on Saturday, March 4th. Even though the sponsors and attendees knew that, as a Christian I did not espouse or agree with any way to their agenda, I was warmly welcomed. Everyone was very kind to me. However, my reason for attending was to have my worldview challenged but it served to only strengthen my relationship with Jesus. If anyone wants to talk further, I’m here. Tim Ramey, Grand Marais, 218-481-9223
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What is a home? Everyone has a dream, an idea, and no two are alike. So why do we want to build a complex to push people to live on top of one another? Can we look beyond what has always been and do better? Believe we can build, and we will only be better. Building for people requires interest and investment in doing what is right for the people of the community first. In putting community first, you think, become innovative, listen to new ideas, and find new ways to make this work. Of all things to design for...
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I’d like to speak out for the AVID program offered to students at ISD166. After reading the outraged letter from Paulina Backstrom in last week’s paper, I decided to investigate the program. Was she right? I learned that AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. Hmmm… That sounds good to me. Isn’t that what we want for our young people? I researched AVID online and spoke with Megan Myers, our school principal, who enthusiastically supports this curriculum. AVID’s mission is “to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society.”...
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Cook County Public Health and Human Services recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families and to prevent child abuse and neglect. Working together as a community helps our children and families to be safe and strong. Promoting social and emotional well-being Research tells us that “protective factors” are important to healthy human development and contribute greatly to family and child well-being. Children who have experienced harm become more resilient, have a better chance of recovering and have a greater sense of wellbeing and safety if they experience...
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Mary graced us with her presence for 76 years before being called home. Mary was a gardener, crafter, bicyclist and inspiration to many people. Everything she did in her life she did while praising the Lord. Born in Lakeland, Florida, Mary moved to Minnesota in 1962. She met and married Kenneth Kloek Jr., the love of her life, in 1965. Over the next 57 years of marriage, she and her husband raised a family of three lovely girls. Some of the happiest times of their lives were spent at the Kloek family cabin on Poplar Lake. Mary is survived by...
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Every day the snowpack melts away and dreams of playing golf grow, even though it will be a few months before the local golf course can open. That said, playing golf at the scenic Gunflint Hills Golf Course will cost a little more this next summer, but not much more than last summer. The Grand Marais Park Board met on Tuesday, March 7, to discuss setting rates for the town’s Gunflint Hills Golf Course. Unfortunately, gunflint Hill Golf Course Superintendent Paul Jones couldn’t be at the meeting in person, so he was on the big screen, ready to answer questions...
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Some parents are complaining that I.S.D. 166 requires their children to take a class called AVID. But what is AVID? AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. It was designed for students in grades fourth through twelve to prepare kids with a grade point average (G.P.A.) of 2.0 to 3.5 and a strong desire to go to a four-year college or university. While AVID is meant for all students, its main focus is on the least-served students in the “academic” middle. The curriculum also is aimed at helping teachers. So, how does it work? Teachers can return what they’ve learned...
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SNOWSHOEING The weather and conditions were great for snowshoeing last weekend! Mike and Jan Nelson of Minneapolis enjoyed a day in the powder on Spen Lake near Hungry Jack Lake.
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On Monday, March 6, the Minnesota House approved legislation to provide a total of nearly billion in bonding and cash investments to fund infrastructure projects throughout the state. Several projects in Northeast Minnesota received funding as part of the legislation. State Representative Roger Skraba, R-Ely, serves on the House Capital Investment Committee and fought hard to make sure projects in House District 3A were included in the bills. In total, the funding package includes one bill (House File 669) which features [post_excerpt].5 billion in state bonds, and another bill (House File 670) which appropriates around 2 million from the...
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Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful to return them to you. Mailing address is Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604-0757. Digital images can be emailed to ccnh@boreal.org Thank you!
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town...
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Sammie Garrity of Lutsen has been accepted into the New York Times Academy summer program for a 2-week July intensive journalism workshop covering New York City area. She will live in a Manhattan dormitory near the Times with fellow Academy students from around the world while being mentored by the leading names in multimedia international journalism on the New York Times staff. Said Sammie: “I am very excited and really looking forward to this. It’s such an amazing opportunity.” Sammie has wanted to be an international correspondent since 6th grade. You can read some of her earliest work covering Cook...
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The Two Harbors Anderson-Claffy American Legion Post 109 will be hosting an open house on Wednesday, March 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. This community event is open to the public, all veterans, and their family members. A complimentary light lunch and non-alcoholic beverage will be provided for Vietnam War-era veterans and one significant other. The Post is located at 614 First Avenue. In addition, there will be country maps, displays, informational tables, and a DJ providing background music from the era. Everyone is invited to attend....
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Entering through the Eagle Doors at the Cook County High School on March 9 from 5 to 7 p.m., visitors were greeted with smells of food wafting through the long hall leading to the varsity gymnasium. School never smelled so good! The hall was filled with 125 happy ticket holders who had paid to attend the EATS fundraiser at ISD 166. It had been two long years since the Cook County ISD 166 Education Foundation had put together its top-rated EATS event that was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The music was great, and it was wonderful to...
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I recently spent two full days cleaning my office. This room has been a” catch-all” for six months since my parents moved in with us. My husband said the piles were getting scary. As I write my column, I have a clean desk and room and feel highly organized. But maybe it’s too clean, as I have no inspiration for a column. I even Googled, Ideas for a Column, and guess what popped up? Houses with several different types of wood columns out front! Google was no help at all. Could it be after 400 or so columns? I have...
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You know you are on a loopy track when you see the dedication of The Ghost of Craven Snuggs—it’s to a decrepit International pickup truck. When is the last time you read a murder mystery where the lead investigator was dead 15 years? You will find that novel in the collection of the Grand Marais Public Library. A retired Grinnell College theater professor, Sandy Moffett, gives us a darkly comedic tour of Iowa and its huge corporate farms, corrupt politics, and faint reasons for hope. The owners of the three largest pork and chicken producers end up very dead, mixed...
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Several weeks ago, Drury Lane employees made some ice globes and put them on the cement break wall on the east bay harbor of Lake Superior. The globes are especially cool to look at when the sun is out, and they are filled with light.
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Sampson was a biblical character, a Nazarite, last of the Judges. He could slay a lion and massacre an army of Philistines with only a donkey’s jawbone. But mostly he had great hair. Countless artists have offered their best guess at Sampson’s great hair and while historians may quibble over the details of the exact stylings, everyone thought his hair was great. Just great. Then Sampson lost his hair and strength. Everyone was sad. I was thinking about Sampson recently because I overheard some heartfelt advice imparted from one generation to the next. An older, wiser man whispered to a...
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Last year many of my columns involved moose in one way or another. This one will deal with moose population increases, but in Finland, Norway, and Sweden rather than in North America. Moose have inhabited all three countries for at least 7,000 years. Management actions have ranged from none to total protection numerous times as abundance levels varied from extreme scarcity to low abundance (when compared to current population levels in all three countries). Records of moose presence and/or abundance were not kept for most of that time and the early references to moose were quite subjective rather than quantitative....
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Who was Shingibis? Submitted by Pat Zankman Shingibis, born about 1825, died April 1907. The newspaper reporting his death stated “We know there’s not a man, woman, or child in this community - and all of them know this good old Indian - who will not be saddened by this news. Word was brought to town this morning by Nesbota that “Shin” died suddenly last night at his sugar bush on Good Harbor Hill, where he and his wife, with other Indians, were gathering maple sugar. Sober, industrious, and honest, with a smile and a kindly greeting for everyone, Shingibbis...
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Okay, so it was just nine folks from Thunder Bay coming to teach and play pickleball at the Grand Marais YMCA on Saturday, March 11, 2023. But still, because of that skinny border at Pigeon River, a headline could fairly say “international” tournament. If you do not know what pickleball is, it is a cross between tennis and ping pong, played on a court smaller than a tennis court, with paddles and a wiffle-type ball. Pickleball is a great sport because it is very social and is easier to start playing than tennis. In addition, it is a sport that...
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Brian John Burmachuk, 82, of Duluth, was called to his Heavenly Home on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospital. He was born on January 4, 1941, in Winnipeg, Canada. Brian was preceded in death by his loving wife Beverlee and daughter Kara Pavelich and son-in-law Mark Pavelich. He is survived by his dear daughter Dana Burmachuk, his brother Robert Burmachuk of Winnipeg, his nephews Brent, Trevor (Michelle), and Jason (Tammy) Burmachuk, four great-nephews, a great-niece, a great, great-nephew and a great, great-niece of Canada. He is also survived by his step granddaughter Tarja Pavelich (John) Lewis, a step...
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In a case that has drawn national headlines, a 28-year-old local man has been charged with killing a 77-year-old Grand Marais resident. The victim was killed with a shovel and a moose antler. He was suspected of stalking a young girl, the daughter of the attacker. Levi W. Axtell, inebriated and covered in blood, turned himself into authorities after he had killed Lawrence (Larry) Scully at Scully’s home on March 8, 2023, in the late afternoon. According to the affidavit, after entering the law enforcement center Axtell fell to his knees and put his hands on his head, while stating...
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Robert Eugene Carter Jr., (77) “Bob” of Grand Marais, MN passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Friday, March 10, 2023, after a brief battle with cancer. He had a positive outlook and accepted God’s plan for him. He was born August 2, 1945, in Albert Lea, MN to Robert E Carter and Esther “Louise” Nelson. Bob was the eldest of four children and grew up in South Saint Paul. In high school he was Student Council President and played football and baseball. He attended and graduated from Macalester College in 1968 and then honored his country...
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Cook County Commissioner Deb White is holding a meeting for the public on Saturday, March 25 at 10 a.m. at the Hovland Townhall. Commissioner White is inviting members of the public to come with questions and concerns. Also attending the meeting will be Cook County Administrator James Joerke and Maintenance Director Brian Silence. Both will be there to answer questions and describe needed upgrades to county owned buildings. Coffee will be served.
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News- Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Anthony Mark Scalise, 58, Grand Portage, Minnesota, pled guilty on December 27, 2022, to a gross misdemeanor of Introducing Contraband (Drugs or Liquor) into Jail/Lockup/Prison, on October 17, 2022. Requirements include Local Confinement (16 Days with credit...
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Ray Dressely, a junior at Cook County High School, followed up on his fourth-place finish at the Minnesota State High School ski meet with a fifth-place finish in the slalom event at the Western US High School Championships held at Mt Hood, Oregon, on March 10 and 11th. Cy Oberholtzer, also a junior at CCHS, was in the top ten after the first run, but an error on the second run disqualified him. Cy was one of many skiers who didn’t complete two clean runs. After finishing 20th at the state ski meet a month ago, Kalina Dimitrova, also a...
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Cook County Home Center in Grand Marais announced it has acquired substantially all the assets of Sawtooth Lumber Inc, also located in Grand Marais. The consolidation of the two lumber yards is expected to provide customers of both businesses with access to additional inventory and improved service. Cook County Home Center co-owners Nate Shiels and Jeff Buetow made the announcement on March 9, 2023. Sawtooth Lumber, located at 1620 West Highway 61, will become the Westside branch of Cook County Home Center which is located just east of Grand Marais. The new Westside location will serve as the receiving location...
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Acclaimed local artist Betsy Bowen has teamed up once again with children’s author Phyllis Root on a new book. In Big Belching Bog, Phyllis Root lets us in on the secrets of the mysterious bog, describing such special inhabitants as plants that eat insects, bog lemmings, and frogs that stay frozen through the winter and thaw out in the spring. This book will stir the imagination of young readers and teach them about the landscape and environment of these fascinating places. About the Authors Phyllis Root has written more than fifty books for children, including (also from Minnesota) Plant a...
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Cook County Republicans held their Basic Operating Political Unit (BPOU) meeting on Tuesday, March 7, at the Hub (senior center) with about 20 people in attendance. This was the last meeting that Mary Petz, Treasurer, will assist in setting up and running because she announced her retirement. Mary has been a stalwart in the local G.O.P. since the 1990s, holding every elected position except vice-chair at one time or another. Addressing those on hand, Mary said, “I wish to thank you for your Republican values and my being able to be involved with helping others know that we represent what...
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Every resident of Minnesota’s 1,777 townships has the unique opportunity to participate in Township Day on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. The annual meeting on Township Day is what really sets townships apart from other forms of local government. At this meeting, residents have a direct voice in how the township will be run and will vote on a variety of matters, including the amount they will pay in taxes the following year. Please plan on participating in grassroots government on Tuesday, March 14 by attending your annual meeting. Township residents can find the location and time of their annual meeting...
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Bryan Hansel took this picture of otters joyfully playing on the ice not long before snow started falling on February 20. Otters have been taking advantage of the return of ice to the Grand Marais harbor by engaging in some serious sliding sessions.
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At Cook County Minnesota, a great deal of time and effort is spent recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding the very best new employees for a wide variety of public service roles. For our small HR staff, this is a daunting task, and we deeply appreciate their tireless endeavors. In a recent meeting, one of our department leaders asked if we could publicly welcome our new employees and introduce them to our community. What a great idea! Thankfully, County Connections is a wonderful platform where we can shine a light on their roles and express our gratitude. Not everyone is comfortable...
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So, the good news is that we’re still breathing— you as you read this and me as I write it. The bad news is that we’re breathing too much through our mouths. Who knew? I have minor lung damage from pneumonia, so when a friend recommended, I read Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor, I hoped it would help me improve my lung capacity. What it did was open my eyes. The book starts with Nestor skeptically attending a breathing class recommended by his doctor for health reasons. For the first fifteen minutes of guided...
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The Cook County Community Fund is hosting its popular second annual scotch tasting fundraising event on March 31st at Birch Terrace. This year’s theme is Scotch Whisky of Islay: The Sweet & The Smokey. Join David Coleman (aka Dr. Scotch) and Chris LaVigne, and the Trustees of the CCCF for a tour of the finest cuisine and scotch of Scotland. The evening will start with a social time, move on to a dinner of fine traditional Scottish pub food & dessert and conclude with generous tastings of six exquisite expressions of scotch. Reservations include a chance to win a Grand...
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January 27, 1930- February 23, 2023 Betty “Joyce” Lindquist, 93, of Grand Marais and New Brighton, Minnesota passed away peacefully in her New Brighton home on February 23rd, surrounded by her beloved family. Joyce was born on January 27, 1930, in Colome, South Dakota to Robert and Agnes (Tagtow) Russell. Her family moved to Two Harbors in 1935, where her father had a mail route along the North Shore. The family moved to Lutsen, and eventually to Grand Marais in 1942. In 1948 her mother and father bought a resort cabin business and named it Russell’s Cottages. The business has...
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You entered this world on January 7, 1951, young-bodied and eager. In childhood, as you helped care for younger siblings, that eagerness rooted the seed of your generosity. Youthful, curious, you sought out the world in its many ways, and it shaped your heart. Eventually, you settled in Grand Marais for a career of teaching, where you served for many years. You found your love, of course, and promptly married Marc Tavernier. With him you gave life to three sons, Mitch, Rick, and Brad. As a mother and wife you tendered your heart; you gave to them freely. And the...
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Anna Marie (Jones) Helmerson, 71, of Hibbing, MN passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Sunday, February 26, 2023, after a tough battle with cancer. She fought hard and maintained positivity, courage, and beauty until she lost her fight. She was born on November 22, 1951, in Hibbing, MN to Samuel William Jones and Dorothy Vivian Hukka, their sixth child out of nine. She attended school in Hibbing, MN until she moved to Grand Marais, MN as a teenager to live with her older sister, where she then attended Cook County High School. It was there...
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READY TO ENJOY A DAY WITH THE DOGS! Enjoying the skijoring trip sponsored by Moe Town Kennels and Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply are (Left to Right) Karl Bottorff, Seth Kemp, Sherri Moe, Klaus Bottorff, Will Ramberg, David Blackburn, Finn Garry, Jack Stone, Lucy Callender, Linnea Henrikson, Peter Henrikson, Robin Henrikson, Mike Crook, Frank Moe with dog, and Olwe Bottorff.
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Looking forward to his heavenly home, Bernt Julius (B.J.) Muus, 95, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, March 1, 2023, at the home he and his sons built in Grand Marais, Minnesota. B.J. was born October 6, 1927, in Fargo, North Dakota, to Rev. Herman I. and Gladys (Trygstad) Muus. His early years were spent in Minnesota: Comstock, St. James, and Fergus Falls. In 1945 he graduated from Lewis and Clark High School, Spokane, Washington, where his father served as a chaplain at the Lutheran Service Center during WWII. During his school years, B.J. sang and played the baritone and the...
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Roger Arvid Nelsen, Age 86, died on February 5 in Bloomington. He was born in Duluth and grew up in Grand Marais, MN. He married Anna Lorraine Jedlicka in 1966 and had two sons, John Roger (1967) and Robert Arvid (1969). Roger served honorably in the U.S. Army. He worked for the Bell System and the University of Minnesota. In Grand Marais, he was active in the Lions Club, serving as President, and in St. John’s Catholic Church, where he was choir director and Eucharistic minister. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arvid Nelsen and Amy Lindskog, and...
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On March 2 the Viking boys’ team traveled to Carlton to play the Bulldogs and lost 86-68. The following day the Marshall Hilltoppers came to town and beat the Vikings 78-63. Carlton Bulldogs Sophomore guard Denali Blackwell was the only Viking to score in double figures, finishing the game with 29 points. Blackwell was 11 of 19 from the field for a 58 percent shooting average. He had six three-point baskets in the game, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Derek Smith had nine points, seven rebounds on assist and one steal. Jordan Backstrom had eight points, six rebounds,...
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In the first two months of winter the harbor didn’t want to freeze. The harbor does not regularly want to freeze, but the various pockets and shallows and backwaters along its inside rim usually do, and in the colder winters the freeze starts from the inside perimeter and creeps toward the center then the harbor mouth and even beyond the mouth. The first freezing waters include the little 10-foot deep marina where the sailboats and larger watercraft are moored and where aerators are needed to keep the ice at bay from the hulls of the boats, and the brook trout...
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We’re trying a new fun activity for our Pincushion community. Please join us at the Pincushion chalet at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday. We’ll provide a table and equipment. Bring your own refreshments.
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University of Minnesota Extension will present a five-part webinar series this spring on how to create wildlife habitat on your property in Minnesota. The workshop series will take place online over five Monday consecutive nights starting March 20th and ending April 17th, from 7-8:30 pm each night. Each session will focus on a different aspect of wildlife habitat management including different species groups and selecting a site, as well as the development, establishment, and maintenance of habitat for those groups. This series is free for residents or landowners in St. Louis, Carlton, Pine, Isanti and Cook Counties. Residents from any...
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The Cook County boys’ basketball season came to an end last Monday when they fell to Hill City 60-49. With the loss, the Vikings ended with a 3-17 mark. The game was a rematch of an earlier contest where the Vikings stayed close to the Hornets but fell 71-63. At halftime, the Vikings led the Hornets 30-23, and for much of what would in the past have been the third period, the Vikings led by eight, but then Hill City went on a run and never looked back, outscoring the Vikings 37-19 in the second half. Once again Denali Blackwell...
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In recent issues of the News-Herald, intrepid columnist Steve Aldrich has published several of his ideas for living greener and has also challenged readers to submit their own ideas to share. Let me rise to the challenge with three ideas, from simple and free to … more than that. Idea number one can reduce our use of plastics and save money as well. Many lotions and creams, such as arthritis treatments or moisturizing creams vital for health and well-being, are sold only in plastic containers which include pump mechanisms to extract the product. Since it is impossible to get everything...
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“One afternoon I looked out my back door, straight into the eyes of this Lynx,” said June Tveekrem. “It hung around my yard for 2 hours, stalking prey, dozing, grooming itself, stretching - all the things cats do. When it was ready to leave it came up on my deck, sat next to the house briefly, then walked off into the woods.”
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Disclaimer. Everything in italics was written by ChatGPT. There’s a new toy/tool in town. It’s called ChatGPT. The “chat” part is self-explanatory and GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer. Got that? No? Well, neither do I. Basically ChatGPT is Artificial Intelligence or, for short, AI. The concept of AI has always been sci-fi cool, futuristic, and scary. Hal 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Terminator immediately come to mind. They’re quite focused on the task at hand and they’re not going to let a little thing like the human race get in their way. Except AI is no...
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The North Superior Ski and Run Club, Grand Marais was awarded a [post_excerpt],000 grant that will be used to support equipment needs for an outdoor program for youth interested in learning a new skiing technique. The grant comes from the Northland Foundation’s Youth in Philanthropy who announced last week nine awards to children-and-youth led projects in the region. The grants, up to 00 each, support school and community projects planned and developed by children and youth in the region. The Board meets three times during the school year: October, January, and April. The next deadline to submit a Youth in...
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As a retired residential building contractor, I have worked in two states, five counties, and countless municipalities. On most projects “sightlines” (what current residents see from their homes) and impact on community were considerations. New housing projects often impacted the view of existing residents (sometimes negative) and changed the community (typically positive). The same is true for new housing projects in Cook County. In fact, the issues might be heightened in Cook County for a number of reasons. The identified 500 plus housing units needed in the next four years will certainly impact our community. On the positive side, more...
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Ground Hogs and Polar Bears Well Phil the groundhog saw his shadow. Perhaps he should be eaten? According to the Perk, it was International Polar Bear Day on February 27th. Polar bears shouldn’t be eaten, but don’t go camping in their territory or you possibly will be. We learned that polar bears are one of the few large carnivores still found in roughly their original habitat, range and in some places their original numbers. Global pressures will have an impact on their population especially as the ice melts in Northeast Canada and in Northern Greenland. Globally, polar bears are projected...
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Cook County is plagued with a shortage of workers in many fields, but the greatest need might be filling job openings at the local hospital and care center. Despite a waiting list of 20, only 28 of 37 care center rooms are occupied because there need to be more employees to care for additional residents. Many positions at the hospital are filled by temporary workers who are here for several months and then leave to go back home or move to take a similar position at another hospital. It’s a challenging way to run what is an essential operation in...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! (Three stolen snowmobiles recovered in Cook County) CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) attended firearms training at the St. Paul Police Department. He assisted with certifying 41 students at the Cook County School...
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District 2 Cook County Commissioner Stacey Hawkins is asking the public to weigh in on the county’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The County had laid out three options for the public to consider for its five-year CIP. Option 1: .4 million The first option consists of a courthouse remodel and improvements as well as additions to the Law Enforcement Center (LEC). Under this plan the courthouse would remain where it is but the courthouse functions would be relocated to the expanded LEC. The Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) space would be expanded by 4,500 square feet and the Public...
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On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at approximately 4:48 p.m., Cook County Sheriff ’s Office Deputies responded to 1109 East 5th Street, in Grand Marais, of a report of a possible person deceased following an altercation. Upon arrival, Deputies located a 78-year-old male suffering from multiple areas of trauma to the head who ultimately succumbed to the injuries sustained. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has been called to begin an investigation into the death. The motive and circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. The suspect in this incident, a 28-year-old male, reported the altercation to the Sheriff ’s Office...
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Straight out of a Sci-Fi movie, this golden oblong ice cube looks like it could be a telecommunication device used by aliens. Anyone looking up to see anything strange in the sky lately?
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There were a lot of smiling faces at the Hub (Senior Center) on Friday, March 4 as Ann Marie Mershon handed out checks to a wide variety of representatives from area non-profits. In all, The First & Second Thrift Store donated ,000. “Although we had a profit of well over 0,000 this year, our new board voted to donate ,000 so we have a cushion for the costs of our move. The payout comes to .86 per hour. with 4,553 volunteer hours and 43 total volunteers,” Mershon said. Volunteers direct their “earnings” to whatever church, charity, club, school or non-profit...
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Jeff Eliasen, Grand Marais, won 0 at the Cook County Snowmobile Club-Ridge Riders annual Trout Derby for his lake trout weighing 6.96 pounds. Jeff must have had a special bait or was fishing a “honey hole” because he also caught the sixth largest fish weighed in during the contest. The annual trout derby was held on Gunflint Lake on Saturday, March 6 on a beautiful day to be on the ice, said Butch Schulte, adding it was warm enough to (almost) not wear your jacket. Funds raised from the derby are used to raise funds for trail maintenance and grooming...
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Do you know who these volleyball players are? And what year the picture was taken? I bet some of you do. Please send the names of the kids from left to right to history@boreal.org.
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If you want to spice up your life with a little fun, then come to Gene’s Foods. Once again the Grand Marais grocery store is hosting a two-week family game night drawing. “We provide the pop, popcorn and games, and you provide the family,” said Sherri Lashinski. Some of the games this year are Ticket to Ride, New York, Pancake Pile Up, Connect 4 Spin, Slappy Camper, Acorn Soup, Sink n’ Sand Mouse Trap, 7 Wonders and Stop n Smash, to name just a few. “I have five different age categories for people to enter in,” Sherri said. Drawings will...
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Cook County cross country skiers joined a record field of more than 13,000 skiers who raced in one of several events at the 2023 American Birkebeiner in northern Wisconsin. The events ran from Wednesday, February 22 with the long races held February 25. Perfect snow greeted Nordic skiers who traveled from all ends of the planet to compete in either the 50K skate, 55K classic, or Kortelppet ski competitions. Fields of skiers start in waves from Cable Wisconsin and end in front of more than 30,000 cheering spectators in Hayward, Wisconsin Alayna Sonnesyn of Minneapolis won the long race with...
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Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful to return them to you. Mailing address is Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604-0757. Digital images can be emailed to ccnh@boreal.org Thank you!
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town...
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“Exhilarating.” That’s one-word Bryann Bockovich used to describe this year’s Polar Plunge held in Duluth, Minnesota. Over the last 21 years, the Duluth Polar Plunge has raised more than ,558,554. This year’s Plunge took place on February 18 at Park Point, where 624 people took the big Sploosh into a cold Lake Superior and raised 5,530. Bockovich organized a group of 14 local plungers who raised ,885. A large part of the fun is wearing silly costumes for the Over the years, Bryan has been involved in a dozen plunges, some held in the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, and Duluth....
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There have been lots of Timberwolves sightings this winter. David Johnson caught up to one long enough to get this great picture of this regal wolf.
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Imagine Robert Tomczak’s surprise when he found the lock to his snowmobile trailer had been cut and his four snowmobiles, a chainsaw and two gas cans had gone missing. Tomczak had parked his trailer on South Fowl Road and checked the contents on February 12. The Carlton, Minnesota man reported the theft to the Cook County Law Enforcement dispatch on February 17. According to the dispatch report, Tomczak said there were no tracks leading to or from his trailer. Missing are a 2012 Red Polaris S/B Pro R (800 cc); 2013 Black Polaris Switchback (800 cc), 2023 Skidoo Expedition (Ace...
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When Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority Director Jason Hale learned that a rumor has been circulating about him, he wanted to promptly put an end to it. Some local residents have suggested that Hale is in business with a Duluth area builder who may or may not come and work on a building project in Grand Marais this summer. When questioned about the rumor Hale responded, “I am saddened about the nature of the inquiry. If by “in business” you mean that I have some stake or share in any builder or developer’s company, or that I stand to...
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The Littlefork-Big Falls Vikings came to town last Friday night and proved to be the better Viking team, taking the non-conference win over our Cook County Vikings. One disadvantage for the Cook County Vikings was two players weren’t available to play. “Our two starting posts were on vacation, which hurts,” said head Coach Keaton Riley. For the Cook County Vikings fans, the game was a bit of heartbreak on Parents Night when the seniors were honored at halftime. However, the home team stayed close early, trailing 15-11, but Littlefork-Big Falls steadily pulled away and won 86-65. Cook County was down...
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My family has lived in Cook County for more than 100 years. To say I am invested in this place is an understatement. There have been many changes over those years, some good and some bad. Lately, I’ve been seeing changes within our school district that are not all good. With a background of working in large city school districts, the superintendent seems to want our school district to mimic those large ones. The culture and lifestyles within rural communities are different than those in the cities, and for good reason. Growing up here meant you were part of a...
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It’s time for Spring Training. It’s like baseball season. But pre. It’s the season before the season. Hence the pre. ‘Tis the (pre) season. So, baseball is back. Literally. (Not metaphorically.) On the one hand, baseball enjoys a comfortable lead in popularity when compared to say, pickleball. On the other hand, baseball has had declining attendance, participation and, most importantly, viewership for some time. This is not my opinion. I’m just calling balls and strikes here. There are some theories as to why. Many, many players cheating wasn’t good for the sport (see steroids). Teams cheating and winning World Series...
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Do you know who these well-dressed people pictured are? And why are they all dressed to the “9s”? Please send in the names of these folks starting in the front from L-R. Send your answer to history@boreal.og.
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I’ve tried to like winter in Minnesota, but as an adult, I don’t. I prefer warmth. I like the weather where my hair doesn’t freeze on my face. Now if it snows, I don’t get excited about a snow day, I groan that the roads will be icy, and I might go in the ditch. I’m afraid to walk my driveway for fear of falling and excruciatingly breaking something. Recovery is my problem. As kids, we went sledding all day and fell off, crashing into snowbanks, only to get right up and run up the hill again. That would not...
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Warnings to readers: This column relates to Highway 61 only in that— (1) about 21%+ of our residents lived through that longest war in U.S. history; (2) the residue of Viet Nam affects us all; and (3) I have been near 61 reading two books: Neil Sheehan’s A Bright Shining Lie and David Halberstam’s The Best and the Brightest. If any of those facts cause you to stop reading, okay. Read the other columns. If you haven’t read these two books--or are curious--read on. Halberstam’s book provides the overarching political context and analysis as to why the U.S. got bogged...
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Auditor/Treasurer Braidy Powers asked commissioners to contact area legislators “and let them know our concern over the implications of this new federal law and how the standards are written.” Powers was referring to the Financial Disparity Act passed in December 2022. According to Powers, while the law's stated purpose is to provide greater transparency, the way it is written, it could result in less transparency. “The law could open the door to directing the use of scientific technologies for reporting governmental financial information, which could lead to a standard template and reduce transparency and eliminate details specific to unique functions...
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WTIP CELEBRATES THE RETURN OF MOLLY HOFFMAN’S FIELD NOTES Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning, WTIP listeners will be able to join Molly Hoffman on a guided walk through the North Woods. “The Superior National Forest is part of an area in North America which has more species of breeding birds than any other area in North America. It’s the perfect location for a bird walk.” The photo above includes Molly with her good buddy, Irish.
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On the evening of February 20th (Presidents Day), I was driving home from Duluth to Grand Marais on Highway 61 when I started to experience car trouble. I made it to Schroeder but then had to pull over onto the shoulder of the road because the car died. After making a few calls (thank heaven for good cell service), I settled in to wait for the cavalry to arrive. It was no big deal because, like all prudent Northern Minnesotans, I was dressed for the weather and even had a blanket, some water, and a few snacks in the vehicle....
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The Grand Marais Playhouse is preparing for the return of the summer repertory in 2023. Two shows will run alternating evenings the weekends of July 20 - August 13. The Musical will be Shout the Mod Musical and a comedy yet to be determined. The Playhouse performed Shout the Mod Musical back in 2011 with Hilja Iverson, Karen Blackburn, Kerri Bilben, Molly Hicken and Karina Roth. This summer Karina’s daughters Amelia and Greta will be taking the stage in the 2023 production along with Aurora Schelmeske. The Playhouse is looking for 2 more cast members. Auditions will be March 18...
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Giving back to others may not always be on the minds of 13-year-olds, but for Payton Quaife, it is. In 2022, Payton was diagnosed with ITP, which stands for Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura, an autoimmune disease where the body mistakenly destroys blood platelets. In Payton’s case, there is no known cure. Courtney Quaife, Payton’s mom, told Boreal Community Media that Payton has received several treatments “made up of blood products” since her diagnosis, and wanted to do something for those who may need lifesaving blood or blood products as she did. Courtney and Payton, along with husband/dad Tim Quaife (owners of...
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Todd and Patsy Smith were the cheerful breakfast chefs for the “Love the Hub” community breakfast fundraiser held Saturday, February 25. For folks ate pancakes, sausage, yogurt and fruit parfait. The community turnout was strong, 104 folks turned out on this blustery winter Saturday. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit a wide variety of programs and activities provided by The Hub (Senior Center).
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Winter at the Community Center has been a bustle of activity with community members eager to reconnect, socialize, and learn new things. The Community Center is home to the Cook County Curling Club. The Club has welcomed 37 new members to their ranks this year. Members new and old have been thoroughly enjoying perfecting their delivery of stones, sweeping, and strategy. Curling is a very tactical game and can be enjoyed by players of all ages. Curling is truly a lifelong sport, and modifications can be made to be able to play without needing to bend down in the traditional...
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The bitter cold in Cook County this past week has kept my wife, our three dogs, and me stuffed inside our little cabin. It has been in the teens below zero at night and just over zero during mostly sunless days. I’ve gone out once to take evening photos and once or twice to snowshoe around the local trails when it was 10 above. My wife has dutifully taken the dogs for a walk every morning. You know which of us you want to be with when things turn rough. My wife has been Zooming with art courses and meetings...
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Grand Marais City Councilors voted unanimously to rezone approximately 12 acres of property in Creechville from RC Recreation Commercial to R-1 Residential at the council’s Wednesday, February 22 meeting. The vote came on the heels of a February 15 Planning Commission meeting open to the public to discuss the rezoning proposal. Comments came from 11 people who attended the February 15 meeting, with some in favor of the rezoning request and some against it. Those who wanted the land opened for housing commented on the lack of housing in the city and county and the need to build more. Those...
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Under a federal judge’s ruling issued on February 21, 2023, trappers in northeastern Minnesota must refrain from using leg traps large enough to capture a Canadian lynx and are banned from using most snares in northeastern Minnesota. A lawsuit filed over two years ago by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) was the impetus for the judge’s ruling. The CBD filed a lawsuit in December 2020 against the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for allowing trapping that harmed Canadian Lynx. When asked what kinds of resources both financial and timewise it took to win this lawsuit Collette Adkins, Carnivore Conservation...
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Don Hoaglund, 75, of Hermantown, Minnesota, passed away on February 21st at home with his husband, Todd and dog, Max, at his side. Don was a member of the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa. He served his country in the US Armed Forces, receiving a Purple Heart and other commendations during his time of service. Don spent his career in leadership positions working for the Grand Portage Reservation and the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, mentoring and helping others. During this time, he obtained his bachelor’s degree in business administration and human Resources. Don enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, reading, and puzzles. Don...
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Funeral services for Joyce Lindquist will be held March 9, 2023, at 11 a.m., visitation at 10 a.m. at Gracepoint Church, 2351 Rice Creek Road, New Brighton, Minnesota. Internment service will be held at Maple Hill Cemetery, Grand Marais, later this spring. Joyce's obituary will run in next week’s paper.
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Not many people get to compete in a track meet named after their grandfather, but Anna Hay did just that. The Bethel University Royals hosted the Gene Glader Classic on their indoor track on February 18th, with Anna, a freshman, taking second place in the mile with a time of 5:42.27. Anna lost the race to teammate Esther Nelson, who just beat Anna to the finish line by one-tenth of a second. The Royals won seven events and won the team title with 181 points. Anna, a strong runner for Cook County I.S.D. 166, is a freshman at Bethel competing...
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On February 19th, the Cook County YMCA Northerns sent 12 swimmers to Minneapolis to compete in the Minnesota YMCA Competitive Swim League State Swim Meet. It was held at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatics Center on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus, and was attended by approximately 650 swimmers representing 15 Y teams from across the state. “It was a super big meet,” Said Sabrina Dusheck, eight years old. “There were three pools! My favorite part was swimming in the relay. We got third place!” In order to compete at this invitation-only meet, swimmers ages 5 – 19 years...
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Pet of the Week celebrates pets, past and present. Please share some of your favorite photos with all of us. If you bring a photo to the newspaper office, we can create a quality digital image with the scanner and give the photo right back to you. If you mail a photo to the newspaper office, we are careful to return them to you. Digital images can be emailed to ccnh@boreal.org Thank you!
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Cook County Public Health and Human Services is partnering with Cook County Higher Education to host an Adult Mental Health First Aid class on Friday, March 3, 2023. The course is supported through a generous grant from the North Shore Healthcare Foundation. The free class will be held at Cook County Higher Education from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Participants must be 18 years of age or older. Prior to the in-person portion of the class, participants must complete 2 hours of pre-work online. The course includes a workbook, access to the Mental Health First Aid course’s online portal, (Mental Health First...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town...
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The Bethlehem Quilters are hosting “National Quilting Day” on March 18, 2023 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4th Ave West to celebrate more than 75 years of comforting the world with quilts. Everyone is invited to attend! National Quilting Day will start at 10 a.m. with treats and coffee or tea. Bring a bag lunch if you plan on staying through the day. We are asking Cook County community members to gather some quilts to give to help several different missions and/or community neighbors. They may not be close neighbors. They may be part of our earthly neighbors; those of whom...
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After beginning the Positive Parenting and Caregiver Book Clubs last year, Dads in Cook County began requesting a book club specifically for them. They asked and we listened. The Early Childhood Community Hub, housed through the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, is launching the “Men of All Ages” Book Club. We hope that all Cook County caregivers who identify as male will feel welcome in this group. “We invite you to join our discussion in March and April as we learn, share, and reflect together through the Men of All Ages Book Club,” said Jodi Tervo Roberts, Early Childhood Community Hub Facilitator....
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Clutching a shopping list Suzy Eklin had two-minutes to pick up 0 in grocery items at Johnson’s Grocery Store on Tuesday, February 28. Suzy was selected in a drawing held for shoppers the day before. Store owners Jacob Muus and Crystal Clemons stand alongside a smiling Eklin at the end of the frantic two-minutes.
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Do you take care of someone with memory loss and live in a rural area? Have recent months left you stressed and isolated? The University of California, San Francisco is offering a free online workshop to help rural caregivers. The project is funded by the National Institutes of Health. The workshop includes training on how to reduce stress, manage the difficult behaviors of your friend or family member with memory loss, and plan for the future. You will also get support from other caregivers and trained staff. Because it is online, the workshop is accessible to caregivers whenever they want...
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Get them while they’re hot! Those 125 tickets are going quickly as our community’s favorite fundraiser for ISD 166, E.A.T.S. returns. Tickets can be purchased for at Subway or at the school’s main office and must be purchased prior to the event. There are ten local food vendors or restaurants committed to participate in the Enriching Academic Through Sustenance event from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 9. Tasty samples including roasted pork belly with a blood orange BBQ sauce, turkey meatballs, and walleye cakes are examples of some of the main dishes being served. In addition to local food...
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The Cook County Ridge Riders snowmobile club hosted a series of races this last weekend and the turnout was phenomenal. Below are the winners. Coming next is the annual trout derby on Gunflint Lake on March 4th and then on March 11th will be the final drag races of the season at Poplar Haus. Outlaw Class: 1st - Barry Pederson 2nd - Devyn Deschampe 3rd - Forrest Parson Open Class: 1st - Jess Bailey 2nd - Jeff Quinones 3rd - Devyn Deschampe Improved Class: 1st - Jeff Quinones 2nd - Barry Pederson 3rd- Chet Atkinson 850 Class: 1st - Barry...
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With senior co-captain Katie Peck out with an injury, the Cook County High School girls’ basketball team couldn’t find quite enough offense to stay with the Denfeld Hunters and lost 43-29. They also missed Katie’s defense and rebounding prowess as well. The game was played on Tuesday, February 21, at home and was the last home game of the year. It was also Senior night, so folks had one last chance to cheer for the co-captain MaKenzie Fairbanks and Wei-Lani Likiaksa. Neither team could find the basket in the first half and Denfeld went into the break up 14-10. With...
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A bustling two-story restaurant in a city center. On the mezzanine, ROB sees CUPID, 30s, black suit, white shirt, no tie, sitting at table overlooking the floor below. ROB: Excuse me. Cupid? CUPID: (loud whisper) Yeah, yeah. It’s me. Sit. Quick. Rob quickly sits across from him. Cupid sips from his half-full martini. R: (loud whisper) What’s… What’s going on? Why are we whispering? C: Um, that’s probably unnecessary. Rob notices Cupid’s bow and quiver full of arrows leaning against the railing. R: (looks over balcony) Are you… on a stakeout? C: Um, well, I guess you could call it...
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I’m writing about Turkey this week, my beloved second home. While teaching there I met the kindest, warmest people I’ve ever known. They put Minnesota Nice to shame. In my memoir about those years, you must only to love them, I recounted many tales of their kindness, from the bus driver who left his passengers to walk me across an overpass to my next bus stop (and offered to wait with me there) to the woman who offered me walnuts as her family gathered them beside the road. I’ve been invited into homes all across Turkey, repeatedly touched by the...
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Our six-plus-month winter season gives us plenty of opportunity to think, read, write--and for many--leave town. For those staying, pickleball and curling provide options for all ages. We’ve written of pickleball enough that a fellow columnist has taken caustic note. So today we focus on curling which you can do all along the North Shore. More on that below. My only contact with curling before now has been watching Olympic teams from the U.S. On television, it looks somewhat lazy and easy. Do not be fooled. I joined the Grand Marais Curling Club in January and like both the subtlety...
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Snow and wind on February 20th did not keep these Cook County women from enjoying Pincushion’s Annual Women’s Ski. Kneeling in front from L-R: Mona Hunter, Judy Johnson, Kate Walters, Kathy McClure, Angie Robinson. Standing in back from L-r are Jane Alexander, Jill Barber, Carol Bennett, Gini Danfelt, Lesa Hofer, Maureen Hays, Dawn Wenck and Nancy Haarmeyer.
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Brooke Isabella Fedo, 21, Duluth, Minnesota, convicted and sentenced on February 2, 2023, for a petty misdemeanor offense of Liquor Consumption by person under age 21. Offense occurred on August 20, 2022. Fines and fees total 5. Jon...
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Despite some recent rain the trails on Pincushion were groomed and in good shape for the Pincushion Mountain Festival cross country ski races held on Saturday, February 18. This annual event is put on by North Superior Ski and Run Club. Shane Steele, Grand Marais, won the 10K freestyle cross country ski with a time was 25:52.4, a little more than two minutes faster than Tyler Fish, from Ely. Michael Waring, Grand Marais, placed third with a time of 28:46.8. Other local finishers include Chris Barber, sixth place, racing in the age 60-69 age group, who crossed the line in...
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I’m back folks! Lindsay Mielke here with the Cook County Sheriff ’s Office, Lead Dispatcher at our PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point). Another year has come and gone and the outlook for our profession is still at a critical need across the Country. It has been interesting having this conversation with my counterparts across Minnesota. We are all worried on what this will mean for our future and for YOUR future when you need us at your darkest moment. I don’t want to sound negative or throw out doomsday propaganda, but our Country is starting to get itself into a...
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Laura Durenberger has a busy job, well two really if you count being a mother and a wife. As the editor of Boreal Access News, she compiles a wide-ranging amount of reading material for folks to peruse, as well as writes some terrific stories. So, who is Laura Durenberger? The Cook County News-Herald reached out, and, yes, she’s as interesting as the news she provides. Q- Where did you grow up? And what was your childhood like? I grew up in Apple Valley, Minnesota. My family lived on a cul-de-sac, and lucky for us, there were a number of other...
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A request by the Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (H.R.A.) to have approximately 12 acres of land in Creechville rezoned for residential brought out supporters and concerned citizens opposed to the proposal. All of them got a chance to speak at the Grand Marais Planning Commission meeting held on Wednesday, February 15. The City of Grand Marais sold the property recently to the H.R.A. for one dollar with the caveat that if something isn’t built on the land within the next six years, the land will be returned to the city. Michael Garry, board chair, Anton Moody, Stacey Hawkins,...
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Two curious bull moose stop browsing to see who is taking their picture. When they see it is their favorite outdoor photographer David Johnson, they pose nicely before eating again.
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The North Shore Music Association welcomes COMPAS Teaching Artists Orkestar Bez Ime on March 24, to usher in spring on the north shore with exhilarating music and cultural learning. For the past two decades, Orkestar Bez Ime (“band without a name”) has shared Balkan and Romany music, culture, dance, and history with audiences and classrooms across the U.S. Inspired by the belief that music is the universal language, the ensemble shares what they learned about the Romany people while living and studying with them in Serbia in 2012. By sharing the richness of Balkan and Romany music and culture, their...
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KNOWLEDGE BOWL TEAMS COMPETE IN MOUNTAIN IRON Coach April Wahlstrom said, “Our teams were up against the toughest competition in the region with teams from International Falls, Mesabi East, and Moose Lake. Our kids did great, coming in fifth and sixth.” Knowledge Bowl team members pictured above are (left to right): Mara MacDonell, Sean MacDonell, Lars Scannell, Katrina Axtell, Sarah Larsen, and Libby Zafft.
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Once again, Oddz & Endz, your quirky nonprofit thrift store, is pleased to announce its annual community investment distribution for 2022. Twenty-nine Cook County nonprofit organizations will each benefit by receiving a portion of the ,443.17 raised by Oddz & Endz last year. What is Oddz & Endz? Oddz & Endz is a nonprofit run entirely by volunteers. Our mission can be characterized by three words: environment, economy, and empathy. We accept donations of clean, resaleable household goods, including furniture. We make these items available to the community at economical prices to be reused or repurposed. At times, we have...
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From a workshop, behind a window screen, Freddie is looking out over the beautiful Oconto River in Wisconsin. Cat claw marks in the screen seem to indicate that surveillance could get pretty exciting sometimes. Freddie lived in the spacious workshop filled with amazing machines and wonderful smells. The machine shop was a happy home for him and his favorite human, Jim Modl. Please consider sharing some photos of your pets, past and present. Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or mail Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN...
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Three Cook County Townships, Schroeder, Tofte and Lutsen will join with Minnesota’s other 1,774 townships to hold their annual meeting on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Known as Township Day, these annual meetings are held every year on the second Tuesday in March and sets townships apart from other forms of local government. At this meeting, residents of the townships will meet to voice their opinions about local issues with other township residents and also vote directly on their annual tax levy -- direct democracy in action. Citizens attending annual meetings also often discuss and vote on other local issues. In...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town...
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Can you identify this good-looking group of people? And maybe say why they are posing for this picture? If so, send the names of the people picture starting in the first row from left to right to history@boreal.org.
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Rain, not snow or ice, would pose a problem at this year’s Minnesota State High School Alpine championships held at Giant’s Ridge in Biwabik on February 14. Still, Cook County’s Ray Dressely handled the adverse weather nicely. After a strong season that saw him either win or place very high in his ski meets, Ray Dressely was ready to have a big day at the state meet. Last year, as a sophomore, Ray qualified, but he crashed on both runs. In ski racing, the winner and placers are determined by completing two challenging slalom courses and adding up those times...
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When it comes to making snow sculptures, the Hofeldt family takes the art to a whole other level. “My family had the best time making this giant snow sculpture at the top of our driveway on Valentine’s Day, given the perfect packing snow conditions after that rain,” said Andrea Hofeldt. The Hofeldts live up the Gunflint Trail at Loon Lake Lodge. The exquisite snow sculpture was created by Andrea, Derek, and their three children, Dax, Otis, and Niles. Some weeks later, Andrea said, “It is still standing and looking sharp! It’s pretty solid and will most likely be up until...
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Are you interested in examining a sober lifestyle (sober curious)? Are you starting to question your relationship with alcohol? Or do you just need some support to maintain a commitment to sobriety? If so, you might be interested in joining a men’s sober support group that will meet every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at The Hub (senior center). The first meeting will be held March 7. Coffee, tea and popcorn will be provided. What will happen? Every evening there will be a short presentation, followed by small group discussion. No long lectures, just great discussion and encouragement. The goal is...
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Do you want to sail on board of the one most famous ship in history, and living a live experience? You cannot miss the opportunity offered from the Nao Trinidad, the main ship of Magellan´s fleet. Now we are offering to participate as volunteers on board The Nao Trinidad. She is a museum ship traveling the world doing international tours, visiting ports and opening her decks to the public to share the Spanish maritime culture of the XV century, with anyone who wants to know how the spanish sailors lived back in the days . The Nao Trinidad will visit...
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Former motel proprietor, elementary school teacher and principal, thespian, city councilman, and community volunteer, David “Dave” Peterson passed unexpectedly and peacefully in his sleep on February 18, 2023. He is preceded in death by his parents, Allillian Heneva Henrietta (Robertson) and Lester Sherman Peterson; his sister Margaret Louise (Peterson) Rasmussen; and his daughter, Colleen Marie Peterson. He is survived by his children, Jessica (Daniel) Olsen, Jeanne (Kyle) Monson, and Christopher (Kimberly) Peterson; and his seven grandchildren, Brianna, Nathan, Chase, Arianna, Elias, Reagan, and Amanda. His children and grandchildren mourn his loss, even as they celebrate his reunion with his wife...
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Donna Marie (Lostegaard) Clothier, born June 5, 1936, passed away peacefully with her family on February 19, 2023. Donna grew up in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota. Donna and her husband, Alan, raised their family in Grand Marais, MN, where she worked as a Nurse Anesthetist and Director of Nurses at Cook County Hospital. Donna and Alan traveled extensively in retirement and spent 15+ years in Florida until Alan passed away in 2021, and then Donna was in Minnesota near her kids and grandkids for the last year and a half. Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Alan Clothier, parents,...
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Dennis Bernard Morrison, Giwahdinong (North Star) of Grand Portage, left his physical form on Monday February 6, 2023 and began making his way to the Spirit World. He was born March 21, 1943 in Duluth, Minnesota. He graduated from Red Wing High School and went on to study at Winona State College for four years. When he did not return to college, he was drafted in the U.S. Army, trained in the infantry, and quickly ended up in Vietnam. He was a decorated Vietnam Veteran serving in the 1st Calvary Division from 1966-67. After his discharge from military service, he...
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If you have questions or concerns about county government, you are invited to meet with District 1 Cook County Commissioner Deb White at 10 a.m. at the Hovland Town hall this Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023. Donuts and coffee will be served. On hand will be Cook County Highway Engineer Robbie Hass who will talk about upcoming plans for the county’s roads and bridges. But, said White, “People can come, and they don’t just have to ask questions about roads. They can ask questions about any concerns they have about our county government.” Last, anyone is invited, said White. “You don’t...
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A look to steal your heart. Snowy owls deep yellow eyes are piercing, but this owls hearing is even better. It can hear little creatures burrowing under the snow and swoop down and pluck them from their burrow for a meal.
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Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. In fact, more than 8,500 people in Minnesota died from heart disease in 2021. Scientific advances are key to fighting these conditions and improving outcomes. That’s one reason Essentia Health is proud to partner with the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us Research Program. Of the research program’s participants in Minnesota, 449 of them reported having heart disease. Their contributions through All of Us — a years-long effort aimed at building a diverse health database featuring one million participants — are advancing medical research. Essentia collaborates...
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State Representative Roger Skraba, R-Ely, and Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown ) issued statements following the news that Cleveland-Cliffs had started calling back workers to reopen the company mine in Babbitt and processing plant in Silver Bay in early April. The Peter Mitchell mine in Babbitt and the processing plant in Silver Bay were closed because Cleveland-Cliffs said it didn’t need any more taconite pellets at the time and because the company was in a royalties dispute with Mesabi Trust. Both operations were closed last May when around 450 workers were laid off as operations ceased. Meabi Trust was formed under...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checking anglers on area trout lakes. Ice travel remains decent with minimal slush. He attended a local snowmobile event and patrolled snowmobile trails. CO Hudson...
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Two shows will run alternating evenings the weekends of July 20 - August 13. The Musical will be Shout the Mod Musical and a comedy yet to be determined. The Playhouse performed Shout the Mod Musical back in 2011 with Hilja Anderson, Karen Blackburn, Kerri Bilben, Molly Hicken and Karina Roth. This summer Karina’s daughters Amelia and Greta will be taking the stage in the 2023 production along with Aurora Schelmeske. The Playhouse is looking for 2 more cast members. Auditions will be March 18 at 6:30 at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. Performers should be able to sing...
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As any fan of history knows, Vikings were, above all else, hardworking farmers who cultivated crops and raised livestock. They planned, paid attention to detail, and worked very hard on individual skills and teamwork to survive and thrive, a great model for sports teams to use. On February 18, three of the Cook County Vikings' Football Team members attended the 2023 Augsburg Football Launch Camp at Augsburg University in Minneapolis. The camp was designed for quarterbacks and receivers to work on their individual skills in their positions and then launch into the rest of the offseason program and continue to...
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The state of Minnesota divides 92 schools into 8 sections for cross country skiing. Cross country skiing is unique in the sense that no matter the size of their school all skiers compete in the same state meet. This means skiers from a Division A (smaller schools) compete head-to-head against Division AA. Everyone skis in the same race. Which puts into perspective the accomplishments of Section 7, of our local North Shore Storm (Storm) team and of Grand Marais’ Olya Wright. All season long our Storm skiers compete primarily against the same skiers - all from Section 7 schools. Our...
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JUNIOR NORDIC VIKINGS FINISH SEASON STRONG The junior high championships were held at Snowflake Nordic Center. Pictured above are Nate Carlson and Joey Chmelik at the starting line. Joe Rauzi was the sixth-grade champion. He had a lightning-fast classic race beating the second-place finisher by 1:22, a big lead in a 3k race. Other top ten finishers for the day included Pete Summers, Will Seaton, Nate Carlson, Hank Bemlot, Lino Rauzi and Bjorn Johnson.
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Minnesota State Senator Grant Haushchild (03, DFL) paid a visit to Cook County last Friday, February 10, to listen to area leaders’ concerns and ask questions about what bills he could take to the legislature or bills that could be changed to help the county. He left with a hefty list to address. The luncheon meeting was held at Skyport Lodge. Also attending the listening session were Grant's three-year-old son Henry, who was good as gold, and Orion DiFranco, U.S. Senator Tina Smith's northland representative and Grant’s former campaign manager, who wiggled in his chair a bit but who also...
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After reading last week’s article on Cook County property valuations, I wanted to write in about our experience. We received our proposed tax statement in November, post-dated November 18th. Upon seeing our tax increase, I looked at the date of the meeting, and it had passed already, on November 29th. Eleven days notice seemed insufficient to me. For reference, our property is a commercial/residential property on which we operate a storefront business. Regardless, our taxes this year increased by 85 percent. The two major increases were the Cook County general tax which increased by 559 percent, and the State general...
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First off, let me say that I don’t know much about log rolling. I also don’t know much about the relationship between the county and the YMCA. But I think it’s sad that the pool at the Y is no longer accommodating the log rolling team. An established program with an active group of volunteer organizers/coaches, and kids that love the sport and want to participate in it, shouldn’t be locked out. When I first started coming to Grand Marais in the early 60’s, I remember seeing the harbor full of logs. We’ve had and continue to have a vital...
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“This ermine is a confirmed opportunist returning for more deer scraps and trimmings from a salvaged carcass of a car-killed doe that didn’t safely cross Hwy 61 at Spruce Creek (west of Cascade River) about two weeks ago,” said Gary Siesenop.
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Following a list of complaints from tenants living at Birchwood Apartments, USDA federal investigators paid a visit on January 24. Tenants have complained about mold, bugs, electrical and plumbing issues, and for a time, no heat for a period this winter. The facilities washers and dryers are also in need of fixing. But things are turning around, although it won’t happen overnight, noted Lilean (Garner) Sedlacek, CCHS class of 1972, one of the owners and principal builders of the apartments who now lives year round in Michigan. Sedlacek has spent the last week with a team of workers cleaning apartments,...
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Cece Chmelik of Grand Marais, and Olivia Nesgoda of Grand Marais were named to the Fall Hamline University of Liberal Arts Dean’s List for Fall of 2022. To qualify for the Dean’s List students must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and complete a minimum of 16 credits. Cecelia Chmelik is the daughter of Teresa and Michael Chmelik, Croftville. Olivia Nesgoda is the daughter of Gary Nesgoda and Angie Works of Grand Marais.
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Minnesota author Timothy Cochrane will be at Drury Lane Books (12 Wisconsin St, Grand Marais, MN 55604) on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., for the launch event for his new book, Making the Carry: The Lives of John and Tchi-Ki-Wis Linklater (University of Minnesota Press, Pub Date: March 7, 2023). Making the Carry is an extraordinary illustrated biography of a Métis man and Anishinaabe woman navigating great changes in their homeland along the U.S.–Canada border in the early twentieth century. John Linklater, of Anishinaabeg, Cree, and Scottish ancestry, and his wife, Tchi-Ki-Wis, of the Lac La Croix First...
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In an ongoing effort to thank and celebrate the area’s “Heart of Hospitality,” Visit Cook County wants to thank the emergency services that keep our community and visitors safe. From Feb. 23-25, emergency service employees and volunteers, as well as local hospitality and tourism workers, are able to get a complimentary lunch item from one of the following participating restaurants: Waves of Superior Cafe, Tofte - One sandwich or soup Coho Cafe, Tofte - One sandwich or soup Subway, Grand Marais - One free 6-inch sandwich or soup Trail Center, Gunflint Trail - One item under “sandwich” menu or soup...
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In which apologies to A.A. Milne are in order Very recently, Mùchén, a low-level but goodhearted Chinese administrator of very little brain in the Ministry of National Defense was admitted through a red door to the office of The Minister. “Good morning, Minister,” he said. “Good morning, Mùchén,” said The Minister. “I wonder if you’ve got such a thing as a balloon about you?” “A balloon?” “Yes, I just said to myself coming along: ‘I wonder if The Minister has such a thing as a balloon about him?’ I just said it to myself, thinking of balloons, and wondering.” “What...
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“We have had two American Tree Sparrows at our place in Lutsen,” said Jean Brislance. “This is somewhat unusual for our area in winter, as the northern edge of their winter range is typically central Minnesota. Prior to the arrival of this pair, the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union database only had 21 documented winter season (Dec-Feb) records in Cook County, with the first observation of this species dating back to 28-Dec-1955. We have been enjoying their presence, and they seem to love foraging under a fallen spruce that was taken down by the Christmas blizzard.”
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The Vikings lost a close game this past week and lost a second game that wasn’t close when they faced Cromwell at home on Friday and then travelled to play the Northland Eagles in Remer on Saturday, February 12, the next day. Cromwell came into the game with a 10-9 record but are 8-0 in the conference. At the break the Vikings were down three, trailing 28-31. Behind the shooting of sophomore Dylan Nyberg’s 25 points Cromwell was able to beat the Vikings by ten points 56-45. Denali Blackwell led the team with 19 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two...
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We didn’t get our druthers. In the fading afternoon we snowshoed into the cabin, and I humped an oversized Duluth pack with not much in it. The girls were wearing their doggy vests. That was at something below zero and falling in the clear darkening sky. Inside the cabin my brother’s fire had burned down and you could see your breath and it was around 25°F inside. So, I stoked the fire and stayed in my insulated bibs and down jacket and stocking cap and went up to the bed and the heavy blankets in the loft in search of...
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One of the grizzliest trials to ever be heard in a Cook County courtroom came to an end last week when the jury found Robert Thomas West, 42, guilty of Accomplice After the Fact to Felony Murder and guilty on the charge of Interference with Dead Body or Scene of Death (conceal body) for his involvement in the disappearance of 34-year-old Richard Anthony Balsimo Jr. of St. Paul. The trial ended on Wednesday, February 8. The jury heard testimony from approximately 30 witnesses and received over 250 exhibits during the trial. It took four days to select a jury, and...
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Linda Preus and her husband, Daniel, were on vacation when they were alerted that a Chinese spy balloon was overhead. “My husband and I were in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, when the Chinese spy balloon flew in front of our hotel and out into the Atlantic. For about an hour, we watched several pairs of jets flying elliptical circles around it as it moved across the sky. The first photograph was taken as the balloon flew overhead our hotel. Finally, two jets flew straight toward it when it was out to sea, with the lead jet shooting it down. “The...
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Melissa Dressely, publisher of the North Shore Explorer Guide, was recently recognized as one of Destination Duluth’s top photographers. As a contributor to Destination Duluth’s social media platform, North Shore Explorer’s shared posts received over 1.2 million views in 2022. This puts North Shore Explorer in the top tier of Destination Duluth’s many contributors. Destination Duluth’s purpose is to educate and inspire people about the quality of place of Duluth, Minnesota, and the North Shore, thereby shaping the city and region’s positive growth. They have a combined 247,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram. The North Shore Explorer guide is the...
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In Cook County, the Public Health and Human Services department, in partnership with Wilderness Outpatient Treatment Program and community providers at Grand Portage Human Services and the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, work to support individuals and families impacted by substance use disorder. People from all backgrounds experience addiction. While the initial choice to use a drug or alcohol is often voluntary, the powerful effects of addiction make it very hard to stop, even if someone wants to. When drugs or alcohol are used so often that they have significant negative effects on your life, making it unlivable to the quality it...
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On Tuesday, February 14, the Cook County Highway Department issued a travel advisory for county gravel roads due to icy road conditions. Highway Maintenance Superintendent Matt Nesheim stated that snow-covered county gravel roads are in “especially poor condition.” Highway department staff are working to address the poor road conditions, but continued rain is impeding their progress. “We are working to make our roads passable as quickly as possible,” Nesheim said. “In the meantime, we encourage people to limit travel. If travel is required, please drive according to conditions and carry an emergency kit with you.”
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Cook County Independent School District (ISD) 166 will receive ,112 which will be used to purchase school bus stop arm cameras for its fleet of 14 school busses. The announcement came last week from the Minnesota Department of Safety who provided nearly [post_excerpt].4 million in grants to help keep students safe when they got on and off the bus. According to the press release by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, “Drivers need to pay attention and not let impatience get the best of them near a school bus picking up or dropping off kids,” said OTS Director Mike Hanson....
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Independent School District 166 Principal Megan Myer has accepted the superintendent position at Parkers Prairie Public Schools, Parker Prairie, Minnesota. Megan began her tenure at I.S.D. 166 in September 2018. Myers announced earlier that she would leave the school district at the end of the year and start her new position in July 2023. Parker’s Prairie, population 1009, is in Otter Tail County, about 20 miles north of Alexandria in West Central Minnesota, just a short distance from where Myers grew up. Megan will replace interim Superintendent Peter E. Haapala. Parker’s Prairie High School, grades 7-12, has approximately 270 students....
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It’s not warm, sunny California with big waves rolling off the Pacific Ocean at Laguna Beach, but Lake Superior provides some solid surfing action if you dress for it and don’t mind a little cold. A surfer from Duluth found some nice waves near the Grand Marais Rec Park campground last week. Paul Sundberg said the young man surfed right up until dark, and when Paul talked to him, he said he loves surfing Lake Superior and he “was having a blast.”
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Several scholarships are available from the 8th District MN State Horticultural Society for 2023. An applicant must be a graduating senior residing or attending school in the 8th District OR a non-traditional student, college student, second-time winner, etc. who will be attending a college or technical school within one calendar year; no restriction as to course or school. The acceptable counties in the 8th District include Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, north and south St. Louis. The applicant must provide evidence of an interest and participation in horticultural/gardening activities, such as a home garden, organized group such as 4-H, Scouts,...
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With the employee contract running out at the end of 2022, the city bargaining unit met with American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) representatives. At that meeting, both sides reached a tentative agreement on a three-year contract, passed by resolution at the council’s January 25, 2023, meeting. The new contract calls for a three-year term where workers will receive a cost of living adjustment of 8 percent, 4 percent, and 3 percent for 2023-2025 retroactive to January 1, 2023. Additionally, employees received a one-time wage of 0. Under the contract terms, part-time workers will receive four hours...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers on area lakes and monitored snowmobile trails. He attended training at Camp Ripley. Enforcement action was taken for possession of live minnows on a designated...
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Grand Marais musher Joanna Oberg was up against some stiff competition in the 2023 Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby held in Excelsior, Minnesota, on February 3. Oberg was coming off a big win the week before at the John Beargrease 140-mile sled dog race, but the Klondike is geared for sprint teams, and with a big purse, some of Canada’s finest sprint teams showed up to compete. The 40-mile race is run along the perimeter of the Lower Lake Minnetonka shore with no road crossings and is considered exceptionally fast. Mushers make two 20-mile loops around the lake. Joanna raced...
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Both the Sections Meet at Giants Ridge and the JV/JH Championships in Cloquet took place under sunny skies and temperatures that were a solid 40 degrees higher than they’d been the week before! It was in the mid-40s in the bright sunlight and away from the wind. Conditions were surprisingly good, considering the high temperatures, and skiers reported fast races and slick trails. Varsity Sections Meet Olya Wright finished 7th and was the second finisher whose team did not qualify for state, so she will be competing at the state ski meet on February 15 at Giants Ridge. Cyrus Myers...
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Brian Dennis Freitag, Minnetonka, Minnesota, and Lauren Taylor Hilgers, Minnetonka, Minnesota, December 27, 2022. Ryan David Peterson, Cumberland, Wisconsin, and April Christina Jensen, Excelsior, Minnesota, January 18, 2023. Jean Miguel Rodriguez Lopez, Tofte, Minnesota, and Narda Marshalee Johnson, Tofte, Minnesota, January 18, 2023. Vincent Roland Ekroot, Grand Marais, Minnesota, and Christine Therese Angelo, Grand Marais, Minnesota, January 26, 2023. Diana Barton White, Grand Marais, Minnesota, and Timothy Shane Bassett, Grand Marais, Minnesota, January 26, 2023.
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Investments to connect people to the outdoors, mitigate and adapt to climate change, manage natural resources proactively, and address operational needs Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan released additional details of their One Minnesota Budget on January 25, which gives a full picture of one-time and operational funding proposed for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The budget package would invest approximately 7.4 million to connect people to the outdoors, mitigate and adapt to climate change, manage natural resources proactively, and address operational needs. “With this budget, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in our state’s outdoor recreation...
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My last column was about wetlands in general; this column will deal with only three very important wetland types which, collectively, can be called peatlands. They are fens, bogs, and swamps. Most of the information here was taken from the book I mentioned last time: Fen, Bog & Swamp by Annie Proulx. She admits she is not a scientist, but she has done an excellent job of reviewing the massive amount of literature on this topic which is very pertinent to the current climate crisis as these wetland types store huge amounts of the greenhouse gases CO2 and methane. People...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town...
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With no ice pack on Lake Superior the winter waves have been reminiscent of what we would normally see late fall or during the “Storms of November” on the big lake.
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The annual Lutsen Trailbreakers Vintage snowmobile event was once again a great success! On Saturday, February 11, snowmobilers lined up their machines at Cascade Lodge. Then, they headed out for a 20-mile ride through the Cascade State Park on US forest land trails maintained by the Lutsen Trailbreakers snowmobile club. Prior to the ride, voting is held to select the best vintage snowmobile and best vintage clothing. Attendees and participants voted for Shannon Sweeny’s 1974 Harley Davidson as their favorite sled. Steve Hahn, dressed in vintage Arctic Cat gear, won; some said because he even had socks to match! One...
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If you have any clue who these kids are or why this picture was taken, please send that information to history@boreal.org. Please name the kids from left to right and use the B6-10 to help identify the picture.
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Commissioners held a public hearing at their Tuesday, February 14 board meeting to hear concerns about the draft ordinance that would call for banning wakeboarding on Caribou Lake. Wakeboarding is defined as “the untethered use of a surfboard behind a watercraft.” Only one member of the public came forward; Carl, a member of the Caribou Lake Association, went before the board and explained that caribou lake is not really a lake; it’s several narrow channels and bays, it’s relatively shallow, over 60 percent of the lake is less than 14 foot deep, and wakeboarding affects the clarity of the water,...
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The term “wetland” encompasses a wide variety of ecological habitat types. All are extremely important to our environment, but some are highly cherished, and others are often considered undesirable wastelands. The latter have been destroyed for centuries in the name of “progress” and “the greater good.” They include much more than open water and standing water that is partially, or even completely, covered with emergent vegetation. Permanently wet areas, whether open mucky soil or covered with low herbaceous vegetation, shrubs, or trees are included. Even locations where the surface soil may be dry part of the year, but the soil...
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Long range planning is an important tool to provide reliable services and dependable infrastructure to Cook County. While this concept is applied to many facets in our operation, two that are the most visible are equipment and infrastructure. The highway department maintains a large fleet of graders, tandem axle trucks, pickups, loaders, and a variety of other vehicles that are used in our daily operations. Additionally, we are responsible for approximately 300 miles of roadway and 61 bridges throughout the county. As you can imagine, each of these items has a cost. Planning for each item’s replacement and maintenance helps...
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After 42 years of driving a school bus for Grand Portage kids, Larry (Fish) Deschampe, 68, has seen it all; bus breakdowns, sick kids, sad kids, happy kids, sweet kids, naughty kids, but what happens when a kid really gets out of line? “Well, kids will be kids,” he said. “But I have a lot of parental backing because I know the parents. So, I talk to the kid and tell them that I was their parent’s school bus driver, and if they don’t straighten out, I will have a conversation with them, and that’s usually all it takes,” he...
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Peter Robert Walsh (68) of Finland, Minnesota passed away on January 19, 2023. He was surrounded by loved ones, the music of Willie Nelson and the caring staff at St. Luke’s hospital. Pete was born in Lewiston, Maine in the summer of 1954. His family moved in the fall of 1956 to the North Shore of Lake Superior where he grew up in Hollow Rock, Hovland and Grand Marais. Pete graduated from high school in Grand Marais spring of 1973. Pete had a fondness for fast cars, Standard Gas stations and outlaw country music. Pete moved to Finland after graduation....
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Every three years the MPCA, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and US Forest Service conduct a survey on the use of wood in Minnesota homes for heating as well as recreational backyard fires. The results of the most recent survey are available on the MPCA’s wood smoke webpage. The MPCA uses this survey to report air emissions from residential wood combustion to the National Emissions Inventory, which in turn is used to inform air quality policies and decision-making. We estimate that residential wood burning accounted for 51 percent of Minnesota’s direct fine particle (PM 2.5) pollution. While releases from many...
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Delmore Leo Rosenquist (Del), 85, of Jekyll Island, Georgia passed away suddenly on February 1, 2023. Del was born December 24, 1937, at home to Hjalmer Wilhelm Rosenquist and Johanna Victoria Rosenquist (Peterson) in Roseville, MN. After graduating from Alexander Ramsey High School in Roseville, Minnesota. Delmore studied Tool and Die at Dunwoody College of Technology. Delmore started work at Pipkorn Manufacturing as a tool and die maker. He met Elizabeth Kampa around this time through mutual friends and they got married October 19, 1957. They went on to have two girls, Ann Marie Rosenquist and Lisa Kay Montgomery. In...
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Back in November, you read about a small group of our Community Leadership’s work group, CARE, presenting at the 2nd Annual North Eastern Minnesota Equity Summit in Virginia. The group provided a presentation and panel discussion describing their history, work, and evolution right here in Cook County. What have they been up to since then? Well, to continue their year-long focus on learning, a group of community reads was planned. Both Drury Lane and the Grand Marais Library have provided books– hard cover, paperback, and audio books-for community members to read. Following the reading of each book, there have been...
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March 13, 1939 – January 30, 2023 Darlene Bernice Kainz, 83, of Custer, South Dakota, passed away January 30, 2023, at Fountain Springs Health Care in Rapid City, South Dakota. Darlene was born March 13, 1939, in Grand Marais, Minnesota to Walter and Alta Hall Schulte. She loved growing up on the North Shore of Lake Superior. As a child she sang on the radio station owned by her grandfather Emil Hall. As a teen she worked as a soda jerk at Leng’s Fountain, where she met Richard “Dick” Kainz. They were married at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais...
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Recently my friend Chris suggested something radical: the Paper Plane. That got me thinking. There hasn’t been a hard-hitting piece on the paper plane in a long, long time. Maybe ever. Probably because any would-be writer fears his piece de resistance/fate would end up sailing through the sky. But I do not suffer from aerophobia, and I am quite comfortable with my writing efforts ending up in all kinds of places, including, sometimes, even the air. To understand the paper plane, we must first understand paper. Paper is a thing we write on. Good. Got it. Next, what is a...
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The Cook County Historical Society needs help identifying these very good looking young people in this picture. If you know who they are start in the front row and name them from left to right and email the names to history@boreal.org.
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Cook County stayed with the Barnum Bombers for the first half, trailing 29-23 at the break, but the Bombers pulled away in the second period of play to take a 68-50 win. The game was played last Friday night at home. “Our boys competed with a team looking to win the conference,” said Viking Coach Keaton Riley. “I am very impressed with our improvement. Defensively, we played great, and our offense is starting to gel little by little. Turnovers still plague us, but without Rohan Rude (out with a broken nose), a lot of our boys are being asked to...
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The first time the Vikings played the Two Harbors' Agates the final score was somewhat close. Not this time around. The Vikings traveled to Two Harbors on February 7 to resume their North Shore rivalry. However, both of the Vikings' co-captains Katie Peck and MaKenzie Fairbanks were injured in the first half, and that was pretty much it for the Vikings on this night. With their top two scorers, leading rebounder and play maker gone, it would turn out to be a long night for the Vikings who lost 57-19. Molly Quello led the Vikings in scoring with six points....
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We have two dogs at our house, and they run the roost. (Blush.) Jake is thirteen, a Doberman/blue heeler mix that came into my life with Jerry. Sally, a nearly-three poodle/ cocker, is our newer addition. We love them both and try to be diplomatic about treats. Jake is highly food-motivated, and Sally doesn’t much care except when we’re out walking. She always comes running for a treat when I call her on the trail. Well, unless there’s another dog. I walk the dogs every morning and Jerry skis with them most afternoons (cross-country). Sally has developed an endearing behavior...
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HOUSE MOVING DAY Here’s another view of the Gresczyk house that was moved down main street in Grand Marais after being hauled from Taconite Harbor. Mr. Gresczyk, shown on left, is talking to Highway Patrolman Jim Johnson. Johnson aided in traffic control en route. This picture was taken by M.J. Humphrey from in front of his Photo Art Shop. It is the first house that came to the studio for a “sitting.”
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Last year’s 120-mile Beargrease midrace champion Rita Wehseler moved from third to second place in this year’s race while at home in Tofte. Following the awards ceremony, Beargrease race officials were notified by several folks who had followed the race on GPS tracking that the second place finisher Nick Tursten, a Two Harbors' musher, had obviously cut corners in the race. Race officials looked at the evidence and agreed, questioning Tursten, who said it was an honest mistake, that he missed the turnoff and ran his team to the finish without knowing he was taking a shorter route to the...
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Cook County had no answers for the Barnum girls' offense and smothering defense in a matchup between the two teams played here on Friday, February 3. The taller Barnum players had a big advantage inside and often got a lot of second and third chances to score under the basket. Meanwhile, Cook County had trouble making baskets even on open looks. It was one of those nights when shots weren’t falling, and the Vikings lost 56-16. With the loss the Vikings record fell to 3-11 and 3-7 in the conference. Meanwhile the win pushed the Barnum Bombers record to 15-1...
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I grew up meat and potatoes. Every night my mom would cook some kind of meat, peel potatoes for the pressure cooker and open a can of vegetables. That was with a pitcher of Kool-Aid, and we were ready for dinner. Of course, we had homemade soups, stews, and spaghetti, but that was as crazy as we got. I remember the very first time I ate a taco. Our family was invited to visit friends, and it was very festive. I hosted a fondue party in the 80s with cheese sauce and hot oil. Yummy with pieces of meat that...
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AARP Minnesota invites local eligible organizations and governments across the country to apply for the 2023 AARP Community Challenge grant program, now through March 15 at 4:00 p.m. Grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable in the long-term by improving public spaces, transportation, housing, civic engagement, diversity and inclusion, and more. Now in its seventh year, the program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for all residents, especially those age 50 and older. “AARP Minnesota is committed to...
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Thank you to the Cook County Whole Foods Co-op! Care Partners is being supported through the Co-op’s Round-Up Program in February! When you buy items at the Co-op this month, you can ask the cashier to round up your purchase total to the nearest dollar – the difference between the original total and the new rounded-up total is donated to Care Partners! We are so grateful for the many wonderful ways in which our community joins with us to assist older adults in Cook County! Memory Café – Thursday, February 16 A Memory Café is a free, casual gathering where...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Joshua David Scherer, 47, no current address, pled guilty on November 28, 2022, to a felony of Third Degree Burglary and a misdemeanor of Theft - Obtaining Services with No Payment. Incidents occurred on April 8, 2022. Sentencing...
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The Cook County boys’ and girls’ teams dominated the Koo Koo Invite held on February 2023 at Lutsen Mountains. “We had an outstanding meet,” said Head Coach John Oberholtzer, adding, “The kids have been having a phenomenal year, just showing great improvement while having a lot of fun.” Boys Ray Dressley took top honors at the Koo Koo Invite, with his teammate Cy Oberholtzer finishing second. Overall, the Vikings took five of the top ten places in the meet. Graham Oberholtzer placed sixth, Ben Obinger was seventh and Finnley Taylor placed ninth. “We’ve seen a ton of progress in all...
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Has Cook County ever won the girls and boys team titles at the Section 7A Alpine ski meet? Not in recent history, and maybe never, but this year the gold standard for boys and girls slalom skiing in the Northland sits squarely in Cook County. With five skiers in the top fifteen, the Cook County boys’ alpine ski team easily came out on top in the 18-team Section 7A state qualifying meet held Tuesday, February 7, at Giant’s Ridge. Ray Dressely claimed the Section 7A Alpine crown, Cy Oberholtzer took third, Goshi Dimitrov eighth, Graham Oberholtzer ninth, and Finn Taylor...
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Had his family stayed in the county, Paul Dorr would be a senior on the Vikings' boys’ basketball team now. Instead, the 6’4” senior guard is the sixth man on the 15-2 Holy Family Catholic (Victoria) boys’ basketball team. The 2A school boasts three 6’11” players, all seniors, two of which are headed to Division 1 colleges out of state. Paul’s grandfather, Dick Dorr, has gone to see his grandson play three times. “The kids there have embraced Paul. You never know when you are new how that will go. He’s not a big scorer, but he rebounds well and...
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On Sunday, February 5th, the Duluth Northerns’ swim team, which includes swimmers from the Cook County YMCA branch, participated in the 2023 Sectionals swim meet. This swim meet was the largest of the season, with 345 swimmers attending from the Duluth, Superior, Itasca and Brainerd YMCA swim teams. The Cook County YMCA sent 17 swimmers to sections this year and they all put in their best effort representing the Duluth Northerns as well as our home YMCA in Grand Marais. “The swimmers all did amazingly well! These swimmers continue to impress me with their effort and dedication to swimming and...
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Two Cook County residents, Alison Healy and Neil Sherman, are the first artists to be awarded Graham Studio Residencies from the Grand Marais Art Colony. Under the program guidelines, Healy and Sherman will each receive a monthly stipend plus studio access. Funding came from the Blandin Foundation Leadership Boost Grant for this inaugural program. In the future, the Art Colony hopes to continue offering the residency. Healy and Sherman will be resident artists from February 1 to October 31, 2023, and both artists will also engage the community in various activities from their two open studios. While many know longtime...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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The crew at Hungry Jack Lodge sponsored the second Chamber Connect of 2023. On Thursday February 2nd, a group of local business owners and community members gathered together for a social networking event at Hungry Jack Lodge. It was another good turnout of both new and veteran local business owners. Attendees enjoyed Patty of Hungry Jack’s amazing bruschetta, live music by Pat Eliasen, refreshments, and great conversations. Hungry Jack Lodge is located on Hungry Jack Lake in the mid-trail area of the Gunflint Trail. Hungry Jack Lodge offers various sized cabins to rent, boats (both non-motorized and pontoons), Polaris Adventures...
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The Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District (Cook SWCD) has an immediate opening for a Board Supervisor. The Board is looking for a person with commitment and concern for protecting the natural resources of Cook County. The successful applicant will fill the vacated seat in District 5 ( Grand Portage, Hovland, an eastern portion of Magney Voting Precinct 3, and a small portion of Colville Voting Precinct 8B). Eligible applicants for Board Supervisor must live in their nomination district. Cook SWCD is a local government unit established under state law and governed by an elected, five-member board. It manages...
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Yer a Blizzard, Harry, and Blizzo join the state’s snowplow fleet as winners of the 2023 “Name a Snowplow” contest, along with six other popular names, the Minnesota of Transportation announced today. More than 64,000 voters cast a ballot in the contest. One newly named snowplow will be assigned to each of MnDOT’s eight districts. The winning names, in order of vote totals, and their future homes are:Yer a Blizzard, Harry – District 8 (Southwest Minnesota)Blizzo – Metro District (Twin Cities)Clearopathtra – District 1 (Northeast Minnesota)Better Call Salt – District 3 (Central Minnesota)Han Snowlo – District 7 (South Central Minnesota)Blader...
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Nothing came to me as a witty opening line for this month’s North Shore Living newsletter, so I decided to unfold the January activity calendar I had in my pocket and use the first thing I saw as the title. Well, the first thing I saw as I gazed upon it is that it unfolded, upside down. That’s how life has been for me on a personal level, but life is still good. As January was National Bread Machine month, of course one of the things I do when making the activity calendar is throw in lots of days to...
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History was made on February 2nd when 34 strong DFL Senators at the Minnesota State Capitol delivered the critical commitment to safeguard our children’s future. They defeated heavy opposition seeking to put profit above the well-being of our children and future generations. Looking back, we will owe immense gratitude for the vision, strength and courage of our DFL citizen-politicians who responsibly committed to stand united for Minnesotans against this “Blackout Bill” disinformation. The Minnesota 100% Clean Electricity bill, passed by the DFL on party-line Senate and House votes, represents the single most important action fighting the enormous costs and deadly...
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My home base in Hermantown is a long way from St. Paul. International Falls, Ely, and Grand Portage are even further. While many of my colleagues represent only portions of one city or even just neighborhoods within a community, our district is vast. The different communities, tribal nations, and counties across our region each have their own unique concerns that require a strong, independent-minded voice at the Capital. Given the rich history our region has had, I couldn’t be more humbled to carry on this new generation of leadership for the Northland. That started by providing an extension in unemployment...
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The Cook County/Grand Marais Joint Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) will hold a joint meeting on Thursday, February 16, 2023, from 3-5 p.m. at the Grand Marais City Council Chambers. This is a special meeting for both the EDA and the HRA, as it is not either of their regularly scheduled board meetings. This is not a Public Hearing. Neither the EDA nor the HRA board will vote at this meeting. The session may result in the respective boards having further discussion and a vote on whether to move forward with a...
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A mama moose and her calf try to “nose” each other out for the last bit of road salt.
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The CCHS Viking’s boys and girls alpine ski teams shocked the other 17 teams in Section 7A by winning both the boys and girls alpine skiing titles on Tuesday, February 7. Both teams are heading to the state ski meet on February 14 at Giants Ridge. To read more about the ski teams go to B-1.
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The Grand Marais Art Colony and its Board of Directors announced this week that the Executive Director, Lyla Brown, was leaving the Art Colony. Ruth Pszwaro, who is entering her tenth year, served as co-director and Executive Director with Brown, and will remain at the helm. In a press release, the Board of Directors said, “Lyla brought a number of vital and essential upgrades and changes to the organization during her four-year tenure. “These include the acquisition of and oversight for the renovations of two new buildings, purchased in June of 2019. The former Arrowhead Pharmacy (Now Studio 21) and...
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After a two-year absence due to COVID-19, the Education Foundation is bringing E.A.T.S., their annual fundraiser, back to the halls of ISD 166. This year, tickets for the event are , and as usual, only 125 tickets are available. Tickets can be purchased from any Education Foundation board member (Myron Bursheim, Bobbie Collins, Silviya Duclos, Gail Gieske, Ruthanne Hedstrom Vos, Autumn Hood, Marcie McIntire, John Oberholtzer, Nancy Seaton, Mark Shackleton, Emma Spoon, Ann Sullivan, and Destry Winant) or at the school’s main office. Tickets must be purchased in advance of the event. So, you likely noticed a couple of new...
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On January 28, the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library announced the finalists in all nine categories for the 2023 Minnesota Book Awards, and Grand Marais author Staci Drouillard’s Seven Aunts was one of four books nominated in the Memoir & Creative Nonfiction category. Who were the aunts? A brief description from the book gives the reader a glimpse of these fascinating women. “These are the aunties: Faye, who lived in California, and Lila, who lived just down the street; Doreen, who took on the bullies taunting her “mixed-blood” brothers and sisters; Gloria, who raised six children (no thanks...
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Drury Lane Books will kick-off the Cook County Hygge Festival with a Full Moon Readings event in partnership with Cook County School District 166 PTA on Saturday, February 4 at 5:30 p.m. on the East Bay shore in front of our store in downtown Grand Marais. This year’s “Many Tiny Lights” PTA fundraiser will include ice globe luminaria, a friendly bonfire, sweet cider, delicious cookies, a cappella songs, poetry, readings, stories....and maybe a puppet or two! Let’s show the big thanks and appreciation for our educators and school administrators. We invite you to sponsor an ice globe in memory of...
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The Cook County Food Shelf is located at The First Congregational Church, 300 West 2nd Street, Grand Marais. Open hours are 3-5 p.m. every Monday and the Food Shelf is also open from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month. Now, sometimes this is changed around certain Holidays due to “Truck deliveries” from Second Harvest Food Bank -Duluth. Those Holidays are on Mondays. Below are some answers to questions that are often asked. Are expired foods or nearly expired foods safe to eat? Yes, though they may not taste as good as if you had eaten...
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February 1, 2023 Following a year of community engagement, North House Folk School will be applying for a building permit to replace the Yellow Building that houses the school store. The new building will create space for a new school store as well as two modest-size classrooms. Initial planning for the structure, on property owned by North House, is designed to align with all city building requirements and setbacks and as such should not require a variance or conditional use permit. “We love the little Yellow House and it has been a key part of our campus since we purchased...
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There is no lack of speculation on how the local real estate market will perform post-pandemic. Nationally, inflation and interest rates have been increasing and as a result, some residential markets are experiencing longer marketing times than the past few years. Lately, in parts of the country sellers are finding they must make price reductions to entice prospective buyers, something that was almost unheard of in 2021. When the 2022 property valuation notices were sent out by Cook County last spring, the average residential property saw a 32% valuation increase over 2021. As a result, many property owners voiced concern...
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Greetings, I am writing to you as a 4x Women’s Logrolling World Champion, logrolling program coordinator, coach, and tournament director from Southwest Wisconsin. During my fifteen years in the sport, I’ve become familiar with the highly successful North Shore Rollers logrolling team out of Grand Marais. I have attended four professionally directed logrolling tournaments in Grand Marais, competed against talented members of the group, and have developed friendships with Grand Marais athletes and families. The Grand Marais group upholds an admirable reputation in the logrolling world. The program was first directed by women’s pro roller, Jenny Atkinson, and has since...
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Auditions for Alice in Wonderland will be held Monday, February 6 at 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Auditions are open from grades 6 to adult. Rehearsals are scheduled for Monday - Friday 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. beginning February 8. The schedule will vary per role. A specific rehearsal schedule will be distributed at first rehearsal. On accepting a role, each cast member agrees to attend all relevant rehearsals unless agreed at the time of the audition with the production team. This production also needs technical support. A production schedule will be developed to create the set, props, costumes, soundscape and lighting...
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Feeling his oats. A male spruce grouse works hard to impress some nearby females even though spring is still a few months away.
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Last October 2022, Cook County Commissioners were happy to learn that the County would receive an additional ,039.902.62 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund. Administrator James Joerke came before the board on January 24 with suggestions about where to allocate those new dollars. Administrator Joerke explained that the funds “can be used for a broad range of local government activities except for lobbying.” So, what can the money be used for? The new funds can be spent to lower the recently passed 5.5 percent levy, suggested Joerke or a portion can...
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Keith Aili was a happy man at the finish of the 39th running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. As he was being interviewed several hours later by the press, his wife and fellow musher Erin Aili stood near, a broad smile lighting up her face in the darkness. The Aili’s operate the Miles ahead Racing Kennel in Ray, Minnesota, raising and training Alaskan Huskies. The musher from Ray, Minnesota, finished the 300-mile race in 52 hours and 58 minutes, about nine minutes ahead of last year’s winner, Ryan Anderson, who also won in 2011, 2015, and 2017. The...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) spent the week patrolling snowmobiling and ice fishing activity. Recent snow and cold weather have brought more of those classic midwinter conditions, and fishing success remains...
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Finally, Joanna Oberg completed the Beargrease 120 with eight dogs and her first victory in the mid-race. “I’ve always finished with seven dogs or six dogs, so this was really nice for me to finish with my whole team,” said the Grand Marais musher who operates Run Silent Racing Kennel, a kennel that holds 15-20 dogs with adults and puppies. Joanna’s team won the John Beargrease 120-mile race in 15 hours, 5 minutes, and 15 seconds. It was a fitting win for Oberg, who pulled her team from the Gunflint Mail Run while leading because of open water on the...
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I consider myself rather an idiot savant in the gauging of short lengths and medium distances. Either that or I’m just way off and I think I’m a savant but I’m really just an idiot. Because my buddy Bob and I can get into some emotional exchanges when we play that game. Actually, I’m the emotional one (if arrogance, stubbornness, and intransitiveness are emotions); Bob just laughs the whole time during the exercise. I guess laughing is an emotion. When we’re in the boat it’ll go like this: “Nice cast, Bob,” I say. “How far do you think that was?”...
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The Cook County Vikings traveled to Floodwood on January 31 to take on the Floodwood Polar Bears and it would turn out to be a long bus ride home as the Vikings lost 62-33. Katie Peck was the one Viking to score in double figures. Katie finished with 14 points, two of her baskets were three pointers. Amelia Brune finished with five points, Elaina Deshampe had four, Molly Three, Amery Oberg two, Wei Lani Likiaka two, and MaTaya Fairbanks had one point. With the loss the Vikings record fell to 3-10 overall and 3-7 in conference play. Floodwood upped its...
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Can you identify these young ladies who played on the 2013 Cook County girls’ basketball team? If so, please list their names from left to right, starting in the front row and send the information to history@boreal.org.
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January means colder weather which means we get to set things on fire! Okay. Best fire practices include a fire pit or, in my case, a fireplace. Otherwise, it’s arson. Which is bad. Unless you’re an arsonist. Then, I hear, it’s like, better than drugs good. Still illegal. But I guess some people can’t help themselves. Hence, prisons. On the other hand, a warming fire in the fireplace is not only legal but also cozy, heating the room, house, and, according to some, heart. Just how do you make fire? Everyone is different. Really Ancient Man, for example, made fire...
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A local youth sports program that has spawned more than a half dozen amateur “World” champions recently took a big hit. They now have no place to practice their sport after the YMCA canceled their pool practice time. As of now, the North Shore Logrollers winter program is dead in the water. The Cook County/ Grand Marais YMCA recently notified the North Shore Rollers (NSR) that they are no longer welcome to use the Y swimming pool to practice, said one of the volunteer organizers Andrea Everson. After the public swimming pool in the Grand Marais Rec Park was taken...
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Katie Peck, a Senior at Cook County High School, recently signed with Mesabi Range College to play Volleyball, Basketball and Softball. Katie is no stranger to a busy schedule while maintaining top grades. She has been playing three sports since third grade, winning numerous All-Conference honors through her years of competition.
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It was a cold day on Tuesday, January 31, perfect weather for Polar Bears but not so much for Vikings. The Cook County Boys basketball team got off to a hot start against the Floodwood Polar Bears last Tuesday, leading 33-24 at the half. The team extended its lead to 13 points early in the second half and then the Polar Bears all became better versions of Wardell (Stephen) Curry, the Golden State Warriors mega-superstar, shooting 9-11 from the three-point line in the second half. Ouch! “This was a gut-punch loss for us,” said Viking Head Coach Keaton Riley. Point...
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If you have read this column any time, you know I love dogs. We now have four beauties. Not to be rude, but I prefer female dogs and not the tiny breeds. (Several might remember that I tried to Hire a Hitman to kill a Chihuahua in one of my early columns.) Unlike my children Zoe, Jack, and Ben, whom I all love equally, I have favorite dogs. That favoritism depends on where I am in my day. To start, we have a ten-year-old rescue named Tessa. Her primary breed is an English setter, and she is skittish. A simple...
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Cook County will host three open house sessions on Thursday, February 16, to gather public input on the prioritization of projects to address deferred maintenance of County buildings and to accommodate future space needs. The meetings will take place in the County Courthouse from 10:00 a.m. - noon, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. The work is being done as part of a process to update the County’s Capital Improvement Plan, or CIP, for buildings. Over the next five years, the County anticipates spending as much as .4 million to upgrade building systems that are nearing or...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News- Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Nora Anne Mohwinkel, 34, Eagan, Minnesota, pled guilty January 9, 2023, to a petty misdemeanor of Traffic Speeding 78/40 on December 19, 2022. Fines and fees total 5. Benjamin Michael Nichols, 29, Grand Marais, Minnesota, pled guilty...
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Staff shortages continue to plague the North Shore Health Care Center. There are 37 rooms, but some remain empty because there aren’t workers available to take care of residents who would reside there, and there is a waiting list to get in. To help remedy that, management has come up with a plan and the following goals: Reduce staff burnout by making workloads more manageable and reducing necessary overtime. Maintain a resident census of at least 28 residents. Develop a process for resuming admissions. Maintain flexibility to address emergency staffing needs, such as call-ins, emergencies, etc. Continue with staff recruitment....
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When the cat was taken in for veterinary care, the vet thought he was about two years old. The cat has been living with Bob and his family for ten years now. That would make ‘Casper’ about twelve years old. They have become pretty good pals. Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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After a tough stretch of games playing larger schools, last week, the Vikings met an opponent, a neighbor, and played a game against a school about the same class size as Cook County, and the results were in the Vikings' favor. The Cook County High School girls' basketball team used a strong second half to put away the Silver Bay Mariners in a game played at home on Thursday, January 26. This was the second meeting of the year for the North Shore opponents. The Vikings won the first game 63-40 in Silver Bay on December 20. Baskets were hard...
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The Ely Nordic Team hosted its annual meet at Hidden Valley Ski Area a day early due to the cold temperatures forecast for Saturday, January 28. Even so it was a cold blustery day with snow showers on Friday, January 27, when eight teams converged to race classic (in the tracks), sprints, and a freestyle (skate) pursuit race. Several key skiers from the Nordic team were unable to attend because of the rescheduled date, but some JV skiers moved up to varsity and performed admirably. The temperatures hovered in the teens with a blistering wind making it feel much colder...
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The Cook County Boys’ basketball team hosted the Moose Lake Willow River (MLWR) basketball team on Monday, January 30, and ran into a buzz saw. Behind forcing turnovers for easy lay-ups with their double teaming and sometime triple teaming the man with the ball on their press, Moose Lake Will River jumped off to a big lead, going into the locker room leading 51-12 at the half. On offense the Rebels used quick passes to overload the Vikings defense and throw the ball over the top of the defense to a wide-open player for a three-point try— which was all...
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Jean Brislance takes multitudes of great pictures, many of them focused on birds. This week Jean sent several pictures of our winged friends with little introductions about each. “We have a flock of Purple Finches visiting our feeders this winter. While they can technically be year-round residents of our area, they are a little more uncommon during the winter. These are the first winter season Purple Finches we have had at our place in Lutsen since December 2019.”
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town...
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After a warmer-than-usual January, temperatures have taken a deep dive across the Northland. Cold weather is here and it’s nipping at your nose and numbing your toes if you don’t dress for it. Paired with wind, the Arctic cold has made for some dangerous wind chills in Cook County. Monday, January 30, saw wind chills of -25 to -40°. According to the Duluth Weather Channel, a few places in far north-central Minnesota and the Arrowhead “may see a few hours of slightly colder than -40° wind chills.” Monday night into Tuesday morning featured wind chill values from -25 to -35°....
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The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has made a preliminary determination to reissue a wastewater permit to Ciffs Errie-Taconite Harbor Dock for five years. Still, they are asking for public input before making a final decision. Cliffs Erie LLC is responsible for the inactive Taconite Harbor Dock and Closed ash landfill site in Schroeder. Work at this site consisted of rail car unloading, transferring, storage, and bulk ship loading of taconite pellets, limestone stockpiling, and electrical power generation utilizing coal. The 225-megawatt shuttered power plant and remaining associated coal piles are located in the northeast portion of the site. Minnesota...
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It is a fact that “being alone” all the time is not good for you. Covid made separation almost mandatory. We live in a cocooning society where it is easy for everyone to stay inside. It is so easy to be glued to our couch clicking the remote or reading another book or getting mad at the latest online political article. Even doing hobbies alone can get old. The old song is correct: “People who need people are the luckiest people in the world.” It does take some effort to get out of the house. This is especially true for...
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There was laughter and tears as Commissioner Pete Walsh’s siblings and daughters joined with his colleagues of Lake County to remember and appreciate Walsh’s warmth, humor, and commitment. This week’s Lake County Board meeting began with several family members of Commissioner Peter Walsh and others in attendance in-person and on zoom, with the purpose of spending some time grieving, reminiscing, and story-telling about Walsh, who passed away on Thursday January 19. Remembered dearly by many as someone who always had a joke or a story to share, it was recalled that when Walsh was called in the middle of the...
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Two westbound vehicles on Highway 61 crashed on Sunday, January 22, in Lutsen. A Resort Shuttle Van carrying 14 passengers turned left on Poplar River Road and was rear-ended by a Toyota Prius. No one in the van was injured, but occupants in the Pirus were taken to the North Shore Health hospital for examination of suspected minor injuries. The driver of the Prius was 38-year-old Evan Ross Taylor from Two Harbors. He and a ten-year-old male passenger from Duluth were both taken to North Shore Health for non-life-threatening injuries. Both accident victims were wearing seatbelts, and the airbags in...
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Cook County I.S.D. 166 P.K.-12 Principal Megan Myers announced her resignation effective June 30, 2023, at the Thursday, January 19 school board meeting. Myers began working at I.S.D. 166 in September 2018, replacing P.K.-12 Principal Dr. William (Bill) DeWitt, who resigned August 16, 2018. When asked why she was leaving, Meyers responded, “My plans are to look for an administrative position around the areas where my family resides, Park Rapids, New York Mills, and Wadena. I have always prioritized family and at this point my family needs us to be closer to them. I love my position here at Cook...
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Snowmobilers will hit the trails on February 11, 2023, for the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids. Once again, the Thunder Bay Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids will head south of the border to Grand Portage, only 45 minutes from Thunder Bay, attracting snowmobilers from across northwestern Ontario and Minnesota to enjoy some of the finest groomed trails in northern Minnesota. “Glad to see Snowarama back, and the trails should be in excellent shape," says Bob Vogel from the Grand Portage Trail Riders. “For over four decades, Easter Seals has proudly worked with local partners to...
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Last week, just before finishing its work for the day the setting sun painted the sky and silhouetted the Coast Guard lighthouse. One final gift for residents and visitors before the next cycle would begin.
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Directors Roger Opp, Donna Lunke, and Michael Valentini of Arrowhead Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Arrowhead Cooperative) recently received the Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). An ever-changing business environment has imposed new demands on electric cooperative directors, requiring increased knowledge of changes in the electric utility business, new governance skills and a solid knowledge of the cooperative principles and business model. Arrowhead Cooperative has a commitment to work through Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA) and NRECA to sharpen this body of knowledge for the benefit of their electric cooperative consumer-owners. The NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director...
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We would like to thank all of the staff at North Shore Health and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic for the excellent care given to our dad, Howard Sivertson. Thanks to all the doctors, nurses, physical therapists, ambulance drivers, and EMTs that came to his aid more than once this past year. Special thanks to Traci Allen home health nurse, and to Dr. Terrill, Howard’s primary care physician. Our dad appreciated all of you, and so do we, Howard’s children: Jan, Jeff, and Liz Sivertson
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Once again Cook County VITA/TCE tax assistance volunteers are ready to help low- and moderate-income folks and all folks 60 or over with their individual income tax returns. In Person Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. every Tuesday from Feb. 7th through April 18th at the Cook County Community Center main room at 315 West 5th Street in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Assistance is on a first come first served basis - no appointments needed or taken. We also have two additional sites in Cook County that are available for “drop off & pick up later” tax processing. These are...
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The jury selection began for Robert Thomas West, 42, in Cook County District Court on January 24, 2023. West, from South Range, Wisconsin, is one of three charged in the murder of a 34-year-old St. Paul man in June of 2021. Judge Michael Cuzzo is presiding. At the time of his arrest Cook County prosecuting Attorney Molly Hicken charged Robert Thomas West with one count of Aiding an Offender (accomplice to Felony Murder) and one count of Interference with a Dead Body (conceal body) for his involvement in the disappearance of Richard Anthony Balisimo Jr. The victim was last seen...
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Can eating fish caught in freshwater be dangerous to your health? Yes, say research scientists studying polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that have leached into drinking water supplies and local waterways. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) came out with a recent report that says even eating one freshwater fish may contain enough of these pollutants, so it would be the equivalent of drinking one month of water contaminated with poly-fluoroalkyl substances. According to the study, eating just one fish could be 2,400 times greater than the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) water health advisory. According to a news release by EWG, “People who...
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FUN AND LEARNING WITH HEAD START PROGRAM Mrs. Richard Humphrey aids Marty Jo Bjorklund during one of the Head Start classes.
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“Governing during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a test for townships,” said Auditor Blaha. “The 2021 Town Finances Report data highlights the impact of federal COVID-19 assistance to townships.” State Auditor Julie Blaha has released the 2021 Minnesota Town Finances Report which details the financial operations of Minnesota townships. The 2021 Report shows revenues and debt service increased while expenditures decreased from 2020. Total revenues were up 3.5 percent in 2021, while expenditures decreased 6.3 percent. Among the factors driving the growth in revenues were federal grants, which increased 30.2% over the previous year. The federal grant program, American Rescue...
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If you want to take a trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) anytime from May 1 to September 30, you should consider getting your permit as soon as possible. Permits went on sale on January 25, 2023. Last year the Forest Service cut back its permits to entry points in the BWCAW by about one third and it is sticking with that quota again for 2023. For people planning to apply this year the Forest Service is asking you to put three options for dates and entry points on your permit application. The Forest Service cut its...
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On Monday, January 23 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15 (Plan 15), which lays out how the Agency will work to protect the nation’s waterways by following the science and the Clean Water Act to develop technology-based pollution limits and studies on wastewater discharges from industrial sources. This Plan focuses on evaluating the extent and nature of both nutrient and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) discharges. Plan 15 further advances EPA’s commitment in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap to restrict PFAS discharges from industrial sources through a multi-faceted Effluent Limitations Guidelines program. “For 50 years,...
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With the recent resignation of EDA Director Beth Drost, the EDA and HRA have recently begun discussions about a possible merger of the two organizations. A Minnesota Statute created the EDA in 1988. The language of the Statute allows for the EDA to have HRA authorities. The Cook County Board created the HRA in 2021. There are several examples of joint EDA/HRA organizations across the state. The EDA board met on Tuesday, January 17 and the HRA board met on Wednesday, January 18: both boards approved exploring the concept of a merger and sharing expenses for legal counsel to begin...
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Minnesota’s private sector employers continued adding jobs in December, even as the state lost jobs overall, ending a 14-month streak of job growth that saw Minnesota employment outpace the national average, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Overall, Minnesota employment was down 0.2% from November, following an increase of 6,500 jobs that month. While the private sector gained 900 jobs in December, it was losses in Government jobs (down 6,100) that drove the jobs decrease. Those losses were entirely in local government. The U.S. gained 223,000 jobs in December, up 0.1%...
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There was a big turnout for the first snowmobile drag races of the season held on January 21 at Skyport Lodge & Raven Rock Grill. Hosted by the Cook County Snowmobile Club- Ridge Riders, several hundred people attended the fun-filled event, many to watch and some to participate in the races held on Devil Track Lake. Here are the winners:600 Class1st - Randy Bernstein2nd - John Anderson3rd - Andy Brunner700 Class1st - Andy Brunner2nd - Devyn Deschampe3rd - Randy Bernstein800 Class1st - Randy Bernstein2nd - Chet Atkinson3rd - Gary Radloff850 Class1st - Jon Blake2nd - Andy Brunner3rd - Randy BernsteinImproved...
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Jasmine and Rocky came to our family this past September via an English Springer Spaniel rescue organization. Raised as breeding animals in a kennel for their first four and five years of life, they had no exposure to cuddles with their humans, car rides, walks in the woods, or even routine veterinary care. They have quickly adjusted to the couch-lounging lifestyle along with countless hikes daily, and they co-exist peacefully with the many deer, birds, and squirrels they encounter daily. Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and...
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When looking at local 2022 lodging tax collections, it’s obvious that Cook County remains a popular place for vacationers to visit. Cook County Auditor/Treasurer Braidy Powers presented the Lodging Tax Comparison report to the county board at the commissioner’s January 24 meeting. As of November 30, 2022, the Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association reported taking in ,300.30 in lodging taxes for November compared to ,149.47 for the same month in 2021. Through 11 months, the LTA has brought in [post_excerpt],061.702.03, which is down 7.7 percent from the same period in 2021. Still, 2021 was a record year for lodging in the county,...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town...
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If you know any of these ladies (or all of them), and maybe some information about why the photo was taken, please send the information and names (left to right) to history@boreal.org.
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Viking fans witnessed a record-breaking performance by the Cook Country boys' basketball team in their blow-out win against the Northeast Range Nighthawks last Tuesday night. Apolo Robbins, considered the world’s greatest pickpocket, would have been proud of the Vikings' defense. “We broke a school record for steals in a half with 26 and had 37 overall,” said head Coach Keaton Riley. How good was Cook County’s defense? The Vikings led 63-11 at the half, many of those points coming off of steals resulting in fast break lay-ups. At one point, the Vikings stole the ball five straight times, scoring lay-ups...
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The North Shore Music Association announces the return of the Grand Marais Ole Opry! This locally beloved showcase offers a lively and heart-warming mix of classic country, old-time, and bluegrass music. Grand Marais Ole Opry VI promises a stellar lineup, headlined by the award-winning High 48s with Becky Schlegel. North shore old-time string band Up Jumped Trouble will get the crowd hopping. Talented young fiddler Martine Redshaw will shine alongside her father, John. The High 48s play classic bluegrass with a modern attitude. They are passionate about music education and teach workshops and jam camps around the country, including their...
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The University of Minnesota Extension will host a gathering for local farmers and agricultural producers who are operating in Cook County or the surrounding North Shore region to network and learn from each other on February 17th in Grand Marais. The meet-up will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Cook County Community Center at 317 W 5th St, Grand Marais. The event is free, with the option to order a catered lunch for . Lunches can be ordered during registration and paid for on the day of the event. The deadline to register if you’d like to order...
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Recycling has proven to be a dynamic industry over the past several decades, not only locally or around the northeast region of the State, but also across the entire nation and even internationally. What started out in the 1970s as a simple push to help clean up the environment has ultimately transitioned into big business and global commodity trading. Sometimes the shifts in the markets can have substantial impacts even on our local recycling programs, the latest and most impactful of which was a few years back when China stopped accepting shipments of recyclable materials from the United States. This...
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Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) along with the Cook County Economic Development Authority (EDA) are preparing to launch a series of efforts to strengthen local childcare systems in 2023. Alison McIntyre, Director of Cook County Public Health and Human Services states, “Childcare is an essential resource for our local families, workforce and community. Families throughout Cook County and the region have been impacted by the shortage of affordable, high-quality care for many years. The PHHS department is proud to be a partner in the ongoing collaborative efforts and infusion of new resources to support existing providers and expand access...
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If I had my druthers, it would be low pressure, gray over the far, far black treeline, and the ridges beyond the treelines would be gone. 33 degrees Fahrenheit, and if it was even warmer and with no wind there might be a haze – a fog - off to the far gray treeline. If we snowshoe across the lake on the snowmobile trail it’s hard-packed but forgiving, and it’s like that - though even softer - if we follow our own snowshoe trail across the lake to the other lake. Sometimes we have no trail and in the warmest...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) monitored snowmobile activity on local trails and the North Shore State Trail. The snowmobile clubs have done a great job clearing all the trees and debris from...
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Have we ever seen an invasion like this treacherous ice? Downtown Grand Marais has been an ice rink for weeks—in fact, much of the county has, thanks to recent mist, fog, and even rain. My friend Susan was marveling at waves on the harbor, and she went down just as her husband warned, “Be careful, it’s icy.” Yup. Another broken wrist. A FOOSH injury, as they say. Fall Onto Outstretched Hand. Not fun. I’ve experienced FOOSH injuries twice, the first years ago on a kayak trip when I foolishly navigated shoreline rocks in flip-flops, and again two years ago when...
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In 1967 Dustin Hoffman’s character was The Graduate. At the party for Benjamin Braddock (Hoffman), his neighbor famously whispered to him, “Plastics.” Indeed, many young graduates went into plastics and made the world more convenient for us. Bottled water, plastic wrap in the kitchen, wrapped useless toys, sweet tea, laundry detergent, and hundreds of other products came in or were wrapped in plastic. As time passed, we came to curse the difficulty of unwrapping batteries, etc. But only in recent years has the public become aware of the price we pay for convenience—plastic trash, tons of it. Some numbers from...
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A number of small items came to light over the summer, so I am putting them into one column. The ecologist who has been conducting a small mammal study here since 1983 did not continue his work in 2022. He said he had the strength to do the trapping, but not to deal with the MN D.N.R. special permit people. He will be here in late summer or fall of 2023 to pick up the small mammals a number of us have been accumulating for him since the fall of 2021. Last year I mentioned the migration and major decline...
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The Cook County girl's basketball team was on the road for three straight games facing tough opponents, which resulted in three losses. The fourth loss came at home on Tuesday, January 24, against a big Mesabi East Giant team, but it was a good game. First up was a road trip to Ely on January 16 to play a make-up game canceled due to stormy weather on December 22. The Ely Timberwolves came into the game sporting an 11-2 record, and on this night, the Vikings would become another opponent to leave Ely without a win, with the Vikings falling...
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Before I start, I want to clarify that I have no interest in royals. I do not read about royals in the newspapers or books. I do not watch shows or movies on royals. I do not believe there should even be royals. But other earthlings can’t get enough of the royals so “journalists” churn story after story out on the topic. But where does it start/end? This column is a royal summary, written by someone who has gleamed everything he knows about the topic from headlines. FACT: A handful of people who descended from monarchs of old are currently...
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South Ridge This game got away from the boys’ varsity fast. The Cook County boys lost 81-41 to South Ridge in Culver on Friday, January 20. At halftime the boys were down 50-12 but over the second half they stayed pretty even with South Ridge, scoring 29 compared to 31 points for the Panthers. Once again Denali Blackwell led the team in scoring with 22 points. Denali was the only Viking in double figures. Derek Smith finished with seven points and pulled down a team high nine rebounds. Rohan Rude had five points, Jordan Backstrom had three and Binesii Aubid...
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Cook County hosted seven schools and 185 skiers at the Pincushion trails on Tuesday, January 18th. Fresh snow and warm temperatures had coaches a bit concerned about what the trails would be like, but thanks to our intrepid groomers that worked from 3:30 a.m. - 8 a.m. the trails were in great shape. And yes, that is 3:30 in the wee hours of the morning! The Pincushion Varsity/ Junior Varsity race has got to be one of the most challenging courses that the kids face all season: the grueling Three Sisters climb, the fast descent of Ole Hyvaa to the...
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The John Beargrease Cub Run was held Saturday, January 21 at the Lakeview National Golf Couse in Duluth. Some 24 mushers 14 and under vied for prizes in age group races that covered between 2.2 miles and one quarter of a mile. Mike Keyport, Grand Portage, greeted the young mushers before the Cub Run. Mike is the great-grandson of John Beargrease, the legendary Anishinaabe musher who carried the mail between Two Harbors and Grand Marais during the last twenty years of the 19th century, and whom the race is named for. The other featured races are the Beargrease 40 and...
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COOK COUNTY West End – All six incumbents will be on the ballots in Lutsen, Schroeder and Tofte townships when residents cast their votes in the March 14 spring elections. Each of the townships elects a Supervisor for a three-year term and a Treasurer for a two-year term. The filing period ended Tuesday, January 17. Each township election polling time is from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. March 14 immediately preceding the annual meeting. Mail ballots can also be requested from the township clerks in mid-February. Lutsen In Lutsen, Supervisor Lollie Cooper is seeking a second term on the three-member township...
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On January 13, the Cook County Grand Marais Joint Economic Development Authority (EDA) announced that Beth Drost had resigned as Executive Director, effective January 20, 2023. Drost leaves to pursue a new chapter in her career, as Executive Director of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. Drost has been in the position since her appointment in August of 2021. During her leadership, the Board completed a comprehensive housing study that is informing the work of the newly created Housing and Redevelopment Authority, secured several large grants for business development in the county, and recently finalized a 0,000 childcare grant from the Minnesota...
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A good come back fell just short last Friday night but the Vikings girls’ varsity basketball team fought hard until the end, leaving everything they had on the court against McGregor. The Cook County Girls’ varsity basketball team got off to a slow start last Friday night at home in a non-conference game against the McGregor Mercs. The Vikings were down 13-2 before Wei-Lani Likiaksa hit a couple of short shots to get the Vikings offense moving. Still, the Vikings trailed 31-17 at the half. The Vikings man-defense caused turnovers, but the Vikings couldn’t always capitalize on them. Meanwhile the...
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The coronavirus continues to circulate through Cook County. There were 19 new cases reported between January 7 and January 13, which brings the total number of COVID-19 cases to 1,592 since the start of the pandemic. Some 2,030 county residents are “up to date” on their vaccinations. The term “up to date” means a person has received all of their COVID-19 vaccinations depending on their age and underlying health conditions. It was first used by the Minnesota Department of Health in reporting vaccination status in March 2022. Nationwide there have been 101,518,229 cases reported and 1,095,149 deaths attributed to COVID19....
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With only a fuzzy cattail to guide them, Silje and Tova take part in a mighty snowshoe adventure.
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Celebration of Life Event Journey… 1: As a 2nd Generation of World’ Best Donuts I was diagnosed with kidney failure and end stage renal disease. I have had hypertension (hereditary) all my life. Then I was diabetic in later years and on metformin and now I have family kidney issues. I feel the system “dropped the ball” as I should have had red flags all over! When Covid hit the only thing, I felt that was important was COVID. Issues were pushed back on many people, so the result was no one told me or noticed my kidney function was...
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At the Cook County Board of Commissioners annual organizational meeting January 3, 2023, Debra White was sworn in as the newest member of the County Board. Commissioner White is a resident of Hovland and has been a resident of District 1 for decades. Her work history makes it clear that she has had a focus on public service, especially in education and youth development, for just as long as she has lived in the county. Her interest in education is reflected in her priorities as a county commissioner, which include educating the public as to how and why the county...
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The year is 1911. Newark, New Jersey. Plucky’s Playhouse – a toy making factory. Clarence, 40, enters the factory. He sees Arthur, 30, waiting patiently in the center of the room, standing beside a table. Passing many different toys, dolls, and games in various stages of development, Clarence crosses to Arthur and shakes his hand. Arthur: I’m telling you, Clarence, this is the one. Clarence: You said that before, Arthur. A: I got out over my skis. Although, I’ve always wondered why getting out over your skis is bad. I thought your weight was supposed to be out over your...
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In the early 1980s, I didn’t have a working camera. Howard Sivertson let me borrow his Hasselblad to use for the newspaper for a series of several months. I have never taken pictures with a better camera. Howard laughed when I asked to buy it; I hope one of his family members still has it. That act of kindness, though, went deeper. Howard created the bears for the Cook County News-Herald. He was paid, but not a lot, and his contribution has lasted many generations and will hopefully last well into the future. Howard’s bears are remarkable. They fish, curl,...
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It has been 21 years since Lonnie Dupre and John Hoelscher completed Greenland's first and only circumnavigation, a 6,500-mile journey all non-motorized by dog team and kayak. In 2022 Dupre went back to Northwest Greenland to document the Polar Inuit culture through film. Traveling from village to village by dog team, Dupre re-connected with his past polar Inuit friends to find out how their culture has changed due to climate change and modernization over the last two decades. The Polar Inuit are unsung heroes of countless Arctic expeditions. Their ingenuity, and innovation, and creative ways of improvising, have always amazed...
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Great outside shooting and pressure from a full-court press went a long way in securing the CCHS boys’ first win of the season as the boys’ basketball team beat the McGregor Mercs 48-42 at home last Friday, January 13. In all, the boys made ten three-point baskets. Sophomore guard Rohan Rude led the way with a team-high 19 points, 15 points coming from behind the three-point line. Rohan shot 50 percent, making seven of fourteen shots from the field. He also ended his night with five rebounds and four steals. Denali Blackwell, a sophomore guard, scored eight points, pulled down...
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We can live greener. Let us count the ways. We asked readers to send their suggestions for living greener—using fewer resources, especially fossil fuels, using less single-use plastic, and wasting less. Two local readers, Camifb@gmail.com and Diane Hiniker did. My niece, Erin Aldrich did as well, and fellow columnist Ann Mershon wrote a timely column of her own on better toilet paper! Here is summarized what they offered to all of us as well as a few thoughts of my own. Free or reduced cost things Hang out laundry to reduce dryer use and get that fresh sunshine smell. Uses...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked with several officers checking anglers during the trout opener. Time was also spent patrolling snowmobile trails. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations. CO...
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Tracy Faud was recently awarded a ,000 National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowship: Creative Writing-Literary Art. Tracy applied for the fellowship while living and working in Grand Marais. Tracy is the author of about: blank, a finalist for the National Poetry Series and the winner of the Donald Hall Prize, published in 2021 by the University of Pittsburgh Press. She is also the author of the chapbooks PITH, Body of Water 2, and DAD DAD DAD DAD DAD DAD DAD. Her work has been supported with grants, residencies, and fellowships from the Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center, Hedgebrook, the...
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Since my trip to Sweden last May I have been fascinated with Swedish culture. I listen to audio books in Swedish. I read Swedish authors. Fredrik Backman and Steig Larsson are two favorites. Just last Friday my family went to see A Man Called Otto which some of you may know is based on the book A Man Called Ove. Although Tom Hanks did an amazing job acting the part of an old curmudgeon, I highly recommend watching the Swedish version of the film with English subtitles. So heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I have dabbled some with...
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Abigail Crawford, of Grand Marais was named to the Fall 2022 Dean’s List at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. Abigail is majoring in Accounting. Dean’s List members have achieved a 3.75 grade point average or above on a 4.0 scale. The College of St. Scholastica would like to commend Abigail for honorable academic achievements.
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That mid-summer odor that sometimes hangs over the eastern part of Grand Marais may be dissipating. This is because Grand Marais PUC is looking at purchasing a Packaged Biosolids Odor Control System (BOCS) that captures and neutralizes odor-causing compounds for the North Sludge Holding Tanks at the wastewater treatment plant. The BOCS would capture and treat off-gassing from the North Sludge Storage Tanks. A facility plan completed in 2016-2017 outlined steps the city could take to reduce the odor. However, the project also dealt with effluent permitting related to mercury and was postponed until decisions about when the mercury limit...
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FUTURE SLED DOG RACERS OF COOK COUNTY Matt Groth of Grand Marais Sled Dog Adventures is spending the summer raising a new team of sled dog racers. The snow is long gone but local mushers are very busy training their canine athletes.
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Jessica (Jessie) Mary Wolfgang Anderson, age 45 of Grand Marais, MN passed away with her family by her side on Sunday January 8th, 2023, at Essentia Health - St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, MN after a stoic battle with cancer. Celebration of life was held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais, MN on Wednesday, January 18th, 2023. The service was recorded on: https://www.youtube.com/@bethlehemlutheranchurch7397/streams If you are so inclined, we welcome you to wear Minnesota Twins gear to the service in honor of Jessie’s love for the Twins. Jessica Mary Wolfgang was born on July 26th, 1977, in Sioux...
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Anna L. (Everson) Speck, 96, of Grand Marais, passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at the North Shore Care Center in Grand Marais. Anna was born April 18, 1926, to Adolph and Celia (Johnson) Everson at the family home on Maple Hill, Grand Maris, Minnesota. She fondly told memories of living on the farm where she helped take care of the animals and siblings. The oldest daughter of nine children, Anna, was a very hard worker her entire life. She held various jobs, including working at the veneer plant in the sixties until it burned down. After that, Anna...
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In a recent news release, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced that the spongy moth (L. dispar; formerly gypsy moth) monitoring program caught 101,763 male moths in 2022. This shattered the record number of 71,258 caught in 2013. Of the moths captured, almost 70 percent were trapped in Cook and Lake counties, which have been quarantined since 2014. Cook and Lake County were the first and still the only counties quarantined in the state. Minnesota was the 21st state to partially quarantine for Gypsy Moths. More than 19,000 traps were set in the spring of 2022. Those traps were...
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It was a busy week for the North Shore Storm Nordic Ski Team. On Saturday, January 7th the team traveled to Giant’s Ridge in Biwabik, MN for the Mesabi East Invitational. This is the largest High School Nordic Ski race in the nation - 61 schools participated with 973 skiers competing. Our team did quite well with some of our newest skiers giving the challenging hills of Giant’s Ridge a great effort. The North Shore Storm from Cook County took 8 skiers to compete. This meet skiers chose which technique they wanted to race: either a 5K classic or skate....
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The City of Grand Marais is featured in the “Small-Town Saturday” column of the 2023 February-March issue of Country Living magazine. Four pages of pictures and brief text describe some of the stores, community, and outdoor activities offered in the community. The piece is written by Sarah Zlotnick Lifestyle Director for Country Living, who lives in Washington, D.C. Some of the stores are pictured, and many more given a thumb-nail descriptions: The Fisherman’s Daughter, Angry Trout, Joy & Company, Naniboujou Lodge & Restaurant, Gunflint Mercantile, Upstate MN, The Big Lake, Blue Water Café, The Mayhew Inn, Stone Harbor, The Minnie...
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When the sun does get to sneak out from behind the grey curtain of winter the skies often are spectacular.
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“Here’s looking at you, kid!” A well-schooled movie aficionado Saw-whet Owl does his/her best impression of Humphrey Bogart who stared in the 1942 movie Casablanca. And from the look on the owl’s face, Bogart would have been proud.
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Lutsen Mountains has agreed to purchase Superior Ridge Resort from long-time owner-operators Bruce and Sheryl Martinson and minority owners John and Sherry Murphy. The Martinson’s will continue to operate the resort through the winter with transition to operation by Lutsen Mountains in May. Bruce and Sheryl Martinson, along with minority owners John and Sherry Murphy, founded the Resort in 1993. Soon after purchasing the land from long-time Tofte residents Jerry and Diane Loh, Bruce and Sheryl built six condo units and an owners’ residence where they raised their three children, Ryan, Kyle, and Alyssa. Over the years, further buildings housing...
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Alzheimer’s disease is expected to impact nearly 13 million Americans by 2050, including 99,000 Minnesotans today, according to the Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota. So, as you contemplate your New Year’s resolutions for 2023, consider there are important steps you can take to maintain and improve your brain health. Research has shown lifestyle changes like improving diet and exercising regularly have helped drive down death rates from cancer, heart disease and other major diseases. These same lifestyle changes may also reduce or slow your risk of cognitive decline, which is often a precursor to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. “There...
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This picture was taken in 1948 for the class of 1953. If you know who these “kids” are start in the front row and name them from left to right and send you answer to history @boreal.org.
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Miss Charlotte (the indoor cat) takes her surveillance work of the bird feeder very seriously. She and the outdoor cat seem to know each other, at least by sight. Miss Charlotte’s favorite toy is a stuffed sock from Joe. This photo was taken near Devil Track Lake. Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Grand Marais has a new Mayor. Tracy Benson was sworn in as the new Mayor on Wednesday, January 11. She takes over for Jay DeCoux who opted not to run again. Craig Schulte was appointed acting mayor in case Benson can’t make a meeting. Benjamin (Ben) Peters and Aaron Carlson, two new council members joined returning council members Craig Schulte and Michael Garry during the Oath of Office ceremony.
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The Cook County Curling Club hosted its fifth Two Person Champagne Open Bonspiel this past weekend with five out-of-town teams participating in a pool of 12 teams who played a round robin format. Taking first place in the A-Event was the Terrace Bay Curling Club team from Canada Ken and Leslie Blackwood. Zack Anderson and Jared Swanberg from the Fargo Curling Club team placed second. The B-Event winners were the husband-and-wife team of Brian and Joanne Smith. The brother runner up team was Andrew and Jed Smith. Both teams are from the Cook County Curling Club. The C-Event winners were...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town...
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The Senior LinkAge Line® will offer two Health Care Fraud, Waste & Abuse Prevention classes Wednesday, February 8, 2023, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and again from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how to detect and report potential errors, fraud, and abuse; review potential fraud and scams targeting older adults, learn how to read their Medicare Summary Notice, learn tips to help protect their Medicare beneficiary number, and how to protect-detect-report Medicare scams and fraud. This presentation is based on information from the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), a federal education and prevention program. We are authorized to offer...
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Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa updated the interior infrastructure of its community center. The project included the replacement of an outdated and inefficient heating system, replacement of the indoor swimming pool liner and decking, and electrical wiring to accommodate new commercial freezers. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a 6,925 Community Infrastructure grant. Total project investment was 3,851. The community center houses the Oshki Ogimaag (Young Leaders) Charter School which provides local, quality education with an emphasis on the Anishinaabe culture to grades K-6. It is also home to a tutoring program, after school programming,...
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The Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) department contains a team of 32 staff who provide a wide range of mandated and supportive services to county residents. In addition to our staff, the PHHS department contracts with local and regional service providers in the areas of child support, substance use disorder assessment and treatment services, in-home support services, and a variety of public health programs. Our department mission is “supporting the health, safety, and wellbeing of our community.” Staff Updates In 2022, twelve staff positions turned over due to resignation, retirement, and internal job transfers, marking an unprecedented...
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On January 10, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08), joined by Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (MN-06), and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), wrote to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to understand actions being taken to remedy the mail delivery disruptions occurring across Minnesota. “During the past weeks, I have heard from constituents from all around the Northland about major disruptions in mail delivery,” said Congressman Stauber. “The policies of this Administration have led to staffing shortages nationwide, and the Postal Service is yet another industry suffering the consequences. In some areas, people haven’t received mail in three weeks....
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Former Ely Mayor Roger Skraba had a hectic first week in his new job as a Minnesota House of Representatives member, where he represents District 3A. Skraba, a Republican who defeated DFL incumbent Rob Ecklund by 15 votes, was sworn in on January 3, 2023, for a two-year term that ends January 7, 2025. Skraba and 133 other state representatives took the oath of office during a ceremony at the State Capitol in St. Paul. “It is an honor to serve you, your family, and the communities of Northern Minnesota in the state legislature,” Skraba said. “I look forward to...
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The Grand Marais Playhouse is preparing to open the 2023 theater season with Alice in Wonderland. This production will be the high school community play with roles for grades 6 to adult with high school age primary focus. In order to create this production, we need technical/backstage support as well as enough acting roles to be filled. In order to gauge the possibility of filling these roles the Playhouse will hold an interest meeting/ spaghetti feed on Monday, January 16 at 5:30 pm at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. A script will be selected, and the scale of the...
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About Sporto James Marshall Ford, “Sporto,” passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 3, 2023, after an eight-month battle with cancer. Sporto was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 21, 1964 to Troy and Helen (Bergstrom) Ford. He moved to Grand Portage when he was around five years old. He spent many hours at Ryden’s Border Store where his dad operated the cafe. He learned to cook there. In 1982, Troy opened the South of the Border Cafe in Grand Marais. Sporto, his brother Steve, and cousin Shannon Hicks, continued to work with him there. They eventually took over...
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Services for Jessica (Jessie) Mary Wolfgang Anderson (7/26/1977-1/8//2023) will be held Wednesday, January 18th, 2023, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Visitation will be 1 p.m. followed by the service at 2 p.m. Full obituary next week.
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You’ve finally decided to give up the beloved Navy pea coat that’s resided in the back of your closet for years. Oh, the memories! You bought it in college, your biggest purchase besides tuition and books, and it kept you warm as you forged your windy way across campus. It’s never gone out of style, but you’ve graduated to Gore-Tex and down. Chucking the nostalgia, you check it for stains or wear and add it to your “nice cast-offs pile” for the First & Second Thrift Store. You’ll bring it down next weekend. But dang—THEY’VE CLOSED! Here’s the journey it...
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The American troop ship, SS Dorchester, was sailing off Newfoundland on February 3, 1943 when it encountered a German submarine and came under torpedo fire. There were not enough life jackets for all the men on board so four chaplains, each of a different faith, who were traveling with them willingly gave up their own life jackets to save civilian and military personnel as the ship went down. In their last moments, the chaplains joined arms, said prayers, and sang hymns as they went down with the ship. It has been referred to as the second worst sea disaster of...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking snowmobilers on the North Shore State Trail and local trails. The trails are in great condition. Time was spent in the BWCAW checking...
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I’d like to give a huge thanks to Mike and Barb who recently helped me get my car started up at the high school. This was an example of kindness and generosity that makes me proud to have them in my community. Ann Ward, Grand Marais
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A frosty-chinned fisher goes about its’ business on a cold morning in the Superior National Forest.
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town...
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One of the first things the Grand Marais City Council did to start 2023 was transfer ten acres of land to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) of Cook County for one dollar so the land could be used to develop affordable housing. The property is located at the northwest corner of 5th Avenue West and Gunflint Trail. To accomplish the transfer, the council approved a quit claim deed that authorized and directed the Mayor and City Administrator to execute two deeds and approve any technical changes that might be needed with the City’s attorney, Chris Hood. The HRA will...
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In response to Jean Marie Modl’s “As I See It” column about Verizon, I am having the same problems with Verizon, and this has been ongoing since August. I have no WIFI connection, and they (Verizon) promise to send me a Sim card and it never arrives. We have been troubleshooting and then it (phone) works but as soon as I hang up it stops. I am not behind on paying my bills and yet, the offer for more service over the phone line seems to be cheaper yet it does not apply to me. Due to our recent storms...
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Florence (Kloss) Wehseler, 96-year-old resident of Little Falls, MN formerly of Tofte, MN passed away Saturday, December 31, 2022, at St. Otto’s Care Center in Little Falls, MN, A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN with Father Patrick Hoeft officiating. Burial will take place in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN. A visitation will be held from 10:00-11:30 A.M. on Thursday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN. Christian Mothers will pray...
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Howard Arthur Sivertson (Bud, Buddy) age 92, died on January 4, 2023 at the Silver Bay Veterans Home. He was born on May 31, 1930 in Duluth, Minnesota to parents, Arthur and Myrtle Sivertson. He is survived by his wife Elaine Schmidt Sivertson of 39 years, Grand Marais, and his children: Jan Sivertson, Grand Marais; Jeff Sivertson (Sue), Duluth; and Liz Sivertson, Grand Marais; his grandchildren: Chris Sivertson (Ashley), Grand Marais; Anne Sivertson, Superior, Wisconsin; step grand children: Clay Gruber (Kia), Grand Marais; Lily Gruber-Schulz, Thunder Bay, Ontario; great-grandchildren: Sam and Steve Sivertson, Grand Marais; and step great-grandchild, Louie Gruber,...
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Bonoff, Barry Snyder age 91, of Minnetonka, Minnesota, passed away on December 25th, 2022. Born on June 30th, 1931, in Omaha, Nebraska to S’reve and Joseph Bonoff, he grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Barry attended Washburn High School, with a stint at Shattuck St. Mary’s, made short when he called a cab to sneak home while his parents were out of town and never returned. He went on to the University of Minnesota, graduating with a degree in political science. After college he joined the Army and rose the ranks to serve in the Army Counterintelligence Corps. His intelligence service,...
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If you read last week’s Cook County Herald article about the Cook County Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light meeting on January 9th, 7:00 p.m., and were unable to join us, we would like to apologize for the technical difficulty that caused us to not be able to open the Zoom meeting that was printed. We did have some of our members and community whom we could contact join us on a different Zoom meeting. We are going ahead to have another Earth Day Fair on April 22nd at the Cook County Community Building. The next planning meeting will be on...
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This past month at North Shore Living we had some wild and whacky times. Along with all of our usual activities we made lots of cookies, had lots of parties and did a lot of decorating. We held a facility wide craft, plant and goodie sale on Friday, Dec 9th raising money we put towards new Christmas trees for next year. Whoever wanted to wrote Christmas cards and we had one hootin’ of a time at our Bean Bidding Auction. Twice a year I put out a plea to staff for trinkets, new or gently used items and always for...
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Recent warm weather has allowed hoar frost to turn the wilderness into an enchanted crystal forest.
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These two students said this day made the top three days of their whole lives when they discovered an antler set on a class quest for animal evidence! Ms. Silence’s class also documented grouse tracks, rabbit scat, deer scat and a deer bed. Birch Grove Community School students see these things quite often in the woods, however, they don’t often find antlers. The boys found the antlers in one of their favorite places to play - we guess that the deer like to play there too!
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Hudson Ledeen has some big shoes to fill. As of January 4, 2023, Hudson took over the conservation officer position held by Mary Manning, who retired at the end of the year. Mary, a well-known dog musher, began her DNR conservation officer career in Cook County in 2005. After completing 16 weeks of training, Hudson graduated from the Conservation Academy on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at Camp Ripley. He was one of eighteen graduates who are trained to enforce state laws on game and fish, wetlands and waters, recreational vehicles, wildland fire, invasive species, and assist in teaching safety training...
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A couple share a recent sunset from the walkway leading to the Coast Guard Lighthouse.
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State Auditor Julie Blaha has released the annual Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Legislative Report for 2021 activity reported in 2022. “TIF districts are ending early more often – and that’s good news,” said Auditor Blaha. “The benefits of TIF for taxpayers are realized when a district ends and the new value becomes part of the tax base. Early decertifications show that once planned costs are paid, authorities are closing districts and reaping those benefits.” Tax increment financing is a financing tool for redevelopment, housing, and economic development projects that allows authorities to use the incremental property taxes (i.e. “tax increments”),...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News- Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. William Alfred Schmidthuber, 55, Le Center, Minnesota, pled guilty on December 27, 2022, to a misdemeanor of DWI - Operating a Motor Vehicle with an Alcohol Concentration above 0.08 within two hours of the offense on November...
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Lloyd Chase and Deonn Cicak of Schroeder, aka Santa and Mrs. Clause, delighted children with a visit after the Birch Grove Community School musical, A Bear-y, Merry Holiday on the evening of December 20. They gave out bear mementos from the musical and candy canes to those children that waited in line to greet the famous couple. The Santa visit, cookies, and the Scholastic Holiday Bookfair was a great way to end this special evening!
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Saturday, January 7 brought nearly perfect skiing conditions to Giants Ridge for one of the biggest Nordic ski meets in the Midwest. 57 teams arrived for a full day of classic skiing in the morning and freestyle or “skate” skiing in the afternoons. The North Shore Storm Nordic ski team represented the north shore well. Four girls raced JV: Ava Oswald-Swenson and Signe Myers (Classic) and Emma Crook and Quincy Hurth (Freestyle). Three boys raced JV: Eli Smith (getting 7th in the Classic race), Keean Selin (Classic), and Ethan Fish (Freestyle). Three boys raced Varsity Classic: Cyrus Myers (26th with...
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Last weekend was a big day for the Sawtooth Mountain Racing kennel. Husband and wife Matthew Schmidt and Erin Altemus each won their races. Erin Altemus’s dog sled team took first place in the Gunflint Mail Run’s 8-dog team, and Matt won the 12-dog team event, the longer of the two races; this was Matt’s second win in a row. Matt’s team finished the 80-mile race in 6:31.08., more than half an hour ahead of Alaska’s Ryan Reddington Callin’ Trail Kennel team. Only six teams finished the 80-mile competition that included a four-hour layover at Trail Center, which also served...
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Wigeon was a beautiful dog named after a beautiful duck. His master was a hunter and photographer, a good man that cared deeply about his dog and his family. I did some commercial artwork for their home-based business and Wigeon would keep me company in the basement studio. Wigeon was smart, quiet, gentle, strong, and loyal, truly a man’s best friend. Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604....
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The Cook County Historical Society needs help identifying people in this picture. The photo is from the Clearwater school. Please use the photo ID A057 and send your reply to history@boreal.org.
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We lost two old, old white pines (Pinus strobus) over at our operation within the last month. Of course, everyone saw the one that came down on 61 on the end of the north side sidewalk, across our two-car parking spot, the top of the white pine come just out onto the shoulder of 61, the other end uprooted, the roots now standing up like a palm and fingers waving goodbye to that thicket of balsam firs (Abies balsamea) and those Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana) and a couple bent birch (Betula papyrifera). When it stood, reaching high to the sky,...
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The crew at Joy & Co. sponsored the first Chamber Connect of 2023. On Thursday, January 5th, a group of local business owners, community leaders, and community members joined in the spirit of networking at Joy & Co. Linda Jurek, Director of the Cook County Chamber of Commerce, commented that the turnout was exceptional with new business owners attending providing the opportunity to introduce themselves, have a snack and a beverage, and simply get to know one another. Joy & Co., located in downtown Grand Marais, supports more than 130 local artists and entrepreneurs. #smalldoorbigstore is part of the mission;...
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To write about a thing, like, say, I don’t know, hypothetically, an ode, you might really want to have an intimate knowledge of the thing. Or perhaps you might want to really get to know the thing, so you spend hours and days and weeks researching the thing. Or you might chat with experts, folks that spend their life studying the vicissitudes of the thing. Or, then again, you might just be a columnist. In a world with self-proclaimed experts who, in fact, are just making this up as they go, I find that columnists often (not always) stand apart...
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The CCHS boys’ basketball team took on the Floodwood Polar Bears last Friday at home and the game was close throughout. The Vikings trailed by one point, 35-36 at the half, but the Polar Bears pulled away to take a 66-57 victory. Senior guard Derek Smith led the Vikings with 18 points, 11 rebounds, five steals, and five assists. Derek was 9-15 from the field for a 60 percent shooting ratio. Sophomore guard Denali Blackwell scored 16 points, pulled down ten rebounds, and he had three assists. Denali made four baskets coming from behind the three-point line. Sophomore guard Rohan...
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Competitors in the 2023 Norpine Fat Bike Classic couldn’t have asked for a better day to ride than race day, Saturday, January 7. With temperatures hovering in the low 20s and little wind, it was a great day to be outside on the wooded Norpine trails in Lutsen. Bot h races started and finished at Cascade Lodge. Riders who entered the 20-mile-long race went out first, followed by entrants in the 14-mile race. 20-mile race All told, 33 riders, 30 men, and three women raced the 20-mile event. Placing first was Jacob Olsen, 30, of Roseville. Jacob beat Chase Sams,...
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Rev. William Douglas (Bill) Christ Pastor Bill Christ, beloved child of God, died on January 2, 2023, after a lengthy illness, comforted by his wife, Beryl Singleton Bissell. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Agnes, and Francesca Maria Bosca, Beryl’s daughter. He was born in Buffalo Center, Iowa, on September 3, 1948, and studied at Waldorf and Wartburg Colleges in Iowa, the Goethe German Language Institute in Passau, Germany, Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, and other institutes of higher learning. He and Beryl married in 1996. Bill believed his mission in life was simply to...
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CARLTON HOCKEY TOURNAMENT Here is M-2 hockey action at the Carlton Tournament last weekend in Duluth. The M-1s and M-2s had the exciting experience of playing on UMD Bulldog ice at the DECC. M-1 players are between ages 5 and 7 and are coached by Brian Cooley and Nate Sheils. They are sponsored by Joynes Ben Franklin. M-2 players are ages 8 or 9 and are coached by Paul Sporn, Steve DuChien, and Mike Prom. They are sponsored by the Lake Superior Trading Post.
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On Monday, January 9, a team of Cook County residents that has been working on local climate change issues since 2021 will renew their work. The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. online, and the group welcomes new members. Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83501466141 The Cook County Climate Team, created by members of four local churches with help from Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light (MNIPL), sees climate change as a matter of faith and conscience and seeks to bring people together for meaningful, hopeful action. In 2022, they partnered with Cook County Local Energy Projects (CCLEP) to sponsor an Earth Day celebration attended...
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Did you receive the same Christmas greeting from VERIZON that I did? “Your device has been suspended. Upgrade your device today.” I tried to upgrade my device at least five different times before Christmas. Beginning early in 2022, VERIZON customers received this notice: “Action is required on your account. Our 3G network is shutting down. One or more of your devices will stop working on January 1, 2023. We’re here to help.” My device was a Samsung Gusto flip phone from 2009. It worked great right to the end. After doing some research, I found a smartphone that I liked....
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This last week visitors to the Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts lobby were greeted to a wide display of colorful gingerbread houses. Children visiting with their families over the holidays made the creative collection, with more than 35 gingerbread houses spread out across three tables and on the floor. Kits for the houses were provided by the resort.
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in fishing and outdoor skills to tune in to upcoming webinars that will discuss camp cooking and ice fishing for lake trout. The first webinar was at noon Wednesday, Jan. 4. Jason Jech, executive director of the Red Wing Environmental Learning Center, will discuss camp cooking, including what to bring, what not to bring, and how to cook food that will nourish, sustain and taste good. The second webinar is at noon Wednesday, Jan. 11. Scott Mackenthun, an avid ice angler and Minnesota DNR fisheries supervisor in Hutchinson, will discuss the...
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Winter is here and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has tips for anyone who wants to try ice fishing. The DNR’s learn to ice fish page (mndnr.gov/GoFishing/Learn-Ice-Fish.html) has information about how to search for fishing lakes online with DNR LakeFinder, how to dress, thrifty ways to get fishing equipment, and how to catch fish through the ice. The DNR also has recorded webinars that share tips on ice fishing. One webinar covers how to catch panfish through the ice and another webinar covers how to catch northern pike through the ice. Both webinars are available on the DNR’s webinar...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked the BWCAW trout opener with several officers. Hard work was put in from a few anglers clearing portages and fighting deep slush to get to their...
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I belong to two book clubs, and once a year, we get together in December to share inspirations. These can be poems, stories, readings and even songs. One dear friend sang us a Santa Mouse song. It is extraordinary. The Garden of Daily Living message touched me the most, and I thought it would be an excellent way to start our year together. I researched and could not find the original author. It is a simple message that goes straight to the heart. “A GARDEN FOR DAILY LIVING” Plant three rows of peas: Peas of mind Peas of heart Peas...
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This time of year, everyone’s talking about one thing: how much collective weight we put on in December. (I know I did my part.) On a not unrelated note, they’re also talking about New Year’s Resolutions or NYRs as no one calls them. The thing I like about NYRs is that they’re cheap. To quote Jim Belushi in Animal House who was talking about beer, “Don’t cost nothing.” The same is true of NYRs. These things are absolutely free and only as limited as your willingness to dream them up. Except research shows only 75 percent of people make it...
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Northeast MN – The Northland Foundation announces that Northland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) business consultants, Vicki Hagberg and Curt Walczak, have been promoted to new leadership positions. Hagberg takes on the role of Regional Director, and Walczak steps into the position of Associate Director. The Foundation is the regional host organization for the Northland SBDC within northeast Minnesota. Vicki Hagberg joined the Northland SBDC as a business consultant in 2020 and has been serving as Associate Director of the program since September 2021. In her upcoming role as Regional Director of the Northland Small Business Development Center program, she...
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Now familiar warning to Readers: This column has attenuated ties to Minnesota Highway 61. If that offends you, turn the page. Ties do exist--the writer resides two blocks from 61; he read the e-book version while here; he once visited Marseilles and Perpignan castle near Spain; and in 1973, he knew Marly Rusoff, whose uber-literary agency repped author Meg Waite Clayton. I finished reading The Postmistress of Paris today. It is a moving love and adventure story of an American woman (Nanee) who helps Hitler’s refugee artists leave Vichy France up to 1941. Many of the characters are based on...
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The 2023 Minnesota legislative session convened Tuesday in Saint Paul. Rep. Dave Lislegard (DFL – Aurora) took the oath of office to begin his third term in the Minnesota House, while Sen. Grant Hauschild (DFL – Hermantown) was sworn in for his first term in the Minnesota Senate. “I’m grateful to the people of the Iron Range for giving me the honor of serving them again at the State Capitol and representing the region I call home,”Rep. Lislegard said. “This session, lawmakers will have a tremendous responsibility to address the challenges people are facing. As the only Iron Rangers serving...
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When she’s not busy helping Debbie Benedict with recycling, Gretta can be found chasing a ball, eating food off the floor, and cuddling. Debbie said Gretta is especially good at cuddling. Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Grand Marais photographer David Johnson took some sunset photos of the skies over Lake Superior following the end of the bomb cyclone that haunted us for more than three long days. The following mornings David caught some breathtaking golden sunrise photos over the lake.
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Fans of sled dog racing will watch some truly great dog teams vie for cash prizes this weekend in one of two race sled dog races held during the Gunflint Mail Run. Some of the best viewpoints will be at Trail Center Lodge, the start and finish of the races. Big Bear Lodge and Rockwood Lodge also have areas to view the race, and some sites along the course are available. Go to the Gunflint Mail Run website to find other viewing areas. The race organizer asks that you refrain from bringing your dog(s) to the race with you. The...
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The Cook County Boys’ varsity basketball team played two games in the Ely Holiday tournament, both losses, but the court experience was invaluable for his young team, said Head Coach Keaton Riley. Up first was a game against the host Ely Timberwolves. Ely beat the Vikings 87-22. Sophomore guard Rohan Rude led the team in scoring with nine points. Binesii Aubid, a junior, and Derek Smith, a senior, both had 3 points. Next was a game against Bigfork. Like the Timberwolves, the Huskies had a strong line-up of veteran players and a solid bench. When the game was over the...
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After two runs, Cy Oberholtzer navigated the slalom course’s tight turns and steep descent faster than everyone else at the Koo Koo Invite to take individual honors. Not far behind Cy was his teammate, Ray Dressely. Still, despite taking first and second, the boys’ team was edged by mighty Duluth East for the team championship. “After the first run, we had dreams of a clean podium sweep,” said Head Coach John Oberholtzer. “Ben Obinger had a great first run and was in third place behind Cy and Ray. However, Ben crashed on his second run, and we lost to Duluth...
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The women in that village burned coconut husks for the cooking. They woke early in the morning in the darkness and gathered in the back cooking area in the half light, and although that land was in the subtropics, still it was in the northern hemisphere, and Lunar New Year came always in January or February – in the heart of winter by our standards – and it was chilly in the mornings, so that when I watched the women cooking in the morning they wore great coats of wool or felt or down, secondhand coats from the First World,...
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This photo was believed to have been taken in the late 1930s. If you know who these people are and what was taking place, please identify them from left to right and indicate what was going on. Send your reply back to history@boreal.org and use the photo ID A138b.
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Recently the Kettelkamps were surprised to see a bobcat pawing their birdfeeder. The cat was looking for a free meal, either suet or a bird who might come along and frequent the feeder while the cat held it steady.
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Following a week-long stay in a hospital, imminent Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) moose and whitetail deer researcher Glenn Del Giudice passed away on December 23, 2022. He was 68, reportedly one week away from retirement. Glen spent three decades as the Minnesota DNR Deer Project leader in the Forest Wildlife Populations Research Group. In 2012 he accepted the role as the state’s Moose Project leader. When the moose population crashed in Minnesota in 2006, Glenn’s cutting edge research into what was killing moose was at the forefront. In recent years Glenn was also in charge of filing the...
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Library Friends of Cook County is happy to announce that five area libraries have received assistance grants totaling ,850.00, from funds raised during the 2022 grant cycle. Grant recipients for the winter grant cycle are: • Birch Grove Charter School granted [post_excerpt],000.00 for student and staff chosen book titles. • Great Expectations Charter School granted [post_excerpt],000.00 for new non-fiction and naturalist books. • Oshki Ogimaag Charter School granted [post_excerpt],000 to purchase new books, K-6th grade. • Grand Marais Public Library’s request for 0.00 to support the Friday Night Reels winter film series which begins January 6th, 2023. • Cook County...
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According to the Army Corps of Engineers December 30, 2022, weekly Great Lakes Water Level Update, Lake Superior is 10 inches higher than last year, while the other Great Lakes are 5 to 17 inches below last year’s levels. Recent big snows and rain have added lots of water to the Great Lakes. According to the report, “A bomb cycle brought subfreezing temperatures and strong winds to the eastern half of the United States last weekend. On December 23, the daily high temperature in Duluth, Minnesota and Chicago, Illinois, were 2 and -1 degrees (F), respectively. Temperatures were around 20-30...
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A structure fire at 11 Poplar Creek Drive in the mid-Gunflint Trail area, was reported at 10:58 p.m., on Dec 28, 2022. Responding units arrived to find multiple structures engulfed in flames. The reporting party also stated that there was possibly a man and a dog in one of the units. Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department arrived on the scene at 11:29 p.m. Curry Richard Thompson, age 50, of Cook County, and his dog were victims of the fire. “It is absolutely devastating to lose a life to fire and our sympathy is with the family of Curry Thompson”, said...
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Congratulations to Cook County’s incoming Minnesota State Legislators; Representative-elect Roger Skraba (R) and Senator-elect Grant Hauschild (D). These new leaders will participate in one of the most important legislative sessions in history; with once-in-a-generation opportunities to help our communities make major investments in infrastructure, energy savings, improved public health and a cleaner environment. Passage of Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework, shaped by many Minnesota voices, offers a unique opportunity for investing in our state’s families and communities, creating new jobs, and improving our health, agriculture, forests and environment: https://climate.state.mn.us/minnesotas-climate-action-framework Our legislators must help all Minnesotans access these benefits with the massive...
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Our mom recently died after five years at the Care Center. We are so fortunate to have the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, Northshore Hospital, and the Care Center located in our community. They took such good care of her in a setting the staff has worked hard to make feel like a home. And, when her time was coming to an end, the End of Life Doulas were able to support us in a way that was supportive and respectful. Thank you to all who cared for her along the way. The Family of Jean Roberts
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Reprinted from The Ranger, a publication of the IRRRB With my retirement date drawing near, I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect back with gratitude on a wonderful eight years as commissioner. It has been my privilege and honor to serve northeastern Minnesota as a representative of both the Dayton and Walz administrations. Whether expanding child care, increasing broadband access, improving downtowns, strengthening education, or enhancing outdoor recreation, I’m proud of our efforts to make the region stronger and better positioned for the future. None of this would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our...
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It’s not often one sees a Snowy Owl but Paul Sundberg was lucky enough to not only see this magnificent bird but to also capture a picture of it flying from its lofty perch.
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Cook County Board of Commissioners met on January 3, 2023, to conduct their annual organizational meeting. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, all Cook County elected officials, Commissioners Deb White, District 1; Dave Mills, District 3; Stacey Hawkins, District 2; Ann Sullivan, District 4, and Ginny Storlie, District 5; Sheriff Pat Eliasen, Attorney Molly Hickens, Recorder Dusty Nelms and Auditor/Treasurer Braidy Powers took the Oath of Office read by Cook County Clerk of Court Administrator Kim Shepard. New this year to the board is Deb White. White defeated Yastrianne Spry in the general election to replace Robert (Bob) Svaleson, who decided...
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With steep discounts of 75 percent off of merchandise, Frist & Second Thrift Store was a busy place last Saturday. People walked through the aisles of clothes and knickknacks and picked up things they might need, or, as one woman said to her girlfriends as she held up a dress, “I don’t need this, but at this price, I can’t go wrong.” Helping the shoppers were Lois Johnson and Chris Silence. Lois Johnson has been involved with the First and Second Thrift Store since its beginnings, more than 15 years of planning and working as a dedicated volunteer. She and...
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The 15-day lottery registration window opened January 1 and closes January 15 for the Superior Spring Trail Races. The drawing will be held January 25 to see who gets into the field. Runners will toe the line in Lutsen at Caribou Highland Lodge on Saturday May 20, 2023, to compete in one of three events, the 50km, 25km or 12.5km trail races. The events will be held on the rugged Superior Hiking Trail. How tough are these competitions? Race organizer John Storkamp advises, “While the distance of the 12.5K (7.75 mile) race may be inviting to newer trail runners, we...
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On January 3, eight cross country ski teams from Section 7 gathered to race under the lights of Pine Valley Center in Cloquet, Minnesota. Aptly named, the Nordic center has towering pines that line the trail creating a magical scene for skiing (although those pines do create a bit of debris on the trails!). This should have been the North Shore Storm’s third race, but the first two were canceled in December due to weather. So, we were excited to finally get to a meet and put our training into action. The meet began with mass starts for the junior...
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The Cook County High School Girls’ basketball team played two games in the Ely Holiday tournament, taking a win over the Carlton Bulldogs and losing the second game to Bigfork 68-39. The game against Carlton was completed in time for last week’s newspaper, but the second game happened after the paper was put to bed. With the loss, the Viking’s record is 2-2 for the season. Bigfork, said Viking Head Coach Kelly Hawsen, “Was a very scrappy, physical team. We struggled at times with scoring and rebounding but had some good runs at times.” Senior forward Katie Peck led the...
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CAPT Loren R. Leslie, MC, USNR (Ret) of Lutsen and Minnetonka, MN, died on 31 December, 2022 at the age of 88. He was born in Fillmore County Minnesota and attended LeRoy High School. He went on to attend the University of Minnesota, graduating with Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Doctor of Medicine degrees. In 1955 he wed his high school sweetheart, Arlene Kivell, and they remained happily married for 58 years until her death in 2013. After Medical School he completed two years of active duty with the Navy, before returning to Minnesota to specialize in Physical...
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Age 93 of Hovland and Grand Marais, Minnesota February 3, 1929 – December 29, 2022 Korean War Army Veteran, Member of American Legion Post 413 Funeral Mass, January 12, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church, 10 East 5th St., Grand Marais, Minnesota Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2nd St, Duluth Minnesota 55805, 218-727- 3555. Please visit: www.dfhduluth.com to sign the online guest book.
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The people of Cook County elect the County Attorney to act as the chief prosecutor for crimes occurring in Cook County and the City of Grand Marais and to advise the county board and staff upon all matters in which the county is or may be interested. When most people consider what the Cook County Attorney is responsible for (if they do), they likely think of the county attorney in her role as chief prosecutor for the county, charging complaints and making court appearances in criminal court; or in her role at the dais with the county commissioners, advising them...
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PRESENTING TIBERIUS ELI RIDLBAUER Jeremy and Christina Ridlbauer are pleased to introduce Tiberius Eli. Ty was born on November 21, 2012, at 3:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth. Ty’s grandparents are Steve and Candy Ridlbauer of Loves Park, Illinois, and Gail Packer of Grand Marais, Minnesota. He is also loved by great-grandparents Charles and Joyce Ridlbauer of Rockford, Illinois, and Doris Kindrick of Springfield, Oregon.
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Cook County Emergency Management would like to share some friendly winter safety reminders as we move into the new year and rest of winter. Many of us use wood for heating. Please make sure to burn clean, dry wood, and most importantly, have your chimney cleaned frequently. Your home should be equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure they are in good working order. Test them often and replace old batteries. Check your furnace and dryer vents to ensure they are not clogged. Keep snow cleared away from these vents. Emergency vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances...
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West End townships election period starts now, Board supervisor and Treasurer positions on March ballot Candidates file for office through January 17 Lutsen, Schroeder and Tofte, the three townships in Cook County, hold annual elections each March. On the ballot this year are one of the three Supervisors and the Treasurer. Candidates for the positions can file their nomination papers between now and January 17. The election date is March 14, the day of the township annual meetings. Township board Supervisors serve threeyear terms while Treasurers are elected for two years. Many of the incumbents whose terms are ending have...
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The county approved a 2023 preliminary levy of ,601,646 on September 13. This was an increase of 5.5% over the 2022 levy and determined the upper limit for the 2023 final levy. The board also set the date for the truth-in-taxation (TNT) meeting as Tuesday November 29 at 6:00 p.m. The truth-in-taxation statements were mailed to taxpayers the week of November 14 and they showed large valuation increases across all major property classes. The county-wide average value increase over the previous year was about 35%. At the public meeting on November 29 the concerns raised by taxpayers in attendance centered...
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Over the last year, Ruby’s Pantry has donated 2199 shares (boxes) of food in Cook County, reports Beth Kennedy, one of the lead volunteers. At per share, most, but not all, people can afford to purchase a large box of food through Ruby’s. However, those who can’t afford to pay are not turned away. “One lady came through and dropped a bill in and told me that there is a black truck in back of her and she would like to pay for them and added that they have no money,” wrote Craig Peterson, a Ruby’s Pantry volunteer....
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Boreal Community Media, a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization that operates a community news and information website at boreal.org has announced the winners in its recent Winter Storm Photo Contest. Boreal.org invited residents and visitors of Northeast Minnesota to submit their photographs from the record-breaking winter storm which the National Weather Service (NWS) in Duluth named the “Blue Blizzard” of December 13-16, 2022. According to the NWS: “The density of the snowpack exacerbated the quality of the snow to absorb the red end of the visible light spectrum, transmitting the blue end which led to many folks observing a glacier blue...
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Chris Allen will open the community art show “Deep Winter Dreaming” on January 6th at the Johnson Heritage Post. She will also offer a bracelet beading workshop on Saturday, January 7th at 1 p.m. All are welcome. Chris Allen writes: “An artist and gardener all my life, I love to play in the dirt, growing food and flowers. Moving to Rochester, Minnesota in 2015, I learned about the garden plots of The Village Agricultural Cooperative. The Village is a collaborative of people from all over the world who are growing food together in individual 20’x30’ community gardens, supporting over 200...
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Michael Charles Taapa, 80, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 25th, 2022, at home in Grand Portage. Mike was born December 17th, 1942, to Helge and Lila (Mattson) Taapa. He grew up in Embarrass, Minnesota and loved spending time at the family cabin that he helped his dad build, on Lake Vermilion. Mike enjoyed outdoor activities: fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, ATV-ing, flying, and boating. Mike was a proud member of Local 106 Painter Union. He spent time salmon fishing in Alaska. He was a flight instructor and flew float planes for Wilderness Wings out of Ely, Minnesota. He also delivered new...
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Wicked winds pounded Cook County for most of three straight days leading up to Christmas Day. The unrelenting ferocity caused multiple power outages, taking down trees, ripping shingles from roofs-- even parts of the roof of the Market and Moose Tracks came off and vents from South of the Border Café (SOB) were torn from the roof, causing SOB to close indefinitely. The Duluth Weather Service said gale winds reached 74 miles per hour at about 11:30 a.m. on Friday, December 23. That’s the second highest wind reading ever recorded for the harbor. The City of Grand Marais suffered five...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town...
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Following the recent big storms and cold have been spectacular sunsets. A small jewel for those of us living through what is shaping up to be another long, hard winter.
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I hate to be indelicate, but it’s high time that we all wipe more responsibly. Yup. I mean our bottoms. The NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) recently published their annual survey on the sustainability of toilet paper brands, and it opened my eyes. (Google Issue With Tissue 2022 to check it out.) I had no idea that most of our toilet paper comes from Canadian virgin timber, and it turns out the boreal forest is the world’s most carbon-dense forest. Who knew? Extending from the northern U.S. through Canada, the boreal forest holds twice as much carbon in its soils...
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The Cook County girls’ varsity basketball team took the floor against North Shore rival Silver Bay on Tuesday, December 20, and came away with a 63-40 victory. Once again senior forward Katie Peck led the team in scoring. Peck nailed five three-point baskets on her way to making 23 points. Senior guard Makenzie Fairbanks also played a strong game, finishing with 20 points, making two long shots from behind the three-point line. Other Vikings to score baskets were Molly Quello, who had ten points, Amery Oberg four, and Mataya Fairbanks had two points in the game. The game was played...
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BIRCH GROVE LIBRARIAN AND FRIENDS Dianne Schwecke, a retired librarian, volunteers her time each week at Birch Grove Community School. She is pictured here with students, holding a letter from Library Friends of Cook County awarding the library 0. Birch Grove Administrator Diane Blanchette said, “Thank you to both Mrs. Schwecke and Friends of the Library for contributing to our school! We couldn’t do it without you!”
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Just what was 2022? Like many years that came before it, 2022 was also a year. But 2022 was different in that it was new. Many experts say 2022 was the newest year thus far. The years that came before 2022 – and this goes for all of the years – were old. They came and went. But 2022 seems to really be hanging around, here and now. It’s almost like 2022 is happening right-this-second. Whereas, other, older years seem to be a thing of the past. On the other hand, 2022 seems really au courant. Many journalists like to...
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When it comes to Christmas gifts, Cook County was gifted something that we can all appreciate and be thankful for….ELECTRICITY. Mother nature wreaked havoc on North America this past week. Some had it much worse than others…but few escaped her wrath. When the power went out on Friday during sub zero temperatures and high wind gusts, many county residents were in peril. When we lose the conveniences of electricity that also means our primary source of heat has been compromised. Even if you use propane for your heat source, you still need electricity to run the pump and blowers to...
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The second public input meeting will be held for the current solicitation of the IIJA RAISE Grant for the Gunflint Trail Improvement Project at the Schaap Community Center from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2023. After the tremendous turnout from the first listening session this second session will focus on presenting the first draft of the proposed project. Maintaining the natural and historic qualities of the trail along with vehicular and pedestrian safety improvements were a few of the major items that rose to the surface of comments received during the first listening session. A zoom option will...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Local author Tim Cochrane hits all of the right notes with this book, a love story about a couple who lived through many hardships and significant changes that occurred in Canada, Minnesota, and Michigan’s Isle Royale. Okay, Cochrane, a historian, wouldn’t classify this as a love story, but it comes across that way to me as he introduces John Linklater and his wife, Tchi-Ki-Wis. Cochrane’s research and prose guide the reader through the epic lives of John Linklater and his wife, Tchi-Ki-Wis, who lived from the 1870s to the early 1930s. John Linklater was Metis, coming from Cree, Anishinaabeg, and...
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The beautiful little dog RD came to Bill’s rescue at a sad time in Bill’s life. Only one week had passed since the other dog Buttons had died in an accident. Buttons had been with Bill Elstad and Ardyce Dalbec for eight years and had become the “little boy” that they never had. Little RD could not replace Buttons, but she has taken over the duties of looking after Bill. That is something RD takes very seriously!
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Building muscle mass is about more than just looking buff or opening jars. Whether you refer to this process as strength training, resistance training, or weight lifting, the benefits are surprisingly wide-ranging: Reduced amounts of abdominal fat. Improved cardiovascular health and reduced cancer risk. Better blood sugar control. Reduce the chance of injuries, while improving flexibility and mobility. Prevention and management of osteoporosis. Better management of chronic conditions. Improved brain functioning and stronger mental health. Improved body image. A longer life- and health span. When the body is building muscle, three factors come into play: mechanical tension, muscle damage, and...
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The Viking’s girls’ basketball team squared off against two opponents in the Ely Holiday tournament. Both games came on Wednesday, December 28. Up first was a game against Carlton. The girl’s got off to a great start, leading the Bulldogs 32-19 at the half. Carlton scored 25 on the second half but the Vikings held on to take the 51-44 victory. “The girls played with a lot of heart and intensity,” said Viking Head Coach Kelly Hawsen. “They also passed the ball well and rebounded, playing a great team game.” Amery Oberg led the Vikings with 18 points, three baskets...
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The Cook County High School Basketball team travelled to Ely this past week to take part in the Ely Holiday tournament. On Tuesday, December 27, the boys squared off against the Ely Timberwolves and lost 87-22. Cook County scored 12 points in the first half and ten in the second. Sophomore Denali Blackwell led the team in scoring with ten points. Denali also had one block in the game. Fellow sophomore Rohan Rude added six points and two assists. Senior guard Derek Smith finished with three points. With the loss the boys’ record fell to 0-2 on the year. On...
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The Cook County Historic Society needs help identifying the CCHS football players in this picture. Start in the front row with the names of the kids and coaches from left to right. Please email the historical society at history@boreal.com.
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Jeremy Ridlbauer, Grand Marais Audubon Christmas Bird Count Compiler, reports, “We had generally low numbers for all species due to the snowstorms knocking birds out of the area last week. But, looking at the results, we all did ok considering the previous week conditions.” The count was held Saturday, December 17, for the Grand Marais CBC, which is a 7.5-mile radius circle from a point 3 miles south of the middle of Devil Track Lake. The count circle covers Highway 61 to Lindskog Road and north, some of County Road 60, Gunflint Trail to the landfill road, Pine Mountain Road...
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The Cook County YMCA Northerns Swim Team hosted a swim meet at the Cook County YMCA in Grand Marais on Saturday, December 17th. Twenty participants from the Northerns competed against 28 swimmers from Superior and 38 swimmers from Duluth, and many placed in the top five in their events. In all, the Northern swimmers finished 1st in eight races; 2nd in 10 races; 3rd in eight races; 4th in four races and 5th in five races. “It was great to see our swimmers competing here at home for the first time this season! Our swimmers are often the visiting team...
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This December, the American Community Survey (ACS) released its 2021 five-year estimates. This data release offers the first glimpse into trends since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and provides some evidence on population trends that have long been subject to speculation. • Five of eight Northland counties (Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Lake, and Douglas) have added population since 2016, while population loss in Itasca and St. Louis Counties was negligible. • Over the past five years, population growth exceeded 20 percent in Gnesen and Normanna Townships north of Duluth, plus the Town of Parkland just south of Superior. Outside of...
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The eight-member Iron Range Resources Rehabilitation Advisory Board approved more than million in economic development funding at their last board meeting of the year held on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, in Virginia, Minnesota. Among the dollars spread across the region to develop housing, help with schools, cities, townships and private business upgrades was a grant to the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) for 0,000 for infrastructure and site work for a .8 million transfer station in Grand Marais. The 22,000 square foot transfer station will be built by North Shore Waste (NSW) and be powered by solar...
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According to the 2022 Minnesota Student Survey conducted by the Minnesota Department of Health, students are experiencing an unprecedented amount of long-term mental health, behavioral or emotional problems. The study also looked at students’ commercial tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and sexual activity in 2022, More than 135,000 students completed the survey with nearly all doing so in-person at school between January and June 2022. This group of students reported greater struggles with mental health, such as depression and anxiety, than at any other time in the history of the survey, which began in 1989 and occurs every three years. The 2022...
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The vote to raise commissioner pay was 3-2 in favor. The article last week stated commissioner’s voted 5-0 to support a pay raise for themselves. Commissioners Bob Svalsen and Ginny Storlie voted against the increase while Commissioners Stacy Hawkins, David Mills and Ann Sullivan voted for the ,600 per year pay increase. The News Herald regrets the error.
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Here we are on the cusp of a New Year, readying our voices for Auld Lang Syne with some fortified eggnog. If we are reading this paper, compared to most people in the world, we are very, very lucky. Lucky to have walls, roof, and heat—and folks who plow snow. Lucky to have four grocery stores nearby and food shelves, too. Lucky to still have our democracy. And we are lucky enough to have survived a difficult year, back on whose columns we now look. We began 2022 by learning from Native Stone that stone “cairns serve as Sacrifice Rocks,...
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Unlike some winters, cross country and downhill skiers have been blessed with an abundance of snow this winter to ply their sports. That said, Lutsen Mountains is reporting great downhill skiing. For a full report on what hills are open, please go to the Lutsen Mountains website. Nordic skiers have over 350 miles of groomed ski trails to choose from in Cook County. Golden Eagle Lodge reports that as of December 26, “All trails are cleared and freshly groomed again including lake crossings across Flour and Aspen Lakes. About 85 percent of the trail system is open for both classic...
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Last week’s snowstorm that dropped heavy, wet snow across much of the state has significantly affected ice conditions, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Slush adds weight to the ice and its effects can be unpredictable. In some areas, slushy conditions are impacting travel on the ice, while in others — especially where ice was in the early stages of forming — the conditions are not adequate to support ice shelters and vehicles, resulting in breakthroughs. When on the ice, people should check the thickness for themselves and not rely on tracks in the snow or what they’ve...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Dennis Ray Lecy Jr, 58, Robbinsdale, Minnesota, pled guilty November 30, 2022, to a gross misdemeanor of DWI - Third Degree Driving While Impaired, on September 10, 2022. Sentenced on December 8, 2022, to Local Confinement (180 Days...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! There were no CO reports available from the Two Harbors area which takes in Cook and Lake County. CO Chris Vinton (Perham) continued field training COC Znajda. They are starting to see...
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For the first time, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Roundtable — an annual gathering of conservation partners to discuss fisheries, wildlife, and ecological and water resource topics — will include an open registration opportunity for what has historically been an invitation-only event. The 2023 DNR Roundtable is scheduled for Friday, January 20. The opportunity to register for one of a limited number of free, first-come, first-served slots will open at noon Wednesday, December 28. The DNR’s Roundtable page (mndnr.gov/roundtable) will include a registration link. The Roundtable provides a forum for Minnesota’s conservation community to engage with each other and...
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If you live in the township of Lutsen, Tofte, or Schroeder and want to run for a township position, now is your chance. The cost to file for all townships is and is non-refundable. Lutsen has a three-year Supervisor position and a two-year Treasurer position on the ballot. The sign-up period to run in Lutsen began December 30 and runs to 5 p.m. January 12, 2023. The last day to withdraw is January 17 at 5 p.m. Affidavits for candidacy are in the county auditor’s office or Lutsen town office and shall be filed in person with the Lutsen...
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Cook County Highway Engineer Robert (Robbie) Hass appeared before the Cook County Commissioners at the board’s December 20 meeting and made several requests. First, Hass asked commissioners to pass a resolution allowing the highway department to act as a sponsoring agency for the Gunflint Trail Multi-use Trail seeking TA Program funds. Sponsorship includes that the county would share in the cost of the job and be responsible for getting the work to be completed in compliance with the rules and regulations of the grant and agree to maintain the improvements for the useful life of the improvements. The project will...
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Grand Marais City Councilors held their last meeting of the year on December 28 to set the final levy for the year, collectible in 2023 upon the taxable property in the City of Grand Marais for the following purposes: Revenue 8,995.88; PFA Water 2004 ,703.79; G.O. Refunding EDA 2019A ,430.00; G.O. Refunding 2021A ,718.50 for a total of [post_excerpt],046,936.08. When the ten-minute meeting ended, the levy was set at 2.7 percent for next year. Council also passed a resolution approving the Cook County Snowmobile Club’s application to conduct lawful gambling at the Birch Terrace Supper Club Lounge and Up Yonder,...
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Alexander Nicklow, resident of Lutsen, graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in December with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in History, and with a minor in Political Science. Alex will be working at YMCA Camp Menogyn as a wilderness guide and sled dog musher this winter, and plans to continue working for Camp Menogyn as a summer wilderness guide as well. Alex has had a lifelong passion for the subject of history and is particularly well-versed on the topic of military history. He is also an avid outdoorsman, and enjoys ice fishing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking, backpacking,...
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Grand Marais Public Library announces the return of Friday Night Reels, a community favorite film series program that takes place at the library each Friday night at 6 PM starting January 6 and lasting until March 10. The films are thoughtfully selected by a committee to inspire discussion, and light snacks are provided by the library’s sponsor and community partner, the Library Friends of Cook County. This year’s first film is Winter Flies by Slovenian director Olmo Omerzu. Described as a “road movie drama,” the film follows two mischievous boys, who drive through the countryside in search of adventure. No...
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For so many people, the holidays mean a break from routine—and while many look forward to this time of year, it can also be stressful, especially for people living with dementia or a developmental disability, such as Down syndrome or autism. Those moments of anxiety or commotion can result in them wandering away from safety. Forty-nine percent of kids with autism have wandered from safe supervision, and 60 percent of people living with dementia will wander at least once. In Minnesota, we have seen these stories come to tragic ends. In 2015, Hamza Elmi, a six-year-old boy with autism wandered...
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Every year around this time, some well-meaning aunt sends my children an advent calendar. Not one of the cool, new, weird advent calendars. Not the advent calendars with booze or beauty products or fishing tackles or coffee or rocks or the one for your pet. (Fun Fact: If there currently isn’t enough friction in your marriage, you can even get your spouse a workout advent calendar.) Nooo. This well-meaning aunt gets my kids an advent calendar with chocolate. So, come December, every morning, like clockwork, my kids start their day right out of the gate with, sigh, chocolate. There are...
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The Minnesota State Canvassing Board certified the 2022 General Election results of the recounts in Minnesota House District 3A and 3B on Thursday, December 15 and made it official, Roger Skraba and Natalie Zeleznikar will be joining the House. Skraba, a republican from Ely, beat incumbent Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL I-Falls) by 15 votes out of 21,721 votes cast in the District 3A race. Zeleznikar defeated 23-term Rep. Mary Murphy (DFL-Hermantown) by 33 votes out of 21,593 votes cast. During the state funded recount Zeleznikar gained one vote and Murphy picked up three votes. There was no change in the...
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The Minnesota Department of Transportation would like to remind the public it is illegal to deposit snow on or next to a public highway or street and asks for help keeping roads clear for everyone’s safety. Snow on or near public roads can create hazards such as drainage, drifting and sight obstruction. Minnesota law and many local ordinances prohibit the plowing, blowing, shoveling or otherwise placing of snow onto public roads or sidewalks. This includes the ditch and right of way area along the roads. Violations are considered misdemeanors, but civil penalties also apply if the placement of snow creates...
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2022 has been a year of continued change within Cook County Government. Consistent with trends across the state and country, the organization continues to see high rates of staff turnover. In 2019 and 2020, the numbers of people leaving employment with the County were 14 and 16 respectively. In 2021, the number of departures shot up to 23 people, and this year we have seen 25 people – one-fifth of our workforce – retire or move on to other opportunities. This trend creates tremendous challenges for us as we continue to deliver essential services on which County residents depend. Even...
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Larry Frank Gamer of Grand Marais, MN entered his heavenly home on Friday, December 16, 2022, at the age of 84. He was born May 4, 1938, in Minneapolis, MN to Kenneth and Viola (Ahrens) Gamer. Larry is survived by his wife Patricia; children Randy and Roxann; grandchildren Ashley, Brittany, Amber, Jared, Trevor, Tanner, Tucker; and great grandson Asher. Larry loved the outdoors, was a skilled archer, fisherman, enjoyed singing and often whistled while he worked. He loved plants and the woods and was proud to continue the family legacy of wreath making. Through the years Larry worked for Oildyne...
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HOLIDAY DANCING AT THE CARE CENTER IN GRAND MARAIS The North Shore Care Center was the place to do-si-do on Saturday, November 27 when for the third year the Arrowtippers Square Dancers performed for residents and families. Residents and Care Center activity staff joined the Arrowtippers for The Virginia Reel. They had so much fun they did it twice! The Arrowtippers are from (L-R) Palmer and Nelda Westerlind, Alicia and Steve Deschene, Florence and George Bloomquist, and Bobbie and Dick Bockovich.
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I feel grateful to have been asked, a handful of times in my life, “What is snow like?” The gratefulness I feel because it means I’ve traveled, traveled very far; have talked with strange, foreign peoples, people living in exotic places. I feel lucky for that. Although the near people who have loved me and provided so much of my luck would give me strokes and say it was so very much from my own spunk and grit and learning and sacrifice. What a strange question – “What is snow like?”– for us Minnesotans. And what a problem to answer....
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Registration is now open for the Norpine Fat Bike Classic, which will return to Lutsen with events beginning Sunday, January 1, 2023, and culminating with races on Saturday, January 7. Hosted by the Superior Cycling Association, all events are held on the Norpine Cross-Country Ski Trails, which take riders through stands of old-growth cedars on Pisten Bully-groomed trails while overlooking Lake Superior. New to this year’s events is the CRAZY Pine Criterium and Fat Bike Expo hosted at the North Shore Winery on Friday, Jan. 6, starting at 2:00 p.m. The CRAZY Pine Criterium is an all-ages, family-friendly ¼ mile...
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The Cook County boys' young varsity squad had a tough game to start the 2022-2023 season, facing a loaded Mountain Iron-Buhl (MIB) team on December 8 at home. Fresh off winning the nine-man state football championship, MIB is loaded with great athletes. Through three games lightening quick guard Asher Zubich is averaging 31 points a game. Zubich and Josh Holmes each scored 21 points against Cook County. At halftime the Vikings were down 62-12 and ended up losing 93-21, scoring only nine points in the second half against a very tough defense played by the Rangers. It didn’t help that...
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After a lot of dry land training and now plenty of practice on their skis, the North Shore Storm Nordic (cross country) ski team is itching to race. However, the first two meets of the season were no-go’s, said North Shore Storm Nordic Ski Coach Jeanne Wright. Wright is the head coach of the combined Cook County/Two Harbors Nordic Ski Team. “The first meet scheduled at Proctor was canceled due to snow (an ironic twist for a ski team!). The second meet scheduled for Tuesday, December 20, did take place, but due to the snowfall on the north shore and...
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This little kitten showed up at our door one morning. Our family dog, Archie, was very curious and gentle with this strange lively creature. Dad said the kitten could stay for just three days. Dad grew up on a farm and cats belonged in the barn, not in the house. The kitten enjoyed its new home on the farm that the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Holy Cross managed in Bay Settlement, Wisconsin. Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town...
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According to the State Auditor’s office, the Grand Marais Municipal off-sale Liquor store reported ,453,321 in sales for 2021, a 12.9 percent increase over 2020. With a population of 1,346, sales at the Grand Marais liquor store were strong, with net profits at 0,956. Grand Marais ranked 53rd in off-sales in city liquor store operations in Minnesota. Each year the city of Grand Marais takes 0,000 from the liquor store to help offset the levy, and 2021 was no different. Two Harbors, population 3,864, municipal off-sale took in ,086,004; when factoring revenues versus expenses, only [post_excerpt],832 was transferred to the...
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Folk and Americana singer/songwriter Dennis Warner and his band “the D’s” perform ballads and up-tempo songs, woven in with humorous stories and lively audience participation. Known for their warm stage presence and ability to connect with audiences, this group will lift your spirits and chase away the January chill. A two-time McKnight Foundation Artist Award winner and three-time finalist for the Kerrville Folk Festival songwriting awards, Dennis Warner has collaborated with many noted musicians, including Bobby Vee, J.D. Steele, Prudence Johnson, and Peter Ostroushko. In 2020 Dennis was featured on the popular PBS TV show Backroads, performing a sold-out concert...
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As of December 7, 2022, Karla Pankow officially assumed responsibility as the Ambulance Director for North Shore Health. Karla is a National Registered Paramedic (NRP), Critical Care Paramedic— Certified (CCP-C). She has worked at North Shore Health on a casual basis since April 2022. “This will be a hybrid position with Karla working remotely at least 50 percent of her time,” said North Shore Health Director/CEO Kimber Wraalstad. “She works with Essentia Health Emergency Medical Services and is a 911 Emergency Dispatcher for Pine County. In addition, Karla is an Emergency Medical Service Instructor at Pine Community and Technical College,”...
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Bill to reauthorize critical resources for conserving and protecting Great Lakes fish and wildlife now heads to President’s desk to be signed into law Last Friday, December 16, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announced that the Senate passed her bipartisan legislation to support fish and wildlife restoration in the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Reauthorization Act, which Klobuchar led with Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Todd Young (R-IN), reauthorizes critical resources to conserve and protect fish and wildlife populations in the Great Lakes. The bill will now head to the President’s desk to...
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One of the holiday highlights for many Northlanders is a trip to Bentleyville to take in the “Tour of Lights” in Duluth’s Bayfront Festival Park. With more than 5,000,000 lights, Bentleyville is a wonder to behold.
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Jean Boostrom Blackwell Roberts, age 97, passed away on December 17, 2022. Jean was born January 3, 1925, at home on the west side of the Grand Marais harbor. She was the second of two children of Alec and Josephine Zimmerman Boostrom. In 1943, after graduation from high school in Grand Marais, she went to Chicago for training as a meteorologist for the federal government. This was during WW 2 and weather bureau stations were being established throughout the nation. She was assigned back to Grand Marais. After the war she married Jack Blackwell and together they raised three children,...
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Joyce Almina (Jones) Reiman passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 11, 2022, at the Milaca Elim Home at the age of 96 years. A memorial service will be held at the Christian Reformed Church in Pease, MN on January 2, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation one hour prior to the service. A private burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery near Grand Marais, MN. Arr. Peterson- Johnson Funeral Home - Milaca, MN Joyce was born December 3, 1926, in Mudgett Township, MN. She was the 7th of 9 children born to Ralph and Nan Jones. Joyce graduated...
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Grand Marais City Council held a busy meeting on December 14, and while no one showed up for the budget and levy hearing, a lot got done, although one big task was left to be completed because of a lack of proper paperwork that would transfer approximately ten acres of city-owned land to the HRA. In public comments, Eric Humphrey, co-owner of Lake Superior Trading Post, spoke in favor of the HRA building more public housing. Chris Skildum, builder and developer joined Humphrey in his backing the HRA. So did Ann Sullivan, Cook County Board Chair, who appeared on Zoom....
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers and trappers in the area. Time was also spent working on station equipment. CO Mary Manning (Hovland) took reports of car-kill deer and bobcats. She...
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It’s still a ways off, but the planning to bring ten foreign journalists for three days to Cook County is in the works, says World Press Institute Director David McDonald. McDonald said the journalists will be here March 12-15 and the big community forum will be Monday night at the Arrowhead Center of Arts (ACA). This will be the World Press Institute’s (WPI) 58th annual journalism fellowship program. WPI has invited ten journalists from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Turkey to participate in the program. Last year the public got to meet the journalists...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News- Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Jordan James Fumas, 19, Cloquet, Minnesota, pled guilty August 22, 2022, with Court Decision Continued on November 28, 2022. Charge was a felony of Drug Possession 1,2,3,4, - Not a Small Amount of Marijuana on May 14,...
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Christmas came early for Cook County employees. Following a lengthy debate Cook County Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve the Compensation Study Working Group recommendation to raise county 2023 pay rates to 95 percent of a market-based study of 20 Minnesota counties. Voting for the pay raises were commissioners Ginny Storlie, David Mills, Robert (Bob) Svalseson and Ann Sullivan. Voting against was Stacy Hawkins. The vote came at the board’s last meeting of the year on Tuesday, December 20. Although the 5.5 percent levy for 2023 didn’t include funds for a wage hike, County Administrator Joerke said the [post_excerpt],007,725 in new...
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The State of Minnesota launched a new telehealth test-to-treat program on Monday, December 19 to ensure Minnesotans who have tested positive for COVID-19 have easy access to clinician care and therapeutic treatments that reduce their risk of serious illness or hospitalization. Beginning immediately, Minnesotans who test positive for COVID-19, either with a home test or a positive test from a lab, can download the Cue Health app and sign up with their Minnesota address to have a virtual consultation with a licensed clinician who will evaluate them to determine if therapeutic treatment is a good option. If they are a...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has finalized an updated wolf management plan that incorporates the diverse views of Minnesotans and will guide the state’s approach to wolf conservation for the next 10 years. “We’re proud we brought people together to update Minnesota’s wolf plan,” said DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen. “We had great engagement from tribes, state and federal agencies, academia, and groups and individuals interested in wolves.” The updated plan is available on the DNR’s wolf plan page(mndnr.gov/ WolfPlan). This is the first update to Minnesota’s wolf plan since 2001. The plan includes summary information about Minnesota’s wolf population...
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The Cook County Historical Society needs help identifying the kids in the CCHS (then Grand Marais High School) graduating class. If you can identify these people start in front and go left to right with the names. Use the SS 1947 and 701 numbers when you send your answers to history@boreal.org.
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The gate is down; it never should have been put up. And why are we having this discussion anyway? 27 years of legal use is significant plus another 30 years of historic use says a lot. You chose to come to this area. Did you get the feeling of where you plan to live? Do you understand community? Did you do your research? Take responsibility for what you are buying and where or how it fits into the bigger scheme of things. There is a document called an abstract. It has all of the details of what your property has...
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Last week Linda Preuss got this great picture of an iron ore boat steaming close to shore from behind Fisherman’s Daughter.
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town...
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Minnesota State University, Mankato awarded 2,193 degrees to 1,936 students at the end of the fall 2022 semester, with commencement ceremonies scheduled for 9 a.m. and noon Saturday, Dec. 10 in Taylor Center’s Bresnan Arena on the Minnesota State Mankato campus. Among those graduating, Robin Wells, Grand Marais, received a Bachelor of Science degree as a registered nurse Undergraduate students receiving recognition included 262 students graduating summa cum laude (3.8 grade point average and higher), 249 students graduating magna cum laude (grade point averages of 3.6 to 3.79) and 256 students graduating cum laude (grade point averages of 3.4 to...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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The Artist-in-Residence Program offers writers, composers, and all visual and performing artists the opportunity to capture the moods and magic of Isle Royale through their particular art form. Applications for Isle Royale National Park’s 2023 Artist-in-Residence Program will be accepted January 2 through February 16, 2023. Each 2 - 3 week residency provides artists the opportunity to become part of a long-established tradition of interpreting national parks through art. A panel of artistic professionals and a park representative will select the finalists. The selection is based on artistic integrity, ability to reside in a wilderness environment, a willingness to donate...
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The Minnesota Energy Assistance Program has raised the maximum amount eligible Minnesota households can receive to pay for emergency fuel deliveries this winter by 150 percent. The Energy Assistance Program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, increased the maximum crisis benefit from 0 to [post_excerpt],500, allowing eligible homeowners and renters to avoid the anxiety of a nearly empty fuel tank. Funding for the benefit increase is part of a [post_excerpt] billion federal resolution passed in September. The total budget for the program in Minnesota is nearly 9 million this heating season. “We understand that many Minnesotans are concerned about...
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Prompted by continuing service complaints from Minnesota consumers, the Department of Commerce last week filed a brief asking the Public Utilities Commission to order telephone service provider CenturyLink to submit plans to fix a pattern of service deficiencies and to upgrade processes for responding to outages. PUC rules require CenturyLink and other landline phone providers to maintain adequate service levels. In its brief, Commerce emphasized that CenturyLink has reduced investment in equipment maintenance even as the company’s own data show service has deteriorated. “Despite these obligations, the company has failed to maintain its plant and equipment consistent with adequate service...
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December 17 is the 119th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight. The day honors Orville and Wilbur Wright, who in 1903 flew the first successful flight in a mechanically propelled airplane near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Over a century later, northeastern Minnesota’s aviation industry is an important part of the region’s economy. It provides jobs, spurs private business and assists with essential community and health services. The area’s air transportation system has a wide-ranging impact on the region’s economy and quality of life. There are 12 airports located within the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation service area that connect...
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Little Tammy Nicolaison had her first visit with Santa during last week’s American Legion Christmas party for kids. This photo was taken by Deidre Kettunen in 1992 and she believes that Santa is played here by Walt Mianowski.
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Several Cook County residents and businesses will be featured in an episode of the Peabody Award-winning series Craft in America, premiering December 16 on PBS stations nationwide. The soon-to-be released episode is titled HOME, and features Hedstrom Lumber, North House Folk School, and multiple instructors and students. “Through the artists and stories represented in this episode, HOME honors the significance of our surroundings, while also acknowledging the challenging histories that have shaped our ideas of it,” shared Carol Sauvion, Executive Director and creator of the Craft in America series in a press release. North House Folk School first welcomed Sauvion...
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The College of St. Scholastica’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Students, Madison Mack, RN, BSN and Rachel Barger, RN, BSN, presented their research on “Implementing a Primary Care Behavioral Health Integration Model into Telehealth Visits in Rural Minnesota” to the Wilderness Health Telehealth Committee on December 8th. Mack and Barger’s research follows previous studies done by fellow DNP student, Kerry Reuter. Reuter’s research focused on the benefits of and barriers to accessing telehealth in rural areas of MN. The CSS DNP students' work seeks to take telemental health to the next level in the region served...
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Ethan, age 4, paid a visit to Santa Claus this past week at Johnson’s Grocery Store. Santa, with the reindeer hiding on Johnson’s rooftop, was here on a quick trip from the North Pole, just checking to see what the children were hoping to get on Christmas. Ethan bought his wish list with him, and Santa gave a wide-eyed Ethan an early Christmas present.
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The power of Lake Superior is on full display here. Taken a while ago, Paul Sundberg captured a giant wave crashing into the lighthouse. Sundberg said he was photographing large waves for about two hours. When this one hit, Paul noted, “Commercial fishermen talk about the three sisters when referring to waves and this one came in as the third wave of the three sisters. Two big ones hit the lighthouse in a series and then this monster was the third.”
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The Grand Marais Art Colony would like to extend its gratitude to the Cook County Home Center for its generous donation of primer and paint for the exteriors of Studio 17 and Studio 21. We are especially grateful to the Cook County Home Center for its cheerleading and support through the long slog of getting our buildings renovated and operational between 2019 and 2022. Thank you to Nate Sheils, Jeff Buetow, Anna Hamilton, Bob Swanson, Jessica Rodne, Dawn Buschman, Dan Fernlund, Danny Ford, William Onkka, Landon Sheils, Oscar Milke and Lucas Sheils for answering questions, ordering niche items, accepting returns...
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Speaker Melissa Hortman issued the following statement about Rep. Rob Ecklund after the conclusion of a recount in the election for state representative in district 3A. “The people and communities of Northern Minnesota have always been able to count on Rob Ecklund to have their back. Rob has poured his heart and soul into working on behalf of his constituents, and he is extremely effective at delivering for his district. He earned the most votes of any DFL candidate in his district, and that’s a testament to the service he’s provided to Northern Minnesota during his career in the Minnesota...
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After a somewhat rancorous debate Cook County Commissioners voted 5-0 to set the 2023 levy at 5.5 percent over last year’s levy. This is a 4,541 increase over the 2022 levy. The vote came at the board’s Tuesday, December 13 meeting. Mills called for a motion to set the 2023 levy at 6 percent based on the compensation study that showed that Cook County employees are being paid less than their counterparts. The study is calling for the county to ante up more than one million dollars in raises for 2023 and Mills said, “We all saw the pain coming”...
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In the state of Minnesota, anyone can make a report of concern about a vulnerable adult by calling the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) tollfree at 844-880-1574. MAARC has operators available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to document reports of concern and route them to the appropriate lead agency. Reports of suspected maltreatment of a vulnerable adult that occur in Cook County are forwarded by MAARC to Cook County Public Health and Human Services (CCPHHS). When CCPHHS receives a report of suspected maltreatment, it is the Adult Protective Services (APS) team’s responsibility to determine if the...
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Age has taught me a lot, and the wisdom I’ve gained helps me cope with stress. I’m more accepting of other people’s shortcomings, and perhaps I’m even more tolerant of my own (and believe me, I have them). I’m also better at seeing what truly matters. When I was younger, I let the holidays stress me out. I wrote this poem one Christmas Eve when my teenaged sons and husband were little help as I tried to pull together the perfect Christmas for them: Merry Stressmess‘Tis the night beforeChristmas,I’m dead on my feetWith stockings to stuffand a mess to make...
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The North Shore Storm Nordic Ski Team spent two nights and three days skiing in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan near Ironwood, Michigan last week. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced skiers were all out for hours every morning and afternoon, and evenings were spent together in the lodge. As north shore skiers normally are not on trails until mid-December at the earliest, this gave the skiers a “leg up” from their usual fitness and skill level for the beginning of the season. They report that it was “really fun,” and a great use of the annual wreath-selling fundraiser that they completed...
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Grand Marais Planning Commission met on December 7 to discuss a proposal to build 15 individual cabins, a registration office (and support structures) described as “an eco-friendly, upcycled, sustainable offgrid boutique style luxury resort catering to the active outdoor tourist.” If approved, the development would be built above the Grand Marais water tower on the Sawtooth Mountains. The boxy structures would be constructed near the disturbed area, which was previously graded to meet the currently approved zip line project with the current drive accessed from the Gunflint Trail. Called the Blackbox Camp, Terrence Scholz from St. Bonifacius, Minnesota, appeared before...
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A quick start for the Cherry Tigers put the Cook County High School girls’ basketball team on its heels as the Tigers got off to an 18-3 start. The game was played last Friday night at home with the Vikings falling 51 to 29. Cherry used a three-quarter press at times to slow the Vikings down. And, while the Vikings had a lot of good looks, it was tough sledding putting the ball through the hoop. Meanwhile Cherry, who wasn’t shooting all that well, scored on second and third shots. Once again Katie Peck led the Vikings in scoring. Katie...
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Fans of sled dog racing will be happy to learn the Gunflint Mail Run race will be held on January 7, 2023. So far, ten teams have entered the 12-dog, 100-mile event, which will leave Trail Center Lodge, run the course to Blankenburg Pit, and back to Trail Center twice. A four-hour layover separates the fifty-mile round trips at Trail Center. The 65-mile eight-dog race currently has a field of seventeen mushers. These teams will have a three-hour layover at Trail Center. Twelve dog teams Local mushers competing in the 12-dog race include Mary Manning, Hovland, who operates the Doodledog...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Jordan James Fumas, 19, Cloquet, Minnesota, pled guilty August 22, 2022, with Court Decision Continued on November 28, 2022. Charge was a felony of Drug Possession 1,2,3,4, - Not a Small Amount of Marijuana on May 14, 2022....
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent most of the week training at Camp Ripley. He also spent time on the snowmobile checking anglers on area lakes. CO Mary Manning (Hovland) spent time...
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The big storm predicted for December 14 and 15 caused many events to be cancelled. The courthouse was closed on December 14 and meetings across the area cancelled or moved ahead on the calendar. At Birchgrove Community School the winter musical was pushed to Tuesday, December 20 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. The Scholastic Holiday Bookfair will open after each performance noted Birch Grove Community School Diane Blanchette.
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A cold December moon rose over the Sawtooth Mountains above Grand Marais last week, bathing the harbor and town with its soft white glow.
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Reports that Santa’s sleigh was stolen were not entirely correct. Silly (that’s his name), the elf, borrowed Santa’s sleigh to deliver some sugar cookies to a nearby herd of hungry reindeer who love eating sugar cookies. However, Silly didn’t tell anyone he was using the sleigh, nor did he let anyone know that he would be gone for TWO WHOLE DAYS! Nor did he say to the elves who baked all of those delicious cookies that he was “borrowing “ them. Oh boy, was Silly being really silly said Lucky, his brother. It’s lucky, said Lucky, that Silly wasn’t hurt...
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Calls came in at 12:17 p.m. on December 8 to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office that a kayaker located just south of the Bluefin Bay restaurant was in distress. Apparently, the kayaker was having trouble getting back to shore due to Lake Superior’s rolling waves that were about one foot high. An emergency response team consisting of two sheriff ’s deputies, two Cook County Search and Rescue command staff, two DNR employees, two Tofte firefighters, and two Lutsen firefighters were assigned to assist with the rope launchers in case the kayaker was swamped. Also assisting was the Bluefin Bay Activities...
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7:15 p.m. The center atrium at the mall. A large, temporary structure houses “The North Pole”, an ad-hoc collection of holiday lights and fake snow. Rob weaves his way past a “Closed” sign, through the short maze where a line usually forms, and pokes his head behind the curtain. ROB: Mall Santa? MALL SANTA: You must be Ron? R: Actually, it’s Rob. MS. Come on in. Rob enters “The North Pole”. Santa sits on his chair, exhales a large sigh, and takes a long pull from his eggnog. R: Long day, Mall Santa? MS. They’re all long now, Rod. R:...
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Many decades ago, I heard someone state very authoritatively that wild meat has very little, to no, food value. Apparently, it is a widespread belief, as fellow biologists from both U.S. and Canada have said that they have heard the same statement. Usually, it was said regarding the meat of deer or moose, but sometimes caribou were mentioned. How such a ridiculous rumor ever got started, or that so many people believe it, should be considered amazing. Of course, wild meat has nutritional value; people and predators have been living on, and doing very well on, it for far longer...
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The English Premier League commentators have this great catchword they go to every so often: “talisman”. A soccer club’s “talisman” is its best player, or longest serving. The player with whom all good things happen. Through whom all good things happen. Like in “Reservoir Dogs” when Nice Guy Eddie calls Vic (“Mr. Blonde”) Vega a walking rabbit’s foot. Think the great little man from Argentina, Diego Maradona. On this side of the Atlantic, Bird was the Celtics’ talisman: he produced magical or miraculous effects. The LSU Tigers a couple years ago had a quarterback named Joe Burrow like that. He...
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If you live in or near a small city, as we all do on 61, you learn soon that people have to wear many hats to get everything done. Grand Marais is fortunate to have overqualified people who can wear those many hats. One columnist and retired small business owner works at Holiday along with a retired money man from Piper Jaffray. The North Shore Swing Band is further proof of the many hats rule. We gathered in the Blue Building on the 8th December (hard to see the Blue in the dark, but it was the one with the...
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Here is a secret that only a few of my closest friends know……when I host during the holidays, I serve the same meal over and over. That’s it. I only have to learn to make three delicious recipes and I’m golden. I usually like to get out my collection of Spode Christmas Tree Dinnerware. These are my favorite Christmas dishes that really set a festive mood. This year I learned to make French Onion Soup. My son Ben and I peeled and sliced 30 onions wearing ski goggles to keep from crying. The house smelled of onions, but the soup...
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A new federal grant award will fund collaborative planning by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to further large-scale moose habitat restoration in northeast Minnesota. The award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, through the new America the Beautiful Challenge, will provide 3,600 to the DNR for the planning effort, with a goal of an implementation plan for moose habitat restoration on three areas of 10,000 to 50,000 contiguous acres each. “This grant is great news for efforts to address the long-term moose population decline in Minnesota,” said Kelly Straka, wildlife section manager. “This grant supports an effort that...
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David Johnson spotted this mink hunting on the ice. Just what the mink was after is unknown, but these beauties are terrific hunters, able to catch small prey on land and in the water.
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Lauren Thompson and Zachary Haugen are proud to announce the birth of their beautiful baby boy Maverick John Charles Haugen. Maverick weighed 8 pounds 6.8 ounces at birth, and he was 20.5 inches long. Maverick was born November 28, 2022, at 10:16 a.m.
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second...
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Katherine “Kate” Griffith, 88, passed away at Benton House – Lenexa, Kansas on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 from natural causes surrounded by her children. Kate was born in Duluth, Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth. She continued her studies with a Master’s Degree in French Education from the University of Wisconsin Madison. Kate’s career in education included teaching French at William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri, for over 25 years. She retired in 1996. Kate was a seasonal resident of Schroeder, Minnesota and resided in the Kansas City area during the winter months. Kate and her late husband,...
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The first sentence is the most important. I watched a movie last night in which there was a quote that said, “The first sentence is the most important”. Well, everything I write and say is the most important except for when it isn’t. If you know me, you know I am “full of it” seventy five percent of the time, but that other twenty five percent you had better be listening as it could be very important and it could change your life. According to the Perk National Cappuccino Day was November 9th. In the Perk we learned Kopi Luwak...
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Gordon Emil Lindquist, 93, of Grand Marais and New Brighton, MN died peacefully in his New Brighton home on November 24, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Gordon was born in St. Paul on November 7, 1929. His parents moved to Grand Marais in 1930 when Gordon was several months old. A true son of the north woods, Gordon grew up fishing and hunting, a passion that carried over to his adult life. He spent his youth working on the family homestead and the Grand Marais gas station. In the summers, he worked on the family Steel Craft Boats –...
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If you know who these gentlemen are and why they are playing music on the harbor, please send that information to history@boreal.org. Please put the men’s names left to right and identify the picture as E799.
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A new program called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is offering financial assistance to those who qualify so they can better afford to be connected to the Internet. What is the ACP? The ACP was created by Congress and implemented by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help eligible households receive a subsidy of up to a month, or up to a month on Tribal Lands, towards internet service. Who is eligible to participate in the ACP? You may be qualified for the program if - • You, your child or dependent participate in certain government assistance programs,...
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It was a quiet day in the Cook County seat. A recount was required by law because the difference in the Ecklund/Skraba State House race was only 15 votes. Fifteen votes separated the two District 3A candidates when more than 21,000 votes were cast in that race. There were no demonstrations, no arguments, and no threats of lawsuits or bodily harm. Seven DFL poll watchers were led by Trista Schwind of state DFL Headquarters. I did not meet the GOP lead but was glad to see fellow golfer Dick Dorr on their team. The picture shows the election judges and...
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A common topic among hunters is the weight of the animal they just shot. Some people can estimate weight fairly well, but most cannot, especially the weight of bear. Those who have their field dressed (all internal organs removed) animal actually weighed are often surprised that the weight is less than they expected. Of course, the next thought is usually what the live weight may have been. Occasionally some wonder how much meat they will have after processing. As Area Wildlife Manager with D.N.R. in Cook Co. and part of Lake Co. for many years, I necropsied many deer, bear,...
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The Cook County girls’ basketball team met their match when the visiting North Woods Grizzlies handed them a 72-28 loss last Thursday, December 1 at home. It was the first game of the season for the Vikings and the second game for the Grizzlies, who played Chisholm on Tuesday, November 29. Following the game Viking’s Head Coach Kelly Hawsen said, “We played well the first half considering we are playing some young, newer players. We also had a couple girls out, so our bench was a little light. But the girls out rebounded and out hustled their opposition that first...
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Of course, I had to start my newest hobby on the day of the ice storm. It's like trying to quit drinking on the day you break your kneecap: of all the days in your too-long life to break your kneecap, you break it on the day when you don't have anything to anesthetize with. I broke my kneecap once playing basketball. I was guarding the point at the top of the key, and he drove on me, and our kneecaps hit each other straight on. His hurt. Mine was broken. I didn't know it was broken until a day...
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Two bull moose nonchalantly look back to see if there is anything—or anyone—sneaking up on them.
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Year-end revenues for the Grand Marais Rec Park exceeded the 2022 budget predictions by nine percent, announced Park Director Dave Tersteeg. That translates into about 0,000 more in revenue than was expected, Tersteeg told the park board who was meeting on Tuesday, December 6. Those “extra” dollars can be used by the Grand Marais City Council to lower the proposed 2023 levy if they so choose to use them that way,” Tersteeg said. “All in all, it was another good year despite the weather (cool and wet), higher fuel costs, especially at the start of the year, and post-covid vacation...
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An owl appears to be getting ready to pluck a mouse off of David Johnson’s head. Luckily there was no mouse on David’s head and the owl flew right by!
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By statute, the opening date for Minnesota’s snowmobile trails is December 1 but most of the state’s trails need more snow before they can be groomed for use, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Several conditions must be met before trails are groomed and safe: The ground must be frozen. Where trails cross wetlands, 15 inches of ice is needed to support the weight of the trail groomers. Adequate snow cover of about 12 inches must be on the ground to allow for trail packing and grooming. Trails must be cleared of fallen trees, signs put in place...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked early ice anglers and a few hunters. He maintained station equipment and completed required training. CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled area roads and trails. There is...
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State park gift cards can be used for camping and lodging, state park vehicle permits, firewood, equipment rentals, tours, I Can! programs, and more. Gift cards are sent via USPS mail and usually take 10-14 days to arrive. Gift cards can be purchased on the state parks gift card page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/state_parks/gift_card.html). Lifetime hunting and fishing licenses Give a gift that truly lasts a lifetime: a lifetime hunting or fishing license! Licenses are available for both residents and non-residents. Licenses can be ordered by calling the DNR License Center at 877-348-0498 to receive an application in the...
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Pine Martin’s are usually shy but not this one. Although they are more active at night and dusk, they do occasionally appear during daylight hours. These are solitary animals and it’s fun to see one in the wild!
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It's been a long time since pay raises have been granted to Grand Marais firefighters. With that impetus, Grand Marais Fire Chief Ben Silence brought an unfinished budget issue to the council. Firefighters currently get per call. Grand Marais City Administrator Mike Roth suggested paying per call. Roth also recommended bumping up the pay for the three officers—the fire chief and assistant fire chief from 0 to [post_excerpt],500 and the secretary from 0 to 0. Fire Chief Ben Silence has been with the fire chief for 14 years, and he said the paperwork and time spent on fire...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News- Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Richard Nels Storlie, 52, Prior Lake, Minnesota, pled guilty November 23, 2022, to a petty misdemeanor of Operating an Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) on a non-motorized use only trail. Incident occurred on November 11, 2022. Fines and...
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Back by popular demand, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is pleased to once again invite the public to help name another round of eight snowplows – one for each MnDOT district in the state. Past winners include creative names like Betty Whiteout, Plowy McPlowFace, Ctrl Salt Delete, Snowbi Wan Kenobi and The Truck Formerly Known As Plow. MnDOT encourages Minnesotans to submit their most witty, unique and Minnesota- or winter-themed snowplow name ideas on the agency’s website. The submission form will be open through Friday, December 16 and the link will also be shared across MnDOT’s social media accounts. This...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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On Thursday, December 15 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Robbie Hass, our Cook County Highway Engineer, will host a meeting utilizing community members to help create a vision for improvements to the Gunflint Trail. This activity, done with the help of our team of consultants from LHB, AFLA, and Toole Design, will provide both business owners and residents living adjacent and in proximity to the Gunflint Trail an opportunity to share their ideas of how to improve our beloved Gunflint Trail. Engineer Hass is working on a million grant to make these improvements through a federal grant. He stated...
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The Care Center residents got a nice surprise this week. On Tuesday, December 6, Doug and Mary Sanders finished setting up a six-and-one-half foot tall spruce tree adorned with lights and a timer at the Cook County North Shore Hospital Care Center Serenity Garden. The Christmas tree looks great in the garden and is a reminder that Christmas isn’t far off!
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is making a last-ditch effort to keep the Northern Long-Eared bat from becoming extinct. The Service published a final rule on November 29, 2022, to reclassify the northern long-eared bat from “threatened” to “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act. The rule will go into effect on January 30, 2023. Found in 38 states (but suspected to exist in 43 states) and eight provinces in North America, these bats are suffering from white-nose syndrome (WNS), first discovered in New York in 2006. An invasive fungus from Europe, the disease causes fuzzy white growths on...
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If you’re lucky, you can gobble up any food you like without concern about allergies, sensitivities, or intolerances. For some people consuming the wrong foods or drinks can result in uncomfortable, or even life-threatening, reactions. These reactions differ from each other in that they happen in different systems of the body. Allergies happen in the immune system. For unknown reasons, the body will identify a food as an allergen and then treat it like a dangerous invader. The body mounts an attack and produces antibodies that then cause other cells to release chemicals that cause an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions...
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Hamilton Habitat Inc. would like to thank the following (below). Without your wonderful support we could not have completed Little Cedar, a one bedroom home and Jasper Hill, a three bedroom home. It truly does take a village. We are forever grateful. Cook County Home Center, Smith Construction, Smith Spray Foam, Nosker Plumbing, Mackey Electric, Grand Marais State Bank, Chris Smith, Richie Palmer, Bloomquist Construction, Winchester Higgins, Starr Construction, Austen Graham, Kyler Johnson, Northshore Title, Grant Adams, WTIP and the following donors……. Lucinda Avery, Pastor Dale, Carl Madson, Mike Hero, Donna & Orvis Lunke, Little Cedar, Joy & Co, Jim...
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Curiosity piqued, a friendly fox looks quizzically at a squirrel chattering on a branch above.
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Cook County Administrator James Joerke led the first of three public meetings held on Thursday, December 1, to talk about the county’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which will guide investments in county buildings over the next four to six years. The 10 a.m. to noon meeting was packed. Later meetings were held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Joerke promised this was the first of more public meetings to come. He and the county board have decided public engagement and feedback from the public is crucial in this process. Joining Administrator Joerke during the...
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Recently Tyson Smith added two new attorneys to his law firm Smith Law, PLLC. The need was there, said Tyson, saying he couldn’t keep up with the growing demand for legal services in the county. While he grew up in Grand Marais, Tyson didn’t graduate from I.S.D. 166. “Technically my diploma is from Andover High School in Massachusetts, but I was an I.S.D. 166 kid from 1st grade all the way through the beginning of Senior High and worked here during my high school summers. College, I bounced around from CU Boulder, Peking University, Beijing, and my degree is from...
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Six public members braved the cold, winds, and falling snow to attend the Tuesday, November 29 Truth in Taxation meeting held in the commissioners' room at the courthouse to discuss the county’s proposed 2023 budget and levy. This last summer, commissioners asked department heads to estimate their department’s needs for programs and services and the cost of those programs and then present those figures to the board. Then, from August through September, commissioners used that information to set a preliminary 5.5 percent levy increase and budget for 2023. Commissioners can choose to keep the levy at 5.5 percent or decrease...
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When the votes were tallied after the November 5 general election the challenger, Ely Mayor Roger Skraba (R), led incumbent Rob Ecklund (DFL) by 15 votes in the race for the Minnesota House 3A seat. At that time, Skraba was credited with 10,868 votes, while Ecklund had 10,853. Because of the close count, the state mandates a publicly funded recount. That process started in Cook, Itasca, and St. Louis Counties on Monday, December 5 at 9 a.m., with the recount to end in Lake County on Wednesday, December 7. Following the recount Ecklund conceded the race, praising the election system...
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Local fishermen come off the frosty lake after a hard morning of pulling nets. Tyler Smith pulls a loaded wagon over an ice slicked dock while his brother Zach follows in the back.
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The holiday season can be a time of enjoyment, especially if decorating, baking, shopping, and wrapping presents are gratifying to you. Besides feelings of happiness, there are also stressors to be cognizant of, and these come in many forms. Make sure to eat nutritious foods and get plenty of hydration. During the crunch of making sure that everything is complete, we sometimes forget about ourselves and ignore proper eating habits. Staying healthy is a priority. · Lock your doors and windows when you leave your home. Don’t give the bad guys a free holiday celebration with the fruits of your...
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So beloved is the Christmas treat of gingerbread, that even Shakespeare penned a tribute to it in 1598, a character in “Love’s Labour’s Lost” saying, “And I had but one penny in the world, thou should’st have it to buy gingerbread.” Gingerbread has had lots of uses and ingredients throughout the centuries and even today it can apply to any sweet treat that has ginger blended with honey, treacle or molasses. History While it is now considered a Christmas tradition, Rhonda Massingham Hart in her book “Making Gingerbread Houses,” said the first-known recipe for gingerbread predates Christianity and came from...
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With ample snow on the cross country ski trails the North Shore Storm has been busy preparing for the upcoming high school Nordic ski season. Head Coach Jeanne Wright took some time from her busy schedule to answer some questions about this year's squad which features 22 kids from Cook County and 35 kids from Two Harbors. Q- Who are returning skiers from last year? Returning for Cook County. Almost everyone: Valerie Hurth, Olya Wright, Martine Redshaw, Everett Hurth, Naomi Tracy Hegg, Quincy Hurth, Ethan Fish, Emma Crook, MJ Wharton, Amelia Mattson, Eero Moody, Dune Arrowsmith, and Leah Belmore.” Q-...
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The Cook County Cool Cats traveled to Duluth last Friday to participate in the Special Olympics Bowling Tournament. The kids competed against other teams from the region at the tourney held at the Incline Station. Helping on the day were the team’s Unified Partners, a group of high school kids. Ms. Oberg said these youngsters “volunteer their time and commitment” to the Cool Cats. They are Amery Oberg, Kalina Dimitrova, Hunter Rex, Payton Morrison, Tyler Cooley, Kamryn Johnson and Ruby Gulstrand. Congratulations to the Cool Cats for their fine performances on Friday, and for representing themselves and I.S.D. 166 so...
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In America, every four years the word “football” is surprisingly unclear. Americans know the word “football” to mean a sport played with an oblong ball and very little foot. In the rest of the world, the word “football” refers to a sport that is played almost exclusively with a foot. Hence the name of the sport. Why do Americans refer to this sport as soccer? Because the word football was already taken by a sport largely independent of the foot. Go figure. Yes, it’s time once again for the World Cup so let us consider… soccer! What makes someone great...
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For 66 years Sawbill Outfitters has been off-grid, producing electricity by solar, wind, propane and diesel generation, but that recently changed when Arrowhead Cooperative got electrical and fiber to the remote business. “I’m sure we’ll continue to realize many benefits to our new access to power, but the first obvious one is just how quiet it is,” Dan Shirley wrote on his Sawbill Outfitters blog. Dan and his wife Clare purchased the resort seven years ago from her parents Bill and Cindy Hansen. The outfitter business was started by Clare’s grandparents, Frank and Mary Alice Hansen. “For 2022, our goal...
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A group of seventh grade girls, directed by music instructor Mrs. Irene Thompson enjoyed performing for the PTA meeting last week on Tuesday. They are from left, Kathy Allen, Hope Wilson, Mary Randall, Becky Beckwith, and in front, Wendy Walsh.
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Barbara (Sebring) Creech, 79, Moose Lake, died Thursday, December 1, 2022, in Moose Lake Village. She was born in Moose Lake to Everett and Lillian (Baakari) Sebring and grew up in Kalevala Twp where she attended grade school. Barb later attended Barnum High School, graduating in 1961. She lived in Duluth and worked as a nanny for the Goldfine family and later as a nurse’s assistant at St. Luke’s. On April 19, 1969, Barb married LeRoy Creech in Duluth. They lived in Grand Marais from 1969 until 2008. Barb truly loved her job as a housekeeper at Cook County North...
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On December 1 it was announced that the Cook County/Grand Marais EDA will receive 0,000 from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to use to assist childcare businesses in the county. Cook County was one of 17 communities awarded a total of .5 million. In making the announcement Minnesota Governor Walz said, “In every community across the state, we hear from families and small businesses that increasing access to affordable childcare is the best way to support our work force, grow our economy, and foster economic prosperity. These grants reach communities across our state to help increase...
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Cook County Minnesota will hold three open house meetings on Thursday, December 1, 2022, to gather community feedback that will inform the update of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for County buildings. The meetings will take place in the Commissioner’s Room inside the Cook County Courthouse at 411 W. 2nd Street in Grand Marais. There will be three presentations to accommodate attendance: from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. As room capacity is set at 40 people, those planning to attend should RSVP to April.Zimmer@co.cook.mn.us or 218-387-3602 in advance. Each...
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For many of us living this far north, winter is a time of going deep, of hibernation, of what seems like emptiness and death on the surface, but holds life underground. For our 15th annual community art show, Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church is taking the theme Deep Winter Dreaming, to be held at The Johnson Heritage Post, running from January 6-29. In the church’s calendar, the 12th day of Christmas is called Epiphany and comes on January 6th, beginning a season to celebrate revelation; Irish writer James Joyce took the word ‘Epiphany’ and broadened it to include moments...
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Just in time for the holidays, three sisters will move into a beautiful new home in Creechville. The 1,200-square-foot three-bedroom house has excellent window views of Lake Superior and sits on a large lot. The sisters plan to put a garage on the property at some point, but not now. “This is the biggest house we have built to date,” said Anna Hamilton, one-half of Hamilton Habitat Inc. with her sister Sarah. The previous owner of the lot didn’t want a traditional developer to get it, Anna said. “He grew up here. This was his family’s homestead. So he wanted...
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Following City Administrator Mike Roth’s recommendations, the Grand Marais PUC voted to increase the water, sewer and electric budgets by three percent for 2023. The PUC voted for the rate increases at their November 16 meeting. In discussing the Water Fund budget, Roth said the increase would cover system repairs and improvements and position the water fund to contribute to city priority projects. The projected 2023 Water Fund budget is 3,898, a smidgeon more than [post_excerpt],000 higher than 2022. Giving a history of the fund, Roth said the city made a small rate increase of two percent from 2014 to...
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Following a request made over a year ago, on Friday, November 18, the State of Minnesota formally returned a small two-acre parcel of land east of Grand Marais to the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in a ceremony held at the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino event center. The Stonebridge Singers' drums and the dramatic entrance of the Veteran Honor Guard kicked off the ceremony. Master of Ceremony Steve Standingcloud introduced all the speakers, including Chairman Robert (Bobby) Deschampe, John Morrin, Staci Drouillard, Ann Sullivan, MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger, former Commissioner for the Department of Transportation Margaret Anderson-Kelliher,...
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The North Shore Music Association is delighted to announce that, three years after their last concert, the Borealis Chorale & Orchestra (BCO) has reconvened and is excited to perform for the community. In 2020 this cherished Cook County tradition, which began in the 1950s, was upended when the pandemic made it unsafe for vocalists, instrumentalists, and the public to gather. It is now time for the concert and the tradition to resume! Some big news this year is new leadership for the BCO. Former Director William Beckstrand writes, “I had the great privilege of directing these concerts for a decade,...
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Every home in Minnesota is eligible to order four rapid at-home COVID-19 tests for free, while supplies last. Even if you have ordered tests before, you can order again. At-home testing helps determine your risk for spreading COVID-19. At-home rapid tests help detect the virus that causes COVID-19. You can do the nasal swab test anywhere and get results in about 15 minutes. The at-home rapid antigen tests can be used at any time, such as if you have symptoms of COVID-19, were exposed to someone who has COVID-19, or before an indoor gathering. Learn more on COVID-19 Self-Testing. People...
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After visiting Grand Marais last summer Justin Greeley and his wife Pamela decided it was a time to downsize and move north. “We decided to sell Greeley Plumbing Heating & A/C and move to Cook County. After 20 years of building the business, I had enough and sold it to one of my competitors, Ellingson Plumbing & Heating.” Justin started by working for his dad Sam in central Minnesota. In 2002 he purchased the business from his father and expanded from one location and one employee to 30 employees and four shops in three towns, Glenwood, Alexandria and Morris. “We...
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Let me introduce Snuffy the Boston Bull Terrier and her cousin Rosie (short for Roosevelt) the Bichon. Both of these dogs spend a good part of every summer vacationing on Hungry Jack Lake with their human grandparents, Tom and Cathy Peterson. This photo was fall cleanup weekend at the lake with timeout to hike the Centennial Trail. Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Winter can be cold, dull and grey but all of that can be dispelled when one see’s a mountain ash berry tree clustered with hungry Bohemian Waxwings.
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Public entities and nonprofit organizations serving people younger than 18 can apply for No Child Left Inside grants through 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is offering the grants to help more children cast a line, study animal tracks, hike, bike, or simply learn more about nature. The DNR is accepting applications for both mini grants (less than ,000) or larger grants (,000-,000). The request for proposals and more information about how to apply are available on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/No-Child-Grants). Mini grants will be awarded by lottery, while larger grants will be awarded...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) patrolled back roads and visited deer camps. Combining low deer numbers and large amounts of snow in Cook County, hunting success was very low. He responded to...
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Since 2005 local Girl Scouts have sponsored Santa’s Workshop on the first Saturday in December. Last year they took a break and decided they really would try hard to make that the only interruption in this tradition. So this year, Troop #412, with the help of Lifetime Members, is sponsoring the event. This is a shopping spree for kids, safe for the littlest ones, and gratifying for all. This year we will begin at 9 a.m. and go until l2 p.m., at the Colvill Town Hall. Adults are asked to prepare a list of names for whom to shop. Part...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News- Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Nasir Divine Bullen, 22, Duluth, Minnesota, pled guilty October 24, 2022, to a misdemeanor of 4th Degree Intentional Damage to Property on June 14, 2022. Sentenced to Local Confinement (30 Days, Stayed for one year) or NERCC,...
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This winsome rabbit looks hopefully at photographer David Johnson. It seems to say, “Please check your pockets for carrots. You must have at least one carrot in your pockets.”
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A recent study found that more than 1.3 million Americans with diabetes rationed their insulin because of cost concerns by skipping doses, taking less insulin than needed, or delaying buying insulin to save money. During National Diabetes Month, MNsure and the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy remind Minnesotans that the Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program provides fast, reliable help for those who need insulin and may be struggling to afford this life-saving drug. The Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program has two key components, depending on individual needs: • If you are in immediate need of assistance — that is, if you...
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The Cook County Fire Chief ’s Association is reminding people to test their carbon monoxide (CO) alarms now that the winter heating season is upon us and with a recent uptick in carbon monoxide calls. Also, ensure that snow build-up is kept clear from dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace vents. “Carbon monoxide alarms save lives — but only if they are kept in working order,” said Ben Silence, Grand Marais Fire Chief “An alarm is the only way to detect potentially lethal levels of this odorless, colorless gas in your home.” Minnesota homes are required by law to have CO...
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There are many Thanksgiving traditions worthy of celebration: stuffing (some call it dressing) and gravy; potatoes - mashed and sweet; family and football; mulled wine and more mulled wine. But my favorite Thanksgiving tradition has to be The Poor Dinner Guest. The Poor Dinner Guest is not your ordinary poor dinner guest. To spoil a dinner party, a guest need only shine for a few hours. Toss three martinis back in a hurry, chew with your mouth open, scoff at the food, make a long, off-color joke, and throw in an unwanted advance, and Voila! You have won the evening!...
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The Northland Foundation will offer a special funding opportunity to help licensed child care programs implement staff recruitment and retention strategies that result in stabilizing and/or growing program capacity and increasing quality to serve more families with young children in northeast Minnesota communities and Tribal nations. The Foundation will award funding ranging from [post_excerpt],500 to ,000, through a competitive process, to eligible childcare programs based on existing licensing capacity. Applications will be accepted November 16 – December 13 on the Foundation’s website https://northlandfdn.org/grants/apply-report.php with awards finalized the week of January 24, 2023. Funding for the awards is supported by a...
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An estimated 500 people attended various events at the 2022 Winterer’s Gathering and Arctic Film Festival held at North House Folk School this past weekend, said North House Communication and Marketing Manager Joe Beres. Highlighting the weekend was featured speaker Anton Treuer, professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University. “The Red Building was packed with people, many of them locals, to hear Truer speak on Saturday night,” said Beres. Truer is the author of several books - including The Cultural Toolbox. In addition, he shared Ojibwe Winter Stories and included a presentation on environmental stewardship and an Indigenous perspective on...
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The Senior LinkAge Line® will offer two Health Care Fraud, Waste & Abuse Prevention classes Wednesday, December 14, 2022, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and again from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how to detect and report potential errors, fraud and abuse; review potential fraud and scams targeting older adults, how to read their Medicare Summary Notice, learn tips to help protect their Medicare beneficiary number, and how to protect detect-report Medicare scams and fraud. This presentation is based on information from the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), a federal education and prevention program. It is offered online using...
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After three days gone in Minnesota’s 2022 firearm deer hunting season there was only two entries in the annual Buck’s Big Buck contest, the fewest in years. And one of the entries was a doe! Ayden DeRosier entered a 105-pound doe in the Buck contest. Meanwhile Cory Christianson, Devil Track Lake, brought in a field dressed buck that weighed 189 pounds. It had a 16 ½ inch antler spread. Finally, halfway through the contest, Jordon Porter brought in a field dressed buck that weighed 220 pounds. Jordon’s buck had an antler spread of 20 ¼ inches. However, a couple of...
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Both of the CCHS girls’ and boys’ high school basketball teams are working hard to get ready for the upcoming basketball season. As they work on conditioning and drills, coaches of both programs are pleased with what they are seeing. Girls’ basketball Head Coach Kelly Hawsen has fifteen players out for the varsity this season. “We also have ten girls out for the 7th and 8th grade team, which is a good sign for the program,” she added. While the Vikings aren’t tall, they have a nice mixture of experience and some talented younger players. “I don’t think we will...
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The Cook County Historical Society needs helps identifying the people in this photo. If you know anything about this picture, please include the photo number “4197” and send your information to history@boreal.org.
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second...
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Call it an early Christmas present for mountain bike riders in Cook County or the result of hard work by Superior Cycling Association but the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) announced it was recommending a 0,000 grant to continue building the mountain bike trail system in the county. The recommendation now goes to the Minnesota Legislature for approval through the Parks and Trail Legacy Fund. Because the Legacy funds can only be spent to support parks and trails of regional and statewide significance, the Legislature has annually approved these requests. Cook County was one of fourteen regional...
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If you ever have wondered how lynx can move so easily through the snow just note the size of paws on this big cat.
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Most of us know what to expect, as the days grow shorter and the nights long. It happens every year. For many, the absence of light brings with it a heightened experience of anxiety or depression, especially during the holiday season. A survey conducted by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, found that 64% of respondents stated that they were affected by mood shifts during this time of the year. There are many traditions that mark this season with the reverence and respect it deserves. It can be a time of deep contemplation, introspection, and quiet. These experiences can,...
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The Northwoods Fiber Guild will host their annual Holiday Sale & Open House on Saturday, December 3rd, at the Grand Marais Art Colony’s new “Studio 21” site located at 21 W. Hwy. 61 in Grand Marais, MN. The sale is a well-known tradition on the north shore featuring quality one-of-a kind fiber crafts and artwork handmade by guild members. The doors will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with fiber demos, music, and plenty of holiday spirit. There is a wide variety of fiber handcrafts at the Holiday Sale this year including knitting, weaving, felting, quilting, basketry, paper...
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It’s no secret that we, the people of Cook County, have a problem with North Shore Health, but I fear we have gotten to a point of simply talking past each other. As a former operator of the military, it was a commonplace to run up against what seemed like instrumental obstacles. There wasn’t a day that didn’t prevent a problem that required group think and no commander operated under the guise of, “I have all of the answers.” In the fast-paced world of operations we would meet each night for what was called a hot wash; what worked, what...
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Thank you to Ted Reguly’s family, in Thunder Bay for sharing their personal story for an article written in the Northern Wilds this month. Their love, compassion, and respect in honoring his wish for a peaceful death allowed his personal decision to be made. They also shared the need for honest conversations to be shared on what death looks like, the suffering that will happen, and what modern medicine can and cannot do in the final weeks and days of dying. Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) is an option for people who have a terminal illness. In Canada and the...
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St John’s Catholic Church was filled with happy, hungry people last Thursday, November 17 as a large crowd came to eat a simple but delicious lunch or supper of donated soups, breads, and desserts as part of the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser held to fight community hunger. Proceeds from the meal, sale of deserts and handcrafted bowls made by artists through the Grand Marais Art Colony raised ,385. When the evening was done the total donations reached ,444.97, said one of the event organizers, Beth Kennedy. “That’s down ,000 from last year,” noted Kennedy who added that donations will be...
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It is with great sadness that the family of EvaLyn Alice Carlson (Ahlm), announces her unexpected and sudden passing. EvaLyn was reunited with the love of her life, Bear, on November 5th, 2022, after experiencing one of the most beautiful sunsets the North Shore has seen in awhile. EvaLyn was born May 20, 1945, in Moose Lake, to Bernard and Dorothea Ahlm. She was raised in Warba alongside her brother Rankin and sister Nancy as the middle child. EvaLyn graduated from Grand Rapids High School and decided to take her love of reading and writing to the Mankato State University...
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Dorothy (Klima) Gunderson, age 89, of Silver Lake, MN, went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 20, 2022. Her Celebration of Life will be at Grace Bible Church, 300 Cleveland St. E., Silver Lake, MN. on December 10, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. Visitation at 2pm at the Church. Private interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. Dorothy was Ben and Emily Klima’s third child, born January 28th, 1933. She, David, Marion, and Benji grew up and worked the family farm in Silver Lake. She graduated from Hutchinson HS and got her first job at...
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A broomball game was held during the Lions Trout derby this year and the winners were the local High School Teachers over the Lions Club team. In front from left are Charles Beberg, Darold Rosbacka (holding trophy), and Stuart Jackson. Back row is Jerry Foldenaur, Gordy Ahlgren, Richard Riedberger, and Larry Carlson. Photo by Humphrey.
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Grand Marais Public Library has nearly recovered from the flood damage the facility sustained this spring, but one significant task remains: carpet replacement. The carpet has arrived, and installation is scheduled to begin. The library will be fully closed from Wednesday, November 23 – 27, 2022, and then reopen in stages as each of the areas in the building are updated or reset. Library Director Amanda St. John encourages patrons to stock up prior to the Thanksgiving holiday with enough movies, books, and magazines to last at least 2 weeks. She says the computer lab in the lobby will be...
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Oh, to be a kid again! Students at I.S.D. 166 got a day off on Tuesday, November 15 because of the impeding weather forecast calling for snow. Notified by email, parents received this message from the school district. “Due to forecasted dangerous travel conditions on Tuesday, November 15th, Cook County Schools will not be running bus routes or serving meals at school. The district will implement an E-Learning Day. Staff may teach and support student learning from home in accordance with the district E-Learning Day plan. Students should contact their teachers directly with questions. There will be no in-person after...
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My mom and dad moved to South Haven for the Winter. This has been an excellent opportunity to reconnect with my favorite childhood recipes and my mom’s best treats. Of course, she brought her sourdough starter, so we’ve enjoyed pancakes and waffles almost every weekend and one night for dinner. I’m not sharing the sourdough recipe here. Not because I am selfish, but I have killed more starters than I can count on two hands, so I would be no good at advising on those recipes. It’s a family joke about when my mother mailed me a starter, which blew...
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University of Glasgow, Scotland. 1848. The University Café is filled with Professors eating lunch. William Thompson, 24, sits at a table, his notes spread out in front of him, impatiently waiting for a colleague. Finally, George Williams, 30, joins, sitting across from William. George: I am starving. William: George, you’re not going to believe this! G: What’s the special? Haggis? W: What? No. I don’t know. Listen. I’m onto something very big here. G: So, no haggis? W: Forget the haggis. If I’m right about this. And I checked the numbers. I’ve made a once in a lifetime discovery. G:...
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North Shore Health Care CEO/Director Kimber Wraalstad reports that as of November 10, there have been 1,523 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county since the start of the pandemic. In addition, on October 28, the county was listed in the High Category on the CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker for the first time. Masks are still required at North Shore Health, but the screening table has been removed, and social distancing is still required. If you want to test for covid at home, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic has OTC Antigen Tests in their atrium and North Shore Health has the Tests...
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Many people come to the Minnesota Arrowhead for hunting. Most of the hunting is by long guns, primarily rifles. So, I have wondered—is there support around here for any actions that would reduce the likelihood, and “success” of, mass shootings? How can our Arrowhead and country be safer places. Revolvers, usually six-shot, are already shell limited; forget them for now. Focus on facts. Per The Trace: “The 30-round rifle magazine has been the standard high-capacity magazine for more than three decades. These devices are used by the military and police around the world and can be found accompanying popular civilian...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked firearms deer hunters and a few small-game hunters. Harvest numbers remain low in the Cook County area. He responded to big-game-hunting and trespassing complaints. CO Mary...
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An honest mistake by our printer, ran page A5 twice last week. “We received the B5 legal page and failed to print it. This was 100 percent our fault,” said the production manager at the Brainerd printing plant. Going forward we will do all that we can to see that this doesn’t happen again.
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The annual Oh Ole Night holiday parade will start at 5:30 p.m. (Friday, November 29) on Wisconsin Street with two loops around town and end with a rousing finish at Harbor Park for a tree lighting ceremony and some singing. There will be fireworks over the harbor after the tree lighting. To take part in the parade, line up in the Senior Center parking lot on Broadway by 5 p.m. Murray the Moose, will be footloose and fancy, strolling through the crowd, meeting and greeting kids of all ages. Murray might even dance with you if the music is playing...
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It was definitely an adventure. A Puerto Rico adventure. Jerry and I decided to visit Jobos Beach, a gorgeous surfing spot Ross introduced us to on our last trip to Puerto Rico. We settled in Uma’s open restaurant with coconut mojitos and sea bass ceviche, marveling at the skills of a dozen surfers strewn across the bay. A few teens executed multiple 360’s on some of the larger waves. Amazing. After sitting a long while, we waded through waves to the public beach, hoping to cool off with a swim. We’d swum there a few years ago and knew not...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News- Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Matthew Allen Beaver, 43, Minneapolis, Minnesota, pled guilty on October 30, 2022, to a petty misdemeanor of Speeding in a Special Zone set by the Commissioner on September 11, 2022. Fines and fees total 5. Denny Cedar...
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Last week, a team of local leaders presented at the 2nd Annual North Eastern Minnesota Equity Summit in Virginia at the Iron Trail Convention Center. The summit, titled, “Belonging in Northeast Minnesota” was offered through Northspan’s Welcoming Community Programming which is funded by the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, Blandin Foundation, Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR), and the Northland Foundation. A local team, including Tribal Chair Bobby Deschampe, Heidi Doo-Kirk, Beth Drost, Kelsey Rogers Kennedy, and Ann Sullivan had a presentation prepared and provided a panel discussion describing the history, work, and evolution of the Cook County...
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The Senior LinkAge Line® will offer two Health Care Fraud, Waste & Abuse Prevention classes Wednesday, December 14, 2022, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and again from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how to detect and report potential errors, fraud and abuse; review potential fraud and scams targeting older adults, how to read their Medicare Summary Notice, learn tips to help protect their Medicare beneficiary number, and how to protect-detect-report Medicare scams and fraud. This presentation is based on information from the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), a federal education and prevention program. It is offered online using the...
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Blue Jays brighten any winter day. If you want to attract Blue Jays to your bird feeder, put out peanuts or sunflower seeds or even suet. These birds are very active and entertaining to watch. And while they are considered a songbird, they don’t sing but make soft, clicks, whines, whirs or other soft sounds called “whisper songs.”
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Just in time for holiday family gatherings, kids and families get the laughs we all need from an unusual source: William Shakespeare. In a creative take on old topics--almost 500 years! --locally published author, stick-figure illustrator and professional improv comedian Kip Hathaway brings us Kip’s Illustrated Guide to Shakespearean Insults. His drawings are witty and wacky and helpful in showing readers what the words Shakespeare has written are about: usually life›s drama›s and truth we are addressing today in a climate of growing incivility and insults gone wild. This book helps take them with wit, creativity and fun! Read it...
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A documentary exploring the dark skies of northeastern Minnesota and the Anishinaabe connection to those skies will make its broadcast premiere on Saturday, November 26 on PBS North. Co-produced by WDSE WRPT - PBS in Duluth and Hamline University’s Center for Global Environmental Education, the film spotlights the accomplished night photography of Grand Portage photographer Travis Novitsky, and Carl Gawboy, Bois Forte, educator, artist and researcher of Ojibwe star stories. Co-produced with Hamline University’s Center for Global Environmental Education, in this documentary, explore the movement to reduce light pollution through the creation of Dark Sky Places, with a focus on...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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The Veterans Day Celebration held at I.S.D. 166 was well attended and remarkable. From the opening Posting of Colors by American Legion Post 413 Color Guard to the patriotic songs performed by the middle school/ high school choir and second-grade class, the high school band with adults from the community joining in to play Stars and Stripes Forever, From Sea to Shining Sea and the Armed Forces—The Pride of America; to the recognition of area veterans and kind words from Principal Megan Myers and Superintendent Chris Lindholm culminating with the message(s) from keynote speaker Cook County Veterans Service Officer Karen...
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Great Expectations School held their Self Portrait Fair on Thursday November 10th. The annual event celebrates the uniqueness of each student and is a time for families and staff to socialize and enjoy a snack around the campfire. All classes worked on different styles of self-expression, and all were displayed throughout the school.
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Ervin James (Jim) Beaster of Hovland, Minnesota passed away peacefully on November 8, 2022, in the loving company of his family. Born September 25, 1942, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, he lived a full life of adventure and achievement including an active childhood with his siblings (David, Joan, and Tom), service overseas in the Army, a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Idaho, a career hiking the woods as a forester in Washington State, and in retirement an ambitious project for his family to design and build a log home overlooking Lake Superior. Sentimental, romantic, imaginative, curious, hard-working,...
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Christopher M. Rodewald, age 50, of Faribault passed away on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at his home following an extended illness Christopher Michael, the son of Edward and Debra (Meehl) Rodewald was born on April 7, 1972, in Faribault. He attended Faribault Senior High School and graduated with the class of 1990. Following high school Chris began working for Met-Con Construction and later with ABC Bus Company. Chris’s passion was cooking, and he became a sous chef and worked in different restaurants in different cities including Grand Marais, Anchorage, Alaska and Faribault until he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and...
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Ignoring some stout advise to just “throw a couple of boards across the mud” instead Cathy Quinn and CJ Heithoff spent a long Saturday building a well-engineered bridge across a muddy spot in the new dog park. Both dogs and people are enjoying the new bridge and the three-acre dog park has been a hit with visitors to our area as well.
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With temperatures falling like yesterday’s leaves Cascade Falls is now laced in ribbons of ice.
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Now that most of the road working contractors have put away their machines, it’s time to make plans for the next summer’s road work. With that in mind, Cook County Highway Engineer Robbie Hass came before the county board and requested that LHB be given the contract to design the CSHA 8/Devil Track Road improvement project for 0,159. The portion of the road targeted for upgrading is located three miles from the end of Devil Track Road to County Road 27 (Ball Club Road) to where the pavement ends. According to documents submitted by LHB, the project may involve shoulder...
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When the votes were tallied following the November 15 election Republican Ely Mayor Roger Skraba was 37 votes ahead of incumbent Rob Ecklund, DFL International Falls, in the Minnesota House District 3A seat race. Skraba collected 10,526 votes to Ecklund’s 10,489. While Ecklund said he would ask for a recount, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State, the race was close enough to qualify for a publicly funded recount. Skraba complimented Ecklulnd on the campaign he ran, saying Rob was a good guy who ran a clean campaign. However, Skraba noted that while he and Ecklund were cordial, their state...
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Dig out those shovels, shake out those sweaters, and lace up those boots - winter is here on the North Shore! Celebrate its arrival at North House Folk School during Winterers’ Gathering over the weekend of November 17-20. The featured speaker this year is Anton Treuer, professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University. Author of several books - including The Cultural Toolbox, a selection for the Cook County Community Read program - Treuer will share an Ojibwe Winter Stories presentation in the Red Building at 7pm on Saturday. North House is also pleased to partner with Cook County Higher Education...
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Robb Hackett will soon be leaving for Nashville, Tennessee, where he will undergo treatment for bone cancer. Treatment is expected to take five months and will be costly. That said, the community has been rallying around Hackett and his family through his ordeal. Last Saturday a “Good Luck Potluck” fundraiser and silent auction was held at the community center with more than 150 people attending. “I was overwhelmed with the support from businesses in the community. They gave generously to the silent auction. Far more than I would have thought. And folks came from all over, from the Twin Cities,...
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Dear Editor and Community, Kudos to the phenomenal staffs of the Cook County News Herald, WTIP and to the people of the Cook County community for making this election day a calm, clear exercise in democratic relationship-building and constructive civic life. Candidates, too, deserve credit for modeling exemplary civic and civil behavior. Thank you one and all! I’m so impressed at the news coverage. You informed the community about the election issues and the candidates, while also keeping the general community news flow running! Well done! With appreciation, Anne Brataas, Grand Marais
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Cook County had a beautiful October with above normal temperatures. But as the air turns crisp, we know that a Minnesota winter will soon be on the way. Even though we are hearty northlanders, it is a good time to refresh our cold weather skills and ensure that we are prepared for winter challenges. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DPS-HSEM) partner with the National Weather Service to sponsor the annual Winter Hazard Awareness Week. The 2022 Minnesota campaign runs from November 14 through 18 and offers daily tips to assist families and...
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The City of Grand Marais Parking Ordinance goes into effect on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. The County is charged with plowing the city/county roads within the city limits North of Hwy 61. Please note the information below: SCHEDULE II. SNOW EMERGENCY REGULATIONS (A) All persons parking vehicles on the streets or highways of the city must park vehicles according to the following system from November 15 through April 15 of each winter season. (B) Beginning 12:01 a.m. on November 15 and alternating each day until 12:00 midnight April 15, vehicles must be parked on that side of the street or...
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The Cook County historical societies of Schroeder, Tofte, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Marais have partnered to work on collaboration and to explore options for continued success in our respective areas of responsibility. Since beginning this endeavor, we have chosen Superior Design + Planning to facilitate the study. With their guidance, we have completed Phase I: we established a mutual understanding and chose a “consensus decision-making process” by which we conduct our meetings. This process helped us to agree upon our core vision and values. In Phase II, each organization shared planning documents and financial information - as well as documents...
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Grand Marais Post Master Sandy Everson stands in front of the PO Boxes in the new Grand Marais Post Office.
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The Cook County Education Association would like to express our gratitude to the voters of Cook County for supporting the levy on the ballot this fall. Your support is essential to providing our students with the education they need and deserve. Thank you for your generosity! Sincerely, Cook County Education Members
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The moon isn’t the only place NASA is going in the future. The independent agency of the US federal government responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research is also coming to northern Minnesota for Cook County’s upcoming Dark Sky Festival. The festival will return December 8-10 and celebrates the area’s world-class dark sky with programs, activities, dinners and more. Andrea Jones, NASA’s Public Engagement Lead of the Solar System Exploration Division at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, will present “From Iceland to the Moon: Working with NASA Scientists and Astronauts in the Land of Fire and...
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The article that mentioned bats and white-nose syndrome in the November 5, 2022, issue presented considerable information about a very serious problem facing bats in North America. At some sites 90%, or more, of wintering bats in a cave die before spring. There is no cure. A number of bat species face a very uncertain future. Hibernating bats occasionally wake during hibernation to void waste, drink, and sometimes move to a different location within the cave. White-nose syndrome causes them to wake more often. Each awakening uses up fat reserves; therefore, those with the white-nose syndrome fungus may exhaust their...
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The Cook County Historical Society needs help identifying the people in this picture. If you know who they are, please email the historical society at history@boreal.com. Please include the E 801 number on top of the photograph.
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If jumping into Lake Superior’s cold, freezing waters in February is on your “Bucket” list, then you are in luck! You can join with more than a dozen fearless Cook County residents to take that perilous leap for a good cause. No? Common sense tells you that you will turn into a frozen human popsicle in a very short period of time. Still, that trepidation isn’t stopping 13 brave souls from Cook County from participating in the Special Olympics of Minnesota Polar Plunge. The chilly fundraiser will be held in February 2023 at Park Point in Duluth, and Bryann Bockovich...
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The thing about fall is that it’s not winter. Winter is winter. Winter comes right after fall. Fall is, try to stay with me here, directly after summer. The season of fall is named after a guy who first noticed the temperature dropping and, for some reason, coincidentally, was always dropping stuff. And, in another pretty big coincidence, his name was Fall. So, I mention fall as a distinct season to winter because some people confuse the two. But fall is nothing like winter. Sure, the temperature drops in both seasons but in fall it drops a lot less. A...
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Ethereal, dreamy sunsets over Lake Superior have almost become the norm lately. That said, they are always a wonder to behold, awe inspiring no matter how frequently they occur.
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While few hunters have a bagged a deer this year David Johnson has found some nice bucks to “shoot” with his camera. So far, his aim has been true and he has taken some great pictures of these illusive animals who disappear during the hunting season.
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Every two years, since I retired from judging, I have walked the streets of my home city to help elect people to public office. It’s a small contribution to our democracy. That seems especially important this year. The world is run by those who show up, they say. As I drove and walked Grand Marais carrying reminder brochures and lists of voters, I saw and heard things. I saw the wide variety of home constructions, many hand built. They go beyond DIY in the skills needed; they face The Lake whenever possible and have high points for better views. They...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked the firearms deer opener and checked whitefish nets throughout the week. The officer responded to several big game hunting complaints. Enforcement action was taken for hunting...
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Sincere thanks! THANK YOU to all the election judges and personnel in our midst who work diligently and honorably to make sure that the rest of us can exercise this right and responsibility of our precious democracy. Your efforts are greatly appreciated! Don Davison, Devil Track Lake
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HRA Executive Director Jason Hale came before the Grand Marais council with information about forming a TIF, a tax increment financing district. With the tremendous need for affordable housing in Cook County, this is one tool the county is looking at using to fill that gap, said Hale. There are a lot of misconceptions and preconceived notions about what a TIF is and what it does, noted Hale. Hale worked on 13 TIF projects while employed in Duluth, but he explained he’s not the “Oprah” of TIF; “I don’t think everyone should get a TIF,” he added. Still, Hale pointed...
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November is Native American Heritage Month. There are four tribal nations located within Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation’s service area: Grand Portage, and portions of Bois Forte, Fond du Lac and Leech Lake. All are sovereign, federally recognized tribes whose people have lived in northeastern Minnesota for centuries. Each has an independent relationship with the United States and state of Minnesota governments. Billie Isham, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation’s full-time Tribal Liaison, works to support government to-government relations between the agency and the four tribal nations. Isham fosters partnerships related to projects that impact community, business and workforce development. Recent...
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Steven D. Petman, age 72, of Monticello, died Thursday, November 3, 2022, at the St. Cloud Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at St. Timothy Catholic Church, Maple Lake with Fr. Kevin Magner as Celebrant. Burial will be held at a later date at Field Township Cemetery, near Cook, MN. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Steven Donald Petman was born October 19, 1950, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Donald and Corrine (Danielson) Petman, the eldest of 5 children. As a young boy, Steven moved...
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No stranger to making all-conference teams, Cook County High School senior Katie Peck had a great last season on the volleyball court and for her fine play area coaches voted her first team all-conference. The 5’8” outside/middle hitter was the go-to person on the team when they needed a big spike. And Katie often delivered a crushing kill. Katie led the team with 129 kills. She ranked third in the Polar League with 188 digs, and she had 14 serving aces. Over four years of varsity play Katie totaled 398 kills, 97 aces, 40 blocks at the net, had 561...
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Former CCHS great Will Ramberg contributed a lot to the Gopher’s opening win against Western Michigan. On Monday, November 7 Ramberg, who started for the Gophers, scored two big baskets in the team’s 61-60 victory over Western Michigan. The 6’5” guard made both baskets off of passes down underneath where he scored off of two reverse layups. Only Cooper Ta’lon played more minutes than Will. Cooper was on the floor for 40 minutes while Ramberg played 34. Fellow starter Garcia Dawson played 31 minutes while back-up Taurus Samuels played 24 minutes. Garcia led the team in scoring with 23 points....
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William “Bill” Ralph Butz, Age 99, of Grand Marais MN, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. Bill was born Aug 7, 1923, in Allentown PA, to Ralph and Minerva (Baer) Butz. He graduated from Allentown High school, then served in the Army Air Corps during World War II for 3 1/2 years. He received a BA in architecture at the University of Minnesota, and a Master’s in City Planning at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After employment with the City of St. Paul for 25 years as a city planner, Bill retired in 1981. Bill...
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When the votes were counted, some 2,071 Cook County residents (73.05%) voted YES to extend the Independent School District 166 referendum up to ten years. The referendum, which authorizes 0 per student per year, was set to expire after taxes payable in 2022. A little more than one-quarter of voters, 26.74 percent or 764 voters, voted NO to extend the referendum. Reaching out to I.S.D. 166 Superintendent Chris Lindholm the morning after the November 8 election, Lindholm had this to say, “Cook County Schools is exceptionally pleased and grateful for the support of the community and for the many ways...
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Veteran’s Day is here. A time to celebrate current and past veterans for their service and sacrifice to the country. Below is an article Melvin Gagnon found in his mother Emma’s photo album that Melvin thought appropriate to reprint in honor of Veteran’s Day. We agree. If you are from Cook County, you will recognize the names of the young men who were serving their country during World War ll. Even not being from Cook County we think you will appreciate their sacrifice. Thanks again, Melvin!
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Where are all my clothespins? Six or so months out of the year I hang my laundry out to dry. I hang the clothes on stainless steel clothes hangers and separate, by a couple inches, the clothes hangers and their clothes with clothespins on the wire clothesline. I use the clothespins, too, to secure towels and rugs and hats and gloves and furs and blankets to the wire clothesline. In the dry weather and with the wind and sun they will all dry in just over a day. Sometimes the rain will come, and I’ll leave – or forget –...
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With three days gone in Minnesota’s firearm deer hunting season Buck’s Hardware in Grand Marais saw only two entries in the annual Buck’s Big Buck contest, the fewest in years. And one of the entries was a doe. Ayden DeRosier entered a 105-pound doe, his first deer ever, in the Buck contest. Meanwhile Cory Christianson, Devil Track Lake, brought in a field dressed buck that weighed 189 pounds. It had a 16 ½ inch antler spread. The winner of the heaviest (largest dressed weight) buck will receive a new Remington 700 308 rifle. Half of the entry money will go...
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Four kids, two boys and two girls from the North Shore Storm cross country team qualified for the state cross country meet run November 5 in St. Olaf, Minnesota. The North Shore Storm is made up of athletes from Cook County, Silver Bay and Two Harbors. Cook County High School Junior Olya Wright placed 37th in the Class AA field. Olya ran the hilly 5k in 19:41.4. Senior Lamar Gordon placed 50th in the competition, crossing the finish line in 19:59.1. Lynn Scazelli of St. Paul Highland Park was the Class AA winner with a time of 17:45.1. The fastest...
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The City of Grand Marais is searching for its next holiday tree for downtown. The holiday tree is lit at the annual holiday kick-off event Oh Ole Night and lights up Harbor Park. If residents of the Grand Marais area have a shapely evergreen that is 20-25 feet tall, nearby and easily accessible by the city’s pole truck, please reach out to Parks Manager Dave Tersteeg at 218-387-1712 or park@grandmarais.city. Oh Ole Night will take place Friday, November 25, beginning with the parade through downtown at 5:30 p.m. If you’d like to walk in the parade or bring a float,...
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Three seniors from the 5-4 Viking football team, Ben Rex, Kole Anderson and Ryan Christiansen made Polar League first team all-conference while Ray Dressely, Ryan Smith and Recko Helmerson-Skildum were voted second team all-conference. Selections are made by opposing coaches who vote the players onto the all-conference teams. Ryan Christiansen led the team in rushing and scoring, finishing with 14 touchdowns. Kole Anderson averaged 15.3 tackles per game, ending with 138 tackles on the year. Ben Rex finished with 50 tackles and three sacks. Ryan Smith led the team with five sacks and was solid on the line both offensively...
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Viking head volleyball coach Marlene (Marly) Zimmer is losing five seniors off of this year’s team. As always, it’s tough to lose senior leaders, but these players will become fans of the upcoming classes, and through their efforts, the sport will carry on. “This year’s seniors were a fun group to watch grow over the years. They were part of the Covid half season, they were in the program during the State trips, and most importantly they stuck with it through the end and became one of my favorite groups to coach not based solely off of statistics and win-loss record,...
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After serving nearly 15 years on the board of the Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Joan Farnam has retired. Joan played an integral role in the conservation of natural resources as a Supervisor for the SWCD. During that time, she was ready and willing to go wherever she was most needed; at various points during her time as Supervisor she served as Board Chair, Vice Chair, Public Relations Officer, and on numerous committees, regional boards, and work groups. As an artist and a journalist, Joan brought a valued skill set to every meeting and a well-honed ability...
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Why are all the politicians opposed to logging and fossil fuel filling my mailbox full of mail? Green yourself! Love, Mike Eckhart, Grand Marais
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The North Shore Health (NSH) Board of Directors would like to address the Cook County community on key issues: their roles as board members, the staffing crisis at North Shore Health and how that impacts the facility’s financial status. The staffing crisis at North Shore Health is a topic of frequent discussion and the board wants the community to know that they hear your concerns. “This community deserves to hear from the board in a factual manner,” said Kay Olson, Chairperson District 4. “It is a complex issue, and we are not alone in this. Our plight is shared by...
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What is Economic Assistance? Economic assistance refers to any government run program that assists low-income people with meeting basic needs such as food and shelter. Programs can provide eligible residents with a monthly benefit to purchase food or to be paid directly towards shelter expenses like rent or utilities or provide recipients with money to help them purchase other items of basic need. Economic assistance is designed to support persons or families who are experiencing financial difficulties. They are not intended to provide for all household needs. For example, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides a monthly food benefit to...
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These two Cedar Waxwings were eating a little lunch on a mountain ash in the Grand Marais Rec Area when Paul Sundberg happened by with his camera.
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If any of you know me, you know I love chickens. According to the Perk, World Egg Day is a unique way to raise awareness of the benefits of eggs. Residents at North Shore Living learned eggs play an important role feeding families around the world. Eggs are unbeatable for versatility and top-quality protein. They are an excellent source of choline, essential in memory and brain development. Eggs are good for muscle development and help prevent diseases and help ward off macular degeneration. Speaking from experience, farm raised chickens give much better flavored eggs than store bought. I don’t believe...
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About one week ago, on Saturday, October 28, the Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP), hosted the Trick or Treat Solar Home Tour. Kat Meyo, CCLEP’S Director, led a group of over twenty curious county residents to four homes in or around Grand Marais which had different types and sizes of solar arrays and systems. The tour lasted from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on that beautiful, sunny, October afternoon. The tour began at the Community Center’s log cabin, where maps and information about each site being visited were provided. Members of the public signed up in advance for the...
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Legislation across the country has been scrambling to keep up with the rising popularity of short term rentals, and the Northland is no exception to this trend. At the September 9 meeting of the Northland Connection Advisory Committee, we heard from a panel addressing this controversial and fast-moving topic: Beth Pierce, Executive Director of Iron Range Tourism, which serves 10 communities in the heart of the Iron Range Jenn Moses, Senior Planner with the City of Duluth and lead for the current and long-range planning team Tim Nelson, Director of Land Services for Cook County How many are there? The...
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In October, the Grand Marais Garden Club learned how to make birdseed pinecones and hanging ornaments. We’ll be keeping them safe inside until the bears go into hibernation, but after that, our feathered friends can expect a nice treat! If you’re a gardener in the Grand Marais area and would like to join us, our next meeting will be on Monday, November 14th in the lower-level meeting room of St. John’s Catholic Church. There is ample parking just outside the door and visitors are warmly welcomed! We’ll be learning about a new store for women in Grand Marais and will...
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These students of West Maple Hill School were photographed in about 1915. In the front row from left to right are Alice McDonald (Nelson), Signe Johnson (Running), ? Backstrom, Sophie LeSage (Crawford), Alma Anderson, and Irene Gilbertsen. In the middle row are Edwin Anderson, Ralph Nelson, William Nelson, Lucille Hedstrom, (Walker) Christina Clinch, Anna Johnson (Shepard) and Celia Johnson (Everson). In the back row are Arden Gilbertsen, ?, Emma Olson and Mildred Hedstrom (Anderson). Photo courtesy of Alice MacDonald.
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For the last two years, there have been many changes to our local Education Foundation. As we all know, due to the pandemic, the primary fundraiser, E.A.T.S. (Enriching Education Through Sustenance), was unable to be held for our community. Very little fundraising has occurred, as a result. But there is an opportunity to support this group in the very near future! Give to the MAX Day is next Thursday, November 17. It is an opportunity to donate to non-profits like our Education Foundation here in Cook County. Go on-line to Give to the Max Day, search for Cook County, and...
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Do you know who these gentlemen are? If you do, then please contact the Cook County Historical Society. Please use the D691-1951 information on top of the photo. Email your answer to history@boreal.org.
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second...
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Say “Hello” to Lutsven Cocobutt. “Coco” the Frenchie is true to her breed by deftly seeking out squirrels, recliners, and food bowls. She can often be found on the Superior Hiking Trail, happily lagging behind her family and hoping for a swift return to her comfy cabin. Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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On Monday, October 10, five lifelong friends gathered at Devil’s Track Lake to celebrate the life of Peggy Backlund, born December 15, 1954 to Wesley and Ruth Backlund. Peggy left Grand Marais for Hawaii, where she met Carol and Debbie. A few years later she went to work for the U.S. Embassy and was posted in Greece, Hungary, Ecuador, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Washington D.C. Carol and Debbie visited Peggy in most of the places she worked. While in Mexico City, Peggy met and married Juan-Carlos, the love of her life. Peggy passed away on December 8, 2020, but because...
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The Superior National Forest sits on approximately three million acres in Minnesota’s Arrowhead and was established in 1909. One assumes a sign announcing The Forest that is on Highway 61 and just West of Tofte, Minnesota was erected shortly thereafter. The large, four-sided, oblong sign says, “Superior National Forest” in two different fonts. Beneath that sign is another, separate, tiny, rectangular other sign that says, in a third font, “US Department of Agriculture”. These signs are nice enough and largely ignored. They sit on federal land, just East of the Temperance River Park. There’s a dumb, super-short, horse-shoe road that...
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When the City of Grand Marais announced it was going to remove the animal shelter to create a new boat launch and expand the parking at the boat launch (which is now completed), Arrowhead Animal Recuse (AAR) agreed to raise funds to build a new shelter with the caveat that the city provides land for the shelter and the city and county each contribute ,000 in working capital. Both the city and county agreed to the proposal but settling on a location for the new shelter needed to be determined. At least, that was the thought of many in the...
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Cook County Public Health and Human Services and the Minnesota Department of Health have scheduled additional Bivalent COVID-19 booster clinics for those ages five and older at the: Cook County Community Center on Sunday, November 6 and November 13 from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Lutsen Town Hall on Tuesday, November 8 from 3:15 p.m.- 6:15 p.m. Birch Grove Community School on Friday, November 11 from 3:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. (please do not arrive early to give space for school pick-up and buses). All events will offer walk-in registration. However, if you wish to register prior to the events, you...
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Cook County MN Restorative Justice (CCMNRJ) is hosting a two-day North Shore Restorative Justice Training Conference on Friday, Nov. 11 and Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Schroeder Town Hall located at 24 Cramer Road. Thanks to a grant from the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation (DSACF) to Grow Restorative Justice in Cook County and beyond, the training conference is free to anyone in Cook and Lake Counties interested in developing restorative practice skills, volunteering as a Restorative Justice facilitator or to use these important skills in professional or personal lives. The training will be led by expert Ted Lewis, Restorative...
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If teens want to experience playing games their parents played all they need to do is pay a visit to the North Point Youth teen center in downtown Grand Marais. Instead of storing Donkey Kong & Pinball over the winter, Patrick Burns, owner of North 61, loaned them to North Point Youth, a free teen center. North 61 is located in the former Birch Bark & Gifts building and the teen center is in the former American Legion building. Patrick Burns said he hopes the kids enjoy playing the vintage games, adding he would rather see them used than kept...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second...
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These are feral cats living in The Bronx in New York City. Within their neighborhood, volunteers feed them and provide fresh water every day. A nonprofit organization carefully captures the cats, and then works with veterinarians to neuter, and vaccinate the animals. This is called a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. When the cats have recovered, they are released back into the same neighborhood so they can rejoin their colony. Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald,...
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The Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts-an award-winning collection of Lake Superior resorts will bring the first Tesla Supercharging Station to Cook County. The station, coming this spring, will feature a total of eight Tesla superchargers. The Tesla Supercharger is the fastest charging operation available, providing up to 200 miles in 15 minutes. Currently, the nearest supercharging stations can be found in Duluth and Thunder Bay, Ontario. The new charging stations will be located at Surfside Resort inn Tofte. Adjacent to the Tesla Supercharging Station is Waves Café, where guests can get a bite to eat or connect to the Wi-Fi...
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The Cook County High School Vikings football season came to an end in Cherry last Saturday when the Vikings were defeated 68-8 to finish their play-off run. The Vikings beat Hill City/Northland in the first play-off game to advance to the second round. This was the second meeting this season between the two teams with Cherry taking the first contest 62-0. With the loss the Vikings ended with a 5-4 record. Cherry’s win secured a match-up with 9-0 Mountain Iron-Buhl; MIB beat Cherry by 12 points earlier this year. Cherry used a smothering defense and potent offense to stymie the...
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The Cook County Curling Club held its 10th Annual Open Halloween Bonspiel this past weekend with eight teams playing a round robin format. Old and new friends from the Duluth Curling Club, St. Paul Curling Club and the Lakeville Curling Club were guests for this bonspiel. Most of the teams had connection to Cook County by either being born or raised here or had relative ties to the area. Several of the teams were father/daughter, father/son and siblings who started curling years ago and not so long ago, in the Cook County Curling Club. This bonspiel was the first-time resident...
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The Cook County Historical Society needs help identifying the people in this photo. If you know who they are please write their names from left to right and send your reply to history@boreal.org.
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Times are tough for some families. Inflation is digging hard into families’ pocketbooks. So, with Christmas coming, and money is tight, how do you tell your kids there won’t be any presents under the Christmas tree? Jes Rodne said that doesn’t need to be the case. In her eighth year as the volunteer director of Operation Family Christmas, Rodne noted, based on the past years, “We have a community that is ready to rally around you and help.” If you need help purchasing Christmas presents for your children, Operation Family Christmas is set up to make sure your kids will...
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Greggary Peroutka, a senior from Schroeder, made the University of Minnesota Duluth Dean’s List for the Spring Semester 2022. Students on the Dean's List have achieved a grade point average of 3.50 or higher while earning a minimum of 12 letter-graded credits. Greggary is enrolled in the Swenson College of Science and Engineering (SCSE), where he is seeking a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. Jack Peck, a senior from Schroeder, qualified for the dean’s list at the University of Minnesota Duluth campus for the spring quarter. Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.50 or higher while...
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In a move that worries loggers and mill owners, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Service) is once again considering adding the northern long-eared-bat, little brown bat, tricolored bat, and Indiana bat to federal protection by placing them under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Pushing for the ESA are the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Michigan DNR, and Wisconsin DNR, who recently submitted Habitat Conservation Plans to the Service to protect the bats under the Endangered Species Act. In 2015 the four bat species were placed in “threatened status” due to white-nose syndrome (WNS), a deadly fungus that grows...
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An apple a day keeps the doctor away; that’s the old saying. So, for folks who take some stock in that axiom and like apples because they are also healthy and delicious, the 4th Annual Apple Festival held last weekend in Grand Marais was a highlight fall event. Through her Johnny Appleseed Project, Carolyn Dry organized the festival. This year apple picking stops were at three orchards, Ray Blocks, Stan Bautch’s and the Grand Marais Community Orchard at the Law Enforcement Center. All three orchards are the handy work of Ray Block, albeit he had some help from volunteers to...
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Cook County High School student Rowan Lindholm (12) has been selected to participate in the 35th Annual Bjorling Music Festival at Gustavus Adolphus College. The festival, which takes place November 6 and 7, includes 208 high school musicians from 65 different high schools across Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Students were selected for this honor out of hundreds of applicants. For the first time, the festival will also include an honor choir and honor orchestra in addition to the two honor bands. Over the two-day festival, students will work with faculty in masterclasses, experience performances from...
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There were a lot of things to celebrate at the 11th annual Fall Gala hosted by Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce. After a two year hiatus, being able to gather together with colleagues and neighbors was at the top of the list. Over 180 community members gathered at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 to share a meal and camaraderie. The event program kicked off with a welcome message from Tribal Chairman Bobby Deschampe and included updates from both Visit Cook County and the Chamber, featured an awards presentation, as well...
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“There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.” -- Gen. James H. Doolittle On Friday, November 11th, we once again take time to honor the men and women of our armed forces. The following few paragraphs explain the history behind Veterans Day. In the early morning hours of November 11, 1918, in Compiegne, France, the Allied powers signed a ceasefire agreement with Germany, negotiating an end to World War I at 11:00 a.m. that day. President Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day one year later, saying, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled...
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Cook County Commissioner Board Chair Ann Sullivan had some exciting news to share at the board’s October 25 meeting. During commissioner reports at the end of the meeting Sullivan announced that Cook County will receive [post_excerpt],019,951.31 annually, for both the 2022 and 2023 budgets, funds from the U.S. Treasury Department’s American Rescue Plan Act. Sullivan learned about the large grant to Cook County at the AMC District 1 Fall meeting held in Grand Portage at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. Recently the U.S. Treasury Department released [post_excerpt].5 billion over a two-year period. The money will go to eligible counties...
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In the US, the leading cause of death for children ages 3-14 is motor vehicle crashes. The right car seat, used in the right way, greatly increases your child’s chance of surviving a car crash, but frighteningly, almost half of all car seats are installed incorrectly. Some car seats are held down using the seat belts, while some are held in place by a LATCH. LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. As long as they are used correctly, both LATCH systems and locked seat belts are equally safe, so use whichever one works best for your particular...
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I don’t believe in single-issue voting, but a big reason I am voting for Grant Hauschild for State Senate and Rob Ecklund for Minnesota House is that among their many other admirable qualities, they are advocates for ranked choice voting. Ranked choice voting, a simple change in how we conduct elections, has the near-magical ability to return government to what it is supposed to be doing: Solving problems. Currently, divisiveness, rancor, and gridlock plague our legislatures. Finger-pointing and divisiveness are rampant, and troubling problems go unaddressed. But ranked choice voting tends to put into office candidates who are willing and...
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Two bull moose seem to be getting along famously as a cow moose stands alone in the background.
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The Cook County High School volleyball team ended their season with a 3-0 loss to Floodwood. With the loss the Vikings record is 6-11 and 4-7 in the conference. Floodwood upped its’ record to 22-8. Although it was clean sweep, the Vikings pressed Floodwood hard in third game, narrowly losing 26-24. The Vikings fell 25-17 in the first game and 25-4 in the second. Floodwood ended the match with 35 kills, 15 ace serves and 80 digs. No stats were available for the Vikings. Head coach Marlene Wester will lose five seniors off of this years squad. Those seniors are...
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A deputy sheriff examines the runaway truck that crashed through the woods across the street from the Law Enforcement Center. The accident occurred October 20 when a 1974 Peterbilt TK driven by 23-year-old Damian Zimmer had a transmission failure. Zimmer, who was hauling a load of dirt told WTIP that he couldn’t slow the truck near the water tower on the Gunflint Trail. As the truck gained speed heading for Highway 61 Zimmer pulled the truck off the road about 200 feet from the intersection and jumped from the truck. Damian broke his wrist and suffered injuries to his jaw...
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Two girls, Olya Wright and Lamar Gordon, and two boys, Ian Thorpe and Cyrus Myers, qualified to run at the state cross country meet next week, but North Shore Storm Head Coach April Wahlstrom called the Section 7AA state qualifying meet “bittersweet” for a good reason. The boys’ and girls’ teams placed third in the competition, with the top two teams qualifying for state. For the boys, it was by the narrowest of margins. “Our boys finished in 3rd place (by 1 point) behind Rock Ridge and Grand Rapids. . .” said Coach Wahlstrom, adding, “Our girls finished in 3rd...
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This photo is from November 1963. The main street in downtown Grand Marais has flooded and logs are floating everywhere. The movie playing at the theater is “The Unforgiven,” starring Burt Lancaster and Audrey Hepburn. The theater was torn down in recent years; the Standard Gas station property has become the Grand Marais Harbor Park.
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Eira (pronounced “era” in North America) performs music from Scotland, Ireland, Newfoundland, Canada, Wales, and the U.S. Their repertoire includes traditional, contemporary, and original songs sung in English, Gaelic, Irish, Welsh, and more, played on fiddle, erhu, guitars, bodhrán, bouzouki, mandolin, button accordion, and whistles. The band does not feature a lead singer—all members sing or play lead throughout their performances. Eira was formed as a Celtic holiday/ Christmas band in 2015. The name “Eira”—meaning “snow” in Welsh—harkens back to the group’s wintry origins. Eira’s first album was released in 2016. The band has performed throughout Canada and the U.S....
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October was a lot of skeletons and zombies and ghosts, and it made me realize that Halloween omits an important step before the afterlife. The transition. All of these spirits were once living but now they’re dead. Fine, technically a zombie is undead. Which is a little confusing. The prefix “un” means the absence of something. So, if you’re unlikable, no one likes you. So, I don’t understand how “undead” means dead but not dead. Anyway, I’m not sure whether you would want to have a service for the undead. I don’t know the etiquette on that one. But the...
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I sit with my morning coffee, ensconced at a wooden table in an apartment on the beach of Aguada in Puerto Rico on the Atlantic in the western hemisphere of Planet Earth, and I marvel at our amazing world. Waves are crashing on the reef outside our open glass doors, and there are actually birds here. Tons of them: oyster catchers, pelicans, terns, and even night birds that sing us to sleep (or keep us awake, as the case may be). My son Ross moved here six years ago, and this is my second visit. We see little of each...
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Grand Maras Parks and Rec Director Dave Tersteeg addressed the Rec Park board on Tuesday, November 1, and suggested the board add modest rental increases to daily and monthly rates for both the park and marina for 2023. Before getting into the proposed increases, Tersteeg briefly discussed the recent history of park and marina operations. “Our strategy has been marginal increases yearly in the range of 2-5 percent. Most years, the board applied increases across the board, but some years we have been more targeted based upon site types to collect more from high-demand sites.” With Board Chair Stephen Aldrich...
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Jean Brislance took this remarkable picture of a Snow Bunting on October 18, “A definite sign of late fall. I always look forward to seeing these classy looking songbirds,” said Brislance.
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The Saginaw ore carrier passed by Grand Marais last Monday, October 18. It’s not too often a large ship like this comes by so close to shore.
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Cook County administrator James Joerke told county commissioners that based on the compensation study the county “needs to shift the pay scale up” for county employees. Earlier in the year the county hired David Drown Associates Human Resources (DDAHR) to conduct a market analysis and pay grid calibration for county employees. Joerke was addressing the board on Tuesday, October 26, 2022. The study was based on comparable wages paid by 20 other counties. Joerke said that “Unaspiringly” Cook County was paying lower than comparable counties for the same/similar jobs. The county is at a benchmark of 84 percent of market...
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Sorry. I don’t have time to think when I’m on the trail in the woods with my brother either behind or in front of me (we simply do not often walk side-by-side), with “The Baddest Girls in Cook County.” Daphne the English cocker spaniel stopping and staring at me too long, so I cast her off. Foxy the Brittany spaniel barking at squirrels and chipmunks. There are just too many things on my mind. So, I apologize for not having any thoughts. I’m often preoccupied with my pups, as you know. Daphne is here in the thimbleberries and bracken fern....
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Two Republican candidates, both Iron Range Mayors who are running for higher political offices, were in Grand Marais last Saturday at the Hub (senior center) to meet the public and answer questions. Ely Mayor Roger Skraba and Babbitt Mayor Andrea Zupancich spent a couple of hours laying out their thoughts and ideas for what they would do if elected. Zupancich is a candidate for Tom Bakk’s Senate District 3 seat. Bakk announced his retirement at the end of this session and endorsed Zupancich, who is running against Grant Hauschild (DFL), a city councilor from Hermantown. Asked for an introduction, Zupancich...
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My late husband, Joe, and I built our home in Colvill 33 years ago, after being small business owners of a deli/convenience and live bait store in Chisago County. We enrolled our daughter in school at ISD 166 for her primary and elementary school years. We considered ourselves pioneers, as we built our home and hobby farm complete with horses and goats and a German Shepherd dog breeding business. We were the local dog obedience trainers and many folks in Cook County took our classes. Over the years, I have been very active on local boards and committees from being...
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The evening is coming when children, and I use that term “children” loosely, will come to my door, dressed in costumes that range from cute to the macabre to the barely there. These little people will hold their bag of candy/loot in front of me and utter the phrase “Trick or Treat”. I am not a monster. I will not mention to the five-year-old in front of me wearing the fourth Frozen costume I’ve seen tonight what sugar will do to her teeth. I am not a ghoul. I will not tell the ten-year-old sporting the fifth store-bought, made-in-China Harry...
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A thank you to the Cook County highway department I would like to take a moment and give a huge “thanks” to Cook County, their highway department, contractors and engineers involved in the design and construction of the new bridge over the Cross River flowing into Gunflint Lake. After years of discussions involving both our Highway Department and local residents, the result is a beautiful new well-built bridge matching the area and history. When this project was first proposed, it was going to be a very modern-day concrete structure that would have taken away from the historic look and use...
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Ogilvie came to Grand Marais on October 19 and beat the CCHS Vikings 50-14. With the loss the Vikings record fell to 4-3 while Ogilvie’s win pushed their record to 6-2, 5-0 in their conference. The Ogilvie Lions led 14 -0 after one quarter and extended their lead to 36-6 at the half. The Lions added one more touchdown and two-point conversion in the third and the Vikings scored a touchdown and two-point conversion in the fourth. Hunter Rex was 5-15 for 66 yards. He threw one touchdown, a 60-yard completion to Ryan Christiansen and Hunter rushed for one touchdown....
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Playing at home, the Cook County Vikings volleyball team faced off against the Lakeview Christian Academy Lions on Monday, October 24 in a Section 7 play-off game and came away with a victory. Getting strong play at the net from middle hitters/ outside hitter Katie Peck, who leads team in spikes and service aces, as well as Emmalli Myers, Maggie Smith and a good bump and set game from Allie Duclos, Kalina Dimitrova, Anna Helmerson, Molly Quello, Makenzie Fairbanks, Haile Wiele, Trinity Rude, and Taylor Everson, the Vikings were the better team, winning in three straight. The Vikings took game...
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The Cook County High School Vikings played one of their best games of the season in their 42-12 win over the Hill City/Northland football team. The playoff game was played at home on Tuesday, October 25 on the Lyle Anderson Football field. Defense played a big key in the Vikings win over the Hill City/Northland football team as the Vikings ended with two fumble recoveries and three interceptions. The Vikings led 6-0 after the first quarter and 26-12 after two quarters. The Vikings shut Hill City down the rest of the way while adding 8 points in the third and...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or the Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Did you know that only four percent of American voters over 50 believe climate change is the most important issue in this election? I’m appalled. I believe it’s the most crucial issue for all of us, and it continues to worsen. I’m voting for people who will take action on the environment. The issue of most concern to older voters, according to a July AARP survey, was inflation (16%). Inflation is temporary, while climate change is a continuous, unrelenting threat. I expect younger people feel more concern about our environment, since they’re the ones who have to live with consequences...
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The Cook County Historical Society needs help identifying the people in this photo. If you know who they are, please send the names (from left to right) and if you know what they are up to, please include that information as well. Send your reply to history@boreal.org.
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We hosted our 6th Ruby’s Pantry at Birch Grove on Thursday, October 6th. We served 101 people. Thank you to all who have been purchasing a share and those who volunteer! We put together a list of people that have attended and it totaled 196. There is clearly a need. We received a letter from Ruby’s that October would be the last distribution this year. We can re-visit this needed service in the spring if we have committed purchased shares each month. Please consider a monthly commitment to purchase a share each month at (whether you pick one up...
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I hereby challenge Pete lying Stauber to a public debate with a constituent. He needs to answer to us and in his Wed debate lied more often than Trump. He refused to acknowledge Bidens election while pretending his was honest, a total fraud. Pete, I dare you or any stand-in to publicly debate me, he is a lying cheating fraud. Jerry Hiniker
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The US Forest Service is holding regional events from next week through early December! In addition, each district of the Superior National Forest is hosting an open house at its District Office. Please see below for more information. Locally District Rangers will meet with the public on November 9 at the Tofte District Office, 7655 W. Highway 61, Tofte, 218-663-8060. That meeting will be hosted locally by District Ranger, Ellen Bogardus-Szymaniak. On November 30, there will be an open house at the Gunflint District Office, 2020 W. Highway 61, Grand Marais, 218-387-1750, that will be led by District Ranger, Mike...
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Cook County Attorney Molly Hicken came before the county board on Tuesday to seek financial support for a lawsuit the Lutsen Trailbreakers snowmobile club wants to instigate against Lutsen property owners who are stopping the club from using a state-aid trail that runs through their land unless they are paid for that use. “This is an interesting issue,” said Hicken, telling the board she thinks the county should move forward with a Quiet Title Action against the property owners Richard and Natalie Feddie. Richard and Natalie Feddie purchased the property in October 2020. They said they were unaware of a...
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Deb White is running for Cook County Commissioner in District 1, a position now held by Robert Svaleson who decided he didn’t want to run again after serving one term. Deb is running against Yastrianne ‘Yanne’ Spry. The Cook County News-Herald asked White for her views on a few subjects that will. Affect county residents. Below are her answers. Q- Please tell us a little about yourself. A- Who am I? Cook County is my chosen home. Our family moved here more than forty years ago. Our two children graduated from Cook County High School. Three of my grandchildren are...
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Area residents concerned about threats to reproductive healthcare access will gather for a “human billboard” signing action and pro-choice rally on Wednesday, November 2, along Duluth’s North Shore. Participants for the hour-long human billboard action will meet at the Clearwater Event Center, 5135 North Shore Dr at 4:30 p.m. We will shuttle to the corner of McQuade Rd. and Highway 61 for the signing event and return to the event center for the 6pm indoor pro-choice rally. Speakers will begin at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will hear from several speakers. Paulina Briggs, patient educator at the WE Health Clinic in Duluth...
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Buyer Beware. This column is memoir, not exploration of 61 oddities. The ties to Highway 61 are thin—the author lives here and we do have flooding. Just ask the Lutsen Resorts two pedestrian bridges. On a 1966 summer day in the rococo Executive Office Building, my phone rings. An aide to Domestic Affairs Advisor Joe Califano says he wants to be briefed on the flood plain management order President Johnson has signed. The call got to a lowly, 25-year-old, GS-9 budget examiner, me because my boss, his boss, and his boss’ boss are all at a meeting at the Water...
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County-wide, year-to-date lodging taxes through the end of August are down six percent from same period last year. When comparing apples-to apples, Lutsen/Tofte Tourism Association’s lodging taxes are 7,746.40 through August 2022, down 6.5 percent from 2021 through August. Grand Marais Tourism Association reported a 5.2 percent drop from last year with lodging taxes totaling 7,549.72 through this August. The Gunflint Trail Tourism Association is down 3.7 percent through seven months of operation with 0,771.21 in lodging taxes. One percent sales tax and transportation tax Meanwhile Cook County’s one percent local option sales tax through seven months of 2022 are...
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Fall is in the Air Well, fall is leaving us in a real quick hurry. We took every advantage of being out on our patio enjoying the last of the warm sunshine before the snow starts flying. This month we enjoyed armchair travel to Mexico complete with chips and salsa plus burritos for dinner, and a hot game of things found in Mexico hangman. We played back to school hangman when the kids started back. We enjoyed Braeburn apples with caramel dip while figuring out a hangman game involving varieties of apples. How many varieties of apples can you come...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald's policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Evan James Blakey, White Bay, Ontario, plead guilty on October 19, 2022, to a petty misdemeanor Traffic Speeding (98/60) on July 7, 2022. Fines and fees total 5. Steven Jon Gravelle, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, pled guilty on September...
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Starting Tuesday, November 1, 2022, Minnesotans can enroll in comprehensive medical and dental coverage for 2023 and access exclusive savings that lower the cost of monthly premiums through MNsure, Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace. Now in its tenth year of serving Minnesotans, MNsure is the trusted source to find health plans that meet the needs and budgets of Minnesotans. MNsure’s open enrollment period will run from November 1, 2022, through January 15, 2023. Open enrollment is the annual opportunity for Minnesotans to compare options, sign up for health coverage, or change plans. “We’re looking forward to helping many new families enroll...
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TIME TO PLOW FOR POTATOES IN THE LATE 1930s This photo was taken near the end of the Great Depression. It is the Modl dairy and potato farm in Antigo, Wisconsin. Antigo soil is silty, and it is especially good for growing potatoes. Grandpa, Charles Modl, is tending to Aunt Donna, while my dad, Marvin Modl, holds the reigns on Dan, one of the great work horses that worked the farm.
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Students witnessing a young man threatening another young man with a pocketknife at the Vikings football Homecoming game quickly diffused the situation and alerted a faculty member about what had happened. The knife in question was given to the offender by a friend. Neither of the two middle school students attend I.S.D. 166. No one was hurt but the school wasted little time informing parents and guardians through email about the incident that happened October 13. Here is the email the school sent to parents and guardians. Cook County Families: Happy Friday of homecoming week in Cook County! School spirit...
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The last evergreen on the Grand Marais Library lawn blew down on Tuesday, October 18. High winds caused damage to trees throughout the county as temperatures dropped and snow fell in some places over the last few days. If winter isn’t here, it’s knocking hard on our door.
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Halloween is one of the most anticipated times of year for many, including the kids who go door to door collecting treats. Staff from the Sheriff ’s Office will be patrolling to enhance public safety, but there are also steps that you can take to help ensure a positive evening for the children. Beginning with the most basic of Halloween traditions, the first safety tip is costume accessories. Look for light-colored, flame-resistant costumes and other components that are labeled as flame-resistant or made of flame-resistant fabrics such as polyester or nylon. Also choose light-colored costumes when possible since they’re easier...
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Based on the Vacation Rental Advisory Committee Report, Cook County Commissioners will have a lot to decide before making any changes to the vacation rental ordinance before 2023. The report was delivered to the board on Tuesday, October 11 and the commissioners agreed to set a public hearing on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, to be held at the Cook County Planning Commission to consider changes proposed by the committee to the Vacation Rental Ordinance #62 and authorize extension of the vacation rental license renewal for 2023 to run from January 1 to February 28. Prior to the Advisory Committee meeting...
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After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID Pandemic, Empty Bowls 2022 will once again raise critical funds for our community’s hunger needs by offering a simple soup lunch and dinner service on November 17th! This year’s fundraising goal is ,000. St. John’s Catholic Church has again graciously offered their lower level for the event, with lunch running from 11-1 and dinner 5-7. The annual bake sale is back as well. The pandemic is responsible for an uptick in food insecurity both locally and nationwide, making it more important than ever for Empty Bowls to continue its work in Cook...
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When it comes to voting for a school board member, remember this: our students shouldn’t be collateral damage to their theology. Don Davison, Grand Marais
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or the Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Grand Marais Administrator Mike Roth informed the Public Utility Board (PUC) that the city’s electrical generation provider Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA), had raised the city’s 2023 rate by 15 percent, a hike of about 0,000 over the current rates. Roth suggested that the board raise the rates by 3 percent over 2022 for customers to combat that increase. That would net the city ,000, and Roth said the fund balance could cover the 100,000 left. Charles Hathaway, Grand Marais PUC commissioner, and Craig Schulte, the city’s representative on the PUC for the city council, were leery of raising...
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Life can change in an instant, as volunteers at the First & Second Thrift Store learned early this month. The Cobblestone Building has been purchased by the Voyageur Brewing Company, leaving the store homeless. First & Second will close on December 31st, and everything will be put in storage until they have a new home. October 15th was the last day they accepted donations, but they’d like people to store their like-new cast-offs until they reopen, hopefully this spring. Unfortunately, there is no building currently available for the store’s relocation. The back of the Birchbark building will be available in...
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I recently was asked to eulogize my father-in-law, Willard Holthaus. He died on October 1st after a long, painful illness. I loved and respected him deeply. I have been privileged to have him as my father-in-law, and I am proud to carry his name. I was honored when Willard asked me to share his eulogy. I wish he had given me a list of what to say, just as he had a list of his favorite songs tucked away in his wallet. That list came out at every wedding for more than 20 years. Willard would show it to the...
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I love old ladies. Because they are so easy to please. Just take care of them, love them, and work your butt off for them. Use some racy humor. Be mostly honest about yourself. They probably don’t understand us developmentally arrested boys of Generation X, or the movie “Fight Club.” But when you love them and take care of them, they love you because you work for them, and they will love you forever. And they deserve it all. It was only once that I acted like an adult and cooked a duck dinner for a girl. You learn your...
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The Cook County News-Herald reached out to Rae Piepho, Lutsen, and asked her some questions about why she is running for the I.S.D. 166 school board. Below are her answers. I am running for the ISD 166 District 5 School Board position because the children in this district deserve the best education we can provide them, and for many that is not evidenced by academic results in this district: 29% proficiency in math; 52% in reading for 2021. The average English, Math, and Composite American College Test (ACT) scores among Minnesota’s high school graduating class of 2022 are the lowest...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked angling, small-game hunting and ATV activity throughout the week. He responded to several hunting complaints in the area and assisted with an investigation regarding a vehicle...
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No easy answers for the problems faced by North Shore Health, but a quick fix isn’t one of them I am writing with the desire to give another perspective on the recent social media posts and WTIP article related to staffing challenges at North Shore Health. I grew up in Cook County, and after high school graduation, I earned a degree in Social Work. I worked for Cook County Human Services for several years before being hired as the Facility Social Worker for North Shore Health almost 10 years ago. I like my job and I value the organization I...
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Over the last several months, the County has been working to update its Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), the document that will guide future investments in County facilities. Why have a CIP? There are two key reasons: it’s a tool that can help us reduce long-term costs associated with building operations and maintenance, and it creates predictability in budgeting for and managing buildings. In this article, I’ll describe the process we’re undertaking, the timeline for the project, and the ways that you can learn about recommended improvements and provide feedback before the CIP is finalized. The process began last winter with...
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Congratulations to Cook County High School Homecoming King Ryan Christiansen and Queen MaKenzie Fairbanks!
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Cascade Vacation Rentals in Lutsen is pleased to announce they will be taking over the management of the Lutsen Poplar River Condos on Lake Superior, also located in Lutsen. Starting in October 2022, North Shore guests will be able to book their stay at the Lutsen Poplar River Condos on Lake Superior through Cascade Vacation Rentals for stays starting after November 22, 2022. Guests can learn more about the condos on their new website StayLutsen.com and on CVR’s website StayCVR.com. About the Lutsen Poplar River Condos on Lake Superior This grouping of 12 buildings collectively known as the Lutsen Poplar...
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Floyd Pearson, Grand Marais, died September 18. Floyd spent his childhood on Big Bay in Hovland, MN. After graduation from Cook County High School, he attended the University of Minnesota and then served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam war. In the 1970’s, Floyd returned to the north shore to start a logging, sawmilling and construction business, Big Bay Forest Products, which he operated until his retirement. Collecting old cars was Floyd’s lifelong passion. He also earned a private pilot’s license, made wine, loved to travel- especially on his Gold Wing, and was a great conversationalist. Floyd gave...
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Andrea Jackopich, 63, Grand Marais, died unexpectedly on Friday, October 14, 2022, at home. She was born March 4, 1959, Andy and Francis Hazel (Evans) Koenig and grew up and attended schools in Sheboygan, Wosconsin. Andrea moved with her mother to Grand Marais during her high school years and was employed for various hotels doing housekeeping and laundry. Once her children were grown, she was a homemaker. Andrea married Marty Jackopich in 1989. She enjoyed spending time outside. Whether it was sitting watching the animals and trees at home or sitting on the deck at the hunting shack. She also...
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We are heartbroken to share that Wayne Roy Brandt passed away on the morning of October 8, 2022, at the age of 69, at home with his wife and children at his side after a very brief battle with cancer. He was born October 2, 1953, in Neenah, Wisconsin to William and Alice Brandt. He joined the United States Army as a young man and was stationed in Germany. After the army, Wayne spent 23 years working for Menasha Corporation. He met the love of his life Linda, in 1975, and they were married in 1982. While raising five daughters,...
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Several businesses gave gifts and food to share so Lutsen Township could host a Halloween Party for children at Grandview Park in Lutsen. The businesses donated about ,000 in value for the weekend event that was well attended by kids and their families.
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This last week the Cook County Chamber hosted a meet and greet event for the community to come and visit with Patrick and Paula Burns, the owners of North 61. North 61 moved from the west end of the county to Grand Marais this summer and it is located in the building that housed the former Birchbark Books and Gifts shop, 11 1st Avenue in West downtown Grand Marais. The store features quality goods and clothing, vintage and salvaged adventure goods.
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GRAND MARAIS, MN, October 11, 2022 — North Shore Health (NSH) would like to publicly address certain conversations that have recently been circulating on local social media and radio. In August, WTIP posted to the station’s Facebook page an interview that on-air personality Joe Friedrichs conducted with Kimber Wraalstad, NSH CEO Administrator. The topic was about the staffing shortage at NSH and how the facility’s Care Center or Ambulance Service could potentially close if NSH is unable to hire sufficient staffing to maintain required service levels. While this was difficult news to deliver, NSH felt it was their duty to...
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Minnesotans who need health insurance can now shop and compare medical and dental plans for 2023 through MNsure, Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace. MNsure’s open enrollment period starts November 1 and runs through January 15, 2023, but Minnesotans can use MNsure’s plan comparison tool this month to check out their options and get a cost estimate so they are ready to sign up for coverage when open enrollment begins. “There is great news for Minnesotans shopping for 2023 health coverage through MNsure,” said MNsure CEO Nate Clark. “With larger tax credits available for more Minnesotans, we estimate Minnesota families will save...
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THREE MORE 1971 CCHS SENIOR GRADUATES From the left are Beverly Schmidt, Mary Jo Hoffman, and Maralee Backlund.
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The Vikings got off to a fast start against unbeaten fifth ranked in the state Mountain Iron-Buhl (MIB) last Thursday in the Vikings Homecoming game. After receiving the kick-off and returning the ball to their 47-yard line, Viking quarterback Hunter Rex handed the ball off to Homecoming King Ryan Christian and the speedster bolted 57 yards for a touchdown. However, the two-point conversion attempt failed, and the Vikings led 6-0. Following the touchdown, the Vikings kicked off and the MIB Rangers started on their 17-yard line. Wasting little time, the Rangers gobbled up yards on long runs and soon MIB...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second...
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Can you identify the couple in this picture? If you can, please put the number of the photo with the names of the couple, date and year if you know it, and send the information to history@boreal.org.
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Solar co-op opens on the heels of the Inflation Reduction Act, making going solar even easier for Duluth and Arrowhead residents Nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN), Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, and Cook County Local Energy Project recently launched the Duluth and Arrowhead Solar Co-op to help Duluth and Arrowhead area residents go solar. The solar co-op will host two upcoming free solar information sessions on Tuesday, October 25 and Tuesday, December 6. The solar co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and business owners in Duluth and Arrowhead. Together, solar co-op members will learn about solar...
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Our North Shore has been dubbed the Scandinavian Riviera. Given the Finns who settled around the Baptism River, it better may be called the Nordic Riviera. Finns are not Scandinavian, just ask them or check their language, so unlike their neighbors. So, do not call Finns “Scandinavian;” call them Nordic; Icelanders, too. You wonder why we bother with Scandinavian versus Nordic? Because we all will want to read The Nordic Theory of Everything: In Search of a Better Life. The author, Anu Partanan, is a journalist from Finland and now a U.S. citizen. She writes comparing her homeland with her...
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It was another busy week of volleyball as the Vikings regular season winds down and the team gets ready for the playoffs. The Cook County High School varsity volleyball team traveled to Duluth to face the Lakeview Christian Academy Lions on Friday, October 14 and the Vikings came away as victors, winning the match in three games straight. Game one was all Cook County as the Vikings won 25-14. The Lions were more competitive in game two, falling 25-20 and the Vikings took game three 25-16. With the win the Vikings record is 6-6 and they are 4-5 in conference...
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The North Shore girls' cross country team placed four girls in the top ten at the Polar League conference cross country meet held Thursday, October 13 at Pincushion and literally ran away with the conference title. South Ridge’s Evelyn Brodeen won the individual crown, narrowly beating CCHS runner Olya Wright. Brodeen’s winning time was 20:16.1 for the rugged 5k while Wright came across the line in 20:18.5. North Shore finishers in order were Lamar Gordon 4th (20:34.1), Sierra Geatz 7th (21:35.9), Jocelyn Carr 8th (31:49.2), Lexi Surbaugh 13th ((22:27), London Smith 14th (22:29.9), Brianna Monson 21st (23:35.2). The girls won...
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October is the month where everyone tries to scare me. They plant ghosts and goblins and witches and skeletons in their front yard. And, yes, if you’re into property values, then clutter is indeed a bit scary. Then again, if the goal really is to frighten me, why on earth would you dress these decorations up in funny costumes? I’ve seen skeletons sporting scarecrow garb. Are they trying to scare me or the crows? I’ve seen ghosts donning sunglasses, Goblins rocking Norwegian sweaters, and witches looking less like they’re about to take to the air than they’re about to sweep...
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Gail Gieseke is a write-in candidate for the Cook County Soil & Water Board. Prior to moving to Cook County was a veterinarian and owned and operated a companion animal veterinary clinic in Chaska, Minnesota. “We had 6 DVMs and approximately 24 support staff when I left, I had started with myself and one part time DVM plus 6 support staff in 1997. I definitely have management and “people” skills in my background. Happy to be retired and able to give back to my “new” community. “Other volunteering commitments include, being a UMN Cook County Extension Master Gardener, the MPCA...
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On Tuesday, October 11, Cook County Commissioners unanimously approved a request by the Caribou Lake Property Association to ban wake boats on Caribou Lake. Before that request becomes official it must go to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for their final say on the matter. Fred Morris, president of the Caribou Lakes Property Owners Association, told commissioners that the 728-acre lake is not suited for wake boats because it has four big bays, essentially making it more like four smaller lakes. The bays are long and narrow and not suited to the sport of wake surfing, said Morris. A...
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Visit Cook County Executive Director Linda Jurek was awarded the Roger Toussaint Award Oct. 4 at the annual meeting of the Minnesota Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (MACVB). The award recognizes individuals who have been actively engaged and participatory in MACVB membership and its ongoing efforts to increase tourism throughout the state, as well as those who have willingly mentored others to share their knowledge and expertise with the MACVB membership. Jurek has served on the MACVB board of directors since 2019 and joins a list of 14 other Minnesota tourism professionals to win the award, representing the “best...
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Q-Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? A-I was born in Minneapolis to former naval officers who moved there after WWII, and family trips to the North Shore and up the unpaved Gunflint Trail were frequent. Those trips set the stage for development of my passion for the Boundary Waters and Cook County, where I’ve owned property for nearly three decades. My husband, Tim, and I have lived here permanently for over a decade, and our son, Tom moved here, as well. Being in the education profession most of my life, I am a lifelong learner. For 44...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald's policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. COOK COUNTY MARRIAGE APPLICATIONS Claire Elizabeth Illies, Duluth, Minnesota and Mathias Kristopher Gordon, Duluth, Minnesota August 26. Clint Evan Kappesser, Fort Thomas, Kentucky and Abigail Lynn Johnson, Fort Thomas, Kentucky, August 30. Christine Ann Novotny, Grand Marais and...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checking small-game hunters and anglers. Small-game-hunting pressure has been very high on area forest service roads. Enforcement action was taken for hunting and ATV-related violations....
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Actually, called latent infections, zombie infections lie dormant in a person’s body, hiding from the immune system, and often cause no symptoms until they come raging back. They can be difficult, or impossible, to treat. Latent Viral Infections Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) cause sores on or in the mouth or genitals and is spread through direct physical contact. Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) causes chickenpox and shingles. It’s highly contagious and can be dangerous, even deadly, especially for babies, pregnant people, or people with weakened immune systems. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) impacts a person’s immune system and makes them less able...
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Award-winning author Jeannine Ouellette will be in Duluth at the end of October for two literary events — live and in-person, both free and open to the public. On Wednesday, October 26, Jeannine Ouellette will read from her memoir, The Part That Burns, at 6 p.m. in the Kathryn A. Martin Library Rotunda, on the campus of the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Ouellette will share the stage with Tim Moder, an Indigenous poet from northern Wisconsin. The event is sponsored by the Department of English, Linguistic and Writing Studies at UMD and it is free and open to the public. On...
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Another busy summer and fall season are coming to a close at the Grand Marais Rec Park. Addressing the Grand Marais Rec Park board on Wednesday, October 5, manager Dave Tersteeg told the park board, “September revenue was robust and edged out 2021 totals by just 4 on roughly 0,000. Our plus 4.5 percent trend over 2021 revenue continues leading into the final month of the money-making season.” The upcoming MEA weekend has a lot of reservations, but Tersteeg said they are “closely watching temperatures and telling guests we will be winterizing once we see lows in the 20s and...
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An observant—one might say eagle eyed-- eagle takes perch on the inner break wall in front of North House Folk School.
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On a glorious sunny day with abundant fall colors coaxing visitors down the shore, there were 186 people who attended the day-long festivities in Grand Portage on Saturday, October 9. Of those, 29 brave souls joined in to play Lacrosse. The Grand Portage community opened its arms to the community and visitors, kicking off the Committee Addressing Racial Equity’s “Opening Doors: A Year of Learning.” Also celebrated was Indigenous People Day. At 10 a.m. the Grand Portage National Monument opened with the Stone Bridge Singers Drum group. Visitors saw displays from the days of the fur trade to a recent...
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Ginny Storlie is running for a third consecutive county board seat and once again is squaring off against Bruce Martinson, himself a former county commissioner representing the west end of the county. Martinson answered question posed to him last week and this week its Ginny’s turn to reply to the same questions. Q-Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? A-I grew up in southern Minnesota around Mankato. I learned hard work at an early age which has given me a prospective to all challenges in life. I have an elementary school background and worked in several schools before...
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This young black bear is taking a bit of a rest before it scampers higher into the tree.
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The Cook County News-Herald is introducing candidates who are running for the I.S.D. 166 school board. This week Dan Shirley took some time from his busy schedule to answer some questions posed to him about his interest in remaining on the school board. Q- Why are you running for the I.S.D. 166 school board? I’ve been on the ISD 166 Board for 5 years and I’m seeking re-election for a few reasons. The first is that I care deeply about traditional public schools and want to be in a position to effectively advocate for them. I also believe in the...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held the second...
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As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the U.S. General Services Administration has awarded two key contracts for the Grand Portage Land Port of Entry, Grand Portage, Minnesota: [post_excerpt].78 million contract for a pre-design, enhanced Program Development Study was awarded to Hammel, Green, Abrahamson (HGA) of Minneapolis to update the program of requirements for the Land Port of Entry (LPOE) in northeastern Minnesota. HGA will develop a final schematic building footprint and site plan alternatives. 6,456.64 contract for an Environmental Assessment, which in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, was awarded to a small business, Potomac-Hudson Engineering, Inc., to...
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Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan paid a visit to the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa on Monday, September 26, as part of his administrations promise to be publicly engaged with communities throughout the state. Governor Waltz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan met with the Grand Portage Reservation Tribal Council, visited the Grand Portage National Monument and spent time with children from the Oshki Ogimaag elementary school. When he was elected Waltz promised to visit communities throughout the state as part of the governor’s public engagement office. The Public Engagement Office is comprised of three functions:...
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Mary LaBerge, local artist, shared her skills and talents with Birch Grove Community School’s K-5 students on a crisp September day! Four different student groups trekked out to the woods throughout the day to find easels set up, blank, white canvases shining in the sun, paints at the ready, and Mary LaBerge smiling and eager to start teaching. Mary took students step by step through blending acrylic paints to make a beautiful sky and then a water scene. Then students added a land mass with trees and birds and finished with their initials in the corner of their masterpiece! Student...
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On Thursday, October 6 the Vikings traveled to Cromwell and lost 3-1 to the always tough Cardinals. Next, they traveled to Mountain Iron-Buhl on Monday, October 10 and beat the Rangers 3-1. The Vikings volleyball team made short work of the visiting squad from McGregor this past Tuesday, taking a 3-0 win over the Mercs in a game played at home in the Pam Taylor gymnasium. Playing great defense (66 percent team defense) and serving extremely well (93 percent team serving) the Vikings took the games 25-11, 25-11 and 25-15. With the win the Vikings are now 6-6 overall and...
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Warning: This column, starting with the title, will require some German. Even if you’re just reading silently, feel free to mispronounce them in your head. Octoberfest, or Volkfest as it’s known in Germany, is a traveling carnival in Munich, Bavaria (that’s in Germany, which is in Europe) where they serve beer. Fun fact: the vast majority of Octoberfest is in September! So why is called Octoberfest? Did I mention there’s beer? That is not a coincidence. Anyway, the festivities last seventeen or eighteen days so, unless you’re in space or something, it’s almost impossible to miss. Though the beer’s the...
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Can you identify the woman and two children in this picture? If so, send an email to history@boreal.org with the names and any information you might have about this photo. Please include the numbers on the picture’s top.
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Stacey Hawkins is running for a second term as the District 2, Cook County Commissioner. Her opponent in the race, David Berglund, announced last week that he is withdrawing from the race and supporting Hawkins. The News-Herald reached out to Stacey to ask a few questions. Below are her answers. Q-Why are you interested in serving as a Cook County Commissioner? A-I would like to continue to serve as Cook County Commissioner to fulfill my original commitment to a 4-year term on the board. I believe I bring another perspective when evaluating proposals that come before the board. I like...
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Tim and Beth Kennedy held a fundraiser for DFL candidates at their Grand Marais house last Saturday and it was well attended. Attending from L-R was Rob Ecklund, 3A Minnesota House of Representative from International Falls who is running against Ely Mayor Roger Skraba; Jennifer Schulz, Duluth, who is running for Congress against incumbent Pete Stauber; U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, who was on hand to help raise funds, and Grant Hauschild, Hermantown, who is running against Babbitt Mayor Andrea Zupancich, to represent District 3 in the Minnesota State Senate.
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While all people deserve to live in a safe and healthy home, not everyone has that opportunity. Some home environments can cause significant illness, injury, or death to those who live there. Many household hazards, such as fall risks, mold, radon, pests, or lead, are preventable. By working with homeowners and renters, trained public health staff with Cook County Public Health and Human Services can now offer evidence-based healthy homes assessments to identify housing-based health threats, as well as education and resources to help correct the identified hazards. Eight Principles of Healthy Homes The US Department of Housing and Urban...
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Jean Brislance took this picture of a Downy Woodpecker against a vibrant fall background. “The fall colors this year have been absolutely amazing!” said Brislance.
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or the Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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October is my favorite time of year. Yes, because I love Fall. But also, it is my birthday month. I was born in the 10th month, on the 10th day at 10 in the morning. I have a birth certificate signed by Roger McDonald MD saying this is the truth so help me, God. Because of this, my golden birthday was when I was 10. My favorite number is ten, and at one time, I have probably had ten pets under my roof. (At this time, we host four dogs and one very black cat named Salem.) Twenty years ago...
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Local groups hosting a family-friendly, interactive day of activities to kick off a “Year of Learning” in Cook County Todd Ford, Public Information Coordinator On Saturday, October 8 the Grand Portage Community is hosting a series of activities to celebrate the kick-off of “Opening Doors: A Year of Learning” and Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend in Cook County, with the Committee Addressing Racial Equity (CARE). Events begin at 10 a.m. Start your day off at the Grand Portage National Monument, welcomed by drummers and singers, and pick up a discovery guide at the Heritage Center, and enjoy the activities throughout the...
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The federal agency that manages three million acres of public land in northeastern Minnesota, including the 1.1-million acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, has a new leader at its Duluth headquarters. Tom Hall has been appointed as Forest Supervisor, and started work earlier this month. Most recently, Hall served two-and-a-half years in Washington, D.C. at the Department of Agriculture’s legislative office. Before that, he was a District Ranger on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in northern California. The Forest Service says he has twenty years of experience in sustainable land management. Tom Hall (USFS) “I am looking forward to helping the...
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The city received three proposals from architectural firms for design services for a new City Hall and Liquor Store with attached public restrooms. Council discussed those proposals at the board’s September 28 meeting. The three firms were LHB Inc, TKDA, and ARI. City Administrator Mike Roth told council members “These are reputable firms either the city or county has worked with in the past.” Depending on the proposals, costs ranged from the mid to high 0,000 range, said Mayor DeCoux. The city began looking at replacing the city hall/ liquor store several years ago, narrowing the scope from 16,000 square...
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North Shore Health (NSH) is thrilled to announce that they have launched their new and improved website. The previous website had become outdated and lacked some of the informative content that NSH administration wanted to convey. The new website is a complete redesign and features far more helpful information for our patients, residents, visitors and partners. “In addition to improved depth of information, the new website is brighter, better branded, more visually compelling and easier to read and navigate,” said Todd Ford, Public Information Coordinator. “I enjoyed collaborating with the team that brought this priority project to completion.” NSH quietly...
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Thirty-three percent of Minnesota women and twenty-five percent of Minnesota men experience intimate partner physical violence (IPV), intimate partner rape and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes. Along with physical and sexual violence, people often experience emotional abuse, financial abuse and live in an environment of control where they are isolated from friends and relatives. One in five homicide victims are killed by their intimate partner. Physical injury is the result of IPV for a third of women who are victims and one in ten men. Those effected by IPV even have increased risk of asthma, heart disease, stroke, chemical...
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The I.S.D. 166 school board is hoping voters in November will go to the polls and approve renewing the 2016 operating levy for another ten years. So what's at stake if those residents don’t pass the referendum? I.S.D. School Superintendent Chris Lindholm explained it this way. “The current operating levy provides 0,000 - 0,000 of annual revenue for the district that supports teaching and support positions to provide smaller class sizes, elective opportunities for students, and some extracurricular activities. If the levy were to expire and not be extended, the district would need to begin a decision-making process to determine...
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Bruce Martinson is running against incumbent Ginny Storlie to see who will represent District 5 as county commissioner. Ginny suffered an accident and her response to these questions will run next week. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. After 29 years of managing Superior Ridge Resort Motel and raising our family in Schroeder, my wife, Sheryl, and I are selling the business looking at a May closing with a buyer. We will remain in Cook County residing on land across from Sugarloaf Cove in Schroeder. We have three children: Kyle (27) an actuary analyst with Securian in St....
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The North Shore combined cross country team(s) of Cook County, Silver Bay, and Two Harbors had a fantastic meet at Hibbing on Thursday, September 29, with many personal records (PRs) set by both girls and boys from seventh through 12th grade. Girls Varsity Personal records (PRs) and seasonal bests (SB) times were the themes for the North Shore girls cross country team that competed in the Hibbing Invitational cross country meet that featured 28 large and small school teams. The meet was on Thursday, September 29, and North Shores top six runners had PRs. Olya Wright led the way with...
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The Cook County High School varsity football team traveled to Northhome, Minnesota last Friday to play the Kelliher/Northome/Littlefork-Big Falls team and won 30-8, with three touchdowns coming through the air. Sophomore quarterback Hunter Rex completed 11 of his 17 throws for 326 yards. First quarter action saw the Vikings put six points on the board but miss their two-point conversion. The Vikings scored a touchdown in the second quarter and converted the two-point conversion to lead 14-0 at the half. The Vikings kicked off to start the third quarter and held KNLBF on downs, taking over at KNLBF's 45-yard line....
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or the Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Grants help develop, expand shooting ranges throughout Minnesota The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking applicants for about ,000 in grants to develop and expand shooting ranges in the state. The money, which the Legislature provided to address shooting range capacity issues, is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The applicant period is open-ended, but funding expires June 30, 2023. The grants, which require a 1:1 match, are available for work on fivestand, pistol, rifle, skeet or trap ranges. Grants from ,500 to ,000 are available, and grantees must allow members of the public to shoot at reasonable times...
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U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that Congress approved more than million in federal funding to help Minnesotan families afford their heating costs and utility bills this winter. “As Minnesota prepares for winter, families shouldn’t have to choose between heating their homes or buying other necessities,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will be critical to helping families and seniors across our state pay their energy bills and keep their homes warm. I’ll keep working to ensure Minnesotans have the support they need to stay safe this winter.” “As global energy markets respond to the pandemic...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has state lands for sale in Anoka, Houston, Itasca, St. Louis and Wadena counties. The 17 parcels for sale include rural lands with many recreational opportunities. Annual land sales help the DNR refine its land holdings and meet its responsibility to maximize recreational, conservation, and economic opportunities. The DNR sells land at public auction in accordance with state statutes. This year, the DNR will offer two in-person public auctions in October, followed by an online auction later this fall. DNR in-person public auction schedule In-person auctions are scheduled at the following locations. Registration starts...
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Faithful readers were introduced to 61 Gems, a short book of introductions to things to see and do on our North Shore, the North Coast of the United States. We covered Stoney Point, Buchanan Settlement, and the Trail of Whispering Giants. Here are some more, lesser-known gems of interest. Old Pump House at Lakewood. Where Duluth still gets all its Lake Superior Water, along with Hermantown, Proctor, and Rice Lake Township. You can get filtered water from a spigot near the parking area while you marvel at the castle like structure with pipes 120 or so years old. Some of...
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I cannot compose an essay in which I describe all of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. Say, rather, that I choose not to. I choose not to ask that of my editor and publisher. The hardest things I have done in my life mostly have not been done in the out-of-doors and do not belong in this forum. They may be too traumatic or personal. Or I cannot write here about them for disclosure reasons or mandatory reporting reasons or because of taboo or shame. I have such a list, but I will not write it...
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According to the International Lake Superior Board of Control, Lake Superior’s August 2022 water level was 3.9 inches higher than the season long-term average (1918-2021) and 4.3 inches higher than the level in 2021. Lake Michigan-Huron is 8.3 inches above average and 9.5 inches below last August’s average. Great Lake water levels through September show that all of the Great Lakes except Lake Superior are below levels from last year. However, Lake Superior is up six inches from last year over the same period. According to the Army Corps of Engineers, as of September 23, Lake Superior’s average elevation above...
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Night. In the back alley of a community theater, Rob waits patiently until finally, from within, a skeleton, SCOTT, emerges. Scott is approximately 206 bones. He’s wearing trousers, a sport coat, and a scarf. ROB: You must be Scott. SCOTT: In the flesh. (off Rob’s look) --It’s just an expression. R: Good to meet you. Let’s jump right in. I, um, well, I have a bone to pick. S: You and me both, brother. R: I mean, how does it work? How do you even move? S: I have no idea, man. As you can see, I have no muscles,...
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Can you identify the kids and coaches in this photo? If you know the names start in front and write names left to right and send the information to history@boreal.org.
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time at Camp Ripley assisting with firearms qualifications. He also checked small-game hunters and ATV riders. CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked grouse hunters and saw many...
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The nights are getting longer and darker, but brilliant Jupiter provides a beacon until well into the morning hours. The king of planets comes out in the east at nightfall and dominates the sky. West of Jupiter shines Saturn, and above the ringed planet the Summer Triangle of stars still rides high. A waxing moon passes Saturn between the 4th and 5th and Jupiter between the 7th and 8th. The two giant planets are now drifting through the dim autumn “water” constellations Capricornus, the sea goat; Aquarius, the water bearer; and Pisces, the fishes. Above Jupiter, the Great Square of...
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Despite threatening rain, Fables of the North Shore turned out to be a blast. Held at Fika Coffee in Lutsen on Saturday, September 24, the story-telling exhibit by Jordan Sundberg and Natalie Salminen featured art, music, plays and family events and contests like the Cold Brew Chug Off.
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The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) announced last week that they have awarded [post_excerpt],000,000 to the University of Minnesota, in partnership with The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and Cook County Public Health and Human Services to strengthen and expand substance use disorder services including opioid use disorder prevention, treatment and recovery services in Grand Portage and Cook County. Local consortium partners include: • The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa • Sawtooth Mountain Clinic • Cook County Public Health and Human Services • University of Minnesota – College of Pharmacy • University...
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Just in time for the frolic of fall leaves and whispers of winter coming, a Fairy Library has been built for any lost sprite who needs a warm cozy place to read and rest! The North Shore Wizard of Creative Works with Children, Dave Steckelberg, has finished the little cedar Fairy Library that Story Scouts and Minnesota Children’s Press of Grand Marais commissioned him to make. This library is part of an effort to increase Fairy habitat in Grand Marais and Cook County to improve screen-free imaginative child-culture in the area. Note: The Library is open to all friendly sprites,...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education Career training...
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Starting November 1, Minnesotans looking for health coverage for 2023 can shop and compare plans and save money through MNsure, Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace. Now that final rates are available from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, MNsure has new estimates for how much Minnesotans will actually pay for health premiums in 2023 — and it’s about 3.5% less than 2022. Eligible Minnesotans are poised to save big on their monthly premiums by taking advantage of tax credits only available through MNsure. “MNsure projects Minnesota families will save 0 per month, on average, when they enroll in 2023 coverage through MNsure,”...
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Arrowhead Transit will provide free tides to the polls on Tuesday, November 8, for anyone who lives within a Dial-A-Ride service area. For Cook County, that includes Grand Marais. Please call at least one day in advance to schedule a ride. When you call, please provide the dispatcher with the following information: Where to pick you up; the location of your polling site; when you would like to get there and when you would like to be picked up for your return trip. To schedule a ride, call 800-862-0175. Be sure to let the dispatcher know you want a free...
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In 2020, the Community Leadership Group (aka Joint Powers) began meeting to discuss two areas of need in Cook County: housing and racial equity here in Cook County. Today, the Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) has a director, Jason Hale, who along with his board are working tirelessly to solve our local housing crisis. As the workforce housing group met, another group of Cook County leaders (with some overlap) began to focus on racial equity. These leaders want everyone here to realize an equal chance to improve their lives. They identified that systemic racism is one of the barriers to achieving...
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MEET THREE 1971 GRADUATING CCHS SENIORSFrom left to right are Michele Simon, Lyanne Holte, and Jennifer Krueger.
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The construction crew on County Road (CR) 45 has gotten to the CR44 intersection. They lowered CR45 significantly to improve the sight line when heading northbound on CR44. This is going to make this intersection much safer.
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Missing lynx! This lynx was in pursuit of a wily ruffed grouse and the grouse got away, at least for the moment.
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On Tuesday, September 13, 2022, the Cook County Board of Commissioners set the Fiscal Year 2023 preliminary levy at 5.5 percent. The preliminary levy establishes a budget ceiling for the fiscal year that begins January 1, 2023 and ends December 31, 2023. The County Board is scheduled to set the final budget and levy for 2023 at its December 13, 2022, meeting, and a Truth in Taxation hearing to receive public feedback on the budget will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, in the Commissioners’ Room of the Cook County Courthouse. The final levy can be...
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In two to three years, your streetside garbage pick-up in the City of Grand Marais will most likely be made with an electric-powered garbage truck. That’s the hope for the owners of North Shore Waste, who unveiled a very ambitious business plan last Monday. Sometimes you look to the past to see the future. For example, when vehicles were first built, they ran on electricity. Then combustible engines made operating those vehicles impractical, but now the proverbial shoe is on the other foot, and the world has returned to the concept of electric-powered engines. That concept has sparked the interest...
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Bob Pratt was from Cook County, loved it and its people. He emboldened people to grow their knowledge, skills, and abilities to benefit themselves, their families, and make positive contributions to the Cook County community. He supported and encouraged people to do that through training, education, and critical thinking. When he died, Cook County lost an important and valuable asset. Over ninety Cook County residents, organizations and businesses did not want to lose what Bob meant to the community. When the family announced it was starting a scholarship fund for Cook County residents, they pitched in financially to the Bob...
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Dr. Mari LaMoore and her husband Nick have been in Cook County for two weeks and have hit the ground running. Nick is a P.E. professional engineer who wants to design and build affordable, energy-efficient homes in the area, and the two have 40 acres of land they are hoping to build a greenhouse on and someday farm. And that’s just for starters. “We moved here with 17 sheep and one ornery llama who doesn’t like us,” said Maria with a laugh. The couple also has a farm cat named Wilbur, who will go for walks and walk miles with...
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After a slower than normal start, the leaves are finally turning color as evidenced by this exquisite picture taken by Paul Sundberg. That said, the peak color should be this week. Now is the time to take the fall color tour in the back country.
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What interested you in running for school board? Children are my passion! Many know that 8 years ago I battled cancer…I re-evaluated my life and decided to invest my time into what makes me most happy! I say again, “children are my passion!” Seeing the smiles on their face when they learn new concepts makes me smile too. I have worked 23 years in Grand Marais teaching children, establishing programs that enrich their lives, and have raised 4 children who attended ISD 166. I was on the library board during the period of the expansion project…all of us enjoy the...
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On Friday, September 23rd, Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District swore in the newest member of the District’s Board of Supervisors. Amber Humphrey joins the Board as the Supervisor for District 3, which covers the Grand Marais area. Supervisor Humphrey fills the position previously occupied by long-serving Supervisor Joan Farnam, who resigned from her position at the Board meeting on September 1st. The SWCD Board of Supervisors plays an important role in addressing a wide variety of resource management issues aimed at protecting and improving water quality, properly managing wetlands, and preventing soil erosion. SWCDs are local units of...
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The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) awarded Solar United Neighbors’ 2021 “Share the Sun” campaign an Inclusive Solar Outreach in recognition of an effective communications campaign to reach underrepresented audiences about solar energy adoption. The campaign helped low- and moderate-income Duluth and Grand Marais homeowners go solar as part of a solar co-op. The effort is being run again this year with the launch of SUN’s 2022 Share the Sun Campaign. This is a crowdsourcing effort to raise funds to install solar for low-to-moderate income homeowners in the Duluth and Arrowhead area. The Share the Sun...
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We are hosting our 6th Ruby’s Pantry Drive through distribution this Thursday, October 6th. Thank you to all who have been picking up a food share and those who continue to volunteer. We have been averaging 90-100 shares. That’s a lot, but not enough. The fact is, if we don’t get our share numbers up to 132, (Ruby’s minimum) we will no longer be able to continue to offer a West End Ruby’s Pantry. Here’s the facts: .00 cash per share for a large cart full of food (fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, snacks, etc.) Groceries delivered to your car...
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1) What interested you in running for a second school board term? When I first ran four years ago, it was because of my fundamental belief in the value of public education as the great equalizer, providing all children the opportunity to be a successful contributor to our community. I’m running again, because I am truly excited about the progress, we are making at ISD166. With the hiring of Superintendent Lindholm and completion of a strategic roadmap we are moving steadily to a future that offers a world class education for Cook County students. I want to be part of...
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The North Shore cross country team was on the road last week, traveling to Grand Rapids to compete in the Paul Bauer cross country meet against a field of both large and small schools, with the girls’ team placing third out of 11 schools and the boys finishing seventh. The North Shore cross country team comprises boys and girls from Cook County, Silver Bay, and Two Harbors. North Shore head cross country running coach April Wahlstrom said, “We had a great meet at Grand Rapids! Many kids had lots of improvement. The course was really nice, and there were many...
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The Cook County girls’ volleyball team fell to the Barnum Bombers three games to one on Thursday, September 22 in a match played at home in the Pam Taylor gymnasium. Both teams played even throughout the first game, with Barnum eeking out a 25-23 win. The Vikings fell 25-19 in the second game before coming back to take game three 25-17. However, the Bombers regrouped and powered past the Vikings 25-16 in the best out of five series. Senior Katie Peck led the Vikings with six kills, one block and 11 digs. Hard serving Anna Helmerson recorded two aces in...
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A proposal to remove the EDA levy and budget from the September 27 Cook County Commissioners meeting and table it until October 11 was stymied when Auditor Braidy Powers informed the county board that the state required the board to set the EDA budget and levy by the end of September. However, noted Powers, the levy could be lowered or raised before the end of the year. Commissioner Stacey Hawkins proposed setting a tentative levy of 0,000 for 2023; however, there was no support for that motion. Instead, Auditor Powers suggested setting the EDA 2023 levy at 5,000, subject to...
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Friends have asked why I haven’t written about my four-year-old daughter. Some know me as a dotting dad and conjectured that I was too deeply in love to make fun of her. Incorrect. I only make fun of people I love. And golfers and pickleballers. Okay, I make fun of a lot of people. But that very much includes the ones I love. It’s how I show love. I admit it’s immature and there are better ways to show love. And yet… here we are. Thus, I will take down my four-year-old. I will take her down because I love...
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Football games don’t get more exciting than last Friday night’s match between the Cook County Vikings and Ely Timberwolves. A last-minute goal line stand in double overtime preserved the 58-50 win for the Vikings. Following the game Vikings Head Coach Steven Anderson had high praise for his squad. “On Friday the kids showed perseverance through the entire game which led to the winning outcome on the field. Senior Fullback, and Linebacker Kole Anderson led the team defensively and offensively through the double overtime win. Sophomore Quarterback Hunter Rex showed poise in the pocket and had his best outing of the...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or the Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby's Pantry will now be doing a drive-through at the Cook County High School. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education Career training...
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Housing in Cook County has been a hot button issue for years, one that I find myself frequently discussing as a working age individual trying to see a future for myself and my peers in Grand Marais. One could easily fill a page going over and over the causes, effects, and the potential villains. But for the first time I actually see a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Boreal and the News Herald have been publishing conversations with Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority Director, Jason Hale. It is a pleasure to see some concrete plans being set forward...
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Rep. Pete Stauber has failed us! He is one of the most extreme MAGA Trump Republicans in Congress right now. He turned his back on Minnesotans, embraced his billionaire donors, dishonored his office, broke his oath, and chose the pursuit of power over the rule of law. Pete Stauber’s views on abortion are so extreme that he recently signed on as a co-sponsor for one of the most egregious and dangerous abortion bans ever introduced in Congress. Here’s a list his outrageous NO votes: Pete VOTED NO to fixing Minnesota’s infrastructure, NO to expanding broadband coverage, NO to affordable childcare...
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An early morning sky uses brush strokes to paint the still waters of a sleepy Lake Superior.
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What are your favorite books? My two faves are To Kill a Mockingbird and Winnie the Pooh. I’ve discussed the struggles of Scout, Jem and Atticus with thousands of students over the years and never tired of the novel’s colorful language and fundamental themes. Sadly, that incredible book is on the chopping block in many schools. Thankfully, Pooh Bear has avoided the cut. I understand there’s a movement afoot to ban books in schools across the country, and I’m deeply disturbed by it. The free speech nonprofit, PEN America, has taken on this issue. (This esteemed organization was founded in...
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Good news for local folks who like to visit Thunder Bay or the surrounding area. As of September 30, the Canadian government removed all COVID-19 border restrictions to enter Canada. That means you won’t have to show proof of vaccination or have to be quarantined when you enter the country. According to the Toronto Sun folks traveling by air or rail won’t have to wear masks or have health checks as of October 1, 2022. According to Paul Pepe, manager of Tourism Thunder Bay, Americans visiting in June was only 60 percent of pre-pandemic levels. Pepe told Thunder Bay News...
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When I saw it, our other grandmother, Joanne, lent me a little book that was alternately despairing and hopeful for me. 61 Gems on Highway 61 (Adventure Publications, Cambridge, MN, 2009, 2018) made me fear that a book of these “Wondering 61” columns has already been written, and there would be no market for a similar little book. Then I read through many of the Gems and concluded that this column is sufficiently different that a publisher might see it as complement rather than competition. (All writer’s hope; some don’t have to self-publish.) So, I bought the book and will...
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Cook County Historical Society needs help identifying these people Can you help identify these young ladies and tell us why some are holding snow shovels? If you can help identify the photo, please send your response (left to right please) to history@boreal.org
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I was very sick last winter with Covid and pneumonia. Grand Portage staff brought me by ambulance to the North Shore ER. When I arrived my oxygen level was very low and there were no beds available. They wanted to get me admitted to a hospital with an ICU right away. Kimber Wraalstad (CEO) personally called 14 hospitals in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Nobody had space available. Doctor Kurt Farchmin and his staff sat with me around the clock as I struggled to breathe. He had called a friend at St Luke’s Hospital in Duluth who made space for...
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As supporters of Jen Schultz throughout her 8 years in the Minnesota house, representing 7A (now 8B), we would like to share specifics as voters consider replacing Pete Stauber in the U.S. House (CD8). There’s a clear choice for voters. We value Jen’s professional expertise in health care economics. Affordable health care and insurance for all is essential; Jen supports these goals and has worked to pass legislation that meets them. Jen’s a problem solver; we value her ability to find solutions. Her skills were evident in the Minnesota Legislature as she worked across the aisle on broad issues. We...
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This is to thank the volunteers of the Cook County Search & Rescue (CCSAR) team for help on searching for a family member who had gotten turned around in the dense woods on our property and separated from a companion. After quite some time had passed with no success finding him, a call was made to the Cook County Search and Rescue. Many kind and concerned folks showed up to help and he was located. It was a cool, foggy, rainy day, but we had a good outcome and appreciate the volunteers who were there in case something more serious...
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OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD Coming down the aisle in a happy mood are (from the left): Margaret Hedstrom as the Scare Crow, Jennifer Vervoort as the Lion, Leah Thomas as Dorothy, and Heidi Sobanja as the Tin Man. Photo by M.J. Humphrey.
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Harvey Roy Morck, age 97, died peacefully on September 16, 2022 with his family by his side at the Waterview Shores Care Center in Two Harbors, Minnesota. Harvey was born in Superior, Wisconsin on August 22, 1925 to Helga (Karlsen) and Lars Morck, joining his sister Daisy. Helga later married Victor Skoog, and his brother Ken Skoog later joined the family. They farmed and logged on the homestead west of Grand Marais near the Bally Creek Road. Harvey graduated from Cook County High School in 1943. After graduation, Harvey was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy and served...
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The funny thing about time is it’s always something I wish I had more of but the moment I have some actual free time on my hands, I have no idea what to do with it. I mean, where do I start? I could use my time to learn a new language. I understand there are many. How great would it be to communicate with a new people, embrace a new culture. I’m already part of the way there on Spanish. To my ear, French is the best-sounding language on the planet. But have I really, truly mastered English? I...
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In the latest round of grants awarded by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC), Lin Elkins, Grand Marais, received a [post_excerpt],000 Artist Access Grant. Elkins will use the funds to “support the creation of a series of hybridized wood and fiber containers intended to stimulate one’s senses.” Marybeth Garmoe, Grand Marais, received a ,375 Individual Artists Project Grant from ARAC. The grant “will provide resources to explore unique artistic broom handles through the use of various textures and materials. In addition, the brooms will be presented in a show titled “Tactile” to be featured at the Johnson Heritage Post Art...
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The Parkside Project Ribbon Cutting was put on by the city of Grand Marais and Cook County Chamber of Commerce last Thursday. This project was made possible by a partnership between the City of Grand Marais, the MN DNR, NOAA and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Standing from left to right are : Jim Boyd, Linda Jurek, Kent Skaar, Jay DeCoux, Dave Tersteeg, and Don Bringman.
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The Minnesota Department of Transportation held a celebration on Thursday, September 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to recognize the completion of the Highway 61 project. The venue was moved from the Grand Marais Library lawn to inside of the Grand Marais Art Colony building located on Highway 61 a block away. Nine employees from MnDOT attended and about 30 members from the public came to the event that was emceed by MnDOT Engineer Duan Hill. Hill kept his remarks short and sweet, lauding the work between the state and the city on the two-year Highway 61 rebuild through...
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Cook County played host to the Northeast Range Nighthawks on Tuesday, September 20, feeding the Nighthawks a steady dose of spikes and hard to return serves. Mix that in with some great scrambling to save points and the Vikings had their hometown fans cheering them on to a 3-0 win over a scrappy team from the Iron Range. The first game was a nailbiter as the lead went back and forth. In the end the Vikings won 25-22 as both teams played well. Games two and three scores were the same 25-17, but the Vikings had control of each contest,...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education...
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The Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) was established by County Board resolution in August, 2021. The HRA Board held its first meeting in November, 2021, and its Executive Director’s first day was April 25, 2022. The mission of the HRA is as follows: The Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Cook County catalyzes and advocates for the creation of safe, stable, and attainable housing opportunities for current and future residents. Since April the HRA has, like many new small organizations, worked on establishing policies and procedures, crafting an immediate workplan, laying foundations for a strategic plan and ensuring it...
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Grand Marais City Councilors set a preliminary 2023 levy of 5.91 percent at the council’s September 14 meeting. Grand Marais Mayor Jay DeCoux mentioned that the number can’t go up but can go down before the final levy is set before the new year. “There were a lot of moving parts for the levy this year (inflation, capital outlays, etc.), said DeCoux, adding, “There will be a lot more work on this budget, and we’re hoping to see this number drop.” One significant factor in lessoning the current levy could be the revenues from the city campground Rec Park. Once...
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My parents recently moved from the North Shore town of Schroeder to South Haven. They plan to stay until next spring or until my Dad can get his left foot under him, literally. He is doing great with lots of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and just plain family love. It is both a blessing and a curse to live with my Mom and Dad again. A gift because they are fantastic people. Lots of fun to play cards and watch game shows and overall great attitudes. A curse because my Dad loves ice cream as much as I do. Although...
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The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) awarded Solar United Neighbors’ 2021 “Share the Sun” campaign an Inclusive Solar Outreach in recognition of an effective communications campaign to reach underrepresented audiences about solar energy adoption. The campaign helped low- and moderate-income Duluth and Grand Marais homeowners go solar as part of a solar co-op. The effort is being run again this year with the launch of SUN’s 2022 Share the Sun Campaign. This is a crowdsourcing effort to raise funds to install solar for low-to-moderate income homeowners in the Duluth and Arrowhead area. The Share the Sun...
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This report was edited for length Minnesota’s unemployment rate ticked up one-tenth of a point to 1.9% in August, although it remains at a historic low, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota’s labor force participation rate ticked down two-tenths of a point to 68.2%. In August, the U.S. unemployment rate rose by two-tenths of a point to 3.7% and the labor force participation rate increased by three-tenths of a point to 62.4%. On a seasonally adjusted basis, Minnesota lost 3,100 jobs in August, down 0.1% from July, following the addition...
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MOOSE MOUNTAIN, LUTSEN On September 28 the Happy Hikers will travel to Lutsen Mountains Recreation Area, heading 2.9 miles north from Hwy. 61 at mile marker 90 to Ski Hill Road (County Rd. 5) where we will park and purchase a one-way gondola ticket. The gondola ticket window opens at 10 a.m. (one-way adult senior ticket cost: .92 including tax—a few dollars more if you’re under 65), and we’ll plan to hop aboard about 10:15, crossing the stunning Poplar River valley directly to the trailhead. Our hike will include passing through an especially scenic and diverse forest of mature cedars...
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Northern Wilds is closing its print shop on November 1. The company will finish all existing orders, but will not be accepting new jobs. We have appreciated the business we have received over the years. We will focus on our publishing business products going forward. This change will not affect Northern Wilds Magazine, the Cook County Map, and the book publishing service. Clients with questions may contact: Northern Wilds at (218) 387-9475 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and ask for Katie, or email katie@northernwilds.com.
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or the Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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The Cook County Vikings traveled to Cherry to play the Tigers on Friday, September 16, and the game quickly got out of hand. The Vikings kicked off to begin the game and Mason Heitzman returned the opening kick-off 76 yards for a touchdown, which was just the start of a parade of points from Cherry. The score was 8-0 after the Tigers completed the 2-point conversion following Heitzman’s run to the endzone. Cherry went on to score 53 more points to take a 62-0 victory over the Vikings on a wet, soggy day that saw the Vikings having a hard...
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Over the past seven years, brothers Drew and Heath Ekstrom have raised almost fifty dollars for the Folds of Honor golf program that provides educational scholarships to the families of military men and women who have fallen or been disabled while on active duty in the United States armed forces. On Sunday, September 11, 2022, Drew and Heath were joined by Drew’s son Luke, and the three-some combined to play 3346 holes on the Superior National golf course. Heath said the trio started at 6:15 a.m. and quit at 7:40 p.m. Over that time, they totaled 1,609 strokes, accounted for...
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Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank is permanently waving fees for the nationally and regionally donated food it provides to 75 northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin food shelves, soup kitchens, shelters, and the other non-profit agency partners it supplies as the Region’s only “food bank.” This announcement comes at a time when the demand has increased beyond pandemic levels and when Cook County communities need the food bank the most. “We’re seeing a 32 percent increase at our region’s food shelves,” shares Shaye Morris, Executive Director, Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank. “We made our decision to waive fees to...
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Our local moose have been consuming pounds of vegetation, aquatic and terrestrial, every day in preparation for the change in season. Cows and their calves have been gaining weight and developing beautiful coats. Bulls were gaining muscle mass, with their shoulders and necks sometimes doubling in size, and they’ve been growing incredible antlers! This is all in preparation for the rutting or mating season, which occurs every fall and is believed to be triggered by changes in day length. In addition to physical changes in appearance, moose behavior changes. Moose call, paw the ground, shake their heads, and even fight–all...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald's policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Amy Marie Deschampe, 39, Grand Portage, Minnesota, entered an Amended Plea of guilty on July 27, 2020, to Domestic Assault. Incident occurred on June 3, 2020. On August 24, 2020, Court Decision was Continued. An Amended Disposition on...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked campers in state forest campgrounds and responded to a report of abandoned gear at a park campground. Manning checked anglers and followed up on reports of illegally...
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I am in love with Grand Marias. I love the beauty, the food (fresh fish!) and the artist community. My affection was deepened when we were in Grand Marias in August and hiked the Pincushion Overlook Trail. We got there largely due to a nice local woman who told us we would need to walk over a large rock to get to the vista. We were not as lucky on our return to the parking lot. Somehow, we took a wrong turn, and our online trail map was not helping. We were hiking and not sure where we were going....
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Cook County Historical Society needs help identifying these people Can you identify these people in this picture? If so, please state their names from left to right and put the number (G 315 b) on you answer and send your reply to history@boreal.org.
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Fables of the North Shore, an art and story-telling exhibit by Jordan Sundberg and Natalie Salminen at Fika Coffee is closing with a bang and tuba honk! The exhibit centers around folklorish and original tales of the North Shore written by Jordan and Natalie. Along with the fables, they have created a wide range of pieces to illustrate the stories and morals of the stories, hung at Fika Coffee until September 24. Saturday, September 24 from 2-4 p.m. on the grassy knoll by the Fika building a magical performance and celebration of the fables will unfold. From 2-3 p.m. will...
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Now that the Grand Marais Dog Park has been up and running for a few weeks, it’s time to coordinate weekly volunteer patrols shifts to ensure the park is clean and safe! Go Dog North Shore is looking to develop a rotation of volunteers to walk through the park every Monday and Friday to identify maintenance needs and clean up any unaccounted pet waste. Volunteers are needed to do the following: - Pick up unaccounted pet waste and dispose of in garbage can - Verify waste bag station is stocked - Check garbage can capacity - Walk fence perimeter to...
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The marine shrink-wrapping, service and storage business previously operated by Eric Brisson and Tyler Smith of North Superior Fishery LLC, is changing hands. Valerie and Pat Eliasen, known as PAL in this venture, are taking over ownership this September and rebranding to Boat PAL Services LLC. “We have both grown up on the waters of Minnesota and have a passion for boats,” said Boat PAL Services’ President Valerie Eliasen. “We are excited to further invest in the community we love and help boat owners in Cook County continue to enjoy our waters by making boat ownership easy.” Pat Eliasen, running...
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After much discussion, the hospital board approved a [post_excerpt].5 million levy for 2023 at the board’s September 15 meeting. This is up from the [post_excerpt].3 million levy of 2022. When asked what triggered the levy increase North Shore Health CEO/Director Kimber Wraalstad said two significant factors were, “Our revenue over the last year has been flat, even decreasing, and the two percent sequestration has not gone back into effect, which means we have essentially been given a two percent pay cut.” Wraalstad was calling from Brainerd, where she was attending a meeting about the crisis in staffing at care centers...
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Hannah C. Heyer was painting under the lights 20 minutes to midnight on Monday, September 12. Hannah was competing in the 2022 Competition Class of the Plein Air Grand Marais Festival of outdoor painting on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The competition ran from August 15 to September 16, 2022. During the competition week, daily paint-outs were held at Artists’ Point, Kadunce River, and other access points of the Superior Hiking Trail, Sugarloaf Cove, Gunflint Trail and nocturnal places in Grand Marais. In its 20th year, Plein Air Grand Marais has brought outdoor painters to the North Shore of...
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James Leonard Olson (Grizz, Jimmer) toasts a farewell to his family and friends as he passed away on the evening of September 1, 2022, in his home with Dawn Huskey by his side at the age of 66 years old. Jim spent his career of 50 plus years driving truck and was set to retire from Northland Constructors. His passions were driving truck (Local Teamsters Union 346), riding his Kawasaki motorcycles and snowmobiling across many states. Jim had a passion for animals and enjoyed spoiling his kitties. He is preceded in death by his mother Shirley Ann Olson and is...
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George Kenneth Johnson, 86 of Grand Marais, Minnesota, died peacefully on September 9, 2022. George grew up in Hovland, Minnesota where he attended grade school until grade 6 and graduated high school in Grand Marais, Minnesota. George loved trapping, fishing, hunting, carving diamond willow walking sticks and spending time with his family. He worked construction most of his life and one of his many great projects was building stairways and handicap accessible walkways at the parks from Gooseberry to High Fall up the North Shore. George loved his family most of all and is preceded in death by his parents...
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INTERNATIONAL MIXED BONSPIEL B WINNERS In the above picture are the B winners of the recent annual International Mixed Bonspiel. Curlers from the left are Mrs. Carl Hedstrom, Brad Cramblet, Mrs. Gene Erickson, and Gene Erickson.
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The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Minnesota Chapter is set to host a free two-part special educational program for northern Minnesota residents newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Education and support at this key stage empowers people with PD to make the best choices possible for their treatment moving forward. The APDA Parkinson’s Good Start Program is taking place on Wednesday, October 12, and Wednesday, October 19, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Individuals are encouraged to participate on both dates to benefit from the entire program. There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required. The APDA Parkinson’s...
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CORRECTION FOR HISTORICAL REFLECTION PHOTO CAPTION IN ISSUE 9-17-2022 Ed Hedstrom was doing dishes with Cook County’s first foreign exchange student, Toshio Matsushita from Japan, not Ed’s brother, Howard Hedstrom. The Cook County News Herald regrets this error.
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We need to know where our leaders stand and what solutions they are pursuing. Pete Stauber has been anything but clear in this regard. Stauber has called the Biden Administration’s Infrastructure Bill “an excuse to advance costly and radical policies that will have negative repercussions on rural districts like ours, and absurd particularly when it comes to transportation;” but in January of 2022 he was “happy to announce all the grant money our northland airports were getting,” but failed to credit the source of the grants as coming from the Infrastructure Bill. Representative Stauber complained about Biden’s plan to provide...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education...
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Last week a Geek Squad guy called my sister to check on the laptop they’d just repaired. She allowed him to access her computer online, but when he wanted her credit card information for additional software, she balked. Wise woman—it might have been too late. She hung up and contacted the Geek Squad directly, only to learn that this person was not their employee, though he’d done an admirable job of sounding legitimate. LESSON: Don’t let anyone gain access to your computer that you don’t know and trust. YOU need to make the contact. I had a similar experience a...
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Jean Brislance took this neat picture of an American Redstart, just one of many great bird pictures he sends our way. Said Brislance, “The fall migration is in progress, and we have been seeing quite a variety of birds heading south. Since August 1st, which is considered the start of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union “fall” season, we have observed 19 species of warblers at our place in Lutsen. It is a terrific time for watching birds.”
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or the Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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On September 8, the North Shore Storm (Cook County, Silver Bay and Two Harbors) cross country team traveled to Superior, Wisconsin, to participate in the 16-team Dan Conway Classic high school cross country race. The meet was held on the Pattison Park Golf Course and is named after Dan Conway, a legendary age-group runner from Superior, Wisconsin. Among his many fine distance running accomplishments Dan won the World Veteran’s 10K Championships in Perpignan, France, with a time of 30:26 at age 44. Conway, who passed away in 2018, began long distance running when he was 38. Before that, Conway had...
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On September 10th, 2022, Duluth paddler Mike Ward completed a 250-mile traverse of the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness from near International Falls, Minnesota eastward to Lake Superior via the Grand Portage in 5 days, 10 hours and 31 minutes. Ward started at Sha Sha Resort outside of International Falls on the western edge of Voyageurs National Park on Sunday, September 4th at 6:23 a.m. and paddled on average 42 miles per day along the border of the US and Canada for six days, finishing with a 12-mile trip on the Pigeon River and 8.5-mile trail hike on the Grand...
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Back in Southeast Asia when I taught evening classes at an English language school, I made it a habit to set aside some time at the beginning of each class period to answer any questions that the students might have generated in the time since our last class. But before the class period started at all it was my compulsion to clean the blackboard perfectly from end to end (they were very long, because in the daytime they packed 60 children in those schoolrooms) and even in the corners. The blackboards were very bad quality, painted in a glossy black...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald's policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Jeremy David Radcliffe, 41, Springhill, Nova Scotia, Canada, was convicted of two petty misdemeanors on September 2, 2022: 1) Drugs - Possessing Over 1.4 Grams of Marijuana in a Motor Vehicle, and 2) Drugs - Possession of Drug...
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Child support services work with parents and guardians to ensure that children and families receive financial, medical, and childcare support. In Minnesota, counties are federally mandated to provide child support services to families. What is child support? Child support is money that parents pay to their child’s other parent or caregiver to support their children. When parents do not live together, they can go to court and ask for an order establishing a set amount for child support. Someone who has custody of a child, such as a grandparent, may also ask the court to order one or both parents...
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This photo is from Ed Hedstrom’s scrap book. It is Ed and his brother Howard taking care of the dishes. Photo is from the 1960s.
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Former I.S.D. 166 Superintendent Dr. William (Bill) Crandall passed away on September 9, 2022. Dr. Crandall was a remarkable man. He was the acting superintendent for Lake Superior School District (Two Harbors and Silver Bay) and Cook County public schools, a feat few would even attempt. He stepped away on medical leave about two years ago when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Lake County Press Editor Kitty Mayo covered the most recent school board meeting in Two Harbors. She reported, "A regular meeting of the Lake County School District #381 opened with school board president Traci Tiboni recognizing...
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Superior National & Health Care Foundation host 3rd ‘Golf for the Good’ to support health care and emergency services in Cook County Superior National Golf Course at Lutsen is once again partnering with the North Shore Health Care Foundation to bring you the 3rd Annual Golf for the Good – NSHCF Weekend on Friday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 1. “It’s coming up fast and we need you,” said Valerie Marasco Eliasen, Executive Director – North Shore Health Care Foundation. “Golf for the Good offers exceptional value and all of the benefits of a golf tournament including player bags, great...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers, boaters, and bear hunters. He assisted search and rescue and responded to wildlife-related calls. Enforcement action was taken for hunting and ATV violations. CO Kylan...
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George Kenneth Johnson, 86, of Grand Marais, Minnesota, died peacefully on September 9, 2022. George grew up in Hovland, Minnesota where he attended grade school until grade 6 and graduated high school in Grand Marais, Minnesota. George loved trapping, fishing, hunting, carving diamond willow walking sticks and spending time with his family. He worked construction most of his life and one of his many great projects was building stairways and handicap accessible walkways at the parks from Gooseberry to High Fall up the North Shore. George loved his family most of all and is preceded in death by his parents...
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So little time, so much to do! Well, that’s the best part of what we do at the HUB, Senior Center. You can exercise, come for lunch, be social, learn to sew, read a book from the doorway, go on the legal kiosk for advice, get a driving test, make a card to send, or just buy a handmade card to send, OR you could just sit, have a cup of coffee or tea. Bring your little ones to have a story told to them on Mondays, while you sit back with that cup of whatever. DO a little, OR...
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Will Ramberg, a Junior walk-on for the Minnesota Gopher’s basketball team, was recently awarded a scholarship, and the offer came from none other than the University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel. Gabel made an appearance at a Gopher Basketball workout to tell the junior guard the good news. Ramberg’s teammates joyously swarmed him when the announcement came. Last year Ramberg, who transferred from McGill University in Canada, played in 13 games and averaged 3.7 minutes per game for the Gophers. He played 14 minutes against Illinois and 11 against Iowa for his career highs. A 2019 graduate of Cook County...
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Chris Hegg, 70, won his age group in the Minnesota Mile by, well, a country mile! The Maple Hill runner clocked 6:56 while second place Duluth runner Jerome Earold, 72, finished in 8:52. Hegg also beat all of the 65–69-year-old men. Dave Olson of Blaine won the 65-69 age group with a time of 8:01. The Minnesota Mile is run on Skyline Parkway in Duluth. The course takes runners on a journey around Duluth’s Enger Park and features beautiful views of the city and Lake Superior. Cade Stocke, a senior from Virginia, Minnesota, was the overall champion. Stocke ran 4:28....
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking for input on several special fishing regulation proposals. Each year, the DNR proposes new special fishing regulations that apply to individual waters and asks the public for input about the proposals. The regulations, if enacted, are reviewed on a regular basis. The DNR is considering experimental and special fishing regulations for the 2023 fishing season that address the following topics: • Walleye in Big Sandy Lake (Aitkin County) — An experimental walleye harvest slot limit (14-18”, 1 over 26” allowed) is expiring in 2023 and the DNR is interested in whether anglers...
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What if? The Vikings hosted the Southridge Panthers on September 8 and lost in three straight games. However, after falling 25-11 in the first game the Vikings came back and led 6-2 in the second game. The match see-sawed back and forth with long, contested points. South Ridge took a late lead and held on, winning 25-21. During that second game the Vikings set the ball to outside hitter Katie Peck who had several big spikes for kills. South Ridge was strong at the net but several soft taps over outreached Viking hands found the “doughnut” hole in the Vikings...
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You never now what you might find in your flower garden. Paul Sundberg said he “found this gray tree frog in our flower garden this week. Sitting high on the flowers waiting for insects to come along. It has been there for three days now so must like these flowers. A small one was there last year also. This one is only about an inch long so it would be from this year’s young.”
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102-mile race Runners in the 102-mile Superior Fall Trail race ran through a night of rain followed by sun and not too warm temps as they made their way from Gooseberry Falls State Park to Caribou Highlands on the rocky, rutted, rugged Superior Hiking Trail. Athletes in the 50 mile or 26.2-mile marathon had nice weather but some slick trails to contend with. Jake Hegge, 31, of Onalaska, Wisconsin, placed first in the 102-mile race, covering the distance in 20 hours 45 minutes and two seconds. Gretchen Metsa, 39 of Buhl, Minnesota, was the top women finisher. Gretchen placed fourth...
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Decades are like snowflakes. They’re white and pointy, and all a little different. Sometimes I think about the 20th century and the decades therein. Nobody knows exactly how many decades were in that century, but it almost seems like there’s one every ten years or so. I certainly have my favorites. I miss the Jazz Age because The 20s were so Roaring. The 30s were kind of depressing. The 40s thought war was the answer, which, according to a lot of t-shirts, is not. The 50s gave us the booming business of babies. The Swinging 60s was civil rights and...
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Cook County Historical Society needs help identifying these people Do you know the names of these basketball players and their coaches? If so, please submit them to history@boreal.org. Please use the photo number 3751 and name the people pictured left to right.
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Is this going to be the fall when you finally hike to Minnesota’s highest waterfall at Grand Portage State Park, view the prairie in its fall glory on a guided tour at Blue Mounds State Park or take a road trip on one of the state›s rainbow routes? It’s time to get those outings on the calendar so that the fast and furious fall color season doesn’t pass you by. To help you with your travel planning, Explore Minnesota and Trails are again teaming up to provide weekly fall color updates, starting today, so that you can time your trips...
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Leif Anderson is one of the nicest young men you could possibly meet. A 2019 graduate of Cook County High School Leif recently earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in psychology. When he applied to universities for PhD programs three schools offered him full rides. I asked Leif some questions about his coming years of study, why he was embarking on such an ambitious route, and what he hopes to do in the future. The questions and answers are below. Q- What is your major and what prompted you to pursue this major? Did...
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On Monday, September 12, Ann Sullivan (right) presented a picture of the Coast Guard Station painted by the late Lyle Sathre to the Cook County Historical Society. An anonymous donor gave the gift to the CCHS. Accepting the painting was Cook County Historical Society President Marja Erickson. Last year the U.S. Coast Guard announced that operations would end in Grand Marais on Labor Day and the station would be closed. When that decision came to light, the Cook County Historical Society began thinking of ways to repurpose the building and discussing ways to have the Coast Guard station conveyed to...
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The BWCAW and the surrounding wilderness offers a unique experience to the hearty souls who venture into the great expanse. The solitude, the communion with nature and the challenge of exploring new horizons are all part of the lure. Though exhilarating, there are the ever-present risks that will require assistance from the Cook County Search and Rescue (CCSAR) team. CCSAR are volunteers of various skill sets that fall under the authority of the Cook County Sheriff. They all belong to the one department that covers the entire County, but the Gunflint Trail division primarily handles the incidents in their service...
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Grand Marais Public Library is changing its hours of operation as of Tuesday, September 13, 2022. Hours will be Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM until 5 PM, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wi-Fi is accessible from the outside of the building and eBooks, eAudios, and eMagazines are available to download 24/7. Families whose children visit the library afterschool on Mondays are encouraged to make other plans. Library Director Amanda St. John says that the change is temporary and due to staffing shortages. Grand Marais Public Library increases knowledge, inspires creativity, removes barriers, and builds community across...
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Cook County Public Health and Human Services and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic have scheduled Bivalent COVID-19 booster clinics at the Cook County Community Center for September 29, October 4, and October 6. Registration will open on the Cook County COVID-19 hub at www.cookcountycovid19.org at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 9. Grand Portage Health Services will not be offering the bivalent vaccine at this time. This follows last week’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation that all people ages 12 and older receive a bivalent booster at least two months past their last booster or their initial vaccination series. These...
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Mount Rainier is in the state of Washington, not Alaska as stated in the article last week about the co-workers who climbed the mountain 50 years apart.
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The North Shore Music Association kicks off fall with the New Riverside Ramblers on October 1. The Ramblers’ high-spirited Cajun music comes from the rich musical heritage of the bayous and prairies of southern Louisiana. They perform a spectrum of styles originated on back porches and in rural dance halls—old-style fiddle tunes, lively two-steps, soulful waltzes, gritty blues, and honkytonk. Their Cajun French vocals have a wide expressive range, from raucous and happy, to plaintive and sad. Merging the spirit of the legendary Cajun musicians who’ve inspired them with their own skillful style, they make music as soulful and sultry...
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After seven years and hundreds of thousands of dollars, the Superior Hiking Trail Association has officially closed the Gooseberry Gap, reconnecting the Superior Hiking Trail between Gooseberry Falls State Park and Blueberry Hill Road. In 2015, a 2.5-mile portion of the Superior Hiking Trail was temporarily detoured onto a road on Blueberry Hill Road and the paved Gitchi-Gami State Trail along Highway 61 after an easement was revoked by a private landowner. On September 16, we will open the new 4.7- mile route, which restores the SHT to a natural-surface footpath through the woods. The Gooseberry Reroute Project is a...
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After a lengthy discussion, the county commissioners voted 4-1 to set the preliminary tax levy of 5.5 percent for 2023. The final levy must be set before the start of the new year and can’t be set higher than 5.5 percent, noted Administrator James Joerke. Commissioner Stacy Hawkins didn't want the proposed levy to be higher than 5 percent, and she voted nay, with commissioners Dave Mills, Bob Svaleson, Ginny Storlie and Ann Sullivan voting in favor. Before the vote was taken, Administrator Joerke presented the proposed Cook County Fiscal Year 2023 budget to the board at the Commissioners' Tuesday,...
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WTIP North Shore Community Radio welcomed 1,000 music fans to the 15th Annual Radio Waves Music Festival, September 9 – 11. Utilizing the natural amphitheater at Sweetheart’s Bluff in the Grand Marais Rec Park, this community-oriented festival kicked off on Friday, with classic country by the Portage Band. The rainy weather didn’t keep local music fans from enjoying a great variety of music that afternoon and evening, including a bracing performance by Colleen “Boss Mama” Myhre, hip-hop by Dre AKA Jamaican and a lively set by local dance favorites The Splints. Festival organizer Staci Drouillard confirmed that, “music fans and...
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Cook County will hold Armed Intruder/ Active Shooter Training for all county employees on September 21 and 22, 2022. The training will include classroom sessions and an actual drill/simulation in the Cook County Courthouse. The drill/ simulation will be held on September 22 at 3:00 p.m., therefore the courthouse will close at this time and all entrances will be signed to notify the public of the training. For more information, please contact Mike Keyport at Cook County Emergency Management: 218-387-3059, or mike.keyport@ co.cook.mn.us.
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It appears to me that the Child Protection League (CPL) and our local school board wannabe, Rae Piepho, are promoting intolerance. Our country is founded on the belief that all [men] people are created equal and have certain inalienable rights. That’s EVERYONE, gang! The current teacher licensure policy they’re up in arms about is one that promotes acceptance and tolerance. Since I began teaching in 1971, I’ve taken numerous workshops promoting cultural awareness and diversity acceptance. Every educator needs to be accepting of everyone, whatever their culture, religion, or sexual orientation. Ms. Piepho and the CPL oppose cultural competency training....
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In response to the “Child Protection League” copy and paste published as a Letters to the Editor, what a load. None of the claims are true. I bet the author can’t even explain the claims. It’s just weird that people buy into this weird stuff. Bryan Hansel, Grand Marais, MN
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Happy Hikers will hike Leveaux Mountain on September 21, 2022 The Happy Hikers will hike this 3.2-mile loop to the top of Leveaux Mountain for several grand Lake Superior overlooks. We will have lunch at the campsite near the beginning of the trail (if there is space available), or back at the trailhead. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, on a leash. Difficulty level: Moderate Approximate distance: 3.2 miles Meet at the YMCA parking lot near the tennis courts at 9:00 am. We’ll carpool to the trailhead, west of Grand Marais to the Onion River Rd, and go 2.2 miles to the...
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On a warm September 1 day, sections of the hilly Pincushion Trails were filled with high school runners coming from across the region to take part in the North Shore Challenge Cross Country race. Duluth East, with about 120 boys and girls on the team, won both the boys and girls titles. Duluth East senior Oliver Maitake won the boys 5K race with a time of 17:16.3. In second was Alex Burkhardt of South Ridge and Ian Thorpe, North Shore, was third. Ian crossed the line in 17:58.4. Other North Shore finishers were Cyrus Meyers, 21st in 20:07; Keean Selin,...
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What a nice thing it is to have a rural post office in the great North woods. To have a key for one little PO Box, and your own strange ZIP Code, with the window and neighborly teller. Where out front there is a great American flag on a strong flagpole, and when the cold winds come the line bangs against the pole. And an old talking drop mailbox, on 4 feet, a blue box with an open and shut maw. Along the face of the post office is the only landscaping: a long bed of blue Russian juniper here,...
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Cook County Historical Society needs help identifying these people Can you help identify these people? The year and activity are unknown. If you can help identify photo# c950 please send your response (left to right, please) to history@boreal.org.
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The Vikings opened their volleyball season with a 3-0 loss to Proctor on August 30. The game was held in Proctor and the Vikings fell 25-19, 25-9, 25-21. Despite the let down in the middle game, overall, the girls played well against the Proctor Rails, another school much larger than Cook County. For the match senior Katie Peck had six kills, six ball handling assists, ten set assists, one block, one ace serve and 11 digs. Kalina Dimitrova had four blocks, eight digs, five ball handling assists, once ace serve and eight set assists. Emmallii Myers finished with four kills,...
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Grand Marais, Minnesota, September 7, 2022 –There are 22 musical acts getting ready to perform at the 2022 Radio Waves Music Festival, September 9 to 11, at Sweetheart’s Bluff in the Grand Marais Recreation Area. This marks the 15th year of this family-friendly festival, which features a full lineup of diverse local and regional acts that span musical genres from folk singer-songwriters, classic country, R & B and Hiphop to alt-rock, swing and funk. The event showcases three days of live music under the big sky and bright stars on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The complete music lineup...
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CCHE is hosting a Block Party on September 18, 2022, at the CCHE campus on West Third Street from 1-3pm. Please come help celebrate 25 years of service to the community with the North Shore Swing Band, cake, coffee, cider and caramel apples! Join your friends and neighbors for games, raffles, bingo and face-painting. In the early 1990s, Cook County took a look at educational opportunities available to its residents and considered pursuing the creation of a community college. A needs assessment determined that the county could not support it. However, in 1996, the results justified receiving a three-year 3,000...
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On Sunday, September 11, Heath Ekstrom will once again attempt to golf over 100 holes on the beautiful Superior National golf course for the Folds of Honor Patriot Golf Day fundraiser. Once again Heath will be joined in his quest by his brother Drew, a fellow PGA member. The brothers will challenge each other to see who shoots the lowest score and who can raise the most money for Folds of Honor. What is Folds of Honor? Folds of Honor Foundation is an organization that provides scholarships for spouses and children of military members who have been disabled or killed...
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I just got done wrapping a Christmas Movie (last week) with an iconic country artist, but I was working on the Production side of things so not in front of the camera, but behind it. So that’s been keeping me busy lately. I was so honored to get to work with Mickey last fall! I was picked to co-host a TimeLife music collection of the 60’s with him. It was an incredible experience. He was so professional and kind! My acting agent has been keeping me busy auditioning for all sorts of films and major network television shows. Haven’t been...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald's policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Dylan Michael Challinor, 24, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, pled guilty on August 26, 2022, to a petty misdemeanor of Traffic Speeding 81/60 on June 10, 2022. Fines and fees total 5. Waylan Eugene Wright, 30, Pine Island, Minnesota,...
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If you want to see what super fit people look like, go and watch some of the three trail races taking place this weekend in the west end of Cook County. Some 945 runners from five countries, 39 states and 202 Minnesota cities will gather to take part in the Superior 102-, 50- or 26.2-mile trail races on September 9 and 10. Started in 1991 the Superior Fall races are considered some of the most difficult trail races to run because of the hilly, rugged endless up and down of the Superior Hiking Trail. This year there are 283 entrants...
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After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, the Cook County Curling Club will be back on the ice to play league games. The CCCC recently signed a lease with the county to use the Cook County Community Center, which was used during the pandemic and off-limits to the club. “We are in the throes of reorganization after a long break,” said Joanne Smith, adding, “Three years is a long time.” The Cook County Curling Club is a nonprofit volunteer organization that provides recreational curling opportunities for folks in the county. Plans are to start league play on...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education...
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You never know what you are going to see when you go for a walk in nature. Jean Brislance said taking a morning walk along a dirt road when, “A doe and her fawn came out of the woods. Something obviously startled them, as they started running down the road toward me. I got a few shots of the fawn in full gallop before they both eventually saw me and veered back into the forest. The little one has an impressive vertical leap!”
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The Minnesota State Fair is held on the twelve days leading up to Labor Day. There’s way, way too much going on at The Fair to list here. So, let’s get reductive! The Fair is ANIMALS! Many animals. Mostly four legged (cows, horses, pigs). Some two legged (birds). I guess butterflies have six legs. But fish don’t have legs, I don’t think. Unless humans evolved from fish. Ask Darwin. The Fair is PLANTS! From agriculture to horticulture, two words you thought meant the same thing but don’t. You can even make your toddler farm. I thought child labor laws discouraged...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked the bear opener and busy Labor Day weekend. The season started out slow with the warm weather and then quickly picked up as the temperatures dropped....
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The annual Fall Fly-In/Drive-In pancake breakfast will be held Saturday, September 17, 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Grand Marais-Cook County Airport, 123 Airport Rd, Grand Marais. The public is invited to attend. Cost is per person, children 14 and under . The event is hosted by the Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization and money raised will support the Eagles scholarship program, the airport and promotion of general aviation in our county. Great blueberry pancakes, airplane rides, static airplane displays and lots of pilot camaraderie will be enjoyed by all. A door prize drawing for kids and information on the...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or the Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Grand Marais, MN – September 1, 2022 - Visit Cook County is once again celebrating the area’s “Heart of Hospitality” by offering a free cup of coffee for hospitality and tourism industry workers Sept. 11-16, 2022. “We are thrilled to continue this event and celebrate the hard work of those that support our hospitality and tourism industry,” said Linda Jurek, Executive Director of Visit Cook County. Who is eligible? Front and back of house staff that work in hospitality-based industries like dining, retail, lodging, and activities. A short list includes servers, bartenders, housekeepers, receptionists, maintenance, cooks, clerks, managers, guides and...
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In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. - Benjamin Franklin Hartley Newell-Acero, M.A. Outreach Coordinator, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Sorry, Ben. We need to add a couple of certainties to that list! Most folks will definitely have to make decisions about birth control, and half of all people are guaranteed to go through menopause. Birth Control Basics Also called contraception or family planning, birth control refers to different ways of preventing pregnancy. There are many methods from which to choose, and it can get confusing. You doctor can help you decide what would work...
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Camp Fire Girl Leaders are Mrs. Lee Thomas on the left, and Mrs. L.J. Sobanja on the right. The Camp Fire Girls in the back row are Kristy Cramblet and Helen Madsen. In the front row are Leah Thomas, Donna Beckwith, Heidi Sobanja, and Roberta Ansello. Mrs. Thomas presented the Camp Fire Beads and Mrs. Sobanja presented the Trailseeker award. Photo by M.J. Humphrey. Date of photo is unknown.
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When you go to www.donorschoose.org and enter the Grand Marais zip code 55604 you will find that two teachers are asking for donations. At Great Expectations School funds are needed to purchase a drying rack for kids’ art projects. At I.S.D. 166 a teacher is asking for funds to create a self-care station for her junior high students. “My first-grade students love painting and making crafts. They love to get messy while they create. Often their art is very wet and needs a long time to dry. An art drying rack will give us a place to put all the...
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A strong August has seen the Grand Marais Rec Parks 2022 totals surpass the 2021 totals through the same period last year. Park Manager Dave Tersteeg’s report to the Grand Marais Park Board on September 6 was filled with good news. August was up 16 percent over 2021 August, bringing in ,000 more than the previous year. Revenue totals for the marina and park campground are [post_excerpt].229 million, up ,500, or 4.5 percent overall from last year’s strong showing. Tersteeg said that boat business at the marina had been slower this year than last year, and fuel sales are down....
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There is a growing movement across the globe and across denominations focusing on Creation Care. One way this emphasis is being held up is through an annual Season of Creation. Just as many churches have seasons—Advent, Epiphany, Easter, Lent, etc. (color-coded, we like to say)—so many churches worldwide have adopted a new season to honor the Creation and to prioritize our work on behalf of the planet. This year, from August 28th through October 2nd, Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ in Grand Marais are initiating this Season of Creation. We are using some...
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Judy Lynn Adams, 75, of Omaha, formerly of Grand Marais, died Sunday, July 10, 2022. She is survived by husband William (Bill) Harry Adams; daughters Beverly (Jon) Godfrey, Lisa (Ron) Medina, and Sara (Eric) Adams-Prior, seven grandchildren and many extended family. A gathering to remember Judy will be held on Saturday, September 24, noon at their home, 7430 N. 58th St., Omaha.
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Kenneth Warner Erickson, age 90, passed away peacefully at the Benedictine Living Community in Northfield, Minnesota, on September 3, 2022. A celebration of Ken’s life will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at Emmaus Church in Northfield, with visitation at 1:00PM and a funeral service to follow at 2:00PM. Interment will be at Northfield Cemetery. Ken is survived by his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 68 years, Linnea; his children, Tim (Dinamarie) Erickson, Connie (Bob) Storck, Jill (Tim) Mahr and Ken J. Erickson, along with seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Warner Erickson...
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On August 12 and 13, crowds of over 50 people in Hovland and 100+ in Grand Marais were treated to performances of Mixed Precipitation Pickup Truck Opera’s (PTO’s) delightful retelling of Mozart’s 1791 opera The Magic Flute. Planned and hosted by the North Shore Music Association (NSMA) and funded in part by the Opp-Hvidston Foundation, these two stops were part of PTO’s 2022 summer tour, with help from a MN State Arts Board Arts Tour grant. The multi-talented troupe launched Mozart’s masterwork into outer space—with a group of young explorers navigating the cosmos, as rival forces led by the Queen...
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September is Library Card Sign-Up Month! Get the school year off to the best possible start and sign up for a library card! Visit alslib.info to find your local library or sign up online today. Arrowhead Library System (ALS) serves seven counties in northeastern Minnesota including Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods and St. Louis. With your ALS Public Library Card, you are able to access many of the free digital resources available 24/7 online and can use it to check out books, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines, and more at any of our 27 member public libraries, ALS...
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Author’s note: The content of this article was first delivered by Ted Lewis on August 19, 2021, at Harbor Park in Grand Marais at a community information gathering for Cook County MN Restorative Justice, a program of North Shore Health Care Foundation. What follows is now an amplified version of that talk. In many ways, restorative justice is akin to folkways, especially to folk traditions of making things like baskets or canoes from natural resources. A lasting wisdom gets passed on from person to person. Since Grand Marais is home to the North House Folk School, one of the largest...
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The Child Protection League has just issued the following vital information. Are you aware of the proposed requirements for every licensed teacher in MN from the Professional Educator Licensure Standards Board (pelsb) by a committee set up by Gov. Walz? The new teaching standards will embed basic Marxist principles and practices such as: Critical Race Theory; Fluid Sexual Identification; Gender Politics in ALL schools: public, private! If formally adopted, these requirements must be met to become or remain a licensed teacher in the State of Minnesota, including early childhood family ed., ECFE, from pre-natal on, as well as Adult Basic...
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On September 15 at 2 p.m. there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Grand Marais Recreation Park for the Public Water Access (boat launch) that was recently completed after two summers of work. The public is invited to attend the ceremony.
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No question Airbnb and short-term rentals are popular, especially in Cook County. Of the 18 best Airbnbs listed in Minnesota by Trip101 for 2022, three in the Grand Marais area are in the top 10, and a fourth in Tofte is listed 12th. The Duluth area also has four making the list, and the rest of Minnesota’s 87 counties have ten places that make up the final destinations. It’s evident that the North Shore is quite a draw for folks who want to get away. So, over the last few years, Cook County has gained more short-term rentals, and with...
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During public comments, Marja Erickson came before the city council with a request for a letter of support from the City so the Cook County Historical Society could apply to the state for approximately two million dollars in grant money. Among other things, the money would be used to build space to store artifacts to keep them safe. Grand Marais Mayor Jay DeCoux said he could write the letter of support on behalf of the City, and Council had no objections to DeCoux’s offer of help. When public comments ended, DeCoux opened the meeting requesting the meeting agenda be modified...
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The Northern Lights have been fantastic this past week. David Johnson caught the harbor lighting up under the pulsating Norther Lights in the middle of the night.
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Cascade Lodge owner Thom McAleer recently climbed Alaska’s 14.410-foot Mount Rainier. Cold and wind suspended an earlier attempt to climb Rainier in June. “We ran into 70 mph winds and snow. We had to turn back,” he said. The guide service he used called and said there was an opening in August and Thom jumped at the chance to make a second attempt to summit Rainier. The August climb took three days and is a pre-requisite for Thom to climb Mount Denali, at 20,310 feet, north America’s highest mountain peak. “I spent seventeen years working in hospitality management in Denali...
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Ryan Christiansen ran for five touchdowns to lead the Vikings to a 38-8 win over McGregor last Friday. Christiansen, the conference track champ in the 100 and 200 meters, showed his speed, running around and by would-be tacklers. He ran for 209 yards averaging 23.22 yards per carry. Christiansen spent the summer weight training, adding muscle to his frame, which makes him that much harder to take down-- if you can catch him. Jordan Backstrom carried the ball five times for 13 yards. Amos Falter had two carries for nine yards and Hunter Rex three carries for 19 yards to...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) reports checking anglers and ATV riders and responding to wildlife-related calls. He spent most of the week on ATV checking bear-bait stations. CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports...
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In August, the Grand Marais and West End Garden Clubs came together to enjoy tours of each other’s gardens! There were four gardens featured, each unique to its gardener, and each simply magnificent! We thank the gardeners who worked so diligently to prepare for the tours and then shared their gardens and their expertise with us! It was truly a wonderful experience! If you have an interest in gardening, visitors are always welcome at the meetings of the Grand Marais Garden Club and membership is only . Our next meeting is Monday, September 12th at the Community Center, 317 W...
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Sunday, August 28, was warm, cloudy, and damp, but that didn’t stop folks from coming out to participate in the Care Partners fundraiser at Sydney’s Frozen Custard. The yearly event gives Care Partners a chance to tell people about the services they provide and present volunteer opportunities to people who come by to enjoy a sundae. For , people also got to throw their names into a drawing for a quilt. Who are Care Partners? Care Partners provides services and support to help clients and families address aging, serious illness, and end-of-life transitions with safety, dignity, and confidence. Also offered...
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On Sunday afternoon August 22 a large gathering came to Tofte park to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this lovely place by the shores of Lake Superior. Sarah Somnis a Tofte Township Supervisor along with board members Craig Horak and Sam Crowley invited the community to share in a dinner catered by Double D. Three years ago the old covered picnic shelter was replaced with a timber frame roof and a children’s play area was added recently to the grounds. One hundred years later the park is part of the North Shore Fishing Museum lake walk into the park. Along...
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Fans of Catlin Nicol-Thomas will get a chance to see this talented Nashville musician/singer/actor perform in the area. Every year after she finishes a family trip into the BWCA Catlin shows up and plays at different venues. Most times there isn’t much notice and folks don’t get a chance to come out and catch her act but this year there was a little lead time, so we have the times and dates to share. Thursday Sept 8: Cascade Lodge 6-8 p.m. (duo with Al Oikari). Friday Sept 9: Birch Terrace 4:30-7:30 p.m. (duo with Al Oikari). Saturday Sept 10: Birch...
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Kudos to the Cook County News Herald for the wonderful article and photographs on the J1 seasonal workers in last week’s issue. It is good to have these workers back working as servers, especially after their absence during the Covid years. They fill a definite need for more workers needed in Cook County and are so pleasant to visit with and hear bits and pieces of their life stories. After a busy summer in Grand Marais, they will return to their home country to continue their studies in law, mechanical engineering and social sciences. Such impressive goals!! I only hope...
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Fall is here. A birch is turning yellow. As will the wild sarsaparilla in the woods. The woods honeysuckle will turn early too. Summer is over. It’s time for us to get back to schooling. Months and months of play and loose reins make the pups errant. Autumn, from mid-September to the early part of winter, is a more serious time. The time when spaniels go into the woods to work – unlike any work you or I have ever known. Butt-wagging, hopping and jumping, panting and smiling kind of work. Working in a Happy Hunting Grounds, an Eden for...
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Cook County Historical Society needs help identifying these people Can you help identify these young ladies? If you can help identify photo C132, please send your response to (left to right, please) to history@boreal.org
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This chipmunk was sitting on ‘top of the world” or at least on the peak of a birdhouse when Paul Sundberg took this cute picture.
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Auditions for Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Jr will be held September 19 at 3:30 p.m. at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. Youth in grades 3-12 are strongly encouraged to audition and sign up to be part of the crew for this production. Rehearsals are after school Monday – Thursday 3:30 – 5 p.m. Performances are December 1-4 and 8-11. Professional theater artists and fabricators Jon O Erickson and Jenny Knott will provide design and production support for this classic story. Adults are also needed for many areas of production. This production is possible through support from the Cook...
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This is a long overdue recognition statement for our local fire department. My husband and I earlier this year were treated to an impromptu tour of the equipment and stories behind some of them. All vehicles were clean and organized, ready at an instant to answer an emergency. Some of the equipment has been obtained by members of the fire department combing sales of good used vehicles that can be modified for the need. Our Fire and EMS Department is very conscious of monies spent for equipment, looking for the biggest stretch of dollars. After the equipment has been obtained...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald's policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Gregory Allen Kartak, 38, Minnetonka, Minnesota, Disposition Convicted on August 18, 2022, to two petty misdemeanors: 1) Traffic Speeding 70/60 and 2) No Proof of Insurance when Operating Vehicle, on June 15, 2022. Fines and fees total 0....
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Rob Perez steps out his front door and, surprised, stops in his tracks. Rob finds himself facing a patch of Creeping Charlie, a kidney shaped leaf with scalloped edges. This herbaceous perennial is familiar to many with a yard. CREEPING CHARLIE: Hi! ROB PEREZ: Oh, I, um, thought we were meeting across the way. CC: Well, I saw you were here and so I just popped over. RP: Well, I am here but I really would have preferred to meet there. CC: I thought I’d save you the trouble. RP: It was no trouble. CC: I’m very happy to come...
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On a busy Friday August 26, the signs went up fast at some areas businesses: “Cash or check only. We don’t have access to the internet to accept credit card payments.” And for those patrons who didn’t have cash or a checkbook on them, the businesses wrote down credit card numbers so the bill could be run when the service was up and running. The county lost its phone and broadband service sometime around 11:30 a.m. on Friday when a fiber line was interrupted in Lake County. On Saturday, August 27 Arrowhead Cooperative/ True North Broadband Director Jon Twiest said,...
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Griffin Wachowiak, age 9, was all smiles after catching this humongous lunker Lake Superior Lake trout while fishing with his grandfather. The two were being guided by Tofte Charters.
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A BOUQUET OF BEADED FLOWERS IS EMBROIDERED AT THE WAIST OF THIS charming two-piece frock of navy sheer. White pique trims the Chinese neckline. The crystal straw turban has a crown of bachelor buttons.
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Charles Skinner, Jr. has completed the acquisition of the ski resort from Art Dumke. The purchase includes the two historic UP ski areas of Indianhead and Blackjack, plus restaurants, a hotel, and numerous guest service buildings. The resort name will transition to a new resort brand of Snowriver Mountain Resort, and the Blackjack and Indianhead base areas will be named after the two rivers flowing through the resort, Black River Basin (Blackjack) and Jackson Creek Summit (Indianhead). “There are two motivating factors for the coming name changes”, stated Skinner. “The first is a sensitivity to Native American culture. And the...
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A happy group of families, friends and neighbors gathered together on Sunday, August 28 to celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of Tofte Park. The township also honored the memory of John Nelson, who gave so much of himself and his time to the town, including a lot of work around the park. The park is now home to the John Nelson Playground. A sign will be installed to acknowledge this in the near future. There had been a bit of mist and sprinkles earlier in the afternoon but when it was time to set up, Mother Nature cooperated and we enjoyed...
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Inflation is caused by too many dollars chasing too few products. The US economy was flooded with government stimulation thru the CARES Act, Payroll Protection Plan, etc. putting billions of dollars into the economy. We will see that again with the Hero payments of 0 million in Minnesota. All of these acts of government are the major driver causing inflation. In regards to Inflation Reduction Act, IRA, it is interesting to note that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, CBO, states that this act will have little to no impact on bringing down inflation. The unintended consequences of this bill could...
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On July 12, 2022, we held the second public input/informational meeting on the 5th Ave W reconstruction project. The first meeting was held back in May 2019 where three different reconstruction options were presented: Parking on both sides of the road and five-foot sidewalks on both sides Parking on one side of the road, a wider multiuse path on one side, and a five-foot sidewalk on the other side A wider multi-use path on one side and parking on both sides Comments were collected from that meeting and were used to develop the current design. Following the city and county-adopted...
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Mini looked at me and didn’t know what to do? I had taken her leash off and she just stood there, big brown eyes questioning why she was unleashed. “Run,” I said. And without a second invitation she was off, checking the trails of the newly opened dog park. She never went too far before returning to me as a I hiked the trails. But every time she came back, she seemed to smile more and more. The dog park was open and Mini was joyfully romping through the park, tail wagging what seemed like a hundred miles an hour....
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North House respectfully submitted this letter following a spring and summer of productive conversations with the Council and community. As the City Council prepared for its August 31st meeting, we wanted to convey three clear thoughts for consideration: Dear Grand Marais City Council: 1. North House and the community have worked hard during the past several months and clearly we have made significant progress together: identifying community priorities, highlighting potential improvements to our current lease & city partnership, and finding alternatives that can move us forward. -- Community members underscored their aspirations to prioritize accessibility to the harbor, secure the...
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This loon was at Wabana Lake NW. The loon is enjoying a fish lunch of muskie with some salad.
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Teri Chilefone and James Coleman are the new owners of The Blue Moose. The Lutsen couple closed the purchase on June 17 and so far have renovated one large cabin with more cabin renovations to come. Plus, they are planning to add ten-long term house rentals to the property, with plans to expand the greenhouse. But as far as making changes to the general business? “No. We love what Bill Doucette and his wife have done. We want to honor their legacy and run it much the same. We’re happy to say that Renae, the general manager, has agreed to...
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With aquatic food plants high on the food chain, this moose appears to be smiling as it gets ready to eat some lunch in a lush marshy swamp.
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Somewhere in the Grand Portage Forest near water Travis Novitsky spotted three Great Blue Herons in a dead tree. When fishing for food the heron often stands motionless as it scans for prey to swim by, then it can strike like lighting to pluck a small fish from the water.
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Recently, I’ve seen a lot of hand wringing about student loan forgiveness, and I’d like to use a personal antidote to put things in perspective. When I attended college, tuition was [post_excerpt],880/yr. While I can’t find my room and board paperwork, the average in the USA was [post_excerpt],538 per year. So, ,418. When off campus, I split the apartment cost with my gf. I paid ~0/month. Our groceries were ~ per week. So, about ,000/year (the entire year and not just the school year). I made ~,200 at my summer job building trails for the DNR. During school, I worked...
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During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many businesses were shut down or their hours cut back, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Security (CARES) Act, which established the SPA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The PPP offered loans for forgiveness that allowed business owners to cover payroll and keep their doors open through the pandemic. The PPP began on August 10, 2020. The SBA started approving those loans in October of that year. To qualify, businesses or non-profits had to meet three criteria: Your business didn’t reduce employee wages by more than 25 percent or employee hours; Your...
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In recent weeks, brother columnist Rob Perez has defamed both golf and pickleball. He asserted that golf desecrated nature and that pickleball was a board game masking as exercise. His friend and North Shore neighbor, Greg Kachinsky, was so mad that he went out and played both games on the same day. So there, Rob! Now we discover that Rob played both golf and pickleball in the last year. He is out of both golf and pickleball closets! Well, I, for one, am glad his fictions have been exposed. I am glad, too, that he was bullied or seduced into...
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My parents are the most amazing couple that I know. They argue. They flirt. They love and appreciate one another. Recently my dad suffered a brain bleed. He cannot use his left side at this time. A strong man, working to build a home just two days before this happened, we did not see this coming. Yet they hold each other up through it all. He winked at me and mom from the emergency room bed. Using his right leg to keep his left leg moving only hours after the incident. Move it or lose it is the Anderson Motto....
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I’ve been thinking (for a change). I’m usually so busy that I don’t bother, but something my brother Dave asked me in Australia has put my Thinker in gear. He asked if I’d made plans for the end of my life. What? End of life? I hadn’t really considered it. I have a health directive, and my husband Jerry and I have joined the Minnesota Cremation Society, but that’s about all. I haven’t thought about my death or the issues we might face leading up to it. Maybe it’s time I give that a little consideration. Apparently, we don’t live...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education...
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The pandemic has spurred many lifestyle changes and one of them has been that Americans have been adopting more puppies than ever. Tracking that information has been TOP Data Marketing Agency, a research-agency who collects and analyzes information and broadcast its findings via news media. Noting that National Dog Day was Friday August 26, a big day for dog owners, TOP Data unleashed a report about puppy loving states, and the report found that Minnesota ranks 23rd on the U.S. list of most puppy loving states. Taking the top spot was New Hampshire, number 1, followed by Oregon and Nevada....
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The Cook County High School Vikings football team participated in a scrimmage in Mountain Iron on Saturday, August 27. Scrimmages help coaches decide who will start, who is getting better, who is learning the schemes that will be used in varsity games. One of the big unknowns is who will emerge to play quarterback for the Vikings? Last season’s starter Paul Dorr moved with his family and the position is wide open. This scrimmage seemed to settle that question, with Hunter Rex taking snaps from the center. New Viking Head Football Coach Steven Anderson offered and enthusiastic assessment about the...
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On September 7 the Happy Hikers will travel 46 miles up the Gunflint Trail where we will hike across Larch Creek to Magnetic Rock. The trail passes through three major disturbances: the 1999 blowdown, 2002 prescribed burn, and the 2007 Ham Lake wildfire. Look for young jack pine and fire specialist woodpeckers. Magnetic Rock is a 60-foot rock with strong magnetic attraction. Bring your compass and test the magnetism. Difficulty level: Easy to moderate. Approximate distance: 3 miles. Meet at the YMCA parking lot near the tennis courts at 9:00 am. We’ll carpool to the Magnetic Rock Trailhead, 46 miles...
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August 15 was National Relaxation Day. According to the Perk there are several ways to relax. You can get a plant or ten as they increase oxygen in the air, they reduce your heart rate and they clean out toxins. Listening to music you enjoy, but specifically classical music slows your heart rate, lowers blood pressure and can decrease stress hormones. Chewing gum can improve your mood, bananas help regulate blood pressure and even 40 grams of dark chocolate can help you unwind. We’re all for that! I personally think licking cake beaters or snuggling a chicken should be included...
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Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center needs volunteer help in the coming months before the end of the season. If you, a family member, or neighbor have time that could be spared to volunteer at Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center for a few hours it would be greatly appreciated. The outside window sashes of the Museum need to be scraped and repainted - all supplies will be furnished Two sides of the Nature Center need to be freshened up with another coat of stain – all supplies will be furnished Mowing and trimming can be done anytime (mower is provided, grass...
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She drives down, or up, North Road, which is County Road 69, and over bridges on the Flute Reed River, newer bridges, although they’ve been there 100 and more years, and the Flute Reed is no river, but a quiet creek hidden in the lush green of summer, under the moose maples and speckled alders and paper birch and wending this way and that around the boulders. If she goes up the Camp 20 Road there are two - or is it three - more crossings, culverts now, of the Flute Reed. Back on North Road there is the site...
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Viking head volleyball coach Marlene Wester greeted 28 players to her 2022 squad. The players have been practicing their skills and conditioning for the last two weeks. Did you know that a player will jump on average of 300 times during a match? A regulation volleyball court is 29 feet, six inches wide by 59 feet. That's a lot of territory to cover for players on both sides of the net, so conditioning is key. Wester returns five players with varsity experience. They are Katie Peck, Emmalli Myers, Makenzie Fairbanks, Kalina Dimitrova, and Anna Helmerson. “We have five seniors, six...
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On Tuesday, August 2, the NOA Trinidad sailed (motored) into harbor. It was wild watching it come around the Grand Marais lighthouse in the rain. Shortly afterwards the breakwater became a zoo of people coming to see the ship. It remained busy until after sunset on Wednesday when the Trinidad sailed away. The Trinidad was Magellan’s flagship. It was one of the ships that didn’t make it back from Magellan’s expedition to reach the East Indies by a western route. Magellan didn’t make it back either. This year is the 500th year anniversary of Magellan’s expedition returning home to Spain....
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County High School. (Ruby's will be back to the Community Center for October). No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God...
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Football practice is underway, and the coaches are running the kids through various drills to help with conditioning and build strength and coordination. The players are also learning the offense and defensive systems they will use this year, and with the first game scheduled for September 2, there’s not a second to lose. The 2022 Cook County Vikings have 25 kids out for fall football. Leading the team is new Head Coach Steven Anderson. Steven will be assisted by Kyle Anderson, Theo Rex, and Mike Theisman, with Keaton Reilly heading up the junior high program. The Vikings will have to...
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The Grand Marais gardens are coming back to life. After years of little upkeep, a group of like-minded people are putting their efforts and skills together to make the rain gardens look nice, and able to perform their main function. The re-establishment of the Grand Marais community rain gardens is a cooperative project between our local MN Power and Light Interfaith group, Rooted and Rising Congregational Church climate group, CCLEP, Grand Marais Parks and Recreation, Cook County Soil and Water and concerned individuals from the community. They meet most Monday evenings at 5p.m. to work on the gardens. The groups...
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Starting this fall, the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic’s Early Childhood Community Hub team is offering a book club for parents and caregivers, around the topic of positive parenting! We want to make it easy, so there’s no travel, no cost of gas, no childcare needs, and thanks to a grant from our local WISE group (Women’s Initiative for Service and Education) the books (both audio and paperback) are free! There will be 2 books read between September and December. You are welcome to join for 1 book or both! In January, the Early Childhood Hub will lead a training on the...
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Meeting in the courtroom because the commissioner’s room was used for voting, the Cook County Commissioners had a lengthy conversation about the wage and benefit study that is in the formative stages. Commissioner David Mills gave the backdrop for the six or seven meetings that have taken place by a working committee. The committee is comprised of employees representing department heads, supervisors, commissioners, and bargaining units that were formed to select other counties to use in a comparable study to Cook County. Out of Minnesota’s 87 counties, Mills said the group winnowed the list to 53, then 26, and finally...
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COOK COUNTY – County voters will have choices for the three school board seats and four of the five county commissioners on the ballot this year when they cast their votes in the November 8 general election. On the other hand, there are no contested races for four county officials, Grand Marais mayor and city council, the Soil & Water board and the hospital board. In addition, the last two boards have blank spots on the ballot where no persons filed for open positions. The final filing period for the fall election ended Tuesday, August 16. Independent School District 166...
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With the return of in-person schooling for the children of the community, we at the Cook County Sheriff ’s office want to take this time and offer some tips for school traffic safety. The current dropoff and pick-up areas for ISD 166 including Great Expectations are located on County Road 7, also known as 5th Street between the Gunflint Trail and 4th Avenue West. Thanks to the hard work of Andrea Orest of the Safe Routes To School committee and Robbie Hass from the Cook County Highway Department, the speed zone in this area has been officially set at 20...
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Virtually every one of the 8 billion humans currently living on Earth will be dead by 2122. Any children born during that same 100-year time period who do not survive until 2122, due to natural causes, accident, disease, warfare, murder or suicide, will add to the total count of the deceased. Should the birth rate of our species not soon fall below the death rate, the number of humans living on Earth in 2122 could still be above, likely well above, our current world population. Climate changes already occurring and an attendant competition for resources will certainly be amplified by...
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After 14 years, 85 students and more than 5,000 in scholarships, the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation Scholarship Program is fulfilling a lifelong dream of its founder, Lloyd K. Johnson, to help Cook County High School students achieve their educational dreams. The program is unique in its personal one-to-one guidance, emphasis on students who are first generation college attendees, and its specially designed financial literacy class. A critical aspect of the program is to impart adult life skills and prepare students for success, many of whom are away from home for the first time. When it comes to personal finance, people...
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Grand Marais Public Library is sending out a huge THANK YOU to the community for supporting the 2022 Summer Reading Program, a nationally coordinated library event recognized for improving the educational performance of its participants. It turned out to be quite a busy summer! The library gave out almost 200 reading logs for kids to track their reading and earn prizes. Over 100 people picked up outdoor activity booklets and literacy scavenger hunts, and the “Where’s Dragon” activity was a weekly hit with 92 total participants. The Pick-up Truck Opera and Celebration Picnic was a resounding success, with 130 people...
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The Grand Marais Playhouse is pleased to present Blithe Spirit, An Improbable Farce by Noël Coward at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts August 25-September 4. The play concerns the socialite and novelist Charles Condomine, as research for his new book, Charles asks Madame Arcati, who he believes to be a complete fake, to hold a seance in his home. Unfortunately for Charles, Madame Arcati manages to summon the spirit of Charles’ first wife, Elvira, who decides she likes being back among the living and wants to pick up their relationship where they left off. This is problematic, for not...
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COMFORTABLE FISHING TOGS are made of a lightweight, finely woven khaki twill. The wading jacket has countless roomy pockets. the shirt is flannel and the waders are natural rubber.
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CCCoLA was developed in 1994 by representatives from the local lake associations at that time. CCCoLA was created to provide an effective, focused means of advocating for lakeshore property owners. The intent is to ensure that CCCoLA member opinions are considered in local and state agencies. This collective voice represents over 1000 lakeshore owners. There are over 500 lake associations in the state of Minnesota. CCCoLA meets on the first Friday of each month at 10 a.m., June through September. Visit our website for the location of these meetings, at cookcountycola.mnlakesandrivers.org. You can also reach us at CookCountyCola@gmail.com. At our...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked ATV, angling and bear-bait activity. He followed up on illegal ATV use, bear baiting and wildlife-related calls. A fire investigation was completed. CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt)...
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Cases of COVID-19 continue to infect residences of Cook County at a high rate. Over a recent seven-day period there was a report of 53 new cases which brings the count to 1,290 from the start of the pandemic. As of August 18, the CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker listed Cook County as having a “high” level of COVID-19 cases in the community. According to the county website new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population (7-day total) are calculated using data from August 11, 2022, to August 17, 2022. New COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population for the seven-day total and percent of...
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On August 31 the Happy Hikers will hike the Superior Hiking Trail section to Carlton Peak. Beginning at the trailhead, we will travel along wooden walkways, a spruce plantation and maple forest. The trail travels by high rock walls to Ted Tofte Overlook. We will then continue through the woods to the top of Carlton Peak. We will enjoy our lunch at the top, and then turn around and hike back down. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, on a leash. Difficulty level: Moderate. Approximate distance: 3 miles Meet at the YMCA parking lot near the tennis courts at 9:00 am. We’ll...
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After a couple of covid years, the J-1 summer workers are back in the county. That’s not only been good news to area employers but good news to the throngs of summer visitors who have been very patient the last two years when service— or hours of operation— was slow or cut back because there weren’t enough employees to meet the demand. These young men and ladies work in hotels, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, gift shops, and resorts. And often you will find them working two jobs, five or six days a week. They come here to make money,...
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(Daughter of Bob & Maureen Bazzett of Lutsen) September 14th at 11:00 a.m. St. Mary’s of the Lake in Plymouth, Minnesota. Luncheon to follow.
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds firearm and muzzleloader hunters who want to harvest antlerless deer in a deer permit area designated as antlerless permit lottery this hunting season to purchase their license by Thursday, September 8. Hunters who purchase their license on or before this date are automatically entered into the lottery for the deer permit area or special hunt area they declare. Successful applicants will receive a postcard in the mail authorizing them to take an antlerless deer using their regular license in that antlerless permit lottery area. No application is needed to take antlerless deer in...
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A marvelous group of energetic youngsters came to the Cook County News-Herald to ask questions about how news is gathered, formatted and printed on pages. Where does news come from? What types of stories do you cover? Does anyone ever try to have “fake” news printed? These very polite, courteous young ladies asked these and other interesting questions. Who are Story Scouts? These are the current and next generation of journalists and community storytellers. As an organization, Story Scouts started in 2020, the first year of the pandemic. Anne Brataas, a long-time journalist who loves working with children, formed the...
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Paul Sundberg captured this exquisite hummingbird in flight, a difficult task when considering these birds beat their wings 10 to more than 80 times per second!
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Twin Metals Minnesota filed a lawsuit on Monday, August 23, in U.S. District Court to have once approved northeastern Minnesota federal mineral leases renewed. Last January, the U.S. Interior Department canceled those mineral leases following a review by the Biden administration that found the prospect of mining copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum metals near the Boundary Waters could imperil the waterways that thread through the region and Quetico. Arguing the mineral leases were illegally canceled by the Interior Department, Twin Metals said it hopes the lawsuit will “restore the leases and other rights, which will restart the environmental review process...
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Grand Marais is listed 27th in the list of 30 small towns in America that are “perfect for your next getaway.” The article appeared in Cosmopolitan in late April and was written by Corinne Sullivan. Sullivan is a digital writer and editor who covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, holidays and more. About Grand Marais Sullivan wrote, “Named America’s Coolest Small Town, Grand Marais is located on the North Shore of Lake Superior, and it’s known for its arts, culture, and natural beauty. “What to do: Kayak on Lake Superior, check out the view from Artists’ Point,...
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WARNING: This column has some relation to Highway 61, lifeblood of our lives and economy. First, the author lives here as do about five thousand women and men whose lives are better for the efforts of Steinem and other feminists, men and women. Second, Steinem brought her message to Duluth in 1981; that is the start of our Highway. Third Steinem is part of our bridge generation whose task became the liberation of all of us. If this violates your expectations, please wait ‘til next week. Today’s column was inspired by choosing Gloria Steinem’s memoir, My Life on the Road,...
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Cook County Historical Society needs help identifying these people Can you help identify these people? If you can help identify this photo please send your response ( left to right please) to cchs@boreal.org or history@boreal.org
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Due to the overwhelming response (glad you liked it, Mom) to a recent column about nautical terminology, this is a kind of follow-up. Thus, I give you boat names. [Warning. This column contains more than your recommended daily allowance of puns. This is not my preference. This is how it must be.] Let’s start with the question: Why name your boat? Most people don’t name their bikes. I guess a few folks name their cars. (Speed Racer: Mach Five; Goofy: Bessie; Etc.) But a boat? Well, for one, there’s more space on the back/side of your boat for a name....
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is recruiting new members to serve on seven key advisory groups related to Minnesota’s natural heritage, the Game and Fish fund, and hunting and fisheries management. Interested people can sign up on the Engage with DNR website (engage.dnr.state.mn.us/advisory-group-appointment-opportunities). In addition to the specific knowledge and experience required for each committee, the DNR seeks inclusive and well-rounded advisory committees, encompassing differences including but not limited to race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, age, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability, life experience, ideas, knowledge and learning styles. Natural Heritage Advisory Committee...
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This photo is from the 1960s. This building is located at the corner of 1st Ave West and Highway 61. The Yellow Bird Fine Art gallery occupies the space now (August 2022) where the Rexall drugstore was in the 1960s.
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The CCHS Class of ’47 was proudly represented by Dorothy Koss Peterson and Gordon Lindquist in the Fisherman’s Picnic parade.
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Games and meets highlighted in black are all played at home 2022 Cross Country meet schedule Thursday, September 1, 1 p.m. North Shore Challenge will be held at Pincushion Mountain. Thursday, September 8, Superior Wisconsin meet. TBD. Tuesday, September 20, 4 p.m. Grand Rapids Meet. Thursday, September 29, 4 p.m., Hibbing Rotary Meet. Tuesday, October 4, 4 p.m., Ely Invite. Thursday, October 13, 1 p.m., Polar League Conference Meet, Pincushion Mountain. Tuesday, October 18, 4 p.m. Lions Invite at Proctor golf course. Thursday, October 27, TBD Section 7AA Hibbing Municipal. Saturday, November 5, State Class AA St. Olaf College. Vikings...
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Magic Bead Hunt Winners – Nathan Veit and Kitty Woodall Yoke’s on You – Men’s 1) Jeremiah Jurek: 41 lifts 2) John Jurek: 40 lifts 3) Isaac Walters: 35 lifts Yokes’ on You – Women’s 1) Kayleigh Castillo: 20 lifts 2) Maya Tuchenhagen: 18 lifts 3) Janessa Jurek: 16 lifts Camp Chore Challenge – Kids (12 and Under) Camp Chore Challenge – Ages 13 and Older 1) Samuel S. and Janessa Jurek 2) Alice Koster and Robert Jagodzinski 3) Nathan Veit and Lenny Jagodzinski Rugged Voyageur Pentathlon 1) Robert Jagodzinski 2) Janessa Jurek 3) Maya Tuchenhagen Fire Starting Competition –...
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Late last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) streamlined its COVID-19 guidance for the public, recognizing that COVID-19 continues to circulate throughout the world and that nationally, we have better tools in testing, treatments, and vaccination to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death than we did earlier in the pandemic. These updates to the CDC’s COVID-19 guidance changed some recommendations for the public, but many stayed the same: - Make sure you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations. Remaining up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations is the best way to protect yourself...
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A wildfire that started Saturday, August 13, on Isle Royale burned approximately 11 acres but was mostly contained by Monday, August 15. National Park Service crews suppressed the fire, which was located near Tobin Harbor and Mt. Franklin Trail. Firefighters found the fire at the junction of Tobin Harbor Trail and the Mt. Franklin Trail. To help contain the fire, a single-engine air tanker from Minnesota dropped 4,000 gallons of water on the blaze in the late afternoon on Saturday. The fire was spotted burning near the Three Mile campground and reported to park officials on Saturday. Three Mile Campground...
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On August 24 the Happy Hikers will travel 40 miles up the Gunflint Trail to the Kekekabic Trailhead where the Centennial Trail begins. This 3.3-mile interpretive loop follows a historic railroad bed. It is the site of the ill-fated Paulsen Mine. Hikers will be able to see the original mine test pits from the 1890’s. The Centennial Trail was developed to honor the Superior National Forest’s 100th anniversary in 2009. An interpretive guide to the 14 stops will be available. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, on a leash. Difficulty level: Difficult (rough, uneven surfaces, one steep section with no stairs). Approximate...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County High School. (Ruby's will be back to the Community Center for October). No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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The Cook County highway department announced the kick-off for a new construction project today. It will be a Multi-Use Trail, located on the West side of the Gunflint Trail from TH 61 to 5th St/CR 7. The Safe Routes To School (SRTS) Multi-Use Trail will be a 10-foot-wide bituminous trail for pedestrians and bicyclists. Construction will begin the week of August 15th and is expected to last one month. Per Robert Hass, Cook County Highway Department Head, “The trail is part of creating a more walkable community via the adopted pedestrian plans through the City of Grand Marais and Cook...
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A man claiming to be lost for four days called Ryden’s Border Store in Grand Portage to say he was lost but he wouldn’t give them his phone number. He said his name was John Paul and he planned to keep following his compass North and he was going to start a campfire once the call ended. The caller said he didn’t want law enforcement involved in the search, but he would prefer a local party look for him. At this point it seemed like it might be a crank call. Nevertheless, the Border Patrol and Cook County Sheriff ’s...
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Getting qualified employees to work in the care center or hospital has been a tough proposition and there are multiple worker shortages in staffing. One way to combat those staffing shortages has been to start an On Track Nursing Assistant Program. “The On Track Nursing Assistant Program allows students to receive their education in Grand Marais and we have been approved as one of the pilot sites that can administer the certification exam at North Shore Health rather than requiring students to travel to Duluth or beyond,” said North Shore Health Administrator/ CEO Wraalstad, adding that Goosie Silence is working...
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On August 10 at 2:08:36 p.m., a call went out to Cook County Law Enforcement dispatch that driftwood was on fire at a residence about eight miles east of Grand Marais along Highway 61. The owner of the house has spent years collecting driftwood and stones from the shore of Lake Superior and used the natural elements to “decorate” his property with these natural artifacts. He also places manufactured items in and amongst the piles of driftwood and stone. Responding to the small fire was the Colvill and Hovland Fire Department. The first firefighters arrived on the scene about four...
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Watt, Dennis Edward, Age 80, passed away peacefully in Wayzata, Minnesota, surrounded by family and love, following a hard fought, 15-month battle with brain cancer. Preceded in death by wife Judy Watt (Larson) and parents Charles and Lucille. Survived by wife Julie (Owen), sons Adam (Theressa) and Andy (Allison), and grandsons Harrison, Charlie and Hugo; brother Dale (Judy Jo) and countless other family and friends. Born in Duluth, Dennis moved to Minneapolis as a young boy. He graduated Robbinsdale High School in 1959. After a few years attending the University of Minnesota, his entrepreneurial spirit drove him and his best...
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I would like to publicly thank all of the Election Workers who are helping with this year’s elections. You are our friends and relatives, our neighbors and co-workers, who undergo the required training and then get up early and/or stay up late into the wee hours on election day to make sure that our votes are gathered, tallied, and reported in an efficient and accurate manner. It is an important job. Thank you for your civic-mindedness and your service to our county, state and country. Janet Simonen, Grand Marais
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It seems the liberal elites are after Donald Trump once again. This time it’s the Department of Justice teaming up with the FBI to raid Trump’s private home, Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. While the Trumps weren’t home at the time, it still required 30 armed agents to storm and ransack the place. Whatever happened to “a man’s home is his castle”? It’s obvious, to those of us not rabid with “Trump Derangement Syndrome”, that this was just a fishing expedition hoping to find dirt on our former President. Well, good luck with that. After being exposed abusing their powers...
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Within 10 hours of sighting a misplaced domestic rabbit, recovery was made by its family. “Thanks!” is expressed to Grand Marais and Cook County media, Sheriff Pat Eliason’s team was ready in a “lost and found” role. Doug Sanders, Grand Marais
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Forests in the 21st century could look very different than the forests we now have in northern Minnesota. That’s the news from a story recently published in Nature. In the coming years warming temperatures alone could cause nine northern conifers in Minnesota’s Northwoods and southern boreal forest running from eastern Canada to Alaska to be replaced by oaks and maples, reports a study released by the Department of Forest Resources at the University of Minnesota. Said to be a five-year study (it was longer) it was led by Peter Reich, a Department of Forest Resources professor at the University of...
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It may be too late in the summer to speak of dandelions. But they linger, if you look. In a vegetable garden at the nursery we had kohlrabi which was planted late and has been growing late, and each night the bunnies – big year for rabbits this year – came in and took a leaf, then another leaf another night, so that in a few days all we were left with were kohlrabi hearts, which we, throwing in the towel, took and cut up and ate fresh like sacrificial bread. Delicious. Too, the bunnies were cutting their teeth on...
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Paul and Karla Sundberg took time away from paddling to catch a break on a recent trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).
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The phrase “back to school” means different things to different people. To some, Back To School is a 1986 comedy starring Rodney Dangerfield where he goes well, back to school. Robert Downey Jr. is in the film. And Sam Kinison is a professor who, if you remember the comedian, is always SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS!! The gutsiest thing the film tries to pull off is to make diving a spectator sport. To others, like children who have turned the word “summer” into a passive verb, “back to school” means the party’s over. When discussions of sending the...
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September’s mild nights and darkening skies make for some of the year’s best star watching. In the west, brilliant Arcturus is slowly sinking, dragging its kite-shaped constellation, Bootes the herdsman, with it. Just east of Bootes hangs the semicircular Corona Borealis, or northern crown; its sole bright star is called Gemma or Alphecca. Moving east again, an hourglass of stars defines the torso of upside-down Hercules. Beside Hercules shines Vega—the beacon of Lyra, the lyre, and the brightest of the large Summer Triangle of stars. This month, the Triangle will be high in the south at nightfall—that is, in prime...
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Brandi Erickson said she thought she was snagged on a rock but instead she had this 28-inch northern pike on her line!
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I finally got my chance—last week I sat down with a woman from “The Other Side” to discuss our values, opinions, and feelings about issues we disagree on. And you know what? We had a lot more in common than I ever would have guessed. Go figure. The One Small Step Initiative, sponsored by Story Corp, has selected Grand Marais as one of six sites in the country to promote and record conversations between people with differing political views. Totally frustrated with the animosity between our political parties, I found it a brilliant plan and eagerly signed up (WTIP.org under...
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Trinity Lutheran church 1950. If you can identify photo 95N please email to history@boreal.org.
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The Minnesota bear hunting season opens Thursday, September 1, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is once again asking hunters to avoid shooting marked research bears. These bears are marked with distinctively large, colorful ear tags and wear radio collars. Researchers with the DNR are monitoring 25 radio-collared black bears across the state, especially in bear hunting zones 25, 27, 45 and 451, and in parts of the no-quota zone. Most of the radio-collared bears live in or near the Chippewa National Forest, Camp Ripley Military Reserve, the Pillsbury State Forest, and the Brainerd/ Baxter area. However, the bears...
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If you just landed in the 8th Congressional District of Minnesota from another planet without knowledge of history or current events and read Pete Stauber’s A Week in the Great 8 email publication, you would be led to believe that in less than 2 years, the Biden Administration has created and is responsible for all the bad things that have happened to the US for decades. For example, INFLATION. Let’s correct one of Pete’s falsehoods. Inflation is not caused by presidents. And it is happening worldwide, not just in the US. If you read a variety of sources, you will...
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The Senior LinkAge Line® will offer two Health Care Fraud, Waste & Abuse Prevention classes Wednesday, September 14, 2022, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and again from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how to detect and report potential errors, fraud and abuse; review potential fraud and scams targeting older adults, how to read their Medicare Summary Notice, learn tips to help protect their Medicare beneficiary number, and how to protect-detect-report Medicare scams and fraud. This presentation is based on information from the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), a federal education and prevention program. It is offered online using the...
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With the start of school just around the corner some questions were posed to I.S.D. 166 school superintendent Chris Lindholm about the upcoming year. Chris, who was pinch hitting in the kitchen this week, took some time to answer the following questions. Q- Have you been able to hire enough staff? Teachers, bus drivers, maintenance workers, cooks, paras, subs, etc.? How has that effort been going? A-We’ve had an excellent run of hiring this spring and summer filling most of our positions with well qualified people. We did not find a high school math teacher, so we are contracting with...
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The first half of the 2022 election season came to an end with the state primary held on August 9. Turnout was a little lower than usual for a primary election. Statewide, the turnout of eligible voters was 18 percent. In Cook County the turnout of eligible voters was 36 percent. Our turnout of registered voters was a little over 40 percent. In the past 32 years the turnout of registered voters at our primary elections has ranged from 29 percent to 64 percent, with about half falling in the 40 percent to 55 percent range. Local races are the...
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Would people show up? You bet they did, and the weather was perfect! After a two-year hiatus due to the covid outbreak, the Grand Portage Rendezvous Days and Celebration Pow Wow drew big crowds throughout the three-day weekend. Events were free and there was more to see than one could take in, in half a day unless you rushed. Highlighting the pow-wow was the mid-day Grand Entry featuring the U.S. and Canadian flag ceremony to honor military veterans from Grand Portage. Next, staff bearers led dancers into the pow wow ring for a traditional honor dance as the Stone Bridge...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald's policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Nicholas Allen Booker, 28, Missoula, Montana, entered an Amended Plea of guilty on May 10, 2021, to a misdemeanor of Domestic Assault - Causing Fear, on February 14, 2021. The Court Decision was Continued on June 28, 2021....
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Over two days nine members of the local Tread Lightly Off-Roaders club cleaned more than 2,400 pounds of trash from the ditches of a county roadway. “We also cleaned dispersed camp sites from the Arrowhead Trail to the Sawbill Trail along with gravel pits,” said local leader Scott Benolken. To make the work possible Tread Lightly Off Roaders have a signed agreement with the United States Forest Service (USFS) for stewardship. “We just need to let them know when we are doing the cleanup,” Benolken said of the agreement. “Ed Belmore, USFS law enforcement, came and met with us on...
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The Rendezvous returned to Grand Portage National Monument on Friday, August 12 – Sunday, August 14 with 127 camps and 240 re-enactors. Grand Portage’s very own Stone Bridge Singers opened the event with a traditional drum ceremony and welcome to the public and camp participants. John Stealey, a first-time re-enactor to the event, demonstrated his late 18th century replica hot air balloons made from paper and fish glue while sending 18 unmanned balloons into the air over the weekend. A blacksmith and tinsmith were present conducting (ice creeper and tin cups) workshops for the public and camp while demonstrating their...
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Grand Marais resident Butch Schulte took a picture of bug not often seen around these parts and he/we wondered what kind of bug it was. Turns out several of our readers could identify it. Lutsen’s Karen Kobey said, “The weird looking insect in the paper is a giant ichneumenon wasp! The long “stinger “is actually how she lays eggs in the larvae of horn tails, another kind of wasp. They are solitary, don’t build any nest and don’t bother us. Another name for them is “stump stabber “which would have been a good title for this photo!” Kurt Redborg, Grand...
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Why did the Senior Center change its name to THE HUB? Well, youngster, it was because citizens thought that the Senior Center was only for SENIORS! Yes, the HUB has ‘foot care’, mobility classes like ‘chair yoga’, fun card playing games several times during the day, but did you know the HUB also holds DMV-MN Drivers tests and Exams without going to Duluth, evening classes for YOGA, TECH Support for all ages. The Hub is holding its Annual “Back to School Supply Drive” during the month of August until September 9th. DID you know? The reason for all this activity...
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With a history stretching back 35 years, the Fish Pic trail run and walk up on the beautiful Pincushion Trails has many family and friends’ stories. Every year we find a few new ones, and were reminded of many old ones. When we sent out the race announcements, even the regrets we received were interesting. The Young family was the first to send theirs. CJ, who won the race in 2018 and 2019 while still in high school was in Vermont training with Team Birkie. Sister Lindsay who won 2019 at age 15 and had a number of top 3...
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Grand Marais’ library facility sustained damage this spring, when it flooded in from the floor along the North, hillside wall. Restoration work is scheduled to begin the fourth week of August causing some service interruptions. The tentative schedule, which follows, and any updates will be posted on the library’s website. Pickup window service will be offered on Monday, August 22. Tuesday through Thursday, the library will be fully closed to the public while an internal drainage system is installed. The library’s Wi-Fi signal can be accessed from outside the building during that time, and downloadable books are available through the...
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The Evangelical Free Church and Spirit of Wilderness Episcopal churches get together to host an International Student dinner the last Tuesday of the month. For the most recent meal Beth Kennedy said, “We served a Thanksgiving dinner with Thanksgiving decorations at Evangelical Free church with the Spirit of Wilderness Episcopal church joining together to put this on! Over 40 students came, with some coming from Lutsen a little bit later. It was a fun evening!
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Sponsored by the North Shore Ski and Run Club, the annual Fisherman’s Picnic Trail Run held on the rugged trail of Pincushion Mountain is always one of the highlights of the picnic and this year’s series of races were no different. Dave Duede,43, from Egan, Minnesota, won the men’s five-mile race with a time of 30:03.6. Grand Marais runner Shane Steele, 37, placed second, finishing in 30:47. Other local men finishers were Ryan Olesee, 29, Hovland, placed 11th in 39:46.1; Logan Netland, 33, Grand Marais, finished 13th in 41.26; Adam Oberg, 13, Grand Marais, was 17th in 42:42.6; Chris Hegg,...
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Minnesota voters went to the polls on Tuesday, August 9 to vote for the primary election. One happy voter was David Eckel.
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REAL ESTATE MEMORIES The date of this photo is unknown. Front row from left to right are Lucie Detrick, Virginia Detrick Palmer, and Donna Clothier. Back row from left to right are Rick Austin, Rachelle Christianson, and Dean Detrick. Detrick Realty was founded by John and Lucie Detrick in 1971. The family business continues this day as Coldwell Banker North Shore.
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One of the favorite viewer events is the Kid’s Pedal to the Medal Tractor pull and this year was no different, as large crowds gathered to cheer the kids on. Win or lose, the kids all put in a great effort, and everyone walked away with at least a can of pop for their efforts. Congratulations to all the children who took part in the 2022 Grand Marais Lions Kid’s Tractor Pull! Winners by age Age 4: 1st Place Sadie A. 2nd Place, Cullen B. 3rd place Breck B. Age 5: 1st place, Breck B. 2nd place Finnley J. 3rd...
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Best of show: “Archie” mini-Australian sheep dog 8-weeks. Handler Faith Bohlman Belle from Plaine Minnesota. Best handler of Show: “Darla” Bernese mt dog. Handler Lincoln Boyce Albertville Minnesota. Other wins: Best of tiny class: “Stevie” a chihuahua terrier mix handler Sammi Olinger from Mankato Best handler tiny class: Hannah Luke of white bear lake with “Auggie” an 8-month maltipoo. Best of small class: “Buster” Boston terrier handler Ciara Tate gm puppy only 4- month-old. Best handler small class: Mark from Minnesota with his puppy Sophie a 10-month pug. Best of medium class: “Archie” mini-Australian. (Info above) Best handler of medium...
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Cook County Higher Education (CCHE) has received an ,000 grant from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation for the 22-23 school year. The grant is comprised of two components: a ,000 grant for tuition scholarships for Cook County residents enrolled in long distance post-secondary degree or certificate programs and a ,000 grant to support CCHE’s student support services. CCHE is working with over 50 students currently enrolled in long distance education while continuing to work and live in Cook County. The tuition scholarships are administered by CCHE’s Scholarship committee which is comprised of CCHE board members and interested community members. This...
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Kristina Mattson, the new State Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) Coordinator for Cook County would like to personally thank locals for their interest in helping sustain and grow Walk! Bike! Fun! Events and education in Cook County! “We can’t continue this important work and programing without them,” said Kristina. BikeMN will be joining us in Grand Marais for a FREE Bike Maintenance Workshop on Saturday, August 13 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and has generously presented us a last-minute opportunity to also offer a FREE Walk! Bike! Fun! Educator Course while they are up here. In the past, travel to...
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We are sad to announce the passing of Mary E. Olson on August 7, 2022, age 65, of Grand Marais, Minnesota. Mary was born on May 23, 1957, to Grace and Donald Johnson of Grand Marais, MN. She attended and graduated from Cook County High School in 1975. She married Greg Olson on July 26th, 1986. Together they had four children Angela, Jessica, Trisha, and Steven. Mary was a beautiful woman and wonderful mother, daughter, sister/ sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend. Always willing to help and support others, to offer a friendly ear when needed, and brought a sense of...
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I emailed Senator Amy Klobuchar a couple of weeks ago and asked her some general questions about the economy, housing issues, Medicare and drug prescription costs, clean (green) energy, and taxes. Here is her response that was received Tuesday, August 9. “Thank you for sharing your thoughts regarding economic issues. I wanted to provide you with an update. I was a strong advocate of the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed the Senate this week. This bill will lower costs for American families, bring down drug prices and protect people’s health care, lower energy costs and combat climate change, and bring...
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If you knew Bob Pratt, you knew he was always looking out for the little guy. Background, family life, prior education – none of it mattered to him. He helped many people recognize their potential, and then did his best to help them remove the barriers to success. In honor of Bob’s spirit, family members and friends raised enough money to offer small scholarships every other month to help Cook County residents start, progress, and gain new skills. The application for the scholarship funds is very simple and can be found at https://mycche.org/bob-pratt-scholarship/. Examples of eligible expenses for the grant...
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Statewide Republican Gubernatorial challenger Scott Jensen and Matt Birk will square off against Minnesota DFL Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Penny Flanagan in the general election. Both were big winners in their primaries to set the stage for what should be an interesting November general election. Cook County Auditor/ Treasurer Brady Powers said 40.61 percent of locally registered voters turned up at the polls to cast their ballots. That meant that 1,671 residents voted out of 4115 registered voters. “Forty to fifty percent (turnout) is typical for a primary with no local races on the ballot,” noted Powers. Powers...
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Work on the Pike Lake Road has been slower than anticipated, said Cook County Highway Engineer Robbie Hass, but the goal is to still finish this year. “The national shortages of truck drivers is becoming apparent on this project since it’s so large,” said Hass. “I’ve been told by our contractors that they can finish this year but it’ll likely be into late Fall so it’s much later than our initial schedule.” The .3 million County Road 45 (Pike Lake Road) project is being done by KGM Contractors, Inc. Construction began May 23, and the work was initially scheduled to...
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Every year the Grand Marais Lions reach out for nominations for Citizen of the Year, and every year there are a handful of great candidates qualified for the honor. This year was no different, but super volunteer Gwen Lenz won the award, and no one could be more deserving than Gwen. As a longtime volunteer, it was noted that Gwen is always more than willing to help when called on--or picking up a project on her own initiative--and she always does the work cheerfully. Some of Gwen’s contributions to the community include serving as the Food Shelf Manager and serving...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Mary Manning (Hovland) worked Lake Superior and Agate Bay, providing security for the Tall Ships event and checking boaters and anglers. Manning also spent time patrolling in Grand Marais and assisting...
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Minnesota Republican candidate for governor Dr. Scott Jensen will be in Grand Marais at the HUB (senior center) on Sunday, August 14th from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. to meet the public. Dr. Jensen was a member of the Minnesota Senate from 2017 to 2021. He has served as a professor at the University Medical school and has had a small family medical practice in Watertown, Minnesota. In 2016 Jensen was selected Minnesota Family Physician of the Year. The 67-year physician was born and raised in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota and graduated from Sleepy Eye High School in 1973. Politically, he...
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The sign said, “closing at 5:00-ish.” I thought, how can you do that, leave the closing so in question? Then I wondered when they open “whenever anyone can get in—10:00 at the latest.” That spurred further thinking, so what do you do as a shopper? Plan to wait, go with the flow? Call first? Stay home and wing it? Given the conditions that the public has insisted upon some days you would be lucky to find any business open let alone one with enough staff. Pressure to conform has not resulted in the planned outcome. All sides of this loose....
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Whatever happened to rational discussion? In the past couple of months, I’ve read the various hysterical and sometimes ludicrous statements about the recent Supreme Court Dobbs decision (overturning of Roe v Wade) and find myself wondering if anyone is rational anymore? Recently a North Shore Journal column claimed that the Dobbs decision would harm women: “…The Time to Fight for Reproductive Health is NOW.” That twisted phrase has always confused me because if women don’t have “Reproductive Health,” how do they get pregnant? More recently in this publication it was stated that a miscarriage could be punished by death and...
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Following cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, Grand Portage’s Rendezvous Days & Celebration Pow Wow, sponsored by the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, are returning. The annual gathering is a time when Grand Portage comes alive and reflects on its rich heritage. Rendezvous Days is a celebration of the hustle and bustle of summer activity that peaked with the North West Company Rendezvous in 1797. Re-enactors from across the country and Canada gather, camp and challenge each other to games and skills of the past. The Pow Wow is an American Indian cultural gathering focused on...
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Ciara Tate was all smiles when her puppy Buster was named “Best of the small class.”
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When we find ourselves needing a helping hand, it can be reassuring to have trusted individuals available to meet our needs. But what does one do when friends and family are out of reach or unavailable? For individuals who need in-home support, this question can be a daunting one. The Cook County In-Home Support Program can provide an answer to this question by offering many of the non-medical supports that allow individuals to maintain their independence and dignity, further contributing to their ability to stay living in their homes longer. By connecting caring and qualified service providers with service recipients...
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The application period to become a University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener volunteer is open through October 1. Extension Master Gardeners bring science based horticulture knowledge and practices to Minnesota, promoting healthy landscapes and building communities through volunteer efforts. “Our understanding of the benefits of gardening is expanding to include personal and community wellbeing, pollinator health, the importance of climate resilient landscapes and more. Becoming a Master Gardener volunteer is a great way to invest time and energy in local activities and efforts that support healthy people and a healthy planet,” said Tim Kenny, statewide director, Extension Master Gardener Volunteer...
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Minnesota’s ruffed grouse spring population counts are up from last year, which was not expected during the current declining phase of the 10-year cycle — a pattern recorded for 72 years. “While ruffed grouse drumming counts are up, they are not a reliable way to predict the fall hunting season,” said Charlotte Roy, grouse project leader with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “We also recorded an increase in sharp-tailed grouse in east-central Minnesota, which is positive this year but could be short-lived.” Unexpectedly high ruffed grouse counts this year may have resulted from the warm temperatures and dry conditions...
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Ruby’s Pantry-RUBY'S IS MOVING Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County High School. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Can you help identify these women? The year and activity are unknown. If you can help identify photo# S961 please send your response (left to right, please) to history@boreal.org.
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Two Forman, North Dakota residents were injured when their motorcycle went off road at 569 Gunflint Trail near the Grand Marais water tower. The accident was called into the Cook County Law Enforcement dispatch at 10:39 a.m. on Tuesday, August 9. Law enforcement arrived on the scene three minutes later at 10:42 a.m. Scott Allen Buckhouse was the driver of the motorcycle. His passenger was Michelle Larae Edwards. Both were thrown into the ditch, and Edwards was unconscious when law enforcement arrived. Buckhouse stated he was coming around the curve and he hit the front of the brake hard, ending...
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Once again there was some mighty big fish caught and entered in Buck’s Big Fish Contest. Sponsored by Buck’s Hardware and Northern Wild’s Media Inc. this is one event dedicated to the original creation and spirit of Fisherman’s Picnic. So, who are the big winners? Once again Dan Roberts ruled the Brook Trout division. Dan also took first place in the Smallmouth class but overall, Kevin Shiels proved to be the area’s top fisherman. Kevin took the top three spots in the Walleye class, and he won the Northern division and placed second and third in the Smallmouth class. He...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has scheduled two public auctions of confiscated fishing, hunting and trapping equipment, one on Saturday, August 27 and the other on Saturday, October 1. The auctions, which will be held online, include 316 firearms, 67 bows and a variety of other equipment. All of the equipment was confiscated following serious game and fish violations. The bidding catalog for each auction will be available online on the Wednesday preceding each auction date—i.e., on August 24 and September 28, respectively. The catalog will include a written description and photos of each item. Onsite inspection is available...
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Can anyone identify this weird bug? Butch Schulte took this picture recently near his Grand Marais house. He said he has never seen a bug like this before. Neither have we here at the newspaper office. If you know what it is please email ccnh@boreal.org with your answer.
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There is a craze sweeping the nation. People of all ages have flocked to this, um, well, I would call it an activity or a game, but others call it a sport. So, we’ll call it a sport, I guess. It is an unlikely craze. This sport has been around since 1965 but it’s been growing in the last decade. Some are even betting big on it. So, it’s time we consider, sigh, pickleball. Let me be clear. I don’t want to consider pickleball. I should have better things to consider. Like profound philosophical questions like if god is all...
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Rob Perez wrote a response to my recent columns. I have edited it for length as well as reducing the number of insults to the game of royalty. Italics are “Wondering 61’s” response: For those who do not read these pages cover to cover with a hyperthymesia like recall, in response to a column I wrote that mocked the game of golf as an absurd waste of time, I have been publicly challenged to a round of, wait for it, golf. …. And for the love of man, I empirically have better things to do than play golf. And yet…...
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The Superior Hiking Trail Association is seeking volunteers for a five day Trail Renewal Project to rehabilitate approximately half a mile of the Superior Hiking Trail near Lusten, Minn. The project will need 100 volunteers total, or about 20 people per day, to help rehab damaged tread between the Poplar River Bridge at Lutsen Mountains and the SHT Mystery Mountain campsite. Volunteers will also help with structure installation and repair, and installation of water drainage devices. If you are interested in learning the types of building and maintenance techniques that create sustainable Trail surfaces, this is an excellent opportunity. The...
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As the August 15 wild rice season opening date approaches, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds harvesters that rice stands must also be ripe before they may be legally harvested. Wild rice harvesters going out during the upcoming season will find variable conditions this year in many areas of Minnesota. “While we’ve heard reports of good rice in some places this year, a cooler early spring meant many lakes had late ice-out and the wild rice growing season was pushed back up to two weeks,” said Ricky Lien, DNR wetland habitat team supervisor. “Consequently, wild rice may ripen later...
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COOK COUNTY – The filing period for the November election for the school and hospital boards ends Tuesday, August 16. There will be at least one new school board member and one contested school board race at mid-point in the filing. (This story was submitted Monday night.) Independent school district 166 (Cook County) There will be a new person filling the district 1 school board seat (Grand Portage, Hovland and Magney precincts). Theresa Donovan has filed to replace Debra White. White is a candidate for the county board after serving on the school board since 2011. In district 3 (Grand...
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The Happy Hikers will have a choice to hike the nice, paved High Falls Trail or the more difficult Middle Falls Trail at Grand Portage State Park. We will split into two groups, based on which trail you would like to hike. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, on a leash. The High Falls Trail is good for all abilities. On this hike, you’ll witness spectacular scenery through a lush northern birch and conifer forest. At the end of the trail, you’ll see Minnesota’s highest waterfall (120 feet), High Falls on the Pigeon River. Difficult level: Easy Approximate distance: 1.2 miles The...
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Interested in getting your CDL A or CDL B-Bus Endorsement for FREE? We have a NEW Commercial Driver’s License Training Cohort starting August 31st in Cook County! Want to learn more? Contact us at 218-387-3411 or email gethelp@mycche.org What is a Class A Commercial Driver’s License? Class A: any vehicle towing a unit of more than 10,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) with a gross combination weight rating (truck plus trailer) over 26,000 pounds. What is a Class B Commercial Driver’s License with Bus Endorsement? Class B Bus Endorsement licensed drivers can drive a passenger bus. The skill test...
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Everything is summer. Summertime. Summer nights. Summer fun. Summer camp. Summer love. But what’s more summer than a summer movie? The classics abound. Dirty Dancing. Jaws. Stand By Me. Do the Right Thing. Dazed and Confused. Grease. The Endless Summer. If at, say, a summer party, someone pressed me to pick one picture that is the most summer, I would answer, diplomatically, nonchalantly, it’s impossible to choose. But if I was two drinks in, I’d approach the nearest reveler and say, THE summer movie is Weekend at Bernie’s! For those who don’t know, Weekend at Bernie’s is a comedy released...
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North House Folk School’s request to purchase the leased land the main campus resides on was turned down by the Grand Marais City Council. The city council met in a closed session on Wednesday, July 27 and the following day released this statement, “The City Council has decided not to move forward with a North House Folk School request to purchase the City owned property that North House leases for a portion of their campus. “The Council seeks to continue the partnership with North house and will resume discussion of the relationship on a future Council agenda.” Under the current...
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The Nao Santa Maria docked in Grand Marais overnight on Tuesday, August 2. The ship had a lay-over as it made its way to Two Harbors to take part in the Festival of Sail Lake Superior. There will be over half a dozen tall-masted ships that will be on display in Two Harbors August 4-7. A replica of the ship captained by Columbus, the Nao Santa Maria is 7.69 meters long and has a sail area of 300 square meters. It was launched in 2018 and its home port is Puerto Sherry, Spain.
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The U.S. Coast Guard is working with SAILDRONE INC. to operate two Uncrewed Surface Vehicles called “Saildrones,” to study fish populations in Lake Superior waters. The Saildrones are scheduled to be launched from Ashland, Wisconsin on August 8 and will transmit through the central and western areas of Lake Superior through September 30. The company, SAILDRONES INC. is requesting that vessels transiting in the vicinity of the Saildrones proceed with caution and remain more than 500 meters away from the research equipment. This will ensure the drones can collect data without human interference and prevent any collisions. The drones will...
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I’m just finishing my fifth trip to Australia; my brother David and his family live here, and I came for my niece Laura’s wedding. You’d think I’d have things down by now, but not so. After 25+ hours en route, Laura met me at the Melbourne airport with her 7-year-old twins, Astrid and Basil. Basil sported a heavy chain necklace with a gaudy gold dollar sign, a treasure from a neighborhood yard sale. He wanted to wear it to the wedding Saturday. Naeee. After heaving my luggage into Laura’s boot, I headed for the passenger seat. Oops. Wrong side. Australians...
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The Grand Portage Rendezvous Days and Pow Wow will be held on August 12, 13, and 14, with events kicking off on Friday, the 12th, at 10 a.m. at the Great Hall at the National Monument, which will feature the Stone Bridge Singers. The annual Grand Portage Pow Wow, sponsored by the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe), is an American Indian cultural gathering focused on dance, song and family celebration. The Pow Wow includes traditional foods, music, craft stands, and other community events. Over 350 dancers participated in 2019’s Grand Portage Pow Wow. Midday Grand Entry Saturday...
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Who says you can’t catch fish on a sunny day? Tell that to this bald eagle.
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Deer hunting licenses can be purchased starting today and the 2022 Minnesota hunting regulations are now available on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/Hunting). Print copies of the regulations will be available in early August wherever licenses are sold. When deer hunters venture out into fields and forests this fall, they will find healthy deer populations faring well in most of Minnesota, ample harvest opportunities, and a continued commitment to managing chronic wasting disease management adaptively statewide. “We’re excited about deer hunting this year,” said Kelly Straka, wildlife section manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “Hunters in 20% of our...
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Currently the county has jobs that can’t be filled because perspective employees can’t find housing. It’s a vexing problem, a conundrum to be sure. Kaomi Lee, a Twin Cities reporter for the PBS Almanac TV program and Mike Phillips, videographer, were in Grand Marais this week to film a show about the county’s lack of affordable housing and what steps are being taken to fix the problem. Lee and Phillips spent two days meeting with officials from the county, city, hospital, law enforcement and the private business sector to discuss the topic. At this time there is no date to...
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COOK COUNTY – The next candidate filing period for the fall elections started Tuesday, August 2, and runs through August 16. This round of filings is for three seats on the district 166 school board and three seats on the hospital board. The positions are for four-year terms. North Shore Health North Shore Health is a county owned hospital governed by a five-member elected board of directors, each of whom is elected for a four-year term. Up for election this fall are the district 1 (Grand Portage, Hovland, and Magney precincts) seat now held by Patty Winchell-Dahl, district 3 (Grand...
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Grand Marais Parks and Recreation Director David Tersteeg reports that revenues through the end of July are “trending up” and are ,000 (1.5 percent) over 2021. Tersteeg presented the financial information to the Grand Marais Park Board at the board’s Tuesday, August 2 meeting. Work is going well and on time at the Parkside Public Access project, noted Tersteeg. He said the project is in the final weeks, with pavement and stripping expected to be done the week of August 8. “The facility will be open to the public by the end of August. We will have a ribbon cutting...
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From L-R: Carly Puch, Jean Mathis Puch and Heidi Doo-Kirk were all smiles as they handed out “Buffet in Box” meals at the High School parking lot on Wednesday, August 3. The meals included Lena’s fishcakes with homemade tartar sauce; Swedish meatballs with gravy; baked ham; potato salad; buttered corn on the cob; dinner roll and delicious homemade dessert bars all for the price of , with the profits going to community organizations through grants from WISE (Women’s Initiative for Service & Education).
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The first day of school is quickly approaching! Help support local students as they return to the classroom by ensuring they have the tools for success. The Hub wants to help Cook County students start the year off on the right track. Students having the school supplies they need helps keep students focused and learning at school. Please consider helping ensure all kids have what they need to learn and succeed this school year and reach their full potential. Donations will benefit students in Cook County. How can you help? • Purchase supplies and bring them to the drop-off location...
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Three Minnesota Republican candidates visited CC GOP members at the ‘HUB’ during a ‘Meet ‘n Greet’ on July 16th. Andrea Zupancich, Mayor of Babbit, is vying for the MN District 3 Senate seat vacated by the retiring Tom Bakk, who encouraged her to run. Roger Skraba, Mayor of Ely, is vying for MN District 3A, and has also long been involved in the Northern MN political scene. They both plan to be in the Fisherman’s Picnic Parade on Sunday. Doug Wardlow is running for MN Attorney General, a position he nearly won in 2018, and who again is also supported...
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It seems as though the extremist wing of the supreme court is likely to double on their religious fascism. They have already signaled they are willing to discount all precedent, all religious or secular freedoms no matter how popular, if they do not align with their regressive, cruel and uncaring vision for this country. Theirs is not The Land of the Free. There can be no freedom when anyone who could be pregnant can be imprisoned and made to give birth. There is no freedom when a miscarriage is punishable by death. There is no freedom when a child who...
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The dedicated and tireless management team at the Cook County YMCA deserve a big round of applause for doing a remarkable job in keeping “The Y” up and running over the past several months. Coping with the many pandemic-caused disruptions and difficulties — including full and partial closures; staff shortages; absences and turnover; having to adjust and re-adjust programming and schedules; and keeping the guests apprised of the many changes — has been an immense challenge. The team rose to the occasion by putting in long hours and keeping a persistent can-do attitude. The Y is a cheerful community hub,...
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Okay, I am here and ready for the Fisherman’s Picnic. Now where are those fish burgers I was promised?
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Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS), along with the Cook County Housing Redevelopment Agency (HRA) are convening a coalition of groups and individuals with a goal to improve existing housing stock for community members in need. Specifically, they are looking to better understand needs and identify resources related to: • Energy-efficiency • Housing rehabilitation • Healthy homes assessments and mitigation PHHS has received grant funds to support healthy housing in the community. Currently public health staff are working on developing assessment, referral, and mitigation tools as they prepare to pilot this project. They would like to explain more...
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A couple from Canada are lucky; neither suffered any injury when their seaplane flipped while trying to take off from an area lake. A 1981 Yellow Cessna 172P Canadian Tail from Thunder Bay, Ontario, overturned when the pilot was taking off from the Devil’s Track Lake on Wednesday, July 27, at about 6:30 p.m. Cook County Search and Rescue, North Shore Health Ambulance, Sheriff Pat Eliasen, Deputy Katherine Ochtrup, and Deputy Christopher Schrupp responded to the plane crash. Upon arrival at the lake, Deputy Ochturp and Deputy Schupp went to Skyport Lodge and asked to borrow one of their boats....
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Payments in lieu of taxes, or PILT, is funding that local governments receive from the federal and/or state government for public lands within the local jurisdiction. Privately owned land is taxed by the county, and tax revenues go to pay for local services. The county cannot collect taxes on publicly owned land, so the U.S. government and State of Minnesota make PILT payments to Cook County to compensate the county for the lost revenue. Cook County contains 1,027,838 acres of land. Approximately 63.6 percent of this is under federal jurisdiction, and another 13.4 percent is under state control. Because over...
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The Cook County highway department applied for and has been awarded the maximum grant amount of ,000 from the Minnesota Local Road Research Board. The grant is part of the Local Operation Research Assistance (OPERA) Program. OPERA’S purpose is to fund and share innovations in operations, construction, and maintenance relating to methods, materials, and equipment for local government transportation agencies. The grant ensures that the Cook County highway department can continue to expand trials of potassium acetate as an alternative treatment to the winter sand used to treat roadways after plowing snow. Potassium acetate-based deicer is biodegradable, non-corrosive, non-toxic, and...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education...
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The SOAR (Seize Opportunities and Rise) Conference is designed for local women entrepreneurs and small business owners to learn, connect, and be inspired to take the next step in growing their business. After two years of hosting the event exclusively online, the 4th Annual SOAR Conference for Women in Business is transitioning to a two-day hybrid model. “Entrepreneurship can be isolating, and the ability to connect with peers to share business aspirations and challenges can grow an entrepreneur’s local support network and confidence to inspire that next step in pursuing their goals,” said Sandy Voigt, Director of Women’s Business Alliance...
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If you know any of these (or all of them) please send the names (left to right) to history@boreal.org. Cook County High School football players (back then it was called Grand Marais High School) and their coaches look over the playbook circa 1964. Can you identify photo #R604
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The annual alumni Fisherman’s Picnic baseball game is tonight (August 5) at 5 p.m. Players come early so the teams can be decided. For fans, the game will be played on the Arleigh Jorgenson baseball field which is located behind the high school. The first Fisherman’s Picnic alumni game was played in 2016. Winning that first contest was the blue team (alumni who graduated after 2008.) The blue team soundly defeated the white team 15-7, but the teams were even when it came to the nothing but fun “trash” talking, an important statistic that doesn’t show up in well, the...
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The boys from Cook County/Silver Bay out hit Proctor 10 to 8 but lost 17-8 to end their play-off run in Legion baseball. The game was played on Wednesday, July 27 in Proctor and the kids ended with a two-two record in the play offs. While the Vikings out hit their opponents, the difference in the game was walks. The Vikings ended up walking once while Proctor players were given 20 free bases. Proctor got off to a 3-0 lead after one and extended their lead 9-3 after two innings of play. The Rails added two runs in the third,...
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As Alessandra (Allie) Duclos has gotten older, the log rolling competition has gotten more challenging, but so far, she has managed to keep her balance and roll through the young ladies she competes against. And this past weekend was no exception as Allie picked up her fifth amateur world title, this one coming in the U17 girls’ division at the 2022 Hayward Lumberjack World Championships. In the final, Allie faced Avery Poppe of Hayward. But first, on her way to the final, Allie had to roll against Alivia Poppe, Avery’s sister. Both sisters are talented rollers, and either one presents...
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It might be 100F in the Twin Cities, but you might still have to wear a warm sweatshirt or light jacket while walking along the shore of Lake Superior. According to the Army Corps of Engineers Lake Superior rose one-inch last month and currently sits two inches above its 2021 level. The water level for Superior at the end of July was 602.46 feet. According to recent MPR weather report, Lake Superior water temperature is still a frigid 39 degrees, the coldest it’s been for 42 years and five degrees colder than last year at the same time. The reasons...
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Because the Cook County Community Center is a polling place for the upcoming election, the August 9th Ruby’s Pantry distribution will take place at the ISD 166 school campus. It will be a drive through distribution on the north side of the school, near the athletic field. Cars should enter the campus at 1st Avenue East and 5th Street / County Road 7. If you have any questions, or if you’d like to volunteer, email rubys@boreal.org.
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Ball Throwers Wanted!All ages welcome. Meet at the beach downtown.My name is Odin, and my owners are Kristine and Roger Barton. On thisday Megan McKenzie graciously threw the ball for me to fetch. Thank you,McKenzie! Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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With a chronic shortage of affordable housing, Cook County has seen teachers, nurses, and law enforcement personal not accept jobs here because they couldn’t find housing. And for those of us who live here, younger people have been priced out of the housing market by people moving in who are comfortably retired or have jobs that pay higher than most employers can pay in Cook County. All told it’s a vexing problem, one that Jason Hale can hopefully help solve. Jason Hale was hired recently as the new Housing and Redevelopment Authority Director. Hale has hit the ground running and...
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Today I am fixated on two places you can stay in Grand Marais that have unusual names. Consider the Mangy Moose and the Basecamp Bungalows. Most people think that mange is a downer, but that Moose stays occupied all summer. And Basecamp makes me think of climbing in the Himalayas. Both are no frills places with great locations and get great reviews. You don’t get, or have to pay for, expensive to maintain pools and hot tubs, but there is a daily rate at the nearby YMCA. The Moose faces the Lake in downtown. Basecamp has some view of the...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald's policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Colton Robert Deschampe, 38, no current address as of 6/6/2022, pled guilty on June 14, 2022, to two felonies: 1) Domestic Assault by Strangulation (9/25/21) and 2) Escape from Custody (11/3/21), and nine misdemeanors: 1&2) Driving After Cancelation...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time in the BWCAW checking anglers. Time was also spent working remote area trout lakes, monitoring ATV activity, responding to wildlife-related complaints and assisting the county...
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There is an unspoken understanding that once you have been a member of the Art and LaVonne Anderson Family you will always be a member of the Anderson Family. Kind of like a cult, but with grandma’s sourdough pancakes. This includes all weddings, anniversary parties, and of course, family reunions. Therefore, it came as no surprise to me that my (ex) sister-in-law would organize a reunion where my parents could spend the weekend with every grandchild and great-grandchild of their making. To top it all off we had a beautiful Lake Superior photoshoot by Laura Muus Photography on the rocks...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking for input on several special fishing regulation proposals. Each year, the DNR proposes new special fishing regulations that apply to individual waters and asks the public for input about the proposals. The regulations, if enacted, are reviewed on a regular basis. The DNR is considering experimental and special fishing regulations for the 2023 fishing season that address the following topics: Walleye in Big Sandy Lake (Aitkin County) — An experimental walleye harvest slot limit (14-18”, 1 over 26” allowed) is expiring in 2023 and the DNR is interested in whether anglers support...
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For those interested in becoming a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) North Shore Health (NSH) has launched a new OnTrack program to make the process swift and flexible. The hybrid process allows candidates to complete the online portion using an internet connected computer in a location convenient to them, while completing the hands-on portion at NSH. If they do not have a computer with internet access, they may use one at the NSH training facility or in the nearby Higher Education building. Trips to and from Duluth for testing are no longer necessary. The training and certification can be done at...
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Janet Marie Nelson, 78, Tofte, died Sunday, July 24, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. Janet was born February 22, 1944 to Leon and Alice Dorothy (Wadsworth) Revier in the village of Pine City and grew up and attended schools in Sandstone. She and John Nelson married on August 4, 1962, and eventually made their home in Tofte. Janet was a member of Zoar Lutheran Church. She enjoyed wintering with John in the Southwest U.S. and in her earlier days, jewelry making and craft fairs. Janet was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; a daughter, Renee...
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John Castle (Jack) Hussey, 90, passed away June 15th, 2022, at Hospice of Hope in Maysville, Kentucky. Jack was born March 18, 1932, in Grand Marais, Minnesota to the late Francis Castle “Cac” Hussey and Amy Gladys (Backlund) Hussey. Survivors include his sons, John (Marsha) Hussey of Pittsburgh, PA, Michael Hussey of Maysville, KY, and Richard (Christina) Hussey of St. Charles, IL. Jack is also survived by his grandchildren Christopher, Alexandra, John, Olivia, Aidan, and Genevieve Hussey. In addition to his parents, Jack was predeceased by the love of his life, his wife of 63 years, Ann Cartmell Hussey, and...
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David lost his battle with PTSD following his service in Vietnam 2/24/2022, on his terms and by his choice. We hope our loss brings forth education and awareness. Never stop talking or listening to the person you love. Suicide can be prevented and there is hope. If you or someone you know needs help—please call the Suicide Awareness Hotline at 988. David’s wife, Cherie and his children are, to be blunt, pissed! Despite that and because of love and respect for David, we would like to tell you all how great of a guy he was. If he had been...
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The Happy Hikers will hike along Kimball Creek There are some steep elevations on this hike. You’ll cross some creeks and go through a towering cedar forest. The bridge on Kimball Creek is one of the most picturesque settings on the trail. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, on a leash. Difficulty level: Moderate-difficult because of elevations. Approximate distance: 3 miles Meet at the YMCA parking lot near the tennis courts at 9:00 am. We’ll carpool to the trailhead. Suggested donation for drivers: . Directions to the trailhead: Take Highway 61 east of Grand Marais. Turn on the first Co. Rd. 14,...
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Wayne J. Lind, 75, of Grand Portage, died Thursday, June 30, 2022, with his family at his side. Wayne was born at the family farm in Erskine, MN and grew up in South Minneapolis. He served his country in the Navy and then worked in sales until he retired to the Grand Portage Reservation. He loved sports and the outdoors his entire life. He was very good to his family and his community, especially young kids and the disadvantaged. Wayne was preceded in death by his mother Violet, his sisters Barb and DyAnn, and his brother Ray. Wayne is survived...
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The Grand Marais Music Collaborative Two-day Stars of the North Music Festival held on Friday and Saturday, July 29 & 30, at Bear Tree Park in the Grand Marais Harbor Park featured a host of talented local and regional music talent that never disappointed. It was just one great act after another. Bands and musicians who performed on Friday night were Fred Anderson, Adam Kirsch, and The Splints. Saturday’s line up featured Michael Monroe, Briand Morrison, Dan Israel, Pete Kavanaugh, Andre, and Rich Mattson & the NorthStar’s, with performances by Bump Blomberg between the sets both days. The weather on...
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More than 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes, and 1 in 3 adults in the US have metabolic syndrome. While these conditions are common and related to each other, they’re not always well understood. Let’s break it down to the basics. Blood Sugar As your body digests food, the carbohydrates you consume get converted into a type of fuel referred to as either blood glucose or blood sugar. Cells can only use this fuel when it’s brought inside them by a hormone called insulin. If there’s not enough insulin, or if the cells don’t respond to the insulin, the blood...
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Grand Marais Lion Dennis Burton spent part of this past Wednesday cleaning up the kiddie rides for the Fisherman’s Picnic. Dennis said kids were approaching him asking if the rides were open, but he told them they would have to wait until Thursday. “Anticipation and excitement is building,” said Dennis, who predicts long lines at the ever popular kiddie rides.
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The North Shore Health Care Foundation (NSHCF) is pleased to have successfully secured new grants from the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation and the Cook County Community Fund, to further its mission and expand programming in Cook County. Cook County MN Restorative Justice (CCMNRJ), a program of NSHCF, received a ,000 grant to add staffing and to take on truancy under its operations in collaboration with the ISD 166, County Attorney’s Office, and the District Court. An increase in truancy has become a national epidemic since the start of the pandemic. The grant funds will help cover advanced training in...
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The annual kick-off to the Fisherman’s Picnic was always hosted by the Lioness Fisherman’s Picnic buffet at St. John’s Catholic Church. However, the Lioness Club morphed into WISE, (Women’s Imitative for Service and Education) which is now hosting the meal through “Buffet in a Box.” Choose lunch or supper and the time you want to pick up your meal. The meal includes Lena’s fishcakes with homemade tartar sauce; Swedish meatballs with gravy; baked ham; potato salad; buttered corn on the cob; dinner roll and delicious homemade dessert bars all for the price of . Just follow the link below to...
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After six innings of shutout ball, the Vikings bats came alive in the seventh inning and the Vikings escaped from Proctor with a 4-2 win in Legion play-off baseball. The Vikings are now 2-0 in the play-offs. The game was played in Proctor on Sunday, July 24. Jacob Carpenter had a outstanding day on the mound. Carpenter threw seven innings, giving up two runs while allowing seven hits and striking out two. Ethan Carter started for Proctor. Carter pitched three innings, allowing two hits and striking out three while shutting out the Vikings. AJ Reynels took the loss for the...
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The Cook County Community Center was transformed into a beautiful display of flowers, art and handmade quilts for the Garden Club’s annual flower show on Saturday, July 23rd. The displays followed the theme of “Garden Masterpieces” and the flowers brought out the colors and themes of the artwork. Guests enjoyed the homemade sweet breads, bars and cookies. There was also a plant exchange & sale. The Grand Marais Garden club is celebrating their 88th year. The theme of their monthly meetings is “Out and About with Gardening” and members are enjoying tours of local gardens and wildflowers this summer. The...
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On North Arm Bay of Lake Minnetonka, Rob sits on the edge of a dock. As the sun sets, Leila the Loon effortlessly floats up. Normally cool and collected, Rob now seems nervous, awkward. ROB PEREZ: Uhhh… hi. Hello. You must be Leila. LEILA: Hi Rob. RP: Wow. I… um… Wow. Thanks for—um, coming. L: No problem. RP: Forgive me if I’m out of sorts. You’re just… well, I’ll be blunt. You’re a very attractive bird. L: Well, thank you. RP: You’re just so… black. And your stripes and spots are just… You’re very striking. L: You’re very kind. RP:...
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In the late afternoon – too early, in fact, for my conventional fishing wisdom – I waded out in my chest waders and wading boots into the lake on the rocks and pebbles and occasional boulders up to my crotch. The sun was at 5:30 on the horizon and I had to turn just away from the glare on the water. The waders leaked a little in a few places, but that didn’t matter. I used to explain to my friends or fishing clients that the waders are not fool-proof; that is, not leakproof, not always waterproof. I would joke...
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Faithful readers of two of these columns have learned more about the Encampment Forest Association than most people ever will. A friendly email disclosed I had a distant, but interesting, relative living there. We had a good talk and lunch, sharing family and personal histories. We will likely do it again. So, what did we learn? First, the EFA is really forested. Of a likely 300 or so owners, only about 50 are on Lake Superior. The rest are sheltered amongst thick trees reached by mostly unpaved roads. The houses range from small cabins to large estates with multiple buildings....
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Northeast MN and five Tribal nations’ shared geography – The Northland Foundation made 21 grants to nonprofit organizations, schools, and Native nations as well as 25 Tech Boost initiative grants made to small businesses which underwent technology audits. The two largest grants last quarter were part of a special funding opportunity to support systems change work in the region, offered through a competitive application process. Two organizations received multi-year grants of 0,000: CHUM (Churches United in Ministry) to help house and serve individuals that have experienced homelessness, and Northspan, to support implementation of the Welcoming Communities initiative in northeast Minnesota...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) monitored OHM activity and boat and water safety and checked anglers this week. He responded to numerous wildlife-related complaints. Enforcement action was taken for angling and boating...
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While the weather was iffy to start, and the wind kept the water choppy, more than hundred people registered to race and several hundred more came to watch and cheer at the 2022 Gunflint Trail Canoe Races. After a two-year hiatus, this annual event that benefits the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department (GTVFD), raised substantial funds from raffles, t-shirt and food sales. This was the 43rd time for the Races along the Trail. The funds will be used to support the volunteer EMTs, EMRs, fire trucks, ambulances and three Fire Halls along the Gunflint Trail. “We greatly appreciate the hard...
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Cook County recently added 11 weigh stations along the Gunflint Trail. Not for trucks, but for blueberries. From July 22-Aug. 14, berry pickers can stop at one of one of the 11 official weigh stations located at Gunflint Trail businesses to enter their largest find in the sixth annual Biggest Blueberry Contest. Blueberries will be measured by weight and must be picked fresh and not store bought. Cash prizes will be awarded to the three biggest blueberries with 0 for first place, for second place and for third place. “Late July and early August is when blueberries in...
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The Grand Marais Playhouse is proud to present Little Shop of Horrors. A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop Of Horrors has devoured the hearts of theatre goers for over 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, and Aladdin) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world. The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” - after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to...
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The North Shore Music Association and the Opp- Hvidston Foundation present a fun and exciting show for all ages by Mixed Precipitation’s Pickup Truck Opera. Unfolding on their pickup truck stage, the troupe performs Mozart’s 1791 opera, Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute). Launched into the future, a group of young explorers navigates the cosmos as rival forces led by the Queen of the Night and Sarastro, the Wizard of the Sun, attempt to control their destiny. The show will open August 12 at 7 p.m. in the Hovland Townhall. The next day, August 13, it will be held at North...
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North House Folk School turns 25 in 2022. In celebration of this milestone, the Unplugged weekend of September 22-24 will be one to remember. “Unplugged started 21 years ago following a chance encounter with famed songwriter Jon Vezner,” Greg Wright, Executive Director for North House shared. “After touring campus and hearing about the financial challenges we were facing at the time, he went home and started calling friends. Next thing we knew, Unplugged became a key event on the North House calendar.” For the past two years, North House has hosted the event in hybrid formats, but this year will...
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Talk about the Cat’s Pajamas, Historic Cook County is hosting a fund raiser for the organization on August 23 at the former Harbor Light Supper Club. The event will start at 6 p.m. The swinging evening will feature the bee’s knees of 1920s music, and there will be dancing, games, food, drink, and a great talk from local Historian Dan Helmerson. The brochure advertising the event says, “Dust off those flapper dresses and brush up on your Charleston!” For ladies, “The It Girl” Clara Bow achieved worldwide fame during the Roaring Twenties by wearing short, bobbed hair, bright colored sweaters...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education...
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Google and Facebook have enormous economic and political power in society – especially over the news industry. Many ask if they have played a role in the misinformation that erodes our free press and plagues our democracy. Google and Facebook have a duopoly of the distribution of digital news content, which drives people to their platforms where they make money. The platforms hoard critical data and use clever tactics, like reframing stories in rich previews, to keep users on their sites – siphoning off the advertising revenue that small and local publishers need and weakening their ability to be rewarded...
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So much for a summer slowdown of COVID-19. Cook County has had 20 cases of COVID-19 in the last seven days. The county has now recorded 1,130 cases of covid since the start of the pandemic. Some 2,414 country residents are fully up to date on their vaccinations. The Minnesota Department of Health began using vaccination reporting beginning in March 2022. The vaccination status refers to vaccine doses administered depending on a person’s age and underlying health. For more information about upcoming vaccinations or advise about COVID-19, go to the Cook County website. The site has the most recent numbers...
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David lost his battle with PTSD following his service in Vietnam 2/24/2022, on his terms and by his choice. We hope our loss brings forth education and awareness. Never stop talking or listening to the person you love. Suicide can be prevented and there is hope. If you or someone you know needs help—please call the Suicide Awareness Hotline at 988. David’s wife, Cherie and his children are, to be blunt, pissed! Despite that and because of love and respect for David, we would like to tell you all how great of a guy he was. If he had been...
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The unemployment rate ticked down two-tenths of a point to 1.8 percent in June 2022 – yet another record low since the metric has been tracked in 1976, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The lowest pre-pandemic unemployment rate was 2.5 percent in early 1999. The unemployment rate decline over-the-month was entirely due to people moving from unemployment to employment. The labor force participation rate ticked up another tenth of a point to 68.5 percent. Nationally, the unemployment rate stayed the same at 3.6 percent (4th straight month) and the employment...
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The Grand Marais Lions Club welcomes you back for the 93rd annual Fisherman’s Picnic. Back this year is the much beloved Bingo Tent! Thanks to a new partnership between the Sons of the American Legion, Buck’s Hardware, Gunflint Tavern, and the Lions, come enjoy the fun of waiting for your lucky numbers with a cold one! The ‘picnic begins with WISE Women’s initiatives buffet to go on Wednesday, August 3rd and concludes with the Lion club’s drawing on Sunday, August 7th at 5 p.m. in the Harbor Park of ,000 along with many other prizes donated from our great local...
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Last Friday night while most of us were slumbering cozily in our beds David Johnson was up taking this picture of the Aurora Borealis lighting up the harbor.
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Beautiful Elsie was a water dog, she loved visiting Lake Superior even in the winter. She was comfortable in a kayak with Courtney or Jennifer, but she preferred the canoe. Her all-time favorite boat was the pontoon boat because there was room to roam and snacks available. Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Can you help identify these football players? If you know any of these (or all of them) please send the names (left to right) to cchs@boreal.org or history@boreal.org.
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AND THE PARADE GOES MARCHING BY This little girl may have been the youngest parade-goer in Grand Marais on July 4th. Her name is Malorie Schliep and she is three months old. This year’s 4th of July parade attracted a large number of spectators.
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It took a while, but the Cook County/Silver Bay Legion baseball team got their offense fired up and ran away with a 7-2 victory over the International Fall Junior Legion baseball team. The away game was played on July 24 in Proctor. The Vikings scored first on a Hunter Gomez ground out which drove in a run, and the team led 1-0 after one inning of play. Neither team score in the second but the Falls came up with two runs in the third to lead 2-1 going into fourth. In the top of the fourth the Viking’s scored on...
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After winning its first two play-off games in the Jt. Legion playoffs the Cook County/Silver Bay Junior Legion team was soundly beaten by Esko 13-0. The game was played in Proctor on Tuesday, July 26. With the loss the Vikings fall to the loser’s bracket. One more loss ends their tournament hopes. The game against Esko was delayed by rain and ended at 11 p.m. The contest was called after five innings because of the ten-run mercy rule. Jake Stadler, Amos Falter and Jake Mixdorf were the only Vikings to get a hit in the game. Benelli Myers started on...
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On Tuesday, July 26 the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association and its Board of Directors announce their endorsement of Andrea Zupancich in Senate District 3. MPPOA Executive Director Brian Peters made the following statement on behalf of first responders and law enforcement across the state: “The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association proudly announces its endorsement of Andrea Zupancich for the Minnesota State Senate, recognizing her commitment to public safety and her resolve to end the reckless proposals that have emboldened criminals and jeopardized our safety. As a businessowner and mayor, Andrea Zupancich is poised to lead at the...
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Effective Saturday, July 16, residents have a new way to connect with mental health crisis support by calling or texting 988. Anyone, nation-wide, can dial or text 988 if they are considering suicide, or are worried about a friend or loved one who may be considering suicide to receive confidential and free crisis support. The current 10-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 and the Minnesota crisis text line: text MN to 741741 will continue to work after July 16. “Given the increased demand for mental health crisis support and increased access to the national suicide prevention line...
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Here is an arial view of the new public boat launch being built in the Grand Marais Rec Park. The work should be completed this fall and open to the public next summer.
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We are sad to announce the passing of our mother, Jeannine Swearingen (Potvin), 76, of Grand Marais, on July 14th, 2022, at the North Shore Hospital, from a short battle with cancer. She was born in Brainerd Minnesota on February 13, 1946, to Norris and Beatrice (Murray) Potvin. She married Robert Swearingen on September 21st, 1963. They had 3 children, Paul, Kathi and Shawn. They blessed her with 7 grandchildren, CoLee, Skyler and Clay Johnson, JoLee, Randee and Lacey Swearingen and Nicole Berthiume, and some great grandchildren. She grew up and was married in Brainerd, Minnesota where she raised her...
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I was asked, recently, “Is the HUB (formerly known as Senior Center) relevant in TODAYS’ citizenry? The quick answer is YES! The pandemic has changed many things we all do, many things we took for granted. During the early part of Covid-19 many citizens were looking for appointments for vaccines. The HUB received countless calls for assistance in making those appointments. Our director connected people to navigate the process, get rides, and assured our Seniors of the best care possible. Today the HUB is still helping people with mobility, social, nutritional and strength issues. Mondays starts the week off right...
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Join your fellow Minnesotans by reading William Kent Krueger’s Iron Lake as part of One Book | One Minnesota in July and August. Get your free copy of Iron Lake by going to ebooksmn.org and choosing either the eBook or electronic audiobook. You can participate in a virtual author discussion with William Kent Krueger in a free, live webinar on August 11th at 7:00 p.m. Learn more and register by going to thefriends.org, choosing One Book One Minnesota from the Events & Programs menu. Iron Lake is Krueger’s first novel in the bestselling Cork O’Connor mystery series and won the...
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After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) announced it had reopened its Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) program. The program resumed on Thursday, July 14. Canoeists in the Boundary Waters who have RABC permits will now be able to enter Quetico Provincial Park without reporting to Canadian border officials. This is great news for Americans who have cabins on the Canadian side of Saganaga Lake and will now be able to visit their properties for the first time in two years. Mike Prom, co-owner of Voyageur Canoe Outfitters with his wife Sue,...
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Macaroni first appeared in the pages of the Cook County News-Herald in 2010. Then, Macaroni was a champion bed bug detective, a 2 ½-year-old, 34-pound dog, part beagle, part lab and maybe part whippet. “That would make him a ‘wabble’”, said his owner and business partner Walter Penny Jr. who was here visiting his parents. Walter bought Macaroni from the Florida Canine Academy in Safety Harbor, Florida (in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area), where he was rescued from a shelter, trained, and chosen especially for Walter. For nine years Walter and Macaroni were Holmes and Watson of the bed-bug world, gaining...
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As it was National Ice Cream month, we didn’t prove them wrong. Every chance we had we were eating ice cream. We had ice cream bars, ice cream cones, root beer floats, and hot fudge sundaes to name a few. Friday, July 1 was International Joke Telling Day. Laughter is one of the only tools that can get us through anything. When a day seems dark, a good giggle can give us a better perspective. Here are a couple of jokes for you. When you’re 20 and you drop something, you pick it up. When you’re 80 and you drop...
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For the first time since 1932, when the Johnson grocery store opened, there won’t be a Johnson in charge. Crystal Clemmons and Jacob Muus purchased Johnson's Foods from Mark and Robin Johnson. The sale was closed on June 27, 2022. So, although there won’t be a Johnson running the business, Jacob noted, “Even though Crystal and I aren’t Johnsons, we feel like we are part of Johnson’s grocery store family.” When asked if they intended to change the business name, Crystal replied, “We have no plans to change the name of the store. At least for now.” Robin Johnson will...
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North House Folk School Director Greg Wright came before the Grand Marais City council last week with a proposal for the Folk School to purchase the city-owned land it now leases from the city. The leased property contains the main campus, both the red and blue buildings used for classrooms and events, as well as the parking lot. During public comments, several people came before the council to express their support for the purchase. Adrianna Brisson read a letter from North Shore Fisheries in support of the sale North House. Two members of the Scott Fish house family also supported...
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Chris Koeneke (84), nee Carolyn Christenson, loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister, passed away suddenly on Monday, July 11. Chris grew up on a farm in Dassel, Minnesota. While attending the University of Minnesota, she met and married Franz Koeneke. The two shared life together for 63 years. In 1969, the Koenekes adopted Colorado as their home. Once her children were in school, Chris worked in the education system at Goddard Jr High School. She later pursued a career as a travel consultant, ultimately creating her own business through Travel Counselors in Littleton, CO. Chris loved music, travel, exercise and...
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David F. Anderson lost his battle with PTSD, from serving in the Vietnam War, on February 24th; on his terms and by His choice. We are sorry if this is a shock to some, but we hope our loss brings forth education and awareness. Never stop talking or listening to the person you love. Suicide Can be prevented and there is hope. If you or someone you know needs help call the Suicide Awareness Hotline at 988 David’s wife and children are, to be blunt, pissed, but would like to tell you all how great of a Guy he was....
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Filled with faith and absent of fear, Judy Kaye Edlund, 80, went to her heavenly home with the Lord on Monday, July 11, 2022. Her lovely attitude and delightful demeanor were contagious and valued by all who knew and loved her. Judy was born on December 2, 1941, in Lamar, Colorado, and was raised in the small town of Springfield. She married her high school sweetheart, Scott Terry Riley, in 1961. In Denver, they had two children, Kyle and Megan. They later moved to Thousand Oaks, California, where she was president of the Airline Wives Association and the PTA. After...
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It seems to me there are three types of cabin-goers. Allow me some latitude here. This is an essay, and like our old essays in school, it follows a pattern. Remember ‘compare and contrast,’ or ‘descriptive,’ or ‘rhetorical,’ or ‘satirical’? Here I’ll do a typology, a categorization. So, to repeat the thesis, it seems to me there are three types of cabin-goers. There are those who go north to the lake or to the cabin in order to do things. To have – No, not have, but to create – fun. To be active, to engage in the out-of-doors adventurously,...
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Earlier this year Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) recognized the Grand Marais Public Utilities for providing “exceptionally reliable electric service.” Grand Marais PUC was one of eight SMMPA members to receive a certificate of excellence. To earn the certificate, utility performance must be in the top quarter for System Average Interruption Duration Index (SADI) as measured by APPA’s reliability Tracker Service.
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Fluctuations in the abundance of wildlife populations in any given area are often a normal occurrence in nature. They may be quite minor or rather large, they may last only a few years or may last many years. Management reaction to a change can depend on why the population level changed, if the change was significant enough to be of concern or just a minor fluctuation, if humans can do anything about it, and whether it is felt the change was desirable or undesirable. Opinions on desirable or undesirable will likely vary among people depending on if that person likes,...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time working in the BWCAW checking anglers. The walleyes have slowed but the lake trout have picked up. Many anglers were happy with the abundance of...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News- Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Jacob Joseph Clement, 34, Hibbing, Minnesota, pled guilty on July 6, 2022, to a petty misdemeanor of Traffic Speeding 60/40 on June 29, 2022. Fines and fees total 5. Siva Prasad Naga Venkata, 32, Plymouth, Minnesota, pled...
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The Cook County Local Foods Market takes place on Thursday afternoons from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the Cook County Community Center at 317 W. 5th St. The Market is a lively destination for community members and visitors alike to find local produce, homemade products like kimchi and pickles, wild rice, maple syrup, bread, baked goods, and more. All the vendors at the market grow, harvest, or make everything they sell and shopping at the market is a great way to support the local food economy. Starting this week, the Local Foods Market can accept...
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Ellen Callender, daughter of Chris and Maria Callender, Grand Marais, was named to the spring semester Dean’s List at Gustavus Adolphus College. To qualify for the Dean’s List Ellen had to maintain a 3.7 grade point average (based on a scale in which 4.0 = A) or higher for the semester ending in May 2022.
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Elsa Lunde, Grand Marais, was named to the spring semester Dean’s List at Gustavus Adolphus College, which is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota. Elsa is the daughter of Leif and Sissy Lunde, Grand Marais. To qualify for the Dean’s List Elsa had to maintain a 3.7 GPA or higher.
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If you know any of these (or all of them) please send the names (left to right) to history@boreal.org. Cook County High School football players (back then it was called Grand Marais High School) and their coaches look over the playbook circa 1964. Can you identify photo #R604
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The Marshall H. and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund has awarded its latest round of scholarships to 71 northern Minnesota high school seniors pursuing bachelor’s degrees related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medical related fields and research. For Cook County I.S. D. 166, Cecelia R. Chmelik, Grand Marais, was the recipient of this prestigious award. Each recipient will receive ,000, distributed over eight semesters, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year. Awardees live in the Minnesota counties of Aitkin, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Cook, Crow Wing, Lake, Itasca, Koochiching and St Louis. “For more than 70 years, the Alworth Memorial Fund has been...
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Jake Stadler pitched a good game, but it wasn’t enough as Aurora slipped by the Cook County Silver Bay Senior Legion team 3-1. Aurora scored one run in the first inning one in the third and one in the fifth to take a 3-1 victory of the Cook County/Silver Bat Senior. Legion baseball team in the first round of playoffs. The game was played Saturday, July 16 at 11 a.m. in Aurora. Both teams finished with four hits and one error in a well-played game. Stadler took the loss for the Vikings. Jake pitched six innings. He gave up four...
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Still in their first year of ownership Sam Bains and his family have made some nice additions to Marathon Gas Station. From now on the family will serve India cuisine native to their home country on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They have also added a Western Union hub where you can send and track money. Both are new additions to the community.
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Tuesday, July 19, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) launched the latest round of Child Care Economic Development Grants. These grants authorize .85 million over two fiscal years for grants to community partners to increase quality childcare providers to support economic development across Minnesota. A total of .425 million will be available in this second round of funding; .425 million was awarded previously to 14 projects. DEED is seeking proposals from local governments or nonprofits with experience in the operations, financing, advocacy, or advancement of the delivery of childcare services. Qualified parties may request up to 0,000...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education...
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ANIMALS AND BUGS AT THE RAINBOW CAMP One man said there is an uneasy truce between this pair of goats and dogs at the Rainbow Family camp this summer. Another man said that insects can be bothersome on warm days in the camp, but “pretty soon there’ll be more hippies than bugs.”
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If we are fortunate, our homes are safe places to which we can retreat, rest, recharge, and share that comfort with the people we care about. Too often though, our homes have hazards that put our well-being at risk. Uncovering these hidden hazards saves time and money and protects everyone that lives in or visits that house. Slipping, Tripping, and Falling - Anyone can take a tumble, but older people are especially at risk. Every year, people 65+ make more than 3 million trips to emergency rooms because of injuries related to falls. Getting Zapped - Make sure that you...
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Planning for the Blueberry Art Festival began back in January and will soon come to fruition with over 200 art, craft, and food vendors in Ely’s Whiteside Park. The festival begins on Friday, July 29 at 10 a.m. and ends Sunday, July 31 at 4 p.m. Organizer, Ellen Cashman, has spent hundreds of hours planning the event layout featuring many of the favorite vendors, plus at least 30 new ones. The festival is a juried show, so each new applicant is reviewed by a panel of area artists and crafters. Those same jurors judge all the vendors on Friday morning...
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Join in the renovation of the Rain Garden near the Grand Marais Library on July 25, 5 p.m. The Grand Marais Community is invited to join the next Work and Learn party at the Library Garden on Monday evening, July 25, from 5 p.m. until 6-6:30 p.m. The plan is to restore the garden to it natural beauty. As you weed you will learn about the importance of rain gardens in controlling surface water pollution to streams and the Big Lake. Bring gloves, bug repellent, and any tools to help dig out grasses that have choked this garden. The Cook...
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Did your spring cleaning reveal a stash of paint you’re never going to use again? Did you buy more supplies than you needed for this summer’s project? Cook County area residents can drop off these or any other household hazardous products for free on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at the Cook County Recycling Center. Taking place from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., this Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Event is a quick and easy way to protect our loved ones and the environment. Residents who are familiar with prior HHW Collections should note the event time change from previous years,...
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For all of the historical perspective on the constitution, you still missed the fundamentals, Terry. You are entitled to your opinion, but not your own set of facts. I respect your right to opine yet may not respect that opinion. Ivy Hocking, Hovland
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The Vikings had to let the tough loss to Aurora go and take the field later on Saturday to face North Shore rival Two Harbors. The winner would advance in the playoffs and the season would end for the other team and boy oh boy was this game close. Cook County/Silver Bay scored three runs in the seventh and hung on to beat their rivals 7-4. The Vikings took the lead for good in the seventh inning when Hunter Gomez singled on a two-two count to drive in a run. CC/SB scored one run in the third to take a...
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On July 14, 2022, the Fond du Lac and Grand Portage Bands of Lake Superior Chippewa filed a landmark Clean Water Act lawsuit against the EPA in federal court. At issue in the case is EPA Region Five's approval of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s overhaul of Class 3 (Industrial Use) and 4 (Agricultural Use) Water Quality Standards. This is believed to be the first lawsuit any tribe in the country has filed against the EPA over approval of changes to state water quality standards. The Bands argue this move ignored decades of science and rolls back key protections for...
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The Grand Portage Community Garden has been named Cook County’s “2022 Farm Family of the Year” by the University of Minnesota. The Grand Portage Band of Chippewa has a focus on food sovereignty, which is the inherent right to define its own food system with traditional culture and historical context. The goal is to provide access to healthy, affordable and sustainable food for all members of the community. The formation of the Community Agriculture Through Culture, Health and Education (CACHE) project five years ago has moved this mission forward. Originally, the site was a family farmstead. It then became a...
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My friend Mike recently suggested that instead of calling ourselves old, we should call ourselves “Older.” That makes me an Older Woman. I like that, but older than what? Older than dirt? (Sorry—couldn’t resist.) I don’t feel all that old, though, even though I just celebrated my 73rd birthday. My husband Jerry is nearly 80, and he still rides his mountain bike over 20 miles at least three times a week. Not bad for an Older Man. In fact, he’s been the oldest rider in the Lutsen 99’er for the past six races. This year he pedaled 29 grueling miles,...
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Destination, Blueberry Hill Trail, Chik-Wauk Museum, July 27, 2022. The Happy Hikers will hike the 2-mile round trip Blueberry Hill Trail at Chik-Wauk Museum. This trail affords spectacular views of Saganaga and Seagull Lakes, as well as prime blueberry picking in July and August. Following the hike, we will enjoy our lunch on the museum grounds. Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome. Difficulty level: Moderate. Approximate distance: 2 miles Meet at the YMCA parking lot near the tennis courts at 9:00 am. We’ll carpool up to the end of the Gunflint Trail to Chik-Wauk Museum. Suggested donation for drivers:...
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I spent 14 years as the last country judge in Hennepin County—during several years I handled family, criminal, and civil case calendars all at once. Most judges do just criminal, just family, or a combination of civil and criminal. Those were the favorite years of my favorite job. Imagine having a deputy with a pistol and handcuffs nearby to assist in persuading folk of the wisdom of your decisions! Since moving to Cook County six years ago, I have often perused the “Matters of Record” and Law Enforcement Briefs in this newspaper. Suffice it to say, court business is different...
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Out for a casual stroll on a nice sunny summer day, a Mamma moose and her calf stop for a moment to give a curious look back before leisurely ambling down the well-worn gravel road.
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David Blackburn, son of Mark Till and Karen Blackburn, Grand Marais, graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison on May 14, 2022. David began work as a full stack software developer for Minitube USA, Inc. in June and continues to live in Madison. Minitube USA is located in Verona Wisconsin just outside Madison.
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David Johnson spotted this lynx hunting a small bird in the tall green grass and plucky, thick shrubs somewhere up the Gunflint Trail. Lucky for the bird, it got away and the lynx, said David, moved on to hopefully better hunting grounds.
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Are kids being exposed to toxic chemicals in their everyday lives? A biomonitoring project began in 2018 seeks to answer that question and is coming to Cook County. According to the press release, “The Healthy Kids Minnesota program will give us a picture of children’s exposure to harmful chemicals across the state. We will determine whether chemical levels differ between groups and over time. Although the program will not study specific health effects in participants, the findings can tell us if more action is needed to protect preschoolers from chemicals, so they are ready to learn and succeed in school.”...
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Jackie Dillenbeck caught this once in a lifetime 23” 5+ pound coaster brook trout at the mouth of a local river in mid-May 2022. She was using a blown up nightcrawler and a red hook.
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In hip hop culture, a grill is dental jewelry for inside your mouth so your teeth can sparkle with gold or diamonds. In a car, a grille covers an opening in the body of a vehicle to allow air flow. If someone is up in your grill, they’re confrontational. If you’re getting grilled, someone’s asking you a lot of intense questions. The grill I want to talk about is a metal framework used for cooking food over an open fire. You know, the summer grill. Ordinarily I like to make fun of both genders with an even hand. Women using...
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A fun new (not so new) store has moved to Grand Marais! Patrick and Paula Burns have moved North 61 from Schroeder to downtown Grand Marais in the space that formerly held Birchbark Books and Gifts. The new store has a variety of clothing, caps, hats, bison leather bags, sweatshirts, North Shore MN Hwy 61 long sleeve shirts, coffee mugs, North 61 classic logo wood coasters, caps, key holders, T-shirts, candles, wood journal and even North Woods notebooks. Most, if not all of the products are American made. There are also vintage and salvaged adventure goods (wooden cross country skis...
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Jack “The Squirrel” Johnson, at the height of his career, was one of the fastest utility pole climbers in the Arrowhead Region of Minnesota. At one point, as a veteran employee of Northern Power & Light, he could climb up a fifty-foot pole in 11.5 seconds! The man scrambled up like he had fire in his pants! One day while he was clearing a line in a Cook County Forest, Jack accidentally got between a mama bear and her cubs. As she faced and charged him, Jack turned and scrambled up a poplar tree. (The nearest power pole was 100...
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John Munter is running for Congress in the DFL August 9 primary. John is a graduate of Duluth East High School, UMD, and the University of Dubuque, Theological Seminary where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. He retired from Delta in Chisholm after 17 years with a union pension and lives on a hobby farm with his family in Warba. Why is he running? “I am really running against both party’s which I view as too extreme. Pete Stauber has voted against all infrastructure, baby formula, affordable insulin, and against unions in following only lockstep behind Kevin McCarthy and...
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The Chipping Sparrow is a small sweet bird whose high-pitched song at dawn is fast-paced and goes chip, chip, chip. Hence its name.
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Softball players from four different Cook County teams joined together to play in the 37th annual Finland Fireman’s Wooden Bat Tournament held July 16-18 at Gregg Field. Called the Stu Warriors, the team from Cook County took 5th place in a deep competitive field of teams that came from all over the region. Proceeds raised from the weekend help fund the Finland Volunteer Fire and Rescue squads which serve the greater Finland Minnesota area. The Stu Warriors is a tribute name for fallen teammates that are family and lifelong friends who have been a part of this team, said Rob...
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Great balance, fast feet, quick reflexes, quick thinking and endurance are hallmarks of great logrollers and Allie Duclos seems to have all of those attributes. Duclos, a four-time world age group champion had to battle hard to take first place in an ultra-competitive U-17 girl’s group at the Three Rivers Roleo held in Onalaska, Wisconsin. In its 13th year, the tournament was held July 13 at the Great River Landing. Alie wasn’t the only North Shore Roller to make the podium. Garrett Plummer rolled through a large group of boys to take second place in the U10 boys’ division, and...
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Can you identify the people in this historical photo? Mackenzie’s raiders date unknown. Can you help identify photo# R 612? Send response to history@boreal.org.
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Placement of campaign and other advertising signage on any highway rights of way is not allowed under state law, reminds the Minnesota Department of Transportation. All state, county, city and township roads and highways fall under the same state law. Highway rights of way include driving lanes, inside and outside shoulders, ditches and sight corners at intersections. Also, landowner consent is needed before signs are placed on private property outside of the right of way. MnDOT crews are required to remove unlawfully placed signs and impound them at one of its local maintenance truck stations. Violation of the law (Minn....
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Each summer, the members of the Grand Marais Garden Club come together around a theme to create a floral display for our community members and area visitors to enjoy. This year’s theme is “Garden Masterpieces”, and we can’t wait to show off our gems from our gardens! We invite you to join us for the show on Saturday, July 23rd from noon to 4 at the Community Center. This event is free and open to all. In addition to the show, we will have a plant exchange/sale and you can also expect numerous members of the Garden Club to be...
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The Gunflint Trail Canoe Races return to Gunflint Lodge on July 20, 2022, beginning at 4:00 p.m. New this year, and sure to be an attraction, is The Trail Cup, a competition among teams representing lodges and outfitters along the Gunflint Trail. Besides bragging rights, the winning team will receive a specially-made paddle engraved with their name that can be displayed until next year. Pictured are AnneMarie Martino of Prior Lake, Minnesota, who made the paddle and Chad Kieper, who will oversee the 16 races. Other highlights of the Canoe Races will be supper specialties made by Gunflint Lodge, sales...
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On July 1, the Cook County/Grand Marais Joint Economic Development Authority (EDA) announced immediate availability of the much-anticipated Comprehensive Housing Needs Analysis for Cook County, Minnesota. “We all know Cook County has a housing shortage, now we have comprehensive data and analytics to develop targeted housing solutions, finance projects, and build homes.” said EDA Commissioner, Stephen Surbaugh. A Resource for Cook County The EDA hopes local organizations will benefit from the information. The EDA hopes the new Housing Redevelopment Authority will be able to utilize the information to find momentum. Also, local government entities, non-profits, and business owners throughout the...
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On July 20 the Happy Hikers will hike the Woods Creek section of the Superior Hiking Trail. We will follow Woods Creek through birch, aspen, and ash. Sharp-edged red rock is Rhyolite. Trail then goes through dark spruces with old Man’s beard (a lichen) drooping from branches. SHT turns east and climbs into parklike aspen and birch forest, then a series of previously logged areas and a nice open field. Views of Lake Superior, Pincushion Mountain at first, and then wide view southwest of Pincushion, Maple Hill radio tower, and Sawtooth range. We will hike approximately 1.5 miles in, then...
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The 2022 Legislature passed, and Governor Walz signed the first-ever Veterans Omnibus Bill that included funding for a service bonus payable to eligible Veterans who served from 9/11/01 to 8/30/21. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is honored to facilitate this program for eligible Veterans, currently serving service members or Veterans’ beneficiaries. When: The application period will begin on July 7, 2022. The last day to apply is June 30, 2024, unless the funds have been exhausted before then. Who is eligible? Veterans, currently serving service members, Veterans’ beneficiaries, or Veterans’ guardians, conservators or legally appointed personal representatives. Veterans...
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Judy Lynn Adams, 75, died among family Sunday, July 10, 2022, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, from heart failure associated with ketoacidosis, a complication of diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Judy was born Sept. 23, 1946, in Detroit Lakes, Minn., to Grant Vernon Terryll and Elsie Irene (Oxtra) Terryll. She and William (Bill) Harry Adams were married Dec. 17, 1966, in Durango, Colo. They and their three young daughters moved to Grand Marais, Minn., in 1977. Judy was a devoted stay-at-home mom for many years in Grand Marais, where she was a Girl Scout leader, librarian and school volunteer, and enjoyed fishing and...
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The Cook County Public Health and Human Services Department (PHHS) is responsible for the administration of many state and federal programs that provide critical support to the some of the most vulnerable individuals and families in our County and to promote and protect the health of all residents. The department integrates mandated and preventative services across three primary service areas: economic assistance and health care programs, human services, and public health. Our department budget represents our plan for achieving our mandates and mission of supporting the health, safety, and well-being of Cook County. County Public Health and Human Services Budget...
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The Grand Marais City Council held a short but productive meeting on June 20. During the public comments Tyson Smith came before council with two minor changes to the Grand Marais Lions Club permit for the Fisherman’s Picnic. Both involved making it easier for parking and for vendor trucks to service businesses during the four-day event. Council added Tyson’s request(s) to the agenda and approved both changes. Barbara Jean Meyers came next. She introduced One Small Step, community healing project that’s been happening across the country for the last four years. The One Small Step project was started by StoryCorps...
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Could the Community Center hockey rink double as a modular pumptrack/skills park in the summer? Turns out it could. Two members of the Superior Cycling Association (SCA), Paul Nordlund and Tim Kennedy, came before the county board on Tuesday, July 12, to request using the hockey rink as a bike park. They also asked the board to approve a motion to apply for the Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails Legacy Grant and act as the fiscal agent if the grant is awarded. Part of the grant money would help fund rehabilitation of the heavily used five miles of single-track High...
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The Cook County Highway department has updates on two bridge construction projects. UT 46 Cross River Bridge Project The existing timber bridge located on UT 46/N Gunflint Lake Road over Cross River is structurally deficient and the poorest rated bridge in the County. It is the ninth poorest rated bridge on the entire state of Minnesota’s local bridge system. The local system consists of every bridge that is not on the trunk highway system. The bridge will be replaced with a new timber bridge. Redstone Construction was the low bidder at [post_excerpt].4 million. Per Cook County Engineer Robert Hass, “A...
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The upcoming fall elections are looking to be dynamic for many reasons. The issues and concerns are many. Now is our time as constituents to be reaching out to those running for office to have your stories and your concerns heard. One issue for me that I want to share is Medical Aid in Dying (MAID). I know, you likely have so many concerns at this point, and deciding priorities is overwhelming. The legislation to legalize MAID can seem off one’s list, perhaps out of touch with current needs and issues. It is easy not to focus on our end...
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Revenue dipped 1.5 percent from last year’s record June receipts at the Grand Marais campground, reported Grand Marais Park Director Dave Tersteeg to the park board at the board’s July 5 meeting. However, noted Tersteeg, year-to-date revenue through June is about even with last year and up about [post_excerpt],000, more than 0,000 taken in by June’s 2021 end. So, even though occupancy was down in June 2022, revenues are up because the board passed a three percent rate increase that has kept the proceeds up. The next three months are the park’s busiest month, and reservations for those months look...
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For all of the historical perspective on the constitution, you still missed the fundamentals, Terry. You are entitled to your own set of facts. I respect your right to opine yet may not respect that opinion. Ivy Hocking, Hovland.
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education...
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The old black Mitchell 300 is a classic, introduced in the late 40s. Like our old Kluge ice auger, which was a blue-green in color though always chipped or faded, and which was heavy screwed together at the top of the shaft. There was the two pieces, the long spiral auger and then the beast’s head of a fat gasoline tank and motor and handles and pull cord. I’d hold the auger shaft upright when my old man set the great head atop and screwed it on. And he pulled and pulled and revved and revved and drilled. Classic, too,...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has resources and foresters available to help landowners manage woodlands damaged by recent tornadoes and storms. “Seeing trees down in your woods and coming up with a plan for cleanup can be overwhelming,” said Jennifer Teegarden, cooperative forest management outreach specialist. “Be sure to take advantage of the help the DNR can provide to you.” The DNR has cost-share funds to help affected woodland owners remove downed and damaged trees and to reforest their woods. A DNR forester can assess the damage and help develop a project plan to manage woodlands. The forester may...
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It’s hot out there. Real hot. How hot? Well, it’s since the 1980s, each decade has been warmer than the previous one. And, since there’s not a big, concerted push to do much about it, you should expect the trend to continue. It’s going to be hot. Smoking hot. Like the end of “Raiders of the Lost Arc” where the guy’s face melts off hot. Like Icarus hot. So how do you beat the heat? Here are some ideas. The pros, after a big game, take an ice bath. Ice baths constrict the blood flow and relieve swelling. But ice...
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RAINBOW BICYCLES The best way to travel around a Rainbow gathering is with a bicycle. The owner of this bus brings a load of bikes to the gathering each year.
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Andrew Barton graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Andrew Barton graduated this May from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, located in Troy, New York. He received his bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science and Electronic Arts (fancy name for music production). He’ll be moving this summer to Seattle to begin his programming career with Amazon Web Services. In his free time, he’ll continue to make music, and play the upright bass with a swing band or two. If he can pull it off, he’ll be a programmer by day, and a musician by night. Here in this photograph Andrew can be seen grinning with...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Ready to run some beautiful trails threaded through the lush green forests of Pincushion Mountain? If you said yes, then it’s time to sign up for the Fisherman’s Picnic Trail Run. The annual Fisherman’s Picnic Trail Run registration is open and this year there will be no same day registration. The race(s) will take place on Pincushion Mountain on August 6. Kids will run at 9 a.m. The five-mile run/race walk will start at 9:45 a.m. and the non-competitive three-mile run/walk will start at 9:50 a.m. To register go to the North Superior Ski and Run Club website (NSSRC website)....
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Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen came before the Cook County Commissioners on Tuesday, July 12, and told commissioners that due to staff shortages, he had to make some significant changes in his staff's work schedules so shifts would be covered. Eliasen said there were two openings in dispatch, and one deputy, Marcus Childs, recently resigned to take care of his family in the Duluth area. He added another deputy was in the final stages of being hired by another agency and said, "I would expect that resignation to be forthcoming as well." He said a third deputy was being considered...
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The Cook County, Gunflint Trail, Schroeder Area, and Tofte historical societies have partnered to learn how to work more effectively together. These partner organizations received a Minnesota Historical Society Heritage Partnership Program grant for 2022-2023. The grant funds will be used to hire a facilitator to conduct the Cook County Historical Societies Alliance Study and report on the viability of forming an alliance or a process of collaboration. Goals for this project include improving ways to take collective action to solve current limitations and to sustainably fulfill our missions. Local heritage sites operated by these four historical societies include the...
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Republican endorsed Minnesota District 3 candidate Andrea Zupancich is a busy person. The mother of four grown children, Andrea owns and operates ZupNorth, which has four real estate offices (Babbitt, Ely, Aurora, and Virginia) on the Iron Range. She sits on the board of directors for Up North Jobs and Jobs for Minnesotans, is a member of Fight for Mining and Mining Minnesota and has been the mayor of Babbitt for the last eight years. Also, her 22-year-old daughter and husband live across the street and recently became parents, making Andrea a happy, proud grandmother. So, with these current challenges,...
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The 31st Grand Marais Art Fair is in the books, and once again it drew raves as thousands of people descended on the school parking lot(s) where the festival was held. This past weekend there were 85 artist booths, four food trucks, and six different musicians on hand to keep folks fed, entertained, and in art for the foreseeable future. “The Grand Marais Art Colony would like to extend its gratitude to the wider Cook County community for its support of the 31st Annual Grand Marais Arts Festival, held July 9-10, 2022. Thank you – you made it a resounding...
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Even if you don’t like rummage sales, you have been hard-pressed not to like this one. There was seemingly something for everyone. Held once again on the grounds of the Lutsen Evangelical Lutheran Church, the 15th annual Lutsen community rummage and handmade gift sale held on Saturday, July 9, was a smashing success. There were so many items donated by people it was hard to fathom what the count was. And everything for sale was in good, useable shape. A large crowd gathered before the 9 a.m. opening, and items went quick once folks were let into the shop. For...
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Following the listening sessions hosted in April and May with over 60 community members, North House’s board of directors has worked to find a way forward that integrates key community concerns while also advancing plans for North House campus evolution. The five core concerns identified by North House in initial community conversations were: Impacts on the current fishery, the relocation of the Scott Fish House, ensuring public access to the harbor, the proximity of the building to the lake, and North House’s lease agreement with the city. On July 13th, North House will be part of the city council meeting...
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No matter how halting, how tenuous, terrifying even, sometimes that first step you take turns out to be the biggest step you will ever take. Infants know this to be true. It’s also true when you decide to reach out and listen to someone with different viewpoints than you. None more so than discussing political thoughts and ideologies. Today, the country seems to be divided politically. One side clearly has the correct answers, while the other side is just as clearly misguided, clueless, in the dark. Depending on which side you lean, that clueless side is on the other side...
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The Cook County/ Silver Bay Senior Legion baseball team played a double header against the Cherry Tigers Senior Legion team on Thursday, July 7, with each team winning one game. Game 1 Patrick Pierre doubled in his first at-bat, scoring one run for the Vikings in the first inning against Cherry in a game played in Cherry on Thursday, July 7. However, despite hitting the ball well, the Vikings had a tough time scoring runs. The Vikings would hold a one-to-nothing lead until the bottom of the third. Then, Cherry scored four runs in the third and would win 5-3...
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The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will undoubtedly impact victims/survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. The Violence Prevention Center believes that reproductive justice and bodily autonomy is a fundamental human right and is an integral part of fostering a community which cultivates healthy relationships and does not tolerate violence. Bodily autonomy encompasses not only the right to live free from violence, but the ability to make one’s own medical decisions. Unfortunately, it is all too often that violence and pregnancy go hand in hand. Unplanned pregnancies increase the risk for violence, and violence increases...
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The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has the following advice for those who plan to travel into Canada. This summer, travelers are returning to a border that is managed differently, with evolving COVID-19 requirements, which can mean delays during peak periods. The CBSA is working with government and industry partners to mitigate long border wait times, but there are also things that travelers can do to make the process easier for themselves and other travelers. Travelers can help reduce wait times at the border by coming prepared and by completing their mandatory ArriveCAN submission within 72 hours before arriving at...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News- Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Dixon Scott Gimpel, 58, Prior Lake, Minnesota, pled guilty on June 13, 2022, to a gross misdemeanor of DWI - Operating a Motor Vehicle with an Alcohol blood Concentration of 0.08 or higher Within 2 Hours of...
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What is it about creating things that’s so compelling? Last weekend I participated in a North House Folk School course and came home with a stunning new leather shoulder bag—and I made it myself! Not only that, but the process was both fascinating and fun. Now I’m hooked on yet another craft. A few years ago, I indulged in a bead painting class from Jo Wood (engrossing), and I’ve taken a few pottery classes from Joan Farnum (challenging). I enjoy making bead jewelry, too, but mostly I knit. I’m a knitting fiend, as you may know if you’ve ever attended...
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In June when the sun finally came out and the temperature got above 55°F you had a tough time with the blackflies (Family Simuliidae, genus Simulium, a dipteran [having an anterior and posterior wing on either side of its body]). They bothered you in the yard, and in the garden, by the lakeshore and in the woods, and on the warm, dusty dirt. They bit you and they swarmed you. If you’re like me, they got in into your ears and eyes and hair and up under your caps and around your ankles and wrists. Like other insects they are...
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Tyson at the Beaver House reports that people have been catching plenty of fish in the last week or so. “The walleye bite has been strong. I know people have been catching their limits in Devil Track, Two Island, Hungry Jack, Sag, Sea Gull, Gunflint, Ball Club, Crescent, and Northern Light Lake. A good choice of walleye baits are leeches or nightcrawlers attached to Beaver Flicks or other spoons. Plastic jigs also work well. Red attracts bass, and anything shiny attracts northern. Jigs, crankbaits, jerk baits, swimbaits, and live minnows also work well to attract and catch fish. Angling on...
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On July 13 the Happy Hikers will start from the trailhead on Otter Lake Road and hike along the Superior Hiking Trail/ Border Route Trail to the northern terminus of the Superior Hiking Trail and the 270 Degree Overlook, where you will see beautiful views of the Swamp River/Pigeon River valleys and the Canadian border. We will have lunch at the overlook. Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome. Difficulty level: Moderate with some elevation (may be muddy in sections) Approximate distance: Two miles Meet at the YMCA parking lot near the tennis courts at 9:00 am. We’ll carpool to...
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A baby white-tail deer emerged from a field of wildflowers as Julie Schulberg was walking by. Quick with her camera, she got a nice picture of this sweet-faced fawn.
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Sheils named to Hamline University Dean’s List for Spring 2022 Levi Sheils of Grand Marais qualified for the Hamline University Dean’s List for Spring 2022. Levi is the son of Nate and Lynn Sheils of Grand Marais. To qualify, students must earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher and complete a minimum of 16 credit hours. In the Spring 2022 term, students were required to have completed a minimum of 16 credits graded on the standard letter-grade scale for the term. Pollock named to Hamline University Dean’s List for Spring 2022 Kestrel Pollock of Grand Marais was named to the...
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Down 3-0 after three innings of play, the Cook County/Silver Bay Jr. Legion team got just enough offense and pitching to beat International Falls 6-5. The game was played June 30, on a windy but very warm night at the Arleigh Jorgenson baseball field in front of nice crowd of fans. Benelli Myers started the game on the mound for the Vikings. He pitched six innings, allowing three hits, five runs, ten walks and he struck out five. Jake Stadler pitched the seventh inning. He allowed one hit and struck out two to save the win. Amos Falter had the...
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Can you help identify these women? The year and activity are unknown. If you can help identify photo# S961 please send your response (left to right please) to history@boreal.org.
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Featuring a wide variety of local artists and crafts people, the two-day Hovland Art Fair drew sizeable crowds throughout the weekend. Music by Shannon Crossbear, Adam Kirsch, The Fish Heads, Bump Blomberg and Joe Paulik filled the air and kept the mood upbeat as folks shopped the various tents on the fairgrounds or inside of the Hovland Town Hall. Some of the artists who displayed their wares were Becky Heller. Heller makes animals by needle felting over a wire skeleton; Lou Pignolet was back again with his terrific bowls fashioned from burls; Kim Knutson brought salves, balms and lotions, Linda...
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Lutsong Productions, LLC is pleased to announce its first annual event, the Lutsong Music Festival, to be held in Lutsen, Minnesota on Friday, July 15 through Sunday, July 17. Twelve acts are scheduled to play music during the three-day weekend at Caribou Highlands and North Shore Winery located on Ski Hill Road in Lutsen. In addition to great music, attendees can enjoy the art village, guitar demonstrations, food, and beverage while starting each day right with easy power yoga. “We’re excited to announce the first annual Lutsong Music Festival which has been a dream of ours to produce,” stated Scott...
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DEVIL’S TRACK RIVER BOYS Lemonade, worms, and bird houses were for sale each summer. From left to right: Stanley, Ed, and Howard Hedstrom are pictured here one summer in the 1960s during Fisherman’s Picnic. They brought in about for the season. Lemonade was 10 cents and worms were 5 cents.
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More than 150 mad, sad deeply concerned young and old folks came out to take part in a peaceful protest against the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe V Wade. Most were carrying signs that said “My body. My choice.” Or “We won’t go back,” along with a half a dozen other messages. And while the decision allows states to come up with their own bills on abortion, the consensus was that this should be a federal issue and not a state issue. Local organizers led the one-hour protest that occurred west of Java Moose along the harbor next...
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Make some time on your schedule this weekend to take in the 31st Grand Marais Art Festival. The festival will once again be held at the I.S.D. 166 Cook County Schools parking lots. Spectators and shoppers will have 83 booths and displays to explore. Featured works include ceramics, jewelry, paintings, photography, woodwork, leatherwork, sculpture, glass, fiber, mixed media, and more. The fair will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, and run until 5 p.m. Hours of operation for Sunday are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year, an added attraction is music and food trucks. For those with...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked the busy holiday weekend checking anglers, boaters and ATV riders. Enforcement action was taken for angling and watercraft violations. CO Mary Manning (Hovland) led a work...
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The Cook County/Silver Bay Senior Legion baseball team couldn’t find enough offense against Taconite and fell 14-4 in five innings. The game was played July 1 in Marble, Minnesota. Play came to an end after five innings when the game was called because of the ten-run mercy rule. After a scoreless first inning Taconite put four runs on the board in the second. Neither team scored in the third and the Vikings rallied in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs to close within one. The Vikings big inning came when Jake Mixdorf and Isaac Sandstrom were both walked,...
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The West End Garden Club will be celebrating its 85th year anniversary of its annual Flower Show. The event will be held Saturday, July 16th from 1-5 p.m. at the Birch Grove Community Center in Tofte. This year’s theme is Garden of Eatin’, using both flowers and vegetables in fun and creative arrangements. Dishware is being used for containers to suggest ideas for using both in tasty foods and cooking. Refreshments and live music make this a special event not to be missed! Hope to see you there!
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On Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at approximately 4:15 p.m., a single vehicle accident involving a red Jeep was reported crashed at County Rd 14 and East Highway 61. The local 79-year-old female driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle and sadly was reported deceased on arrival of emergency crews. The deceased was transported to the North Shore Health Hospital and next of kin was notified. Responding to the scene were Cook County Sheriff ’s Deputies, MN State Patrol, Cook County Ambulance, Colvill Fire Rescue and Hovland Fire Rescue. The cause of the accident and cause of death is under...
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Well, can’t say Tofte doesn’t know how to throw a party! Rainy, cold weather kept the crowds down at this year’s 2022 Tofte 4th of July Celebration for part of the day, but when the parade started at 2 p.m., people showed up in droves. And just because it rained more on and then off, it didn’t deter folks from enjoying dancing and listening to the Southpaw band playing in the Firehall garage. The minnow races were once again a big hit as kids cheered for their well-trained, super-fast swimming minnows. And the money pit attracted kids who dug furiously...
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On a beautiful night in early May, over 20 local students met in Grand Marais with their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) instructors from Cook County and Hibbing Community College to learn how to perform a pre-trip inspection of a semi-truck and trailer! The majority of these students had just completed an online one-month course, and this was the first time they’d all met together in person. Kelsey Rogers Kennedy, Associate Director for Cook County Higher Education (CCHE), spearheaded and coordinated the effort that will culminate in 29+ community members getting their CDL licenses – Class A, Class B, and Class...
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With a strong wind blowing in, it was a pitcher’s night at the Arleigh Jorgenson field last Thursday evening. At least it was pitcher’s night for the Vikings who shut out International Falls 7-0. Two Viking pitchers combined to throw the shutout. Tate Crawford got the win on the mound. Tate started and threw five and one third innings. He gave up six hits, and no runs. Patrick Pierre came in and threw two-and-two third innings of relief out of the bullpen. Patrick struck out one and walked one and didn’t give up a hit or a run. The Vikings...
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Drew Holmen, 30, placed fifth at the Western States 100.2 mile run this year. Holmen was third in 2021, but he ran about thirty minutes faster this year. Holmen finished the race in sixteen hours and nine minutes (16:09:00). Adam Peterman won with a time of 15:13:48. Drew was 12 minutes behind fourth and 13 minutes behind third place. Ruth Croft was the first women finisher. She placed 12th overall in 17:31:30. Eleven women finished in the top 30. Some 383 runners started the race and 303 completed the grueling run. Scott Jurek, Proctor, Minnesota, has the most wins at...
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There were some early fireworks on July 1 in the Je Legion game between the Cook County/Silver Bay Vikings and the Jr. Legion team from Taconite. The Vikings put up three runs in the first and one in the second to lead 4-2 before both teams’ bats went silent over the next three innings. A seven-run explosion in the sixth inning was all the Vikings needed as they cruised to an 11-3 win. The sixth inning barrage was led by timely singles by Hunter Gomez, Jake Mixdorf, a walk by Jake Stadler and a double by Ryan Shannon. Clayton Smith...
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When Nita Anderson sold her Grand Marais Art Store 8 Broadway last year, she realized she was too young to quit painting, so she looked around for some options. Turns out, she didn’t have to look too far. She bought the lot next to 8 Broadway and has added four small buildings, three picnic tables, and more. “I’m hoping to help the town and area artists,” said Nita, adding she’s located close to where her mother grew up. “My mother was raised in a house right next to 8 Broadway, so I feel like I’m almost on family property.” When...
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Soon enough, there will be a large three-acre wooded area for your dog(s) to run and play in. Led by Cathy Quinn, a group of about a dozen volunteers spent hours of their time Saturday, July 2, working on the new dog park which will be located along the old Gunflint Trail below the emergency run-off road by the water tower. The day was cool, relatively bug free because there was a slight breeze; it was a perfect day to work outside. Mike Carlson snipped small trees and brush. Becky Bartol weed-whipped. Barb Hedemann ran a brush cutter. Ron Schlinze...
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I realize that this will not be a popular opinion up here in Liberal land, but I applaud and respect the Supreme Court decision to uphold the tenants of the Constitution. I read and hear all the complaints about the Courts “abominable decision”, destroying a “Constitutional right” and truly wonder if you complainers have ever read or have any understanding of the Constitution. The Court overturned and corrected a 50-year-old mistake in that there is absolutely nothing in the Constitution for or against abortion and therefore it is a States Rights issue. The Court did not magically ban abortion but...
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While spring may have been a long time coming, it finally did arrive and along with it came the flowers! As you walk around Grand Marais, you will find numerous planters bursting forth with lovely blooms. They truly do brighten up the area! But, have you ever wondered how they got there? Well, you have the Grand Marais Garden Club to thank! Each spring, our members show up, tools and jugs of water in hand, ready to plant the flowers that beautify our lovely city! This year, Linda Quick was in charge and she handled the ordering of the plants...
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Multilingual vocalist/ songwriter Eleanor Dubinsky and Argentine guitarist/composer Dario Acosta Teich bring audiences together with fresh interpretations of jazz, Latin, popular, and original songs. Their interactive presentation From Buenos Aires to the Andes: A Musical Journey Through Argentina takes audience members on a dynamic ride through traditional tango and the folk genres of chacarera and huayno (Argentine folk music that evolved from a mix of Indigenous and European sounds). This free, all-ages outreach event includes an abbreviated concert of Argentine music, an introduction/demonstration of traditional Argentine musical genres and instruments, and interactive songwriting. Attendees will leave with a brand-new song,...
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This Black-throated Green Warbler in a cedar tree seems to be eyeing a mosquito that was flying by. As Jean Brislance so truly noted, “I hope the birds are hungry, as there are still plenty of mosquitoes for them to eat!”
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education...
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Just down the road from Cook County in Finland, Minnesota, is Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, the largest accredited residential environmental learning center in the nation. This summer Wolf Ridge is holding a 50 plus year reunion for former staff, community members and longtime supporters. The reunion will take place August 26-28 and is also open to the public. Wolf Ridge was started in 1971 on a former Jobs Corps site in Isabella, Minnesota. Wolf Ridge was the first environmental learning center in the U.S. to be credited as a K-12 school. Today Wolf Ridge annually offers 166,000 plus visitors...
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Two motorists struck and killed moose on the Gunflint Trail last week. Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen said that only one of the accidents involving a moose was reported to the sheriff ’s office “The driver and passengers were not injured,” he said. “The moose that was struck and killed on Saturday night was not reported by the driver.” Both moose were killed near mid-trail, not far from Trail Center, which is known to be an area of high moose density. The previous weekend a moose was injured by a vehicle. While it might seem like moose are slow, they...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Strikepoint, an internationally acclaimed handbell ensemble, will be performing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church (417 First Avenue West) in Grand Marais. This performance is part of the ensemble’s 2022 summer tour and the church’s 150th-anniversary celebration. Admission is free, but a donation is suggested. To support local music, Strikepoint will share 20 percent of the freewill donation with First Congregational’s music program. Strikepoint is based at First United Methodist Church in Duluth, Minnesota. The 11-member directorless ensemble is unique among touring handbell groups as a combination community/ professional/church group and an adult/youth group....
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This time of year, the days are long, and the weather is hot. Ahh, summer. Most folks are outside enjoying all things summer - farmer’s markets, picnics, sunscreen. Who knows? You may even find yourself on a boat. If so, you may want to be aware that there’s a different language for the seafarer. In fact, the word “seafarer” should clue you into the unnecessarily-complicated lexicon that seafarers are drawn to. Seafaring seafarers with serious seamanship aim to make things shipshape. It’s easy to judge these people but you may want to cut them some slack. Many have had a...
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The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is on the horns of a climate dilemma. Along the northern border of Minnesota is the most visited wilderness area in the USA, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, BWCA. On the south side of the BWCA a Chilean mining company, Antafagasta, wants to open a copper/nickel mine. Unfortunately, the company has a less than sterling track record when it comes to respecting water, air, and the communities where they have mined. As a result, many Minnesotans have risen up to protest the proposed mine. The editorial board of the Minneapolis Star and Tribune printed...
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Lois Ann Suck, age 63, of Hollister, Missouri, passed away on September 7, 2021. She entered this life on September 22, 1957, the daughter of Robert and Delores (Stielow) McLean in Grand Marais, Minnesota. She is preceded in death by both parents and her older sister Frances. Lois enjoyed the simple things in life, including sitting by the fire and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She left the north shore in pursuit of new adventures and warmer weather, making her new home in Hollister, Missouri. She is survived by her children Joni Larrabee, Teri Petermann, Richard Pederson and...
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Library Friends of Cook County is happy to announce a “Pop Up” Used Book Sale on Friday and Saturday, August 5th and 6th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All proceeds from the sale of books will go to benefit area libraries and reading programs. The sale will take place at Oddz & Endz, 2066 West Highway 61 in Grand Marais. Library Friends of Cook County has partnered with Oddz & Endz to create a used book room at the store with titles in every genre—from popular novels and local lore to cookbooks, children’s titles and more. According to Library...
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Firewise is an educational program that provides a set of tools to help property owners prepare for wildfires in an effort to reduce future damage to their property. The program also has a goal to educate people on the role of wildfire and its importance. For thousands of years in the Great Lakes Region, Native Americans used fire intentionally to manage the ecosystems they lived in. The lack of fire has led to the build-up of fuels. Firewise aims to help property owners create healthy forest conditions more typical of when fires were managed across the land by Native Americans....
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The Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS) has been advocating for the communities of the Taconite Assistance Area (TAA) in northern Minnesota for over 80 years. Members include more than 60 public sector units of government who take part in advocating for the citizens of the Iron Range. Our membership includes cities and townships from across Itasca, St. Louis, Aitkin, Lake, Cook and Crow Wing Counties in addition to all the public schools in the TAA. We have a long history of advocating for local government aid, support for our mining and timber industries, economic opportunities for our region,...
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The 17th annual Hovland Art Fair will be held Saturday, July 2 at the Hovland Town Hall. Featuring a wide array of artists and some select musicians, the fair will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Displays will be held inside and, on the grounds, weather permitting. On display will be fiber arts, stained glass pieces, paintings, drawings, carving, woodwork, jewelry, photography, ceramics and more. This a chance to see how some of your east end neighbors spent their time during the long, seemingly never-ending winter months, and a chance to bump into friends you rarely see. It’s always...
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The job market in Cook County is red-hot. Sizzling. Help wanted signs greet our visitors at practically every stop they make. With far more jobs than employees to fill them, this worker shortage has drastically affected North Shore Health. So, with that, North Shore Health has decided to start the process of recruiting workers from other countries. “We are working with Carey Thuente from Guyton Thuente, P.A. in Minneapolis,” said North Shore Health Administrator/ CEO Kimber Wraalstad, adding that representatives from Presbyterian Homes recommended the firm. “A prevailing wage request has been submitted to the Department of Labor to begin...
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“The bird activity is really slow right now since most are nesting,” said Jean Brislance. “I did find this American Redstart in the yard yesterday (June 24), appearing to give me a “What are you looking at?!?” look.
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With the 2022 assessment in the books, the Cook County Assessor’s Office has begun the process of inspecting properties in our 2022 quintile district, the Gunflint Trail. Minnesota law requires that assessors inspect properties at least every five years; the Gunflint Trail was last inspected during the summer of 2017. Any property beyond Hedstrom’s Lumber up the Gunflint is subject to the 2022 quintile review, including Greenwood Lake and the properties north of the old Lima Grade trestle bridge. If you own property up the Gunflint and you’d like to schedule an appointment for this inspection, please call the Cook...
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I always thought of the world as kind of divided into two camps: Us and Them. And I was always on Team Us. Because I’m Us, not Them. I’ve never been Them. I had friends who were Them. Well, okay. It was just one friend, Matt, who was Team Them but still. Anyway… then something dramatic happened. It was big. I won’t get into the details, but I’ll just say I was out of circulation for a couple of weeks, and I made a leap from Team Us to Team Them. I grew a mustache. Not only have I never...
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The last column introduced faithful readers to Scientific and Natural Areas operated by the state’s Department of Natural Resources in the Arrowhead. Now we look at some detail on the ones nearest Highway 61. Less Wondering may result. Before we do that, consider this already broken news: WTIP reports that “Cook County is one step closer to having another state recognized Scientific and Natural Area (SNA). “The newest addition to the SNA designated locations in Cook County will be known as the Icelandite* Coastal Fen, a 25-acre site near Colvill. Located about 10 miles from Grand Marais near Kimball Creek,...
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Wild animals are often exposed to dangerous situations that can result in injury and/ or death. Collisions with motor vehicles are a very common example of this, but there are others too. Fights with another individual, whether of the same species or not, is another. Running through areas of downed trees or in rocky areas can result in a leg getting stuck and then broken. I have known of injuries to deer and moose from slipping on slick surfaces and falling off ledges. Sometimes the injuries are fatal (either immediately or hours to days later); sometimes the animal is shot...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Mary Manning (Hovland) assisted with firearms and Taser training for new officers at the current CO Academy. She also took calls on a nuisance-beaver complaint and two road-killed moose on the...
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These are the things that the human eye cannot see. The individual primary feathers of the mallard duck in flight. Either wing individually of the ruby-throated hummingbird in flight. The purple-blue secondary feathers, like dark stained-glass, when the hen mallard, quacking, stretches her wings on the water in the fog before the dawn. The black ruff tufts of the male ruffed grouse perched overhead very close on a branch in the shade of the firs while backlit. A pup working in the tall grass, the Canadian rye and reed canary-grass. A pup in the knee-high corn, veiled like the truth...
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On Monday, June 27, Governor Tim Walz and House Speaker Melissa Hortman today announced a plan to return half of the state’s surplus back to Minnesotans in direct checks. The proposal would return half the remaining surplus back in the form of direct payments while legislators continue working on shared funding priorities, including education, public safety, childcare, and nursing homes. “This is the right thing to do for Minnesotans as we see household costs rise,” said Governor Walz. “Minnesota has a strong economy and historic surplus, and this is one big way we can help Minnesotans at the pump, grocery...
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Does the county need to revise or update its Vacation Rental Ordinance? A newly formed Vacation Rental Review Committee will study the ordinance and bring its recommendations back to the county board in two months. Passed May 19, 2019, the Vacation Rental License Ordinance (VRLO) is up for review. It was last updated January 8, 2020. The VRLO defines vacation rentals as “any home, cabin, condominium or similar building that is advertised as, or held out to be, a place where sleeping quarters are furnished to the public on a nightly, weekly, or for less than a 30-day time period...
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This summer, Voyageurs National Park received a vibrant community mural celebrating the park’s waters and skies. With support from Voyageurs Conservancy, Sam Zimmerman served as a Community Artist and Educator in residence in the park. Sam served from June 26 - July 1, 2022. During his residency, Sam Zimmerman created a community mural on the shorelines of Voyageurs National Park. This mural depicts the unique landscape of the park, share Ojibwe teachings, and offer a space for dialogue. Sam Zimmerman, a Grand Portage direct descendant, is a painter, author, and educator based in Duluth, Minnesota. Zimmerman draws on his Ojibwe...
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Malec, Sigford graduate from Northwest Technical College Brittany Malec and Sarah Sigford, both of Grand Marais, graduated from Northwest Technical College with a certificate in community health work. Northwest Technical College engages, supports and prepares students for rewarding careers through innovative programs and hands-on learning. For more than 50 years, NTC has offered accessible, affordable programs that help more than 900 students match their education to the needs of employers, supporting the region’s ever-growing need for a highly skilled workforce. Neel graduates college Jessica (Jacobsen) Neel, Grand Marais, graduated magna cum laude from Bemidji State University this spring with a...
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Now that staff, parents, and students have had an opportunity to take a deep breath after the end of the school year, it is time to reflect on one of the very impactful courses at ISD 166. The sixth grade Safety Class, taught by Emma Spoon, added some excellent new curriculum to an already jam-packed course of study. During May, two county staff presented information to both classes of sixth grade Safety Class students. Mike Keyport, the Director of Emergency Management, developed a slide presentation describing his leadership role during emergencies such as the fires and floods recently experienced in...
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Brian Christopher Fairbanks, 39, Deer River, Minnesota, pled guilty on January 19, 2022, to a felony and a misdemeanor. The misdemeanor was Trespass with Return to Property Within One Year, which occurred on September 29, 2020. The felony was Domestic Assault, which occurred on March 7, 2021. Cases are concurrent. Sentencing includes Local Confinement (90 Days), and 24 months Commitment to the Commissioner of Corrections at the MN Correctional Facility in Saint Cloud. Fines and fees total 0. Andrew B. Nieweglowski, 65, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, pled guilty on June 14, 2022, to a petty misdemeanor of Traffic Speeding 60/40...
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On Thursday, June 23, the U.S. Forest Service released a 93-page draft environmental assessment (EA) calling for a 20-year ban (mineral withdrawal) on sulfide-ore copper mining on 225,378 acres of National Forest System land in the Rainy River Watershed. The proposed mining area is located within a portion of the Rainy River watershed and outside the BWCAW and BWCAW Mining Protection Area. An application for withdrawal for the land in the Superior National Forest was submitted on September 28, 2021, to Nada Culver, the Acting Director of the Bureau of Land Management. In October 2021, the Forest Service began a...
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Too cute! A Mamma loon piggybacks one of her fluffy three-day old goslings while her other baby snuggles in close as they slowly swim about on the open water.
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The Cook County Historical Museum has many photos yet to be identified. Your help in identifying is needed and would be most welcome. Over the coming weeks photos will be made available that need identification. Each photo will have an identifying number; todays is R992 and is believed to be 1937. Your answers should be sent to cchs@boreal.org. To identify indicate the photo number (R992) and date or other information available. Indicate by using row (1,2,3) and individuals by number from left to right. Example, photo R992, 1937 1-2 is. Or if unsure R922, 1937 1-2 is?
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Rain. There was a 90 percent chance of rain, and it didn’t come, which was good news for 1,800 participants who rode in one of the four events hosted by Life Time (NYSE: LTH) on Saturday, June 25. As one finisher said, “I pedaled through some of the most scenic country this side of heaven.” Another rider commented, “I thought the 49er course was difficult, rugged, but the scenery, how green everything was, was tremendous.” That was John from the Twin Cities. He was with a group of five riders that all felt the same way. They were riding for...
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With Kole Anderson on the mound and the Viking’s offense in high gear, the Cook County/Silver Bay Senior Legion baseball team defeated South Ridge 13-3 in a game played at home on Friday, June 24. Lucas Stadler got things started with a first inning home run on an 0-1 count, scoring two runs with his blast. The Vikings scored four in the third, three in the fourth and four runs in the fifth while holding South Ridge to one run in the second and two runs in the fourth. The game ended after five innings because of the ten-run rule....
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education...
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The Happy Hikers will follow the trail along the east side of the river beginning at the wayside rest area on Highway 61. The first one-third mile takes you through the Temperance River Gorge. Interpretive signs explain the fascinating geology and formation of the numerous waterfalls, cascades and cauldrons that make up the river gorge. Follow the river for another half mile. This route then breaks away from the river and takes you on a loop through the woods on your way back to the wayside. We will then cross Highway 61 and walk a short distance to a picnic...
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Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) is seeking volunteers for its Foster Grandparent program, in partnership with AmeriCorps Seniors, a national service agency, to offer guidance and encouragement to at-risk children and youth in the community. Foster Grandparent volunteers are older adults who traditionally offer one-to-one mentoring in the classroom and other settings to children and youth who may be experiencing academic or social challenges. Their presence and reassurance can help children and youth improve self-esteem, social and emotional development and literacy and math skills. “Children benefit from having another adult in their life who is genuinely interested in them,...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Anglers with fishing questions can find answers on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ fishing page (mndnr.gov/Fishing). The page answers questions like: For which species can I fish? What kind of bait is legal? What kind of fish can I keep? It also is a mobile-friendly destination for information on when, where and how to fish. Users will find links to LakeFinder, which provides maps and detailed information on lakes throughout the state, and the new StreamFinder tool that provides a description, species list, regulations and access information for trout streams throughout Minnesota. The DNR fishing page also includes an...
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The Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) has put out a general call for write-in candidates for Supervisor of District 4 (also known as the Maple Hill area) in the upcoming election. The deadline for filing to appear on the ballot expired at the end of May. SWCDs are special purpose units of government that manage and direct conservation programs at the local level. An elected board of supervisors governs each of Minnesota’s 88 SWCDs. “Supervisors play an important role in how a wide variety of natural resources are managed in our county, including wetlands, rivers, lakes, forests,...
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Todd Ford, Public Communications Coordinator The Cook County Highway Department has scheduled a public meeting regarding the 5th Avenue Reconstruction Project which is planned for the summer of 2023. The meeting will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on July 12, 2022, in the Commissioner’s Room at the Cook County Courthouse. The project will consist of replacing city stormwater infrastructure and reconstructing the road. Sidewalks will be added on either side of 5th Avenue West in Grand Marais. Construction is slated for Summer 2023 and will extend from Highway 61 through the intersection with 5th St/CSAH 7. Residents...
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“We have a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird that is about the only regular bird in the yard right now. This is him during this morning’s fog.”
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107TH REGIMENT ENGINEERS BAND Al Bally served as an engineer in the 107th Regiment which was based in Upper Michigan. He served and played music with this group of men. These men were engineers and also musicians in the regiment band. This photo is from the 1920s.
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Eric W. Thorsen, 50, Grand Portage, died Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Eric was born August 2, 1971 in Duluth, grew up in Minneapolis, and had made his home in Grand Portage for the last 20 years. He was employed by the Grand Portage Reservation. He enjoyed cooking, fishing, golf, fixing things, and everything and anything to do with the outdoors. Eric was preceded in death by his father, Dean Fraser and an aunt, Jan Bernal. He is survived by children, Brett, Xavier “Wawatay”, Alexxus, and Jaxsen Thorsen; his mother, Jackie (Frank) Miller; former wife and good friend, Annie; an uncle,...
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Memorial Service for James and Carol Tveekrem A Reception and Remembrance honoring the lives of James Tveekrem and Carol Tveekrem will be held at the Schroeder Town Hall on Wednesday, July 13 at 12 p.m. The town hall is located at 124 Cramer Road in Schroeder.
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Cook County Public Health and Human Services and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic have scheduled local COVID- 19 vaccination events on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at the Cook County Community Center for children in the 6-months to 5-year-old age group using the age-appropriate Moderna vaccine. This follows last week’s decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation that all children in this age group, including those who have already had COVID-19, should receive a COVID-19 vaccine to better protect them from the virus and its complications. The Moderna vaccine for those in the 6-months to 5-years age range is...
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The Cook County Highway Department has lifted all seasonal load restrictions, and all gravel roads will open to legal haulers. Cook County thanks everyone for their patience while conditions were monitored throughout the spring season. Seasonal load restrictions are put into place to protect roads from damage or failure during the spring thaw when melting snow and rain can saturate road base material. Damage done to roads is usually deeper than just on the surface and can end up costing thousands of dollars to repair. Haulers are asked to be mindful of posted bridges, which have year-round varying load restrictions,...
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Playing in Proctor, the Cook County/Silver Bay Sr. Legion team didn’t have quite enough in the tank to beat the team from Proctor. The game was played on Thursday, June 23. Proctor put up three runs in the first inning and one in the second. That’s all the runs the Rails would need as they beat the Vikings 4-2. The Vikings wouldn’t score until the fourth when Jacob Carpenter and Jake Stadler both crossed home plate. Stadler drove in Carpenter with a single and would score on a sacrifice by his brother, Luke. Tate Crawford took the loss on the...
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Summer is a time for kids to kick back, take a break from routine, and enjoy lazy days. It also, in many cases, is when learning loss- aka “The Summer Slide” can take place. Summer setbacks are nothing new regarding academics and the phenomenon has been researched by educators since the beginning of time. On average, student achievement can decline over the summer by up to a third of a prior year’s learning gains. Loss is usually greater in mathematics than reading, and higher grade leveled students are more noticeably affected than younger learners. The summer slide can be measured...
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The Vikings Junior Legion Cook County/Silver Bay team traveled to Barnum on June 17 and came away with a 13-6 win. Barnum got off to a 4-0 lead after the first inning of play. The Bombers led 4-2 after two and the score was tied 4-4 after three innings. Neither team scored in the fourth, but the Vikings scored two in the fifth, two in the sixth and five runs in the seventh to run away with the win. Jake Stadler pitched six innings for the Vikings. Jake allowed six runs, ten hits and struck out nine to pick up...
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Nearly perfect running weather greeted the participants in this year's 45th running of Grandma’s Marathon and 32nd year of the Garry Bjorklund half marathon with fast times recorded over both courses. Temperatures were in the low 60s and there was a nice tailwind helping the runners as they raced from Two Harbors to Duluth along the north shore of Lake Superior. Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Daniel Kemboi, a Kenyon living in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, won his third half marathon. Daniel ran the 13.1-mile race in 1:02:03, taking an 18 second victory over Kiya Dandena. Rosie Edwards won the women’s race...
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Last weekend North House Folk School hosted the 25th annual Wooden Boat Show, marking the start of summer, drawing thousands of guests to campus over the three days, and bringing together numerous community organizations and local businesses. “I want to thank this community for all the work and generosity that goes into making the Wooden Boat Show a success,” said Executive Director, Greg Wright, “It’s so much fun having neighbors and friends on campus as we celebrate 25 years of craft and community on the harbor.” On Friday night, the Grand Marais Lions Club hosted their 10th annual BBQ Fundraiser...
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The Grand Marais Playhouse is proud to present “We Will Rock You young@part” June 24-26 at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.. Tickets are adults and youth. Available at grandmaraisplayhouse.com. Youth in grades 3-8 have been learning 20 Queen songs since April and have put the show together in the last two weeks during the Playhouse’s June summer camp. “We Will Rock You young@part” features chart-topping Queen songs including “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Killer Queen,” “We Will Rock You,” “Somebody To Love,” “We Are...
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Talk about a tale of two halves. On Tuesday, June 21, visiting Deer River managed to put two runs on the scoreboard in each of the first three innings. Going into the fourth the Warriors led six nothing. Neither team scored in the fourth, but Cook County scored three in the fifth and four in the sixth to go up seven to six with one inning to play. It seemed like momentum was on the Vikings side, but Deer River batters pounded the ball hard on the seven and scored seven runs while the Vikings offense went dormant, and the...
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According to the Oxford Dictionary, TRUST is defined as “a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.” I’ve always been trusting, sometimes a little too much so, as I believe in the basic goodness of people. I value honesty, truth, and integrity, qualities encouraged by my family and friends. Well, usually. I didn’t trust my older brother as a child, mainly because he was mean to me. He hadn’t banked on a little princess usurping his role as the little prince of the household. He punched me in the stomach daily, teased me mercilessly,...
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Ever since I did my DNA and found that I was 35 percent Swedish, I have wanted to visit the country. I had the opportunity in May to go for ten days. Friends moved there about two years ago to a little town outside Stockholm called Orebro. I was enchanted by the Hellmark Family, Magnus, Mary, and their two daughters, Annika and Kaija. The entire family bikes to work and school every day. I did ride a bike but then crashed into a guardrail to avoid a pedestrian and was a little intimidated after that. The recycling program collects food...
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In a field of milkweed, Rob Perez sits with Mary the Monarch Butterfly. Rob Perez: Mary, thank you for taking the time. Mary: My pleasure. RP: Do you enjoy being a butterfly? M: It’s nice to finally be an adult. And flying is fun. RP: About that. Some say your flight pattern is, how shall we say, a bit erratic. M: I can migrate 3000 miles on these wings. RP: Boy, it didn’t take long for you to bring that up. M: Have you ever flown 3000 miles? RP: I have on a plane. Does that count? Mary rolls her...
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Grand Marais Public Library invites the public to a free, all-ages performance of Afoutayi Dance on Friday, June 24 at 10:30 a.m. at Cook County Higher Education. COMPAS Teaching Artists Afoutayi Dance, Music & Arts are dedicated to promoting knowledge and understanding of Haitian culture, history and traditional arts. They provide an hour of dance, Creole and French language music, drumming, storytelling, and education. Dancers engage in a playful, spontaneous interchange with the audience. Everyone is welcome to join the fun. Grand Marais Public Library extends thanks to CCHE for partnering on this program. Sponsored by Arrowhead Library System, it...
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I first became acquainted with Minnesota DNR Scientific and Natural Areas (”SNA’s”) I drove along Highway 61 from Duluth. There are two SNA’s showing up on signs as you drive by: Ionas Beach in Lake County and Sugarloaf Point in Cook County. When I was ready to sell my 22.95-acre Mississippi River Island, river milepost 1160, SE of Grand Rapids in Itasca County, I contacted the Nature Conservancy. They in turn contacted the DNR’s SNA folks, and very soon my island become the centerpiece of the Oxbow SNA. More about that later. What we don’t know from highway signs is...
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Jean Brislance captured this really neat picture of Red Squirrel sitting on a gorgeous cedar stump. “It was raining a bit at the time, and I love the texture of the wet, weathered wood.”
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Despite the showy antler displays and asserting of dominance over lesser bulls, the victor of a competition may not do as much of the breeding as has traditionally been thought. In moose, and in a number of other species of the deer family, female choice is an important factor. A bull’s social display can impress a cow to select that bull as her mate. This has the benefit of not depleting his strength by fighting other bulls. However, a cow can reject a bull that does not suit her and remain with a sub-dominant bull of her choosing. The social...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. John Timothy Oregan, 73, Eagan, Minnesota, pled guilty June 10, 2022, to one petty misdemeanor of Traffic Speeding 60/40, on June 4, 2022. Fines and fees total 5. Caleb Lee Gildner, 33, Breezy Point, Minnesota, pled guilty on...
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Despite outhitting Ely seven to one, the Cook County/Silver Bay Sr. Legion baseball team lost one to nothing (1-0) In a game played on Tuesday, June 14. Kole Anderson took the mound for the Vikings, and he pitched a tremendous game, allowing one hit, one walk, one run and striking out 13 over six innings. The game was called after six innings of play because of darkness. Ely sent three pitchers to the mound. Loe pitched three innings and got the win. He allowed five hits, no runs, while striking out three. Kruse pitched two innings and Cherry finished the...
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Baseball fans saw lots of action in the Tuesday, June 14 baseball game that pitted Ely against Cook County/ Silver Bay Jr. Legion. The high scoring contest ended with Ely taking a 17-9 win over seven innings of play. The Vikings were held scoreless through the first three innings as Ely took a 5-0 lead. In the top of the fourth the Vikings pushed three runs across the plate, but the Timberwolves countered with five more runs to go up 10-3. The JR Legion CC/SB Vikings rallied in the sixth with six runs. Four Vikings, Jake Stadler, Hunter Gomez, Jacob...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Mary Manning (Hovland) spent the week at Camp Ripley assisting with handgun training for the latest CO Academy. She also aided with the return of a canoe that had been lost...
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“The Flayed Man” by Jay Andersen is a gritty, fast paced procedural crime novel set on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. Riverplace Press is releasing the book in time to meet the wishes of readers looking for an exciting summer read. Riverplace is a custom publishing company helping authors craft, print, distribute and sell their books. They have published Lake Country Journal Magazine and hundreds of books on history, crime, philosophy, poetry, how-to, humor, mysteries, art, religion, and journals for over 25 years. Riverplace is known for strong author relationships, attention to detail, and high-quality design. Author...
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Minnesotans celebrate our nation’s independence each year on the Fourth of July with parades, backyard barbecues, family get togethers, camping and campfires, and yes, fireworks! Did you know that more than 30 percent of fireworks injuries is from sparklers? There is an average of 75 hospital visits each year in Minnesota due to fireworks injuries. Nearly 45 percent of fireworks injuries each year happen to children. Fireworks that explode or shoot into the air are illegal in Minnesota. • The Minnesota Department Public Safety and State Fire Marshal’s office recommend some things to keep in mind if you choose to...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Gitchi-Gami State Trail Association held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the completed 4.5-mile non-motorized, paved recreational trail segment from Cut Face Creek Wayside to Grand Marais on Tuesday June 14. Kicking the event off was Kevin Johnson, Two Harbors Assistant Area Supervisor, DNR Parks and Trails Division. “I have worked my entire career on this project,” Johnson said, thanking a crowd of 40-50 who attended the ceremony before turning the mic over to Phil Leversedge, Deputy Director of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Trails. Now living in...
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The 2022 Law Enforcement Torch Run was a shorter jaunt through Cook County this year, but it was just as important and meaningful as ever. Because there weren’t enough runners, the event didn’t start at the US Port of Entry but instead started in town, with several people carrying the Flame of Hope as a large group walked behind the Grand Marais Fire Fighting truck that led the way. In some years, Cook County Law Enforcement personnel would join their counterparts from Thunder Bay at the center of the Grand Portage US Port of Entry Pigeon River border crossing and...
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The Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission has approved the creation of a pilot ‘time-of-use’ rate for utility customers with electric vehicles who wish to charge their EVs at home. The purpose of the rate is to promote electric vehicles while responding to increased demand from electrification. The new rate is structured to incentivize charging during off-peak hours. During the period of 11p.m. to 8 a.m. electricity for charging EVs will be [post_excerpt].055/kWh, half of the general service rate. During all other hours (8 a.m.-11 p.m.), the price increases to [post_excerpt].30/kWh. There is an additional /mo. service charge to cover the...
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The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC) is pleased to announce Rebecca Graves has been appointed as the new Executive Director by ARAC’s board of directors. She will be joining the ARAC team August 1, 2022. Rebecca is a tribal enrolled citizen of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Prior to joining ARAC, Rebecca served as the Executive Director for the Boys & Girls Club of the Leech Lake Area, which includes four Clubs in Cass Lake, Walker, Onigum, and Deer River. She has previously served with the Leech Lake Tribal College as a Board of Trustee. Rebecca has spent close...
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North Shore Music Association welcomes multilingual vocalist/songwriter Eleanor Dubinsky and virtuoso Argentine guitarist Dario Acosta Teich on July 23, 7:00 p.m., at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. Bringing audiences together with fresh interpretations of jazz, Latin, French, popular, and original songs, this duo has been called “a bright light on the musical landscape” and “powerful magic.” They’ve been hailed for the way they grace the stage with performances that transcend genre and geography and celebrate the healing power of music. Called “a multilingual musician who can capture the emotions and soul of a community in a song” (NPR), vocalist,...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education...
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The Grand Marais Art Colony is seeking volunteers for the 31st Annual Grand Marais Arts Festival! This festival is truly a community effort, and we rely on volunteers to make it possible. The festival is July 9 and 10. Volunteer shifts are available before, during and after the event. Learn about volunteer shifts and sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044ea-bab29a5f49-arts1 All volunteers will receive a free t-shirt, which was designed by local artist Corrie Steckelberg this year!
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Cook County Higher Education is hosting a summer series of lunch and learn classes by the Cook County end of life doulas, A Better Death LLC. These classes are covering a range of topics intended to guide participants to a life lived with intention and educate on end-of-life issues. "Legacy Projects: What will work best for you?" will be held on June 16, at 11:30 to 1 p.m. Legacy is what you create in your life that you want to be remembered for. It can be thought of as a person's labor of love. This class is an introduction to...
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Taking a few hours away from the recent helter skelter of the office work at the Grandma’s Marathon headquarters, I attended a reunion for the North Shore Striders, a running club that has long since disappeared into the ether but a club that inspired the concept of starting a large marathon along the North Shore of Lake Superior. About 125 people returned from near and far, and for the first time since 1976, it was a chance for myself and four friends— two former college roommates— to reunite and rekindle our friendship. Among other things, our conversations volleyed from family,...
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Attention all Cook County property owners: there are seven community brush disposal sites located throughout Cook County that accept brush and vegetation from property owners. These sites are strategically located to give all county citizens the ability to reduce wildfire risk. With the weather events this spring, Firewise wants to remind all property owners they can dispose of wildfire fuels at locations across the county. There is no charge for disposing of vegetation and the sites are open all summer and fall. To keep the brush sites open and maintained, it is important that no trash, treated lumber, or stumps...
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Phase two of the work on the Parkside public water access in the Grand Maris Rec Park is progressing well. Last summer the city contractor KGM brought in, and installed rock followed by concrete work to finish the new break wall. A capped sidewalk was placed on the break wall to make it accessible to the public. This summer KGM will complete a parking lot, boat ramp, dock, stormwater management, and landscaping. Above, a crane is tamping down ribboned steel plates so the area can be “dewatered” so the concrete boat ramp can be built. Work is expected to be...
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Before he arrived in Grand Marais on June 15, 1922, on his quest to walk around the world in hopes of winning ,000, Charles Burkman was already a Canadian hero. Burkman drew my attention after a short write-up about his grand attempt appeared last week in the Cook County News- Herald Memory Lane. So, who was Charles Burkman? Charles Burkman was born in Port Arthur, Ontario, around 1900. In the winter of 1920-21, Charles found himself alone and out of work in Halifax. Bored and with little to dissuade him, Charles suggested to his friend William Leighton that they should...
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Ladies at North Shore Living gathered on Tuesday, May 3rd to fancify hats for our big Cook County horse derby. Friday, May 6th horses, owners and visitors gathered in anticipation to see who would win the Purse. At the sound of the bell eight pool noodle horses bolted, well sort of bolted out of the gate for fun-filled races complete with betting using Monopoly money all while enjoying refreshing Mint Julep’s. Our pool noodle horses Flicka, Fred, Betsy, Beauty, Tony, Gallop, Secretariat, and Mae jogged according to what their owners rolled on a die. They had to be careful not...
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While attending the George Morrison FDOI in Grand Portage and conversing with two other attendees, they both somewhat suddenly broke from our conversation and asked if I didn’t mind them talking about the postmaster of Grand Portage, Mary Deschampe. I said not at all, and I must say I have never heard customers speak in such high praise and admiration for a postmaster or any public servant. They began to tell me stories about Mary’s tenure as postmaster and her relationship to the community. The emotions that the two gentlemen spoke with I can still feel to this day. They...
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Sidney’ s Frozen Custard owner Bruce Block appeared before the Grand Marais City Council during the Public Comment period and asked the council to deny requests to set up food trucks on city owned property. Block said he has had the pleasure of eating at food trucks sitting on private lots but doesn’t want the city to make a policy allowing food truck owners to lease city owned land. He said he has been in business for 20 years and employs about 18 people when he is open for the tourist season. He added he pays taxes year-round and said...
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Minnesota gains jobs for the eighth straight month; Labor force participation rises again The unemployment rate ticked down two-tenths of a point to 2 percent in May 2022 – a new record low since the metric has been tracked in 1976, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The decline in the unemployment rate over the month was entirely due to people moving from unemployment to employment. The labor force participation rate rose from 68.3 percent to 68.4 percent. Nationally, the unemployment rate stayed the same at 3.6 percent and the labor...
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COVID-19 looks like it is here to stay. At least for the near future. This past week the county PHHS reported 24 new cases over the last seven days. That brought the total count to 1,060 since the start of the pandemic. Cook County has 3,209 folks who are up to date on their vaccinations. “Up to date” is the term that the Minnesota Department of Health began using March 2022 for those who have their regular shots and boosters. Case totals are reported by Cook County Public Health and Human Services and Grand Portage Health and Human Services. These...
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COOK STOVE AND OVEN FROM EARLY 1900s This cook stove and oven was photographed by Mary Bally in the mid 1920s. You can see that someone has been taking good care of this appliance; it is very clean. These stoves were used for cooking and baking, plus they provided room heat for a home or cabin.
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There is no nice way to say it. We have sacrificed the things that made Cook County special. Our working population is leaving. Our retired population is moving out to be with family that couldn’t stay. Not that they want to leave but they can’t live here. Living on the street is not a choice nor is living with mom or dad. Disappointment: Why keep trying to buy a home when each time (four, specifically) you are outbid. And why do you have to buy a home? Because there are no long-term rentals. What was your home is now a...
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Coffee by my side, I sit on the dock, overlooking North Arm Bay of Lake Minnetonka. It is 6:02 a.m. Everyone who writes about these sorts of times describes it as quiet and peaceful. They deliberately ignore the Hitchcockian quantities of birds hellbent on their morning song. It’s loud out here. A family of geese paddle somewhere slowly, honking. A loon calls someone, maybe his mother. I face east which means the sunrise is directly in front of me, just above the horizon. Sunrises are a bit like the Minnesota Vikings, best enjoyed with a gaze that I’ll call indirect....
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Rep. Rob Ecklund (O3A) and Grant Hauschild, a Hermantown City Councilor, were both in Cook County on Saturday, June 11, meeting with fellow DFLers on the rooftop at Sydney’s Frozen Custard on a warm, sunny day. Hauschild secured the unanimous endorsement for the Minnesota Senate District 3 DFL party on May 14. Currently Grant is the Executive Director of the Essential Health Foundation. He spent the day in Grand Marais knocking on doors, meeting with folks at Higher Education and the Farmer’s Market. He is seeking to fill the seat by Senator Tom Bakk, who has announced he won’t run...
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While the mission of a school will change little if at all over the course of time, policies, strategic planning and the vison statements should be reviewed and updated every two to three years, said Superintendent Chris Lindholm. With that instruction, the I.S.D. 166 school board started on a process to update the school’s vison statement last fall. It was an inclusive process that brought in voices and leaders from Grand Portage and the rest of the county, as well as teachers and staff. After listening sessions and reviewing pages and pages of input, the school board distilled it down...
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Doran Acero of Grand Marais qualified for the 2022 Spring Semester Dean’s List at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC) in Cloquet, Minnesota. Requirements for earning Dean’s List honors at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College include maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher while completing 12 or more course credits during the semester. Ave Volante of Tofte, Minnesota is one of 1700 students who was named to Bradley’s Dean’s List for the Spring 2022 semester. Volante is majoring in Nursing. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must achieve a minimum 3.5 grade point...
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Surprise! Surprise! Your loyal columnist is not the first person to wonder about Highway 61 and its environs. Cathy Wurzer had a PBS TV series entitled Tales of the Road Highway 61 and a 2008 book of the same title resulted (Minnesota Historical Society). There she tells us many things I did not know about the road by our homes. Included was reference to a Depression Era WPA survey of best road trips listing the North Shore Road first. But focusing on Wurzer’s Tales has my corpuscles jumping (thank you Gopher Coach Wacker). Still There. She identified 20 places of...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Teresa Marie Buchta, 44, Zimmerman, Minnesota, pled guilty on May 25, 2022, to two petty misdemeanors: 1) Traffic Speeding 74/60 and 2) Expired Vehicle Registration, on May 9, 2022. Fines and fees total 5. John Robert Stone, 73,...
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I read the following sentence in an Economist article titled "How rotten is Russia's army?" “Mr. Putin is rational, in that he wants his regime to survive.” I read that sentence and stopped. Something caught my attention: the reasoning behind the assertion. Writers can say such silly things. I’m atavistic. A hairless Neanderthal. With regards to survival, I see no need for linking “wanting to survive” to “rationality.” In propositional logic, the logician would construct the argument, “If and only if he is rational, then he wants to survive.” Or versa vice. But again, I say that survival need not...
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One of Cook County’s largest events of the year, the Lutsen 99er, returns June 24-26 with a new route following the region’s hydrological event this spring. As per years past, Highway 61 will be closed from approximately 7:25-8 a.m. the morning of June 25 during the start of the races near Ski Hill Road in Lutsen. Spectators are invited to gather at Fika Coffee in the Clearview building located in downtown Lutsen for the official Watch Party to cheer riders at the beginning of the race. Fika coffee, World’s Best Donuts, pancakes and camaraderie will be served. New this year,...
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With the arrival of warm weather, Cook County, MN will experience the influx of tourists, outdoor events and activities, and the inevitable road construction. While disruptive, these projects bring much needed improvements to the roads upon which we are so dependent. Harsh winter weather damages our roads, and there is a short window of time for repairs to be completed. We will announce upcoming road projects as they are approved. The first of which is the much-needed CR 45 Pike Lake Road Reconstruction. This will take place from May 23 through September 2022. The specific location will be CR 44...
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A casual breakfast conversation between former Scout leaders led to Mark Morgan’s boat-building hobby. A hobby that led him to spend the last ten months constructing a 20-foot-long, six-and-a-half foot-wide sailboat that will be shown this weekend at the North House Wooden Boat Show. From Roberts, Wisconsin, the retired 3M Engineer and his wife have lived in Cook County for the past seven years. “After our kids had grown up, a bunch of us Scout leaders continued meeting for breakfast, and one day one of them said he would like to build a canoe. We thought that was a great...
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It’s not the sunshine. Nor the golden color of the dandelion. Not the lazy blue sky overhead, the lush green grass beneath your feet, or the fur shedding off the purring cat that tells you it’s summer. Nope, it’s the thick smell of a leather glove and the sharp crack of a bat meeting a baseball and cheering from the throngs of people surrounded by the smell of hotdogs and beer that lets you know summer is finally unequivocally here. - Anonymous School is finally done and it’s time for American Legion baseball to begin. This past week the Cook...
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North House Folk School and Cook County High School shop teachers teamed up with four kids from CCHS to build and install a new bridge between the Cook County Community Center and the tennis courts. The workmanship is first rate, and the bridge is functional and good looking. Joe Williams and three other high schoolers Greta Roth, Kaj Erikson, and Robert Rodriguez were the young workers who did much of the hands-on work, but they had plenty of help. “We spent a school week down at North House Folk School cutting timbers under the direction of Peter Henrikson,” said Joe....
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WILDLIFE DISEASES: There are many diseases of wildlife, but I am only going to cover a few that are especially important to people. They are not strictly diseases of wildlife as domestic animals can become infected too; and both can infect people. Some of them can be deadly if not treated, but you really don’t want to get any of them. RABIES Rabies is probably known to nearly everyone as it is usually the first one mentioned in any discussion of wildlife diseases. Rabies has been known to be transmitted by animal bites for over 2,000 years. It can infect...
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The Northwoods Fiber Guild in Grand Marais, Minnesota will celebrate a milestone anniversary this year. The organization began in 1988 when a small group of knitters, weavers, spinners, and other fiber enthusiasts from Cook County gathered to share ideas, foster support, and eventually establish the Northwoods Fiber Guild. The vision of the original founders was to provide assistance and promote educational opportunities for members and the community. Thirty-four years later and still growing, the NFG continues their mission as “A non-profit organization for charitable, scientific, and education purposes, encouraging people to explore creativity with fibers in all varied forms.” Membership...
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Thomas J. Cummings, 86, of Tofte, died Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at the Benedictine Health Center in Duluth. Tom was born on August 10, 1935 in Walker, Minnesota, along with his twin sister, Patricia, to Ray E. and Bernice E. (O’Morrow) Cummings. Tom grew up in Lutsen, and graduated from Cook County High School in 1954, where he was very active in sports as a member of the football and ski teams. After high school, he traveled to Alaska where he joined the Air National Guard and was stationed in Anchorage for two years as a civilian supply officer. After...
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NEW TOFTE POSTMASTER New Tofte Postmaster Priscilla Revier (on the right) was sworn in by Tofte’s previous Postmaster Joyce Krueger at a ceremony and reception last week.
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Cook County Offices will be closed on Monday, June 20, 2022, in observance of Juneteenth. Todd Ford, Public Information Coordinator On June 19, 1865, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas finally received word that they were free from bondage. It had taken Union forces until that day to reach Texas in sufficient numbers to announce and enforce the federal order that ended slavery. Since that time, many Americans have observed and celebrated Juneteenth as Emancipation Day, a day of freedom. As stated, when signed into federal law as our...
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There was a meeting date wrong in the Cook County Connection article last week that talked about the budget process. The Public Health and Human Services budget will be presented at the regular monthly PHHS Board meeting on July 19. The special meeting on August 3rd was held last year. The Cook County News-Herald regrets the error.
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June 17-19 will be an exciting weekend on the campus of North House Folk School. The Wooden Boat Show, a tradition that began the same year as the folk school, returns to the Grand Marais harbor for the 25th year. “This event is always a celebration we look forward to at North House,” remarks Executive Director Greg Wright. “North House is all about people, and we are looking forward to welcoming friends and family from Cook County, Grand Portage, and around the region. Some highlights include: Friday night’s kickoff with a BBQ benefitting the Grand Marais Lions Club, featuring live...
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Woofs of joy! Years of sustained efforts by Cathy Quinn and the rest of the Go Dog North Shore (GDNS) board have culminated in the city soon having a dog park. On June 8, the Grand Marais City Council approved an agreement with Go Dog North Shore for construction of a three-acre dog park on city land. The new area will be built below the Water Tower across the street from the Horse Park, which once doubled as the dog park. Once the paperwork is completed, ground will be broken with the goal of completing the project this summer. But...
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On Friday, June 3, on the State Capitol grounds, Governor Tim Walz held a ceremonial bill signing for the Veterans & Military Affairs Finance bill. The legislation, authored in the House by Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls), invests significant new funding to address veteran homelessness, provides additional funding for Minnesota’s new veterans homes, and offers service bonuses to those who served during the post-9/11 Global War on Terror. “I’m deeply grateful for the bipartisan support our Veterans finance bill earned at the Capitol, but I’m more grateful for the courageous service and sacrifices by members of our Armed...
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20 YEARS AGOJUNE 14, 2002 v A Canadian woman hit the jackpot at Grand Portage Casino last Sunday, winning ,781,236.26 on a [post_excerpt] “Megabucks” wide-area progressive slot machine. (Or, in Canadian money that would be .3 million.) Joe Morris, slot technician at the casino, was the first on the scene after Barbara Harju rang up her win. He said she was “surprisingly calm.” A casino spokesman said there have been a number of large prizes awarded in the past, but nothing close to this one. v The Neegee arrived home June 10, where the Cook County Historical Society will move...
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When complete, new systems will be added to 511 traveler information sites As of June 13, motorists traveling in Northeastern Minnesota began coming across short-term lane closures as Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) stations are installed at ten different locations, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The new RWIS locations will be in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Lake, and St. Louis counties, including: Highway 61 near Grand Marais at Milepost (MP) 110.8 Hwy 38 near Marcell at MP 27.5Hwy 210 near Tamarack at MP 186.3I-35 near Moose Lake at MP 216.0Hwy 2 near Gowan at MP 225.1Hwy 1 near...
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A group of concerned Cook County citizens held a March For Our Lives at noon starting in the Grand Marais Harbor Park on June 11, 2022, joining hundreds of other folks from cities and towns who held similar marches to protest gun violence in our communities. The first March for Our Lives was held in 2018 after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas school in Parkland, Florida. Among other things marchers called on legislators to pass Universal Background Checks and support legislation that would invest in mental health professionals, special workers, and nurses instead of police in schools.
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Odyssey Resorts is hosting a celebration perfect for beer lovers and fans of the North Shore of Lake Superior this Father’s Day Weekend. The Hopped-Up Caribou Brewfest is back this summer at Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen June 16-19, 2022. North Shore favorites like Ursa Minor, Blacklist Brewing Co., Bent Paddle Brewing Company, Castle Danger Brewery, Wild State Cider, Earth Rider Brewery, Warrior Brewing Company South Shore Brewery, Hoops Brewing Company, Voyageur Brewing Company, Duluth Cider, Canal Park Brewing, Fulton Brewing and North Shore Winery and Sawtooth Mountain Cider House will be on site all weekend. In addition to beer...
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One of the great songbirds of the Northland is the Chestnut-sided Warbler. The male Warbler seems to cry out, “Pleased, pleased, pleased to meet you.” And of course, we are equally pleased to meet this sweet little fellow.
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Cook County’s local public health team has played a crucial role in responding to COVID-19 over the past two years. Our approach has been collaborative. Local public health provides partners in the community with evidence-based information on pandemic-related topics such as infection control and recommendations for what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 or are exposed to someone who is infectious with COVID-19. We have also helped people access resources such as testing, masks, and vaccination. All our work has been in partnership with our healthcare agencies: Grand Portage Health Services, North Shore Health, and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic....
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When asked about her new job, Heather Boyd was happy to talk about it. On June 2, 2022, Bert Frost, the National Park Service Regional Director, announced that the “acting” superintendent tag was removed from her title, and she is now the new superintendent of the Grand Portage National Monument in Grand Portage. “I am excited to welcome Heather to Grand Portage as the new superintendent,” said Frost. “Her management and administrative skills related to park operations, in addition to her ability to navigate complex cultural resource issues make her an outstanding selection for this park.” Following that announcement Heather...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites Minnesotans interested in fishing, wildlife and outdoor skills to tune into upcoming webinars that will discuss aquatic invasive species and foraging wild edibles along the North Shore of Lake Superior. The first webinar on aquatic invasive species will be at noon Wednesday, June 15. Join April Rust, aquatic invasive species training coordinator, to learn about the challenges presented by invasive species, why it’s important to prevent their spread and ways to help protect Minnesota waters. The second webinar on foraging wild edibles along the North Shore will be at noon Wednesday, June 22....
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Cleanup following a storm can be an overwhelming task for homeowners. If trees have been damaged, knowing which to save and which to remove can enhance people’s safety and the survival of remaining trees, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. When addressing storm-damaged trees: Do: • Use caution when approaching damaged trees. If there are downed wires, stay clear and call 911. • Carefully inspect standing trees for damage and address hazardous trees first. Hazardous trees have detached or loosely hanging branches and split or cracked trunks that can cause injury or damage to property. • Remove trees...
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Boreal Community Media is happy to announce that we are offering free community tech support events twice a week at The Hub (Grand Marais Senior Center) throughout the summer starting on Monday, June 6th. The schedule for these free walk-in tech support events is as follows: Monday: 8:00-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-4:00 p.m. Thursday: 12:30-4:00 p.m. Anyone from the community is welcome to come in for free 1:1 tech support assistance. Bring your devices and your questions! We hope to see you there! Due to the high transmission level of COVID in the community, The Hub asks that you wear a...
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Downtown Grand Marais is seeing a flurry of new business openings, and the newly reinvigorated Cook County Chamber of Commerce, led by Director Linda Jurek, is lending its support and helping get the word out. Last month the Chamber welcomed North Shore Laundry Services, a new commercial laundry service located in Cedar Grove Business Park, with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. That was followed this month by two events on June 1; a ribbon-cutting for the grand opening of The Sweetwater Co., a trendy and inviting women’s boutique at 8 Broadway, and the inaugural Chamber Connect bi-monthly networking event at Voyageur Brewing...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled area lakes and accesses. Manning also attended training, handled equipment maintenance and took a call regarding concerns over commercial netting of fish. She also took a report...
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The Cook County/ Silver Bay Sr. Legion baseball team played a great game against the Legion team from Aurora but fell 1-0 in a pitcher’s duel. The game was played in Aurora on Monday, June 13. Aurora scored one run in the third inning and that was enough to win the game. The lone run came off a single by No. 15. He stole second and then took third base on a ground out to Carpenter who threw to Patrick Pierre at first base for the out. No. 15 scored on ground out to Sandstrom at third who threw to...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is offering free admission to all 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas Saturday, June 11. This “Free Park Day” is one of four days each year on which the DNR waives the requirement for a vehicle permit to enter state parks and recreation areas. The entrance fee waiver does not cover activities like camping, rentals or tours. The goal of Free Park Days is to get all Minnesotans outdoors. Research shows that spending time outdoors in nature provides multiple health and wellness benefits. “Minnesota state parks and recreation areas are open year-round to...
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Cook County senior miler (1600 meters) runner Anna Hay took third place at the section 7A track meet to just miss a trip to the state track meet. The top two in each event move on to state, which will be held June 9-11 at St. Michael-Albertville High School. The section track & field meet was held at UMD Malosky Stadium in Duluth on Thursday, June 2. Anna ran 5:47. Lamar Gordon of Two Harbors won the event with a time of 5:32.44. Two Harbors and Cook County combine their cross country running teams, so Anna and Lamar are teammates...
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Three years are nearly up, and it’s time to revisit the county’s vacation rental policy, said Tim Nelson, Cook County Land Director. Nelson was talking to the county board on May 24. He came before the commissioners to present the Vacation Rental Steering Committee (VRS), which was formed at the county board’s request on April 26, 2022, to develop and recommend back to the board a framework for a full review of the counties Vacation Rental Program. The first step will be to find a diverse group of people to serve on the full vacation rental review committee, said Nelson....
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A new restaurant opened its doors in Grand Marais just in time for the rush of summer tourists. “We are shooting for a June 1 open,” said Alex Giudice and Christine Sayler, who were busy painting the front of the building on a cold Wednesday two weeks ago. Despite their best efforts, the opening was delayed a few days to Saturday, June 4. The new eatery is called the Superior Creamery and is located in the former Inga and Lena’s at 5 N. Broadway Ave. Christine and Alex are leasing the building from Superior North, LLC. “We’re serving handmade ice...
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I am writing this letter to express my concerns and wonderment about a maintenance issue I have observed developing last summer that got noticeably worse this spring. That is the washout and deterioration along the street piling on the harbor side of the Coast Guard parking lot. At this time the public can no longer walk safely along side the street from the parking lot to the Trading Post due to the exposed anchor rods, electrical eon unit and most of all a park bench that is no longer useable due to the washout next to it. As a tourist...
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Planning for the fiscal year (FY) 2023 County budget began in April again this year— two months earlier than has been our usual practice. The reasons for the early start are to give departments more time to fit budget planning into their schedules, to give county administration more time to discuss changes with departments, and more time for the county board to review and react to requests prior to the state deadline for proposed levies on September 30, 2022. The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved the new 2023 budget calendar on April 12. Highlights of the calendar are: a...
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Arrowhead (Electric) Cooperative will have a new board member representing Lutsen/ District 6. Sharon Hexum-Platzer defeated Tom Rider to take the spot held by Scott Harrison who had fulfilled his board term limit. Two incumbents Mike Valentini won Gunflint Trail/District 3 seat uncontested, and Don McKeever won Schroeder/District 7 seat uncontested. Member owners were invited to attend the Arrowhead Cooperative’s annual meeting held Saturday, June 4. The meeting was held at the Cook County High School gymnasium. In addition to the election of Directors, the amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws passed as well. The morning started with...
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Dave and Stephanie Shea are the new owners of Cross River Lodge, purchasing the business from John and Rose Schloot this past winter. The couple wasted no time renaming the business Borderland Lodge, its original namesake. “The Schloots said they wanted to change the name back to Borderland Lodge, but the name was registered to someone in Ely,” said Stephanie. “We found out about the original name when we were up here for closing this past February. John [Schloot] mentioned that he had always wanted to change it back, but the name had not been available through the Secretary of...
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Recently Don Davison took this picture near his home on Devil Track Lake. He said, “I went down to the shore to photograph the sunset when this unknown guy paddled by in a canoe. “The atmosphere reminds me of those idealistic postcards from the 1950s and 1960s.”
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Over the past few years, residents Cook County have noticed an increase in tourism, as well as new residents, moving to the area and we all know why people come here. It is beautiful, it is wild, and it is precious. But this increase in “loving this area” has been presenting many challenges in preserving and protecting these invaluable natural resources. Cook County Coalition of Lake Associations (CCCoLA) is an action-oriented independent organization made up of Cook County Lake and Road Associations. It serves as an umbrella group that brings these associations together to focus on issues of common interest...
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The Otto Bremer Trust recently announced grant winners and two non-profits were from Cook County. The Sawtooth Mountain Clinic was awarded ,000 to provide and expand dental care and education to low-income children, young adults, expectant mothers, and seniors. Cook County Council on Aging, Inc received ,000 for general operations to provide meals and programs to Cook County’s elderly and individuals living with disabilities. All told, the Otto Bremer Trust awarded ,090,773 in grants and program-related investments as part of its most recent grantmaking cycle. “The grant recipients are making a positive impact in their communities, and we are impressed...
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Both Cook County Public Health and Grand Portage Health Services note that we are currently seeing an increase in the number of COVID- 19 cases locally, with 40 cases reported in the past seven days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to note that there is a medium level of COVID- 19 in Cook County, however, based on the number of over-the-counter positive tests reported locally this past week, the level of COVID-19 would be more accurately defined as “high.” When there is a high level of COVID-19 spreading in the community, masks are recommended in all...
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20 YEARS AGOJUNE 7, 2002 v With a common goal of protecting the forest ecosystem, about 30 people attended a Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness organizational meeting on Thursday, May 30, at the 4-H building on the Cook County fairgrounds in Grand Marais. The meeting took place in the evening following a dinner held next door in the Community Center for Green Party gubernatorial candidate Ken Pentel. NMW is a wilderness advocacy group founded in 1996; it is headquartered in Ely. v On May 22, the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR) notified the City of Grand Marais that a grant...
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More than 100 people gathered at Harbor Park on Saturday, June 6 at 5 p.m. to participate in the Pride 2022 celebration, sing some songs, listen to some speeches and participate in a march through town. Events leading up to the march started at 11 a.m. with a dance class held at the YMCA. At noon posters, shirt making, face painting and other arts and crafts were held at the Art Colony’s Studio 21 building downtown Grand Marais. At 3 p.m., an Allyship program was held at Cook County Higher ed. Even though there were a few clouds in the...
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With Andy Feddema’s resignation, the boys’ basketball team was in need of a new head coach. Andy’s Assistant Coach Keaton Riley applied for the position and was recently hired to fill in for the popular Feddema, who is leaving to teach school in Jordan, Minnesota. Said Andy of the hire, “He (Keaton) was my assistant last year. I believe he will do great in this role.” When interviewed about his new position as head coach, Keaton replied, “I am excited for this opportunity. I love this community and I am very excited to have a much larger footprint than just...
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Morgan Starkey had a tremendous senior year on the softball field for the Vikings. The slick-fielding senior shortstop had a team high .323 batting average, stole ten bases, and led the Vikings team in on base percentage, RBIs, and hits. Starkey’s great on-field play was noted by area coaches who selected the All-Conference team. And this year, when the voting was done, Starkey was named to the Polar League Big School All-Conference team. In addition, Starkey was the only Viking named to the 2022 all-conference squad this year. Starkey was also named to the Polar League All-Conference team in volleyball,...
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Kole Anderson ended his fall football season by being named to the All-District First Team and he finished his spring baseball season by being the only Vikings named by area coaches to the Polar League All-Conference baseball team. He will represent Cook County in a Polar League All-Star game on June 21, at 1:00, at Wade Stadium in Duluth. The hard-hitting junior led the team in home runs and when he wasn’t behind the plate catching, he was on the pitcher’s mound pitching relief. His quickness and arm strength make it hard for runners to steal bases when he’s behind...
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If you take financial advice from this column, in the future, you may not be able to afford to read this column. That said… let’s talk digital currencies. There are more than 18,000 cryptocurrencies on the market but what is it? Most agree it’s a digital currency that operates outside the traditional government/ banking control, instead using public ledgers known as blockchains. But did you know that anyone can make a digital currency with a little coding? Yes, you and I can make our own digital currency. Late Show host Stephen Colbert’s crypto is called Ijustmadethatupeum. But is it a...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education...
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The Grand Marais Garden Club is a group of about 45 plant enthusiasts who are meeting monthly to share our love of all things garden related. We started up again this April, enjoying a fun Easter Make and Take together. Following our annual Spring Luncheon in May, we will resume meeting the second Monday of the month at 10 a.m. at the Johnson Heritage Post. Mark your calendars now if you would like to join us on June 13. After a brief meeting at the Johnson Heritage Post we will be going on a guided wildflower hike and then having...
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The Grand Marais Public Library launches its Read Off the Beaten Path summer reading program on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Kids ages zero to 18 can choose between several ways of tracking their reading and learning activities and earning free books and other prizes. All the materials and instructions will be available at the library throughout the summer, so kids can start their chosen program any time. Families can also register online to have a reading log mailed to them at www.grandmaraislibrary.org/kids.php. In addition to reading logs, the library will have theme-related activities and special events all summer long, including:...
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SOVIETS VISIT COOK COUNTY Two groups of Soviets visited Cook County last week. Russian bicyclists and musicians (pictured above) toured the North Shore Drive and Gunflint Trail. They hailed from Duluth’s sister city, Petrozavodsk. Lithuanian veterans of the Afghanistan conflict also attended an honor ceremony at the Rendezvous Days Pow Wow.
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Grand Marais Park Board members met Tuesday, June 7, and briskly discussed a broad agenda. Grand Marais Parks and Rec Director David Tersteeg stated business at the municipal campground for May “was strong” despite being cold and wet, adding a lot of firewood was sold to campers. Relative to last year, business is up at the rec park, noted Tersteeg. And based on reservations, business overall could be up for the year, but it was too early to tell because cancellations are also up. Tersteeg noted fuel prices and weather had played the biggest reason for cancellations. New park board...
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Despite the tumultuous last two pandemic years, North House Folk School has managed to stay in the black financially each of those years. That was one of the main messages North House Folk School Director Greg Wright delivered to the Grand Marais City Council on Wednesday, May 25. As part of the city’s lease agreement with the folk school, North House is required to present an annual report to the city council, and Wright welcomed the chance to fill the council in on the happenings at the school. Last year, 2021, was a challenge, with the school campus closed for...
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During Take a Kid Fishing weekend (Friday, June 10 to Sunday, June 12) Minnesota residents can fish without licenses if they take children 15 or younger along. “Fishing together with kids is a fun way to spend time in the outdoors,” said Benji Kohn, volunteer mentor program coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “Making great memories can be as easy as finding some rods and reels, finding or buying worms for bait, and heading to a nearby lake to give fishing a try.” Youth 15 and younger do not require fishing licenses at any time of the year,...
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Like the visitor who shows up at your house and won’t go away, COVID-19 seems like it’s here to stay. Cook County has topped the 1,000 mark in COVID-19 cases, reaching 1036 since the start of the pandemic. That number was released by Cook County Public Health and Human Services on June 2. Weekly numbers are tabulated and released every Thursday, and the prior week there was 28 reported cases occurring in the county. Of the roughly 5,600 Cook County residents, 3,190 are up to date on their vaccinations. Case totals reported by Cook County Public Health and Human Services...
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Sweet as sugar, with fur as soft as fluffy cotton, Super Mario is the friendly greeter at the Beaver House Bait and Tackle shop in Grand Marais. Beaver House owner Tyson Cronberg says Super Mario is 12 years old, born on May 4, 2010. Tyson doesn’t go anywhere without taking Super Mario with him. The two are virtually inseparable, keeping Super Mario’s tail wagging joyfully. Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757,...
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If one combined the traits of ham-fistedness with clumsiness, you might come up with something like Kubrick’s ape in «2001.» Unable to stand upright, throwing his arms around, just getting used to the grip. Maybe that›s more heavy-handed. Maybe a better image is a bear at the trashcan. Not that I’m hairy, or apish, or dumb necessarily (my brother says I’m “considerably less dumb” than I “look”). Just that I take up a lot of space for a little guy; I’m not cognizant of my complete surroundings; I get dizzy. I bump and stumble. And if I do become clumsy,...
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My apologies—right up front. I promised myself I wouldn’t be political, but I can’t remain silent. I can’t for the life of me understand why any civilian needs an assault weapon in their home. Defense against invasion? Our cabin was deluged by mice, and we defended it with plastic traps. When we were invaded by sugar ants, it seemed overkill to go after them with my AR-15. Especially since I don’t have one. Terro to the rescue! The world was safe when I was young. I’d come home from school, change clothes, then head out to play until Mom called...
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The North Shore Health Care Foundation (NSHCF) will be hosting the 2nd Annual Taste of the Trail Picnic Adventure in support of its Justine Kerfoot Memorial Endowment Fund, on Sunday, June 26. The event is a culinary scavenger hunt of sorts, starting in Grand Marais and making your way up the legendary Gunflint Trail collecting courses at iconic Trail venues, ending at the Gunflint Lodge to collect your main course. “This is such a fun and unique Cook County experience and an easy way to support a variety of health and emergency services programs locally,” said Valerie Marasco Eliasen, Executive...
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About the letter that democrats have your back. Democrats have your back so they can stick a knife in it! All this stuff about being the party of unity and every chance they get spewing vile hate and lies. Joe Manchin saved this country from spending 3.5 billion more dollars we don't have on democratic pie in the sky. This rollback of abortion rights has not even officially been decided. As for my gun rights, just try and come and take them! The second amendment is absolute! Keep voting democrat and continue this freefall into socialist depravity. Biden has us...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checking anglers on area lakes. He responded to complaints and attended an equipment meeting. Enforcement action was taken for angling violations. CO Mary Manning (Hovland)...
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Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) through the Public Health Fund. To be considered for the Public Health Fund, applicants should align their requests with goals identified through the Cook County Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan. Areas that align with these goals are: •Access to specialty medical services •Behavioral health •Safe and stable housing •Services for elders •Services for families with young children •Substance abuse Cook County PHHS has statutory authority to contract with agencies to provide services that promote public health, safety, general welfare, security, prosperity, or contentment for the...
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In the cooler months, Uncle Tony is a staple around the house. Uncle Tony’s usually up at dawn, sipping coffee, enjoying the sunrise, reading the paper. Then you might not see Uncle Tony until the evening. More often than not, Uncle Tony skips happy hour and dinner altogether, emerging to read to the kids, helping with bath time. On the weekend Uncle Tony might cozy up for a movie. But Uncle Tony is not a fan of the warmer weather. One of the first unofficial signs of summer are when it heats up outside and Uncle Tony goes to the...
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The Superior Hiking Trail’s Bean and Bear Lakes overlook, one of the most popular hikes on the Northshore, needs the community’s help. The Superior Hiking Trail Association will be rerouting this section of trail to higher and drier ground to protect this beautiful hike and make this stretch of trail more sustainable and hiker friendly. We are in need of 150 volunteers during the two-week project that runs from June 15-26 near Silver Bay, Minn. The Superior Hiking Trail is an incredible community asset that has connected hundreds of thousands of people to the North Shore. The trail bolsters the...
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Republicans in the Senate and the House of Representatives represent fewer citizens than their Democrat, Progressive and Independent colleagues and yet they are throttling legislation that would save lives. A radical arch conservative majority on the Supreme Court coupled with radical Republican appointees on lower courts is exercising minority rule of the judicial branch and they are signing away on the deaths of Americans across the country. Raped? You will carry to term for Amy Comey Barret and company because you are here to ensure a “domestic supply of infants’ ‘ - will you die, maybe? Do they care? No....
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Up 5-1 after four innings of play, the Vikings seemed in control of the Section 7A playoff game against Northeast Range Nighthawks, but a late rally by Northeast was just enough to give them the victory. On Tuesday, May 31, the game was held in Cohassett at Portage Park. Both teams scored one run in the first. Northeast scored when Micio Maki singled on a 1-1 count to drive in a run. Mico was 3-4 on the day. In the bottom of the first following a strikeout by Amos Falter, Paul Dorr doubled. Hunter Gomez struck out swinging by Elliot...
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Grand Marais Pottery opened this past week at 429 E. 5th Street in Grand Marais. Mike Smieja is hoping to have some small buildings on site in the next few weeks. For now, Mikes artistic craftwork is on display and for sale next to the Beaver House in downtown Grand Marais.
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The Arrowhead Electric Cooperative Board has recently taken upon itself to amend the “Articles of Incorporation and Cooperative By Laws” without the involvement of the cooperative’s owner members. As an owner-member, you should have recently received a red-line copy of these revisions to be accepted by vote at this year’s annual meeting on Saturday, June 4th. Three board chair positions are also up for election, two running unopposed, with one to fill a position that has run the 12 year term limit. Some inclusions of significant interest: *Board term limits will increase from (4) three-year terms to (6) three-year terms....
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Ol’ Henry David wrote about sucking the marrow out of life, where life is a bone, a beef shank, or a whitetail femur, and the marrow was some terrific umami manna, a nourishing essence. Old Jam Juice (that’s what Joyce called himself in Finnegans Wake) called the rare, special moments “epiphanies.” Those times when meaning and essence and reality were revealed, or illuminated or manifest. Frankl described man’s conundrum clearly, in a later generation, after the death camps, after the midnight of the last century: “No instinct tells him what he has to do, and no tradition tells him what...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites anglers and others to comment through Friday, July 15, on fisheries management plans for several lakes in the Finland fisheries work area. In Cook County, the Four Mile Lake plan will include an update of fisheries information and a review of sampling frequency. In Lake County, the Eighteen Lake plan will include an update of fisheries information and a review of walleye stocking; the South McDougal Lake and Highland Lake plans will include an update of fisheries information and a review of sampling frequency. The DNR will use comments and suggestions from the...
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My parents recently brought me maple sap. I was thinking of drinking it for all the nutritional health benefits but then decided I would “get back to my roots” by attempting to cook the sap into syrup. If you understand the ratio of 40 to 1, you would know what I discovered, 1.5 GALLONS of sap makes 4 OUNCES of syrup. I managed to stretch the supply of my precious gold one teaspoon at a time over bacon-wrapped pork medallions, one waffle, and a sweetener in my blueberry tea. Needless to say, I will leave the syrup making to the...
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The first Catholic Church to be built in the Grand Marais area, St. Francis Xavier Church, has stood in the same spot looking out over Lake Superior since 1895. Known to many at the time as the “Chippewa Church”, it served as the only Catholic parish from the time it was built in 1895 through 1916, when a second Catholic church was built in the Grand Marais village. Father Joseph Specht, SJ., oversaw the building of the church and much of the money raised to finance the building came from basket socials. Community members made the baskets by hand from...
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Every June, ultra-runners from across the globe descend on Olympic Valley, California for one of the most competitive, and oldest, 100-mile trail running races in the world. Starting near the shores of Lake Tahoe, the Western States Trail climbs more than 18,000 feet and descends nearly 23,000 feet before runners finish their journey in Auburn, California, aptly appointed the “Endurance Capital of the World.” With temperatures frequently breaking 100° Fahrenheit, runners face a host of challenges as they traverse the high country of Emigrant Pass and the Granite Chief Wilderness to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Last year, Drew...
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Many residents of Cook County now think of the Community Center as “the place I went to get my COVID vaccine”. It is true, the Community Center has been a vital part of Cook County’s amazing implementation of a massive vaccination program. The Arena was a constant hive of activity as the clinic and public health staff faithfully administered vaccines to members of the Community. In addition to providing space for mass vaccinations and a staging area for emergency management operations, what does the Community Center have to offer the residents of Cook County and how does one go about...
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Grand Marais Public Utilities Customers will experience two brief electrical power outages: Monday, June 6th around 5:30 am (estimated 2-5 minute outage) Wednesday, June 8th around 3:00 pm (estimated 2-5 minute outage) Great River Energy is replacing transmission lines that feed the Grand Marais Public Utilities substation. During their maintenance project, Grand Marais public utilities will be operating the Grand Marais Power Plant in coordination with Great River Energy’s plant in Colvill. If you have any questions, please call Patrick Knight at 218-387-1848 or email communications@grandmarais.city.
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Ariana Marie Poyirier, 18, Grand Portage, Minnesota, pled guilty on May 19, 2022, to a petty misdemeanor of Driving After Suspension of Driver’s License on March 1, 2022. Fines and fees total 5. Daniel S. Jungen, 27, Lake...
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“Me and the Shoe Lake Road have to take a break from each other,” said weary finisher Jay Decoux who was slumped over the handle bars of his mountain bike as he talked last Saturday. Normally cheerful, the Grand Marais Mayor had just finished the 110-mile Le Grand Du Nord bicycle race, which started and ended at the bottom of 3rd Avenue West next to Voyageur Brewery. A former high school wrestler, Jay looked like he had wrestled with a very large muddy pig and lost. And lost badly. “Was there a lot of washouts on the Shoe Lake Road?”...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds hikers, campers and others recreating outdoors to be aware of bears and learn how to prevent conflicts. Minnesota is bear country, but people can peacefully share the outdoors with bears by paying attention to where and when they are most likely to encounter bears. Black bears are naturally cautious animals that typically avoid human contact for their own safety; however, it’s important to be proactive to prevent human-bear conflicts. “Coexistence with bears is completely possible with a few easy steps that anyone can follow,” said Andrew Tri, bear project leader. “The key things...
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The Grand Marais-Cook County Airport Advisory Commission is actively recruiting qualified candidates to fill two Commissioner positions that have recently been vacated. Alternates are also being sought. This Commission was established to advise the County Board and educate the community on the development and use of aeronautics, determine the mission and goals of the airport, develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures, and maintain a long-range plan for airport services. Applicants for the Commissioner positions should have experience in one or more of the following areas: background as a pilot, a career related to aviation, business acumen and/or participation in...
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Our beloved Auntie Donna passed away peacefully with family at her side, on Saturday May 21, 2022. She was one month short of her 97th birthday. She was born to Aleda Marie (Lindberg) Joynes and John Thomas Joynes in Grand Marais, Minnesota on June 24, 1925. She was the youngest of 6 siblings, Floyd, Howard, Glenn, Norman, and her sister Irma (Joynes) Toftey. She was predeceased by husband of 33 years, Edward Charles Willett, nephew Richard Joynes and niece Glenda Eliasen (Joynes). She is survived by nieces and nephews: Harley (Shele) Toftey, James Toftey, Elizabeth (Jerry) Coughlin, Skip Joynes, William...
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Seven hundred mountain bikers took part in the Saturday, May 28 Le Grand Du Nord annual gravel grinding event that started in Grand Marais. Racers entered in either the marathon, the 54-mile race or pedaled the 110-mile event. They finished across the street from Voyageur Brewing Company, where an after-party was held. Riders in the 110 mile event climbed more than 5,500 feet as they made their way through the forested back roads. Each event used Heck/ Le Grand principles of cue card/GPS navigation system. Riders were self supported. Le Grand Du Nord is one of Cook County’s four established...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education...
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Chloe says, “What do you mean I can’t help with the Jackson Pollock puzzle? With the swish of my tail, these little pieces take flight. They are wonderful to chew on too if you can get one into your mouth. With my paws, I can push the puzzle pieces around and move them to the very edge of the table. Then I like to watch them fall to the floor.” Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County...
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June berry blossoms are flowering which means sun-sweetened June berries should be ripe for the picking sometime mid-July.
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Playing an opponent they know all too well— many of the kids play together on a summer team—the Cook County Boys’ baseball squad ended their regular season with two wins over the Mariners on Friday, May 27, in Grand Marais. The Vikings took a 2-1 lead after one inning of play in the first game. Hunter Gomez and Jacob Dorr hit doubles in the first to drive in the two runs. Junior pitcher Paul Dorr had a great game on the mound. The junior right-hander gave up three hits and one run in six and one-third innings. Kole Anderson came...
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Cook County High School Track and Field Coach April Wahlstrom’s boys and girls track teams did quite well at the MSHSL Section 7A sub-section track meet held May 26 at Mesabi East High School, but no one did better than Ryan Christianson. The junior sprinter won the 100 and 200-meter races to qualify for the Section meet. If Ryan finishes in the top two sections, he will be eligible to run in the state meet. Ryan’s winning times at sub-sections for the 100 meters were 11.64 and 24.22 for the 200 meters. MaCoy Fairbanks ran 13.22 and Talon DeBoer 14.26...
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The 50th season of the Grand Marais Playhouse continues with a loaded summer season, full of opportunities for our community and visitors to enjoy live theater! The production of We Will Rock You young@part will transition into a summer camp open to anyone in grades 3 and up. Participation is free. The lead characters have been cast but there are great chorus roles to fill and set, props, costumes, lights and sound will be needed to complete the production. The summer camp runs June 13- 24, 9-3 p.m. with public performances on June 24 and 25 at 7 p.m. Registration...
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You never know who is going to show up at your door! “Mr. Stubs stopped by for a look,” said Suzanne and John Davies of Lutsen.
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What kind of offspring is produced when you cross a brilliant mathematics and computer science educator (Jane) with a humorous, hardworking, community minded man (Walt) who had a penchant for wearing Santa Claus outfits and clown costumes? You get John Mianowski of course. Or “Bing”, the highly competent reservations manager and technical whiz at Cascade Lodge, who doubled as a tenacious sound production guy and a bassist who was methodical about dissecting a piece of music to learn and perform it to perfection, all while wearing his signature Zubaz and neon-colored t-shirts. He saw humor in virtually everything he observed....
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The Tobacco Ordinance adopted by the county board of commissioners on November 16, 2019, was amended by the county board on May 24, 2022. Before adopting the updated version, commissioners heard from Grand Portage RBC member John Morin, who talked about the importance of tobacco to the indigenous culture. Morin said kids can take part in traditional sacred ceremonies involving tobacco, but elders teach the kids about the misuse and dangers of tobacco, so they know the difference. He asked for a provision in the ordinance to acknowledge this, and his concerns and that of the Grand Portage Band were...
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John T. Mianowski passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2022. John was born February 17, 1956, to Jane and Walter Mianowski. He was an only child. After graduating from Cook County High School in 1974 John attended the University of Minnesota. While living in the Twin Cities John played bass guitar for a number of rock bands. Much like his mother Jane, John was a wizard at math and computers. At some point John moved to Greenville, Texas to pursue a career in computer programming for an IT company. Sometime around 2010 or so, he returned to Cook County where...
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Ann Cartmell Hussey, 82, passed away Tuesday, May 17 at Ohio Valley Manor in Ripley, Ohio. Ann was born November 9, 1939, in Carrollton, Kentucky to the late Richard Bacon and Gladys Graham Cartmell. Survivors include her husband of 63 years, John Castle “Jack” Hussey, sons, John Patrick (Marsha) Hussey of Pittsburgh, Michael Hussey of Maysville and Richard Graham (Christina) Hussey of Saint Charles, Illinois. Ann is also survived by grandchildren Christopher Hussey, Alexandra Hussey, John Hussey, Olivia Hussey, Aidan Hussey and Genevieve Hussey. In addition to her parents, Ann was predeceased by her sister, Jean Vinson Cartmell Lemme Masten...
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This photo is from Mary Bally’s scrap book and was taken around 1925 at the Ashburn Field air show. The US Army TC-3 Class Blimp was used for parasitic fighter trials conducted in 1923-24. The parasite fighter planes were air launched by carrier aircraft to support primary missions. A single biplane was equipped with a skyhook to engage the control carriage of the blimp using a temporary trapeze connection.
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20 YEARS AGOMAY 31, 2002 The Gunflint Trail Association, made up of 23 lodges and outfitters, has leased space in the former Almost Home Appliance and Sales building, and will establish a visitor information center in the space. Java Moose coffee shop will occupy half of the building, which will be open seven days a week. v Spring has finally arrived and although we got off to a slow start, tree planting is under way throughout the county. The Grand Marais area DNR Forestry staff had 130 acres of planting to do in Cook County this spring. Approximately 93,000 conifers...
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A memorial Service for David Hahn will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hovland on June 11 at 2 p.m. Visitation will begin at 1p.m.
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Kenneth Langley Skoog, age 89, passed away May 30, 2022. Born on June 12, 1932, in St. Luke’s Hospital, Duluth, Minnesota, he is the son of the late Victor Skoog and the late Helga Morck Skoog. Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, his youngest son, Bill, and half-sister Daisy. He is survived by half-brother Harvey Morck of Grand Marais, daughter Barbara (Jeff) Hoffman, Cartersville, GA, and son, Bob, Silver Springs, Florida. He has 5 grandchildren, Josh & Jeremy Skoog of Greer, South Carolina, and Alicia Turner, Chelsea Medford, and Jared Hoffman all of Cartersville, Gorgia, and 8...
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Candidate filing closed Tuesday, May 31 at 5 p.m. and there were some surprises. In District 1, current representative Robert Svaleson chose not to put his name on the ballot. Instead, voters will pick between Yastrianne Spry or Debra White. Stacey Hawkins, the District 2 Commissioner will run against David Berglund. District 3 commissioner Dave Mills signed up and he will run unopposed unless there is write-in candidate. Incumbent District 4 commissioner Ann Sullivan will be opposed by Theresa Luther-Dolan. And in the race for the District 5 commissioner chair, two very familiar opponents will once again square off. Current...
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Grand Marais has a new retail offering for shoppers: The Sweetwater Co., a women’s apparel and home decor boutique located in the heart of downtown, at 8 N Broadway. The Sweetwater Co. will fill a niche in the Grand Marais retail offerings by providing on-trend women’s fashion, athleisure, jewelry, handbags, and other accessories. In addition, The Sweetwater Co. will provide a unique selection of home decor - pillows, baskets, vases, and gift items. “We are so proud of our product offerings - we’ve spent a considerable amount of time curating a fun, unique, and exciting mix of products for our...
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A mamma goose waits and watches as her six baby goslings catch up to her. The babies were one day old when David Johnson took this picture.
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Saint Paul Artist Bailey (Aaland) Rae will have ten new pieces of her stained-glass mosaics showing at the Tettegouche State Park Visitor’s Center. A reception will be open to the public at Tettegouche Visitor’s Center on Friday, June 3. Bailey, who has a cabin off the Gunflint Trail, has works featuring Artist Point, Split Rock Lighthouse, and all things related to the North Shore for her newest exhibit. Her show is titled “Are We There Yet.” “I’m sort of obsessive about time and the moments in life that we dub as ‘waiting’ for the next thing to happen when in...
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“From the American Revolution to the global war on terrorism, more than one million American veterans have made the Supreme Sacrifice,” said a somber American Legion Post 413 Commander Robert (Bob) Mattson. “They died so that we could continue to cherish things they loved, God, country, and family. “That is why are gathered here on Memorial Day, to honor the memory of our fallen veterans who have given everything for their country. Commander Mattson addressed a crowd of about 70 who listened to him speak at the Memorial Day service. A hard rain and lightning forced the American Legion Post...
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Charles Skinner agrees to acquire the largest ski area in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Charles Skinner, the owner of Minnesota’s Lutsen Mountains Ski Area and Wisconsin’s Granite Peak Ski Area, has a definitive purchase agreement to acquire Big Snow Resort, which consists of Indianhead and Blackjack ski areas, from Art Dumke. Skinner’s family has owned and operated vacation destination ski areas catering to Midwest families for 60 years. All the resorts in the Skinner ownership portfolio are accessible to Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and Minneapolis/St. Paul markets, offering customers outstanding affordability and the luxury of travel flexibility. Big Snow Resort in Michigan’s...
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It was a great and glorious day for thirty Cook County High School seniors who received their high school diplomas at the CCHS Commencement Ceremony held in the Pam Taylor gymnasium on Saturday, May 28, 2022. Band Director Amanda Engstrom got things started by leading the band in playing “Pomp and Circumstance.” Next, Superintendent Christopher Lindholm welcomed the guests, parents, and families on hand to see the kids graduate. He introduced the school board members and then offered some advice to the 112th graduating class at Cook County High, telling the kids, "Shoot for the moon and make a positive...
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It’s no surprise Lutsen Mountains extended their ski season to May 7. There was plenty of snow on the mountains. This is the latest closing date yet for skiing and snowboarding in recent history, reports the ski hill. Lutsen kept ten to twelve runs open on Eagle Mountain for the end of the year skiing celebration. But Lutsen Mountains hopes this is a trend that can continue. “Our goal is to make the first weekend in May each year,” confirms Jim Vick, General Manager of Lutsen Mountains. “We wrapped up last weekend (end of April) with a 3-foot base remaining....
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They were German and English, Anishinaabe and French, born in the north woods and Midwestern farm country. They moved again and again, and they fought for each other when men turned mean, when money ran out, when babies—and there were so many—added more trouble but even more love. These are the aunties: Faye, who lived in California, and Lila, who lived just down the street; Doreen, who took on the bullies taunting her “mixed-blood” brothers and sisters; Gloria, who raised six children (no thanks to all of her “stupid husbands”); Betty, who left a marriage of indenture to a misogynistic...
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Construction on Hwy 61 at the Stewart River bridge and Silver Creek bridge north of Two Harbors will require blasting work starting on May 24. Operations will start at the Stewart River, and once they are completed will move to Silver Creek. Motorists should anticipate stoppages of traffic of up to 15 minutes during blasting operations, which will be limited to Mondays through Thursdays. Blasting is anticipated to last through June 3; however, durations may be variable due to actual rock elevations. For more information about the projects, please visit the website: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d1/projects/hwy61-bridges/index.html
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Two weeks ago, David Johnson captured this splendid picture of the Super Flower Blood Moon before the eclipse.
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June begins with Jupiter sailing away from Mars, moving ever higher and westward above the predawn eastern horizon. About 75 minutes before sunrise, Venus will be quite low in the east. To the upper right of the brilliant planet will be Mars, and to its upper right will be bright Jupiter. West of Jupiter, you’ll see Saturn well up in the southeast. With a clear sky, an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon, and binoculars, you may spot Mercury in the sun’s foreglow, to Venus’ lower left, between about the 17th and the 25th. Once Mercury is up, all five...
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I will make my final flight on June 18th at 2:00 p.m. on the dock at 179 Peninsula Point Trail in Lutsen. All I ask is that you hold me in your hearts and souls for my family and friends. Now have fun. And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings,Bear you on the breath of dawn,Make you to shine like the sun,And hold you in the palm of His hand.
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The May 11 Grand Marais City Council opened with Richard Olson coming before the council in the Open Forum portion of the meeting. Olson questioned why the Gitchi Gami trail through town was used by motorized vehicles, namely snowmobiles, this past winter. “The Gitchi Gami trail through town was designated as non-motorized, and it’s currently being used for motorized use by snowmobiles on the north side of Highway 61. I don’t know how that fell through the cracks. It was forbidden use,” Olsen said. He added that pedestrians needed the north side of the trail open for walking from Johnson’s...
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Celebrate the Gunflint Trail and support our fire department Enjoy an afternoon of Races, Raffles, Good Food and Fellowship The annual Gunflint Trail Canoe Races will return Wednesday, July 20, 2022, after a two-year hiatus. This community gathering and fundraiser will begin at 4:00 p.m. on the south shore of Gunflint Lake, at the Gunflint Lodge harbor. The underlying mission of the Races is to support the efforts of the Gunflint Trail Fire Department (GTFD) while bringing together residents and visitors to the Trail for an evening of Northwoods-style fun. Something for Everyone at the 2022 Gunflint Trail Canoe Races!...
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Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College invites high school students to explore the exciting field of healthcare at Scrubs Camp this June. The in-person, multi-day residential Indigenous Healthcare Career Exploration Camp is open to Minnesota students entering grades 9 – 12. The camp takes place June 22-25 and is hosted by Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in partnership with the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging, Center on American Indian and Minority Health, Native American Research Center for Health, Essentia Health, Minnesota Indian Area Agency on Aging, Minnesota Chippewa Tribes, and Fond du Lac Human Services. Applications for...
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Legislation aims to end veterans homelessness, fund veterans homes and veterans cemeteries, and provide service bonuses to veterans and Gold Star families On Tuesday, May 10 Minnesota Governor Tim Walz today signed into law a comprehensive veterans bill that will move the state toward ending and preventing veteran homelessness, provide service bonuses to veterans and Gold Star families, and fund veterans homes and veterans cemeteries. The bill also includes funding for enlistment incentives for Service Members in the Minnesota National Guard. “This bill makes good on our duty to protect and support our veterans during and after their service –...
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As the season winds to a close, there are a flurry of make-up games and regularly scheduled games to be played before playoffs start, and the Vikings baseball team has had a hectic spring schedule. On Saturday, May 21, the Vikings traveled to Ely to play the Timberwolves and got behind early, giving up three runs in the first inning. The Timberwolves added three more runs in the fourth inning, two runs coming off a single by Mason Davis. The Viking’s lone run came in the top of the fifth inning when Benelli Myers was hit by a pitch and...
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The Vikings’ baseball team played the first double header game in Ely on Saturday, May 21, first facing off against the Moose Lake/Willow River (MLWR) boys team before playing Ely in the second game. MLWR put up two runs in the first inning and used a big seven-run third inning to take a commanding nine to three lead into the fourth. The Lakers added two in the fourth, four in the fifth, and two in the sixth to win 17-6. The Vikings rallied in the bottom of the fifth, scoring three runs after the first two batters were out. J...
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The Cook County Cool Cats had a great day in Duluth on May 24th at their Special Olympics Track Meet. Special thanks go to student volunteers, Molly LaVigne, Hunter Rex, Kalina Dimitrova, and Amery Oberg who helped make the day possible. Students participated in the long jump, 2x25 meters and 2X50 meter relays, and shot put. The Cook County Cool Cats took home a trophy! We would also like to thank sponsor, Mr. John for helping make the day financially possible. Participants Tori Pringle, Deborah Burton, Ronnie Kettleson, and Jeffery Burton all worked hard and had a great time!
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Through the first two innings, goose eggs appeared on the scoreboard, but the Vikings rallied for two in the third, two in the fourth, three in the fifth and one more run in the sixth to take an 8-0 win over the Northwoods Grizzlies. The game was played on Thursday, May 19, at Northwoods. Paul Dorr pitched an excellent game for the Vikings. Paul gave up three hits over six and two-thirds innings, striking out 12. Ethan Tate came in for relief, pitching one-third of an inning. He walked one and then got the next hitter he faced to fly...
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The Cook County girls’ and boys’ track teams competed at the May 18 Polar League Track and Field Championship, and both teams came away with some good results. The girls placed seventh out of eleven teams in the team competition, while the boys were tenth out of eleven teams. Girls' results 100 meters: CCHS senior Molly LaVigne posted a time of 13.90 in the 100 meters to claim fourth place. Brianna Monson ran 14.80 to finish 14th, and Kalina Dimitrova placed 23rd in 15.62. 200 meters: In the 200-meter run, Moly placed sixth in a time of 28.7. Brianna ran...
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Annual Memorial Day Services Annual Memorial Day Services at Maple Hill Church and Cemetery begin at 9:30 a.m. Veteran Memorial Day Services at the Cook County Courthouse in Grand Marais begin at 11:00 a.m. Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each...
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Long time Schroeder Township Council Member Bruce Martinson was selected the Schroeder Citizen of the Year for 2021. Bruce and his wife Sheryl are the principal owners and managers of Superior Ridge Resort-Motel in Schroeder. Bruce serves on a variety of township/regional committees and was a two-term county commissioner representing District 5.
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Sharon Hexum Platzer, Lutsen, is running for a three-year term on the Arrowhead Cooperative’s Board of Directors. She is hoping to replace Scott Harrison, the District 6 representative who has fulfilled his term limits on the board. If Sharon wins, she will be the second woman serving on the seven-member board. Here is a short interview with Sharon. “Our family have been members even before the name Arrowhead Electric was chosen for this rural cooperative. I graduated from Cook County High School. Before returning to Cook County to live full time, I taught in Duluth and lead schools as a...
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On Monday, May 16, 2022, Cook County, Minnesota issued a Local Emergency Declaration on May 12, 2022, after flooding damaged roads and culverts in multiple locations around the County. The damage has led to several road closures, but most roads are now open again as Cook County Highway Department crews continue to make repairs and floodwaters have begun to recede. A local Emergency Declaration is required to receive Minnesota State and FEMA funds to reimburse the county for damages incurred and repairs to damaged Public Infrastructure. County officials will meet soon with Minnesota State and FEMA personnel to conduct a...
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As of May 25, 2022, the following folks, all of whom currently hold office, have signed up to run for county office in the fall general election: Commissioner District 3, David Mills; Commissioner District 4, Ann Sullivan; Commissioner District 5, Ginny Storlie; Sheriff, Patrick Eliasen; Attorney, Molly Hicken; Recorder, Dusty Nelms; Auditor-Treasurer, Braidy Powers; SWCD District 1, Gregg Westigard The election will be held in Cook County on November 8, 2022. The filing period began May 17 and ends on May 31, 2022. The withdrawal period ends Thursday June 2 at 5 p.m.
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Amy Kloster has been awarded the Arrowhead Eagles 2022 Aviation Scholarship. The scholarship is offered annually by the Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization based out of Grand Marais/ Cook County Airport. The 501(c)(3) organization works to enhance aviation opportunities and support the Grand Marais airport (KCKC). Kloster’s application was selected by the Eagles Board of Directors and the scholarship certificate was awarded at their Annual Meeting on May 14, 2022. Kloster, from Silver Bay, said, “I am very excited and thankful to the Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization for the generous grant to advance my flying career.” She has been working on...
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In this time of distancing from one another, we wanted to share our good feelings with what we have. Girl Scout Troop 4112 talked about their community and its support of Girl Scouts. Many organizations fail because they do not have ongoing enthusiasm to help keep them alive. Currently Girl Scouts is 45 years old in Cook County (110 nationally). We are historically many years older— perhaps 75 or more. Our first girls scout troop was in Grand Portage. The troop in full uniform is pictured in the community center. Some of those memories are with us today at the...
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With views of Lake Superior and the Grand Marais Harbor in the background, 700 racers will roll out and cross the finish line at the Le Grand du Nord Gravel Cycling Classic on Memorial Day Weekend. Representing one of the most amazing gravel courses in the country, the Le Grand du Nord is returning for its seventh edition on Saturday, May 28 – this time providing an exciting spectating opportunity as the race’s centralized start and finish location will be across the street from Voyageur Brewing Company. “There will be a festive atmosphere at our new start and finish location,”...
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The North Shore summer is quite possibly one of the most spectacular experiences you may ever have. The scenic beauty is breathtaking when you start with a view of the blue water of Lake Superior meeting the rocky shoreline and move your vision up the green hills. I have often said, there is not a more beautiful place in the summer than Cook County. With the beauty, and the many opportunities for vacation and exploration, comes the practical part of the equation, and safety is the common denominator. To say Cook County is busy in the summer would not be...
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Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic (SMC) announce expanded eligibility for COVID-19 booster vaccines following updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Those ages 5-11 are eligible for a booster five months after receiving the initial two-dose Pfizer vaccine series. “Vaccination for the 5-11 age group benefits our children in several important ways,” said Public Health Supervisor Grace Grinager. “Vaccinated children are less likely to become infected with COVID-19, much less likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 and are less likely to experience long- COVID or Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome...
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Say no to the Arrowhead Directors’ request to increase their maximum time serving to six terms instead of four. “Rapid changes in the energy industry and increased demands of directors require Board members to have extensive knowledge and certifications.” The explanation is that more time is needed for training. However, it is doubtful that is the real reason. Natural Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) is made up of all of the electric cooperatives in the United States. One of their functions is to develop training needed for directors and provide it. Credentialed Cooperative Director training should be completed early in...
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In my column on migration, I pointed out that birds (including young of the year) were innately equipped with bearing and distance navigation capability as well as knowing when to migrate. They were able to maintain a straight course by sun-compass orientation/navigation by day and star orientation/ navigation at night. However, non-migratory flights often require additional and sometimes greater navigational ability. The homing ability of birds has been utilized by man for centuries to rapidly transport messages or other information. It has also led to a competitive sport --- pigeon racing. Much of the navigational research has involved pigeons rather...
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The last couple of weeks the woods have sounded like they are filled with Ringo Starr wannabes. That’s the sound of male ruffed grouse drumming in an attempt to attract a mate, or, maybe they are trying to catch on with a really good boreal rock band.
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Through no fault of my own, it has come to my attention that May is Older American Month. This gave me pause. Let me see if I have this straight. May is a month. I get that. For Older Americans. Um, what the what?! Since, for some inexplicable reason, Older American Month is an actual, real thing, I have requested this week’s column be printed in a slightly bigger font. This accomplishes a few goals. This week, in addition to my headshot, older Americans will also be able enjoy the words. Also, fewer words suits older Americans and their shorter...
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Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will receive 1,473 to help improve housing on the reservation. The announcement came from U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) who chairs the Senate’s Housing Subcommittee. Senator Smith said Minnesota Tribes will receive the largest ever housing investment as part of a key federal program to improve housing on Native land. All told, eleven Minnesota Tribes will each get a portion of million to spend on housing. That represents a million increase from last year’s IHGB housing appropriation, noted the senator. “If you don’t have a safe, stable, affordable place to live,...
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With the arrival of warm weather, Cook County will experience the influx of tourists, outdoor events and activities, and the inevitable road construction. While disruptive, these projects bring much-needed improvements to the roads upon which we are so dependent. Harsh winter weather damages our roads, and there is a short window of time for repairs to be completed. We will announce upcoming road projects as they are approved. The first of which is the much-needed CR 45 Pike Lake Road Reconstruction. This will take place from May 23 through September 2022. The specific location will be CR 44 to CR...
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A half dozen folks in the Cook County Pride Community have been busy getting ready for the 2022 Pride Celebration since last June. The big day in Cook County will be Saturday, June 4, but it’s just one day in a month long, no, a year-long celebration, said Lenna Stever-Sobanja. Lenna, Benjamin Nichols, Matthew Baxley and Julisa Swader stopped by the newspaper to talk about what is taking place with CCPC, a loose-knit group with no hierarchy and no budget. Nichols said the planning group was a collection of like-minded folks who are hoping to build friendships, inclusion and form...
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With warmer weather and May being Arbor Month, now is a great time to plant a tree, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “Minnesotans across the state can plant trees now to support resilient community forests into the future,” said Jennifer Teegarden, cooperative forest management outreach specialist. “By thoughtfully choosing, planting, and caring for a diverse mix of trees, people can help community forests store carbon, improve air and water quality, and provide other benefits.” Healthy trees are important to Minnesota and its residents, but Minnesota’s trees are under stress from changing temperature and precipitation patterns, and more...
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The Joan Drury Award is named in honor of local resident Joan Drury, and recognizes one community member and one business each year who exemplify a commitment to creating a peaceful and just community that fosters healthy relationships and does not tolerate violence. The Violence Prevention Center is currently accepting nominations for the Joan Drury Award through July 1st. One award winner will be selected from each category, and the winners will be presented with their awards at a ceremony on August 20th. Joan Drury, who was born February 2nd, 1945, and passed away November 9th, 2020, dedicated her life...
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20 YEARS AGOMAY 24, 2002 v DNA testing by the U.S. Forest Service has affirmed something many northeastern Minnesota residents already knew: lynx live in the state’s northern forest. Tests of some hair and scat samples collected by volunteers last winter have identified six individual animals: Three males, two females, and one of undetermined sex. All of the samples but one came from Lake and Cook counties. v Three prescribed burns have been planned by the Forest Service for the Tofte Ranger District this spring, and ten for the Gunflint Trail area. Three of the burns in the Gunflint District...
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Here is another photo from Mary Bally’s scrap books. It is a group portrait from the late 1800s of family members. Mary’s mother is the little girl in the front row.
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There’s a new business in town! North Shore Laundry Services was officially dedicated on Thursday, May 19, with help from the Cook County Chamber of Commerce. The new facility is a commercial laundry service, located in the Cedar Grove Business Park in Grand Marais, and is a joint venture between Cascade Lodge and Cascade Vacation Rentals (CVR). Thom McAleer, of Cascade Lodge, said the venture came about to address the need for a “quality service provider” of commercial laundry services, and will focus on resorts and lodges in Cook and Lake Counties. Chamber of Commerce Director Linda Jurek was on...
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Care Partners of Cook County is pleased to announce their new Executive Director, Julie Wilson. Julie brings a passion for community service and aging well to Care Partners and Cook County. With Julie’s leadership, Care Partners will continue to be built upon the area’s strengths and to promote “a community that is fully supported to navigate through our shared journeys of aging, chronic illness, and end-of-life.” Julie is a social worker who has supported older adults and caregivers for over 15 years in community outreach, resource assistance, home care, senior housing, assisted living, and nursing homes. She enjoys connecting with...
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Are you someone who enjoys guacamole but can’t eat an avocado? Or like my dad, who LOVES ketchup on everything, even the kitchen sink, but can’t look at a tomato? I can snack on nuts all day long but don’t think of putting them in my ice cream….who does that? I wonder about these food combinations and what makes them okay, or how do I say this politely, gross? Is it taste or texture that drives our palates? That might be a profound question for a food columnist like myself. Maybe I should stick to recipes and not get all...
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The cabin was on a good slope and the slope fell down to the wild mint growing this side of the rocks at the lake shore. Down at the lake, though, it rarely smelled of mint but smelled of huge dead and bloated carp that would wash up here and there throughout the summer, and as my childhood progressed there were more carp, and where there was once weeds and clear water for the sunfish to live happily, as I grew up the carp took over and the weeds disappeared and then it was a lake where the algae bloomed...
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The sun is out, the lake has receded from our front yard, and I detect a haze of green buds across the water. I think it MIGHT just be spring! That’s a relative term here in the north woods, where seasons often leap from winter to summer, but I actually saw a few crocus blossoms emerge through the blanket of snow on my garden a few weeks ago. Wasn’t that a sign of spring? And Mama Robin has nested in the timbers of our entry roof—a SURE sign. I’ve raked away the detritus from my flower gardens and hope to...
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Hermantown City Councilor Grant Hauschild secured the unanimous endorsement of the MN Senate District 3 DFL on Saturday, May 14, uniting a broad and diverse coalition from the largest geographic district in the state. Hauschild expected a competitive race for SD3 given the opportunity to win the seat long-held by retiring Senator Tom Bakk (I-Cook). However, when DFL hopeful Keith Steva withdrew from the race and threw his support behind Hauschild in March, it became clear that the region was ready to unite behind a pragmatic, driven leader that will continue the legacy of just delivering for the region. Over...
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This year there will be a traditional ceremony held in the Pam Taylor Gymnasium. The ceremony will start at 1 p.m. with a parade to follow at 2:45 p.m. The parade route will be released on the school website and social media platforms in the very near future.
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/ or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Luca Rimanich, 58, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, pled guilty on April 28, 2022, to a petty misdemeanor of Traffic Speeding 80/60 on April 24, 2022. Fines and fees total 5. Cameron James Anderson, 32, Minneapolis, Minnesota, pled...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers on lakes along the U.S./ Canada border. He spent time working seasonal fishing closures. Enforcement action was taken for angling violations. CO Mary Manning (Hovland)...
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Grand Marais Public Library and Cook County Higher Education are hosting a free community program designed to welcome everyone into the many Pride celebrations happening in Cook County this June. Led by Matt Lewellyn-Otten of OutFront Minnesota, the Cultivating Your LGBTQ+ Pride workshop aims to reveal the deep significance of Pride month by providing LGBTQ+ 101 and a brief history of queer liberation. It will be held at Cook County Higher Education on Saturday, June 4, 2022, from 3:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Participants will learn about the shifting terminology around LGBTQ+ inclusion, best practices in using pronouns, and how...
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Located 57 miles up the Gunflint Trail, the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center will open to the public on May 28, a day to celebrate. But the next day the museum will also have a big day when it hosts a ceremony accepting the state record walleye mount as a permanent feature of the museum. The public is invited to witness the event which will run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The walleye was mounted and encased in glass by the late LeRoy Chiovette of Hermantown, who passed away in 2019. LeRoy’s family is making the donation to the...
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The Cook County High School girls’ softball team gave up four runs in the first inning to Moose Lake Willow River and could never catch up, losing 10-0 in an away game played Tuesday, May 24. Morgan Starkey was two for two at the plate. She was the only Viking to get a hit. Moose Lake pitchers didn’t give up a walk in the game and struck out 16. Kallie Anderson was on the mound for the Vikings. Kallie pitched five innings, giving up ten runs, 11 hits, four walks and one strike out. The game ended after six innings...
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Despite putting up ten runs, the Vikings didn’t have enough offense to beat Northeast Range on May 20 in a game played in Soudan, and the Vikings lost 15-10. Neither team scored in the first and the game was tied at one after the second inning concluded. Babbitt took its first lead 4-3 at the end of the third inning. The Vikings led briefly 7-5 after batting in the top of the fourth. Hunter Gomez doubled to score Issac Sandstrom and J Shannon in that inning. However, Babbitt put up ten runs in the bottom of the fourth, and the...
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Despite the nippy temperature—52F and a bit breezy, there was a joyful atmosphere last Saturday morning at the Cutface Creek Rest Area, the meeting spot for Girls on the Run (GOTR). The chilly temperatures didn’t deter the sixteen grade schoolgirls, their parents, siblings, and friends from having a great time as they readied themselves to run/walk a 5k (3.1 miles). Waiting at the finish was a golden string beaded necklace for each finisher and a coveted donut from the World’s Most Famous Donut shop. That and kudos from their coach Lori Rothstein, friends and family who were on hand to...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Grand Marais Public Library is pleased to announce that Arrowhead Transit’s Free Rides for Kids program will be offered in Cook County this year, thanks to a partnership between the organizations. Youths wearing an Arrowhead Transit wristband can Dial-a-Ride and receive free transportation to anywhere within the city limits of Grand Marais from Memorial Day to Labor Day. To get a wristband, parents visit the library in person and complete a short registration form permitting their kids to ride the bus. Dial-A-Ride hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The service is closed on Saturday and...
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The Cook County High School boys’ baseball traveled to Esko on Tuesday, May 24 and they were defeated 14-0 in a game that ended after five innings because of the ten-run rule. Esko put up three runs in the first, six runs in the third and five in the fourth to run away with the game. Former Viking Noah Furcht led Esko hitters with two hits and three RBIs. The Vikings were held to three hits, one a double by Hunter Gomez in the first inning. Kole Anderson and Paul Dorr also each had a hit in the game. Paul...
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Going into the sixth inning, the Vikings led Northwoods Grizzlies 8-7, but a big sixth inning by Northwoods resulted in four runs, and the Vikings fell 11-8 in a game that was up for grabs until the end. Northwoods started the first inning with a one-nothing lead, scoring on an error. The Vikings countered with three runs in the second. Maggie Smith hit a grounder to the shortstop and reached first and second on an errant throw. Charlet Waver struck out, but Morgan Starkey walked, and Smith reached third on a passed ball. Emmilly Myers bunted, reaching first and driving...
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Bass fishing a highlight of spring The bass fishing catch-and-keep season (mndnr.gov/Fishing/Regs.html) opens Saturday, May 28, and spring is a great time to cast a line for these fun-to-catch fish. Largemouth and smallmouth bass can be easier to catch in spring and early summer, when they spend more time in shallow water. Later, as water temperatures rise, bass move to deeper water in search of sunken points, rocky humps and aquatic plant edges that offer protection from larger fish and hiding places for prey. Learn more about how to fish for bass and other species at the DNR’s learn to...
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David was born in St. Louis, Missouri, September 22, 1936, and died at home in Grand Marais, Minnesota, May 14, 2022. He attended Washington University School of Fine Arts and the University of Minnesota. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. A lifetime St. Louis Browns fan, David never wavered in his love for the team and passion for baseball history. He was Art Director for Miller Publishing putting out six monthly magazines. After retiring to Hovland, he focused on watercolor, painting Lake Superior and the North Shore, portraits, cards, and the Viking athletic teams, and enjoying his family...
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The approaching fishing season comes with a reminder from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to always follow state laws to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. It’s important for anglers to take a few minutes for invasive species prevention every time a boat comes out of the water. Maj. Shane Kirlin, DNR operations manager, reminds boaters that prevention is required whether or not an enforcement officer or watercraft inspector is present. “All boaters in Minnesota are required to take three simple steps: clean, drain, dispose,” Kirlin said. “It’s not only the best way to prevent the spread of...
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You know it’s spring when squirrels appear like magic in great numbers. This furry little fellow looks hearty and hale and ready for some “squirrel mischief.”
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In the Hundred Acre Wood, during the season of spring, you will find Piglet spring cleaning, beating his rugs outside his tree house. Some say spring cleaning comes from Persian New Year (first day of Spring) or the Jewish anticipation of Passover. Others say it’s just the first time you can leave the windows open. Either way, it’s the time to streamline. But how? Marie Kondo, a Japanese organizing consultant and author of The Lifechanging Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, says we should get rid of every article of clothing that doesn’t “spark joy”....
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A wild fox from Anoka County has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in a wild mammal in Minnesota. The University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory alerted the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which is responsible for monitoring the health of the state’s wildlife. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory later confirmed the positive test earlier this week. Last week, two red fox kits in Ontario, Canada tested positive for HPAI. Those kits were the first reported cases of the current HPAI outbreak in a wild mammal in North America. The Minnesota...
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Local Law Enforcement Wives created goodie bags, and rallied donations from local businesses. Treat bags include donations from: North Shore Health Care Foundation, Superior Cookie Co., Fisherman’s Daughter, Gunflint Mercantile, Subway, Dairy Queen and Raven Rock at Skyport Lodge. Throughout the week food will be brought in each day! K9 Eddy even got his own treat bag! Thank you to all the local law enforcement that work hard each and every day to protect and serve our great communities in Cook County! Pictured from L-R: State Trooper Andrew Olson, Deputy Mike Running, Deputy Jason Hughes, Deputy Jamie Green, and Chief...
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In the skinning of a deer, there is no need to take the cape with the hide. The cape refers to the skin and fur of the head and neck. In fowl and poultry, it refers to the shoulder feathers. For big bucks, memorable bucks of remarkable heft or antler mass which are to be mounted and hung on the wall as a trophy or sign of accomplishment or virility, the cape is indeed necessary, with the antlers, obviously, and in this case the rest of the hide is not taken. In the case of a bear rug the cape...
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After withdrawing the request to the City of Grand Marais for a variance, North House put its campus plans on pause to host a month of listening sessions. This included hosting six public meetings, engaging in many other conversations, and receiving several letters and phone messages. While several conversations are still underway, North House is pleased to share with the community what was heard to date from in-depth conversations with well over 50 community members as well as shorter conversations with numerous other individuals. “We are so appreciative of everyone who took the time to connect with us and share...
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I hate to admit this, but I feel like the world is closing in. There’s just TOO much bad news! On my morning walk the other day I felt so demoralized that I had to counsel myself to focus on the pines towering beside the road and appreciate the magnificent world I live in. It helped for a few minutes, though it only deterred my dilemma. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, the environmental disaster we’ve created, and the Supreme Court leak have wreaked havoc with my psyche—fogged my rose-colored glasses. And then there’s our post-winter flooding, the price of gas,...
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The CCHS boys’ baseball team will end regular season play with a double header against North Shore rival Silver Bay at home on Friday, May 27. The games will be played at Arleigh Jorgenson field behind the high school. Varsity action starts at 2 p.m. with the second game to follow. This will be the last time the Vikings play at home unless they get a section play-off game here. Come out and cheer for your Vikings!
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The Cook County High School 2022 Prom King and Queen are Morgan Starkey and Jonah Schmidt. Prom was held Saturday, May 15, with the coronation held at 7 p.m. in the ACA.
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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More than 1,000 kids in Minnesota participate annually in the Envirothon competition, which makes the tiny Cook County High School Envirothon teams fifth place at state a big deal. Envirothon was held on May 16 at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. The 2022 State Envirothon competition presented a scenario for teams to tackle. Each team had to figure out ways to reduce waste at a small outdoor musical festival while maintaining the four-day festival as a sustainable success. Another goal was to show event sponsors and attendees that waste is preventable and waste can be a...
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Erick Lawler, Lutsen, graduated from the University of North Dakota State University on May 14 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management and a minor in Business Administration. Erik is a 2017 graduate of Cook County High School. He is the son of Gwen Bacon, Owatonna, Minnesota, and Mark Lawler, Lutsen.
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On May 10, the county board voted to hire CR-BPS to update the County’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) in an amount not to exceed 4,400. CR-Building Performance Specialists will do a comprehensive facility assessment of county-owned buildings. They will assist in forming a facility plan that the county board will utilize for short- and long-term decision making for capital planning, deferred maintenance expenditures, and other current and future facility needs. The board authorized Administrator James Joerke to execute a contract for professional services with CR-BPS. This past January, the county board solicited proposals from architectural design and engineering firms to...
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The Senior LinkAge Line® will offer two Health Care Fraud, Waste & Abuse Prevention classes Wednesday, June 8, 2022, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and again from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how to detect and report potential errors, fraud and abuse; review potential fraud and scams targeting older adults, how to read their Medicare Summary Notice, learn tips to help protect their Medicare beneficiary number, and how to protect-detect-report Medicare scams and fraud. This presentation is based on information from the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), a federal education and prevention program. It is offered online using the...
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The YMCA dance program holds its performance season January- May. Over 50 local dancers ranging in age from three to adult will perform dance routines in the upcoming recital in ballet, jazz and tap. Dancers have been learning choreography under the instruction of Christine Curtis, Breana Johnson and Lenna Stever- Sobanja over the past several months and will be putting on a show for the community. The annual performance will take place at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts on May 19 (6-8 p.m.), May 20 and May 21 (7-9 p.m.). All the songs this year are the work of...
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The North Shore Music Association presents an all-ages educational program featuring the string trio of Brittany Haas, Brittany Karlson, and Joe K. Walsh, “a modern string band—from bluegrass to old-time, with many stops along the way.” Please join us at the Grand Marais Art Colony (120 W. 3rd Ave. – Founders Hall) for this fun, 45-minute educational program on May 28th at 2 pm. The artists will discuss topics such as the use of fiddle, mandolin, and bass across various musical genres, what characterizes each genre, the history of the instruments, how they’re built, etc. Admission is free, and the...
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Annual Memorial Day Services Annual Memorial Day Services at Maple Hill Church and Cemetery begin at 9:30 a.m. Veteran Memorial Day Services at the Cook County Courthouse in Grand Marais begin at 11:00 a.m. Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each...
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The Vikings lost the first game of a double header to Two Harbors, but the game was close for a good while. The Agates scored one run in the first, two in the second and one in the third to take a 4-0 lead going into the fourth inning. The Vikings countered with three in the fourth and shut the Agates out to trail 4-3 going into the fifth. During the Vikings big third inning Hunter Gomez tripled, Amos Falter hit a home run and Jacob Dorr ground-out but drove in a run on the play. However, the Agates countered,...
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Cook County senior Jacob Dorr had a day on the mound that he won’t soon forget. The lanky right-hander threw a no-hitter against the Carlton Bulldogs in a game played in Carlton on Tuesday, May 17. Jacob struck out 11 Bulldogs over five innings. The game was called because of the ten-run rule, with the Vikings leading 14-0. Amos Falter singled in the first, stole second, and then stole third while Paul Dorr was called out on strikes. Falter scored on a wild pitch, ball 4 to Hunter Gomez, who went to first base. Next, Jacob Dorr doubled to right...
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The boys and girls CCHS track team traveled to Denfeld High School on May 13 to participate in the Matt Kero track meet, and both squads posted some great results. In a field of athletes from large schools, Ryan Christiansen ran 11.82 in the 100 meters to take third place. Ryan placed 13th in the 200 meters with a time of 24.63. Finn Taylor posted a time of 27.59 to place 26th Molly Vigne took 10th place in the 100 meters with a time of 14.04. Brianna Monson placed 21st with a time of 31.54. Sophia Sheehan ran 33.75 to...
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Olive Judith Harriet Haugen Lockrem. She always went by Harriett, with two “t”s, because she liked that better. She was born February 21, 1925, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota (TRF), and died April 18, 2022, in Anoka, Minnesota. Her names came from her paternal grandfather Ole Snustad, her aunt Judith Nybakken Nelson, and nobody knows where “Harriet” came from. Her parents were Ruth Nybakken Haugen and Alfred Haugen, both born in Norway, and her sisters were Norma Janet Haugen and Grace Eleanor Haugen. She grew up in TRF and graduated Lincoln High School. She attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis for...
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Jill Marie Pennie, 66, of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022. She ‘beat the odds’ and was able to continue living an active and caring life throughout her 6-year struggle with Cancer. Jill devoted her life to others, and especially to children for whom she was a kind, nurturing, and a thoughtful teacher. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend. She held degrees in both Anthropology and Civil Engineering. Jill was preceded in death by her mother and father, Dorothy and Donald Pennie, survived by her husband, Mark Pearson, and...
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20 YEARS AGOMAY 17, 2002 v A DNR field directive sent from St. Paul last week seems to indicate the agency is taking steps to more closely manage the use of Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) on state forests and other state-owned land. “We want the field staff to move forward with an environmentally sound, well-managed trail system,” said DNR spokesman Brad Moore. The comprehensive directive emphasizes a conservation-based approach to OHV management. The agency intends to begin environmental assessments of proposed trails and encourages planners to consider other forest users when laying out trail systems. v For the third year in...
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Cook County Commissioners approved the hiring of several new employees at the boards’ May 10 meeting. Rory Anderson was hired as the new Soil and Water District Administrator. He will replace the vacancy left by Theresa Oberg who resigned. Tia Parks, Lutsen, was offered the job as the Highway Department environmental Specialist. This is a new position at the Highway Department that was approved by the commissioners. Tia will be formally offered the job at the board of commissioners next regular meeting. Abby Benusa, Minneapolis, was hired as the new Mental Health worker in the Public Health and Human Services...
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On Thursday, May 12, the Cascade River was filled to the brim! Paul Sundberg said, “If the Cascade doesn’t wash out today it is the closest, I have ever seen it to overflowing.”
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On May 4, the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness finalized its purchase of 35 acres of mature forest that is home to white pines, red pines, and birch. The parcel is located off the Sawbill Trail and is surrounded by federal land. It represents a new level of cooperation between the Superior National Forest and the 45-year-old non-profit. The property was previously owned by Edward Nicholson, who willed the land to be donated to the Superior National Forest. Due to limited administrative capacity, officials with the Superior National Forest met with Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness and discussed...
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“The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.” – Jeff Miller, Former US Representative, Florida In the excitement of a 3-day weekend, cookouts, parades and summer being so near, it is easy to ignore or forget about the true meaning of Memorial Day: to remember and honor all military personnel who have died in the service of our country. Let us never forget the sacrifices of our fallen and their families and to keep those who gave everything to protect our country at the forefront of our mind during our celebrations. Memorial...
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To whom it may concern, My name is Jessica Moritz, formerly Jessica Nelson, and I was born and raised in Grand Marais, Minnesota. I also happen to be the granddaughter of the late Richard “Dick” Eckel, commercial fisherman and former owner of the Scott Fish House. After high school, I left Grand Marais and couldn’t return permanently due to my job, but my parents, friends, and many family members still reside there. I visit multiple times a year and have a deep connection to the community. I was blessed with the opportunity to grow up visiting my grandpa at the...
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Two brick red historic covered bridges at Lutsen Resort were heavily damaged by torrents of water and debris that flooded the Poplar River on the evening of Friday, May 13. The upper 77-foot-long foot traffic bridge that spans the Poplar River was built in 1930. The 144-foot lower bridge was built in the 1950s. A spokesperson from Lutsen Resort said, "That while the bridges suffered heavy damages, it is believed enough infrastructure is intact to save them." Uprooted pine and spruce trees carried down the Poplar River were believed to have caused damage to the bridges. On Facebook, a spokesperson...
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The Cook County Highway Department crews have kept extremely busy responding to washed out roads in the back country. On Thursday, May 12 the county issued a no travel advisory for Irish Creek Forestry Road due to a washout one half-mile past the Irish Creek Bridge. Later the same day the announcement came that Moose Valley Road (CR 71) was closed at Carlson Creek due to heavy flooding. “The road is impassable at this time,” said Maintenance Supervisor Josh Dix. “We’re working on either repairing the road or opening up Esther Lake Road to provide access. We will issue updates...
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North Shore Health is having trouble filling job openings at the hospital and care center, so much so that management is exploring opportunities to bring in employees through immigration. Openings that have been hard to fill are in Dietary, Housekeeping, and Care Center Nursing Assistants. NSH Director Kimber Wraalstad said there are several workers at the hospital who have family members from other countries who might be interested in immigrating to Cook County and working for North Shore Health. However, noted Wraalstad, this won’t help fill openings in the near term, if the idea is even feasible. Discussions are underway...
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Dwight Howard Smith “Smitty”, 78, died Thursday, May 12th in Duluth, Minnesota after a short illness. He was born August 14, 1943, in Duluth, Minnesota, the youngest of seven children born to Earl and Myrtle Smith. Smitty grew up and raised his family in Grand Marais, Minnesota. After retiring, he and his beloved wife, Sheryl, spent several years exploring all corners of the southern United States, eventually settling in Palm Coast, Florida. They recently returned to Duluth to be closer to family. Dad was always a hard worker. After his father died, he financially supported his mother while going to...
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Cook County delegates Marcie McIntire, Gregg Westigard, and Denny FitzPatrick attended the DFL 8th Congressional District Convention in Eveleth on Saturday, May 7. There were 143 delegates in attendance from across the district. The new CD8 district boundaries cover a large part of northeastern Minnesota. CD8 is home to 675,929 residents, and now incorporates all seven Anishinaabe lands, including White Earth and Red Lake to the west. After more than 100 years of being divided, the tribes asked the state courts to unite them in redistricting. Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison addressed the convention by live video. Jennifer Schultz...
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The county board will hold a public hearing regarding the county’s tobacco ordinance on May 24, 2022. The hearing will take place at 9 a.m. in the commissioner’s room at the courthouse. The county’s tobacco ordinance is being updated to comply with the State’s Tobacco 21 law. The updates to the ordinance will include provisions to allow the use of sacred tobacco by indigenous people. Minnesota’s Tobacco 21 law went into effect on August 1, 2020. The law ensures compliance and enforcement of commercial tobaccos sale and e-cigarettes to people 21 and older. On March 15, 2022, the state passed...
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The Cook County MN Highway Department was recently awarded [post_excerpt].1 million through the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) for the Mill the Hill and Bridge Replacement project scheduled for 2024. FLAP grants are competitive grants offered through US DOT FHWA (Federal Highway Administration). The project will take place along the Gunflint Trail from 5th Avenue West up to Devil Track Road. The entire corridor will have a mill (a new roadway surface) and overlay, the three-lane portion will be widened to four lanes, the culvert over Little Devil Track River will be replaced, and the intersection with Devil Track Road...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is warning visitors to the North Shore of hazardous conditions caused by recent storms. Many tributaries to Lake Superior are breaching trails, roads and bridges and have resulted in closures to portions of state parks and trails in the area. The majority of state parks along the North Shore are experiencing flooding. The public should also understand that these hazardous conditions along the North Shore are not limited to state parks and trails. “Our first priority is ensuring public safety and the safety of our staff,” Ann Pierce, Parks and Trails Division director. “Last...
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Mallory Goettl of Lutsen graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Commencement ceremonies were held Friday, May 6 at 3 p.m. for the College of Business and at 5:30 p.m. for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. To graduate with cum laude honors a student must maintain a grade point average of 3.4 to 3.59 through college. All ceremonies were held in Taylor Center’s Bresnan Arena on the Minnesota State Mankato campus.
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This is an aerial photo of the Grand Marais harbor from the 1950s, over seventy years ago.
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Dissed by a Tulip! I reached a low point when Rob Perez’ talking tulip gave the back of its stem to my summer game. But we soldier on in the face of floral Naysayers who dare not pick up the glove. Having gone near stir-crazy from Covid isolation, I decided to get some exercise, check out our local muni golf course, and test my new electric golf trolley. So, I loaded up the trolley, sans clubs, and headed to Gunflint Hills, four miles up the Gunflint Trail. Despite all the rain/ snow, including a freezing 4” rain on December 17th,...
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Two fox kits were busy “wrestling” when Julie Schulberg took this picture.
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“Colorful wood ducks collect on a weathered log, each catching a rest while looking for a bite to eat."
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20 YEARS AGOMAY 13, 2002 Three Michigan residents armed to the teeth and carrying a small amount of drugs were arrested by the Ontario Provincial Police on May 3 after failing to stop at the Pigeon River border crossing for inspection. The two 19-year-olds and one 18-year-old were picked up and charged with numerous violations including possession of firearms without a license, having firearms in a motor vehicle, trafficking firearms, and possession of a firearm with the serial number removed. Canadian officers found four loaded handguns, six other handguns, six rifles, ammunition, bow and arrows and a small amount of...
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Dear readers, I saw today, a really cool sports car traveling up the Gunflint Trail. Except its coolness was diminished by the prominent Confederate Flag license plate in the front. I wondered if the owner realizes what that flag represents. It represents a denial of the rights of the United States Constitution. That flag represents the belief that only white men should govern the county, state and country; that businesses run by white men should not have any restrictions; that Black and Brown people should not be allowed to vote; that no religious beliefs other than Christian should be recognized...
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On Sunday, May 8, Edith Johnson received a call from Bonnie Maclean that there was a gaggle of American White Pelican’s on Devil Track Lake. Edith came to look and brought her camera. She captured this rare picture of these beautiful birds on a stopover as they migrate south to breed.
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The Office of Emergency Management operates the county-wide emergency 911 (E-911) an addressing system, the role of which is to provide the public with competent, timely and effective emergency and non-emergency public safety services. 911 is the telephone number that provides direct access to police, fire and medical assistance and initiates a coordinated response using this system. Simply put, your E-911 address sign lets emergency responders know where to find you. Thus, it is important that your E-911 sign is clearly visible on your property from all directions. How do I apply for an E-911 address for my property? Visit...
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What a joy to read the writings of Rob Perez. He has such a great way to bring us back to the really important things that nourish our souls. During these troublesome days that test our mental well-being it is so important to have someone who can remind us that indeed life is serious, and we need to meet it with humor. EvaLyn Carlson, Grand Marais
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A memorial service for Jean Fredeen will be held at Lutsen Lutheran Church this Saturday, May 14th at 2 p.m.Visitation will begin at 1:00. Lutsen Lutheran Church is located on Hwy 61 just east of the Clearview Store.
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Mary Liebsch died peacefully in her residence at North Shore Health on April 17, 2022. She had lived for several years at North Shore Health and was involved in any and all activities. One of her favorite activities was The Grand Portage Band, when they played for the tapping, smiling elders. She would dress up to the nines for the music and, at the end of the festival, started planning for the next month. She loved that band! Mary had a large T.V. in her room but seldom used it. She read books. Animal stories, mysteries, romance, Minnesota Outdoor and...
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LONG LIVE THE QUEEN Here is Miss North Shore 1964. Her name is Ann Sjoberg Curtis. The photo is from the Cook County News Herald collections.
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Arrowhead Intelligent Region (AIR) is a broadband partnership that was launched last year between Blandin Foundation, Northland Foundation and Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. The trio made available a pool of grant funds for local organizations working to support a broadband-fueled economy in northeastern Minnesota. Minnesota Children’s Press of Grand Marais was awarded a ,000 grant from the funding pool to deliver broadband education services. Children’s Press launched Litter Lab, a program designed to teach elementary aged children how to use technology to help solve a community litter problem with the potential to pollute Lake Superior. Approximately 65 children ages...
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Animal migrations may become established in response to avoiding undesirable environmental conditions (deep snow, excessively hot or cold temperatures, drought, etc.), following forage quality and quantity availability through the year, or seeking seasonally available high-quality foods. Or, the drive to migrate and how to get to the appropriate location is so programmed into them that they have no choice in the matter. Within some species, some populations are migratory but other populations are not. This is especially true for big game animals which have a wide geographic distribution, such as white-tailed deer. In this and many other northern areas, they...
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Grand Marais Public Library reopened its building to the public on Monday, May 9, after sustaining a month’s worth of flooding. Public access to the collection, computers, and conference room have been restored, and the library is operating its normal hours. With significant restoration work expected, staff anticipate fluctuations in service levels will continue this summer. “It’s so good to be open again,” said Library Director Amanda St. John. “I don’t think our staff was going to rest until this moment happened. We can feel the joy emanating from patrons as they pass through the lobby into the stacks.” St....
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Supplies are at an alarming 1-to-2-day level Donations in the coming days and weeks are essential Memorial Blood Centers (MBC) announced a blood emergency today, noting the most critical needs are type O, Rh negative and platelets. The general blood supply currently stands at a 2-to-3-day level, with type O and platelets at just a 1-to-2-day level. This is well below the ideal inventory of 5-7 days. This shortage occurs amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which has had an impact on workers in the healthcare industry with trickle-down effects. Memorial Blood Centers is working to increase staff to meet the...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Barb Heideman and Cathy Quinn, representatives from the Go Dog North Shore (GDNS) Dog Park, came before the Grand Marais City Council on April 28 with some good news. Instead of building a new dog park in two phases, they feel GDNS will have enough funds to get everything done in one stage. The original plan was to develop a one-acre dog park and add two more acres when funds were available. Still, fundraising has been going very well, noted Quinn, adding it will be cheaper to build the park in one phase than to bring workers back at another...
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Histories evolve. Rather, the stories of histories evolve. Suppose I told you that Carlton Fisk’s home run in the bottom of the 11th in the ‘75 World Series came in Game 7, and the Sox were the champions, hallelujah. Next, you come back and say, “Hey, what the hell? It was Game 6, and the Reds went on to beat the Sox in Game 7!” We’re making progress. We’ve course corrected – you corrected me - towards the truth. Suppose you argue that the Vikings have never been NFL Champions. That they lost all four of their Super Bowls. Well,...
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Rob Perez sits across from a vibrant, solid blue potted perennial herbaceous bulbiferous geophyte, more commonly known as a tulip. ROB: Well, this is very unusual. It’s not every day I chat with a flower. TULIP: Well, you should. R: So, it’s true what they say, talking with plants helps them grow? T: Certainly. We love to listen. It’s all nourishing. Well, except, have you ever heard people talk about golf? R: Sadly. Yes, I have. T: You want to watch a flower wilt, tell it stories about golf. R: That rule might apply to more than just flowers. T:...
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Ely jumped out to a 3-1 first inning lead in the Vikings' home game against the Timberwolves played on a sunny May 7 Saturday. The Timberwolves pushed across another run in the second to go up 4-1, but the Vikings blanked the Timberwolves in the fourth while putting up four runs to take a five to four lead into the fifth. Emmalli Myers and Morgan Starkey both had RBIs in the fourth inning. With Kallie Anderson dealing strikes from the pitcher’s mound, the Vikings shut down Ely in the fourth and added another run to take a six to four...
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Evan Dunn was excited. He was nervous and planning his attack. He had three minutes to fill a shopping cart or two with merchandise from Buck Hardware, and Evan had a [post_excerpt],000 limit, so he had to be careful about price. “I’m looking for items to help me with a deck makeover,” the manager of the Bluefin Grille restaurant nervously said. Customers at Buck’s on this May 6 morning were wondering what was going on? James Taylor, Bluefin Bay Resorts Manager, was all smiles as he answered questions. Taylor explained that Bluefin had given each employee a fifty-dollar gift card...
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I masked, washed often and only associated with other immunized folk- -and tested positive for Covid 19 virus Friday night after a 13-day trip. She warned me. Healthcare people warned me. But not so persuasively that I tested regularly. Mea culpa (a Latin way of saying, “I blew it”). She hasn’t left me (for worse), but we are now living together separately, just in time for Mother’s Day. Some present! So, in my self-isolation at the other end of our house, I have the time needed to give our faithful readers the clearest advice. Ignore it at your peril and...
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The Cook County Aging Coalition is pleased to introduce Aging Well Resources Cook County, a new “one-stop” guide to local programs, events, and support. Aging Well Resources includes a comprehensive easy-to-use website designed for residents of Cook County, as well as a Care Navigator for phone assistance. It’s never been easier for Cook County seniors to find the information they need! For those who would rather speak directly to someone or who need help understanding support options, Care Navigator Christie John offers friendly assistance by phone by calling (218) 231-8903 or toll-free (855) 444-3910. AgingWellResources.org provides access to local programs,...
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As I celebrated Mother’s Day this year, I was blessed to have my wonderful Mom and three kids be part of my “motherhood.” I choked up a little bit when my sister-in-law said, “But I’m not a mother.” That hit me hard. This beautiful person spends every weekend caring for her elderly parents. Their Mother and Daughter’s role is reversed as her mom struggles with Alzheimer’s Disease. She is selfless, patient, and kind—all the necessary qualities of a mother. I started to think that this day should celebrate the mothers of our lives and the woman mentors. I found an...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds Minnesotans hoping to harvest wild turtles this year that they will need a valid fishing license and must adhere to updated regulations (mndnr.gov/FishingRegs). Residents with an angling license can take snapping and western painted turtles in Minnesota for personal use — to eat, keep as pets or to remove as a nuisance. All other turtle species, including softshells, cannot be taken from the wild. Western painted turtles must measure between 4 and 5 1/2 inches in shell length and may be taken at any time of the year. The possession limit is three....
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The Saturday, May 7 game against the Ely Timberwolves turned into a pitcher’s duel between the Vikings Paul Dorr and the Timberwolves Gunner Hart. The hurlers both had shutouts going through four innings of play. The Timberwolves finally scored one run in the fifth and both teams scored two runs in the sixth. However, Ely put the game away by adding two more runs in the seventh and the Vikings were unable to counter, taking a 5-2 loss. Hart ended up pitching a complete game. He gave up two runs on four hits while striking out nine and walking one....
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Katie Peck had three RBIs and scored three runs to help lead the Vikings to a 14-10 win over the Floodwood Polar Bears on Thursday, May 6. Peck had two hits and walked once in three plate appearances. Both teams took leads in the game. The Vikings led 4-3 after the first inning and Floodwood tied it up in the second. The Polar Bears would score two runs in the third to go up six to four. A three-run fourth inning gave the lead back to the Vikings, who led seven to six. The Polar Bears pushed four runs across...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education...
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Recently David Johnson spotted two Peregrine falcons looking for a nesting area on a cliff. He took pictures of this one when it briefly landed. Peregrines are noted for their fast flight and ability to hunt small birds, swooping down from great heights on unsuspecting prey.
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“It makes the pool seem new!” “The light seems bright, but softer.” “I like how it makes the water seem more blue!” These are just some of the positive comments the Cook County YMCA has gotten after the recent installation of the new lighting system at the facility’s swimming pool. And beyond the aesthetics, the new LED system is much more efficient than the fluorescent lighting it replaced. There will be an annual 10,600 kWh reduction in electricity use, resulting in a savings of more than 00 per year, and a corresponding annual CO2 emissions reduction of 8.1 tons. Plus,...
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Over the past few years, residents Cook County have noticed an increase in tourism, as well as new residents, moving to the area and we all know why people come here. It is beautiful, it is wild, and it is precious. But this increase in “loving this area” has been presenting many challenges in preserving and protecting these invaluable natural resources. Cook County Coalition of Lake Associations (CCCoLA) is an action-oriented independent organization made up of Cook County Lake and Road Associations. It serves as an umbrella group that brings these associations together to focus on issues of common interest...
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County Administrator James Joerke presented the 2022-2024 Cook County Employees Association (CCEA) labor agreement to the commissioners at the board’s April 26 meeting, which was passed unanimously by the county board. Some details of the contract: The CCEA represents non-supervisory employees who are not members of Local 49 (Highway Department) or the Sheriff ’s office (LELS). After the two sides couldn’t agree, the CCEA filed for mediation, and a session was held on April 7. Coming out of the mediation, the two sides agreed to a three-year contract (January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2024) calling for a 3.0 percent...
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There will be a memorial service for Eleanor Sjoberg, May 24th at 2 p.m. at First Congregational, UCC in Grand Marais. A burial service will immediately follow at Maple Hill Cemetery.
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Parents, caregivers, and those that work with children have all experienced the wonder, joy and at times challenges of connecting with children. We all enter the world with the need to connect, learn and make sense of the world around us with all that we have been given. A good definition of children’s mental health is: - Reaching emotional and developmental milestones. - Learning healthy social skills. - Developing ways to cope when problems arrive. Almost all children grow well and healthy, both physically and emotionally, into adulthood. Yet sometimes children face obstacles or risk factors that contribute to emotional...
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The Cook County High School track team has been busy as of late, attending several track meets. On May 3rd, the Vikings participated in the Two Harbors Invite #2. The CCHS boys’ team finished seventh out of ten teams. The girls’ team placed eighth in the ten-team field. Rock Ridge won both the boys’ and girls' titles. Rock Ridge scored 184 points to 92 for runner-up Mesabi East in the boys’ competition. Two Harbors was narrowly beaten for the girls’ team title. Rock Ridge won 137.5 to 135. Boys' Results Ryan Christiansen took fourth place in both the 100- and...
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StoryCorps will record conversations between community members of opposing viewpoints North Shore Community Radio has partnered with StoryCorps, the national nonprofit dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs, as part of StoryCorps’ One Small Step Radio Station Hubs project. WTIP is one of six public radio stations across the country selected to receive training and production assistance to collaborate on StoryCorps’ One Small Step initiative, which facilitates conversation and connection between people of opposing viewpoints. One Small Step Communities is made possible with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Executive...
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COVID-19 cases have been on the uptick again in Cook County. Over the last week there have been 27 cases reported which brings the total to 883 since the pandemic began. These new cases have been reported to Cook County Public Health and Human Services or to the Grand Portage Health Services. Cook County has 3,291 people up to date on their vaccinations. The county COVID-19 site offers this advice. “Because not everyone with COVID will experience symptoms, we should practice things like hand washing, mask wearing, and distancing in all crowded public spaces to help keep ourselves safe.” If...
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Most species have one basic antler design that varies little except by number of points. In my columns on antlers, I deliberately refrained from bringing up that moose have three distinct antler structures. See picture. The cervicorn structure is the earliest and most primitive design and is the only antler design in the Manchurian moose of northeast China. The full palmicorn (or shell) design developed from the cervicorn structure and is the most dominant design in moose of West Siberia and Europe. The split-palm (or butterfly) design is a more recent form and is the dominant design from Outer Mongolia...
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This very friendly moose got close enough to Katie Mumm to lick the salt off of her car.
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A memorial service for Jean Ann Fredeen will be held on May 14, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Lutsen Lutheran Church in Lutsen, Minnesota. Visitation one hour prior to the service. Full notice ran earlier in December 2021.
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There will be a celebration of life for Joseph John Bursack on May 21, at 11 a.m. at the Tofte cemetery. A celebration of his life will follow at Zoar Lutheran Church in Tofte. Your presence we miss, your memories we treasure. Loving you always,forgetting you never.
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A memorial service for Carol Fritsch will be held this Saturday, May 7th at 1 p.m. at Lutsen Evangelical Lutheran Church.
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What are aquatic invasive species? At a basic level, aquatic invasive species (AIS) are living things dwelling in water that are not native to Minnesota. The impacts of AIS vary; however, they all cause problems. Some species cause damage to ecosystems, others harm the economy and human health, or all the above. There are many pathways for AIS to be introduced and spread. Most often AIS are unknowingly carried in or on trailered recreational watercraft and fishing equipment. Movement of boat lifts, docks, waders, and waterfowl hunting gear are also potential pathways of spread for invasive plants and invertebrates. Connected...
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It is Circus Day and the kids are going to Duluth for the Shriner’s Circus. Winners of the Biggest Lunch boxes are L-R: Patty Foster, Gary Zimmerman, Greg Smith, and Ed Hedstrom. The Shriners in the back row are Curly Bentley, Howard Joynes, and Alfred Fenstad.
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Emergency quarantine on wood movement put in place for portions of Carlton County and Lake County The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed the presence of emerald ash borer (EAB) in Carlton and Lake counties for the first time. EAB was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009, and there are now 34 counties in the state with EAB. In Lake County, a staff member of the Superior Hiking Trail Association noticed insect and woodpecker damage to an ash tree along a trail in the city of Two Harbors and reported the find to the MDA. MDA staff were able...
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On Sunday, May 1 the Cook County Highway Department announced it had closed a portion of UT 48 due to a culvert issue and issued an advisory for water running across CSAH 7. By May 3 the highway department said a temporary repair had been made on UT 48 and that the road was safe for travel. Receding waters allowed the department to remove the travel advisory for water flowing across CSAH 7. The road was temporarily closed said Highway Maintenance Supervisor Josh Dix, “Out of an abundance of caution we are closing UT 48, east of the intersection with...
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The largest solid organ in our bodies, our livers play an equally large role in maintaining our health. They perform over 500 functions that are vital to our well-being, such as removing waste products and foreign toxins from the bloodstream, helping to regulate blood sugar, and creating nutrients. A few of our livers’ essential jobs include: Blood Filtering: As blood passes through the liver, it’s cleansed of harmful materials. Infection Protection: Some of the harmful substances that are filtered out include dangerous bacteria. The liver also makes substances that play a role in immune recognition and response. Blood Clotting: The...
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Jean Brislance discovered this ruffed grouse sitting in the sun on a snowbank “on what was our only sunny day last week.”
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Who, who is looking at who? An adult northern saw-whet owl was busy preparing a nest in this tree when Paul Sundberg took this picture. The northern saw-whet is the smallest of Minnesota’s owls.
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Minnesota added more rainfall monitoring volunteers during the annual March recruitment than any other state and set a new national recruiting record for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS). The recruiting effort led by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota office of the National Weather Service resulted in 365 new volunteers and brought the “CoCoRaHS Cup” to Minnesota for the third year in a row. Minnesota broke the previous record last year as well by recruiting 270 new volunteers. The rain, snow and hail data gathered and reported by volunteers are not only important...
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Gary Brumberg passed away, May 4, 2022, at Northern Lakes Senior Living in Baxter, Minnesota, where he had resided for nearly 3 years. He was born in Sioux City, Iowa to Joe and Helga Brumberg on February 28, 1945. His family moved to Brainerd, Minnesota in 1959. He graduated from Washington High School in 1963. He continued his education at Brainerd Junior College and went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota. After graduation, he worked for the city of Minneapolis until he moved to Grand Marais to work as their City Clerk. He later worked for Cook County...
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With the snow now gone in the Grand Marais Recreational Park, the hard-working seasonal staff didn’t waste any time opening the park on May 1. However, there’s lots more to do before the height of the tourist season. A handful of campers are in the park as seasonal staff work to get the grounds ready for a busy summer. Two bathhouses are open, and two more will be brought online in the next couple of weeks. The staff is also putting in docks, and mooring buoys, noted Grand Marais Parks and Rec Director Dave Tersteeg, who addressed the park board...
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The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council has recently started accepting applications for two new grant programs designed to assist the arts and cultural sector recover from the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. One program will offer operating support for regional nonprofit arts organizations. The second program will provide funding to individual working artists for projects that continue their artistic excellence. The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council is the only organization in Minnesota, and one of only 66 organizations nationwide, to be awarded this opportunity to provide funding as a local arts agency. The NEA-ARP Operating Support grant is funded through the...
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It was cold and rainy on Saturday, April 30, but that didn’t deter a hearty crowd of folks from turning out to celebrate the dedication of the Bally Blacksmith Shop. And stepping into the two buildings that make up the enterprise was like stepping back into time: There were boxes of axes, picaroons, chains of all different weights and sizes, motors from a long gone era, horseshoes, and blacksmithing tools neatly placed everywhere. The Cook County Historical Society hosted the event. Marja Erickson, president of the CCHS, opened the dedication with a greeting. She was followed by the CCHS Director...
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May is National Foster Care Month. Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) is seeking foster parents to partner in caring for children and youth in need. If you are interested in making a difference in children’s lives, consider becoming a foster parent. On an average day, there were approximately 8,600 children and young adults in care in 2020, according to the most recent information available through the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Jodi Raidt, statewide program manager with LSS Therapeutic Foster Care, said that the need for foster parents remains great. “We are in the process of recruiting foster parents...
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The U.S. Forest Service opened its quota permit system for overnight paddle, hiking and motor trips, and motorized day trips for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on May 1. Visitors who are taking an overnight trip into the BWCAW from May 1 to September 30 are required to obtain a quota permit. Permits must be picked up on the entry date or one day earlier by the permit holder leader or an alternate group leader. Permit holders must watch a Leave No Trace & Tread Lightly video series before entering into the BWCAW. In Cook County permits can be...
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Mother’s Day is the one day a year when Mother gets to put her feet up and is waited on hand and foot by her minion. Father brings her an iced coffee, just the way she likes it. The children deliver the remote control, blankets, and a snack. Uninterrupted, Mother watches an entire episode of BBC-produced British period piece on PBS. It is pure bliss. Mothers may partake in an afternoon nap or indulge with a visit to the spa. This is your day, Mother! Unless, of course, Mother, you have a Mother of your own. Then Mother must plan...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked anglers on Lake Superior tributaries and near their mouths. Recent rain and snowmelt is helping clear rivers of ice but water temperatures are still cold and fish...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Kelli Leigh Bluth, 41, Minnetonka, Minnesota, pled guilty on April 23, 2022, to a petty misdemeanor of Traffic Speeding 83/60 on March 19, 2022. Fines and fees total 5. Joshua Ion Rice, 47, Grand Marais, Minnesota, pled guilty...
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A five-run second inning and outstanding pitching propelled the Cook County Viking baseball team to a 12-2 victory over the Wrenshall Wrens on April 28. With the win, the Viking’s record is 1-1. The Cook County High School baseball team traveled to Cloquet’s Braun Park to face the Wrenshall Wrens. The game was moved from Wrenshall to Cloquet because the Wrenshall ball field wasn’t playable. The Vikings led 1-0 after the first inning. Ray Dresseley singled on the first pitch and scored the Viking’s first run. Dresseley and Jacob Dorr each doubled in the second, and an error on a...
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Stewart James McIntosh Jr. passed away peacefully the morning of April 28, 2022. Everyone who knew him, knew he was a kind, funny, creative man, who had a knack for hardware, and who loved his wife and family. Stewart Jr was born in 1945 to Stewart Sr and Ruth; he grew up in the Morningside neighborhood of Minneapolis; he graduated from Edina High in 1963. Stewart served in the U.S. Army from 1966-69, including two tours in Vietnam. In 1971, Stewart married Kathleen Knutson; they bought a house in Saint Anthony Park neighborhood of St. Paul and had two children,...
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Dedicated to the “Tall Man of Lutsen.” He devoted his life to his dear wife, Diane, and his children: Bryan, Kristi, and Rebecca. He adored his grandchildren: Drew, Abby, Mason, Dresden, Ori, and Talia. He valued his time with his friends. And he loved observing wildlife and listening to music. He will be missed by all. Memorial to be held after “ice out” on Caribou Lake. To everything (turn,turn, turn)There is a season(turn, turn, turn)And a time to everypurpose, under heaven.
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Last week a small grass fire in a lawn was stopped from spreading by the Grand Marais Fire Department. Cook County Law Enforcement handled traffic on the road while the firefighters put the blaze out. An ambulance from North Shore Health was on the scene in case any medical assistance was needed.
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After a scoreless first inning Kelly High School erupted for 15 runs in the second, and that’s all of the runs the Mariners would need to sink the Vikings. The Vikings fell 15-0 in four innings. It was a tough day all around for the Vikings who faced a hot Mariner team in Silver Bay on a cold Monday, May 2. Kallie Anderson took the loss on the mound. Kallie allowed five hits and 15 runs in two and two-thirds innings. Kallie struck out two batters. Maggie Smith came in from the bullpen and threw two-thirds of an inning in...
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Cinco de Mayo is, for those with limited grasp of the Spanish, just a date on the calendar. Don’t be alarmed. This is the one day of the year that is in the Spanish. Cinco de Mayo means, try to stay with me here… the Fifth of May. On this day, many Americans pile into authentic Mexican restaurants in America. They will tell you that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day. Do not believe these people. They have been drinking. Some are even drunk. Mexican Independence Day is the 16th of September, which ironically starts at midnight on the...
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Down 8-0 before they even had a chance to bat, things didn’t look good for the Vikings in their home field matchup against the McGregor Mercs. The game was played Tuesday, May 3 at the Rec Park campground. However auspicious the start was, the game turned around on a few swings of the bat. None bigger than Katie Pecks center field blast that cleared the fences in the first, driving in two runs. The Vikings scored five runs in the first and despite trailing 8-5, it was game on. It was all Vikings in the second inning as the team...
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April was Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Every year the National Sexual Violence Resource Center sets a theme for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and this year’s theme is Building Safe Online Spaces Together. While technology has become integrated into our daily lives and has made connection and communication possible through the pandemic, it has also opened up new pathways for people who choose to use abusive behavior to harass and abuse people over the internet. Sexual harassment, cyber-bullying, sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation have often been seen as par for the course in online spaces, as something that victims just have...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Ruby’s Pantry West End, 1st Thursday of each month from 5:15-6:45 at the Birch Grove Center in Tofte. (cash only) Sponsored by Zoar Lutheran Church. Unable to pay, come anyway. God shall supply all your needs-Philippians 4:19. Cook County Higher Education Career training and college...
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Boreal Community Media (BCM) has announced the hiring of Laura Durenberger-Grunow as its Lead Digital Content Editor for the non-profit independent community media organization. In her new role, Laura will be responsible for generating, researching, editing, and reporting content for www.boreal.org and its companion website www.boreal-emergency.org as well as leading the non-profit’s social media efforts. Durenberger-Grunow re-located to Grand Marais with her husband Ahren, who was appointed General Manager of the Cook County Whole Foods Co-op in the fall of 2021. They have one son. “On behalf of the Boreal Board of Directors we are excited to welcome Laura Durenberger-Grunow...
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After several cancellations the Cook County fast pitch softball team got to play a game outdoors for the first time in 2022. A red-hot start by the Moose Lake Willow River softball team in the first inning set the tone for the away game played at Moose Lake on Wednesday, April 27. The Rebels put up 14 points in the first, adding three more in the second, three in the third and closed out the game with a 20-0 win. The game was called after four innings because of the ten-run rule. Moose Lake/Willow River started the first inning scoring...
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The Cook County High School baseball team was up four runs in the seventh and last inning and couldn’t hold on, losing 7-5 to Northeast Range. The game was played Friday, April 29, at home. Cook County took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a fielder’s choice on a hard-hit ball by Jacob Dorr that brought in one run. The Nighthawks came back to tie it up in the second, but the Vikings added one more run in the third, one in the fifth, and two runs in the sixth to go into the seventh inning, leading 5-1....
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20 YEARS AGO MAY 6, 2002 v In a four-hour special meeting last Monday, the local school board members and Superintendent Dale Tormondsen came up with two lists with which to make a case for passing a referendum next fall. The exact amount of the referendum was not decided but amounts from 2,000 to 2,000 were floated. “For every 0,000 of valuation, that’s about 0 in extra tax,” said Tormondsen of the top figure. “I think we are pushing the envelope as far as tax impact with that.” Among the priorities identified by the board members are to attract and...
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The 13th annual art show sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church is called “Growing Towards the Light. It will be held at the Johnson Heritage Post from April 29 to May 22. The show opens Friday, April 29, with a reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Professional artists and emerging artists of all ages from up and down the Northshore will participate. In addition, a featured artist talk and reception will be held on May 6 at 5 p.m., with acclaimed Minneapolis photographer Michelle Wingard. According to her website, Michelle Westmark Wingard is an installation based photographer,...
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There’s so much to celebrate in spring – warmer weather, longer days, fishing opener, and best of all – our fabulous and wonderful volunteers! We celebrated our volunteers with a rousing game of Bingo on Thursday, April 28th. We would like to thank publicly Chester Lindskog and Dick Bockovich for assisting with Bingo, Sharon Bloomquist, Barb Wright and Mary Harrelson for all the delicious treats and Doug Sanders for playing piano at our monthly birthday parties. Thank you to Patsy Smith, Lorri Peterson, Barb Heideman, and Duane Hasegawa for coming to our aide when we have needed extra people to...
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Cheerful news here; the Gala for the Grove will be a live event for the first time in two years. This year the Gala for the Grove will be held Saturday, May 14, at the Lakeside Ballroom at Surfside on Lake Superior. There will be a masquerade theme, so guests coming to this semi-formal event are called upon to add a mask to their attire. However, if you are somewhat tired of wearing a mask, come anyway with smiles and good wishes. And an appetite! The party starts at 5:00 p.m. with champagne. Dinner is at 6:00 p.m. and selections...
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How fitting. George Morrison was a stamp collector, said Hazel Belvo, who was married to George in 1960. That was one of the many enduring, sweet recollections heard by an audience of 300 plus who attended the Grand Portage artist George Morrison (Wah Wah The Go Nay Ga) Forever Stamp Ceremony held at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino atrium and lobby. The celebration took place on Friday, April 22, at 1 p.m., with events lasting into the evening. Former Tribal Chair and current Cook County/ Grand Marais Joint Economic Development Authority Director Elizabeth (Beth) Drost was the event’s emcee....
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The first Thursday in May has been the day of National Day of Prayer for many years, and people gather at courthouses, capitols and public places across our nation to pray. National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 5, will be held at the Cook County Courthouse steps from noon (12) to 1 p.m. It is an opportunity to avail ourselves of the freedom we have to gather publicly for prayer for our nation; our elected leaders: school board and city, county, state and national public servants, our military, law enforcement, churches, schools, and families. Come, and join together in praying...
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Arrowhead Electric will be applying herbicide to power line right-of-ways again this summer. The areas affected will be those that were mechanically cleared in 2020. Areas included: Cook/Lake County border along Highway 61 to the Onion River east of Tofte, Inland right-of-ways including the Cramer Road, areas around Grand Marais, Colvill and Hovland, Inland right-of-ways around Devils Track and County Road 14 corridors. It is possible to ‘opt-out’ of herbicide application on your property, but you must contractually agree to pay a monthly surcharge on your electric billing for a period of five years. This surcharge is based on the...
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Cook County Community Education is seeking sponsors to help pay for equipment for kids’ baseball and softball summer programs. In addition to T-ball/ Parent Pitch and Little League baseball, Cook County Community Education is adding an exciting new summer softball program for girls ages 8-12. That said, all of the kids’ programs are in need of new equipment. This year new equipment is needed in order to keep the programming running as some of the older gear is worn and needs to be replaced. Needed are helmets, bats, Little League uniforms, and t-shirts for T-ball and Parent Pitch. The softball...
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20 YEARS AGOAPRIL 29, 2002 v Future visitors to the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic on the Gunflint Trail are in for a treat as well as treatment. A sculpture garden, featuring a family carved by Hovland artists Dan and Lee Ross, is set to appear outside the clinic in the next year. The figures are planned to be two parents and a toddler, with the adults about six feet tall. The style could be compared to Inuit sculpture. v The spring clean-up of the area around the Grand Marais harbor, done in conjunction with Earth Day, netted 20 garbage bags filled,...
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The weather so far in April has been anything but consistent and the same can be said for the ice-out status of Minnesota’s waterways. However, as people’s focus turns to open water, the Minnesota Department of Resources reminds boaters and paddlers that cold water is dangerous and unexpected falls can turn tragic quickly. Each year, about 30 percent of fatal boating accidents happen during the cold-water period. In many instances, the victims weren’t wearing a life jacket. Wearing a life jacket – not just having one somewhere on the boat – is the most effective way to survive a fall...
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After three baseball games were canceled because of snow and cold, the Vikings managed to squeeze a game in last Friday, April 22, playing at South Ridge High School in Culver. The teams were knotted at one run each in the second inning, but South Ridge took a commanding lead with a big four-run third inning. South Ridge benefited from three walks and a double by A. Bennet to clear the bases in the third inning. A two-run fourth and four-run sixth gave the Panthers an 11-1 victory over the Vikings. W. Olson was the winning pitcher for the Panthers....
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Each spring, Native American tribal members in Minnesota preserve their cultural heritage while providing a vital food source for tribal communities by harvesting fish through netting and spearing. This legally protected, regulated harvest of fish usually begins in mid-April at ice-out. With the tribal spring harvest season getting underway, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources expresses support for tribal members exercising their harvest rights within the 1837 Ceded Territory and within reservation boundaries. The 1837 treaty reserves to tribal members the right to hunt and fish in the ceded territory, free of state regulation. The DNR reminds all state residents...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checking anglers along the North Shore. He also attended training at Camp Ripley. CO Mary Manning (Hovland) took a report of illegal birch pole theft...
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Can you imagine usYears from todaySharing a park benchquietly?How terribly strangeTo be seventy. ~The Beatles Well, I’m there—and beyond. We didn’t share a park bench, but I recently shared a few days with some precious life-long friends, all of us over 70. We don’t call each other OLD friends, though, at least not yet. In 1982 we decided to escape into the woods on a canoe trip, and we had such a fabulous time that we continued canoeing together for 25 summers. I remember back in our thirties laughing about one day being airlifted into a wilderness island with our...
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David McDonald, World Press Institute (WPI) Executive Director, brought eight international journalists to Cook County from March 27 to March 30. The first two days in Cook County were spent touring. Then, after visits to Grand Portage (pretty much everyone said the visit to the Witch Tree was their favorite stop), the Gunflint Trail, with stops at Trail Center and Golden Eagle Lodge, and North House Folk School, the Cook County Historical Society building, and stops around town, they were ready to meet the public at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. On stage were the following: Ms. Petya Mihova,...
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In the late evenings after happy hour and some solids in my gut I would walk through downtown back to the house where I rented a room. They were a very hard-working people and very family oriented, and the downtown – and the countryside too - got quiet quite early. The downtown was generally well-lighted, and everywhere, even in the unlighted alleys or empty lots or shady tree-lined streets, I was not afraid. I was young and in very good shape and large by local standards and filled with beer or rice wine or tequila. And, truth be told, a...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages Minnesotans contact the state if they see evidence of a fish die-off in a lake or stream. These fish die-offs happen occasionally and can result from a variety of causes. “People can help by reporting fish die-offs right away,” DNR limnology consultant Tom Burri said. “These reports help us determine whether an investigation is needed.” To report fish dieoffs, people should call the Minnesota Duty Officer at 651-649-5451 or 800-422-0798 (the officer line is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week). An early report allows timely water and fish sampling or...
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When built, the .5 million Downtown Tofte Project might not look exactly as it was first proposed. Costs keep rising, and winter never lets go, which doesn’t help. “This year, the build start time is shorter than the last few years, so hitting that short start date window dictates some of our options,” said Joe Swanson. Joe Swanson and Pipasu Soni are the owners of Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts and are behind the Downtown Tofte Project. A significant piece of funding sought through the Minnesota Housing Finance Authority rural workforce housing is on hold. “Minnesota Housing did not put...
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The North Shore Health Care Foundation (NSHCF) has ,000 to be awarded to community organizations and programs that contribute to equitable health care and healthy living in Cook County this year, through its semi-annual grant program. Applications are due by 4 p.m., May 1 for the first round of funding this year, and by Oct. 1 for the second round of grant funding. The Foundation works to address gaps in health care and community health-related needs in Cook County. “We are thrilled to be able to award this funding to deserving initiatives and programs that help champion solutions for a...
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Prospective bear hunters have until Friday, May 6, to apply for a bear hunting license from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Applications for the 2022 season can be submitted online, at any license agent or via telephone at 888-665-4236. Bear season opens Thursday, Sept. 1, and closes Sunday, Oct. 16. Lottery winners will be notified by Wednesday, June 1. The deadline to purchase bear hunting licenses awarded by lottery is Monday, Aug. 1. Any remaining unpurchased licenses will be available over the counter starting at noon Thursday, Aug. 4. An unlimited number of bear licenses also will be sold...
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Maybe it was something in the stars, a little luck, skill and some fairy dust sprinkled in, but Bev Pratt, the widow of Bob Pratt, and Skip Joynes, went undefeated and became the first Grand Champions of the Bob Pratt Scholarship Cribbage Tournament Fundraiser. In all, twenty-three teams played on Saturday, April 23. The event earned 0 for the scholarship. “The Bob Pratt Scholarship Cribbage Tournament Fundraiser was a huge success!” said Julie Joynes Carlson, event organizer. Pratt and Joynes called themselves the “B-15-twos”, raking in a cash prize of 0. Second place, the Devil Track Players, Dan Everson and...
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While flood potential has been relatively low across the state thus far this spring, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds Minnesotans that it is always important to be prepared for flood conditions. Flooding might not be on people’s minds, given last year’s extensive drought in Minnesota. “Much of Minnesota was in severe drought last year and snowmelt has been gradual and prolonged for much of the state this spring, but drought doesn’t mean floods won’t happen,” State Climatologist Luigi Romolo said. “Because of climate change, Minnesota has experienced a significant increase in extreme rainstorms over large areas since 2000....
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During Take a Mom Fishing Weekend Saturday, May 7, to Sunday, May 8, moms who live in Minnesota can fish without purchasing a license. The Minnesota State Legislature established this special weekend in 1988 to coincide with Mother’s Day. Most years, the fishing opener and Take a Mom Fishing Weekend are on the same weekend, but not this year. On Take a Mom Fishing weekend, fishing is open for many species like crappie, sunfish, catfish, or native fish like buffalo, sucker, bullhead or sheepshead. Walleye and northern pike seasons will open the following weekend on Saturday, May 14. Fishing season...
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There is no doubt that Cook County possesses a rich cultural landscape which provides a distinctive sense of place and sets it apart from all other areas. As people came to the area they adapted and changed, and the landscape changed in turn. Our predecessors in this region interacted with the physical environment and created landscapes that functioned for them and met their needs. As people influenced how the area was used, they added character and distinctiveness. Farms and fishing villages emerged, walking paths and portages were created, buildings were built, harbors were made safer, and roads were constructed. Not...
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Did you know that the Heaven’s Door brand of whiskies features a “Highway 61 Blend” of straight whiskey? We knew that Highway 61 brought us to God’s country but to Heaven’s Door? The WCTU was sure that whiskey was the door to hell. Although bottled in Tennessee, the label says “blended by Ace Spirits” of Hopkins, Minnesota. (Son David introduced me to Ace Spirits—wall-to-wall distilled spirits, with the majority being an uncountable number of whiskeys of all kinds.) The Heaven’s Door website says that these blends were “co-created” with Bob Dylan. Dylan says, “I wanted to create a collection of...
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A members-only vote will be held on the proposed Arrowhead Cooperative Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws at the Cooperative’s annual 2022 meeting. Board of Director elections will also be held at the annual meeting, which will take place on June 4, 2022. One proposed change is to increase directors’ terms to allow someone to serve 18 consecutive years (six terms) if they win their elections after three years. Currently, directors can hold office for 12 years if they win four successive elections. Elections are held every three years. According to the Cooperative’s monthly newsletter, rapid changes in the energy industry...
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A request for an Interim Use Permit (IUP) to install three R.V. sites and two tent sites on two acres in an R-1 Zone was denied by a 7-0 vote by the Cook County Planning Commission. On Wednesday, March 13, the vote came after the planning commission held a public hearing. The request came from Jeff and Dana Bartheld, who live at 3911 East Highway 61, Grand Marais. Initially, the couple hoped for a conditional use permit. But County Land Commissioner Tim Nelson said a conditional use permit (CUP) could be carried forward even if a property was sold. In...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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I have no doubt that we can call the Earth Day Fair held last night a huge success. We had 28 booths/organizations, nine speakers, three great music acts, and a couple hundred community members or more. It was great to see some of you in person and many of our friends out and about on a rainy Spring evening. With some minor adjustments for the sound of the band and the speakers, it went very well. Thank you to all who participated in helping set up, organizing, being a part of the event, and those who helped to clean up....
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Arvis, thanks for bringing this issue forward, they are legitimate concerns, unfortunately based on myths and misinformation. I have been researching EVs for almost a year and by last fall was drawn towards hybrid electrics. Since then, events and new developments have driven me to consider full electric, and here is why. Let me address your concerns one by one. 1) The drawbacks of EVs: short answer, I am hard pressed to find any in reality. They are reliable, efficient, cheaper, faster and more powerful than their ICE counterparts. 2) Watching videos from those opposed in principle will not lead...
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With a state surplus of over billion there are many organizations justifiably wanting a piece of the pie this legislative session. As a lifelong educator, it is my strong opinion that the first priority of the Legislature should be to pay for unfunded services that school districts are required to provide. Since the passing of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) in 1975 the state and federal government have rightfully mandated programming and services for students with special needs, but they have grossly underfunded these mandates. This forces districts to use regular general education funds to pay for some...
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Susan Joyce Shaffer, age 75, passed away on Tuesday, April 19th, 2022. Born in West Virginia in 1946, fate would bring Susan to Minnesota in the 1960’s where she would meet a charming young Air Force recruit named William. Susan and William were married in Grand Marais in 1965, and after a brief honeymoon would find themselves settled near Madison, Wisconsin. It was here they welcomed their first two children, Eric and Rebecca. The mid 1970’s would find Susan and William in Maywood, Illinois, where they welcomed their third child, daughter Michelle. It was here that Susan would become involved...
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High Falls, Minnesota’s tallest waterfall, is spectacular this time of year. Located in Grand Portage on the Pigeon River, the half-mile trail leading from the Grand Portage State Park parking area is paved and has a boardwalk making it easy to reach High Falls for most pedestrians.
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ANTLER STRUCTURE: Most species have one basic antler design that varies little except by number of points. In my columns on antlers, I deliberately refrained from bringing up that moose have 3 distinct antler structures. See picture. The cervicorn structure is the earliest and most primitive design and is the only antler design in the Manchurian moose of northeast China. The full palmicorn (or shell) design developed from the cervicorn structure and is the most dominant design in moose of West Siberia and Europe. The split-palm (or butterfly) design is a more recent form and is the dominant design from...
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His name was Gary. He was the second son of Art and LaVonne and a brother to Sandy. Gary was born and raised on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Graduated Class of ’82. His legacy included five children and had he lived Gary would now have eight grandchildren. I think that would have blown his mind and he would have been proud. Instead, we have lived these past ten years without him. Time has continued. There are lots of “what ifs and what could have been” but slowly the healing has come. I say his name often. Sometimes I...
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This is Al Bally with his Studebaker from the early 1920s. Mary Bally took this photo in 1925 or 1926, during one of their many road trips. She saved the photo in her scrap book. The Cook County Historical Society is hosting a special open house at the Bally Blacksmith Shop in Grand Marais on Saturday, April 30, 2022, from 10 am to 4pm.
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The biking/hiking bridge over Rosebush (Fall Creek) is ready for use. Unlike last summer when there was practically no water in the streams and rivers, a winter rich in never ending snow has assured us that the stream fish will have a place to swim this summer.
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North House Folk School Executive Director Greg Wright appeared before the Grand Marais City council on Wednesday, April 13, speaking during the public comment period. Only a week before Wright had appeared before the Grand Marais Planning Commission with a proposal to build a new classroom on the campus. But to build the new classroom North House was asking for a 40-foot variance. After hearing from several members of the audience who voiced concerns about two fish houses that would have to be removed to make way for the new 2,400 square foot building, the planning commission denied the request....
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When people speak of their interest in wildlife, they are nearly always referring to species (or groups of species) which are of special interest to them. Typical examples are songbirds, birds of prey, big game, small game, waterfowl, and predators. It is refreshing that occasionally someone will express an interest in snakes. It is extremely rare that small mammals are mentioned, perhaps because most people consider them to be undesirable vermin. Many of them are reservoirs of disease agents. The term “small mammal” is quite broad. It includes mice, voles (most people include them as mice), shrews, chipmunks, red squirrels,...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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Joan Taylor Costello, 94, of Bellingham, Washington died on March 23, 2022, in her home. She was born on May 24, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois to Herbert and Eloise (Latta) Taylor. Her family moved to Sacramento, CA where she graduated from Sacramento Community College before relocating to Crystal Lake, Illinois where she married John E. Costello on November 25, 1950. Her interests and curiosities were boundless, and she was just as happy playing piano with one of her children as she was fishing or collecting fossils, or playing sports, or canoeing in the wilderness, or using power tools. She loved...
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20 YEARS AGOAPRIL 22, 2002 High school baseball fans will not be able to see the Vikings play at home this season. While the original 2002 schedule included eight home games, it was announced last week that all of those games have been rescheduled as away games. Why the change? “The field is unsafe,” said CCHS Athletic Director Lyle Anderson. “For us to try and get it ready was just not in the cards. Rather than risk injuries, we’re going on the road.” The outfield is the main problem with the Viking home diamond. The story is rocks…the outfield is...
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This is Bill Bally and my mother, Virginia Schultz Modl, outside the Bally house in the late 1940s. My mom visited the Bally family often during her four years at Saint Scholastica in Duluth. Mom and Bill Bally were kindred spirits and enjoyed many wonderful adventures together. The Cook County Historical Society is hosting a special open house at the Bally Blacksmith Shop in Grand Marais on Saturday, April 30, 2022, from 10am to 4pm.
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Vin Scully once said, “Statistics are to baseball what lampposts are to a drunk: they provide support, but not always illumination.” I’m not a statistician. I’m not a scientist. G.H. Ruth was no scientist either. But for one legendary moment he wielded one of the greatest powers of science. Therefore, of humankind. Go back to 1932, and the World Series. Game Three in the Series between the old man’s Yankees and the Chicago Cubs. In Chicago, in the fifth inning. The count to Ruth was 0-and-1. And the Cubs players and fans have been riding him all game – all...
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Dear Cook County Residents, As a business owner of Bear Track Outfitting Co., Bally Creek Cabins, and Fishin’Chics Charter Service, for the past 50 years, I would state that the 3% lodging tax and the 1% Visit Cook County tax has run its course. In reading the article in the North Shore Journal dated April, 2022 written by Steve Fernlund, it states the lodging tax collected [post_excerpt].83 million in 2021 and the Visit Cook County over three years was [post_excerpt].54 million. The County auditor’s website states that 25% is used for funding the Cook County Visitors Bureau. I believe there...
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Ripper was eager to retrieve a stick from Kimball Lake on May 11, 2011, when he and his family, Kathy and Gary Siesennop, watched the ice go out. Ripper III was a Labrador Retriever and he was a really good buddy. Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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April signifies the nationally recognized Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This is a prevalent issue that individuals face, not just here in Cook County and the State of Minnesota, but worldwide. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), one in five women in the United States experienced rape or attempted rape during their lifetime. Additionally, nearly 25 percent of men experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. If you break these numbers down into figures closer to home, the Cook County population in 2020 was reported to be 5,600. Census statistics show that gender equality was approximately...
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We have asked Arrowhead›s board more than once to respond to the questions and concerns expressed below, but they chose not to answer them. Consequently, whether you are members of the Arrowhead Cooperative or of the general public, after you read the questions below, I ask the reader to contact Arrowhead Cooperative board members directly asking one or more of these very important questions. We all have a right to ask these questions and to express our concerns, and probably a moral responsibility to do so. Dear board member: Last June and July when you were discussing and before reaching...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Daryl Robert Bathke, 42, Grand Marais, Minnesota, pled guilty on February 28, 2022, to a gross misdemeanor of DWI - Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol, on February 6, 2022. Convicted and Sentenced on April...
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How many of you have researched or watched any videos on electric vehicles? Has anyone read Resolution #2022-18 that the county board approved, dealing with climate change? One of the be-it-resolved statements says we will implement best practices relating to the purchase or lease of an electric fleet of vehicles. Let’s believe we (they) are thinking down the road— say 10 years—but you and I know that too often these absurd ideas suddenly are on the table. Someone has been hired to carry them out and a new department has been created. I believe the push will come too soon...
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It is the policy of the Cook County News-Herald to withhold the identities of individuals in Cook County Law Enforcement briefs. When court proceedings are complete, the Cook County News-Herald publishes a complete accounting of names and penalties in its Matters of Record. Saturday, April 2 5:01 p.m. Gunflint Trail LEC: Police Transport. An officer was transporting from Fargo, North Dakota, to the Cook County Sheriff Office in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Transport began at 5:30p.m. on Saturday and ended at 12:26 p.m. on Sunday. Sunday, April 3 3:36 p.m. Grand Marais: South Broadway, Informational. Caller was going for a swim...
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Once again, Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission partnered with the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association to stage a scholarship essay contest for graduating Cook County High School seniors who will further their post-secondary education in college or vocational school. This year the theme was “Municipal Utilities: Good for all of us.” Grand Marais PUC received four essays in the contest and the commissioners noted how well written they were. Taking the top award of 0 went to CeCe Cmelik for her essay. In part, CeCe wrote, “Electricity is even more important now as everyday lives and even communities shift to have...
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The morning of Wednesday, April 6th rain and melting snow created a surge of stormwater and water began pooling on The Grand Marais Library floor. Library staff immediately began removing the water with wet vacs. Grand Marais facilities maintenance crew removed snow from around the building to create channels to divert surface water away from the library. The water continued to collect faster than staff was able to remove it. It became clear that the city needed more resources to manage the water and minimize damage SERVPRO was hired to provide additional vacuums, industrial dehumidifiers, and blowers. At the time...
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Judy Ann Backlund passed away April 3, 2022, in Ontario, California with her partner Dennis by her side. Judy had suffered multiple battles with cancer over 42 years and fought valiantly through each cancer as she loved life, but her body become exhausted, and she couldn’t do it anymore. Judy was born in Grand Marais, Minnesota on August 6, 1949, to Sid and Betty Backlund. Judy lived most of her adult life in California, but Minnesota was always deep in her heart. She never lost her love of Grand Marais, the community and beauty of the North Shore. She kept...
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An incorrect phone number was listed for Grand Portage Health and Human Services in the Cook County Communications article last week. The correct telephone number is 218-475-2235. The Cook County News-Herald regrets the error.
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The North Shore Music Association is thrilled to kick off our 2022 spring and summer lineup with the stellar string trio of Brittany Haas, Brittany Karlson, and Joe K. Walsh, “a modern string band—from bluegrass to oldtime, with many stops along the way.” Please join us at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts for a May 28 7 p.m. concert guaranteed to lift your spirits. Tickets at northshoremusicassociation.com and door. Brittany Haas is widely regarded as one of the most influential fiddlers of her generation. Having developed her unique fiddling style under the mentorship of Bruce Molsky and Darol Anger,...
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I first met Rainbow many years ago when we both volunteered to help the Superior Hiking Trail build a new bridge across Durfee Creek. For many years after that we teamed together to maintain two sections of the Trail, from Pincushion Overlook to Woods Creek on County 58 and from the East end of the Lakewalk to Judge Magney State Park. We were also “Trail Angels” for Ken Oelkers the Maintenance Supervisor doing special projects for him. When the trail needed lumber to build walkways over wet spots many times the “SHT budget” did not have the money needed so...
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After a week-long trial, a local jury acquitted Rodney Arlen Ernest, 37, Isabella, of all six charges connected to the vehicle accident that claimed the life of William J. Evans, 55, or Litchfield. The verdict came after five days of testimony in Cook County District Court on April 12, 2022. A late winter storm caused a one-day delay, allowing jurors to stay home. Some jurors lived in Grand Portage and near the end of the Gunflint Trail. Judge Michael J. Cuzzo presided over the trial. Samuel J. Evans of Mendota Heights represented Ernest. Cook County Assistant Attorney Jeanne Monson represented...
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Thank you to Zoar Lutheran Church for sponsorship, Tofte Township for the use of the Birch Grove Center, and extra storage space, the Birch Grove Community School Board, Director, and Staff for their support! Thank you to Empty Bowls for 00.00, Ruby’s Pantry Grand Marais for 0.00, We Connect, Inc for 00.00, Grand Marais State Bank for 7 carts totaling 7.94. Thank you to Bluefin Bay for the use of the forklift and driver each month and to Human Resources from local business for helping with the numbers. Thank you to the Site Leaders Kathy Buckman, Cindy Donek, Bradley VanDoren,...
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Looking out at the great new world are these four adorable red fox kits. Maybe this is where the expression “wide eyed and bushy tailed” comes from.
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) attended training at Camp Ripley. CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled area forest roads and checked Lake Superior tributaries. She conducted minnow dealer checks, checked on area lake...
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The AEOA Mobile Food Pantry program is making a return to Cook County. For those who meet the income guidelines or who are in crisis, the pantry provides a monthly supply of supplemental nutritious foods. While availability varies, one may receive shelf-stable, fresh or frozen protein, grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy. These include cereal, pasta, brown or white rice, protein like beef, chicken, tuna, peanut butter, dairies like milk or cheese, fruits and vegetables, and more. Food will be distributed on the fourth Wednesday of every month, rain or shine. For the county’s east end, distribution will be held at...
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Jeanne Juettner Robinson, 92, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2022, at her home of 59 years in Minneapolis. A seasonal resident of Grand Marais, she and husband Charles owned a home near Croftville. Member of the Grand Marais PEO chapter. Graduate of Roosevelt High School & Macalester College. Member of Mayflower Church for over 65 years. Her career began as a teacher; she later worked as a technical editor and writer at Honeywell. As a dedicated member of AAUW and PEO, she had many friends in both organizations. She enjoyed history, plays, operas & symphonies. Jeanne loved spending time...
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The Bike Safety Rodeo has become a much loved and anticipated annual event in Grand Marais, bringing families and children from across the county together to help kids learn how to bike safely. Each year this event is possible thanks to community volunteers; this year, we need you! The 2022 Bike Safety Rodeo will be held on Thursday, May 12 from 3-5 p.m. at the Cook County Community Center in Grand Marais (317 West 5th Street), rain or shine, inside the arena if inclement weather. This fun and educational event is sponsored by the local Safe Routes to School (SRTS)...
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Minnesota gained 11,500 jobs, up 0.4 percent in the last month on a seasonally adjusted basis following the addition of 13,000 (revised up from 5,200) jobs in February 2022, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The private sector gained 11,000 jobs, up 0.4 prcent following the addition of 12,800 (revised up from 5,100) jobs in February. This is the sixth straight month that Minnesota has seen job growth. Minnesota’s labor force participation rate rose from 67.9 percent to 68.1 percent and the unemployment rate ticked down two-tenths of a point to...
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It’s been 52 years since the first Earth Day Celebration was held on April 22, 1970. And a lot has taken place since that initial first step. This year the theme for Earth Day 2022 is “Invest in our Planet.” How can you invest in the planet, you ask? Small steps. Some ideas listed on the Earth Day website include start compositing, build a garden, plant trees, use reusable grocery bags, invest in a reusable water bottle, make a bird feeder for your yard… Some folks will adopt a section of highway to keep clean, others will choose to leave...
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Brian Larsen There are racks of beautiful, colorful dresses and suits hanging in the Cook County High School Library. They aren’t there to remind kids to dress up before reading a good book. No, they were donated for the kids to wear—if they choose—to prom. Prom is always a big deal at school. For seniors, it is their last high school dance and a chance to dress up and have a fun evening, hanging out with friends they may soon be leaving behind. But buying that new prom dress or suit can be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming. Did you know...
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A favorite readers column will be unavailable for the foreseeable future. The Cook County Law Enforcement report will not be printed for the foreseeable future because, as Sheriff Pat Eliasen said, “Due to upcoming staffing shortages and increased workload being placed upon existing staff, we will not be able to disseminate the call log. The time it takes to search for the call notes on many requests is not a luxury we have currently. I am sorry if this causes any disappointment, but it is a change we must make to continue serving the entire county. I can make any...
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I love Rob Perez’ writing. He is creative and funny. Likely, if we ever meet in person, I will like him, too. His recent column, “Man versus Golf,” prompted me to want to address the reasons why he might like golf at our local course, Gunflint Hills. My persuasion starts with the very values he revealed in that column. First, the PGA will not inconvenience him at Gunflint Hills. Second, if he plays golf, he is guaranteed to beat his wife in step counts. Third, he can park as close to or as far from the clubhouse and first tee...
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They say it’s spring. But how do you know for sure? At first glance, it’s hard to tell it apart from fall. Sure, the snow is melting. But underneath, there are the dead, brown leaves. Again. You may wonder: What the heck? I thought I bagged those up?! No, you bagged other leaves. But then more, other leaves fell and/ or blew into your yard. Then it snowed. And you cannot bag leaves under the snow. Thus, there are the dead, brown leaves. Again. Sigh. The way you can tell it is Spring is not with your eyes. It is...
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Dilipkumar Kamalkumr Tekwani, 28, incomplete address, entered an Amended Plea of Guilty on October 4, 2019, to a gross misdemeanor of Fifth Degree Possession of Drugs - Not Small Amount of Marijuana, on September 23, 2019. Conditions of behavior were required. Court Decision Continued on October 4, 2019. Amended Disposition Dismissed (Conditions Met or Expired) on April 6, 2022. Fines and fees totaled 75. Rachel Leigh Puyette, 31, Grand Marais, Minnesota, pled guilty on February 28, 2022, to two felonies: 1) 3rd Degree Burglary - Steal/Commit a Felony on June 25, 2021, and 2) Theft - Take/Use/ Transfer a Movable...
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Coming back from Texas where bluebonnets were blooming and the grass was turning bright green to several inches of snow here in Minnesota felt like a prank. Not a ha-ha funny prank but a cruel joke. I was ready to start cleaning out the garden beds not scraping the ice from my windshield before work. (You know the drill, a hole just big enough to see the road until the heat breaks it into slosh.) This kind of weather messes with my psyche. I just want to curl up under a blanket and come out when the temperature reaches my...
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For you it was the months when the maple sap ran and the syrup was put up; when the rivers and creeks broke up and drained the snowmelt on the Sawtooths; the rivers – muddy and raging first, then clear and stained and pastoral – haunted by steelheaded rainbows; you had electricity and green lamps and south-facing windows where cup-sized pots started seeds: the tomatoes and cabbage, cukes and Cannabis sativa. I was very far away, and although high spring and high summer and high Indian summer were for pouring concrete – walkways and sidewalks and basements and stoops and...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center is once again hosting a free trip for veterans to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota this summer. July 11th through the 17th 2022. This will be our fourth trip in the past five years and the sixth that the Center has offered for veterans that are disabled or dealing with PTSD and other specified traumas since 2018. “This is a great way for us to give back and provide support to veterans that have given so much to us,” says Executive Director John Gidley. “Thanks to a generous donation by...
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Carpenter Broadcasting, LLC has bought 92.7 WZBY in Grand Portage and is in the process of buying AAA “95.3 The Otter” WFNX in Grand Marais. The news was announced on RadioINSIGHT on April 8, in an online article written by Lance Vendeta. Carpenter Broadcasting holds a construction permit for a third radio station for 96.9 in Grand Marais. Multi-Cultural Diversity Radio received ,000 from Carpenter Broadcasting for 92.7 WZBY in Grand Portage. WZBY is licensed for 100 Watts through the FCC, the lowest wattage for a full-power FM station, but has the potential to be upgraded to Class C, which...
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The glorious sound of hearing an umpire say “Play ball” will have to wait for a while. Cook County High School Athletic Director and Assistant Baseball Coach Andy Feddemma sent out an email on Monday, April 11th that surprised no Viking sports fan. Upcoming baseball and softball games were going to be rescheduled because of impending mid- April snow. So, it seems, once again the start of high school baseball and softball in Cook County has been plagued by late winter weather. And in one case, a lack of umpires to ump a game. The baseball game scheduled Tuesday April...
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Joan Taylor Costello, 94, of Bellingham, Washington died on March 23, 2022, in her home. She was born on May 24, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois to Herbert and Eloise (Latta) Taylor. Her family moved to Sacramento, CA where she graduated from Sacramento Community College before relocating to Crystal Lake, Illinois where she married John E. Costello on November 25, 1950. Her interests and curiosities were boundless, and she was just as happy playing piano with one of her children as she was fishing or collecting fossils, or playing sports, or canoeing in the wilderness, or using power tools. She loved...
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Jeanne Juettner Robinson, 92, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2022, at her home of 59 years in Minneapolis. A seasonal resident of Grand Marais, she and husband Charles owned a home near Croftville. Member of the Grand Marais PEO chapter. Graduate of Roosevelt High School and Macalester College. Member of Mayflower Church for over 65 years. Her career began as a teacher; she later worked as a technical editor and writer at Honeywell. As a dedicated member of AAUW and PEO, she had many friends in both organizations. She enjoyed history, plays, operas and symphonies. Jeanne loved spending time...
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The Cook County Historical Society will be hosting an open house and dedication ceremony at the Bally Blacksmith Shop on Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. with a dedication held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The shops will be open for touring, blacksmithing demonstrations will be in the yard, and we will be dedicating the blacksmith shop to the three generations of Bally blacksmiths who served Cook County from 1911-2009. Also, part of the celebration will be shared stories, polka music from Bill Bally’s collection, Bally t-shirts and food. Visitors will also have a chance to...
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I would have preferred to use a different title for this because this one suggests that all the blame lies with bears. Usually, but not always, people share some of the blame by ignoring information released every year on how to avoid/reduce problems with bears; this was in the April 2 issue of this paper. Sometimes people deserve all the blame by deliberately feeding a bear either because it looks thin and they want to help it, or because they like to see bears. Bears are quite intelligent and quickly learn where the food comes from, and where to get...
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This Canadian lynx is eying something interesting that is resting high up on one of the nearby trees. Could it be scolding bird? A brave, chattering squirrel? Or an unaware partridge catching a late morning rest in a branch? Whatever it was, this lynx looks like it had plans to call out the visitor and invite it to lunch.
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People of all ages will come together this year to celebrate Earth Day in a live event filled with music, fun, and interesting speakers that proposes to be the largest Earth Day celebration in the area in recent memory. The festivities kick-off at 4:30 p.m. on Earth Day, April 22, at the Cook County Community Center in Grand Marais. The three hour celebration is open to all and free. The speaker series will be livestreamed and recorded for those who cannot attend. Kat Meyo, one of the Fair’s lead organizers, said “This Earth Day Fair will facilitate an inclusive environment...
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A mama moose leads her twins up the road and into the woods. The Minnesota DNR recently came out with their annual aerial moose survey and found that the moose population is holding its own, but it’s also not growing.
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Early one morning, Rob and the Easter Bunny met in a sunny, dew-pearled meadow. The rabbit had a basket of Easter eggs at his side. ROB: I know this is your busy season so thanks for taking the time. EASTER BUNNY: Always happy to spread the word. R: So maybe we can start at the beginning. Where are you from? EB: New Jersey. R: Originally? EB: No. Originally my family of Easter Hares come from Germany. R: And what’s the difference between a hare and a rabbit? EB: Well, rabbits are considered superior in every way, shape, and form. R:...
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Memorial Services for Roger C. Thompson, 75, of East Chain, Minnesota were held at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, with a meal and visitation following the service until 7:00 p.m. at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont. Burial will be held at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery in East Chain. Roger passed away on Thursday morning, April 7, 2022, at Valley Vue Care Center in Armstrong, IA. The Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements. Roger Cecil Thompson was born on October 1, 1946, to Merwin and Helen (Zoeller) Thompson in...
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In the commissioner’s room, Cook County Commissioners held a public hearing on Tuesday, April 12, to discuss the newly proposed voter precincts caused by the 2020 census. Every ten years, the census potentially causes precinct lines to be redrawn if the population shifts from area to area. No one from the public attended the hearing. A committee made up of Auditor/Treasurer Braidy Powers, commissioners David Mills and Stacey Hawkins was tasked with looking at the census to see if the county needed redistricting of unorganized territory precincts to meet the requirements of Minnesota Statute 375. That statute requires commissioner districts...
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WTIP Community Radio is thrilled to announce the lineup for the 2022 Radio Waves Music Festival, September 9 to 11, at Sweetheart’s Bluff in the Grand Marais Recreation Area. This marks the 15th year of this family-friendly festival, which features an array of diverse local and regional acts that span musical genres from folk singer-songwriters, classic country, R & B, rap and alt-rock to funk, zydeco and New Orleans jazz. The event showcases three days of live music under the big sky and bright stars on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Twenty-two acts will take the stage at this...
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The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Community has been actively participating in the ICARE research project, which is being conducted as a collaboration between the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus, the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, and American Indian and First Nation community members in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario. The ICARE research project partnership aims to better understand the lived experience and impact Alzheimer’s disease, and related dementia has in the American Indian communities. Little research has been done that sheds light on the everyday experience of American Indians or First Nations people living with Alzheimer’s...
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It is the policy of the Cook County News-Herald to withhold the identities of individuals in Cook County Law Enforcement briefs. When court proceedings are complete, the Cook County News- Herald publishes a complete accounting of names and penalties in its Matters of Record. Monday, March 28 10:47 a.m. Gunflint Trail LEC: Assist another agency. Students were missing too many days of school and families were not communicating with the schools. Students missed over 60 days of school. County Human Services had a plan for future involvement, but at this time nothing was needed from law enforcement. Tuesday, March 29...
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Brian Larsen Representative Rob Ecklund (O3A) and Grant Hauschild will appear at the Cook County DFL convention on April 23. Grant is a Hermantown City Councilor running for Congress against incumbent Representative Pete Stauber, another Hermantown native. Rob, International Falls, is the Committee Chair for Labor, Industry, Veterans & Military Affairs Finance and Policy Ways and Means. He was first elected state representative in 2015. Both will lay out their case to be elected (or re-elected) and will be available to answer questions. The convention will start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 23 at the Community Center, 317 W....
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North House Folk School’s variance request to build a new 2,400 square foot classroom on the school’s lakefront property was denied 4-0 by the Grand Marais Planning Commission. The variance request asked to use all 40-feet of the setback from Lake Superior. Still, that 4-0 vote wasn’t reached easily. It came after a lengthy hearing from the public and representatives of the folk school. The meeting was held on April 6, with about a dozen members of the public on hand to hear the proposal. And while the setback was an issue, a bigger issue for the public was that...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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Minnesota’s popular warm weather, stream trout season opens Saturday, April 16, with quality fishing opportunities in every region of the state. Brook trout and splake fishing also open April 16 on Lake Superior and its tributary streams. Trout anglers can find information on Minnesota’s trout streams and lakes on DNR’s website (mndnr.gov/Fishing/Trout). Modeled after the DNR’s popular LakeFinder tool, StreamFinder (mndnr.gov/Fishing/Trout/Map.html) provides anglers with a description, species list, regulations and access information for trout streams throughout Minnesota. Anglers also will find helpful learning guides and fishing tips tailored to each of Minnesota’s six trout fishing regions. Minnesota has roughly 3,800...
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More than 15,000 volunteers helped the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources do everything from monitoring rainfall levels to clearing trails, according to the new 2021 annual DNR volunteer report. “Our volunteers give back to their communities and the state in so many ways,” Commissioner Sarah Strommen said. “I can’t overstate how grateful we are for their continued service.” Although many volunteer activities paused or looked different in 2021 because of the pandemic, DNR volunteers continued to do important work in ways that were consistent with COVID-19 public health guidelines. According to the new report (files.dnr. state.mn.us/volunteering/AnnualReport.pdf), the estimated value of...
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A candlelight vigil will be held on April 19 at 6 p.m. in the Grand Marais Rec Park to honor survivors of sexual assault. The Violence Prevention Center is hosting the vigil. This is the 22nd year that nationally April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness month. Emotional, physical, and financial costs of being sexually assaulted are astronomical. The National Library of Medicine reports that women who were sexually abused as children on average made 20.3 percent lower wages than women who were not victims of sexual abuse. As reported by National Sexual Violence Resource in 2018 there was an...
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A bobcat stops to take a look at Paul Sundberg before ambling off into the boreal forest.
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Grandma Wellumson made concessions throughout her life, first adapting from horse-drawn wagons to cars when they moved to Minneapolis. She was loath to give up her old carpet sweeper when her children proudly gifted her an electric vacuum cleaner, but she did. No more carpet beating. She even adjusted to television—a leap from gathering around the Zenith console radio. Thank goodness she never succumbed to Pillsbury refrigerated sweet rolls, which never came close to her Saturday cinnamon rolls. Some things shouldn’t change. I, too, am being launched into the future, sometimes kicking. I still carry a checkbook, and my son...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time at Camp Ripley armoring the Division’s handguns. He checked a few snowmobilers getting their last ride in and a few shore anglers were checked along...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages boater owners to renew expired watercraft registrations before this year’s boating season. Boater owners are encouraged to renew registrations online or at a local deputy registrar’s office rather than by mail. If they renew online, they can print out the confirmation page to use as their temporary permit. Boaters also may write down their temporary authorization number from the confirmation page. The registration card and expiration decals will then be mailed to the boat owner. To renew online, visit the DNR’s online license sales web page(mndnr.gov/Licenses/Online- Sales.html), click on “Get Started” and follow...
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20 YEARS AGOAPRIL 15, 2002 v The county gave a green light to the Cook County North Shore Hospital directors’ request to use .3 million in the hospital depreciation fund for remodeling part of the upper level of the hospital and completing the lower level. The commissioners also told the directors that a future request for a formal lease of the facility would be looked upon with favor. v On March 29, a harlequin duck was reported in the Grand Marais harbor near the breakwall. The sighting, recorded in the April 4 Minnesota Birding Report, did not indicate if the...
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In the good old days, you could get your car washed by driving thru the crashing waves on the Grand Marais harbor. Notice the Standard Oil sign in the background. The year of this image is unknown. The photo was provided by the Cook County Historical Society for the March 26, 1990, issue of the News Herald.
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Donald E. Lovaas, 95, of Grand Marais, died peacefully after a brief illness on Thursday, April 7, 2022 with family by his side. Don was born November 3, 1926 to Dan and Mabel (Strom) Lovaas in Bock, Minnesota. He graduated from Mora High School in 1944, then served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Following the war, he graduated from Dunwoody Institute and began a fifty year career as an electrician and electrical contractor. In the Twin Cities he was owner of Edina Electric for many years, and he founded Lovaas Electric Service after moving to Grand Marais...
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As spring arrives in Minnesota, it’s time for the state to kick off its popular program that relies on Minnesota residents to help monitor its 12,000 plus lakes and 92,000 plus miles of streams. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is now recruiting volunteers to measure water clarity in numerous lakes and streams in Cook County – including several high-priority sites – and then report back to the agency. This is the perfect opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts and for those interested in helping protect our state’s natural resources! Through the Volunteer Water Monitoring Program, volunteers do a simple water clarity...
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April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention month in Cook County and nationwide. Throughout the month of April, Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) highlights the important work done within our department and throughout the community to support the social and emotional well-being of children and families and prevent child neglect and maltreatment. These supports are provided along the continuum of the parenting journey from prenatal care until a youth prepares to graduate from high school. Family home visiting is a free and universally available service for parents throughout Cook County. The Parent-Child Health Nurse at Sawtooth Mountain...
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On April 22nd the U.S. Postal Service will unveil a series of Forever stamps featuring works of art by our own George Morrison. This is a very proud moment for his hometown of Chippewa City, an Ojibwe village where George developed his own unique way of seeing the world—and in the process changes how others see things too. It’s always been hard to reach Nishkwaakwaansing, where the standing forest begins. When the village of Chippewa City was growing from the mid to late 1800’s, the U.S. Congress mandated regular mail delivery to rural areas, including the very remote North Shore...
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Energy Assistance funding is available for thousands more Minnesotans to apply permalink mn.gov/commerce/media/news The Minnesota Department of Commerce has raised the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program crisis benefit per household. As a result, income-qualified homeowners or renters can now receive up to ,000 to pay past-due energy bills, prevent energy disconnections, and cover emergency fuel deliveries costs. The crisis benefit had been [post_excerpt],200. This grant is in addition to up to ,000 in non-crisis benefits that households can qualify for. “We increased the crisis benefit to make energy costs more affordable for Minnesotans who have seen their energy bills rise significantly...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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You know how sometimes you go to visit your parents, but you don’t want to stay with them because, you know, they’re your parents? So, you decide to stay nearby, but not that nearby because, well, they’re your parents? But it’s also spring break for the kiddos so you dish out a little more scratch than usual and stay not just at a hotel but a resort with a full-on water park, with lots of pools and water slides galore? And you know how the first few days are good, clean family fun, swimming during the days, seeing the folks...
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Snoring is such an ordinary part of people’s lives that it’s easy to become complacent about it. But is it just a harmless part of the sleep soundscape, or does all that “sound and fury” signify something? It’s estimated that almost 60 percent of men, 40 percent of women, and more than 25 percent of children snore. As a person relaxes during sleep, the muscles in the throat loosen and narrow the airway. Then, when the person breaths, it causes the limp tissue to flutter like a flag in the wind, generating the familiar rattling sounds of snoring. Things that...
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It is the policy of the Cook County News-Herald to withhold the identities of individuals in Cook County Law Enforcement briefs. When court proceedings are complete, the Cook County News- Herald publishes a complete accounting of names and penalties in its Matters of Record. Tuesday, March 221:01 a.m. Gunflint Trail LEC: Public Assistance. Phone call popped up on rapid SOS butdidn’t come through on the phone system. Location according to rapid SOS was in themiddle of Lake Superior. Phone number was called to make sure everything was fine.Party that answered the phone was at a Kwik Trip in Olmstead County....
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Coffee talk is a commitment free, drop-in chat line when a friendly voice is needed the most. It is now expanding to Cook County! As we age, leave jobs, kids move away, spouses die, health deteriorates, we often become isolated, lonely. But there is hope. Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly MN is a volunteer led organization committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among older adults. Cindy Imsdahl-Ceo, “We offer an opportunity for all people to join together in friendship and celebration of life.” Cindy, who lives up the Gunflint Trail, is helping to bring Coffee Talk to Cook...
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Cook County Public Health (PHHS) and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic (SMC) announce that they will make the second mRNA COVID-19 booster vaccine available to eligible candidates starting on April 14, 2022, at the Cook County Community Center. Both the CDC and FDA made recommendations this week that allow a select group of individuals to receive a second mRNA COVID-19 booster vaccine, four months after their initial booster dose. Eligible candidates for a second booster include: those ages 50 and older, people living with moderately or severely compromised immune systems and those ages 18 and older who received both an initial and...
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Three candidates running for the same committee person at large (1) seat on the Grand Portage Reservation Council vied for votes in an April 5 primary. Under tribal rules, if more than two candidates are running for a council position, a primary must be held to winnow the race to two. Voting polls opened at the Old Log Community Building at 8 a.m. and ran until 8 p.m. Candidates running for the committee at large seat (1) are incumbent William “Bill” Myers, Donavan Dahmen and Toby Stephens. When the votes were tallied the two highest vote getters were William (Bill)...
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Hermantown City Councilor Grant Hauschild (DFL) has announced his candidacy for Minnesota State Senate District 3. “During my time on City Council, I’ve focused my efforts on the legislative process to help bring state investments to our community. Senator Bakk has played a key role in that effort, and I want to thank him for his service in delivering for our region. As a Senator, I will also work in a no-nonsense way to bring money north for the important investments we need in our communities.” In addition to serving as a City Councilor, Hauschild works as the Executive Director...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted Patrick Robert Martin, 53, Roseville, Minnesota, pled guilty on March 29, 2022, to a petty misdemeanor of Speeding 64/40 on March 18, 2022. Fines and fees total 5. Cheyenne Marie Anderson, 34, Duluth, Minnesota, pled guilty on March...
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It was spring outside today and I wrote a story in memory of the Ukrainian and Russian masters of old. Once upon a time there lived a painter. There are different sorts of painter, and in different times in his life he was each. When he was a younger man, in the first half of his career, he was an artist. Not a painter of artworks, no. Not a painter of fine arts. But a painter of wildlife, of wildlife paintings that have been so popular so long in the Midwest and the South and Great Northwest and Canada. More...
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This past Monday, a large contingent of middle and long-distance high school and junior high school runners were out training for the upcoming high school track season as snowflakes fell. Despite the less-than-perfect conditions, the kids were (mostly) smiling and enjoying the run. They are, after all, Viking tough. This spring, Viking Head Track and Field Coach April Wahlstrom greeted 60 boys and girls to the Cook County High School track team. While the somewhat inclement weather has little effect on mid and long-distance runners, it’s not the most fabulous weather for kids in the field event to train in....
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On March 24, 2022, the Cook County Community Fund Trustees held their first annual Scotch Tasting fundraiser at the Birch Terrace Supper Club. The CCCF is an affiliate of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. The tasting included a special collection of single malt expressions representing each of the designated regions of Scotland. The evening started with a special “pub grub” dinner of Scottish food including crumpets, neeps & tatties, Scotch-glazed carrots, Shepard’s pie, white fish, haggis, and a raspberry/ whisky cheesecake. The seven Scotches ranged from Islay ‘peaty’ to a Speyside dramatic double-wood. A scholarly presentation of each region...
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David McDonald, executive director of the World Press Institute, introduced eight foreign journalists to a crowd of local residents who came to the Arrowhead Center for Arts to hear stories and ask questions about the way the news was reported in each of the countries. The journalists came from Argentina, Finland, India, Hong Kong (China), Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Iran, and Nigeria.
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20 YEARS AGOAPRIL 8, 2002 v On March 14, Governor Jesse Ventura signed a bill into law that will allow the Cook County Board of Commissioners to transfer land, specifically the Mineral Center Cemetery, to the Grand Portage Tribal Band. Small in size but historic in nature, the cemetery has been taken care of by the Band for some time. v The wild lake trout population in the northernmost portion of Minnesota’s Lake Superior waters (Zone 3) has met criteria for recovery, prompting the DNR to announce that the last stocking of hatchery fish in that zone will occur this...
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Registration is filling fast for the K-5 Birch Grove Community School Campfire Kids program. The youngest kids must have completed Kindergarten to enroll. Due to the overwhelming registrations and interest, Birch Grove is considering adding another staff person on Wednesdays and Thursdays to accommodate all who would like to experience Campsite Kids. So, if you get waitlisted, be patient, the school may be able to expand openings. Campsite Kids takes place in the woods behind Birch Grove Community School with weekly themes focusing on nature. There will be creative projects and activities, walks to Lake Superior, bonfire lunches and more....
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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Tourism remained strong in 2021, with Cook County experiencing an increase of 23.3 percent in its lodging tax over 2020. Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association was exceptionally robust, taking in [post_excerpt],186,324.14 in 2020 compared to 2,960.73 in 2020, or an increase of 23.3 percent when compared apples-to-apples. The Grand Marais Tourism Association saw an increase of 36.4 percent in 2021, bringing in 5,401.43 compared to 1,068.69 taken in 2020. Tax proceeds from the Gunflint Trail Association rose 11.6 percent over 2020, bringing in 2,332.16 compared to 0,186.07 the year before. When added up, the three tourism associations accounted for a record [post_excerpt],834,057.73,...
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Thank you, Terry Speicer, for not being rude, now if only you could avoid being inaccurate. To a degree you are correct, solar is not the most efficient form of producing energy, but efficiency is not the problem, capacity is a bigger problem. Solar can convert about 20 percent of the input to a useful output, about the same ratio as a car ICE. The biggest difference is that with fossil fuels you are paying for the fuel in the first place and paying for the waste at the end. Wind and solar have the weakness of not having a...
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The forest fires that burned through the area last summer destroyed a lot of trees, but not all of that lumber need go wasted. The U.S. Forest Service issued a contract to have red and white pine thinned from the burnt over area above Finland, Minnesota, and Hedstrom Lumber Company got the bid, hiring logger Greg Tibbetts to cut the timber. “Greg was working nearby, wrapping up a job on the Jackpot ATV trail which is near the intersection of Highway 2 and Highway 1” said Hedstrom’s Lumber Co. President Chris Hegg, who oversees purchasing wood for the mill. Some...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended annual firearms and tactics training at Camp Ripley. She also handled phone calls and followed up on open cases. Spring warmup and rain have caused a deterioration...
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This Common Redpoll was sitting on a snowy, lichen covered branch, and it made for a pretty winter scene. The Redpolls will probably be with us until the early part of April before they head north to their nesting grounds, so we are enjoying their presence until then—Jean.
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COAST GUARD STATION OPENS FOR SEASON Coast Guardsmen Dave Puff and Alex Fleet check out the big outboards on their new 25-foot Whaler patrol boat. The boat has an enclosed cabin and is powered by twin 175 hp Johnson outboard motors.
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On a recent cold clear night, the Milky Way spilled and splashed across a star speckled sky over a still silent Lake Superior.
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Today we put aside Jesus’ warning about how a rich man needs to go through the eye of a needle with his camel to get to heaven. Instead, we consider the “plight” of those who are too “poor” to invest and too rich to complain. Much like the Missouri River being too thick to drink and too thin to plow. (Mark Twain may have said that first.) About 25 people showed up at the North Shore Winery on March 13th, to hear a presentation on the Cook County Real Estate Fund [“CCREF”]. More folk came to two sessions at the...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 2022 annual Aerial Moose survey results are in and what it shows is that for the 11th straight year, there is little change in the moose population. According to the report, there are 4,700 moose in northeastern Minnesota, the highest moose estimate since 2011. Still, that’s statistically unchanged from the previous 11 years. Each year the population estimate is compared to 2006 because the state’s highest moose population peaked at 8,840 and then started on a drastic population drop. In a bit of good news, the 2022 cow to calf ratio was 45...
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The Grand Marais Playhouse presented the Excellence in Theater Arts Award to High School seniors Elsa Garry and Greta Roth following the final performance of The Half-life of Marie Curie. The stellar performances by the actors in the two-woman show exemplified their talent and dedication to theater. Both have been a part of the Grand Marais Playhouse family since early elementary school years. The Playhouse Award includes a 0 award. Next up are a series of auditions as the Playhouse prepares for summer productions celebrating the 50th season. We need the community to come out for auditions and to help...
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Although there is still plenty of snow on the ground plans to open the Grand Marais Rec Park for May are coming into focus. Members of the Grand Marais Park and Recreation Boar met on Tuesday, April 5 to discuss those plans. On Aril 1st reservations opened for October, the last month to make reservations for the Rec Park and the staff has been calling down the waiting list to fill vacant seasonal sites. Parks and Rec. Director Davis Tersteeg told the board the Rec Park is “shaping up to be another busy summer.” Water and bathhouse service will be...
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"Our objective is to create a film that will pay homage to the Polar Inuit, humble people that carve out special lives in a land of snow and ice. Their innovation through trial and error and their creative ways of improvising have always amazed me." Lonnie Dupre. It's been two decades since Lonnie Dupre and fellow explorer John Hoelscher completed a three-year, 6,500-mile circumnavigation of Greenland by dog sled and kayak. In the modern era, Lonnie and John were the first and last people to circumnavigate this ancient land by dogsled and kayaking. Over those twenty years, plenty has changed...
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Thomas Young, 38, formerly of Grand Marais/ Hovland, MN passed away Sunday, March 27, 2022 at U of M Medical Center. Tom was born August 9, 1983 in Duluth, MN to Robin L. Young and Andrea J. Jackopich. He had celebrated 5 and a half years of sobriety and had a deep love for God, his wife and daughters. He was a very loving, caring and generous father, husband, son, brother, grandson, uncle, cousin and friend. His extreme love for his family and God will live on in all those who love him. He is survived by his wife, Sadie;...
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We wanted to reach out as most Cook County Property Owners have been receiving their 2022 Property Tax Statements. Please don’t confuse this with the 2022 Valuation Notice (for taxes in 2023), which will be arriving in mailboxes in the coming weeks of April. The Tax Statement and Value Notice were not mailed together in 2022, as they have been in past years. We felt it was important to mail the Valuation Notice separately to focus more attention on the proposed valuation and classification changes in 2022. The 2022 Property Valuation Notice will contain important information on the Assessor’s estimated...
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Former Cook County High School Principal John Engelking was selected as the 2022 Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) Region 7 Administrator of Excellence award. John has been the Proctor public school’s superintendent for the last 12 years. Engelking officially retired on September 14, 2021 but has stayed at Procter as an interim superintendent while school board has sought to find his replacement. He will leave office on June 30. Although he has retired as a superintendent, John will lead a multi-district collaboration with St. Louis County as the Check & Connect Coordinator to provide support for at-risk students to...
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Monitoring fat reserves of wildlife (especially mammals) has been done for decades to assess the physical condition of animals and, if a sufficient number are involved, make inferences regarding that of the population. Usually, the main emphasis in such examinations has been in late winter to evaluate how well the fat reserves are holding up. This has a bearing on the likelihood of the animal surviving the winter and, in the case of females, if the developing fetuses will grow large enough to survive more than a few days after birth. Collecting fat reserve data can be very interesting even...
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Few animals are cuter than this sweet-faced Pine Marten. “This is the first one I have seen in several years,” said Jean Brislance. “Such a fun experience to see this unique animal, and this is the first time I have had the opportunity to photograph one, so that was really exciting for me.”
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The U.S. Postal Service will release a batch of new postage stamps featuring the artwork of the late Grand Portage artist George Morrison on April 22. In the press release it stated George Morrison was, “One of the nation’s greatest modernist artists and a founding figure of Native American modernism. George Morrison (1919-2000) challenged prevailing ideas of what Native American art should be, arguing that an artist’s identity can exist independently from the nature of the art he creates. Morrison is best known for his abstract landscapes and monumental wood collages. A pane of 20 colorful stamps showcases five of...
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Did you know that the red fox can hide his tracks and numbers - like the bantha of Tatooine - by stepping in his own prints? He “ambles” and his hind paws land inside the print of the fore paws. And when he comes around again in a couple days he places his paws in the exact same previous prints. Look for it in the snow or mud: a ballerina’s prints staggered left to right about 7 to 9 inches apart. We walk the road. Monday the road was an ice sheet and we walked very carefully then went to...
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Area basketball coaches named Viking Junior guard Paul Dorr to the All-Polar League (big schools) all-conference team. The 6’2” guard used his speed and quickness to drive through defenses, get to the hoop for lay-ups, and that’s where many of his points were made. Paul Dorr, Jacob Dorr, and Jordan Backstrom made Polar League Academic All-Conference, and Jacob Dorr won the Mr. Hustle award.
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Jim Bissell’s shadow was caught on a snowbank as he shoveled the snow from the roof of David and Bonnie MacLean's home.
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Having eaten too many carbs, I ballooned to 265 pounds. The tests said I was a type II diabetic. “Control your carbs,” the doctors said, especially sugar. So, I returned to using artificial sweeteners in the 12 or so cups of decaf coffee I drink each day. About that same time, Stevia began making headlines as a more” natural” product, and I recalled the advice of my Ph.D. organic chemist uncle Paul. He said he would not put any of the chemical sweeteners in his body. [Every time I open a cardboard milk carton, I remember the patent he got...
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Caught in some confusion, these white tail deer are waiting for the moon to turn green before they finish crossing the road.
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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Incumbent Republican Congressman Pete Stauber of Hermantown is being challenged by two Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidates. Jennifer Schultz DFLDuluth, who is State House District 7A Rep. has announced that she is not running for a fifth term in the Minnesota legislature and will instead run against Stauber. Ernest Joseph Opprgaard lll, of Bemidji, originally was running as a 7th Congressional District candidate but was bumped into the 8th District race after redistricting. Schultz is a Labovitz School of Business and Economics professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She holds a doctorate degree in economics. On his Facebook page Ernest writes, “I...
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Vikings' fastpitch softball coach Marlene Zimmer welcomed eight returning starters and a total of 24 softball players to the 2022 Vikings fastpitch softball team. This year’s squad fuses a mix of youth and upperclass players. “There are 12 seventh and eighth-graders on the team,” noted Zimmer. With pitching being a key component, Zimmer said as of now, Kallie Anderson and Maggie Smith will pitch, with several other players working into the rotation. Last year’s primary starter Kate Peck will play this year, but she will be in the outfield or DH due to a shoulder injury, said the coach. The...
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I walk with neighbors every morning (well if it isn’t below zero, so we’ve missed quite a few days lately). One neighbor has missed walking for weeks because of plantar’s fasciitis. NOT FAIR! Both my husband Jerry and I have been plagued with foot issues for years. I finally understand why Grandma Wellumson wore ugly black orthopedic shoes. We do now, too. Merrell’s and Birkenstocks reign in our home. They look better than Grandma’s did. My issues began years ago after a few glorious months of pounding away at a dance class two hours a week—modern dance and tap. I...
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We recently spent two weeks in Texas. San Antonio to be precise with short stops in Dallas, Waco, and Austin. By we, I mean Mike, me, our niece Jaylynn and my parents, LaVonne and Art. We drove, Mike flew. I enjoy driving. Not necessarily for the scenery. I enjoy the conversations and the stops. Seeing new towns. Trying new foods. It’s all part of the experience and the memories. We tried Cinnamon Pecans. Not as sweet as expected and with a salty mix. Delicious. And though we arrive in Fredericksburg, Texas before the peach season the canned peaches we bought...
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The Cook County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. at the Cook County Courthouse in Grand Marais, Minnesota, to consider the adoption of criteria that set specific minimum requirements that recipients must meet to be eligible to receive business subsidies. April 12 Public Hearing Regarding Business Subsidy Policy The County Board will hold a public hearing at a board meeting on April 12 at 9:00 a.m. to consider a Business Subsidy Policy. A Business Subsidy Policy defines the minimum requirements that businesses must meet to be eligible to receive a...
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Whether you’re new to gardening, been at it longer that you care to remember, or somewhere in between, the Grand Marais Garden Club is for you! We meet April through December on the second Monday of the month at 10 a.m. in the large meeting room at the Johnson Heritage Post. The exceptions to this are May and December when we host our special luncheons. We’re starting this year off with our first meeting on Monday, April 11 with a Spring Make and Take. With our theme this year being, “Out and About with Gardening,” we’ve got numerous tours to...
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Annalisa Marie Winje, Grand Marais, Minnesota and Jessica Mary Anderson, Grand Marais, Minnesota, February 28, 2022. Claire Louise Neilson, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom and David Alister Hill-West, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, February 28, 2022. Todd Roger Moser, Tofte, Minnesota and Julie Renee Moser, Tofte, Minnesota, March 18, 2022.
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TIME TO PLAY IN THOSE PUDDLES Mary Aldrich of Duluth splashed through a puddle along a tote road south of Babinah Corners.
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Once again Oddz & Endz: Your Community Value Store is pleased to announce our annual community investment payout for 2021. This year we are privileged to reinvest ,601.98 in our community! The local nonprofit organizations listed below were included in the annual payout. While Oddz & Endz does not exist primarily as a funding source for other organizations, our mission does include, as a factor for maintaining our ability to serve our community as a non-profit ourselves, the annual distribution of sales revenues that exceed our annual expenses. • American Legion Post 413• Care Partners• Chik Wauk Museum• Colvill FD...
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Three weeks ago, on a cold and dreary day at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, my husband had his left knee replaced. We were grateful for a successful surgery and struck by the pleasant helpfulness of the hospital staff especially after the huge challenges they have endured through two years of Covid. We arrived home the next evening exhausted. Two days later another winter storm with more snow and we needed to get to the ER at the hospital in Grand Marais. I made a call to our plowing service and within 30 minutes our driveway was plowed and one...
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March 23 marked the 12th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which enacted patient protections that make health coverage fairer and easier to understand, and the financial help that makes it more affordable. With the help of the ACA and MNsure, Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace, Minnesota’s uninsured rate has gone from above 9 percent in 2010 to 4 percent today. While the ACA helped thousands of Minnesotans access comprehensive health coverage, the 2021 federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) COVID Relief package made the most significant improvements to the law since its inception. In Minnesota, the ARP lowered costs for...
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These three Girl Scouts (and other troop members) set up a stand to sell Girl Scout cookies at the Grand Marais Holiday gas station last Saturday. Sales were brisk and the young ladies did a great job helping customers. From L-R: Leah Belmore, Miah Arnold and Mali Sheils.
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The Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) has hired Jason Hale as its first Executive Director. Jason will begin employment with the HRA on April 25, 2022. Jason will report to the HRA board. He is appointed to plan, direct, and supervise the operations of the HRA by implementing HRA policy as approved by the HRA Board of Commissioners. When accepting the position Jason said, “I am delighted to be selected to serve as the Cook County HRA’s first Executive Director. We all know the challenge that finding and providing housing has become for our businesses, neighbors, and would-be...
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The Cook County Community Foundation held a scotch tasting event along with traditional Scottish pub food at the Birch Terrace Supper Club on Thursday, March 24. David Coleman (aka Dr. Scotch) and Tyson Smith, along with trustees of the CCCF hosted the event. All of the proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the Cook County Community Foundation. In 2021 the CCCF awarded more than ,000 to Cook County non-profits for various community service initiatives.
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20 YEARS AGOAPRIL 1, 2002 v A large group of Harbor Park supporters was in attendance at the regular meeting of the Grand Marais City Council on March 27 to voice their concerns over the council’s recent vote against seeking grant funding to build the park. At its prior meeting the council voted 3-2 not to pursue a 0,000 grant from the LCMR to pay for the planned park. It took nearly an hour of discussion, some of which was quite animated, but the council was convinced to rethink its recent decision. In the end, the vote was overturned unanimously....
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The Soo Locks, which serve as Lake Superior’s gateway, will open March 25 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time, signaling the seasonal start of commercial shipping on the Great Lakes As is typically the case, iron ore from Minnesota will be the initial downbound cargo through the locks, as the Burns Harbor and American Century are expected to begin loading overnight at ore docks in the Port of Duluth- Superior. Those vessels will then transport the iron ore across Lake Superior and through the Soo Locks en route to steel mills on the lower Great Lakes. Two upbound vessels are currently...
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Odyssey Resorts, Minnesota’s largest developer of resort properties, announced today it has acquired The Mountain Inn, a 29-unit hotel at the base of the Lutsen Mountains Ski and Summer Resort on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The Mountain Inn is an all-seasons boutique hotel that provides guests with quick and convenient to Lutsen Mountains and comfortable amenities. The property is near many of the area’s most popular scenic locations and outdoor recreation destinations. The Mountain Inn is a short drive from the Gunflint Trail, Superior National Golf Course, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, area state parks, and some of...
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Viking senior forward Rhonnie Poyirier capped off a great season on the basketball court by being named to the all-conference second team. Poyirier was the team’s only player named all-conference. The all-conference team selections are voted on by the conference coaches who see all of the kids play. Rhonnie was a double double machine, leading the 2021-2022 Vikings in scoring and rebounding. She was also a tough defender and a good distributor of the basketball, finding open teammates with crisp passes. The young Viking team finished with five wins this season.
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This column takes pride in bringing to light the truest truth. Saint Patrick was no saint. Spring Break is neither in the spring nor is it, for anyone with kids, a break. But every once in a while, a name does capture the moment. Sometimes they nail it. Thus, I give you: March Madness. The Madness of March, of course, comes ‘round every year, smack in the middle of March. The NCAA holds two basketball tournaments (men and women) for the top 64 schools that qualify. Teams compete. Players leave it all on the court. Blood, sweat, and tears. 63...
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As of March 24, Cook County had received five new cases of COVID-19 in the previous seven days. That brought the count to 829 since the start of the pandemic. To date four deaths have been attributed to COVID-19. Cook County Public Health will host a Pop-Up COVID-19 testing event on April 7 from noon to 5 p.m. inside the Cook County Community Center which is located at 317 W. 5th St. Grand Marais. If you attend the Pop-Up clinic, a rapid antigen test will be available (to take home and use at your convenience). Rapid molecular tests and PCR...
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Residents of Cook County lost their power at about 9:30 p.m. on Friday, March 25, as a windstorm battered the county, with winds recorded as high as 66 mph. The power was restored to the City of Grand Marais around 2:30 a.m. “Great River Energy had a tree hit the line and the entire county went dark,” said Arrowhead Cooperative CEO/General Manager John Twiest. “Our crews were out until about 5:00 a.m. then went back out a couple hours later to clean up a few stragglers,” added Twiest. The Cook County Law Enforcement Center was inundated with calls. “There were...
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The Biden administration passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), more commonly called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, back in November 2021. Here is a quick breakdown: Of the [post_excerpt].2 trillion bill, half is new funding. MN will receive .8 billion in formula funds (more to come on that) for roads and bridges over the next five years. This is an increase of about 0 million per year. Of that 0 million per year, approximately 30 percent (or million per year) gets distributed to local government. These numbers exceed anything we normally deal with on a day-to-day basis. We...
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Without trying to sound rude, I felt the response to my “Energy” opinion was underwhelming at best. I can’t see Cook County and solar energy ever being described as the Holy Grail. Solar energy being the least efficient renewable and battery systems still less than stellar, we still keep beating that drum. With just the cost alone to live up here, I hardly feel that we would have hundreds much less than thousands of people who could afford the 15-20 thousand dollars to outfit their homes with solar panels. “Oh, but wait, what about the energy tax credit? Great, now...
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We had severe winds, at sometimes up 66 mph. Trees down on power lines, hazardous conditions. Not one solar or EV was out to help! We depended on hard working fossil fuel driving utility workers to get us electricity! Time to think about where your electricity comes from. Let’s all thank the hard working utility staff that worked through the wee hours of the morning! Mike Echart,Grand Marais
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It is the policy of the Cook County News-Herald to withhold the identities of individuals in Cook County Law Enforcement briefs. When court proceedings are complete, the Cook County News- Herald publishes a complete accounting of names and penalties in its Matters of Record. Thursday, March 17 1:32 p.m. Gunflint Trail LEC: Assist another agency. Caller reported that they hadreceived a call from the Chicago Police Department about a vehicle that had been at theintersection of Canal Port and Rubel Port for several months. It had a Grand Portageplate on it and caller requested information related to that plate. Dispatch...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled area trails and lakes. Wet, heavy snow has helped with trail conditions, but winds also brought down a number of trees. Trout anglers had decent catches, but...
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Renee and Rick Erickson, of Superior, Wisconsin, proudly announce the birth of their son Liam Richard Erickson, born on January 17, 2022. Liam was born at Essentia Health St Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. Liam was born at 11:21 a.m. weighing 7 pounds 1.5 oz and measured 19 1/4 inches. Grandparents are Larry and Linda Erickson of Superior, Wisconsin, and the late Tina Hanson (David Johnson) of Grand Marais, Minnesota. Proud big sisters are Ava and Lauren, and proud big brother is Andrew.
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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LHB of Duluth, Minnesota, has earned a National Recognition Award for exemplary engineering achievement in the American Council of Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) 55th annual Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) for the Trunk Highway 61 Roadway Rehabilitation and Safety Improvement Designated as an “All American Road,” Trunk Highway 61 is the only serviceable regional connector to the U.S.- Canadian border. It also provides access to local businesses that rely on tourism as well as residents along the north shore of Lake Superior. The Minnesota Department of Transportation sought to rehabilitate the pavement on TH 61’s northernmost 17 miles, which pass through the...
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Celebrate National Poetry Month with COMPAS Teaching Artist and Minnesota Poet May Lee-Yang by picking up one of her Take & Write Poetry Workbook kits from the Grand Marais Public Library starting April 1. Each kit includes a booklet of poetry writing exercises designed specifically for new poets. Each writing exercise will include an example poem, some directions on how you can write your own poem, and space to write. This is an all-ages program (Kindergarteners and 1st graders may need extra assistance). Please note that the kits are first come, first served while supplies last. No library card is...
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I have been thinking about snowflakes lately. Delicate. Light. Ethereal. Beautiful. Yet, when clumped together, formed into a tight, hard snowball, or pushed into my driveway by a large, orange rasping grader, they are brawny and bullying. Mexican artist Frida Kahlo suffered from polio, withering one of her legs when she was a child. Because she was limited physically, she often stayed home. She went through many surgeries and would later be further injured in a terrible bus accident when a bus handrail impaled her at the age of 18. Because she was often bedridden, she had to use her...
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We had a wild time during our Irish weeklong activities. Sunday, March 16, we started off with Armchair travel to Ireland. On Tuesday we potato bowled. Potato bowled? Yes, potato bowled. A solitary agreeable firm green cabbage sat in the middle of the floor. Each participant chose a red potato and named it. Sure, enough Nona Smith named her potato Spud which made me laugh as Spud is what I would have named mine. Residents sort of took turns rolling their potato towards the solitary agreeable firm green cabbage. Whoever rolled their potato closest to the cabbage received grand applause....
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With bears emerging from hibernation in the coming weeks, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds homeowners to check their property for food sources that could attract bears. “Please take the time now to remove or secure anything that could attract a bear,” said Eric Nelson, DNR wildlife damage program supervisor. “Prevention is key. Once a bear finds a food source, it will likely return again.” As bears emerge from hibernation, their metabolism gradually ramps up and they will begin looking for food at a time when berries and green vegetation are scarce. Home and cabin owners should remove or...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted April Pierce Tatum, 42, Spring Lake Park, Minnesota, pled guilty to two petty misdemeanors: 1) Uninsured Vehicle - Owner Violation, and 2) Vehicle Registration, Permit, or Plates Required, on June 11, 2020. Fines and fees total 5. Matthew...
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Schroeder, April 1. A unique hotel is being proposed along the shore of Lake Superior at Taconite Harbor in Cook County. The long-deserted taconite loading dock may soon become the closest place to stay the shore when a hotel is built into the tall structure where ore boats once loaded. Hotel rooms will be built into the loading dock, with balconies looking down into the harbor. Access to the hotel will also be unique, with guests arriving by railcars along the train tracks on top of the loading dock and descending to their rooms by elevator. Once in their rooms...
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I’m 270 miles from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus, and I still feel the great impact the University of Minnesota has on our Northeast Minnesota communities and our entire state. The University allows me to be of service to my community and informs me through its research and outreach programs — all accessible online. I help rescue and care for old dogs with resources from the U of M Vet School. I have been a Master Gardener for 7 years and am currently taking the Master Gardener refresher course through University of MN Extension. The U of M’s...
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Correction: In last week’s paper a picture of Jacob Dorr was mislabeled as his brother Paul Dorr. The Cook County News-Herald regrets the error.
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On Monday, March 21, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) issued the statement below following the Canadian government’s announcement that it would ease border entry restrictions on April 1. Klobuchar also renewed her calls for the U.S. and Canadian governments to ease restrictions on travelers using the Remote Area Border Crossing Program, which allows U.S. travelers to enter Canada via water or ice, rather than land or air ports of entry. “As chair of the U.S.-Canada Inter-Parliamentary working group, I have long advocated for eliminating barriers to travel between Canada and the United States because cross-border travel is crucial to businesses...
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Frazzled, ROB rushes into the coffee shop, immediately recognizes FATHER TIME on the opposite side of the café, sitting in a booth. Rob crosses to him quickly and sits. Father Time: (glancing at the clock on the wall) They say Time waits for no man and yet… Rob: I am so sorry. FT: I suppose I can make an exception for the great Rob Perez. R: I swear. I don’t normally—The kids are just… one did not want to nap. The other has to go to the bathroom the second we’re walking out the door. Twice. (then) I am really...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted Chace Brendon Gengler, 19, Grand Portage, Minnesota, pled guilty on January 31, 2022, to a gross misdemeanor of 4th Degree Burglary, committed on April 11, 2021. Sentenced on March 14, 2022, to one year supervised adult probation, Local...
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Vera I. Amyotte, 99 of Le Sueur died on March 14, 2022. She is survived by daughter, Michelle and Thomas Hoy; grandchildren, Theone Davis, Kari and Tod Oswald, Angela and David Mattox and Asher and Marissa Hoy; daughter in law, Sandra Amyotte, 11 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Vera’s funeral service will be held this Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Wagner Funeral Home in Belle Plaine with a visitation 1 hour prior and burial immediately following the service at Oakwood Cemetery. There will be a gathering time after burial at Spare Time Bar and Grill, 117 West Main...
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Minnesota Children’s Press in Grand Marais will receive 0 as part of Northland Foundation’s Youth in Philanthropy awards. Minnesota Children’s Press will use the funds to support the creation of virus traps that can be shared with the community. The Northland Foundation is pleased to announce that eight grants were recently awarded by the young people serving on the KIDS PLUS Youth In Philanthropy Board. The Board is made up of middle school and high school students from across Northeast Minnesota who review and make grantmaking decisions with guidance from volunteer adult mentors. The grants that the students award, up...
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Saturday, June 11, 2022, the Chippewa Triathlon will begin at 7:00 a.m. at the Cass Lake, MN Highway 2 Rest Area. Event includes a 14-mile canoe route, 27-mile bike course and 6-mile run. The triathlon can be completed solo or as a team. The Chippewa Triathlon route follows the centuries-old “Pike Bay Connection” through the Chippewa National Forest in Cass Lake, Minnesota. Based on wind and forecasted weather, the final course will be set the night before or morning of the race. In the event of inclement weather, the event may be delayed or altered. It has never been postponed,...
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As the temperatures rise and snowpack falls, the Y-Ski program closed for the year. “We had another great year with 58 kids signed up for lessons and about 70 pairs of skis rented from the equipment inventory,” said Tina Hegg Raway, lead organizer for the program that uses the Pincushion Mountain trail system to train. “There were so many kids that we had to split into six groups instead of five this year and it took 16 volunteer coaches, assistants, and substitutes to cover all of the action throughout January and February,” Raway said. Early on the season got off...
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People of all ages will come together this year to celebrate Earth Day in a live event filled with music, fun, and interesting speakers that proposes to be the largest Earth Day celebration in the area in recent memory. The festivities kick-off at 4:30 p.m. on Earth Day, April 22, at the Cook County Community Center in Grand Marais. The celebration is open to all and free. “It has been hard to gather as a community since the pandemic began,” said event coordinator Pastor Enno Limvere of First Congregational UCC. “Earth Day Fair is a great occasion to renew our...
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Troop 4112 Lakes and Pines recently had an amazing sled-dog adventure at Points Unknown in Hovland. Girls and leaders were treated to magical dog sled rides in the falling snow and the opportunity to socialize with the dogs and fluffy new puppies. Pictured are Annabelle Anderson, Arvis Thompson, Kenna Conley, Emily Arnold, Winifred Walters, Holly Belmore, Lily Belmore, Miah Arnold, Linda Newman, Ritalee Walters, Leah Belmore, Heather Belmore, Opp Sheils, and Mali Sheils. Thanks to all who bought cookies to help fund these experiences.
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On March 22, 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed reclassifying the northern long-eared bat under the Endangered Species Act. The bats are currently registered as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, and are protected. The bats are facing extinction due to the whitenose syndrome (WNS), an invasive fungus from Europe. WNS was discovered in New York in 2007 and since has spread to 30 states, killing more than 5 million bats. The disease causes fuzzy white growths on the noses and faces of the bats, and the fungus eats its way into their wings. Sick bats...
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20 YEARS AGOMARCH 24, 2002 v Schroeder’s top gathering spot, The Cross River Café, burned to the ground March 17. The fire occurred after closing hours and no one was hurt in the blaze. The popular restaurant owned by Chuck VanDoren was a favorite for locals to gather over meals or have coffee. LTV steelworkers and now Minnesota Power employees would get overtime meals from the café. v A meeting between area truckers — especially pulpwood haulers — and the Cook County Sheriff’s Department has been scheduled tonight at the courthouse. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss law...
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Ely Mayor Roger J. Skraba announced his candidacy to represent District 3A as a Republican in the Minnesota House. Skraba, born and raised in Ely, said, “It’s time that an elected conservative voice is heard from northeastern Minnesota at the State Capitol. The DFL of my parents and grandparents’ generations has left us and has been replaced by far-left extremists. I want to bring representation to those they left.” “I am running to support the growth of our diverse economies in northeastern Minnesota. Currently the Metro controlled DFL controls what economies we have, which in turn affects our way of...
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This is no April fools’ joke, Canadians will be coming back to northern Minnesota in the very near future. Come April 1, 2022, fully vaccinated Canadians will be able to visit the U.S. without having to provide proof of a negative COVID- 19 test. The government may include random testing, but Canadian travelers won’t have to provide the results of a rapid antigen rest. Visitors from Canada will still have to prove they are fully vaccinated through an ArriveCAN app. As of March 7, 2022, roughly 84.64 percent of the population of Canada had received at least one COVID-19 vaccination...
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This Pileated Woodpecker stopped by the Siesennop house for a little beef suet lunch.
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Cook County Public Health announces that they will host a series of free Pop-Up COVID-19 Testing events focused on reducing the potential for increasing community spread of COVID-19 due to spring travels or upcoming social gatherings with friends and family. The first free event took place March 24. The second event will run from noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2022, inside the Cook County Community Center, located at 317 W 5th St, Grand Marais. “Getting tested before, during and after events can help with the prevention of unknowingly spreading COVID-19 to others,” said Grace Grinager, Public Health...
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Considering the wind turbine comments in last week's letter to the editor, I find it interesting how our collective memory fades. Since the aughts, the possibilities of wind turbines on the hills over Lake Superior has been studied. Much of those studies were led by Cook County’s own Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP). You can find the various studies on MNDNR and UMD’s websites. One of the issues that came up during the studies is that the ridgelines to about a mile inland are one of North America’s largest bird and specifically raptor migration corridors. Before wind turbines could...
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For the past ten months Go Dog North Shore (GDNS), a local 501 (c)(3) non-profit, has been raising funds to construct a new purpose-built dog park within the City of Grand Marais. The park will consist of a one-acre wooded space with trails and a six-foot high fence that will provide residents and visitors a place to exercise and socialize their dogs safe from predators, traps and traffic. We knew when we started this endeavor that there was support for this public park, but we didn’t expect how quickly and enthusiastically the support would come! Since last May when the...
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I became aware of the geological importance of northern Minnesota when my uncle Tom Aldrich went to the Ely area around the 1970’s. His long-term interest was understanding the basic science of the earth’s crust. Tom’s team exploded things and measured the resulting sound waves passing through the 3.5-billion-year-old rock. Fast forward to today. I retired my credentials but continue to read Bench & Bar, the organ of the Minnesota State Bar Association. In the March 2022 issue is a scholarly article by Kathleen Reitz, an Assistant Minnesota Attorney General; who knew that rock and fossil collecting was so fraught...
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Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority has offered a job to hire an Executive Director and wants to provide insurance benefits to the candidate, but there is one problem. Because there will only be one employee in the HRA, the county’s HRA can’t secure benefits from the Northeast Service Cooperative, which administers the county’s employee benefit program. With that, County Administrator James Joerke asked the board to allow him to execute an agreement with the Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority which will allow the county to administer payroll and benefits for the HRA’s Executive Director. Joerke explained this is...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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Jack Haussner, Grand Marais, is a Junior enrolled in the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota. Jack was named to the 2021 fall semester Dean’s List at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must complete 12 or more letter-graded credits while attaining a 3.66 grade point average.
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The Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging, in cooperation with HealthForce Minnesota and their regional healthcare employer partners, are offering SCRUBS Camp Online NE 2022. This virtual camp is open to students from the seven county Arrowhead Region – Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis Counties. The online camp provides students the opportunity to learn about different healthcare professions through modules focused on in-demand careers in the region and live Q & A sessions with professionals in the field. In-person SCRUBS Camps have been in existence since 2008 and were created by HealthForce Minnesota. The virtual camp was...
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Every year people come and go at I.S.D. 166, and next year will be no different. At the school board’s March 17 meeting it was announced that Cook County High School will get a new football and boys’ basketball coach next year. Boys’ varsity basketball Coach Andy Feddema who teaches social studies and serves as the Activities Director, has announced his resignation effective June 7. “It was a tough decision,” said Andy Feddema. “Mitch Dorr offered me a job at St. John the Baptist in Jordan (Minnesota) teaching 4th through 7th grades.” Mitch left CCHS after 20 years of coaching...
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The ping of metal bats hitting baseballs and the sound of baseballs smacking leather gloves filled the Cook County High School gym last Monday, March 21. Viking Head Baseball Coach Arleigh Jorgenson welcomed 24 kids to spring baseball practice, and like normal, practice is starting out in the Pam Taylor gymnasium. With a big snowstorm predicted later in the week, the kids might be working out inside for some time to come. In his 23rd year as head coach, Arleigh Jorgenson took some time to talk to the Cook County News-Herald. Coach, who will pitch for the Vikings this year?...
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WINTER RETURNS FOR APRIL FOOLS Spring sprung back to winter on the first of April, as evidenced by this snowy scene on Kadunce Creek near Colvill.
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A ,500 scholarship will be offered in 2022 to anyone that aspires to a career in the aviation industry or wishes to pursue flight training leading to a pilot’s license. Offered by the Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization, the scholarship is made possible by funds raised through the annual Fly-In Pancake Breakfast and donations. The winner will be announced at the Eagles annual meeting, Saturday, May 14. Applicants must be 15 years or older and be enrolled within a year of acceptance of the scholarship into an aviation training program with a Certified Flight Instructor or with an accredited aviation curriculum....
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Although it didn’t happen on Devil Track Lake as first planned, Willie Ewing eclipsed the current 24-hour snowmobile distance record of record of 1,908 miles by covering 2,125.04 miles on Lake of the Woods. Ewing accomplished the feat on March 13-14. The Becker, Minnesota resident used the record run to make money for a bible camp in Grand Rapids. “One hundred percent of what I raise will go to the camp to help pay for underprivilege kids who otherwise couldn’t afford to attend the camp,” Ewing said. “We have chosen Living World Bible Camp because of their efforts to give...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) reports checking anglers and monitoring snowmobile trails. Trails are holding up with only a few bare spots around some corners. He completed required training. CO Mary Manning...
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Woodland caribou, tundra caribou, and reindeer are all the same species, but there are distinct physical and behavioral differences. Historically woodland caribou inhabited much of northern Minnesota and were the most abundant big game animal in, at least, northeast Minnesota. Their abundance decreased rapidly with logging and settlement of the northern forest. Logging converted the mature forest to young deciduous trees and shrubs which allowed moose to increase in abundance and white-tailed deer to become established. The increased prey available allowed wolves to increase and the deer brought the brain worm parasite with them. The influx of people resulted in...
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Hyla Napadensky, age 92, was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 12, 1929, and died in Madison, Wisconsin on March 19, 2022. Hyla was raised in humble surroundings in Chicago, the middle daughter of Russian emigrants who had settled in Toronto, Ontario and Chicago, Illinois. Hyla defied both family and community expectations by graduating from high school at age 15 and studying math and physics at the Illinois Institute of Technology, the University of Chicago and the U of C’s Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Although Hyla wanted to explore music and art, after growing up running the family...
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Cook and Lake County will receive ,271 for Transitional Housing from the recent H.U.D. Funding cycle. “Access to stable housing is a basic necessity – the safety of a home is essential, especially as we continue to fight the COVID-19 virus,” H.U.D. Secretary Marcia L. Fudge said. “This Continuum of Care program grant, coupled with the historic resources in the American Rescue Plan, will deliver communities the resources needed to ensure that every person in a respective community has the equitable opportunity to a safe and stable home.” Last Thursday, March 17, Minnesota H.U.D. granted nearly million via 211...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will begin temporarily closing some state forest roads and trails as seasonal melting makes them too soft to support vehicle traffic without causing damage. Depending on weather and local site conditions, the temporary closures are expected to begin at southern Minnesota locations in mid-March. Closures could remain in effect until May. “The annual spring thaw creates wet, unstable road and trail conditions,” said Matt Huseby, roads program coordinator for the DNR Forestry Division. “Seasonal closures protect roads and trails from damage and costly repairs.” After a lengthy winter, the warmer weather inspires people to...
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After serving twenty eight years in the Minnesota House and Senate, Senator Tom Bakk (I) Cook, Minnesota has announced he is retiring at the end of the year. Bakk made his announcement on Thursday, March 17. Posted on his Facebook page, Bakk said, “Representing the people of the Arrowhead region has been one of the greatest rewards of my life, made possible by the support and patience of my family. My heartfelt thanks to my constituents for entrusting me to be their voice at the Capitol for so many years. I have always tried to do my best for the...
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Cook County Republicans held their Basic Political Operating Unit (BPOU) on March 15, meeting in the upstairs of the Harbor View Apartments meeting room with about 25 in attendance. Cook County Republican Chair Trent Spry was back from the military to lead the convention. Spry is the youngest G.O.P. chair in Cook County history, two years out of high school. Unfortunately, Trent had to return to his military duties that night but did a fine job leading the 3 ½ hour meeting. He serves as an F-16 mechanic, inspecting and repairing those aircraft. Unfortunately, he will soon be deployed to...
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It’s spring in Cook County: the snow is melting; the rivers are beginning to flow; and there are signs of pussy willows, flowers and trees blossoming. And, of course, our much-anticipated warmer weather is coming. Warmer weather brings the potential for severe weather, and we in Cook County need to be prepared. To that end, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, in conjunction with the National Weather Service, is promoting Severe Weather Awareness Week during the week of April 4 through 8, 2022. April is a great time to begin preparing for severe weather, not only for residents, but also...
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A group of Chamber representatives, plus several of our friends who work on public policy, journeyed to St. Paul on March 8-10. We participated in the Duluth Chamber’s Duluth & St. Louis County Days and also worked our way through an ambitious agenda of meetings with legislators. Our visit to St. Paul began with a dinner at Salut Bar Americain on Grand Avenue with Sen. Tom Bakk and Rep. Rob Ecklund. Both Rob and Tom gave brief remarks on where things stand in the Legislature. More about that below. The next day was heavy on meetings with legislators. Our St....
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The 2022 World Press Institute Fellowship Program will be stopping in Grand Marais at the end of March and will take part in a public forum on journalism at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. The public roundtable discussion is set for Tuesday, March 29 at 7 p.m. and will feature a question-and-answer session with the nine visiting journalists. Moderating the event will be Marja Erickson, board president of the Cook County Historical Society (event sponsor). The program this year has journalists from Argentina, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, China (Hong Kong), Finland, Germany, India, Iran and Nigeria. Participants are stopping here during...
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It is the policy of the Cook County News-Herald to withhold the identities of individuals in Cook County Law Enforcement briefs. When court proceedings are complete, the Cook County News- Herald publishes a complete accounting of names and penalties in its Matters of Record. Wednesday, March 2 6:53 a.m. West Highway 61: Public Assistance. Caller was concerned that they might have a hernia and needed the phone number for a medical center in Duluth. Dispatch found the number and advised the caller that they would have to listen to the recorded message carefully so that the correct button was hit...
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American Legion Post 413 Commander Bob Matson and Rod Carlson presented Terry Breithaupt and Mike Backlund with certificates honoring their 50-year membership and service to the legion. The certificates were awarded on March 17 at Birch Terrace Supper Club where the meeting was held.
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Sometimes people ask me how I stay ahead of the news. Well, I have many trusted sources, but I’ve been reading one publication in particular for longer than all the others. The periodical both informs and entertains. Its prose is simple and clear, but not without style. Their news stories cut to the chase. There is a focus on the natural world. And their puzzles keep me razor sharp. That’s why I still read Highlights magazine. This month I have learned some big news from Highlights magazine: Kelly green, the color we associate with St. Patrick’s Day, began as a...
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I recently planned a ten-day vacation in Orebro, Sweden to visit my friend Mary who recently moved there with her family. I bought three books; How to be Swedish: A Quick Guide to Swedishness in 55 Steps, My First Book About Sweden: A Child’s Picture Guide and Sweden Culture Smart: The Essential Guide to Customs and Culture. I was ready. I would avoid all embarrassing behavior. I would not say Hi and tell my life story to each and every person I met. I defiantly would not be a hugger while in the country and I had planned to use...
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Mike Lindell’s conspiracy theories are false. Gov. Chris Christie recent book, “Republican Rescue” is an excellent overview of the 2020 election. While Christie, an early Trump supporter, did not like the outcome of the presidential election, he states that Joe Biden is the winner. According to Christie multiple investigations into the 2020 election found no evidence of widespread voter fraud. Christie puts forward a program to save the Republican Party from truth deniers and conspiracy theorists. Mike Lindell will have to defend himself in two major lawsuits. Lindell claims that voter machines were rigged for Biden. Dominion Voting Machine Company...
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It would seem that Arrowhead Electric struck a nerve when it was revealed that Great River Energy was still going to be buying coal generated electricity into the future. I guess in a perfect world we would all drive electric cars, have unlimited power produced by sun and wind and “clean” would cover the landscape. The problem is, we are not there yet with our idealistic green energy solutions. We do not live in a perfect world and so often our “clean” way of living up here is just another “not in our backyard” situation. Arrowhead did state that more...
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Rae Piepho is an America patriot (3/5/22 letter). I agree with much of what was written. The crisis in America is coming “from all directions.” These include crime, drug use, gun safety, financial, immigration, COVID, education, and many others. Also, freedom and security are at stake! And most of all, our democracy is in peril. If you support Christian Nationalism and white supremacy, then you would rather have an autocratic regime where you will lose your freedom and your security. Biden won the 2020 election without any evidence of fraud. There should be no debate on that fact. Thus, Congress...
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Cook County has gypsy moths. Or used to. Now we have spongy moths, or, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) the moths will now be called by their Latin name Lymantria dispar. It’s a temporary name change, says the DNR. Why the name change? The Minnesota DNR is following the lead of the Entomological Society of America (EAS) who discontinued the use of the name “gypsy moth” because it contains a derogatory term for Romani people of northern India. To come up with a new name for the pests the EAS evaluated more than 200 nominations sent...
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Blain Johnson recently announced his candidacy for the Minnesota House to represent District 3A. This district encompasses all of Cook and Koochiching Counties, most of Lake County, and the northern portions of Itasca and St. Louis Counties. District 3A also includes the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. “I want to reconnect state leaders with the issues and concerns of Northern Minnesota. We must develop and improve support for local small businesses as well as the region’s larger industries to help them thrive. We must promote visitors and tourism which has also...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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The Cook County Community Center is a hub for many recreational facilities that provide residents with opportunities to exercise, socialize, meet, and gather. But did you know that the Community Center is also home to our local University of Minnesota Extension Office? The Extension Office is here to connect our local community needs with University of Minnesota resources to address critical issues. Extension has been present in Cook County for decades in many forms. Following the retirement of longtime Extension and Community Center Director Diane Booth in 2021, Cook County renewed its partnership with Extension with the hire of a...
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Noted outdoor photographer David Johnson caught this eye-popping sunrise over Lake Superior recently with his camera. Words can’t really describe the wonder shown here. A true feast for the eyes.
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How can we make drivers slow down when they race through downtown Lutsen? That was the question on people’s minds when they attended the Lutsen annual meeting held March 8. The current 40 mph zone near Lockport, Clearview and Arrowhead Cooperative works to slow traffic, but needs to be extended, said the voters. After some discussion it was decided to authorize the town board to send a letter to Senator Tom Bakk who will seek to get a bill passed to extend the 40-mph speed limit area further east and west from the current locations. That extension would run one...
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Mental health awareness has risen tremendously with the stress and struggles of the past couple of years, and we’re all learning how common it is to have times in life in which we or someone we love struggles with mental health. In school, kids of all ages struggle with the beginning of mental health challenges- so how do we help kids recognize what they are feeling or will experience, and have compassion for their peers who are struggling? We got to work. Last year, we secured a grant from the North Shore Collaborative to raise mental health awareness, and to...
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Recently Paul Sundberg was “out and about” trusty camera at his side, when he came across this very bushy tailed red fox—which gave him a casual look— before it continued hunting along the shores of Lake Superior.
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The Senior LinkAge Line® will offer two Health Care Fraud, Waste & Abuse Prevention classes Wednesday, April 13, 2022, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and again from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how to detect and report potential errors, fraud and abuse; review potential fraud and scams targeting older adults, how to read their Medicare Summary Notice, learn tips to help protect their Medicare beneficiary number, and how to protect-detect-report Medicare scams and fraud. This presentation is based on information from the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), a federal education and prevention program. It is offered online using the...
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The Vikings' boys’ basketball team ended its playoff run with an 85-28 loss to Northwoods in a game played last Thursday, March 10. With the win Northwoods upped its record to 18-4 and moved on in the Section 7A play-offs. The Vikings ended their season with five wins and 17 losses. After the game Viking Head Coach Andy Feddema summed up the game this way “It was a tough last game for us tonight. Give a lot of credit to North Woods, they are a very good team, and they do a lot of things well. Best of luck to...
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This is a grand year to be outside in the west, in Schroeder. We are having the winter we have waited for, the reason we live here. I am going to share three hiking destinations in the west end of Cook County, places that may not be well known, places we have enjoyed in the past weeks. But first: a caution! Be careful by the rivers. Don’t venture out on the ice. The rivers change year to year. This year with deep snow creates new dangers. Our friend Tim Lamb, who grew up by the Cross River, made sure he...
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Over the course of seven days from March 3 to March 10 Cook County received just one new case of COVID-19. That brings the total to 822 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. Cook County Public health reported that as of March 10 some 4,403 Cook County residents have been fully vaccinated. To date, Cook County has had four deaths attributed to COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. Cook County Public Health includes over the counter antigen positive COVID-19 results in its data. Those tests were reported to Cook County Public Health and Human Services or reported by...
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Grand Marais City councilors had a short but productive meeting on March 9. A question posed from Cook County Administrator James Joerke to the council was to ask if the city would contribute to funding a proposed dog pound/shelter? Joerke sent his request via email to Grand Marais City Administrator Mike Roth, who relayed it to the council. The county has budgeted ,000 to the animal shelter for 2022, noted Joerke. With several Arrowhead Animal Rescue advocates in the room, the council wasted little time deciding to match the county’s dollars. Councilor Tracy Benson motioned with councilor Anton Moody seconding...
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North House Folk School just announced it has brought back a class it taught for years, but this class will be offered as a benefit for the millions of refugees fleeing Ukraine. This course is open to students ages 13-15 accompanied by an adult; ages 16-plus on their own. Because of the special nature of this effort, this course is not eligible for discounts or work-study vouchers. This session will be offered as a benefit for the millions of refugees fleeing Ukraine. All proceeds will be donated to World Central Kitchen, an organization feeding families fleeing the violence and those...
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Two local mushers raced their sled dog teams in the Calumet, Michigan Copper Dog 150-mile sled dog race held March 4 and March 5, and both teams placed nicely in a deep field filled with excellent dog teams and mushers. Grand Marais sled dog musher Joanna Oberg placed third, and Rita Wehseler, Tofte, sixth in the race won by JR Anderson, with Ryan Anderson taking second place. The race was held over two days and run in three 50-mile stages. When the times for the stages were added up, Oberg was only 13:31 out of first place. Wehseler was 43:52...
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Editor’s note: This news release was edited for length. State gains 10,200 jobs, unemployment rate ticks below 3 percent, labor force participation rate on the rise Minnesota gained 10,200 jobs in the last month on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). This follows the addition of 2,500 jobs in December 2021 (revised). The jobs growth from December 2021 to January 2022 is the largest single month growth since July 2021. The private sector gained 9,100 jobs, up 0.4 percent, continuing a four-month-long job gains streak. The unemployment...
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20 YEARS AGO MARCH 18, 2002 v Cook County’s West End townships met last Tuesday and voted to approve a two-year ,000 property levy that will be used to help pay for the operation of the Birch Grove Community Center located in Schroeder. When the night was over residents in Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder each agreed to levy ,000 per township. There were 40 yes votes and six no votes in Schroeder; 17 yes votes and eight no votes in Lutsen; and 100 percent yes votes in Tofte. To have the plan work, all three townships needed to pass the...
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Dave Saari’s fifth golf-themed mystery novel is set on the North Shore, taking place mainly in Grand Marais with a bit of back and forth between the Twin Cities and a golf course near Thunder Bay, Ontario. It’s a page-turner. The story centers around a mystery involving a potentially murdered young man who years before was living in a trailer in Grand Marais. When the trailer blows up, authorities blame it on a propane leak and the case is closed. The young man, purportedly a drug dealer, was supposedly the son of a rival of Trey’s wealthy father, who asks...
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Anglers should clean litter left on lakes The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers the upcoming deadline to remove ice shelters from lakes in the northern one-third of the state is quickly approaching. Heavy snow and slush in some areas means conditions on the ice might be challenging, so the DNR urges anglers to plan ahead to ensure they’re able to meet the deadline. The removal deadline in the northern one-third of the state — which is defined as north of the east-west line formed by U.S. Highway 10, east along Highway 34 to Minnesota Highway 200, east along...
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A sight we have all seen countless times this winter, a snowplow moving snow from the roads. This photo is of a Minnesota Department of Transportation snowplow driver clearing Highway 61 in Grand Portage.
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SQUEEZED, Covid the Constrictor is a collection of writing and art about the pandemic by Cook County students. WISE (the Women’s Initiative for Service and Education) is distributing hand-bound hardcover copies of the book to Cook County Libraries. In this photo from L-R are: Barb Heideman (WISE), Virginia Palmer (WISE), Kristin Woizeschke (Grand Marais Library Assistant Director), Amanda St. John (Grand Marais Library Director), Ann Marie Mershon (WISE), and Gerry Grant (WISE) displaying the books being cheerfully donated to local libraries. This project was funded by the Karen Smaby Estate and the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation. SQUEEZED can be purchased...
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The Cook County High School girls’ basketball team bowed out of the playoffs with an 86-33 loss to the Cherry Tigers. The game was played March 2. Earlier in the season, in December 10, the Vikings fell 67-17 to the Tigers. With the loss the Vikings record fell to 5-14 while Cherry upped its record to 14-10. The Vikings lose two senior starters off this year’s squad, and both were captains. Senior forward Rhonnie Poyirier was the team’s leading scorer and top rebounder. Anna Hay was the guard that rarely shot the ball but was often paired on defense against...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted Nicholas Charles Adler, 26, Columbia Heights, Minnesota, pled guilty on February 17, 2022, to three petty misdemeanors: 1) Careless Driving - Operating a vehicle carelessly on a street or highway, 2) Operating a Motor Vehicle after License was...
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As we all heave a sigh at the prospect of leaving the pandemic behind (hope, hope…), a new specter haunts us: the war in Ukraine. Each morning I shudder as I hear news of the agony the Russian invasion has wreaked on Ukrainians. It’s hard to go an hour without worrying about those men, women and children living in fear—yet, at the same time, admiring their determination in the face of horrific destruction and devastating odds. What can I do? I’m here and they’re so far away. I can put my head in the sand. I can stop listening to...
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GEORGE WASHINGTON, in laying the cornerstone for the United States Capital, used the same little trowel which President Roosevelt is waving after employing it in placing the cornerstone for the new ,000,000 Interior Department building.
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Lonnie Dupre’s three months return trip to Greenland has been going well. After reuniting with old friends, Lonnie has been assembling a dogsled team, and training the dogs for the next big adventure. Dupre and his crew of film makers and adventurers have been busy. Now they are counting on Butch, Scout, Charley ll, Midnight, Jumpy, Blacky, Fritz, Jack, Max, Guster, Shila, Jasper and Theo to pull their weight, pulling sleds loaded with gear and the team. And so far, so good. It’s been two decades since Lonnie and fellow explorer John Hoelscher completed a three-year, 6,500-mile circumnavigation of Greenland...
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In some ways Putin has everything to lose. If he backs off in Ukraine, he admits weakness and exactly like Trump, an admission of weakness is anathema. It doesn’t matter if the invasion is based on lies and a deluded view of history, just like it doesn’t matter for Trump that he lies about an election and deludes himself and others into hamstringing free and fair elections. For Putin women, children, elderly, journalists, dissidents, non-combatants – all are fair game, and Trump would love to throw dissenters in prison and his most ardent supporters in the GOP think disagreeing with...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checking anglers and snowmobilers during a work detail with several officers. The officers focused on enforcing speed on the trails after a snowmobile event. Enforcement...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Often, one of the first things a person is told about cattle is that they have four stomachs. That is both yes and no. There are four chambers: rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum; but the reticulum can be considered as a pouch on the side of the rumen as they are not well separated. Ruminant is the term applied to species having this type of digestive system. It is a rather complex process so I will not go into detail of how the products of digestion are converted into other products that can be used by the body. The group...
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The North Shore Health Care Foundation (NSHCF) which works to improve equitable access to health care and healthy living programs in Cook County as well as supports health and emergency services as well as a multitude of community health programs, has a new home. The nonprofit which serves as a funder, educator, program incubator, convener and advocate is now located at 21 W 2nd St, in Grand Marais. To celebrate their new offices, the NSHCF is hosting a Friendship Drive now through May 1. Anyone who makes a Friend of the Foundation donation at any level will receive a Foundation...
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It is the policy of the Cook County News-Herald to withhold the identities of individuals in Cook County Law Enforcement briefs. When court proceedings are complete, the Cook County News- Herald publishes a complete accounting of names and penalties in its Matters of Record. Tuesday, February 15 11:15 a.m. Devil Track Lake: South Shore Drive, Suspicious Activity. Caller had interactions with a person who didn’t seem to have a good reason to be in the area. Caller was worried about possible theft and vandalism. Investigation determined that the suspect was probably just snow shoeing as the tracks from their parked...
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This pileated woodpecker is working hard for its supper. These neat looking birds forage on insects, often chipping out fairly large holes to get the bugs. In the summer pileated woodpeckers will also eat fruit, nuts and berries.
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I was in the woods today and did a bit of philosophizing. I guess that’s a big word for thinking. But it’s bigger than thinking to me. Consider philosophizing to be formal thinking about concepts. We say that a sign – a stop sign or a peace sign or a “sign of the times” (greasers in the 50s v. hippies in the 60s v. punk rockers in the 70s) – is a human concept, and the communication of an idea from one person to another in a manner that both can understand. But surely in the animal kingdom there are...
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This bobcat looks sweet enough to cuddle but lookout, these furry felines are tough as nails. They can generate a bite force of around 548 Newtons (not Fig Newtons) which can kill a coyote. As far as hurting people, bobcat interactions with humans are extremely rare. They like to be left alone.
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Sometimes one will encounter something so unusual or so different than expected that it really sticks in your mind. As time goes by, more cases of the same thing either occur or are mentioned by others. It may still be unusual, but perhaps not as rare as suspected. DEER, MOOSE, and CATTLE: While in college back in the 1960’s, I often spent my spare time in a wildlife research library reading old issues of scientific journals. I came across many reports and studies of great interest to me, but the following is the most interesting of them. Journal of Mammalogy...
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From the birth of the island rising from the water to the animals that swam or floated or walked on ice to the jewel of Lake Superior, Julian May captures the magic and mystique of Isle Royale in this 30-page book. Written in 1968, this children’s book is largely about Isle Royale’s moose and the inclusion of wolves that come to the island and restore balance when they cull the older and younger moose from a too-large population. The story is written by Julian May and illustrated by John Schoenherr, both of whom are now deceased. Over her life, Julian...
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On Wednesday, March 2, Cook County Public Health announced the availability of higher quality masks alongside updated prevention recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC recently created a tool that helps local communities easily understand the COVID-19 risk level as it changes over time, linking public health recommendations to the local level of risk. The public can track the COVID-19 Community Level for Cook County online at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/yourhealth/covid-by-county.html. The CDC determines a community’s level of COVID-19 by considering the number of new cases and hospitalizations in a 7-day period, as well as relevant information on...
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Cook County Engineer Robbie Haas came before the commissioners to update the highway department 2022 plans. Two bridges, the Cross River and Carlson Creek bridges, will be replaced this year. A three-span timber structure will be used at Cross River, with the construction project costing [post_excerpt].4 million. A double-barrel concrete box culvert will replace the bridge at Carlson Creek. The work there will tally 9,315. The biggest summer project will be the work on Pike Lake Road (County Road 45), but Haas said bids haven’t come back yet. Haas presented a contract for clearing the right of way along County...
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TWO SAILBOATS ON THE HARBOR Here is a very early photo of two sailboats (side by side) in the Grand Marais harbor. The photo is from the Mayhew collection. The image was provided by the Cook County Historical Society for the August 13, 1990, edition of the Cook County News Herald.
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John (Jake) Jacobsen shows off this whopper lake trout he caught in one of his favorite lakes. The lake has a name, but Jake couldn’t remember it, just that this frozen body of water is located somewhere in Cook County, and it is surrounded by evergreen trees. Jake’s lake trout was 29 inches long and weighed 8-1/2 pounds. He pulled it through the ice on Saturday, March 6, 2022.
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It is the policy of the Cook County News-Herald to withhold the identities of individuals in Cook County Law Enforcement briefs. When court proceedings are complete, the Cook County News- Herald publishes a complete accounting of names and penalties in its Matters of Record. Tuesday, February 8 2:51 a.m. Gunflint Trail LEC: Public Assistance. Man called to say that he was stuck on a New York interstate highway and did not feel safe. Cook County Dispatch advised him that he had reached Minnesota and recommended that he stay on the line while he was transferred to a New York office...
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In February’s Topic of the Month, Health Halos and Horns, we explored how we can come to believe that something is either good or bad for us — even if we have little or no evidence to back up this opinion. This month we’ll look in more detail at how health halos are generated and how you can protect yourself from being blinded by their sparkle! Imagine for a moment that you’ve come from a visit with your primary care provider where you found out that your LDL cholesterol is high. Your provider suggests some dietary and lifestyle changes and...
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Even though the number of COVID-19 cases has been slowing down, new cases keep popping up in the county. Last week there were ten new cases over the previous seven days. That brings the number to 821 cumulative cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. According to the Cook County Public Health and Human Services, 4,397 Cook County residents are now fully vaccinated. Four county residents have died after contracting COVID-19. If you are interested in getting a COVID-19 vaccination, they are now available at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic. Please call 218-387-2330 to register for an appointment.
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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The Grand Marais Playhouse is very pleased to present The Half-Life of Marie Curie by Lauren Gunderson. The play opened Thursday, March 10 and will run one weekend only through March 13. Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday’s performances will be live streamed, and a video will be available on demand Friday through Sunday. Advanced tickets are preferred and available at https://www.grandmaraisplayhouse.com/store Tickets are youth, adults and Household (up to five people) Proof of vaccination and masks are required for admittance. Live stream and on demand tickets are available...
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Marlene Boostrom Leonard, 88, of Grand Marais, died March 3 in Duluth. She lived there with her daughter and sonin law since late 2020 and moved to Keystone Bluffs in February. Marlene was an extraordinary person to her family and friends alike. She expressed and radiated love in thousands of ways without getting mushy about it. She was genuinely accepting of all people, and she was loved by all. Marlene had friends in every generation! She enjoyed close and special relationships with each member of her family. Gambling was her thing, and she was good. For years the highlight of...
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A local county resident called to say she was alarmed when her prescription recently rose six times higher than what it used to cost when she had it filled here. That steep increase caused her to look around for a cheaper alternative, and she found one in Cost Plus Drugs, a company recently founded by Mark Cuban. “My cost went from paying more than to paying plus a five-dollar shipping fee for three months of medication and it only took four days for the pills to arrive.” Cuban offers generic drugs, taking out the middleman so consumers can...
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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers are reminding anglers about the upcoming deadline to remove their ice fishing shelters. In addition, anglers are reminded to do their part in keeping our lakes clean by picking up trash, even if it doesn’t belong to them. In the southern two-thirds of the state, structures must be off lakes by the end of the day Monday, March 7. For structures on lakes in the northern third of the state, the deadline is by the end of the day March 21.
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Representative Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls) has announced his plans to seek re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives this fall. Currently serving his fourth term, Rep. Ecklund will run to represent the newly drawn District 3A spanning the Canadian border from Koochiching County east to Grand Portage. “We’ve all been through some incredibly difficult challenges the past couple of years, but no matter the roadblocks that come our way, folks in northeastern Minnesota are resilient. Looking forward, I’m optimistic we’re turning the corner to a new chapter. But we have work yet to do so all Minnesotans can...
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While it’s exciting news that the border crossing stations in Grand Portage and International Falls will be significantly upgraded, those upgrades are apparently a ways off in the future. Before much of anything is done, a GSA spokesperson said, “GSA will need to re-engage with the local community stakeholders, validate the preferred alternative from the feasibility study, begin site acquisition activities for the new site including negotiations with property owners, and advertise and award a contract for design and construction services.” Last week it was announced that The International Falls and Grand Portage projects will make each port of entry...
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Reports provide important data about rainfall amounts, climate trends The State Climatology Office is looking for volunteer rainfall monitors for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS). The network includes more than 20,000 volunteers nationwide who measure precipitation in their backyards using a standard 4 inch diameter rain gauge and submit reports online. Climatologist Pete Boulay said the data from backyard rain gauges are helpful and important in many ways. “These volunteers help to verify high rain totals after big events, monitor drought and flooding, make our precipitation maps more accurate and provide needed guidance on Minnesota’s changing...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked remote trout lakes and patroled snowmobile trails. He instructed a snowmobile safety field day in Grand Marais. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and angling violations....
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Have you ever, in any season, been deep in the woods in the gloaming? In the blurred time midway between sunset and the dark, and closer to the latter? In the early, cold, snowbound Springs in the gloaming, when everything is a shade of gray, a tone of blue, the snow freezing again? In the day with a south wind, it was in the 30s and the sun shone at a powerful degree and things were melting, but in an hour’s time from sunset to dark the temperature races to single digits. The warm Summer after the sunsets spooking deer...
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In March of 1969, Cindy Nelson, Becky Krueger (Falch), and Dave Oswald headed to Mt. Alyeska, Alaska, to compete in the National Junior Alpine Ski Championships. Fifty-three years later, in February of 2022, they reconnected for the first time on the ski slopes of Vail and Copper Mountain in Colorado. Cindy took third and Becky fourth place at the Junior National races in Mt. Alyeska, Alaska, when points were added up for their downhill, slalom and giant slalom races. “Back-in-the-day,” Cindy, Becky, and Dave attended Cook County Schools, and they were members of the Lutsen Ski Team. All three started...
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As the pandemic throttles down it’s looking like things will be returning to more normal levels this coming summer. One big “live” event making a comeback is WTIP’s Radio Waves Music Festival. On March 1, 2022, the Grand Marais Park Board approved a special event permit for the WTIP Radio Waves Music Festival to be held in the Sweetheart’s Bluff Recreation Area in the campground. A vote that was music, quite literally, to many people’s ears. The event will start Friday, September 9 and run through Sunday, the 11th. The three-day festival will feature 20 acts and is expected to...
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Tofte Wastewater Treatment Association (TWTA) and Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior WWTP are defendants in a lawsuit alleging that TWTA has failed to comply with the Federal Clean Water Act by polluting Lake Superior for years with mercury, fecal matter, coliform bacteria and suspended solids. The 17-page class action complaint was filed February 9, 2022, by Clean Water and Air, LLC. The LLC is headed by Patrick W. Michenfelder, who is the only person listed. He was named as organizer and officer of the company; it incorporated February 7, 2018, in Owatonna, but is now listed in St. Louis Park,...
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The heading on this month’s Arrowhead Cooperative newsletter reads: “Great River Energy and Arrowhead Cooperative Share A Common Vision” Arrowhead Cooperative’s board recently voted to support Great River Energy’s sale of the Coal Creek Station, a coal-fired electric power facility in North Dakota. Coal Creek had been scheduled for closure or possible sale by the end of 2023. The Sierra Club had been opposed to the sale. Great River has found a buyer for the facility and will now purchase coal generated power from the new owners for fifteen years as part of the sale agreement. Great River has also...
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Cook County Public Health and Human Services recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families and to prevent child abuse and neglect. Promoting social and emotional wellbeing Research tells us that “protective factors” are important to healthy human development and contribute greatly to family and child wellbeing. Children who experience harm become more resilient, have a better chance of recovering and have a greater sense of wellbeing if they experience the benefit of protective factors. Protective factors are conditions or attributes (skills, strengths, resources, supports or coping strategies)...
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You wouldn’t call this a rags to riches story. Not exactly. Dennis Dimka wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth, not by any means. But he was born with parents, Lori Dimka and Duane Ege, who worked with him and encouraged him to learn, and he had a family of friends that helped guide him. Essential steps, he says, that helped him form Uptime Legal Systems, a company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. As the Chief Executive Officer Dennis has guided his business to become the world’s leading provider of cloud-based services to the legal industry. When I...
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This past week, March 8-9, Skyport Lodge on Devil Track Lake was supposed to be the base camp for Willie Ewing’s attempt to break and set a new one-day long distance world record for snowmobiles. Unfortunately, Ewing had to move the venue. “Due to very large amounts of snow in Grand Marais this winter, we are unable to make a track, because of so much snow and slush on the lake, so we are having to move this event.” Instead of Devil Track Lake, Ewing will travel to Lake of the Woods, and start from Sportsman’s Lounge in Baudette. He...
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers predicts that Lake Superiors outflow through the St. Mary’s River will be below average in March while forecasts show the outflow through the St. Clair River, Lake St. Claire’s outflow into Detroit, Lake Erie’s outflow into Niagara River, and Lake Ontario’s outflow through St. Lawrence River will be above average in March. Lake Superior water level for March 4 was 600.92 feet, the same as in February. That’s three inches below its average monthly mean for March. Meanwhile lake levels in Michigan-Huron (+1 inch) St. Clair (+ 7 inches), Erie (+ 5 inches) and...
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Spring Break 2022! They say it’s gonna be epic! But is it? Let us consider. Spring Break is a strangely named week in March wherein the schools, the same ones that were hitherto educating our children, for some inexplicable reason, set them free. So, this is a break… for the schools, I guess. Parents, however, are suddenly responsible for kids they might have forgotten about. I’m told some parents are quite surprised to see children suddenly about the house, clamoring for things - like a week of your life. I don’t know why or who exactly needs a week (or...
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Commissioners heard from the census committee at the board’s March 8 County board meeting. Based on the 2020 census results, in all likelihood all five county commissioners will be up for reelection in 2022. Regardless of the census, commissioners in Districts 1, 3 and 5 are up for reelection in 2022. A committee made up of Auditor/Treasurer Braidy Powers, commissioners David Mills and Stacey Hawkins was tasked with looking at the census to see if the county needed redistricting of unorganized territory precincts to meet the requirements of Minnesota Statute 375. That statute requires commissioner districts whose population varies more...
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Dear people of the great state of Minnesota, hello. I am a third-grade student in Northern Virginia. Our class is learning about the United States, and I will be teaching our school about the state of Minnesota. In the month of May, I will create a display for our State Fair that I hope will make you proud! Although I have gathered facts about your state from books and websites, I think that I can receive the best information from the people who live there. This is why I am writing to you. I am hoping that you would be...
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20 YEARS AGOMARCH 11, 2002 v The Minnesota Department of Commerce has recommended that Qwest provide telephone service to residents living near Holly Lake, Clara Lake and Tait Lake. Residents living in the rural Tofte area had asked Qwest for telephone service in the past but had been turned down. Along with the most recent complaint with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission was a petition signed by 70 property owners. v Grand Marais mushers Dean Gulden and Neil Rasmussen finished fourth and fifth in the 2002 John Beargrease 150, an eight-dog race, on March 4. The 150-mile race from Two...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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With wing spans of up to four feet, and considered the largest owl in the world by length, Great Gray Owls are certainly impressive. In this picture you can see the facial disc that gathers the sound and channels it back to the ears. That’s how they can hear a mouse running under a foot of snow half a football field away.
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Who was going to win the tie breaker? That was the question when the Cook County Boys’ basketball team traveled to face the Mariners on Monday, March 7 in a Section 7A playoff game played in Silver Bay. On January 20 the Vikings were pounded 71-37 by the Mariners in Silver Bay. The Vikings flipped the script by routing the Mariners 57-38 on February 8 in a home game. So, who would set the narrative for game three? The Vikings, that’s who. By playing terrific defense and hitting their shots, the Vikings ran away from the Mariners, taking a 67-31...
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Over the years you might have seen him playing basketball at the YMCA, or participating in the summer Fisherman’s Picnic basketball tourney, he’s hard to miss. At 6’10”, 250 pounds, Bobby Hawkinson stands out in a crowd. The grandson of Jerry and Janet Johansen, Lutsen, just concluded his collegiate basketball career. For his outstanding play he was named first Team All-UAA (University Athletic Association), an honor voted on by the Association’s eight head coaches. Hawkinson ended his senior year at New York University by becoming the programs third player to score more than 1,000 points. He finished with 720 rebounds,...
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20 YEARS AGOMARCH 4, 2002 v Cook County’s Middle School Math Counts team surprised their larger-school regional competitors during competition on February 11 at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, taking second place against schools from around northeast Minnesota. v A Grand Marais man who had a pile of logs fall on him and pin him against the battery box of his pulpwood truck says he is lucky to still be alive. Rocky Johnson, who has been hauling pulpwood for 25 years, was trapped underneath aspen pulpwood for about 10 minutes shortly after 7:30 a.m. February 13. The accident happened after Johnson...
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I recently spent a week in North Carolina, Denver, North Carolina to be exact. When I left it was 29 below zero, 24 hours later I was on a boat touring Lake Norman in 71-degree weather. Yes friends, the 100-degree difference in 24 hours!! I was in weather heaven. I was wearing capris and flip-flops. I left my parka and mukluks at home. As a kid, we didn’t travel in the winter but it seemed we made peace with the cold. Snowmobiling on weekends. Ice skating at Taconite Harbor. (The warming house smelled like wet feet.) Chopping icicles from the...
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My Father’s family is from Estonia, one of those little Baltic countries in Northern Europe. Short story is they fled Estonia after it was invaded by the USSR during WWII with my grandmother pregnant with my father. He was born in Europe and spent his first five years in a displaced persons camp in West Germany until coming over with his mother and three older siblings in 1950. My grandfather is thought to have died in a Russian POW camp sometime after the WWII, but my grandmother had no contact with him while they were in the refugee camp or...
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Reports provide important data about rainfall amounts, climate trends The State Climatology Office is looking for volunteer rainfall monitors for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS). The network includes more than 20,000 volunteers nationwide who measure precipitation in their backyards using a standard 4 inch diameter rain gauge and submit reports online. Climatologist Pete Boulay said the data from backyard rain gauges are helpful and important in many ways. “These volunteers help to verify high rain totals after big events, monitor drought and flooding, make our precipitation maps more accurate and provide needed guidance on Minnesota’s changing...
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County government provides many programs and services that support healthy communities. Road construction and maintenance, public health and human services, public safety and emergency preparedness are just a few of the areas in which counties serve their residents. Minnesotans depend on counties to provide the services that build, maintain, and protect their homes, schools and neighborhoods. Counties are also a critical player in America’s intergovernmental system of federal, state, and local governments. Services available in the Cook County Courthouse can be broken down into a few major categories: taxpayer services, land services, court administration, probation, and public health and human...
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Property Maintenance Supervisor Lenny Bloomquist was at the Grand Marais City Council meeting on Wednesday, February 23, to discuss the city’s downtown alley maintenance. In addition, Bloomquist provided the council with the snow removal operations the city is undertaking. The alley most discussed was the one behind Joynes and the Gunflint Tavern. “There are some issues with removing the snow there,” said Mayor Jay Decoux, noting the conversation had “Kind of snowballed into a bit of a larger conversation.” When snow has been removed from that alley, it has been placed on 1st Avenue for the city to remove. However,...
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Recently the First & Second Thrift Shop volunteers gathered to honor Jean Eisenberg for 17 years of service. Last year the thrift store took in over 0,000. After expenses, the store’s profit was 1,661, which will be distributed to nonprofits throughout Cook County. Seated L-R: Carol Berg, Paige Waalkens, Jean Eisenberger, Marlys Johnson, Barb Backlund, Marie Reed. Back row: Helen Carter, Sharon Brenner, Jan Smith, Lois Johnson, Emma Bradley, Annie DeBevec, Ann Marie Mershon, Diana Hirsch, Gwen Mattice, Gerry Grant.
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Leading 21-8 at the half, it looked like the Cook County boys’ basketball team would take a relatively easy victory over the Littlefork-Big Falls Vikings in a game played Tuesday, March 1. However, the LFBF Vikings clamped down on defense and held our boys to nine second half points while scoring 20 points. A last second LFBF three-point shot was off its mark and Cook County held on for a wild 30-28 win. "It was an ugly win for us tonight. I am proud of how the boys battled all game,” said Viking Head Coach Andy Feddema. “We faced some...
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One more parasite before I switch to other topics. There will be more on parasites and diseases in the future as some can be very serious for people too. The “Large American Liver Fluke” is well named as it can be three inches long, 1 ½ inches wide, and the adult lives in the liver. The normal hosts for it include white-tailed deer, elk, caribou, and maybe both mule and black-tailed deer. Although each fluke has both male and female organs, usually 2 are found encapsulated along a bile duct so that eggs and waste products can flow with the...
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Grass root democracy will be on display on March 8 when residents of Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder attend their annual township meetings. Residents will have a chance to voice their opinions about upcoming budgets, town parks, roads, local cemeteries, tax levies and local elections. Votes will be cast for supervisors, clerks and treasurers. The election polls open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in each of the township townhalls. Annual meetings start at 8:01 p.m. The Minnesota Association of Townships touts March 8 as Township Day, and calls this day, “democracy on display in townships.”
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“The North Shore Artists League has been juried into the Phipps in 2023!”, announced Kathy Fox Weinberg of Grand Marais and Chair of the League. The League responded Fall of 2021 to a call for artists issued by the Phipps Center for the Arts, located in Hudson, WI. The Phipps jury selected the North Shore Artists League to exhibit and is providing two galleries to the League to host a multi-media fine art show, Living on the Edge. The show will run May 12 - July 9, 2023. The Phipps selectively features the art of Western Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds Minnesotans who intend to burn vegetative debris, such as grass, leaves, brush and untreated lumber, to do so now, when there is ample snow on the ground, rather than in the spring when wildfire risk is greatest due to brown grass and low humidity. Each year, spring burning permit restrictions are put in place after the snow melts and remain in place until fire danger conditions improve. “Vegetative debris burn piles are the number one cause of wildfires in Minnesota,” said Dan Carroll, DNR northwest region wildfire prevention specialist. “Chipping and composting are...
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Last week was the first full “snow” moon. A spectacular site as it hovered over the Grand Marais Harbor like an orange lantern lighting up the night sky.
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David F. Anderson died unexpectedly on Thursday February 24th, 2022. He was born January 26th, 1949, to Fred and Charlene Anderson of Grand Marais MN. After graduating from Cook County High School in 1967, he joined the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to many. Survivors include: His wife of 25 years Cherie, his mother, Charlene, 6 children: Tiffany Anderson - MN, Heidi Doo (Jordy) Kirk - MN, Brandon (Melissa) Anderson - AK, Nichole Anderson - TX, Eric (Jessica) Anderson - TX, and Joelle (Shaun) Vetting...
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To my fellow Americans, We are seeing our once thriving country experiencing a threat and crisis from all directions: economic; educational; our southern border; medical with the Wuhan virus; our military being reduced; crime rising across the country; suicide and drug overdoses; and growing federal and governmental control, which is eroding our blood-bought freedoms. I don’t think there is an American patriot who is working harder today to save our country from descending into socialism/ communism than Mike Lindell. He has invested at least 5,000,000 of his own money to discover, reveal and bring the irrefutable evidence of voter fraud...
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It was a busy week for the Cook County Girls' basketball team, playing three games in ten days. First up was an away game against the big Duluth school, the Denfeld Hunters. The Vikings traveled to Duluth on Wednesday, February 23, to face the Denfeld Hunters on the Hunter’s home court and the Vikings came away with a 60-50 victory. Once again, Rhonnie Poyirier led the way with 29 points. The senior forward played a tremendous all-around game on offense and defense. Junior guard MaKenzie Fairbanks scored 15 points, Katie Peck 11, Molly Quello two, Anna Hay two, and Kamryn...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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Ever heard of the Blue Zones? They’re communities with the world’s highest life expectancy. Interest in these areas began with researchers who identified Sardinia as the region with the highest concentration of male centenarians worldwide. Seems a little sexist to me, but read on. Their work was picked up and expanded by Dan Buettner, Blue Zones Founder. He’s a National Geographic Fellow and bestselling author, and he has identified five places in the world where people live the longest. He dubbed these areas the Blue Zones: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California. Go...
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March 8 is International Women’s Day. Don’t ask me how I know this. I just do. So let us speak of Woman, specifically the International Woman. I like her. Very much. In my opinion She deserves much more than a day. But time waits for no man. Or woman, it seems. So… let’s get to it. To begin, let it be known I consider myself a Modern Man, with unequivocal support for the Modern Woman. I support both a woman’s right to own property (1900) and vote (1920). (Though, we might acknowledge that black women could not legally vote until...
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On a very cold, very windy Tuesday, February 22 evening, around 5:30 p.m. which wasn’t fit for man nor beast, the Grand Marais Public Utility Commission (PUC) workers were busy fixing a force main break on the street next to the Cook County Whole Foods Co-op. “Thankfully we have a diligent crew,” said Communication’s Director Patrick Knight.
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This picture was taken a few years ago during a race when there was far less snow than this year. Snowmobilers have been coming from around the state and beyond this winter to take advantage of Cook County’s abundant snow and more than 450 miles of groomed trails that wind through spectacular scenery.
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The Cook County boys’ basketball team played back-to-back games last Friday and Saturday and although coming close, lost both games. On Friday, February 25 Cromwell got off to a lead early and led the Vikings 33-24 at the half. During the second half of play the Vikings got within eight points a couple of times and looked like they could catch the Cardinals. However, that changed dramatically because with eight minutes left the Cromwell coach called for his team to mount a full court press. The Vikings had trouble inbounding the ball, turning it over three or four times in...
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This is a 1969 photo of a vehicle that has been converted to a snowmobile with a kit that you could purchase. The kit included tracks to put on the wheels so that you could drive along on top of the snow.
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers and monitored snowmobile activity in the area. He responded to a snowmobile accident and handled nuisanceanimal calls. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile violations. CO...
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In 1972-3 I was privileged to serve as one of two law clerks to the late Honorable Philip Neville, Judge of U.S. District Court. During that time, he decided Izaak Walton League v. Saint Clair, et al, 3 ELR 20196, 1973, 497 F. 2nd 849 (8th Cir. 1974), 353 F.Supp. 698 (D. Minn. 1973). [The citations here are typical for legal briefs, but anyone may search for them and can read the decisions themselves.] After failing to get the federal government to buy them out, the St. Clair defendants moved drilling and testing equipment to their claimed areas in the...
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They might be getting a little long in the tooth but nevertheless, it was another great day for three friends from Cook County who competed in the 48th American Birkebeiner cross country ski race. Of note, Jan Horak, Tim Kennedy and David Eckel have now completed a total of 125 Birkies! This year more than 13,000 Nordic skiers from around the globe came to race in either the 50K skate, 55K classic, or Kortelppet ski competitions. Fields of skiers start in waves from Cable Wisconsin and end in front of about 30,000 cheering spectators in Hayward, Wisconsin. “This year was...
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Heavy snow accumulation is preventing City Staff from reaching many utility meters to take usage readings. Until the snow is passable, Grand Marais Public Utilities customer’s utility bill calculation may be estimated based on the previous usage. When the City is again able to take readings, any difference between estimated and actual usage will be accounted for in the following bill.
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It sure seems like February was in a hurry flying by in a flurry. Punxsutawney Phil, the ground hog threw his two cents in and predicted we needed six more weeks of winter. Thanks Phil. Fun fact: the first ground hog involved in winter weather predictions back in 1887 was eaten. It’s said they taste like chicken. Imagine that! Beijing Winter Olympics had nothing on us. Yvonne Smith was busy coloring Olympic rings representing the five continents for us to hang during our events. Sharon Brenner was the goal tender for our Wednesday basket tournament. Athletes really got fired up...
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On the heels of school districts across the state lifting mask mandates and a remarkable drop in COVID-19 cases in Cook County, the I.S.D. 166 school board moved to suspend policy 808, the face masking policy, which required all students to wear masks in school and allowed the superintendent to decide whether the kids should wear masks. The school board made its decision during a special meeting held Thursday, February 24, 2022. Dan Shirley, the board chair, authored the policy. He said the decision would allow the school district to be “more responsive and less heavy-handed.” Shirley added that the...
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Officials from Cook County Public Health and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic announce that starting in March, the COVID-19 vaccination site will transition from the Cook County Community Center to the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic (SMC). This includes both initial doses and boosters for those ages five and above. Community members can now call SMC to schedule an appointment at (218) 387-2330. “At this point in the pandemic, 81.5 percent of Cook County residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which is a huge accomplishment for our community,” stated Grace Grinager, Public Health Supervisor for Cook County. “We continue to see people each week...
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The Downtown Tofte project proposed by Joe Swanson and Pipasu Soni will provide much needed jobs and add new lodging to a local community and a county well short on workforce housing. However, plans to build this summer might have to be put on hold. “The project is planned out, engineered and designed,” said Swanson. “We are waiting on a permit from Cook County and that will likely come soon.” Even with a permit the project has run into a potential snag, said Swanson. “The largest concern is the cost to build is much higher than we first saw in...
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Will Cook County’s economy continue to grow following the pandemic? And will there be enough workers to sustain more growth? Two folks who have their fingers on the region’s economic pulse made presentations via zoom Tuesday, February 22, and attempted to answer questions posed by the public. The meeting was hosted by the Cook County Chamber and moderated by Jim Boyd. Before introducing the two speakers, Boyd pointed out that the last two years of record business in the county during the pandemic was nothing foreseen; in fact, the pandemic was cause for concern that there would be “A serious...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted Nicholas Patrick Fitzsimmons, 26, South Range, Wisconsin, pled guilty on February 8, 2022, to a petty misdemeanor of Possessing and/or using Nonpreserved Minnows on a Designated Trout Lake, on January 29, 2022. Fines and fees total 5. Nathan...
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The Arrowhead Library System (ALS) will be providing Acrylic Painting Take & Create Art Kits to member public libraries to distribute March 1-31, 2022. This art experience has been designed by 321 Art Studio in Chisholm and explores acrylic painting for beginners and more advanced participants. Take & Create Art Kits will include supplies to create two unique pictures – one for beginners and one for advanced painters, one 11 x 14 stretched canvas, one 9x12 canvas board, one sheet of mixed media paper, and one paint kit that contains a drawing pencil, two brushes, and 12 tubes of acrylic...
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Nancy Elizabeth Netland passed away after a brave battle with cancer on February 19 in Duluth, MN with her husband by her side. She was born on October 18, 1952 to Robert and Lois Green and grew up in Richfield, MN. After high school graduation Nancy moved to Tofte where she met the love of her life. Nancy graduated with degrees from Lake Superior College’s Baking and Educational Assistant programs. She married in 1976. She worked as an Educational Assistant. Over the years she worked in many classrooms including kindergarten, ECFE, and School Readiness for the Duluth Public Schools. Nancy...
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Infrastructure projects will strengthen supply chains, create jobs, and facilitate commerce and trade Although a date for construction hasn’t been set, both the Grand Portage and International Falls land ports of entry will see major upgrades in the not-so-distant future. That was the big news coming from the U.S. General Services Administration who proclaimed that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal signed into law by President Biden includes funding for infrastructure projects at two Minnesota land ports of entry — strengthening supply chains, creating jobs, and enhancing security and trade. The announcement was issued on Friday, February 25, and finally concludes projects...
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Local fire department and law enforcement personnel and medical first responders are requesting the public’s assistance to reduce 911 response times in the coming weeks. The high volume of snow that Cook County has received this winter has created challenges for first responders who are called out to assist the public. Snowbanks along county roads have obscured the blue roadside address signs that fire, sheriff, and ambulance personnel use to locate homes and businesses, and drivers of emergency response vehicles have had trouble accessing properties due to unplowed or insufficiently plowed driveways. You can help by taking the following steps:...
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, E.A.T.S. (Enriching Academics Through Sustenance) once again will be missing from our local March calendar. With all the snow, and the last E.A.T.S. occurring during one of our many Minnesota March snowstorms, it just doesn’t seem right not to have this event this year. But, even though case counts are down and most in our community are vaccinated, members of the public prefer to wait until next year to bring back this community tradition. The fact is, due to staffing shortages, that also is the desire of most of our local restaurants and food vendors...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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It’s been 20 years since Lonnie Dupre and John Hoelscher became the first — and last — to achieve circumnavigation of Greenland, a 6,500-mile, all non-motorized journey by kayak and dog team. Now Dupre and his team of five are back in Greenland to film and document the changes that have occurred. Currently they are busy putting together a dogsled team, but no John Hoelscher on this trip. The Australian is back home, married and building a new home and couldn’t come, said Dupre who keeps in contact with John. “We managed to get 11 furry companions for our upcoming...
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This handsome bull moose looks healthy and happy. However, as the winter wears on and snow piles up and extreme cold hovers over the Northland, moose will start to suffer because of a lack of nutritious food to eat. Deer even have it worse because they can’t move through deep snow as well as moose can. Let’s hope for a break in the cold and snow for the animal’s sake. Ours too, for that matter.
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Olya Wright and Naomi Arnica, two high school students, came before the county board this past Tuesday, imploring commissioners to approve a climate emergency resolution. For several years both students have been involved with efforts to have local government and businesses reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to extreme weather events and climate change. Additionally, the students requested that the county government reduce its carbon footprint by making its buildings energy efficient and reducing emissions from its vehicle fleet and reducing water consumption, among other things. Administrator James Joerkes said those issues were being looked at and would be addressed. Before...
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Kristi and Erik Godfrey of Vadnais Heights are pleased to announce the birth of their twin boys. Donovan Thomas weighs 7 pounds and is 20 inches long. Stellan David weighs 7 pounds 4 ounces and is 20.7 inches long. They were born on November 29th, 2021. They were welcomed home by their puppy, Ted. Grandparents are Tom and Cindy Godfrey of Coon Rapids, David and Julie Rannetsberger of Tofte. Great Grandmother, GG, Sharon Brenner of Grand Marais. Aunts and Uncles are Kris and Angela Godfrey of Ramsey and Erik and Jen Rannetsberger of Willmar. Cousins Jackson and Jordan Rannetsberger of...
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These two photos from Ed Hedstrom show the deep snow that piled up in 1969. There is a vintage snowmobile on the left and limited access to a building on the right. In recent years, Braidy Powers had snow collect around his home like the photo on the right, so that his dog and a neighbor's dog would run the roof, just for fun.
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On February 17 Cook County Public Health and Human Services reported that the county had received nine new cases of COVID-19 in the prior seven days, bringing the total to 805 since the start of the pandemic. The data includes specimens collected at North Shore Health, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and Grand Portage Health Services. The case totals also include over-the-counter antigen positive results that have been reported to Cook County Public Health and Human Services or Grand Portage Health Service. Over-the-counter antigen tests are not reported to the Minnesota Department of Health and therefore aren’t reported in the state data....
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The Minnesota Veterans Home in Silver Bay recently received an “unheard of” excellent result for their annual quality survey. The facility not only was found to be in compliance to maintain its nursing home license but received zero deficiencies from the surveyors! During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, long-term care facilities are challenged to maintain excellence in all aspects of operations and Resident care. To ensure nursing homes continue to always meet high quality standards, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) visits every long-term care facility in the state at least once a year. MDH conducts surveys on behalf of the...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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Alyssa Martinson graduates from Bethel University Alyssa Martinson graduated from Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota, following the fall 2021 semester. Martinson earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations; Spanish. She is the daughter of Bruce and Sheryl Martinson from Schroeder, Minnesota. Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education with nearly 4,500 students from 47 states and 22 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult undergraduate programs. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bethel offers bachelor's and advanced degrees in more than 100 fields through classroom-based and online programs. Six local students make the Gustavus Adolphus College 2021...
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Cook County I.S.D. 166 Sophomore Olya Wright finished a tremendous Nordic ski season by qualifying and competing at the 2022 Minnesota High School Nordic State Championships. She was the lone qualifier from the North Shore Storm team, combining athletes from Two Harbors and Cook County. The meet was held at Giant’s Ridge in Biwabik, Minnesota, on Wednesday and Thursday, February 16-17. This year the Nordic Skiing State Championship was held in a new format, with races conducted over two days. The events consisted of skiers competing either in the pursuit race (5K Classic & 5K Skate) or the Team Relay...
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Following tremendous success throughout the regular season, Ray Dressley, Kalina Dimitrova and Cy Oberholzer each qualified for the Minnesota State High School League Alpine State Championship. The state meet was held on February 16 at Giant’s Ridge Golf and Ski Resort. Kalina placed 61st out of 88 qualifiers in the girls' individual race. Duluth’s Lauren Carlson was the individual champion. In the boys’ race, Cy Oberholtzer placed 20th and Ray Dressley was 80th. Adam Berghult from Edina was the boys’ champion. Andrew Miller from Duluth East was the region’s top finisher with a 12th place. Ray Dressely crashed on both...
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When the starting gate drops, it drops backward, still, but for a moment’s hesitation, adrenaline pumping, Cooper Wilson guns his 250cc motorcycle and blasts out of the gate, racing four furious laps around a hilly dirt track with one thing in mind. He wants to win. And this past season, Cooper Wilson, age 15, did just that. After a dozen or so races, Cooper claimed the District 23 American Motorcycle Association (AMA) motocross open class championship. Races are held across the state, said his father, Lance (Boomer) Wilson. “It takes everything we have to get him to the races. We...
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Three Cook County skiers will go to the start of the February 26, American Birkebeiner (Birkie) race with one goal in mind. Finishing. Between the three, David Eckel has finished 41 races, Jan Horak 42, and Tim Kennedy 39. The trio will be among the few competitors who have amassed so many starts and finishes in the Classic 55K race that runs from Cable, Wisconsin to Hayward, Wisconsin. “I’ll be on the starting line Saturday morning with Jan and David,” said Tim Kennedy. “This will be my 40th Birkie and I will join Jan and David in that special group....
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There will be a spring sports informational meeting for all 7th-12th grade players and parents interested in baseball, softball, and track and field on Thursday, March 3rd at 5:30 p.m. in the high school gym. At this meeting, we will go over eligibility requirements, player/parent expectations, and coaches will hold separate meetings for their respective sports. Spring sports begin March 14th.
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WARNING: This column is mundane. Last week I needed to replace small bottles of low dose (baby=81mg) aspirin and saline nasal spray. I knew that both were carried by the pharmacy at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic. I wondered availability at other Grand Marais stores and how the prices compared. [If you don’t shop mostly in Grand Marais, you may want to skip to the internet options below.] The best local price for saline spray was at the Clinic pharmacy, 1.5 ounces for .30. The best price for low dose, uncoated, unchewable aspirin was at Gene’s, 120 tablets for .23. Here are...
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Acrylic Painting Take & Create Art Kits are on their way to Grand Marais Public Library, where they will be distributed starting March 1 and while supplies last. This art experience has been designed by 321 Art Studio in Chisholm for tweens, teens, and adults. It explores acrylic painting for beginners and more advanced participants. Kits can be claimed by individuals visiting the library in person starting March 1st. Each of the Take & Create Art Kits will include supplies to create two unique pictures – one for beginners and one for advanced painters: one 11 x 14 stretched canvas,...
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Mid-February, Rob met with Olivia, a 6-year-old female snowy owl, in Northern Minnesota. Rob: Thank you for chatting with me. Olivia: Well, I had a little time. I was on a food run. Whitey’s watching the hatchlings for a spell. R: Is Whitey your mate? O: Well… um, no. Look, I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that owls don’t mate for life. Usually, a season at most. And to be honest, I’ve forgotten his name. It’s something like Albert. Or Rudy. I feel like I’d know it if I heard it. R: Jermaine? O: Interestingly specific guess. But...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Ol’ JD wrote it once. It must’ve been Teddy or Franny or Zooey or Seymour. I could never keep them straight. He wrote, “The thing to listen for, every time, with a public confessor, is what he’s not confessing to.» From my resting position here inside the shack, neither birdfeeder is visible. That’s a darn design flaw on somebody’s part. Each feeder is just out of the picture created by the window and dominated by white and blue and the brownish-greens of the short-needle trees. And so, I can see most birds flying to and away from the feeders. I...
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It’s the time of year when anglers and hunters need to buy new fishing and hunting licenses. Minnesota fishing, hunting and trapping licenses for 2021 expire Monday, February 28. Licenses for 2022 are now available wherever fishing and hunting licenses are sold, online (mndnr.gov/BuyALicense) and by telephone at 888-665-4236. Mobile buyers receive a text or email that serves as proof of a valid fish or game license to state conservation officers. All 2022 fishing licenses become effective Tuesday, March 1. New licenses are required for 2022 hunting and fishing seasons that continue past February 28.
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I’m feeling mightily pleased. Mightily proud. Mightily impressed at the generosity of the 47 volunteers at the First & Second Thrift Store. This past year, in spite of COVID and the chaos of downtown road construction, the thrift store took in over 0,000. After expenses, the store’s profit was 1,661. So why am I proud? Well, I’m the winter coordinator, but the credit goes to the amazing volunteers who dedicated their time to raise funds for their favorite non-profits, from churches to the food shelf to the schools, the playhouse and the HUB (25 non-profits benefitted this year). Each volunteer...
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The boys’ and girls’ home game against the Esko Eskimos on Friday, February 18, was canceled because of a winter storm. There is no word at this time if that game will be made up or not. Going forward, both boys and girls have home games against Cromwell-Wright on February 25 and against Fon Du Lac the next day. The girls take the floor against Cromwell-Wright at 4:45 p.m., with the boys seeing action at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday against Fon Du Lac, the girls take the floor at 1 p.m. and the boys follow at 3 p.m. The boys...
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This could be just a picture of snow on a deck but with a little imagination one can see it also looks like soft-serve ice cream or meringue, two guesses Don Davison’s wife and kids made when they saw the photograph. Another guess could be Espresso con panna, a single or double shot of espresso topped with whipped cream. An image that kind of warms you up on a cold day.
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When Jesse Anderson realized his hopes of playing college football were over, that he was flat broke, the sophomore at North Dakota State University was left with an enduring question, “How am I going to pay for college?” Enter his decision to join the ROTC. What followed was a 20+ year career in the army highlighted by meeting his wife, Audrey, a fellow ROTC member, and stops in 28 countries, including assigned duty at some of the of most troubled areas around the world. Along the way the Andersons had six children, Hunter, Emily, Caden, Sophia, Hazel and Joshua. The...
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During our Ministerial Lectionary Study, I reflected that the ‘church’ has jumped about 20 years into the future because of the pandemic. Many churches, especially smaller and rural, would have taken our time to do recorded, live, and Zoom services, and almost all are working on both in-person and online, “hybrid” they call it, as a regular thing. OMG, the learning curve and equipment investment is really high, but I think it is worth it. We can go back to the early Christians starting with the churches the Apostle Paul started, realizing they had no church buildings or sanctuaries. They...
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Charles E. Oleheiser, born 4/24/1929 in Deer River, Minnesota and died 2/13/2022 as a resident of Richfield, Minnesota. Chuck was “going on 93.” A man of resiliency, graciousness, wisdom, and patience, Chuck loved his family, everything outdoors, and believed in taking life one day at a time. Preceded in death by beloved wife Jean in 2020. After retiring in 1991 Chuck and Jean left their Burnsville home for life on the Gunflint Trail. They were caretakers at a small resort on Seagull Lake for one winter, then worked at the Gunflint Lodge baking and maintaining. They purchased their own home...
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20 YEARS AGOFEBRUARY 25, 2002 v A proposal to rename a Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCAW) lake within Cook County borders after an Ojibwe chief of the Boise Forte Band is gathering momentum. If Brian Klawiter has his way, Bat Lake will one day be called Bashitanequab Lake. Klawiter is with the Heritage Resources Center in Duluth and noticed that the original name of the lake had been changed from Bashitanequab to Bat Lake. Bashitanequab helped Newton Horace Winchell survey Lake, Cook and St. Louis counties. From 1872 to 1900, Winchell was employed by the state of Minnesota to conduct...
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The RV might be snowed in and parked for the winter, but as you can see, the view caught in the windshield is still pretty spectacular.
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Joan M. Burkhardt, age 92, of Maplewood, Minnesota and Lutsen, Minnesota, passed away peacefully February 8, 2022. Private family services will be held. Arrangements with Bradshaw Funeral and Cremation Services, Stillwater, Minnesota.
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Do you take care of someone with memory loss and live in a rural area? Have recent months left you stressed and isolated? The University of California, San Francisco is offering a free online workshop to help rural caregivers. The project is funded by the National Institutes of Health. The workshop includes training on how to reduce stress, manage the difficult behaviors of your friend or family member with memory loss, and plan for the future. You will also get support from other caregivers and trained staff. Because it is online, the workshop is accessible to caregivers whenever they want...
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Cook County Auditor/ Treasurer Brady Powers presented the year-end 2021 local one percent local option sales tax report to commissioners at the board’s Tuesday, February 22 meeting. The numbers reflected what many of us knew. Cook County remains a popular vacation destination. In all, the one percent sales tax netted ,242,232.22 for 2021, up 28 percent over 2020, which saw receipts totaling [post_excerpt],750,096.43. May and June 2021 saw increases of 158.5 and 183.00 percent over the same two months in 2020, but that was because the pandemic forced most lodging places to operate under strict covid measures and fewer people...
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On February 16 the House Workforce and Business Development Committee held a remote hearing to discuss legislation authored by Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls) to create a new Canadian Border Counties Economic Relief Program. Grants under the program would help businesses adversely affected by last year’s fires in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and the border closure between March 2020 and July 2021. “In Minnesota, we have a long track record of helping out areas of our state when they experience hardship, and last year’s fires and the prolonged border closure have devastated many businesses along...
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On Friday, February 18, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released publicly available, annual data on 2021 emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and mercury from 2power plants in the lower 48 states. Emissions in 2021 were higher than 2020, reflecting a rebound in coal-fired generation as natural gas prices and energy demand increased. However, compared to 2019, 2021 emissions fell between 3 percent and 11 percent, reflecting the long-standing trend of decreasing annual emissions. “The 2021 increase in coal-fired generation and resulting rise in air pollution shows how important it is to urgently forge...
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Representatives of Minnesota Power/ALLETE will appear at the March 9, Cook County Planning Commission public hearing with a request to replace the Taconite Harbor substation with a new 115kV substation they plan to build and operate at Two Island. When asked about the company plans, Amy Rutledge, Manager Corporate Communications responded, “In regards to your questions-- Two Islands is part of the investment we are making in our system to replace aging infrastructure and ensure reliable electric service for the region and our customers well into the future. The Two Islands project is the replacement of an existing substation which...
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As the evergreens gingerly hold onto their soft white blankets, Lucy Ford enjoys a nice sunny day snowshoeing through the boreal forest.
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Every ten years, the census causes local, state and federal governments to look at redrawing voter districts to keep the population in each area roughly the same. Minnesota is no different. And on February 15, the Minnesota Judicial Branch Special Redistricting panel came out with its plan, although usually the senate and house are tasked with this work. However, when the two sides couldn’t agree, the Minnesota Supreme Court appointed a special redistricting panel to “hear and decide challenges to the validity of state and legislative and congressional districts based on the 2020 census.” The panel noted that based on...
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“Cook County 911, what is the address of your Emergency?” Hey folks, Lindsay Mielke here, and I am the Lead Dispatcher and Public Safety System Specialist for the Cook County Sheriff Office. I want to share a little about the profession of a 911 Dispatcher and if you want to make a career change and believe this might be your calling, let me know; we are hiring! First, we are Public Safety Telecommunicators, but typically the public knows us as 911 dispatchers. But, after the title, our job stands as a mystery to most. Throughout the years, the stigma has...
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All township residents have a direct voice and a direct vote with their local government. On Tuesday, March 8, townships will hold their annual meetings on “Township Day.” Make sure to attend to make your voice heard! The tradition of a town meeting has roots in colonial America. New England town meetings gave citizens a way to exercise local authority. Those meetings were especially important in the development of democracy because it emphasized problem solving through group efforts. Growing from this historic background, we are still effective as ‘grassroots government.’ Residents participate in discussion and a direct vote on the...
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Our perspective on what is true is closely tied to our view of truth and, therefore, our beliefs, which shape the way we perceive the world. There is a critical distinction, however, between what is true and what a person perceives as true. “See to believe,” means that our belief is based on evidence. “Believe to see,” means that our “evidence” may well be a figment of our imagination. Consider: Responsible self-government under the rule of law has become increasingly fragile around the world and tyranny is on the rise. In fact, a group of Swedish researchers recently found that...
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Jeremiah 17:8 They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. Psalm 1: 1-3 1Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats of the scornful! 2Their delight is in the law of the Lord, and they meditate on God’s teaching day and night. 3They are like...
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There are plenty of things wrong with this country. Too much of this. Too little of that. And, of course, President’s Day. There are many, many dumb things about President’s Day. It’s actually hard to know where to start. Maybe we could start with a question: Who is President’s Day for? Is it for the Little Man to celebrate the President? Or is it a day for the President to take ‘er easy? Because if it’s for us, the little, non-presidents, um… thanks, I guess. And if President’s Day is for the big guy, the President, um… also thanks, I...
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The Grand Marais Art Colony, the oldest art colony in the State of Minnesota, announces the initiatives surrounding its 75th Anniversary in 2022. To celebrate this milestone, the Art Colony has planned a number of special activities that reflect both the history of the Art Colony as well as its current and future commitment to visual artists. These activities include a zine project, 7-5 exhibition, historical display, alumni exhibition as well as new studio expansion and renovations. Contribute to our Zine Project Zines are self-published books usually made in small batches. They are great tools to celebrate free speech, and...
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Roger W. “Bill” McKeever, 80, of Schroeder, died Monday, February 14, 2022, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. Bill was born to Roger C. and Marion (Micklesen) in Two Harbors and grew up on the North Shore, graduating from Grand Marais High School in 1959. Bill was employed as a millwright at North Shore Mining from 1959 until 1986. He also owned and operated McKeever Well Drilling since 1962 and together with his wife Marion, operated Satellite’s County Inn and Cabins from 1980 until the present day. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, well drilling, and visiting with people. He was instrumental...
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“We don’t have forever. Not to act, not to live, not to slowly combat the climate crisis.” On January 26th, Olya Wright and Naomi Tracy-Hegg presented to the Grand Marais City Council, imploring them with stories, community support and statistics to pass a resolution declaring a Climate Emergency in Grand Marais. “...the trees and portages in the Quetico that I had traversed three years before were gone, the jack pine at the campsite on Lone Gull Lake that I had swung from was now a charred stump. These lakes and trails, the wizened cedars that had watched so many paddlers...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time working on snowmobile trails and remote trout lakes. Fishing has been slow. The trails have been busy due to all the recent snow. Enforcement action...
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LORI DIMKA JOINS NEWSPAPER TEAM The new face in the News-Herald office is Lori Dimka. Lori worked as a dispatcher at the Cook County Law Enforcement Center for five years. A native of Port Edwards, Wisconsin, she comes from a large family. She has five brothers and six sisters. Lori enjoys reading, writing, and oil painting.
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20 YEARS AGOFEBRUARY 18, 2002 v EDA BOARD CHALLENGES RMC In late October 2001, seven Superior National Golf Course employees were cut from the payroll. RMC, the management organization for the golf course, made the cuts for two reasons: budget constraints due to a slow golf season and the hiring of a new manager. Recently, a new inexperienced mechanic was also hired. The EDA Board members wanted to know why the former experienced mechanic wasn’t rehired. EDA Board member Jan Hall said, “I’m asking because it effects the EDA. When you hire someone that’s inexperienced, I’d like to know why.”...
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While the numbers of COVID-19 cases continue to climb in the county, there are signs the pandemic is starting to slow down. As of February 10, 2022, the county received notice of nineteen new cases of COVID in the previous seven days. In the last four weeks the weekly case counts were above 50, reaching almost to 100. To date, there have been 797 cases of COVID since the start of the pandemic. The February 10 COVID count reflects an additional 41 cases for 2022 that hadn’t been reported earlier. On January 27, the county confirmed there had been 694...
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Discussing one’s death is not a typical conversation for most of us, however, it is relevant for all of us. When we invite this conversation, it opens doors to learn and explore, address concerns and options, and simply provides us that human connection when it is needed most. Being able to share with friends and family your wishes ensures you have plans that they can carry out for you upon your death. Many times, families find themselves having to make those difficult decisions without knowing one’s wishes and then have to live with their grief. Terminally Ill residents of 10...
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A female Northern Cardinal brightens up a snowy winter day. When asked about the beautiful bird, Jean Brislance was quick to respond, “We have had a pair here at our Lutsen place since late November, and they are still hanging around with us. Cardinals aren’t especially common here this far up the North Shore, so we have been enjoying their presence this winter.”
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Developmental Disabilities (DD) Case Management Services in Cook County are provided by Public Health and Human Services (PHHS). The DD Case Manager helps persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, understand what help is available through assessing an individual’s needs and connecting them with resources, services, and supports. The assessment, called a MnCHOICES assessment, is conducted by trained personnel at Cook County PHHS and is provided at no cost to the individual being assessed. The tool assists the assessor in determining the individual’s eligibility for services. The case manager then works with the individual, and their family or...
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Looks like it will be another banner summer in the Grand Marais Recreation Park. February 1, 2022 was hectic for the small recreation park staff. “We had a busy day for reservations with August arrival dates,” said Grand Marais Parks and Rec Director Dave Tersteeg adding that roughly 400 reservations were taken online and on the phone. Tersteeg said there were a few minor glitches with the online booking system during the first hour when a lot of calls came in, but “overall, things went smoothly, and most folks were able to get what they wanted.” WTIP’s Radio Waves looks...
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Ronald Malinosky Senior has many fond memories of his four years living with his grandparents at Paradise Beach Lodge during the late 1930s early 1940s. He attended school, made friends, and like most eight- to 12-year-olds at that time, worked. A lot. “I was responsible for cleaning around the cabins while living with my grandparents Godfrey and Elizabeth Plante,” he said. “They owned Paradise Beach Lodge, a seasonal business. In the winter, we would move to Naniboujou Lodge and stayed there.” “I remember the blizzards we would have, and I just loved the blizzards,” he added. During that period Naniboujou...
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Katie Mumm and fiancée Parker Slanga are the new owners of The Fisherman’s Daughter at Dockside Fish Market. The couple purchased the popular eatery from Kate and Jeremy Keeble (owners of Hungry Hippie Hostel and Hungry Hippie Tacos) and Abby Tofte and Sam Hedstrom (owners of The Big Lake). North House Folk School, which purchased the Dockside property from long time owners Harley and Shele Tofte in February 2017, has agreed to continue the lease to Slanga and Mumm. “We are excited to be the new owners of The Fisherman’s Daughter at Dockside! We purchased the business on February 1st...
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The recent 2020 census showed Cook County is gaining population, and because of this growth Cook County Commissioners have formed a committee to look at redistricting county board seats. Serving on the committee are Commissioners Stacy Hawkins, David Mills and County Auditor/ Treasurer Braidy Powers. The committee expects to develop proposed revisions and present them mid-May. Because hospital board members are elected to serve the same districts as county commissioners, they will also be affected by any redistricting that might occur. Nationally, the data from the 2020 census will be used to redraw 429 U.S. House District in 44 states...
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Following a presentation from Visit Cook County Director Linda Jurek and Richard Olson who was representing the Creative Economy Collaborative (CEC), the Grand Marais City Council approved bidding for three interpretative kiosks at the council’s February 9 meeting. The action taken came without a resolution or vote, just a nod of approval. One kiosk will be located at the Community Connecting Corner leading into the Rec Park; the second will be at Wisconsin Street and Highway 61 (the harbor). A third kiosk will be located near the Grand Marais Library. A ballpark figure is that it will cost about 0,000...
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In all of its’ glory, the Aurora Borealis was in full display on February 3. David Johnson said it was "about -25F with a bitter wind," when he took this picture of the northern lights dancing across the vast sky.
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Apply through March 10 for funding aimed to increase outdoor experiences, education and stewardship The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is pleased to announce another phase of the extremely popular No Child Left Inside grants. These grants help more children cast a line, study animal tracks, hike or bike, or simply learn more about nature. “We continue to have high interest in our outreach grant program,” said Jeff Ledermann, DNR education and skills team supervisor. “Children in many communities don’t have the resources or opportunities to spend quality time outdoors. These grants help boost outdoor programs and initiatives all around...
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As I said, up in the red pine plantation when I was very young and just beginning, I used snares made out of picture-hanging wire. That came quite easy to me, and the dying came quite easy to the cottontails, with no blood, and the harder they pulled the tighter the snare cinched. The hardest part for me was uncinching the wire from the neck of the rabbit, but maybe my father would just snip it, or we’d leave it on during the butchering and discard it with the carcass. There’s a whole chapter about all of this in Watership...
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It was a gritty performance for a half, but the Cook County High School Vikings young girls’ basketball team couldn’t hang with the taller, stronger Chisholm BlueStreak’s over the second half, and the Vikings lost 83-55 in a game played in the Pam Taylor gymnasium on February 7. The Vikings made two nice runs in the first half. When Viking guards were able to find Rhonnie Poyirier, the Viking senior forward responded with baskets, but on this night the 19-3 BlueStreak’s would be too much for the young Vikings. Chisolm led 37-29 at the halftime break. The BlueStreaks used a...
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Rebounding from pandemic induced lows in 2020, total maritime tonnage through the Port of Duluth- Superior climbed to 32.9 million short tons in 2021. This total represented a 27 percent season-over-season increase and a 2.3 percent improvement over the five-season average. Iron ore, the port’s leading cargo by tonnage, led the upswing. The total taconite float topped 20 million short tons for the second time in four seasons, a feat unmatched since the early 1990s. In all, 20.4 million short tons of iron ore transited Duluth- Superior during the 2021 season, a 32.6 percent season over-season spike and 11.9 percent...
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Talk about a reversal of fortunes. The last time Silver Bay and Cook County met on the hardwood the Mariners throttled the Vikings by a score of 73-35. The game was played January 20 in Silver Bay and it wasn’t much of a contest. This time around would things be different? A confident Mariner team came to Grand Marais on February 9 with maybe too much confidence and what they found was a very different Viking team. One that is gelling on defense and at times percolating on offense. And like the first game, this wasn’t much of a game...
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The recent Duluth East Invite at the Snowflake Nordic complex saw personal improvements for all of our Cook County skiers. The venue provided spectators with a wide-angle view of the starts as well as the skiers’ downhill return to the stadium. On a bitterly cold day with high winds, the participants were anxious to be skiing as much as possible to keep warm. Our junior high skiers Eero Moody, MJ Wharton, Amelia Mattson, and Leah Belmore all showed significant improvements in their technique in the 3K skate race. Quincy Hurth placed 10th in a large field of competitive skiers. With...
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With the surge in COVID cases in Cook County and across the state, it became clear that plans to meet in person for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Precinct Caucuses would have to change. So, for the first time ever, to ensure participation in grassroots democracy with public health in mind, contactless caucuses were held here on February 1. Forty-four people submitted attendee forms, and 16 people indicated they wanted to be delegates to the county unit convention. There were no contests for delegate positions, so all 16 were elected automatically. More than 100 party platform resolutions were submitted, either by email...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input via an online survey regarding 2021 deer populations and observations. The survey includes questions about experiences hunters had during the deer hunting season; issues related to damage deer might do to crops, landscaping or gardens; and other deer-related issues. The survey is open through Monday, March 14. Get more details are on the DNR deer goal setting page (mndnr.gov/mammals/deer/management/population.html).
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On a night when neither team could make a three-point shot, defense and low post play would be the keys to winning the Vikings versus Eveleth-Gilbert matchup. That and a five-point play. That’s right, the Golden Bears scored five points on one possession. The events unfolded this way. Viking sophomore forward Kamryn Johnson, a tough but clean player — came out hard to block a three-point shot by one of the Golden Bear players. Unfortunately, Kamryn got more of the player than the shot and as she spun around her hand hit another Golden Bear player in the face. No...
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Olya Wright is going to the state Nordic ski meet. The Cook County sophomore placed fourth in the Girls’ varsity pursuit race at the Section 7 Nordic ski meet held February 9, at Giant Ridge in Biwabik. The varsity pursuit takes the times from a skate race and a classic race and combines them to pick the places. The other finishers in the pursuit race for the Cook County/Two Harbors team were: Lamar Gordon placed 32nd, Autumn Smith 22nd, Martine Redshaw was 43rd and Cece Chmelik was 47th. The North Shore Storm placed sixth out of ten teams in the...
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The Canadian government announced that while it will still require covid tests to re-enter the country, those tests won't be the expensive molecular tests that run around 0. Instead, the government will accept a negative rapid antigen test. These tests aren't as reliable as PCR tests, can be done in minutes, and run around . Rapid Antigen tests must be lab-administrated and taken one day before returning to Canada. The U.S opened its borders to fully vaccinated Canadians on November 8, 2021. This move is slowly cracking the door open for Canadians to frequent the U.S. for nonessential travel. On...
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Sue Hennessy, Grand Marais Playhouse Director The Grand Marais Playhouse is kicking off its 50th season with An Evening of Ten-Minute Plays on February 25 & 26 at 7 p.m. at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. The company includes Rose Arrowsmith, Karen Blackburn, Sara Hingos, Michael McHugh, Braidy Powers and Lola Rohl. Six of the shorts will be directed by Rose Arrowsmith and a seventh will be directed by Michael McHugh. The evening will offer a diverse assortment of stories from touching to funny. There will be good fodder for good conversation following the performance. Scripted by Mark Harvey...
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Last year, I had two simple questions. Where does the name of Tettegouche State Park come from? And what does it mean? Little did I know that I would have to mine the depths of the Internet to learn the answers. [Not the Dark Web, I assure you.] From many sources, including a prior “Wondering 61” column, we all know the bare bones of the area’s history. A lumber camp cleared the old growth and then sold the land in 1910 to a group of Duluth businessmen called the Tettegouche Club; they lost interest in 1921. Clement Quinn, a club...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Haley Brickner of Grand Portage has earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Central Arkansas. The University of Central Arkansas held fall commencement Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, and Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in the Farris Center on campus. Degrees and certificates were conferred to nearly 664 graduates from the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; College of Business; College of Education; College of Health and Behavioral Sciences; College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; and Graduate School.
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On February 3, the Cook County High School boys’ basketball team took the long trip to Barnum to face the always tough Barnum Bombers. "Barnum is a very quick and up-tempo team, and we struggled to control their pace,” said Viking Head Coach Andy Feddema. “We hung around for the first part of the first half, but eventually it got away from us. Despite the score, as always I'm very proud of the effort our boys gave.” The Vikings lost 91-42. With the win Barnum’s record is now 10-4, and the Vikings record is 2-12. Junior guard Paul Dorr led...
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It is the policy of the Cook County News-Herald to withhold the identities of individuals in Cook County Law Enforcement briefs. When court proceedings are complete, the Cook County News-Herald publishes a complete accounting of names and penalties in its Matters of Record. Wednesday, January 19 8:28 a.m. Gunflint Trail: Property lost/found. A person was snowshoeing yesterday and lost their cell phone somewhere. It was an iphone with a black case. On Thursday, January 20, the property owner was able to locate the lost phone. Friday, January 21 3:47 p.m. South Shore Drive: Snowmobile Accident with Personal Injuries. Caller reported...
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I do not always struggle with new kitchen technology but after years of arguing with the waste Keurig, I decided to trade it in for a percolator. Keurig and I often went toe to toe with either too strong coffee or too watery hot cocoa. And the K Cups were the straw that broke my back. I thought I could save them for little paint pots not thinking about the pinprick in the bottom rendering it useless for anything except the trash. I know love is a strong word usually saved for dogs and relatives, but I LOVE our new...
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Any plans the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources had to cull the northeastern Minnesota grey wolf population through hunting or trapping ended on Thursday, February 10, 2022, when a California judge ruled that the grey wolves should be protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. The judgement doesn’t cover the entire country but does prohibit wolf hunting and trapping for states outside of the northern Rocky Mountains. Judge Jeffrey White of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, ruled in favor of several wildlife advocates. The lawsuit was presented by Earthjustice on behalf of the Center for...
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The Cook County High School boys’ basketball team ran into a very tough Northland Eagles team at home on Saturday, February 12, and fell 69-32. Northland is located in Remer, Minnesota. After the game Viking’s Head Coach Andy Feddema said, “They are a very good team, and they really controlled the pace. They ran transition very effectively, and we didn’t have an answer. Our guys played hard all game, we had some young players step up and give us good quality minutes. Paul Dorr led us with 10 points, Derek Smith had five points, three assists, and three steals. Recko...
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The Senior LinkAge Line® will offer two Health Care Fraud, Waste & Abuse Prevention classes Wednesday, March 9, 2022, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and again from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how to detect and report potential errors, fraud and abuse; review potential fraud and scams targeting older adults, how to read their Medicare Summary Notice, learn tips to help protect their Medicare beneficiary number, and how to protect-detect-report Medicare scams and fraud. This presentation is based on information from the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), a federal education and prevention program. It is offered online using the...
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The smell of popcorn and hotdogs cooking came from the concession stand outside the Pam Taylor gymnasium. Inside the gym, the Vikings were doing some home cooking of their own, taking a 25-21 lead into halftime over a very game Floodwood Polar Bears basketball team. With Viking leading scorer and top post player Rhonnie Poyirier out of the lineup, junior forward Katie Peck picked up some of that slack underneath. And the Viking guards Amery Oberg, MaKenzie Fairbanks and forward Kamryn Jonson were getting to the hoop for baskets. Meanwhile, the Vikings zone defense kept the Polar Bears’ offense working...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted Nicholas Joe Bennett, 35, LaCrosse, Wisconsin, pled guilty on January 26, 2022, to a misdemeanor of DWI - Fourth Degree Driving While Impaired, on November 25, 2021. Sentenced to one-year unsupervised adult probation, local confinement (60 Days stayed...
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This was edited for length On February 2, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar held a senate Judiciary Subcommittee meeting on the Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights hearing on journalism, competition and the effects of market power on the free press. Senator Klobuchar was the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee. “We’re here today to talk about how we’ll give these news outlets a fighting chance. I’ve teamed up with my colleague Senator Kennedy to lead the bipartisan Journalism Competition and Preservation Act. Our bill gives local news outlets the ability to collectively negotiate for fair compensation with companies like Google and Facebook...
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On Thursday, February 3, the Minnesota House approved legislation extending the COVID- 19 presumption for workers’ compensation. The law provides a presumption that if public safety or health care workers contract COVID- 19, they did so during the course of their employment and are covered by workers’ compensation. “Extending the workers’ compensation presumption for our first responders and health care workers is the right thing to do to protect their financial peace of mind should they contract COVID-19,” said Representative Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls). “Our frontline workers are still helping our state get through this pandemic, and as...
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Good Food Access Program Grant applications due by March 17, 2022 Funding for equipment that increases availability and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food to underserved communities is now available. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the 2022 Good Food Access Program (GFAP) Equipment and Physical Improvement Grants. A total of 0,750 is available to help grocery stores and small food retailers purchase equipment or make physical improvements that will allow them to stock more fresh foods, including produce. Projects must be located in or serve Census-designated food deserts or low- and moderate...
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Funding support for the Gunflint Mail Run, U.S. Forest Service Summer Naturalist programs, Radio Waves Music Festival and so much more will be considered in the coming weeks. In 2008, an additional 1 percent lodging tax was established for all Cook County lodging tax districts to specifically fund local events and programs. This 1 percent lodging tax is in addition to the 3 percent lodging tax collected by 90 jurisdictions around Minnesota, including Cook County. Right now, the Visit Cook County staff is preparing to meet with our three tourism associations (Grand Marais Area Tourism Association, Gunflint Trail Association and...
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Mother Nature gave Paul Sundberg a not-so-subtle reminder that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.
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We know we are remote in Cook County. The school bus route is either the first or second-longest in the contiguous United States. The nearest movie theater is in Thunder Bay, and it is 85 miles away from Grand Marais, but who can cross the border to see a movie? And if you are having a baby, plan, plan, plan because Duluth is 110 heart-pounding quickly expanding uterus miles from here and that’s the closest place to give birth in a medical facility. But the furthest inhabited area from an American McDonalds in the lower 48 states is, wait for...
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The photo on page A3 of the January 15, 2022, Cook County News Herald of a bird on a foot, appears to be a photograph of a Redbreasted Nuthatch, not a Chickadee. Both birds are frequent visitors to my deer stand where they will eat out of my hand. Dana Dickson,Schroeder
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I religiously read, sometimes thoroughly enjoy, and occasionally extract a nugget of wisdom or inspiration from the Cook County News-Herald’s Spiritual Reflections column. That said, I’m wondering why these weekly columns can’t also at times be authored by one of the significant number of “Nones” in our community. Nones - people of no particular religious affiliation - including theists, deists, agnostics, atheists, de-converts, and those who simply don’t care about or see much relevance in religious teachings. There are tons of Nones right here in our vibrant Northwoods community who exude happy, positive energy, find hope in seemingly hopeless situations,...
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Carol Dorothy Fritsch (née Koch) age 88, passed away peacefully on January 23rd, 2022 in Bloomington, Minnesota. Carol was born in Pipestone, Minnesota in 1933. She earned her nursing degree from the Lutheran Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing and went on to work as an RN for several hospitals in the Twin Cities area. She later retired with her husband to their much-loved cabin on Tait Lake near Lutsen. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Carl, her parents, and sisters, Norma and Marlys. Survived by sister, Roseanne; children, Nancy, Carl, Michael and Timothy; grandchildren Ben, Allison, Josephine...
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A picture of peace: a fluffy red fox naps comfortably on a soft bed of blue and white snow with a bright blue sky ushering in the warming sun in the distance.
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Jesus was asked which was the greatest commandment, and he asked them what they thought. They replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and the second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” This was given to Israel in the Pentateuch, the 5 books of Moses. We often summarize Christianity a little to be nice, believe in Jesus, or go to church as ways to live a faithful life. However, Jesus reminds us that to follow him, there are some expectations to live a good life, and there...
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Looks like it will be another banner summer in the Grand Marais Recreation Park. February 1, 2022, was hectic for the small Recreation Park staff. “We had a busy day for reservations with August arrival dates,” said Grand Marais Parks and Rec Director Dave Tersteeg adding that roughly 400 reservations were taken online and on the phone. Tersteeg said there were a few minor glitches with the online booking system during the first hour when a lot of calls came in, but “overall, things went smoothly, and most folks were able to get what they wanted.” WTIP’s Radio Waves looks...
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Plowy McPlowFace has eight new friends, including Betty Whiteout and Ctrl Salt Delete, joining the state’s snow fighting fleet. After plowing through nearly 60,000 votes, the Minnesota Department of Transportation today announced the winners of its second “Name a Snowplow” contest. One newly named snowplow will be assigned to each of MnDOT’s districts later this month. The winning names, in order of vote totals, and their future homes are: Betty Whiteout – District 8, Ctrl Salt Delete – District 7, The Big Leplowski – District 4, Plowasaurus Rex – Metro District, Scoop Dogg – District 3, Blizzard of Oz –...
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The new Cook County Local Energy Project leader is Kat Meyo. Who is she and where did she come from? Kat graciously answered a handful of questions submitted by the Cook County News-Herald. She has an interesting background and comes to her job with enthusiasm and a lot of skills. “Before living in Cook County, I had worked for various nonprofits from a cancer foundation to land conservation. I focused my profession on environmental conservation efforts. Over the years, I have been a steward of the land in a multitude of ways, including conducting habitat restoration, fuels reduction projects, wilderness...
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Afghanistan is 6,627 miles from Grand Marais, but that distance seemed to disappear at a Y-Ski event last Sunday. The Y-Ski families gathered at Pincushion to ski and one young lady decided to sell treats, toys, and hot chocolate to those that had gathered. What would she use the money for? With a lot of help from her friends, Quinn Johnson, age eight, was raising funds to help people in Afghanistan. According to the International Rescue Committee, Afghanistan tops the list with the most significant humanitarian concerns for next year. “Kids loved having treats on such a nice day, and...
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Avid deer hunters in the Arrowhead Region might not be too happy to hear it but the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources doesn’t seem interested—at this point—in finding ways to increase the whitetail deer population in our region. In response to the moose population decline, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposed keeping lower deer densities in the moose range. At least that was the gist that came from the DNR Webinar held Wednesday, January 26. The webinar was held ostensibly to discuss northeast Minnesota deer-population goals, but the conversation veered to moose, wolves and even bear and how...
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The big game’s a’comin’ and every year there’s a lot of talk about the commercials. Normally commercials are a thing I avoid. During a commercial break, I usually take a stroll or engage in light banter. I might fix a snack or even, on occasion, check the laundry. The reason I don’t give commercials my full attention is they are unreasonable. The commercial says: You need a new car. I say: I already have a car. They say: We take trade ins! I say: But I’m happy with my car. About this point I realize I’m talking to the television...
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“Read a good book lately?” That’s often a topic of conversation among my friends. I love books, but it’s hard for me to sit very long. I probably listen to as many books as I read, although I’m not sure that counts as “reading.” It’s more like “experiencing” a book. I’m married to a booka holic, and I’m jealous. I was the English teacher, yet Jerry, a retired science teacher, reads at least a book a week, often two. I, on the other hand, keep myself so busy I barely manage to get through two books a month. We’re both...
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In Jakarta they always checked our cars for explosive devices. I assume it was all the cars and not just the ones I was in. The high-end hotels took up whole city blocks and had walls and gates. So, you were driven up and they did the old once over with mirrors on poles, walking around the car and scanning the underside of the car. I was in cabs or corporate cars and every time we pulled up to a 4- or 5-star hotel we went through this. Then the gate was opened, and you drove up and you were...
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In a game where the Vikings were competitive to the end, and several players shined, Viking forward Jacob Dorr’s play stood out against the Floodwood Polar Bears. The senior led the team with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, and his defense was outstanding. Still, the Vikings couldn’t quite get over the hump and narrowly fell 52-48 to the Polar Bears in an exciting game played at home on Tuesday, February 1. The Cook County boys high school basketball team got off to a nice start against Floodwood. Early defensive stops and timely baskets by Jacob and...
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Jack Henry Peck Jack Henry Peck, Schroeder, qualified for the fall semester Dean’s List at the University of Minnesota, Duluth campus. Jack a junior, is enrolled in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Graphic Design. Students on the Dean’s List have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
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On Friday morning, February 4, a fire burned a sauna on South Shore Drive, Devil Track Lake. The Grand Marais and Maple Hill fire departments and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office responded to the blaze. The fire was reported to dispatch at 7:06 a.m. Deputy Chris Schrupp responded to the fire at 1079 South Shore Drive. In his report, Schrupp stated, “When I arrived, Mark Swenson and Joshua Segal were throwing snow on a sauna that was on fire. The sauna was about 15 feet from the residence.” The owners of the residence, Mark and Dawn Swenson, had friends Joshua...
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Several scholarships are available from the 8th District MN State Horticultural Society for 2022. An applicant must be a graduating senior residing or attending school in the 8th District OR a non-traditional student, college student, second-time winner, etc. who will be attending a college or technical school within one calendar year; no restriction as to course or school. The acceptable counties in the 8th District include Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, north and south St. Louis. The applicant must include an essay that provides evidence of an interest and participation in horticultural/ gardening activities, such as a home garden, work...
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Grand Marais Public Library will be distributing 30 free art activity kits starting February 14. Designed by COMPAS Teaching Artist Teresa Cox, the Paper Design Collage Take & Create Art Kit explores color relationships and design using geometric shapes. Participants experiment with using papers to create an original collage, and experience drawing, color relationships, cutting, sharing and discussion. Materials and instructions will be provided with the kits, which were intended to appeal to all ages. Children may require some assistance. To receive a kit, community members should stop by the library between February 14 and February 28, while supplies last....
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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Welcome to downtown Grand Marais in the year 1917. This photo was provided by the Cook County Historical Society for an August 6, 1990, edition of the News-Herald.
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I would like to say a few words about this man...a son, a brother, a husband, father, grandfather. He filled many roles, and I truly mean it when I say...he FILLED every role, as full as he was capable. He loved those “labels” and never minded for a moment, the work, physically and emotionally, it took to do so. He did all of the usual things, being there for special times, always guiding in the right direction, sharing the load so it wasn't so heavy... but you know what he did the very best? He loved... with everything in him....
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time in the BWCAW checking anglers on remote trout lakes. He attended a meeting at Camp Ripley to prepare for the firearms training for the upcoming...
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For the past 36 years, support, resources, and a listening ear have been at the other end of the line when callers dial the Violence Prevention Center’s Support Line. The Support Line serves as an access point for community members to connect with key services such as safety planning, emotional support, medical advocacy, and legal advocacy. If you’ve ever called the Support Line after hours, chances are you spoke with a VPC volunteer advocate. Volunteer advocates are trained domestic and sexual violence advocates who provide a lifeline to victims/survivors and concerned persons in our community. When you call the Support...
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20 YEARS AGOFEBRUARY 11, 2002 v After several years of anticipation, Schroeder finally has the newly renovated post office it’s been waiting for. The ugly cement façade of the old building has yielded to a warm wood Lundie-style exterior; its cramped dark quarters changed to a bright and spacious interior. There’s plenty of room now to mingle and meet, which might not be the official mission of Schroeder’s Post Office but which is one of its most valued services. v As the Olympic flame wound its way through America on its way to the Olympic games in Salt Lake City,...
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Jason Lashinski, devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, died Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at the age of 46. Jason was born April 13, 1975 to Gene and Karen Lashinski in Minneapolis and had lived in Grand Marais since 1978. He was honored to be employed in the family businesses. He enjoyed traveling the US and Canada in his motorhome with his family, homeschooling his son, 4-wheeling, snowmobiling, his Friday night poker group, and any other activities involving family. Jason was a kind-hearted man who loved and was loved, who surrounded himself with good people, and wanted them to...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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As of February 3, there was a report of 43 new COVID-19 cases in Cook County over the previous seven days. That brought the cumulative cases to 737 since the start of the pandemic. Statewide, COVID- 19 cases are reported weekly by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Because Cook County includes over-the-counter antigen tests which are not reported to the MDH, the county total and MDH total is different. On February 7 the state of Minnesota confirmed there had been 1,364,884 cases of covid since the pandemic began, with 11,634 Minnesota deaths attributed to the coronavirus. In Cook County...
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It was cold, but not cold enough to keep away 30 people from attending the February 1, 2022, two and one-half hour long Cook County GOP Basic Political Operating Unit (BPOU) Precinct Caucus held at the Cook County Higher Education building. Current GOP County chair Trent Spry could not attend because he was called to duty. In addition to attending college, Trent, two years out of high school, is serving in the Minnesota Air National Guard. Meanwhile, Vice-Chair Rae Piepho opened the meeting with Garry Gamble giving the invocation. After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, Rae explained legal requirements...
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Playing Barnum at Barnum proved to be a tall order for the Cook County High School girls’ basketball team. Still, the Vikings' team kept the score close through the first half before the Bomber’s tall post players wore them down. At halftime, the score was 36-27, but Barnum held the Vikings to 17 second-half points while adding 41 points to their halftime total. The game was held Thursday, February 4, with the Barnum Bombers winning 77-44. Junior Guard MaKenzie Fairbanks had a great night shooting, netting four threes. Makenzie led the team in scoring with 18 points. Sophomore forward Kamryn...
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The Gunflint Trail Historical Society Board chair Bill Douglas announced today that a new Executive Director has been appointed for the Gunflint Trail Historical Society. Mark Hennessy, will assume the role of Executive Director and fill the newly created position for the organization. The Executive transition will take place over the next several weeks. Long time Campus Director Bonnie Schudy will continue in her role with the organization. Hennessy has a residence on the Gunflint Trail and has had a lifetime connection to the area starting when he served as a canoe guide for YMCA Camp Menogyn. Hennessy has spent...
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Much has been learned about brain worm since it was shown to be the cause of “moose sickness” in 1964. However, there are still many important questions that need to be answered. Do infected gastropods behave differently than uninfected ones resulting in their being more likely to be ingested? Do infected moose no longer showing signs die from the parasite later? Does brain worm cause effects that are difficult for us to detect such as reproductive behavior and maternal care of calves? I do have a small amount of information on this last question. I did examine a number of...
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Arlene M. Westphall, 84, of Grand Marais, Minnesota, died peacefully Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022. Arlene was born December 8th, 1937, in North Kingston, Minnesota, to Eddie and Mabel (Rice) Nelson. She enjoyed keeping up with the antics of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren on Facebook, puzzles, polka music, casinos, fishing and camping with family and friends. She is survived by her children Joe (Patti), Westphall of Darwin, Minnesota, Jill (Jason) Hill of Grand Marais, Minnesota, John (Ann) Westphall of Waskish Minnesota, Jeanine (Brett) Hansen of Lutsen, Minnesota. Grandchildren Jeremy, Nathan, Amanda, Adam, Cody, Chasity, Darryl, David and 19 great-grandchildren, along with...
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In the Saturday, January 29, 2022, issue, Jerry Hiniker, a public official who sits on the Cook County Board of Adjustment, penned a he-said-she-said style of letter to the editor claiming that he was treated unfairly during an interview by Joe Friedrichs of WTIP. The interview was about the judgment in the State Representative Mortenson case. In the long diatribe, Hiniker complained that Friedrichs committed character assassination against Hiniker and other board members, and then Hiniker turned around and did the same to Friedrichs and Mr. Mortenson. It’s stunning that a public official of Cook County, who is supposed to...
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We’ve lived through wars, through the depression and through having to walk to school uphill both ways without shoes. We’ve had enough Covid related protocols, and this past month we’ve had enough snow and lack of sunshine, yet we are still here. We wouldn’t have made it to this respectable age if we couldn’t take it that’s for sure. Like the sweatshirt says, “Old Age Ain’t For Sissies.” January happenings We drank a lot of coffee, had a lot of gatherings, and enjoyed music by Ruth Lovaas, Doug Sanders and Lavona Czaplicki. We played Dominoes, Uno, Lucky 7, Give Me...
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With the hardware the boys' and girls' ski teams have been bringing home this season, it might be time to build a new trophy case at Cook County High School. It’s been a hectic season for the boys and girls slalom ski teams this season. Head Coach John Oberholtzer has had the kids practicing and racing a lot, and so far, the results have been topnotch. “We missed a lot of races last year because of covid, so to make up for that, we have been going to a lot of races this season.” How good has the boys’ team...
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As of January 27, there have been 694 cases of COVID-19 in Cook County since the start of the pandemic, 56 of those recorded in the previous seven days. The county received notice of a confirmed death of a county resident due to COVID-19, which brings the number to two confirmed deaths due to COVID since the start of the pandemic. The county’s COVID website has different numbers than the state’s COVID website. That’s because the Cook County Public Health and Human Services include over-the-counter antigen positive results reported to either Cook County PHHS or Grand Portage Health Service. “These...
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Whether you have been following the developments surrounding the proposed use of Moose Mountain in Lutsen, or you are just wondering what this “backcountry ski” thing is, Superior Highland Backcountry (SHB) has something for you. In its fourth year of growing the awareness of backcountry ski opportunities on the North Shore, the organization has released its dates for Moose Mountain Tours and Intro to Backcountry classes. Including two tours described as “Prior Skiing Experience Required” and one with “No Experience Necessary”, the goal of the Moose Mountain tours is to get people out to see the landscape, biodiversity, and skiing...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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On Wednesday, January 26, 2022, the Biden Administration announced it was canceling two federal mining leases held by Twin Metals, a company seeking to develop a sulfide-ore copper mine within the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The announcement came from the Department of Interior (DOI), who said the Trump administration did not lawfully reinstate the expired Twin Metals leases. The DOI noted the reinstatement violated federal laws and regulations and the provision that called for U.S. Forest Service consent to allow a company to have a mineral lease on federal land. Twin Metals LLC, a joint venture...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Budget package invests in natural resources with funding for DNR infrastructure, as well as major climate adaptation and mitigation, and drought relief projects. The announcement of the final piece of the Walz-Flanagan Budget to Move Minnesota Forward gives the full picture of 2022 investments in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ work. The Walz-Flanagan budget proposal for the DNR includes critical investments in infrastructure, climate adaptation and mitigation, and drought relief. The bonding budget package includes 1.4 million of infrastructure investments for the DNR, while the supplemental budget includes .5 million for climate adaptation and mitigation, and .35 million to...
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In a story, the moral comes at the end. In an essay, the thesis is stated at the beginning. Being creative with rules like these fosters art. Or confusion. This is how it was for me: When I finally got my driver’s license, I was able to use my mother’s car. That was an Oldsmobile Omega, a brownish maroon, frontwheel drive, sort of a fancy K-Car (Iacocca’s comeback Chrysler). Before that my mother had a silver Monte Carlo. Back then it seemed like just another family car. But when I was old enough to borrow the Olds, I realized how...
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On Tuesday, January 25 the young Vikings boys’ basketball team traveled to Aurora to play the Mesabi East Giants and lost 75-40. Freshman guard Rohan Rude led the team in scoring with nine points. Isaac Sandstrom finished the game with six points, Recko Helmersom-Skildum six, Jacob Dorr five, Derek Smith five, Paul Dorr four, Jordan Backstrom three, and Ryan Smith ended his night with two points. With the loss the Vikings' record is now 2-9. The victory improved Mesabi East record to 4-8 on the year. The Vikings next home game is on February 8 against the Silver Bay Mariners....
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I see myself as an intelligent person, so when husband and I decided to adopt a rescue dog, I figured I knew what I was doing. Wrong. My latest canine experience has taught me many lessons. All of the dogs we’ve adopted in the past had a loving human in their lives. They simply needed a home for a various number of reasons. Our new dog came from a South Carolina shelter with an unknown history. However, once we got him home, we realized he must have suffered numerous negative experiences from humans. He flinched even if a friendly hand...
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As some of my friends already know, I started volunteering at a local hospice house last year. I make dinners for the residents and staff every Monday night. I was inspired to try this by three different friends before I took the leap. Years ago, I lost a dear friend to cancer. During this time, we talked a lot about dying and what a terminal person felt was important to them. She appreciated the little things. A warm, soft blanket she could run her hands over, a relaxing foot rub, and comfort food. I’d often bring her favorite banana cream...
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The Grand Marais Playhouse is excited to announce a community youth musical production, “We Will Rock You.” Young@Part® Music and lyrics are by QUEEN. The story and script are by Ben Elton. Young@Part Edition adapted by Marc Tumminelli and originally workshoped at Broadway Workshop in NYC featuring chart-topping Queen songs including “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Killer Queen,” “We Will Rock You,” “Somebody To Love,” “We Are the Champions,” and many more, this 70-minute adaptation of the West End show follows two young rebels as they restore rock ‘n’ roll to “the iPlanet” in a post-apocalyptic world. We...
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With the retirement of Jeff Berquist and Donna Lunke, some are asking if there is a State Farm agent covering Cook County. The short answer is sure, it’s Amy Jordahl. Said Jordahl “We are so honored to be taking care of folks in our communities and have been enjoying getting to know our State Farm families! Here are a couple of logistics that they thought would be helpful to communicate: Their office locations and hours are: Two Harbors is at 629 1st Avenue. Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Evenings & weekends by appointment. The Silver Bay office...
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It is the policy of the Cook County News-Herald to withhold the identities of individuals in Cook County Law Enforcement briefs. When court proceedings are complete, the Cook County News-Herald publishes a complete accounting of names and penalties in its Matters of Record. Wednesday, January 12 10:25 a.m. West Highway 61: Public assistance. Person called to report that a local business phone had been hacked, hi-jacked, because every time the number was called, you get a recording. No one ever answers the phone. Dispatch tried the business phone number and discovered it had an automated system that gives you options....
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After the Gospels of the New Testament, there is a variety of books of the bible, a majority of which is correspondence. Among them are letters and messages to apostles, to early churches around the Mediterranean, and members of those churches all centered around the story and resurrection of Christ. Among those letters and writers, the most prolific was the Apostle Paul. Paul primarily wrote to the early churches and their people. Those people faced a myriad of issues, from external persecution from the Romans to internal disputes over the structure and hierarchy of the Church. Paul tried to assuage...
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Edwin Allen Wright, Grand Marais, Minnesota, and Gwendolyn Tate, Grand Marais, Minnesota, December 7, 2021. Gregory George Kranz, St. Bonifacius, Minnesota, and Mishelle Del Rocio Guerra Sanchez, St. Bonifacius, Minnesota, December 7, 2021. Shawn Robert Hachett, Grand Marais, Minnesota, and Zoljargae Kolya, Grand Marais, Minnesota, December 20, 2021. Michael Hilding Carlson, Grand Marais, Minnesota, and Suzanne Kay Weber, Grand Marais, Minnesota, December 22, 2021. Karlie Noel Avery, Grand Marais, Minnesota, and Vallen Jase Cook, Grand Portage, Minnesota, December 28, 2021.
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This photo was taken about 1910. It is a view of Superior Street looking east from Second Avenue West in Duluth. It shows the new Orpheum Theater, Central High School, and other landmarks. There is a “Hotel de Hoss” livery stable for horses in the left center area of the photo, at the corner of Second Avenue West and First Street.
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20 YEARS AGOFEBRUARY 4, 2002 v Governor Jesse Ventura said he was trying to spread the pain of fixing the state’s nearly billion budget shortfall when he proposed his plan recently. However, for small cities like Grand Marais, predictions are that the pain could be quite acute. According to recent figures, Grand Marais (population 1353) would have to swallow ,799 in state cuts — quite a bit in a small town’s budget. The reduction equals an 11.43 percent cut over 2001. 30 YEARS AGOFEBRUARY 3, 1992 v A site plan for the proposed Birchwood Apartments on County Road 7,...
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WTIP is happy to announce that the 15th Annual Radio Waves Music Festival will return to Sweetheart›s Bluff in the Grand Marais Rec Park this fall. A community-outreach event that began in 2007, this annual festival has become a tradition for fans of eclectic local and regional music. The station is planning for a 3 p.m. start on Friday, September 9th, with musical acts continuing all day Saturday, September 10th and throughout the morning on Sunday the 11th . WTIP Executive Director Matthew Brown shared that, “the station is excited to return to a live, outdoor music format this fall,”...
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Michael Valentini found a portable ice fishing shelter that most likely fell off a trailer on the Gunflint Trail. He notified the Sheriff department but whoever lost it has not contacted him. If you lost a portable ice fishing shelter on the Gunflint Trail, please call Michael at 218-388-0900 for more information.
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One of your readers asks why the Republicans are calling the Freedom to Vote Act a “power grab,” while some Democrat politicians hint that the Republican party, and those opposed, are evil racists. I’d like to first point out that in 1965, Congress passed a Voting Rights Act, for which the Democrats like to take credit. The Democrats, at the time, had large majorities in both houses. Yet, as a percentage, more Republicans in the House voted for the act than Dems; 83 percent to 78 percent. The Senate was even more lopsided; Republican’s 94 percent, Dem’s 73 percent. Now...
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Cook County Public Health and Human Services recorded 56 new cases of COVID-19 from January 20 to January 27, bringing the total to 694 cases since the start of the pandemic. As of December 7, 2021, the county had 341 cases since the start of the pandemic. The report from PHSS includes over-the-counter antigen positive results reported to either Cook County Health and Human Services or Grand Portage Health Services. Over-the-counter test results are not sent to the Minnesota Department of Health, so the state’s numbers and county’s numbers aren’t the same. On January 24 the Duluth News-Tribune reported that...
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Ryan Anderson of Cushing, Wisconsin, is the 2022 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon champion. It was the veteran’s fourth John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon win. Anderson took the title in 2011, 2015 and 2017. After leaving the starting line at Billy’s Bar in Duluth on Sunday morning, Anderson and his team of sled dogs crossed the finish line in Grand Portage on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Ryan was a little more than one hour ahead of second place, Wade Mars, of Knik, Alaska. The finish wasn’t nearly as exciting as last year’s romp to the line when Erin Letzring’s dog...
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A wary Canada Lynx makes its way through deep snow. This beautiful cat has ears with black tuffs of fur at the tip and large snowshoe like paws so it can navigate through the snow. Due to few numbers, the Canada lynx is protected in the U.S. under the Endangered Species Act.
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Robin Wells Robin Wells, Grand Marais, qualified for the Honor List for the 2021 fall semester at Minnesota State Mankato. Among 3,655 students, a total of 1,054 students qualified for the High Honor List by achieving a 4.0 straight “A” average, while 2,601 students earned a 3.5 to 3.99 average to qualify for the Honor List. To qualify for academic honors, undergraduate students must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours for the semester.
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Saturday January 29 some snowflakes fell, and the temperatures hovered in the mid-20s, perfect weather for the Norpine Fat Bike Classic race. Tim Kennedy, president of the Superior Cycling Association, lined the racers up, gave them instructions, and after the National Anthem, riders were off, many smiling as they pedaled through a thick flurry of snowflakes. A change in the racecourse was made because the Norpine Trail Association’s Pisten Bully’s engine blew, and the machine wasn’t available to groom the course. That necessitated a move to Cascade Lodge, where the long and short course races started. Some riders competed in...
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Health “halos” or “horns” means that something is perceived as being good or bad for you — even if there’s little or no evidence to back this up. This month we’ll explore common halo and horns and how you can verify health claims for yourself. Supplements Americans spend close to Billion/year on supplements. Not all supplements deserve their health halo. Supplements are not FDA-approved for safety or effectiveness, and there are no standards for combinations of ingredients or doses. Superfoods This is a marketing term with no scientific basis or regulatory definition. Foods with this label are usually nutrient-dense,...
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The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC) announced that Erik Takeshita has been selected by the board of directors to serve as its interim executive director. Erik brings 30 years of experience leading community development efforts through arts and culture and has a strong track record of management in philanthropy, nonprofits and government in the Twin Cities, the Arrowhead region and nationally. “I am extremely pleased to welcome Erik Takeshita to ARAC. He is an engaging and effective leader whose professional work includes a strong commitment to the vitality of arts and culture throughout the state of Minnesota. I look forward...
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Part 1 covered general information about the parasite, its life cycle, and that very few deer in this area do not eventually become infected with it. This column will deal with how many first stage larvae are on deer pellets, infection of gastropods, and their ingestion by deer (or other host). Estimating the number of larvae on deer pellets was quite time consuming. A sample of 12 to 15 pellets from each deer is suspended (by a fine mesh) in a small container of water for a day. The larvae drop off and fall to the bottom of the container....
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checking remote trout lakes and lakes along the border. The officer assisted in teaching a snowmobile safety class to the US Forest Service. Enforcement action...
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The Arrowhead Cooperative Board will release 8,234.79 in excess of margin funds this month. As a non-profit, ‘margin’ funds are accumulated to provide readily available capital to cushion the cooperative’s financial needs. The term ‘margin’ is not to be confused with ‘profit’ since Arrowhead Cooperative is legally incorporated as a nonprofit entity. To date, the cooperative claims to have distributed .4 million dollars of excess margin funds. A significant operating margin is always held in reserve, regardless of the amount of capital credit dollars periodically released. This recent disbursement will be in the form of 2300 ‘capital credit’ checks issued...
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When Bob Dylan released his album “Highway 61 Revisited,” he recorded one of his most famous songs, Like A Rolling Stone. That’s what the Vikings' basketball team must feel a little bit like after traveling Highway 61 and beyond for their last six games. That’s a lot of miles and time on the road for even a high school team. On January 20, the girls had a short road trip to Silver Bay, at 55-miles away—their closest rival. The Vikings got off to a quick start behind great defense and a balanced scoring attack to beat the Mariners 71-37. Amery...
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The big day is approaching. No time to waste. Preparations must be made. Fortunes will rise and fall in one 24-hour period. Will you be ready? No, I am not talking about the Superbowl. I am talking about the day after the Superbowl, a smaller, little day known as Valentine’s. This year, just to make a few bucks more on the backs of others, the NFL upped the number of regular season games from 16 to 17. Like a line of scrimmage on the move, everything got pushed and now Valentine’s Day is fighting for its life. Valentine’s Day has...
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This week the Northland Foundation announced its grant program and made two dozen funding awards to nonprofit organizations, schools, and Native nations during the final quarter of 2021. Included in the awards was a ,000 grant to the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, Inc. The clinic will use the money to provide access to affordable oral health care for expectant mothers, children, youth, and older adults in Cook County and the Grand Portage nation. The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage also received ,000 to support the creation of a chore service and home modification program to help elders...
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A Chinese floral Print on a lacquer red background is cleverly fashioned by Schiaparelli. The belt is royal blue belting ribbon. The Tuscan straw hat, trimmed with red and blue veiling, is crownless.
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Dave Saari’s new golf murder mystery ends at St. Urho’s golf course in Nolalu, Ontario. While driving to the Thunder Bay Country Club, I saw a sign on Highway 61 advertising that course to the northwest. After a pleasant 18 holes with retired dentist Gary Post at the 9-hole CC, I mentioned the St. Urho sign. Gary and his friend described it as a country course and “someone’s dream.” Now I had to go. St. Urho’s is 44 minutes west/southwest of Thunder Bay off Route 588, beyond Stanley, Ontario. Gary and his friend also said the best burger in Ontario...
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So, this is how it is now. The race that was Frank’s life was usually magic, occasionally tragic, and always epic for nothing that Frank did was ever small or inconsequential. And because of this, we will always see Frank even though his remarkable life ended far too soon from brain cancer which devastated his body but did nothing to diminish his spirit. We see Frank in Sherri, his devoted wife of 23 years. It is not an understatement to say that there is no Frank without Sherri and the warm sunny day in 1998 when they climbed Mount Shasta...
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Joseph John Bursack (Johnny), 88 years, passed away peacefully on January 16th at Miller Dwan Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. He was born at home on May 12th, 1933, in Wildwood Township, Minnesota. John graduated from Northome High School in 1951. He was drafted in the Army in 1953 and served honorably for two years in Korea and Japan. He returned to Northome in 1955 and worked on road construction and did logging in the winter months. He married Judy Schirmer on August 31st, 1957, and they made their home in Richfield, Minnesota and returned to Northome in 1958 and they...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is looking for passionate and dedicated students interested in learning more about possible careers with the DNR through paid summer internship opportunities. DNR summer interns will not only gain valuable experience and training, but also will help the agency create a healthy, sustainable, and livable Minnesota for future generations. The internship opportunities are located throughout the state and run the gamut of agency operations — including fisheries, forestry, park operations, invasive species watercraft inspection, communications and more. Interns work 20 to 40 hours per week and receive a competitive wage of an hour....
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So January is many things but I think the word most people use to describe it is “long”. Yes, technically it’s tied for the longest month of the year with others but I’d like to see any other month look hard and long into the cold, grey eyes of January and see who blinks first. Naturally, during the longest month of the year, people, being the brilliant species that came up with hard seltzer, put that same kind of mental acumen to work and eureka – Dry January! As you may know, Dry January is the one month of the...
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Two of three people charged in killing and dismembering a man found in Lake Superior last summer made Zoom appearances on Monday, January 24, in State District Court in Grand Marais. A 31-year-old Duluth woman, Tommi Lynn Hintz, entered a not guilty plea. She was charged with aiding as an offender and accomplice after the fact and interference with a dead body. The second defendant, Robert Thomas West, 41 of South Range, Wisconsin, faces the exact charges as Hintz, but he didn't enter a plea. Jacob Colt Johnson, 35, of Superior, Wisconsin, faces intentional second-degree murder charges. He is scheduled...
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Moose in Minnesota have been seen exhibiting abnormal behavior and physical disabilities, not caused by injury, since at least 1912. Perhaps the most common and oldest reported observations were of moose walking in endless circles in the snow on frozen lakes. Other sightings often were that of the head tilted and turned to one side, stumbling, poor coordination, leg paralysis, lameness, and lack of fear. This became known as “moose sickness”. I might add that I have seen them running and swimming in circles. Do not get too bold with sick moose; I have seen some that had considerable trouble...
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It is the policy of the Cook County News-Herald to withhold the identities of individuals in Cook County Law Enforcement briefs. When court proceedings are complete, the Cook County News-Herald publishes a complete accounting of names and penalties in its Matters of Record. Tuesday, January 4 9:36 a.m. Public Assistance. A snowmobile groomer called 911 for location and needed transfer to MSP for tracking to have the state groomer meet them for a pull out. Wednesday, January 5 10:58 a.m. Fireweed Lane: Hit and Run involving property. Caller reported that his parked vehicle was damaged in the last 15-20 minutes,...
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It’s happening now. It’s happening here. I applaud Naomi Tracy-Hegg and Olya Wright for standing up and saying we are in the midst of a Climate Emergency and urging Grand Maris City Council and Cook County Board of Commissioners to declare this through resolutions. We are so close to the edge of no return. No matter what we do to curb our CO2 pollution and heal the planet won’t be enough to stop all types of plant and animal species from dying, major shifts in weather and seasons, and clean water and food become scarcer. We can stave off the...
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A group of local people have teamed up with an investment firm located near the Twin Cities to form an investment fund. The aim is to pursue real estate contracts for the Fund related to: • Buildings in downtown Grand Marais that could be invested to for higher and better use – specifically supporting more retail, office needs and entrepreneurs. • Land development projects to support housing and commercial needs for the entire Cook County area. So, who is involved and what is the process? Supplying those answers was Howard Hedstrom, Ann Posis, and Lori Bonin, president of REVocity. The...
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Will Ramberg, a 6’5” Gopher guard, has seen his minutes go up as the Gopher’s men’s basketball team battles injuries and COVID. The Sophomore walk-on has been one of the first players off of the bench in recent games. Unfortunately, Will suffered a hand-injury and is questionable for upcoming games. On January 4 Will saw 14 minutes of playing time against Illinois. He was one for two shooting. On January 16 Will played 11 minutes against Iowa. In that game Will had two rebounds, one assist and one steal. A 2019 graduate of I.S.D. 166, Will ended his high school...
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Grand Marais’s Abigail Stoddard named to University of Iowa Dean’s list for 2021 fall semester Abigail Stoddard of Grand Marais, Minnesota was among the more than 6,900 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa named to the dean’s list for the 2021 fall semester. Stoddard is a first-year student in Iowa’s College of Education and is majoring in Elementary Education. Dean’s list status was earned by only 1,402 first year undergraduates during the 2021 spring semester at Iowa, only 1,427 second year students, only 1,836 third year students, and only 2,304 fourth year students. Silas Sobanja, Grand Marais, was named...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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20 YEARS AGOJANUARY 28, 2002 v The Minnesota Department of Transportation frightened the Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission on January 9 with a letter informing the PUC that it would be asked to pay for the movement of every utility pole along Highway 61 between the western city limits and Eighth Avenue West. According to the letter, the task must be completed in order to facilitate MnDOT’s widening of the highway. The problem is, the PUC doesn’t know if it can afford to move the poles. It is estimated the job would involve moving 90-100 poles at a cost of...
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Bruce Wayne Wishcop, 79 of San Tan Valley, Arizona passed away on November 30, 2021, at Mercy Hospital with his wife and grandson by his side. Bruce was born in Duluth, Minnesota to Clyde and Ann Wishcop. Bruce spent his early years in Grand Marais, Minnesota and moved to Weaverville, California in 1963 to marry his high school sweetheart, June Sundquist. Bruce spent his career as a bricklayer mason mostly in Colorado and retired in 2000 at Lake McConaughy, Nebraska where he and his wife had their summer home. His wife retired soon after and in 2003 they began traveling...
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The heavens declare the glory of God, And the sky proclaims its makers handiwork. Psalm 19:1 That is the way the psalm begins which is appointed for worship in many of our churches this weekend. I recommend Psalm 19 to you as an inspiring poem to uplift and guide you. Many of us on the North Shore of Lake Superior can probably just feel the truth of this psalm in our core, because of similar feelings and revelations we have received from the many hours we have spent listening to the waves, watching the winds, staring at the stars. The...
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Seed firmly beaked, a perturbed chickadee fans its tail feathers before it flies off. Chickadees love to eat sunflower seeds either in the shell or cracked. They will eat up to 150 sunflower seeds per day during mild winters, but they will devour up to 250 sunflower seeds per day during hard winters. Sunflower seeds have a high fat content which helps these joyful little birds survive tough winters like the one we are having now.
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Your headline (January 22), After 20 years, Lonnie Dupre will return to Greenland, caught my eye. Just last month, Lonnie spoke at UW-Eau Claire, Barron County Campus in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. After reading about his many adventures in the CCNH over the years, I was determined to meet him and hear his narrative about his Arctic explorations. Following his presentation, I naively asked if he had ever had a close call. With a smile he said, "Just about every day!" That comment inspired me to purchase his book, Life on Ice -- 25 Years of Arctic Exploration. This was one...
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Two weeks ago, the Cook County Board of Adjustment (BOA) decided on a case involving a state legislator, a split decision but nonetheless one that apparently raised eyebrows locally. Following that decision, Joe Friedrichs, a WTIP reporter contacted me, as chair of that board, for an explanation of that vote. Joe emphasized that the interview was about how and why we made that decision and that his personal view was not at all a part of it. On that basis I consented to the interview. Contrary to his pledge to be open and fair when he pieced the discussion together,...
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Cook County has free short-term test kits. You can obtain a test kit from the Cook County Land Services Department while supplies last. Have you wondered if radon is a problem in your home? Radon is found in nearly all soils. It is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas that comes from the soil. Levels in outdoor air are usually much lower than indoor air. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive soil gas. Radon is a problem in homes because it can accumulate indoors. Homes usually suck air from the soil, which draws radon gas in through the foundation. However,...
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This has been the winter of large flocks of Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings. The friendly, colorful birds can be seen flying about the town in large flocks and when they land in a Mountain ash tree (or any tree) it’s a sight to behold.
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On January 17 Congressman U.S. Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN) announced he was seeking a third term to represent Minnesota’s Eighth Congregational District in Congress. In a press release the Congressman said, “After a year of single-party Democrat control of Washington, enough is enough! Together we must stop this insanity, take back Congress, and return our great nation to the bedrock conservative principles that make America great: free enterprise, limited government, border security, and fidelity to the Constitution.” The former professional hockey player, retired Duluth police lieutenant, small business owner, former St. Louis County Commissioner, and former Hermantown City Councilor is...
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Minnesota’s Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) awarded Seed Grants to 74 innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy projects – over twice as many as last year – in communities from Warren to Winona, Morton to Mountain Iron, Long Prairie to Lindstrom. The communities are funded for a wide range of energy projects, from improving buildings for energy efficiency to job skills training for careers in clean energy. Locally, two projects in Grand Portage received funds. The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa clean energy initiative and the log building LED project. This year, Seed Grants with a focus on...
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It’s not exactly picnic weather on the harbor, but one brave soul sat down to observe the beautiful ice sculptures created by Mother Nature last week. The harbor is now frozen over and if stays as cold as it has been, the big lake will make ice. Will there be an ice bridge to Isle Royale from Grand Portage this winter? Stay tuned. Only time will tell.
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In an effort to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and raise awareness about global warming, last week, the City of Grand Marais joined with fifteen other Minnesota cities across the state to declare a climate emergency. When making the announcement Grand Marais Mayor Jay DeCoux, who has a raft of solar panels on the roof of his house, told the Minneapolis Star & Tribune, “We have a lot to lose. This is too little, too late, but this is where we are at.” Cities and towns joining Grand Marais are Bloomington, Columbia Heights, Eden Prairie, Edina, Golden Valley, Grand Rapids,...
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Our friend Moshe Schein is a world-renowned surgeon. Impressive. He’s also quite a character, and we love him. Years ago, he insisted my husband and I take a baby aspirin every day. So—we did. Then I heard the Food and Drug Administration recommended against it. What??? Banking on Moshe’s wisdom, I continued. But I’ve been thinking… What is aspirin, any way? Aspirin is the first known pain reliever. Healers used willow bark and leaves for pain relief as early as 2500 BC. Since that time, many cultures have used willow and meadowsweet for pain relief. Both contain salicylic acid, as...
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One of the first “Outdoors” columns I wrote for the Cook County News Herald two years ago found me splitting wood in the late winter as the snow receded. It was, then, my favorite time of year to split; nice to attack stacks of rounds, split them by hand, move them by toboggan, and stack them for firewood. It’s mid-January now, and we are back to a column mentioning wood splitting. I was thinking that this - deep winter - is truly my favorite time of year to split. At 0° this morning, and drafty in the shack, what better...
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On Thursday, January 20 the boys’ basketball team traveled to Silver Bay to face the Mariners and fell 73-35. Paul Dorr led the way with 12 points and nine rebounds. Daunte Deschampe had nine points and eight rebounds. Jacob Dorr had five points and six rebounds. Rohan Rude had six points. Derek Smith had three points. When asked why some players weren’t in the line-up against Silver Bay Viking’s Head Coach Andy Feddema said, “I’ve had so many players out this season due to covid protocols, I’ve had to play JV players almost every game.” The next day the young...
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Snow. Cook County is rich in snow. And rich in trails used by those who like to get out and play in the snow. Whether you are cross country skier, fat tire bike rider, snow shoer, or snowmobiler, there is more than enough of the white stuff to go around with most of the trails groomed and ready for action. Norpine trail report The Deeryard Loop, Pioneer Loops (other than the State Park, which wasn’t groomed) Cascade Connector, Hall/Massie Loop, Caribou to Lutsen and Whiteside’s/Deertrack trails have all been rolled, and many have been rolled and groomed. Trail reports give...
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Two Harbors Invite “The Two Harbors Invite at Korkki Nordic is always an entertaining race as the teams ‘go retro’. While our skiers are serious about skiing their best, we also have a lot of fun along the way, so we pulled out the team’s old suits and made quite the sensation!” That’s how head coach Jeanne Wright introduced the classic-style races off of Homestead Road near Duluth. This system is known for its “close-tonature” feeling with its single track, narrow trails. Our skiers fared well while learning to be strategic and aggressive in passing their competitors on the trail....
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Once again, Cook County VITA/TCE tax assistance volunteers are ready to help low and moderate-income folks and all folks 60 or over with their individual income tax returns. These volunteers can answer questions about how Social Security works with your taxes and if you qualify for a rent credit or a home property tax refund. International students can also use this service to get their tax returns back. Assistance is on a first-come, first-served basis - no appointments. Onsite tax service will be provided at the following locations from February 1 to April 15. The Cook County Community Center main...
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Over-the-month jobs volatility continues, Minnesota posts strong over-the-year growth The state unemployment rate moved down two-tenths of a percentage point to 3.1 percent, due to people moving from unemployment to employment, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota’s labor force participation rate remains steady at 67.7 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate fell three-tenths of a percentage point to 3.9% and the national labor force participation rate held steady at 61.9 percent (revised). In December, Minnesota lost 2,000 jobs, down 0.1 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis. The private sector lost 2,200...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked the trout opener with several officers. Some nice rainbow and lake trout were seen on the ice. He attended training at Camp Ripley. Enforcement action was...
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State Representative Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls) has been appointed to serve on the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, a panel charged with providing annual funding recommendations to the full Legislature from the state’s Outdoor Heritage Fund. The council reviews and recommends proposed projects to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife, and that prevent forest fragmentation, encourage forest consolidation, and expand restored native prairie. “Minnesotans across our state value our strong outdoor heritage, and in fact value it enough they voted to raise their own taxes to protect our strong traditions when...
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The February 1 Cook County GOP Caucus will not be held at the HUB (senor center) as planned but instead has been moved to the Cook County Higher Education building. The meeting will be held in room 214, the large upstairs classroom. Cook County Higher Education is located at 300 West Third Street in Grand Marais. The Cook County GOP convention will also be held in the same room on March 8. Registration for each night begins at 6 p.m. Masks are required. Cook County GOP Chair Trent Spry will not be able to attend the February 1 caucus. In...
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Beginning Monday, January 24, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking for public input on deer population goals in 28 of 130 deer permit areas (DPAs). “We’re continuing with an online questionnaire this year and adding webinars for those who wish to connect directly with area wildlife managers on this topic,” said Barbara Keller, DNR big game program leader. “We’re excited to have people participate and encourage anyone who has an interest in deer management to give feedback on deer population trends in the areas where they live, work and recreate.” The DNR establishes deer population goals — how...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Jerry P. Schliep, a man who lived life deliberately and embraced each day, passed away peacefully at his home on January 10th, 2022. Jerry was born on February 12th, 1937, in Ladysmith, Wisconsin and spent the majority of his childhood and adolescence in Grand Marais, Minnesota where his parents operated Clearwater Lodge. Jerry attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota where he received his degree in Business and was also coach and captain of the ski team. Jerry met his wife, Barb, on the Johnny ski slope, and they were married in 1960, moving to Rochester in 1965 to open...
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January is, on average, the coldest month of the year. And that means one thing. Big heating bills. And soup. Okay, two things. Of course, there are different types of soup. Alphabet soup is a metaphor made famous during FDR’s new deal that gave us all kinds of acronyms like IRS, CIA, FBI, BRB, LOL. Duck Soup is the absolutely timeless 1933 Marx Brothers film about Freedonia, a bankrupt nation looking to borrow a little something from a neighboring country. If you’re looking for a laugh, watch Groucho ask for money. Then pick up his book, “Memoirs of a Mangy...
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There’s no joy in Mudville. Rather, there’s no joy in Crudville, with the cold and snow and wind of January. It snowed, and the snowblower was on the fritz, and it snowed twice more before I got it up and running, and then it was on the fritz again. We are into a face cord of firewood now that got wet late in the fall, and it burns poorly and not hot. Without much sun the solar panel doesn’t generate much power – the LED light sputtered out at 5:30 this evening. To make things worse, the propane lamp sputtered...
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Daniel Isaiah Ortiz, 24, Minneapolis, Minnesota, pled not guilty on October 25, 2021, to a petty misdemeanor of Traffic Speeding in a Special Zone set by the Commissioner 50/40 on September 26, 2021. Disposition on December 28, 2021: Convicted, Court Decision Payable without appearance. Fines and fees total 5. Aaron Irvin Jackson Ming, 21, Grand Portage, Minnesota, pled guilty on January 8, 2022, to a petty misdemeanor of Driving Without a Valid Driver’s License for vehicle class or type on December 16, 2021. Fines and fees total 5. Anthony Poyirier, 35, Grand Portage, Minnesota, pled guilty on April 8, 2019,...
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In May of 2021 Go Dog North Shore (GDNS) embarked on a rigorous fundraising campaign to raise a minimum of ,000 to build a new dog park within the City of Grand Marais, Minnesota. Since then, over 170 individuals and a handful of local businesses have contributed to the campaign. In addition, in December of 2021, the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation approved and fully funded Go Dog North Shore’s grant proposal in the amount of ,000. To date, GDNS has raised over ,000! “We are so grateful for our supporters, including the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, for investing in this...
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Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) have adopted updated isolation and quarantine recommendations for people who test positive for or are exposed to COVID-19. This updated guidance follows the latest recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and can be found on the County’s COVID-19 hub site at http://cookcountycovid19.org. The updated guidance reflects an effort by the CDC to balance changing knowledge and considerations related to the Omicron variant, COVID- 19 vaccines, and the economic and mental health impacts of the ongoing pandemic on society. People who test...
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20 YEARS AGOJANUARY 14, 2002 v For the recent high school event, “Night of the Notables”: Mary, Queen of Scots was in a foul mood. | Anne Frank was fearful of being discovered in her Amsterdam attic. | Madame Curie knew a lot about radium and polonium, elements that she discovered. | Queen Elizabeth (1559) was convinced that marriage wasn’t needed to secure her throne. | Queen Victoria (1857) was thrilled to be married to Albert who helped her rule the empire and was “king in all but name.” Fifteen students enrolled in the college level European History course each...
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Two recent comments in the News Herald highlight the limits of me-first thinking. In the 12-11-21 issue, a letter writer complained about people not being able to keep a job because they didn’t want to get vaccinated. I agree with the letter writer, that we should be able to choose whether or not to vaccinate—but only in the smaller context of your own life. You can choose to put yourself and your family at risk. In the larger context of community, it’s not okay to put people at risk who have no choice about being in contact with you. People...
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COOK COUNTY West End – There will not be contested elections when voters in Lutsen, Schroeder and Tofte townships turn out to vote in the March 8 spring elections. Lutsen will get a new Clerk while all other incumbents are running for re-election. However, no one filed for the vacant Treasurer position in Tofte. Each of the townships elect a Supervisor for a three-year term and a Clerk for a two-year term. The filing period ended Tuesday, January 11. Lutsen In Lutsen, Samantha McQuatters-Spangle is the new candidate running for Clerk. Present Clerk Sharon Hexum-Platzer, who had announced that she...
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Several mushers from Cook County will take part in participating in the 2022 John Beargrease Sled Dog series of races that will be held at the end of January. Below is a short piece about each and their pictures. Only two Cook County mushers will run their teams in the long 400-mile race that starts in Duluth at Billy’s Bar and ends at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. The 120-mile race ends in Finland and the Beargrease 40-mile event ends in Two Harbors. The long race starts at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 30 and finishes on Tuesday, February...
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The Cook County High School girls’ basketball team played Carlton on Friday, January 14 at Carlton. Led by defense and a balanced offense, the Vikings took an easy win, 47-24 over their rival and conference opponent, the Carlton Bulldogs. With the win the Viking's record is now 2-5. Three Vikings scored in double figures. Rhonnie Poyirier led the team with 23 points. Makenzie Fairbanks and Kamryn Johnson each scored ten points and Mataya Fairbanks and Amery Oberg both had two points in the game. The Vikings next four games are on the road. On January 20 they are scheduled to...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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Everyone who was lucky enough to know Frank Moe will surely miss his smile, positive energy, intelligence, humor and upbeat nature. Frank passed away on Wednesday, January 12, after a long fight with inoperable brain cancer. He was 56. According to the Go Fund Me page set up on his behalf, Frank passed away with his wife Sherri and his mother Vonda in the room with him and friends. He made the decision to stop treatment and entered hospice care on Saturday, January 8, 2022. Frank was a Democrat legislator who represented Beltrami, Cass and Itasca counties from 2005-2008. As...
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The Minnesota Department of Revenue will open the state Individual Income Tax filing season on Monday, January 24, 2022. This date matches the opening day for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The filing deadline to submit 2021 Minnesota income tax returns is Monday, April 18, 2022. This date matches the filing deadline for 2021 federal income tax returns. However, tax software providers and tax professionals may be accepting and preparing tax returns before January 24 and will submit those returns when the IRS and state systems open. “We encourage Minnesota taxpayers to file when they have all the necessary documents....
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Fern A. Lovaas, 89, of Grand Marais, died Friday, January 14, 2022, at North Shore Care. Fern was born September 21, 1932, to Andrew and Freda (Backlund) Shold on the family farm in Grand Marais. She married Kenneth D. Lovaas on July 13, 1951. Married for 66 years prior to Kenny’s death, Fern and Kenny built their home and lived with their children on the beautiful shore of Lake Superior. Fern was employed as a dental assistant and office manager in Grand Marais for over 40 years. Fern was a member of Cornerstone Community Church and served as church organist...
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The paper, two weeks ago, told us about flu testing in two different articles. Questions arise, local practices are public and so I ask: At the clinic some individuals are tested every day before starting work. It is a quick result test. What is the cost? North Shore Health offers over-the-counter rapid test kits that anyone can purchase online with registration. What is the cost? Cook County has 35 people who may need weekly testing. Those test kits cost 0 each. Why? Do we wonder, do we doubt, does anyone else ask the question, If the county spends what is...
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I was glad to read that the Ben Franklin had been sold to a local couple. I wanted to reminisce about the past, but also note how everything, even the forest, had to change and adapt. As a grandson of Lester and Eva Ary, I grew up in the 1960’s and 1970’s spending summertime with family in the 1936 Charlie Boostrom built log cabin on Lake McFarland. Of course, we made frequent trips to Grand Marais for food, gas, bait, other shopping, enjoyment, and to get the laundry done. Our wider family now has multiple dwellings in the county, and...
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The Cook County Assessor’s Office recently completed the process of inspecting permitted new construction that has occurred over the last twelve months. Each year the Assessor compiles permits issued by the city of Grand Marais as well as County-issued permits and County Appraisers visit these properties near the January 2nd assessment date to determine what has been completed. Typically, a new house or cabin requires two or three annual visits before completion and many projects are delayed for one reason or another, meaning the Assessor’s Office might visit 400-500 projects in a year where only 200 permits were issued. A...
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At times high winds have pushed Lake Superior waves far up onto the beaches, creating a wide variety of ice sculptures like the one above. The water mixed with extreme cold makes for serendipitous art and is treasured by photographers capturing these ever-changing works by Mother Nature.
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Two weeks ago, there were 58 new cases of COVID-19; last week, it jumped to 97 new cases over seven days. That brings the number to 553 cases since the pandemic's start as of January 13, 2022. All of this is alarming because Cook County has the highest rate of vaccinations in the state, but over the last two weeks, three percent of the county's population has tested positive for covid. There are 4,339 fully vaccinated citizens of Cook County out of 5,600, and many residents are gone to warmer climates, so the population is decidedly less than 5,600 during...
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“Our objective is to create a film that will pay homage to the Polar Inuit, humble people that carve out special lives in a land of snow and ice. Their innovation through trial and error and their creative ways of improvising have always amazed me.” Lonnie Dupre. It’s been two decades since Lonnie Dupre and fellow explorer John Hoelscher completed a three-year, 6,500-mile circumnavigation of Greenland by dog sled and kayak. In the modern era, Lonnie and John were the first and last people to circumnavigate this ancient land by dogsled and kayaking. Over those twenty years, plenty has changed...
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Snowmobile trail conditions vary throughout Minnesota but, in areas where there’s good snow, riders have been getting out with gusto. Snowmobile tracks are common sights in road ditches, on trails and atop the ice. This year’s busy start to the riding season continues a surge in recent years of people riding snowmobiles to enjoy Minnesota’s outdoors. Gov. Tim Walz has declared January 15-23 to be Snowmobiling Safety Awareness Week, and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers remind all riders to brush up on safety and prioritize safe rides. So far this year, two snowmobile riders have lost their lives...
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The Senior LinkAge Line® will offer two Health Care Fraud, Waste & Abuse Prevention classes Wednesday, February 9, 2022, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and again from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how to detect and report potential errors, fraud and abuse; review potential fraud and scams targeting seniors, how to read your Medicare Summary Notice, tips to help protect your Medicare beneficiary number, and how to protect-detect-report Medicare scams and fraud. This presentation is based on information from the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), a federal education and prevention program. This class is offered online using the easy-to-use...
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With almost half of the student body out because of COVID-19 concerns, the I.S.D. 166 school district announced a short-term return to distance learning. Cook County I.S.D. 166 Superintendent Chris Lindholm made the announcement in an email to parents on Thursday, January 13. “The spread of COVID- 19 continues to climb in Cook County, and it has never hit harder here than in the past two weeks,” stated Lindholm in his email. With the spread of infection, Lindholm said the school district is currently unable to fill all necessary positions and is approaching 50 percent of the student body out...
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The GOP likes to call the Freedom to Vote Act a “power grab” among many other things. What power is grabbed when Election Day is a holiday? Who loses out? We have holidays for lots of things. Who loses power on the 4th of July? Why would people voting on a federal holiday be a power grab? The Act ends gerrymandering – whose power is grabbed? Gerrymandering is done to give a political party an unfair advantage in an election. Gerrymandering creates unfair advantages... so why is ending it a power grab? Do we want unfair elections? Isn›t that an...
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Christine Geralyn Hanson, age 68, passed away peacefully with family at her bedside on Friday, January 7, 2022, due to heart failure. She was born April 17, 1953, in Waukesha, Wisconsin to Armin and Regina Honeyager. After graduating from UW-Lacrosse, Tina moved to Grand Marais, Minnesota, where she resided for over 40 years. After retiring in early 2018, Tina quickly assumed her passions, including gardening, canning, crafting, making wreaths, reading, and traveling to see her children and grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren were the bright lights in her life; she loved visiting and keeping up with all that they had...
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Jan Attridge painted this picture of Clyde Bellecourt, the recently deceased co-founder of the American Indian Movement. AIM began in 1968 in Minneapolis. Many remember the armed confrontation with the government at Wounded Knee, but less well-known was that by the early 1980’s AIM had formed health care clinics, two schools, treatment centers and worked to get native children from foster care and back into their communities. Bellecourt also started the Peacemaker Center in south Minneapolis. The center worked with children of the community to orient kids to nature and the outdoors, among other things. Clyde’s Anishinaabe name was Nee-gon-we-waywe...
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Well, this is what happens when little ones don’t get their snacks. They start gnawing on birch trees! Actually, Kate (L) and Ruby are admiring the work of a hard-working eager beaver.
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If you are planning a trip into the Boundary Waters this year, better get your permits sooner than later. On Thursday, January 13 the U.S. Forest Service announce it was making a 13 percent reduction in permits for entry points into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The reduction in permits will mean 23,000 fewer people will have access to the 1.1-million-acre non-motorized wilderness park. The Forest Service announced its intent to cut back on permits following two years of increased use of the park that sparked complaints of abuse to campsites, trees were cut, human waste was not...
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On January 13, 2022, Lutsen Mountains announced that longtime manager and Marketing Director Jim Vick will be the resort’s new General Manager, and Amanda Plummer will be the new Assistant General Manager. Those promotions follow on the heels of the announcement last week of the acquisition by President Charles Skinner of full ownership of Lutsen Mountains. Jim Vick has been a key employee as Marketing Director of the resort for more than three decades. Jim has also been a valued community leader on organizations such as Lutsen/ Tofte Tourism Association (LTTA) and Visit Cook County. Amanda Plummer has more than...
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The Arrowhead Library System (ALS) will be providing Paper Design Collage Take & Create Art Kits to member public libraries to distribute February 14-28, 2022. These kits have been designed by COMPAS Teaching Artist Teresa Cox. This art activity explores color relationships and design using geometric shapes and is for anyone wanting to experiment with using papers to create an original collage. Patrons will get to experience drawing, color relationships, cutting, sharing and discussion. Kits will be distributed at the following public libraries and ALS outreach locations: Grand Marais Public Library Silver Bay Public Library Two Harbors Public Library Arrowhead...
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Matthew and Monica Anderson, of Grand Marais announce the birth of a son, Otto Karl Anderson, at 11:46 p.m. on Nov. 8th, 2021, in Grand Marais, Minnesota. He weighed 8 pounds and was 21 inches long. Otto is welcomed by big sisters Edith and Alma, and grandparents Wayne and Philis Anderson of Grand Marais, and Art and Evelyn Webster, of Marion, North Carolina.
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With the omicron variant rearing its ugly head across the county and state, both the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams have had games cancelled. Teams have missed games because either our players are sick or been in contact with someone who has COVID, or the other team has had the same situation. However, on Saturday, January 15, the boy's home game against Hill City was cancelled because the referees were out with COVID. Viking Head Coach Andy Feddema announced that the teams will look to reschedule the game at a later date.
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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In her January North Shore Health management report, Administrator Kimber Wraalstad noted, “As of January 12, 2022, there have been five hundred fifty-four cases (554) confirmed cases of COVID- 19 affiliated with Cook County; this is an increase of 102 cases in the last six days! Obviously, the transmission rate for Cook County remains in the high category.” That number of sick people—some needing hospitalization— has proved daunting. “It has been difficult to almost impossible to transfer patients,” wrote Wraalstad. “This is particularly true for those needing ICU and COVID-19 ICU level care. This is because the ambulance only has...
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The Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery is releasing a call to artists for multiple opportunities from 2023-2025. Artists may apply for as many of the opportunities for which they qualify. Artists must be able to deliver their art to the gallery located at 115 Wisconsin St, Grand Marais MN 55604. The Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery is a non-profit art gallery operating as part of the greater Cook County Historical Society. We curate our exhibitions and feature artists with the goal of furthering our mission to collect, preserve and share our material, cultural and artistic heritage. To this end, we...
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In part 1, I only covered the life cycle of winter ticks and their impact on moose. Part 2 will present additional important information on them. Winter ticks are not found in Alaska, Newfoundland or northern most Canada. Other than those areas, all North American moose populations have winter ticks. Their primary hosts are moose, elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, and woodland caribou. However, they can also infest many other large mammals both wild and domestic. The winter tick was first described in 1869 and there were reports of winter ticks causing problems for moose the same year. The first...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Eleanor Gladys Jentoft Sjoberg, daughter of Mogens and Helen Jentoft, died January 6, 2022. She was 93 years old. She is survived by her daughter Kristi (Dave) Carambula, grandsons Nathan Carambula, Aaron (Kelly) Carambula, Christopher (Liz) Sjoberg, Nicholas (Cassie) Sjoberg, daughter-in-law Cheryl Sjoberg and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Sjoberg, son Steve Sjoberg, her parents and sisters. Born July 1, 1928 and raised on the banks of Spruce Creek in Lutsen, she graduated from Grand Marais High School and spent her entire adult life in Grand Marais. She was a member of the First...
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It's happening now. It's happening here. Snow comes later, leaves earlier. Whenever there isn't snow, there's fire. This summer, wildfires threatened our boundary waters, burned cabins, and spread fear throughout northern Minnesota. Our homeland is in pain. We need to act now. We are truly in a state of emergency. This is why local governments of all sizes and in all regions of Minnesota are joining together to declare a Climate Emergency on January 24th and 25th - asking for immediate action at all levels of government to address the climate crisis. By acting simultaneously, our statewide local governments hope...
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The Cook County Board of Commissioners met January 4, 2022, to adopt their yearly meeting schedule, elect a board chair and vice chair, assign commissioners to boards and committees and set the 2022 cook county budget and levy by resolution. Commissioner Ann Sullivan was voted board chair for 2022, with commissioner Bob Svaleson voted vice chair. Both received unanimous votes from their fellow commissioners. Commissioners divvied up assignments to serve as county representatives on various boards and committees and commissions that work through or with the county. Commissioners yearly serve on anywhere from 25 to 37 boards, committees or commissions....
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Those smiling loveable lugs — Sven & Ole — the ones your kids wave at when you drive by — might be coming down from the bright yellow building at 9 West Wisconsin Street because Sid Backlund Jr. is trying to sell the building that has housed his iconic pizza business for the better part of 40 years, and some buyer will get that great location and structure for their business. After all of those golden crusted years of selling pizza by the slice, or selling seven inch mini pizzas, or 12 inch thin and thick crust pies, or 16...
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Coming off from our Advent and Christmas season, we remember the time we took setting up our trees or décor. Physically, it seems easier to take down our decorations than to put them up. There’s no need to think about how the decoration and ornaments look or how they are placed when it gets put back into their box or into a bin to sit in a closet, waiting in anticipation to be brought back out again next year. It is a bit melancholy to put away these things that we esteem with beautiful memories. But we prepared for this;...
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On January 6, theDuluth Superior Area Community Foundation announced it would have an additional [post_excerpt] million in grants available for Northland nonprofits for 2022. “Our region is strong and resilient, but the pandemic continues to present challenges,” foundation President and CEO Shaun Floerke said. “This was the right thing to do, period. Moreover, it has the direct impact of providing [post_excerpt] million more to our nonprofit partners working on the front lines during these difficult and challenging times.” Among the many funds and organizations supported by the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation is the Cook County Community Fund. The foundation...
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On Wednesday, January 5, 2022, Lutsen Mountains announced the purchase of the 50 percent ownership interest of Co-President Tom Rider. Following the purchase, Charles Skinner will continue as the sole owner and President of Lutsen Mountains, as well as Granite Peak ski resort in Wausau, Wisconsin. The transaction ensures that the iconic North Shore ski resort, that caters to Midwestern families, will continue to be owned and operated by the Skinner family. The ski resort was founded in 1948 by George Nelson, Jr., which he ran until purchased by Charlie Skinner in 1980. Charlie’s son Charles and son-in-law Tom have...
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Elizabeth (Liz) Kampa Rosenquist, 82, of Jekyll Island, Georgia passed away on January 8, 2022, after almost a year of at home hospice care for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Despite her recent health problems, Liz maintained her noted wry sense of humor and steady contact with family. Elizabeth was born on October 9, 1939, to Marion and Edward Kampa. After Elizabeth graduated from Edison High School in 1957, she married Delmore Leo Rosenquist. They recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. Liz worked in many occupations including packing pickles, Blackie’s Bakery in northeast Minneapolis and Hennepin County Library before having two...
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Abigail Crawford named to the Fall 2021 Dean's List at The College of St. Scholastica Abigail Crawford, of Grand Marais was named to the Fall 2021 Dean's List at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. Abigail is a sophomore majoring in accounting. Dean's List members have achieved a 3.75 grade point average or above on a 4.0 scale. The College of St. Scholastica would like to commend Abigail for honorable academic achievements. Great job, Abigail! Volante of Tofte makes Bradley University’s Fall 2021 Dean’s List Ave Volante, a Bradley student majoring in Nursing from Tofte, Minnesota, has been...
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I like machines. Occasionally, usually on the couch, I envision an idyllic future, like the one in The Jetsons, where a robot rolls over to me with a martini. In the timeless classic by Flight of the Concords, the song Robots, set in “the distant future, the year 2000”, it is Man vs. Robot. The song is so good I’m rooting for the robots! And who could forget Short Circuit, the 1986 film starring Steve Guttenberg alongside a delightful robot, Number 5? The picture also gave us the hit single Who’s Johnny, by El Debarge. Okay, fine. Most people forgot...
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Cloquet-Esko-Carlton Invite What could be better than a leisurely, evening ski on a lighted trail with snow softly falling around you? Taking on that same trail at full speed in the face of an impending snowstorm! Cook County Nordic skiers did just that on January 4 at the Pine Valley Ski Area in Cloquet. Joining six other section teams at the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton Invitational, our skiers looked forward to cooperating with their Two Harbors teammates as NORTH SHORE STORM. However, the actual approaching storm caused the TH bus to turn back, leaving the intrepid CC skiers to carry on. With help...
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Sometimes for no apparent reason Foxy, under the bed or with me on the bed, will wake up or lift her head and bark quickly, then growl. She can smell or hear the deer moving through the clearing. I lift my head to look out the small window, but at night there’s just blackness and in daylight the hoarfrost covers the window anyway. Later, outside in the light and the snow freshly fallen there are deer tracks even fresher, moving from one birdfeeder to the other. The deer are never far away. Due east of the cabin, through the old...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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Local nonprofit Memorial Blood Centers is calling all eligible blood and platelet donors to step up and help save lives. On January 20, the Grand Marais Community Center will be the site of a blood drive sponsored by Edward Jones. The blood drive will run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Blood donation is safe and essential, and MBC has a COVID-19 self-screening policy in addition to general eligibility guidelines. In general, you may be eligible to donate if you are in good health, 17 years or older—or 16 with parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds, be free of...
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In recognition of the importance of independent quilt shops to local economies, Saturday January 22, 2022, is proclaimed to be Local Quilt Shop Day throughout Minnesota. Local Quilt Shop Day is an annual arts celebration focusing on the rich tradition and history of quilting in our communities. This internationally celebrated holiday emphasizes the importance of Local Quilt Shops and their significant contributions and economic impact on local communities. Local quilt shops not only provide supplies for quilting, but also serve as a center of learning and creativity for quilters and sewers embracing quilting. Through this unique art form, our communities...
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The North Shore Health Care Foundation (Foundation) is supporting the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic (SMC) to pilot a training certification program that will address a critical shortage of health care staffing. The Medical Assistant Training Program will provide a mechanism for ongoing workforce development to fill a need for Medical Assistants locally. The Foundation is providing ,000 in grant funds to help SMC launch the program and train up to six Medical Assistants in 2022. Medical Assistants and/or LPNs are required to continue to provide vital health care service to patients in Cook County. “There is an unprecedented shortage of Licensed...
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On Monday, January 1, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic (SMC) announced that the on-site pharmacy would reduce hours temporarily to cope with staffing shortages over the next few weeks. The SMC Pharmacy has served the community safely during the course of the pandemic. “We are lucky that the pharmacy staff is currently healthy” states Pharmacist-in-Charge Anna Krevechenko, continuing “We hope that by briefly reducing hours we can stagger staff and keep everyone as healthy as possible”. “While some staff illness is likely, the bigger issue is that the current COVID surge is affecting schools and daycares,” notes Kate Surbaugh, CEO. “These situations...
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Katie Mumm was playing peek-a-boo with this moose. Moose are fun to play peek-a-boo with because it’s pretty easy to win.
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It is the policy of the Cook County News-Herald to withhold the identities of individuals in Cook County Law Enforcement briefs. When court proceedings are complete, the Cook County News-Herald publishes a complete accounting of names and penalties in its Matters of Record. Wednesday, December 22 9:47 a.m. Public Assistance with communication. Two county assessors were going to Tom Lake, Irish Creek, and the McFarland Lake area. They requested a radio talk group for the day, to coordinate and support their work. It was granted. 2:15 p.m. Linnell Road: Utility issues. Power was going out and coming back on, going...
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I was playing Hotter and Colder with my nephew and niece last weekend. That is where you hide something and say Hotter / Colder depending on how close they come to the item. The game is only fun if it isn’t 27 below windchill! Let me say, we played the game inside. I am amazed at how cold the weather has been lately. Last week I didn’t leave my house for an entire week. Every once in a while I would open the door for fresh air and the floor started making crackling sounds in protest. That, my friend, is...
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Craig and Lynn Schulte sold Marathon Gas Station to Satinder (Sam) and Sarabjit Bains on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. For the Schulte’s, the sale concludes a 27-year run of ownership of the former SA Gas Station that became Marathon Gas Station last year. It was a happy, bittersweet moment for the couple who have worked long and hard to build the business up. “I’m not sure what I will do next for work,” said Craig, who serves on the Grand Marais City Council, PUC and Rec Park boards. In the near future, the couple will have time to visit their...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checking anglers on remote lakes in the BWCAW and patrolled snowmobile trails. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile violations. CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled area...
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I recently was filing the certificate of a joyous wedding at the County Recorder’s Office. For sale for while they last is the 2012 Cook County Plat Book and Land Atlas, about to be updated. Original price was .00. Being curious, a sucker for a bargain, and always on the lookout for information sources, I bought one. The Atlas is a veritable Cook County information fount. Here is what I have learned from perusal. --Caveat in the Atlas: “The information is provided here ‘as is’ with no guarantee or representation about its accuracy, currency, suitability, performance, merchantability, reliability, or...
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Many years ago, my sister in-law and I traveled to Scotland. Although we were different as night and day, we got along fine as we traversed the length and width of this lovely country. She was a collector and could have been an interior decorator. I was not a decorator and the decor in my house could best be described as “plain.” Our tastes were very different, and this showed up when shopping, especially in gift shops, so when we left one especially nice store, our shopping bags held very different items I had purchased a small stuffed bear. Her...
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Local mushers swept both at this past weekend’s Gunflint Mail Run sled dog races. Wearing bib #19, Joanna Oberg of Run Silent Racing took first place in the 8-dog race and Matt Schmidt of Sawtooth Racing crossed the line first in the Gunflint Mail Run 12-dog sled dog race. For Oberg, this was her third victory in four years, here. She placed second in the 2019 8-dog race and also placed second in the 2017 race as well. Otherwise, Oberg has been the first finisher across the line at the Gunflint Mail Run. For Matt, he was third in the...
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Young teams often have growing pains, and losing close games is part of the process of getting better. It’s not fun, but necessary to keep fighting through the losses to keep improving, and the Cook County boys’ basketball team is doing just that. As a result, the team is getting better and better, although the end results might not always show it. The recent game against the Wrenshall Wrens was a point in case. Down 12 at the half, the Cook County Boys’ basketball team fought back and made it close against the Wrenshall Wrens last Friday, January 7, in...
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Michael John Jansen, of Grand Marais, Minnesota, passed unexpectedly at home on January 4, 2022. Mike was born December 14, 1953, in St Paul, Minnesota to Claude David Jansen and Darlyne Lois (Zaccardi) Jansen. Mike graduated from Hill Catholic School, Maplewood, Minnesota, Class of 1971. Mike was proud of his many years of hard work and his diverse work history starting young delivering a paper route. Mike often recalled his time heli-logging and working on fishing boats in Alaska. He also spent many years as a printer. He worked locally in Grand Marais with Liljestrand Dry Walling and ended his...
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Beneath the snow is some hard-earned food for this mamma moose and her yearling. Just out of sight is a twin who is also foraging for food.
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This January, Grand Marais Public Library will be distributing Create a Comic Take and Make kits. Created by Minnesota author and illustrator Chris Monroe, the kits are geared toward third graders on up to adults. Participants create their own wacky characters using drawalong instructions to determine the character’s looks, style, emotions, and ability to take a fall. They then insert the characters into a comic strip using the cartoon panel pages and felt tip pen provided. Starting January 14, community members of any age are invited to pick up a free Create a Comic Kit from the library while supplies...
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20 YEARS AGOJANUARY 14, 2002 v The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa was about to host the largest eight-dog race they have ever offered on January 19, only to be challenged by the temperate weather conditions plaguing the upper Midwest. With deep regret, the race committee cancelled the race due to unseasonable weather conditions. Seventy-four dog teams had signed up for the January event. v County planning commissioners unanimously approved the Tait Lake Pines preliminary plat last Wednesday night. This action paves the way for the Lutsen Development Corporation’s cluster development of 31 homes on 319 acres adjacent...
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The Cook County Public Health and Human Services department contains a team of 30 staff who provide an array of mandated and supportive services to county residents. In addition to our staff, the PHHS department contracts with local and regional service providers in the areas of child support, substance use disorder assessment and treatment, in-home support services, and variety of public health programs. Our department mission is “supporting the health, safety, and wellbeing of our community.” 2021 was another year filled with change and uncertainty for the department as we navigated and responded to the ongonig COVID-19 pandemic and the...
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Few birds are as fearless or cute or curious as chickadees and this little fellow is no exception, seemingly getting a “kick” out of its recent perch. Chickadees make a mess of bird feeders, but they provide a circus of fun with their flitting, fleeting visits, and the joyous songs they sing that fill the branches of nearby tress when food is found.
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To all of your readers: I have been to a place where it is so quiet you can hear snowflakes fall. I can’t tell you where it is, but you should go find it. Carolyn Blood,Tofte
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Cook county received a one-week record of 58 new case of COVID-19 in the first week of January 2022, by far a one-week record for the county. That brought the total to 456 cases since the start of the pandemic. Over the last two months the county has received an increase in cases, rising from about seven new cases per week to double that. As of December 30, 2021, Cook County had received notice of 398 cases of COVID-19. There was a report of 17 new cases in the seven previous days of the December 30 report. The week before...
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Cold weather has brought about subtle and sometimes spectacular sea smoke sunrises over the harbor.
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Winter is an appropriate time to bring up the subject of winter ticks on moose. Many people in this area are aware that this tick species can be a significant, and sometimes fatal, problem for moose. The sight of a heavily infested moose in late winter with large areas devoid of hair is unpleasant. The full impact of the problem is not realized until one gets to see one up very close (usually because it is now dead). Often, the bare patches are completely covered with engorged ticks with no space between them. I have known some folks who could...
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Registration remains on a record pace ahead of the 46th annual Grandma’s Marathon weekend in June, and entry fees will now increase starting on January 1, 2022. More than 16,000 people have already signed up for one of the weekend’s three races, which are Grandma’s Marathon, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, and the William A. Irvin 5K. There are approximately 3,500 entries remaining in Grandma’s Marathon and 500 more spots in the William A. Irvin 5K, while the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon is currently sold out. There are also approximately 200 entries remaining in the Great Grandma’s Challenge, which allows...
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With a little over four minutes left in the game the Vikings were down 12 points but looked to be on a comeback. Back-to-back baskets by MaKenzie Fairbanks and Rhonnie Poyirier and a nice defensive play by Anna Hay to prevent an Agate lay-up gave the Vikings the ball and Viking’s fans had hope. Unfortunately, the Vikings failed to score on the next play and the Agates soon pushed the lead to 20, taking the hard-fought contest 56-36. Still, the Vikings had their chances if they could have made a few three-point shots. Sadly, none fell, and the Agates packed...
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Lake Superior put on quite a show a few weeks back when wicked winds whiplashed big waves across the harbor break wall and Coast Guard Lighthouse. The end result of all of that cold water was a lot of intricate ice sculptures that formed along the beach the next day. So, even though the water level may be lower than normal for Lake Superior, at this time of year, the lake is still a spectacular wonder.
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A deer wakes from a nap in a bed made of snow. Deer have winter coats made up of hollow hairs that trap air and help insulate them from the cold of winter.
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Arvis Thompson brought this old “typewriter” into the newspaper and asked to see what could be found about it. Turns out this machine and the many prototypes that came before and then followed, have had quite a legacy. Typewriters have made many advancements over the years, and today laptops have pretty much taken over for typewriters. But more than 130 years ago, the Simplex Typewriter Company of New York City managed to produce and sell a very simple index typewriter. And because it sold at .50 compared to a Remington typewriter that went for 0, early on at least, the...
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Minnesotans looking for private health insurance have until Saturday, January 15, to enroll in coverage through MNsure, the state’s health insurance exchange. Minnesotans who enroll by the January 15 deadline will have coverage starting on February 1, 2022. “Don’t miss out on your chance to get comprehensive health insurance in 2022,” said MNsure CEO Nate Clark. “This year there are more opportunities than ever before to get savings that can lower the monthly cost of your health insurance. Visit MNsure.org to find a plan that works for you.” Most Minnesotans – including families with middle incomes – qualify for advanced...
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A GOOD STORY FOR THIS NEW YEAR(FROM THE ARCHIVES, DATE UNKNOWN, ALTHOUGH IT WAS IN JUNE) A TALE OF WILDERNESS SURVIVAL Buck the dog is a small dachshund, some people like to call him a wiener dog because he has a long body and short little legs. Buck was out canoeing with Kent Thomas and Kent’s nephew Nathan on the west end of Flour Lake. It was early one June day when suddenly the canoe tipped and capsized. Everyone was okay, but Buck swam to shore in a terrible panic. He was a cautious dog by nature so this experience...
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When you received your 2022 property tax statements for your commercial properties, many of you noticed enormous increases in the fiscal disparities assessment. These increases resulted from a flaw in the regional fiscal disparities program, and we are working hard to see if the 2022 impacts can be reversed and possible future anomalies like this can be avoided. The Iron Range Fiscal Disparities Program (FD) applies to the area of Northeast Minnesota that is in the Taconite Aid area, which includes Cook County. The aim of the FD program is to share commercial tax base across the region to ensure...
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Applications for Isle Royale National Park's 2022 Teen Artist Exploration will be accepted between January 2 and February 16, 2022. This artistic discovery is geared to all aspiring teen artists who want to develop their art through experiencing wilderness, and is open to all visual and performing artists, writers, and composers ages 13 to 18 at time of participation. Elisha Houle, the 2016 teen artist said of her time on the Island: "Isle Royale and the Teen Artist Exploration has opened my life to so many amazing things. My art has taken on a new dynamic; I appreciate so much...
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Hooray! We are happily reading the News Herald again after a hiatus of about a year. After we learned that Gary Gamble’s tireless tirades were gone, we renewed our subscription and are very glad we did. We really enjoy reading newsy, entertaining and informative articles written by contributors familiar to us like Joan Crosby and Brian Larsen. And there are a few new semi-regulars including Steve Aldrich and Rob Perez who provide entertainment, hilarious (thanks, Rob!) and informative articles. Brian is contributing more and very well-written news stories that we enjoy, along with Joan Crosby’s column, more than ever. Thanks...
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Playing away over the holiday’s, the Cook County Boys’ basketball team played an exciting game against the Mille Lacs co-op Lisle/Onamia boys’ basketball team on December 29. It was in a game that featured some great defense and clutch shooting by Paul Dorr. Trailing much of the way, a determined group of Vikings had to fight hard to catch up and then take the win. Following the victory, Head Coach Andy Feddema said, “Our team was down eight points at halftime, down ten late in the second half; still, they never gave up and we clawed our way back to...
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Local officials urge Cook County and Grand Portage residents to keep local healthcare capacity in mind when making plans. Local healthcare resources are strained at this time and a fresh surge of COVID cases driven by the Omicron variant is expected to cause further stress. “I worry about what will happen if more local residents get severely ill,” stated Kimber Wraalstad, CEO of North Shore Health. Wraalstad noted that the regional and national shortage of hospital beds and ICU beds affect the ability to offer care locally and impact the ability to receive care whether from COVID or because of...
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It looks like it will be another banner year at the Grand Marais Rec Park. Grand Marais Parks and Recreation Director Dave Tersteeg told the two park board members that came to the January 4 meeting that the Rec Park online subscription booking service worked very well over the New Year's weekend. "Roughly 450 reservations came through over the weekend and steady calls Monday morning (January 3) mostly came from folks who needed help to fix their mistakes for their attempts at online booking," Tersteeg told park board members Steve Aldrich, and Bob Nesheim. And, because there wasn't a quorum,...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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If you are experienced with housing development programs, community-focused, approachable, collaborative and adaptable to take advantage of new opportunities than Cook County might have the job you are looking for. Cook County is seeking to hire an Executive Director for its newly created Cook County Housing & Redevelopment Authority. Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, community development or a bachelor’s degree in another field combined with experience working with housing programs. A Master’s degree in one of these fields is preferred. The base pay is ,000 to ,000 per year, but you need to hurry...
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The county board held its Truth-In-Taxation meeting at the courthouse at 6 p.m. on December 9th. State law requires the county to hold this meeting prior to setting its final budget and levy. The purpose of the meeting is to allow the public to express its opinions and ask questions regarding the county budget. Four taxpayers attended the meeting, which was held in the commissioner’s room, and it was live streamed for those not able to be there in person. The county had approved a proposed levy increase of 4.5 percent on September 14. The increase was partially offset by...
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Registration is now open for the Norpine Fat Bike Classic, which will return to Lutsen for its sixth year with events beginning Saturday, January 15, 2022, and culminating with races on Saturday, January 29. Hosted by the Superior Cycling Association, all events are held on the Norpine Cross-Country Trails, which take riders through stands of old-growth cedars on Pisten Bully-groomed trails while overlooking Lake Superior. New to this year’s events is the Full Moon Tour on January 15, a 6-to-8-mile evening guided tour on the Norpine trails for those that want to experience fat tire biking under Cook County’s world-class...
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Freshman guard Denali Blackwell led a young Cook County Vikings team with 20 points and four rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a seasoned Two Harbor’s Agate team who defeated the Vikings 80-46 on Monday, January 3. The game was played in Grand Marais in the Pam Taylor gymnasium. Two Harbors got to the basket often, breaking the Viking’s man-to-man defense. Meanwhile the Agates used a collapsing zone that saw Viking players double teamed down low or double teamed in the corners. It was an effective “help” defense that often stymied the Vikings, causing turnovers and stops. The Vikings...
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Pine Martin Pete stands tall on two feet to get a better lay of the land. Because his shadow is apparent, does this mean we will get at least six more weeks of winter? Or is this tradition reserved only for Punxsutawney Phil, the Pennsylvania groundhog?
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It’s going to be strange to go into Joynes Ben Franklin and not see a member of the Joynes family working the floor, but that will soon be the case because another local family, Tyler and Jessica Dean, have purchased the 80-year-old business from Jim and Shanie Joynes. Jim announced the sale on Facebook over the New Year weekend. “Joynes Department Store and Ben Franklin in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Eighty years, one family, four generations. I write this final post proudly. Admittedly, it is also extremely emotional. “In December of 1941, my grandparents Howard and Rosemary Joynes started our family’s...
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Have you managed to break your New Year’s resolutions yet? Year after year I make the same well-intentioned commitments, only to have them fall by the wayside within a week or two. One might occasionally last a month. I’ve resolved to read a half hour every afternoon, limit sweets to weekends, keep a daily journal, fast one day a week, write an hour every day, reconnect with a different friend each week—oh, so many exemplary aspirations. Why do we do this to ourselves? Where did this resolution business come from? According to History.com, the ancient Babylonians held New Year celebrations...
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Just about six months later then it was mid-winter and white and cold, and I turned my Escort left, northbound, onto County Road 69, and later I thought how much I liked it that North Road was 69. That was the old Escort on which I learned about alternators and brakes and coils and spark plugs but learned quite poorly. Do you remember those kids in math class – algebra or geometry – who asked, “When am I ever gonna to use this in real life?” That’s how I treated everything which truly was useful for real life: I just...
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A warm year with drought conditions over the past summer across the region has caused Lake Superior’s water level to be lower than usual. Lake Superior is almost one foot (30 centimeters) lower than last December, cited the US Army Corps of Engineers. And 44 centimeters lower than it was in December 2019. For those who want a conversion between feet and centimeters, 30.48 centimeters equals 12 inches. Overall, the Big Lake is 10 centimeters below its long-term average for December. As of December 24, the Army Corps of Engineers forecasted Lake Superior’s water level to be 601.41 feet. The...
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On a frozen lake in Northern Minnesota, Rob Perez met with Jack Frost. They chatted while ice skating for the better part of an hour. ROB: I’ve never done an interview on skates before. JACK FROST: Thanks for being open to it. I think better on the move. R: Were you always into winter? JF: Well, no. When I was teenager, I was anti-everything. I wanted to be Jack Fall. In fact, one year I even colored my hair chestnut brown. Boy, the old man hated that. R: Old Man Winter? JF: That’s the one. R: That’s your old man?...
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OPEN FOR BUSINESS - John and Margaret Conda are the owners of Conda Realty and Viking Hus. Conda Realty will specialize in lakeshore property, investment property, and certified appraisals. Viking Hus is a gift shop in Grand Marais that features gifts from Scandinavian countries.
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked the BWCAW trout opener with several officers. Few people ventured into the wilderness with the cold weather. The ones who did landed some nice fish on...
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Born to Arthur and Leona Wagner on January 29, 1925, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Betty passed peacefully to her Mansion Just Over The Hilltop early Christmas morning at age 96. She moved to Grand Marais in 1954 where she raised her twelve children. Betty was employed by various local hotels, served at the school lunchroom, and later became a receptionist at the Cook County Courthouse. She eventually retired from the Department of Social Services. Betty enjoyed her many walks to and from work. She is survived by one sister, Barbara Partipilo, North Lake, Illinois and one brother Arthur “Bud” Wagner,...
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On New Year's Eve Day in Grand Marais Jean Brislance was out hunting birds with his camera. Above, he took this great picture of a Pine Grosbeak. “I found this male feasting on the mountain ash berries in town. We had a little bit of fluffy snow from the previous night which was clinging to the tops of the berry clusters, making for a pretty winter scene,” said Brislance of the picture.
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James Glenn Smith, 75, of Grand Marais, went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, November 27, 2021, at North Shore Health Hospital surrounded by loved ones. He was born on June 20th, 1946, to James Munn and Marie Agnes (Cartier) Smith in Chisholm, Minnesota. Glenn grew up in Creechville - Grand Marais and attended Cook County Schools. He also lived in Tucson, Arizona where he graduated from high school, San Rafael, California and Duluth, Minnesota. He returned to Grand Marais in late 70s. Glenn’s first job was at Lucy’s Rustic Inn, Grand Marais as a bus boy. He worked...
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Steven Austin Garrett, 45, Highlands, Texas, pled guilty on December 9, 2021, to a petty misdemeanor of not having a Minnesota Driver’s License After 60 Days Residency (30 Days for Commercial Driver’s License), on November 7, 2021. Fines and fees total 5. Jeremy Wade Peterson, 44, Lindstrom, Minnesota, pled guilty on December 14, 2021, to a petty misdemeanor of Transportation of a loaded Firearm (for Hunting), on October 30, 2021. Fines and fees total 5. Rodney Ray Mongan, 48, Grand Marais, Minnesota, pled guilty on November 1, 2021, to a misdemeanor of Disorderly Conduct, Brawling or Fighting, on June 30,...
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Sled dog racing in Ely has a long history dating back over fifty years. Some residents can recall the Ely All-American Sled Dog Race running along Sheridan Street and out into the rolling forests. George Atala, Val & Don Beland, and Doc Lombard were just a few of the well-known mushers competing in the, then largest sled dog race in the lower 48 states. The Ely All-American Sled Dog Race came to a close in the mid-1990s. It left a void in a community that is a strong supporter of Ely’s rustic northwoods heritage. In 2008, a group of area...
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In January Venus emerges from its short trip between Earth and the sun to become a “morning star.” It begins a rapid climb over the southeastern horizon in mid-month, making its way toward much dimmer Mars. Try looking just before the sky starts to lighten on the 29th. Venus will be to the upper left of a thin waning moon and Mars will be between them, but closer to the moon. The bright star off to the upper right of this assemblage is Antares, the heart of Scorpius. Its name means “rival of Mars,” and for the time being it...
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I am responding to questions posed by the author of an As I See It feature in your publication of December 18, 2021. At issue was COVID 19, and how best to respond to it. From a plethora of questions, I want to address a central one: What is “science?” A Webster dictionary definition of science: (1) Knowledge about the natural world that is based on facts learned through experiments and observation. (2) An area of study that deals with the natural world. Fine, but a bit ponderous. Try this: A scientist seeks to understand truths established by God and...
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With the 2021 construction season wrapped up at the Highway Department, we are already working on projects for the 2022 season. Projects are slated throughout the county, from Pike Lake to the Gunflint Trail to Hovland and Grand Portage. Beginning west of Grand Marais at Pike Lake is the Pike Lake Road reconstruction project. This has been in the works for several years, and I am excited to be in the final stages. In short, several key areas along the length of the road will be reconstructed and realigned to improve safety and the overall strength of the road. Recently,...
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Snow pelted the area this past week, piling up more of the white fluffy stuff on the ground. This latest snowfall gave the area an excellent base for folks who like to slide on sleds, skiers, snowmobilers, snowshoers and everyone who loves to get out and play in the snow. Above, the Coast Guard Light house is enveloped in snowflakes.
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The I.S.D. 166 school board held its annual school budget and levy meeting December 16, and approved a 0.89 percent increase levy for 2022. Over the last five years the school board has held the levy pretty much flat. Finance Manager Lori Backlund reported that the Fund Balance was in good shape, with ,306,725 in the account as of June 20, 2021. Backlund pointed out that the fund balance received increased revenues after the initial budget was approved last year. These increases were because of increased impact aid and PILT (payment in lieu of taxes) funds from Federal Forest lands...
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Local officials at Cook County Public Health are preparing for an increase in COVID-19 cases in the coming weeks driven by the Omicron variant. Health officials ask community members to celebrate the holidays safely this year with the goal of lessening the impact of the ongoing pandemic. Based on laboratory data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), we know that the Omicron variant is now the most commonly spreading COVID-19 variant across both the state and the country. There has not been a confirmed case of Omicron reported in Cook County. This...
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Last week’s storm caught at a stunning sunset. This was taken just west of the Grand Marais Rec Area. “I took this photo at a full second time exposure to put motion blur into the photo and capture the colors better,” Paul said.
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Cardboard boxes, rulers, scissors, tape, a box fan and some filters and Wala! Once everything was put together, there it was, a Do It Yourself (DYI) air cleaner. MacGyver would be proud of the Cook County Story Scouts. Using his sharp mind and vaunted Swiss Army knife, the 1980’s TV detective could figure out how to make practically anything from the few resources he had on hand so he could get out of a tough jam. If anybody liked science, it was MacGyver, and of course, the Story Scouts are much the same. So, safe to say the Story Scouts...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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Tourism continues to be the engine that drives Cook County’s economy. The Cook County year-to-date lodging taxes are up a whopping 30.6 percent compared to the first ten months of 2020. Through October 31, 2021, the county has collected [post_excerpt],617,420.97. Collections for the full twelve months last year were [post_excerpt],268,436.04. The Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association brought in [post_excerpt],039,082.34 for the first ten months of 2021 compared to 2,960.73 for all of 2020. That’s a 30.8 percent increase, although lodging taxes were down about ,000 this October compared to October 2020. Year-to-date apples-to-apples comparisons of the Grand Marais Area Tourism Association shows...
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JULY 2, 1990 Ed Jurgenson was the meat-cutter at the Toftey Store. This photo was taken in 1950 and is courtesy of the Cook County Historical Society.
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Bob McAlister, age 82, of Austin, died Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at Sacred Heart Care Center. Bob was born May 5, 1939, on the east side of Austin to Bill and Josephine McAlister. He spent his childhood enjoying fishing and ice hockey; hobbies that would live on for him throughout his long life. Bob proudly retired from Hormel after forty years and then spent the next twenty in Grand Marais, Minnesota with his wife Shirley. Together they took care of Cut Face Creek Park during that time. Bob loved fishing, golfing, and having a beer with family and countless friends....
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65 YEARS AGOJANUARY 3, 1957 ON THE GUNFLINT TRAIL At Brandt’s on Poplar Lake a few days ago, three wolves were chasing a deer out on the ice. The deer headed for Balsam Grove and came ashore beside the icehouse. Two of the wolves stopped the chase about thirty feet from shore but the largest wolf came as close as the dock before giving up the chase. Bunns have their ice cut at their place on Hungry Jack Lake. They had kept the snow shoveled and had about eighteen inches of ice. Elsewhere on the lake, the ice was about...
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Despite the ongoing pandemic, there were plenty of sweet blessings bestowed on Northland families in 2021. At St. Luke’s, more than 800 babies were born to families from December 2020 through November 2021. The most popular names for girls this year were Hazel (6), and Charlotte, Mila/Myla and Nora (5 each). For the boys, there was a tie for the most popular name. Seven Ashers and seven Olivers arrived at St Luke’s. Parents also got creative with their children’s names, naming tiny new Apollos, Elfriedas, Tillmans and Winnifreds. Other great names included everything from Atlas to Ziibi and some precious...
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Here’s a fun fact I just read it in new book called The Blue Zones Challenge by Dan Buettner. Most New Year’s Resolutions last for 4-6 weeks. Then people go back to their old habits. So, there are two ways to approach this problem. You can do what the experts who follow the people who live the longest suggest and make meaningful changes in sustainable ways, like changing your environment, support group, etc. so that your every move becomes measurably better. OR… you can take my advice and cram an entire year’s worth of workouts into just 4-6 weeks. Look,...
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On Tuesday, December 28, Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm announced that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was updating its guidance on isolation and quarantine for the general public. Malcolm said shortened periods could be applied for how long people should stay home if they test positive (isolation) or are in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 (quarantine). CDC is shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to five days, if asymptomatic, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others. Additionally, CDC is updating the recommended quarantine...
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As I sit here in our VRBO in Decorah, Iowa writing this column we have just finished Anderson Christmas 1.0 and will be celebrating the Holthaus Christmas 2.0 in about two hours. (Cousin Christmas 3.0 has been pushed back to January.) I am understandably tired but not stressed. I guess I have learned to let things go. Easy recipes and disposable pans are lifesavers. Where I really drop the ball is pictures. 16 guests for Christmas Eve and Christmas day and only one photo taken. My parents with a few dogs on their laps as they tried to watch a...
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Happening January 10-March 25, 2022 Amanda St. John, Grand Marais Library Director The Grand Marais Public Library’s Winter Reading Program begins January 10, 2022, and runs through March 25, 2022. This year, the library is expanding its Winter Reading Program to include all ages! The kids’ program kicks off with a story stroll on the lawn. January 10-15, families can walk and read their way through Ezra Jack Keats’s classic The Snowy Day on their way into the library. Kids choose a ‘Read on the Wild Side/Read on the Quiet Side’ activity book designed for their age group—early childhood, school-age,...
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As of December 23, 2021, Cook County recorded 381 case counts of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, but seventeen new cases had been reported in the seven days before December 23, so local health officials are warning residents to take precautions to slow the spread down. To date, there are 4,289 fully vaccinated people in Cook County out of a population of 5,600. That comes out to 78 percent of residents have had all of their vaccinations, the highest percentage in the state, and 83 percent of Cook County residents have had at least one vaccination. After 21...
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We use the term “burnout” to talk about many aspects of our lives, but it’s really an occupational phenomenon. When we’re thinking about how burnout might be impacting us, we can learn a lot by looking at how we feel about our jobs. When we’re burned out: We feel exhausted. There’s too much to do, too little time to do it, and this kind of time crunch happens too often. We feel cynical. We’re removed from, or indifferent to, the work we do. We slide by with the minimum effort required, no longer trying to give our best. We feel...
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Cook County Commissioners approved a final levy of 2.2069 percent at the board's December 21 meeting. The final levy will be ,912.424, an increase of 5,623 over the 2021 levy. In addition, commissioners included a 2.5 percent cost of living (COLA) in 2022 for employees. When it came time to set county board salary and per diems, commissioners passed a resolution granting a 2.5 percent COLA for the board and left the 0 per day per diem for out-of-town meetings the same as it has been. Commissioners haven't had a raise in pay since 2003. The total cost for granting...
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Election time starts now for the West End townships, Candidate filings began December 28 for March elections: Board supervisors, Clerks, Treasurer for Tofte. Gregg Westigard COOK COUNTY – The filing period has started for the annual elections in Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder, the three townships in Cook County. Residents in each of the townships will elect a Supervisor and Clerk in March. In addition, Tofte needs a Treasurer. Candidates for the positions can file their nomination paper for the open positions from now through January 11. The present town board supervisors whose terms are ending have all said they will...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked pine marten, fisher and otter sets. Snowmobile trails were also patrolled. Temperature swings and lack of good snowfall continue to cause varied trail conditions. CO Kylan Hill...
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Jim “Jay” Hunter, 78, passed away December 20, 2021, in Wichita, KS. Survived by his beloved wife Trish (Callen) Hunter of 23 years; son Jamie (Liesel) of Lakewood, Colorado, and grandchildren Max and Taia; siblings Dawn MacDonald, Holly Kirsch, Mary Gable, Denise (Ron) Behm. He is also survived by nine nieces, one nephew, five great-nieces and nephews and numerous cousins. Predeceased by father and mother, James J., Sr. and Florence “Beau” Hunter; brother-in-law George D. Kirsch and nephew Mark Kirsch. Jay cherished his family and loved creating and working on projects with Trish and Jamie. He especially loved spending time...
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I want to live in a country that loves its children more than it loves its guns. Don Davison, Grand Marais
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On December 27, the Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld a lawsuit filed by Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness (NMW) that challenged the adequacy of the state’s nonferrous mining rules. The lawsuit filed by NMW was brought under the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act. At the heart of the matter, NMW contends that the state’s rules for where mines can be built fail to protect the Boundary Waters from potential pollution caused by sulfide-ore copper mining. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was the defendant in the lawsuit and did not challenge the ruling. However, Twin Metals Minnesota, an intervenor in the...
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Twas about a month before Christmas and all through our house the creatures were stirring and even a mouse. Well, the mouse I found had nibbled cheese I had forgotten in my Jeep. Decorations were hung and four trees we did trim. All in anticipation of Santa in hopes we’d see him. December Flurries December sure flew by in a fluster of flurries with fun and a lot of games. We held a holiday sale fundraiser with a great turnout. We should be able to indulge in a few Lutefisk meals with our proceeds. Seriously though, I promise you this...
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Tuesday, December 14 1:43 p.m. Pike Lake Road: Animal Concern. Two dogs took off about an hour ago. One dog is a male yellow lab, about 85 pounds; the other dog is a female German Shepard mix. Caller was house-sitting for a friend when the dogs ran off. Caller was worried the dogs might go after someone’s chickens. About ten minutes later, caller reported that the dogs had returned home. 2:36 p.m. Grand Marais: Fourth Avenue East, Animal Disturbance. Caller wanted to speak to a Conservation Officer about a bobcat that attacked his rabbits on his home property. Wednesday, December...
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Dean Clark Einwalter, former superintendent of Grand Portage National Monument (1987-98) and a tireless advocate for the preservation of public lands, died on December 10, 2021, of complications from Lewy Body Dementia, with his wife and daughters at his bedside. The family thanks the staff of North Shore Hospital in Grand Marais for their attentive and thoughtful care. Dean grew up in Waterloo, Iowa, where he was an avid outdoorsman. He became a lifelong fisherman after a job in his teens as a fishing guide and fish cleaner at Jolly Fisherman Resort in northern Minnesota, and later in life enjoyed...
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Part 1: We were young at the time and only occasionally acting like adults. It was the end of our summer and I suppose we were marking it with a weekend away. We two had worked the summer on the mall on campus in the city. She lived off Hennepin in Uptown and I lived off Hennepin on the other side of downtown. The campus was between us along the river, on Washington Avenue, from which bridge John Berryman committed suicide. It had been our summer and we bookended it with a weekend together like adults. Her parents had a...
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When I think of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, I remember a solemn procession in St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town. I can’t recall what the specific occasion was, but a river of vestments, chasubles, and copes moved slowly down the central aisle. And then, amidst the propriety and pomp, one person cannot contain the joy, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu starts dancing his way toward the altar. That exuberant joy, braided together with a passion for justice, a love (especially) for the marginalized, and a faithful commitment to an often-faltering church and suffering nation—these were the unique mixture that characterized Archbishop Desmond...
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Now that winter has unmistakably and irrevocably arrived, my bird feeding addiction has completely taken over my life. I scatter tons of sunflower seeds on the ground beneath my deck. I order roasted peanuts from Amazon and spread them liberally on the deck railing. I cut up small pieces of suet for my “little” birds and bigger pieces for the Whiskey Jacks. I fill a suet cage to its brim and keep it filled. At least that was what I did at the start of the season, but a brazen Pine Marten has changed my life. The saga began a...
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Non-Profits in Cook County struggling to feed their clients can depend once again Empty Bowls Cook County for financial help. Local businesses, individual donors and a family foundation graciously turned out enabling this virtual Empty Bowls to meet its fundraising goal of ,000. Empty Bowls Cook County is a non-profit 501 c (3) business working to fight food insecurity. This is a volunteer organization with all proceeds, after some minimal costs, going back into the community. Applications are now being accepted from notfor profit organizations serving Cook County’s hunger needs. Not for profit organizations that provide food within their programs...
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On a trip to Grand Marais Jean Brislance came across a small flock of Cedar Waxwings feeding in the mountain ash trees. Said Jean, “Cedar Waxwings have this interesting behavior where they will pass food to each other. I watch this pair pass a berry back and forth to each other until one eventually ate it. They are very social birds, and this is kind of a sweet gesture!”
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Longtime Minnesota forest management professional Rick Horton has been named Executive Vice President of Minnesota Forest Industries (MFI), the association representing Minnesota’s forest products companies. Horton, who for the past three years has been MFI’s Vice President of Forest Policy, is a Wildlife Society Certified Wildlife Biologist with 22 years’ experience advocating for active forest management in Minnesota to provide habitat for a broad array of wildlife species. Prior to joining MFI, Horton was a regional biologist for the National Wild Turkey Federation and a state biologist for the Ruffed Grouse Society. “Rick Horton is respected far and wide for...
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Head Coach Andy Feddema said, "Despite the final, we played more competitively tonight. Defensively, we made Ely work for a lot of their points, and they made a lot of outside shots. Offensively, we moved the ball better, and got more quality looks, we just have to knock them down.” Rohan Rude had 11 points, Denali Blackwell had 8 points, Jacob Dorr had 7 points and 6 rebounds, Derek Smith had 3 points and 7 rebounds, Paul Dorr had 4 points and 13 rebounds, and Isaac Sandstrom had 2 points.
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A “giving” tree sits in the lobby of Arrowhead Cooperative in Lutsen. Placed on the tree are stocking hats, winter gloves, scarves and mittens, with some warm winter clothing in boxes and bags at the base of the tree. These donated items will be gifts to others less fortunate as part of Operation Family Christmas.
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports checking traps on the opening weekend of the fisher and pine marten season. Multiple sets were seen, but they came from only two trap lines. Hopefully activity...
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Supply chain issues abound. At least that’s what they say. It’s in the headlines (though I did not actually read those articles) Late night talk show hosts make jokes about it so it’s probably hard to get some stuff. Also, I happen to know that you procrastinated. You have not bothered to so much as even browse in person, let alone online (well, at least not for anyone else), and now you need a gift. Immediately. The first thing anyone tells you to do in a situation like this is Do Not Panic. But that advice is very unsatisfying. So,...
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Friendly and curious, sweet natured Black capped Chickadees frequent birdfeeders and are a treat to watch. These little birds are very intelligent, possessing 13 vocalizations and remembering where they cached food for several weeks. Also, they even know and say (chick-a-dee, chick-a-dee) their names!
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A week ago, rain and warm weather rid the shore of snow and ice. This dreamscape scene looks (almost) like it could have been shot in summer. Today, the Northland is covered under a foot or more of snow, just in time for Christmas.
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Typically solitary animals, these two bull moose appear to be taking a leisurely stroll together through the snow.
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North Shore Health and ten other Minnesota critical access hospitals with long-term care facilities are seeking to increase their critical access hospital bed capacity as a way to generate more revenue for their operations. NSH Director Kimber Wraalstad said the hospital is working with Judy Erickson and Joe Birkholz from Conservation Strategies Inc. to help the hospital receive legislation needed to increase the hospital bed license from 16-to-25. In order to accomplish this, North Shore Health would place nine licensed nursing home beds in layaway status and designate those beds and space to the hospital and use them as swing...
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A June 2021 report issued to Congress by the Pentagon’s Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), gave conclusive evidence that the skies above us have at times flying objects we can’t identify. Some call them unidentified aria phenomena (UAPPs) while the public knows these aircraft as UFO’s. Where do these strange aircraft come from? Who flies them? Are they from other worlds or is someone on this planet using advanced technology to build these flying machines? No one knows, but recently some strange flights have been recorded over the North Pole. These, however, have top officials even more perplexed. This...
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Cook County Commissioners held a busy, productive meeting on December 14. One of the main topics on the agenda was the Caribou Lake Property Owners Association (CLPOA) request to re-establish the Caribou Lake Area Subordinate Service District (SSD), which was created 2003-2004. The SSD inadvertently lapsed in 2019. As a result, the CLPOA requested that the SSD be terminated from its boundaries and re-established to just the riparian properties within the watershed and institute a one-time special assessment of for each property owner within the district over a five-year period. The goal of the CLPOA request is to provide...
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Not Long ago, our industrious editor punily suggested a column on stone cairns with some special focus on counter-culture folk. He noted that a hot spot for cairn building is the rocky beach route to the lighthouse in the summer. A dictionary (maybe Merriam-Webster) used by Cynthia (see below) says “Cairn” is from Scottish carne, akin to Gaelic carn “heap of stones, rocky hill” and Gaulish karnon “horn,” perhaps from PIE *ker-n- “highest part of the body, horn,” thus “tip, peak” (see horn (n.). Always ready to please our editor, I entered “Stone Cairns” into a search engine; I was...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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If you’d been told, if I’d been told, that we’d be having another Covid Christmas this year— would we have believed it? I wonder, as we celebrate Christmas--The Feast of the Incarnation--how the meaning of incarnation has changed for us during this time of pandemic. Incarnation—from the Latin “carne”--meat as in chili con carne—means God’s entry into our world in flesh. Not God out there, at some great distance, smiling benignly. Not a watchmaker God who has created the world, flung it into space, and stepped back. No, God chose to dive, to become fully immersed in the messiness and...
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The Good Harbor Hill Players presented "Be Thankful for What you Got," a winter Solstice puppet show at North House Folk School on the shortest day of the year, December 21. As many as 100 hearty people attended on this cold, windy night. The puppeteers worked their magic inside, using a window to display the puppets. A planned potluck and bonfire were canceled because of the weather. Attendants, at least some of them, recorded their "gloomies," their fears and worries, on pieces of paper and were going to burn them in the bonfires. Instead, these were burned in other fires...
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Here we go again. Just when business was starting to pick up on the border towns, Canada decided to go ahead and once again mandate that non-essential travelers crossing the land borders to the U.S. must take a PCR test to regain re-entry back into Canada. And while this measure is hard on business, it’s harder on families who are separated by the border and might not get to see each other over the holidays. The new restrictions are also affecting folks living in Ontario in other ways. For example, starting Sunday, December 19, the Ontario province restricted restaurants, bars,...
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During a special meeting, Cook County Commissioners formally handed off County Road 89 to Old Highway 61 to the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa on Wednesday, December 15. The exchange was made at 9:45 a.m. in the RTC building in Grand Portage between Cook County Commissioner Board Chair David Mills and Grand Portage Reservation Tribal Council (RTC) Chair Robert (Bobby) Deschampe. Also in attendance were RTC board members John Morrin, Marie Spry, and the RTC Secretary/Treasurer, April McCormick. Cook County Commissioners at the ceremony included Robert Svaleson (and his wife Kristie), Stacey Hawkins, Ann Sullivan Ginny Storlie, County...
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Did you know that 80% of all adults 65+ have at least one chronic health condition? If you or a loved one have ongoing health concerns such as chronic pain, diabetes, depression, cancer, or have recently fallen, Juniper can help. Through local community networks, Juniper is delivering workshops in communities throughout the state. Workshops are proven to help adults to manage chronic conditions, prevent falls, and Live Well. If you are interested in becoming a class leader, Juniper is looking for volunteers who will educate, motivate, and inspire. No experience? No worries! They provide training in the program that’s right...
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I went and watched some Tucker Carlson. It is a thing I do every so often. And every time I do I wish I had an acid bath to dip my brain and my morality in to remove the corrosion. If you have watched or read the Wheel of Time books, I’d put him up there with the Black Wind that haunts the Ways and consumes all it touches or the shadow that haunts Shadar Logoth and poisons all it touches. If you like the grim world of the Witcher, Tucker would be right at home turning a malleable king...
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20 YEARS AGODECEMBER 24, 2001 v With no snow, the question of how fast snowmobile riders can legally go on public roads is moot. However, that did not prevent a number of riders from attending a public hearing for a new snowmobile ordinance. Pressure from snowmobile enthusiasts carried the day as an ordinance to limit the machine speeds to 30 mph and to a specified number of roads failed by a 3-2 vote. Grand Marais City Council held a short discussion of the city’s dog kennel. According to Mayor Andrea Peterson, the kennel is in such poor condition that law...
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The hospitality business in Cook County has been booming. Through September 1, the Lutsen, Tofte Tourism Association lodging taxes are up 35.9 percent over 2020. Collections are at 2,612.30 already and last year they finished at 2,960.73. The Grand Marais Area Tourism Association is up 40.3 percent through September. So far 0,776.23 has been taken in through September compared to 2020’s year-end total of 1,068.69. The Gunflint Trail Tourism Association reports collections of 8,713.56 through September, a year-to-date apple to apples comparison increase of 14.2 percent over last year at the same time. The one percent local option sales tax...
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Tuesday, December 7 3:46 a.m. Arrowhead Trail: Public Assistance. Caller had been at a cabin on McFarland Lake with three other adults and one five-year-old child. Caller was trying to hike out and return to civilization because they needed to get back for their job. The other three adults and child remained at the cabin; they were safe and warm. The group was snow bound due to mechanical problems; a plow truck got stuck in the snow and a skid loader ran out of hydraulic fuel. The caller had hiked quite some distance (3-5 miles) but started getting cold and...
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I think that the News- Herald has some responsibility, before publishing something, to “fact check” the obvious “false news” in the opinion written by Maty Jo Flack in the As I See it section of the December 18th paper titled “It’s time to ask some questions.” Her comments do not contain one bit of substantiating example to show where she obtained her facts. The COVID-19 pandemic is real, and our hospitals ICU beds are filled to capacity mostly now with unvaccinated people that have ignored the pleas of experts, that she disparages, to get vaccinated. In many hospitals, staff are...
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125,507 Minnesotans signed up for private health coverage by the first coverage deadline On December 16 MNsure reported that over 125,500 Minnesotans had signed up for comprehensive, affordable private health coverage through the state’s health insurance marketplace since the start of the current open enrollment period on November 1. Minnesota’s open enrollment period runs through January 15, 2022. Consumers who select plans by January 15 will have coverage starting February 1, 2022. “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to highlight the importance of comprehensive health insurance for families and individuals across the state,” said MNsure CEO Nate Clark. “We’re pleased that thousands...
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Help us celebrate the best artists and arts advocates in the region. Many of us know an artist or arts advocate that deserves a little more recognition for all they do. Nominate that special artist or arts advocate for the Arrowhead Arts Awards. The deadline for nominations is January 28, 2022. Anyone can nominate. Details of the awards are available at: https://www.aracouncil.org/arrowhead-artsawards George Morrison Artist Award This award recognizes an individual artist whose body of work has made a significant contribution to the arts over an extended period of time. The George Morrison Artist award comes with a ,000 prize....
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This is an inside view of the former Johnson Trading Post. Photo courtesy of the Cook County Historical Society.
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...Share in the Joy of Christ in our midst... Join us to sing Christmas carols, and hear again the Glory of the Christmas Story Friday at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship We all share the desire to cease covid-aimed requests--yet we also want to provide as much ease of mind as possible to those with young children and adults with other additional health worries. So, we ask, please wear facemasks and sit in “safety thoughtful groupings.” 218-475-2439; trinity@boreal.org Our 7 p.m. Christmas Eve worship will be video taped and posted on YouTube following the service. Sunday, December 26, 9:00...
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Grand Marais Public Library is pleased to announce it has once again achieved 5-star ranking in the annual Library Journal Star Libraries standings. Baudette Public Library and Ely Public Library both earned 5-star designations this year, and Two Harbors Public Library earned 4-star status giving Arrowhead Library System 4 of the 5 libraries in Minnesota to achieve this benchmark. Grand Marais Library Director Amanda St. John commented, “It’s tremendously exciting to see our libraries’ commitment to the public and high-quality library service reflected in this report.” Library Journal’s 2021- star rankings are based on data collected by the Institute of...
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Chalk up another successful Grand Marais Audubon Christmas bird count day. The annual event was done with temperatures below freezing and not too much wind, said Grand Marais Audubon Christmas Bird Count Compiler Jeremy Ridlbauer. Folks counted birds in an area that encompasses a 7.5-mile radius circle from a point three miles south of the middle of Devil Track Lake. The count circle covers Highway 61 to the Lindskog Road and north, some of County Road 60, the Gunflint Trail to the landfill road, the Pine Mountain Road to the backside of Elbow Lake, the Devil Track Road to Bally...
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Invasive pests can hitchhike on festive foliage Holiday greenery and Christmas trees bring joy throughout the season, but they can also hide dangerous hitchhikers. Diseases and invasive species can make their way into our landscapes on trees and boughs brought into Minnesota from other states. Pests of concern include elongate hemlock scale, a small insect established in the eastern U.S. where many decorative Fraser firs are grown. Feeding damage from this invasive insect can cause the needles of hemlocks, firs, and spruces to yellow and prematurely drop. Also, boxwood blight and Oriental bittersweet, sometimes found on wreaths and centerpieces, can...
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Turnovers plagued the Vikings in their home game against the Ely Timberwolves that was played on a stormy, cold Tuesday, December 21 evening. And often Ely turned those loose balls into baskets, taking the game 56-38. Rhonnie Poyirier led the Vikings with 17 points. Makenzie Fairbanks also finished in double digits, netting 13. The only other Vikings to score were Kamryn Johnson, who had five points, and Amery Oberg, who finished with three. Fairbanks ended with three made three point shots. Grace Latourell led the Timberwolves with 25 points and Madeline Kallberg finished with 13. The girls are off now...
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In winter, property owners sometimes begin to notice broken branches or branches missing on tree and shrubs. This damage often is a result of deer browsing and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has tips to prevent it. “Hungry deer will eat plants they can access, and that can cause trees and shrubs to become quite ragged or in some cases even die,” said Eric Nelson, DNR wildlife animal damage program supervisor. “Try a few of these tips before deer become a problem— but make sure to first check local ordinances, which may impact some of these practices.” Eliminate food...
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The holiday season is definitely upon us, and for some of us it’s stressful. For others it’s sheer joy. It sort of snuck up on me this year—and I’m scrambling. I remember sitting in Santa’s lap to tell him about the Betsy Wetsy doll or Dale Evans cowgirl outfit I yearned for, then writing him letters in case he might forget. Once I was older, Aunt Jeanette took me Christmas shopping in downtown Minneapolis. I warm at the memory of walking beside her down Nicollet Avenue in a snowfall, marveling at the sparkly Christmas window displays before ducking into Woolworth’s....
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Snow, lots of snow has blanketed Cook County which makes for great cross skiing, snowshoeing, downhill skiing and snowmobiling. Locally, we have quite a few groups who maintain cross country ski trails. Here is a trail grooming report from Wednesday, December 22. Cook County has more than 400 km of cross country ski trails for visitors and locals to enjoy Pincushion trails Dec. 22, 2021: Oh, what a beautiful morning! We got a welcome snowfall yesterday which set up nicely on the thin frozen base. Green trails have been groomed (Upper and Lower Snowman, West and East Overlook), and the...
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A young Vikings boys basketball team is finding early-season play to be challenging, running into two very talented teams over their first two basketball games of the season. Last week, Cherry held them to under 20 points, and on Friday, December 17, the Vikings played 2A Moose Lake-Willow River and fell 72-17. Leading the Vikings was Derek Smith with eight points and four rebounds. Paul Dorr had three points and five rebounds. Jacob Dorr finished with four points, and Recko Helmerson-Skildum had two points in the game. Viking Head Coach Andy Feddema said his team never gave up, playing hard...
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Proctor/Hermantown Invite The North Shore Storm Nordic Skiers were anxious to be on skis. Prior to the Proctor/Hermantown Invite on Thursday, December 9, Cook County skiers had faithfully attended dry land practices. A few days before the meet, it finally snowed. While all the Duluth area schools had trained on manufactured snow for more than two weeks at the Grand Avenue Nordic Center, most of the NS Storm skiers (including athletes from Two Harbors) had only been on skis for 3 days before the meet. Not to be deterred, all the kids were smiling and sporting great attitudes as they...
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Anglers in some parts of Minnesota have been venturing onto the ice for several weeks, while water remains open in other parts of the state. So far in December, weather in the state—which has included rain, snow and fluctuating temperatures—has affected ice-making and impacted ice that’s already formed. As a result, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources stresses the importance of checking ice thickness with a spud bar, auger or other device before stepping out onto it. Do not rely on other people’s footprints, tracks or social media posts. Anglers and others who recreate on the ice should stay on...
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If you’re looking for a “cool” place to sit down, this is the spot for you. The recent big winds blew up the lake and sent waves crashing across the Coast Guard parking lot. The result was a plethora of ice sculptures like the one above.
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In February 2021, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, with collaborative support from primary community partners: Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Cook County School District ISD 166 and Cook County Public Health and Human Services, and with the support of many other local organizations, was awarded the 2-year Community-based Navigation Model, Local Community Resource Hub grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). Year 1 (2021) is dedicated to capacity building, needs assessments and research with Wilder Research Foundation, as well as ongoing collaborative relationship building with community partners and families. Year 2 (2022) transitions into full model implementation, as...
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Since December 15, 2021, Cook County has recorded 364 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. During the month of November there were 77 confirmed positive cases of covid in the county. The break down in ages for those folks was 0-18: 28; 19-50: 22; 50-65: 11; and 65 and over: 16. In Cook County 4,244 folks are fully vaccinated out of the county’s 5,600 population. For the latest update on covid, go the Cook County website to learn about the latest vaccination events and latest numbers of confirmed covid cases.
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A telephone scam is targeting residents nationwide in an attempt to gain banking information from unsuspecting residents. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and officers nationwide are continuing to receive numerous calls from residents concerned about unsolicited calls from scammers posing as U.S. Border Patrol agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. Residents are reporting the calls are a pre-recorded message stating, “a box of drugs and money being shipped has your (callers) name on it and it has been intercepted.” The caller is then instructed to press #1 to speak with a CBP Officer/Agent, which then attempts to...
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Donna Lunke recently announced her retirement as an agent for the State Farm Agency. Donna, a 1974 graduate of Cook County High School, will now have more time for herself, her husband, and the organizations she volunteers for. Below are a few questions Donna was asked and her replies. Q- How long have you worked for State Farm Insurance? “A few months short of 30 years.” Q- What has been the biggest reward(s) in working for the company? “That’s a really easy one! My people. Clients have become my friends over the years and my friends became clients. My young...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Citing economic concerns to surrounding communities and a lack of communication, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) wrote a letter to the United State Forest Service demanding they not cut Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) quotas for 2022. The letter was sent to Randy Moore, chief, United States Forest Service on December 13. A recent decision by the Superior National Forest to curtail up to 13 percent of BWCA permits prompted this response from the Congressman, “Following a record-breaking year, I am incredibly disappointed to learn that the Forest Service plans to cut permits for entry to the Boundary Waters Canoe...
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How diligent are powers that be in collecting all data on numbers physically harmed including but not limited to death by COVID- 19 vaccinations? Where’s that data for public realm access? If not available, why not? What are long term detrimental effects of the jab? On children? Data please? Or is it too soon to give actual “scientific” data two years into Covid? As a matter of fact: “The US FDA is cooperating with the Freedom of Information Act requesting for clinical data associated with Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine but may require 75 years to do so— even longer than a...
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On December 14, the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board gave approximately .5 million in loans, .1 million in community grants, million in K-12 school collaboration funds, [post_excerpt].4 million in higher education funds, and .2 million in mining fund rebates were approved to advance projects in northeastern Minnesota. The total combined project investment is approximately 7.7 million. The projects are expected to increase the regional tax base, create permanent and construction jobs, provide essential services, improve education and expand outdoor recreation and mining. The loans are anticipated to impact 19.5 jobs and create 32 construction jobs. The infrastructure projects...
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It turns out the 18-inch December 6 snowfall at Golden Eagle Lodge, as reported by the National Weather Service, wasn’t the most snow that fell that day in the county. Gary J. Maciejewski, Lutsen, said, “At Tait Lake, we received 21.2” of snowfall which would appear to be the record snowfall for Cook County. That snowfall figure is accurate because I am a volunteer for the Minnesota Climatological Network, and I use the proper cylinder to measure any snowfall. I am sorry that I didn’t send this report in sooner, but I did want to correct the record about the...
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The Cook County Shore Substance Use Recovery Court (SURC) celebrated its fifth anniversary on October 19, 2021. Six people have graduated from the Court program that covers both Cook and Lake counties, and currently has 13 people enrolled. "We are a hybrid Treatment Court, meaning we take those with drug and DWI offenses," said Courtney Parzych, Treatment Court Coordinator for the Sixth Judicial District of MN. "Our mission is to provide evidence-based intervention to high-risk, high-need offenders with substance use disorders by requiring increased accountability and restoring participants to law-abiding productivity and empowering them to change their lives." SURC uses...
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Just in time for Christmas, two authors known to Northlanders will be appearing at the Mountain Shop at Lutsen Mountains to sign copies of their (new) books. Kristy Boike authored “Rise Up Little Bluebirds,” a sweet tale of grief and community. A New Prague, Minnesota mother of four, Kristy was a pre-school teacher and stay-at-home mom before her mother, a nurse, came down with cancer and died at the age of 60. During her mother’s 18-month struggle and then passing, she watched her father, Ron, deal with his grief by making birdhouses for Bluebirds. “Bluebirds were my mother’s favorite bird,”...
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Erik Simula grew up in the small city of Duluth, Minnesota but he dreamed of being a wilderness guide. When he was seventeen, Erik moved to Ely, Minnesota and, working with Outward Bound, took a big step towards fulfilling that dream. One of his tasks was working with sled dogs. Erik immediately found a new passion. In 1986, Erik was 21 years-old. He went to Alaska to work the fishing season. The work was demanding but he had a plan. Erik saved his money and bought his first team of sled dogs. Erik brought the dogs back to a cabin...
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Northeast Minnesota residents with an idea to strengthen their community can now apply for partnership support from the University of Minnesota Extension Northeast Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (Northeast RSDP). Northeast RSDP supports local innovation by connecting community ideas to University of Minnesota resources. Community members work on diverse project teams that research, design and plan local sustainability projects with University students, faculty and staff. Northeast RSDP seeks ideas from diverse populations and those who have not previously partnered with the University. In 2022, Northeast RSDP will prioritize projects in RSDP’s focus areas that foster a resilient food system that provides...
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This final piece in a three-part series explores what has happened since the Ojibwe people and U.S. government negotiated and signed the 1854 Treaty at La Pointe. There are many aspects of the treaty, but the article that has garnered the most attention states that the tribes can continue hunting and fishing on the ceded territory. These rights haven’t always been upheld throughout the years, and the tribes have fought in court to be able to continue these practices on their homeland. Experts say the warming climate and more variable weather caused by climate change threaten species in the region...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has received a new request for negotiated nonferrous metallic minerals lease amendments from Vermillion Gold, Inc. (Vermillion). Vermillion holds state metallic mineral leases in Itasca and St. Louis counties and has been actively exploring for nonferrous minerals for a number of years. Vermillion’s current request seeks to add 120 acres of state-owned minerals to existing state metallic minerals leases located between the cities of Virginia and Gilbert. The DNR has posted information on its website about this new negotiated lease amendment request, including interactive web maps and details for how to submit public input....
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As congress rolls out its [post_excerpt].2 trillion dollar infrastructure funding, what effect will it have on climate change? The amount of fossil fuel burned for the production of cement, crushing of aggregate, manufacturing of steel reinforcement and that supplied for transportation of these materials will be monumental. The amount of emissions created by construction equipment rebuilding the highways, bridges and water/sewer infrastructure will add millions more tons of carbon to the atmosphere. Traffic delays and re-routes will add even further carbon emissions. One hand of congress offers a New Green Deal, while the other hand compounds the problem of climate...
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A red fox looks to be on the hunt as it makes its way through sugar snow. During the winter the red fox grows a thick tail that it wraps around its body to keep warm in the cold. A fox will also grow thick fur on its paws. This help to insulate them from the snow and it also helps them stay upright on slippery surfaces.
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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How do you measure success? Girl Scout 4112 has one answer and that is by the number of smiling excited children (and we hope adults too) that came through Santa’s Workshop this weekend. We had elves (Winifred Walters, Lily and Leah Belmore, Mali Shields, Mia Arnold, Becky Frost) who had the best task of helping little shoppers find just the right gift for family and friends. Then presents went to the wrapping station (Rita Lee Walters, Op Shields, Heather Belmore) where they readied presents to be placed under the tree. The tables were filled with generous donations from Oddz &...
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A common belief is that antlers are for fighting during the rut and for defense against predators. They are formidable and effective weapons which can be used in both situations. However, there is considerable potential to cause injury or death to an opponent of the same species. That is not in the best interest of the population. The problem of them having developed for use against predators is that females would have a greater need for them, than would the males, in order to protect their young. Also, the greatest need for defense against predators is during winter and most...
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A bobcat peers intently from the brush. Known as elusive and nocturnal, these beautiful cats are hard to spot in the wild.
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Deer hunters seeking additional opportunities can harvest deer in late season chronic wasting disease management hunts along the Minnesota-North Dakota border. Hunting dates are Friday, Dec. 17, through Sunday, Dec. 19, and Friday, Dec. 31, through Sunday, Jan. 2. Deer permit areas along the border open to the CWD management hunts are 261 and 262. Hunters may participate in the hunts on both dates. CWD sampling is mandatory for all deer harvested during both hunts. This sampling is needed to determine if CWD exists in the deer herd within DPAs 261 and 262. Harvested deer must be taken to a...
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City Administrator Mike Roth addressed the city council on December 8, and he told the council that not much had changed since the board set the 2022 preliminary budget in September. One unknown said Roth is that the city didn’t have a contract with the union yet, and he didn’t expect that would be done by the time the levy has to be passed at the council’s last meeting in December. Roth said the city made [post_excerpt].4 million at the Rec Park this year. But, he added that was because of “primo” conditions this past year with the weather, and...
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Jean Fredeen, age 79, died peacefully in the early hours of December first. She was preceded in death by parents Carl and Dorothy; and twin brother Dean. She is survived by her husband Tom; three sons Jon (Ingrid), Jeff (Alissa), and Jeremy (Jessica); and grandchildren Sophia, Alex, Max, Annika, Wyatt, Susie, and Tommy. She was born in Rockford, Illinois, and attended Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she studied English and benevolently reigned as Homecoming Queen. Soon after, she found herself on a blind date that would lead to 56 years of marriage, three children, a menagerie of pets,...
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You will want to read this book. Perusing a recent Northern Wilds issue, The Inconvenient Indian came across my ken. The evocative ad printed with this column shows this curious subtitle: “A Curious Account of Native People in North America.” Intrigued, I ordered the book online and was prompted to write this column. The author, Thomas King, disclaims the title given by his book jacket, “… one of Canada’s premier public intellectuals,” but he is too modest. He has distilled several hundred years of Native American history in a readable, sad, funny “history.” History in quotation marks because he will...
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I have a confession to make. As of this writing I haven’t put up my Christmas decorations. No tree, no garlands atop the bookcase, not even a “Welcome Santa” door mat. It isn’t that I lack the Christmas spirit, it’s just that dang dining room table. Yes, I’m blaming a table for my lack of performance, and some of you will know too well what I’m talking about. No matter how hard I try to be neat and tidy, my dining room table always ends up as a catch-all for ‘stuff.” Unfortunately, it’s also the starting point of my Christmas...
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The Cook County High School girls’ basketball team traveled to Cherry Minnesota on December 10 to face the always tough Cherry Tigers and the results weren’t pretty. Behind a withering defense, Cherry took the contest 67-17. Rhonnie Poyirier led Viking scorers with seven points. Kamryn Johnson had three, Makenzie Fairbanks had three, Anelicia Poyirier two and Katie Peck two. Viking Head Coach Kelly Hawsen said the game was tough, but the kids played hard throughout. “Cherry pressed until the last 12 minutes of the second half. We struggled with keeping the ball and shooting percentage,” Hawsen said. “We have a...
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A young boys' Viking basketball team opened its 2021-2022 season against a veteran Mountain Iron- Buhl (MI-B) team on Thursday, December 10 in Mountain Iron, and the game was never close, with Cook County falling 72-23. Derek Smith finished with nine points and four rebounds. Paul Dorr had nine points, Denali Blackwell three points, and Recko Helmerson-Skildum finished with two points and three rebounds. Two juniors, Asher Zubich and Nikolas Jesch led MI-B. Zubich netted 27 points, shooting 73 percent on 11 of 15 from the field. Jesch added 22 points while making nine of 16 shots to average 56...
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Government websites aim to provide useful, timely, and up to date information. Typical information found on government websites range from organizational values and mission statements to press releases and news stories. In addition to providing accurate and timely information, good government websites also make it easier to obtain services. Increasingly, an organization’s ability to provide valuable information and services to the public through a website is becoming more and more dependent on its ability to keep up with both the changing ways people use the internet, as well as the continuous changes of said information and service provided. If the...
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GALA DAY FOR THE OLD DULUTH BOAT CLUB Ed Hedstrom recently shared some Duluth newspapers from the 1920s and 1930s. This photo is from the ROTOGRAVURE SECTION of the Sunday Duluth News Tribune dated April 26, 1936. The caption reads: This was a gala day for the old Duluth Boat Club at the foot of Sixth Avenue West. Notice the old Lake Front Hotel in the background, the two steamers at the pier, and the sportsmen, including one in a tub.
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The Cook County Commissioners in partnership with the Grand Portage Reservation Tribal Council are hosting the ‘Treaties Matter’ exhibit on the first and second floors of the Cook County Courthouse through December 31. Following display at the courthouse, the 20-poster exhibit will travel to Grand Portage for visitors to view at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. The Treaties Matter exhibit, also available virtually at treatiesmatter.org, is meant to educate on, “how Dakota and Ojibwe treaties with the U.S. government affected the lands and lifeways of the Indigenous peoples of the place now called Minnesota and why these binding agreements...
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20 YEARS AGODECEMBER 17, 2001 v Last summer sled dog racers and mushing enthusiasts were disappointed when the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa canceled the 330-mile Grand Portage Passage Sled Dog race. After three years, the Passage was arguably the biggest and best sled dog race in the lower 48. However, disappointment has been replaced by raves as it has been announced that the smaller eight-dog 120-mile race would continue this winter. The event will be run on January 19, with the first musher leaving the casino at 2 p.m. Currently 62 teams have signed up; the race...
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Last week Activities Director Kris Bautch (standing) was busy teaching folks how to make flower arrangements at the Hub/Cook County Senior Center. Bautch, a former florist, had a lot of neat tricks up her sleeve to share with the class.
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Recent big snow falls have kept the plow trucks busy. Above, the Cook County Highway Department plows snow drifts on the Bay Road in Grand Portage.
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A big thank-you to the fantastic volunteers in Grand Marais! In every area of assignment, every volunteer has exhibited spirit, helpfulness, and encouragement rarely seen in the business of today. Please know, volunteers, it is noticed and appreciated. My hero of the month is Jim Wiinanen, who shows true grit and quality of character. Thanks to each and every volunteer in Grand Marais and beyond. The future looks brighter! Sincerely, Pearl Muus,Grand Marais
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking snowmobilers and anglers. He attended training at Camp Ripley and worked on equipment. Enforcement action was taken for multiple snowmobile violations. CO Mary...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the potential punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Jason Lee Erkkila, 42, Lakeville, Minnesota, pled guilty on December 1, 2021, to a petty misdemeanor of Deer Hunting with Aid or Use of Bait on November 6, 2021. Fines and fees total 5. Alicia Charlene Klinker, 32, Silver Bay, Minnesota, pled guilty on December...
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I have been struggling to get into the holiday season this year. The tree is up but ornaments seem to be very slow going. Presents are bought but only a few wrapped and don’t even get me going on outdoor Christmas lights. Everything seems to take a mountain of effort. I’ve tried to remedy the situation with hours of Christmas music, taking a class on outdoor patio pot decorating and a full day of the Hallmark Channel in which I just yelled at the television... it’s the same story over and over! You know you love each other! The UPS...
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The winter solstice is nearly upon us. There are many things associated with this day. It is the first day of winter. It is also the longest night of the year. There is a precise time of day, 9:58 a.m., where the sun is at its lowest height in the sky. But the most important thing about the Winter Solstice is that this is the shortest day of the year. Yes, the winter solstice is the single worst day to work on your tan but it’s also an opportunity to just get right to it. Thus, to make the most...
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The racecourse for the Gunflint Mail run has changed from previous years and this is an update from the article that appeared in the Cook County News-Herald two weeks ago. This year, the races will leave from Mid Trail Lodge and go out the Trail and back. The 8-dog teams will turn around at Kings Road - across from Gunflint Lodge. The 12-dog teams will turn around at Blankenburg Pit. Each race includes two runs, and teams will be back at Mid Trail in the early and mid-afternoon for a mandatory rest. That means spectators will have a number of...
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A husband-and-wife team noted for their efforts to help those less fortunate began Small Requests, a way to help those in need, and from that small beginning, other folks have chipped in to fill a gap. But how did it come about? "Small Requests was born when the first stimulus check arrived in the mail," said Donna Lunke, who, with her husband, Orvis, has long helped others, often silently. "We had always filled a need that we heard of in Cook County, be it a pair of shoes for a high school student, snow pants for a kiddo, a scholarship...
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The old Saigon Zoo is located at one end of the great French-colonial presidential boulevard, some few city blocks up from the old U.S. embassy, which was fortified to keep the Viet Cong out and the South Vietnamese in. On April 30th, 1975, Chinese-made Soviet T-54 tanks rolled onto the boulevard, some approaching the embassy with guns up towards the helicopters hovering around the roof, some tanks rolling up to the gates of the zoo, inside of which a pitched battle was taking place. The zoo’s inhabitants in the first few years following lived about as well (or poorly) as...
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On December 10, 2021, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported 34 new cases of COVID-19 in Lake County. This is the highest number of daily new cases in Lake County since the start of the pandemic. The previous record high was 22 cases on November 21, 2020, during the fall surge of COVID-19 last year. The total number of reported COVID-19 cases in Lake County since the start of the pandemic now totals 1,398. MDH also confirmed the death of a Lake County resident, bringing the total number of COVID-19 deaths to 26. “This is certainly not where we...
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More than 10,300 Veterans and spouses are interred among the three State Veterans Cemeteries. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is dedicated to providing Cemetery visitors a sense of warmth, comfort and support as they spend time with their family members at their final resting place. During the winter holidays, in particular, MDVA works to create a special environment where meaningful, one-of-a-kind memories can be shared. This environment is enhanced by beautiful, fragrant memorial wreaths that are placed on all headstones. MDVA wants to continue this important tradition but needs funding assistance from the community to bring the effort...
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Cook County, along with communities across the State, are recognizing County, City, Tribal, and State Health and Human Services Worker Day in Minnesota on Wednesday, December 8, following a proclamation by Governor Tim Walz. “This is an opportunity to recognize the valuable work performed by all Cook County Public Health & Human Services staff throughout the year,” said Alison McIntyre, Director – Cook County Public Health & Human Services. “Every staff member within the Public Health and Human Services department plays an important role in fulfilling our mission of supporting the health, safety and well-being of the community. During the...
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20 YEARS AGODECEMBER 10, 2001 v In light of state pollution control red tape, the planned sewer project in the west end appeared to come to a halt late last fall. It was temporarily brought back to life at the last county board meeting. At that time, commissioners voted to pay for a number of pipes to be installed under the roadbed now under construction by the state Department of Transportation. The pipes will not be used until and unless the state pollution control requirements for the project can be be satisfied. vLoggers, paper mills and lumber mills received some...
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Dr. Sandy Stover is the newest addition to the Cook County medical team. Hailing from Minnetonka, Minnesota, Dr. Stover is an avid canoer.
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Mark Crowl most recently of Bullhead City Arizona, passed away on December 5, 2021. Mark had been suffering from a chronic illness for several months. Mark is survived by his daughter, Catlin of St. Paul, Minnesota and siblings Barbara, Beth, David, Karen and Richard along with dozens of nieces and nephews. Mark was predeceased by his parents Peg and Ralph Crowl of New Ulm, Minnesota. Mark was a favorite of the younger family members as he was a most entertaining uncle. Mark, who had recently retired, spent his career in the hospitality business. Mark held management positions with several resorts...
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As we enter the holiday season and begin all of the activities associated with it, there are some things we need to consider so that everyone can enjoy themselves to the fullest. Here are a few tips ranging from public safety to protecting yourself from fraud and theft. This season reflects the highest number of instances for credit card fraud. Forty three percent of identity theft cases and occasions for theft of credit card information occur while people are shopping for holiday gifts. Online shopping and purchases made over the internet are targeted by thieves who attempt to gain your...
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This white tail buck seems to live by the motto “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” And look at how healthy he is, it seems to be working!
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I’ve spent over 210,000 hours of my 72 years snoozing. That’s about 1250 weeks, 312 months, or 26 years of solid sleep. And I’ve loved every minute of it. But has it been enough? I usually sleep eight hours a night—that is, when I sleep. Sometimes it’s a challenge, as it is with many of my friends. Too many. How much is enough? The Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get 7-9 hours, while younger people need more (up to 17 hours for infants). To determine your own sleep needs, try a week of going to bed eight hours before you...
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An angler caught a muskellunge weighing 55 pounds, 14 ounces, from Mille Lacs Lake that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has certified as a weight-based state record. The previous record was a 54-pound muskie caught from Lake Winnibigoshish in 1957. Although news of the fish has spread quickly in the news and social media, a record is not official until the certification process is complete. Nolan Sprengeler caught the muskie on Nov. 22, with friends Kevin Kray and Zack Skoglund. Their plan was to fish the afternoon until after moonrise, which was about 8 p.m. After some delay due...
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Heritage? We don’t take heritage too seriously. For some of our Scandinavian ancestors it would be sinful to take ourselves too seriously (but some of us did, devil-may-care). For the Celtic and Teutonic ancestors, it’s probably better off for everyone that we don’t take it none too seriously. There was a mass-market hardcover bestseller back in the 90s, “How the Irish Saved Civilization,” and I thought, cripes, I ain’t met one yet that could save a pint for the next morning. Or save the soft peat from under his feet. Let alone save civilization. You might come from native peoples....
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On December 7, 2021, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released its November Budget Forecast, projecting that the state will have a .7 billion budget surplus for FY 2022-2023. This would be a record surplus for the state of Minnesota. MMB releases detailed analyses of state finances in November and February, providing the Legislature with a guide for their work. According to state economist Dr. Laura Kalambokidis, the projected surplus and revenues are driven by strong growth in income, consumer spending, and corporate profits. The surplus does not include unspent federal money from the American Rescue Plan or the recent infrastructure...
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Are you confused by “Use By” or “Sell by” dates on food? Don’t be. The U.S.A. Food & Drug Administration and Inspection Service (FSIS) estimates that between the food industry and consumers, Americans are throwing away about one-third of our food each year at the cost of 1 billion. According to the USDA, “Consumer uncertainty about the meaning of the dates that appear on the labels of package foods is believed to contribute to about 20 percent of food waste in the home. That’s not surprising when you consider the variety of terms used with date labels, such as “use...
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As most readers of this paper may remember, last July I wrote an As I See It column about my problems in getting a downstairs apartment at Grand Marais Apartments. This is a 16-unit complex; four downstairs one-bedroom units and 12 two-bedroom units, of which eight are upstairs. We are managed by NETA, a management company based in Fargo that was hired by the local Grand Marais Apartments board. NETA refuses to budge on their new rule of only two or more people in a two-bedroom unit. Health is not a consideration. Several agencies were very helpful in trying to...
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Sunday, November 149:39 a.m. Old Shore Road: Animal disturbance. Callerreported that severed and dismembered animal parts werefound on the beach just west of Passion Pit. This included asevered deer head and a whole buck carcass. Eagles and Ravens were circling the area, scavenging. Caller believed theanimals were poached and dumped there illegally. A Conservation Officer was contacted. Investigation is ongoing. Wednesday, November 242:15 p.m. South Gunflint Lake: Fraud/Scam/ID theftattempt. Caller reported that she had received a phone callfrom a 388 number declaring that her credit card was goingto be charged 0 for an Amazon purchase. She believed itwas a scam...
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On Tuesday, December 1, Canadians were given a nod of approval to make short trips across the border, 72 hours or less, without needing to prove they had passed a molecular COVID-19 test. The arrival of Canadians to places like Ryden’s Border Store and the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino has been a blessing. Ryden’s is a popular place for Canadians to fill up for gas on their way west to Duluth or the Twin Cities. It is also a drop-off for parcels and packages. The duty-free store which was closed through much of the pandemic has also been a...
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In the spirit of the Holiday Season, The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center, the Bong Book Club, Richard I. Bong American Legion Auxiliary, and the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post #435 are once again looking for donations for the Silver Bay Minnesota Veterans Home. The program started 12 years ago to bring some holiday cheer to area veterans. Bring donations to the Center by December 20th and place them in the box located in the lobby. The gifts should be unwrapped, and you may include your name on the gift or donate anonymously. Suggested gift items include candy,...
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Robert Burton Haring was born August 24th,1922 in Marquette, Michigan, and left for Heaven on December 4th, 2021, from Grand Marais, Minnesota. He was born to Leslie and Florence Haring, joining his older brother Vern, with brothers Bill, Burt, and Kenny coming along in later years. Raised on a depression era farm, the boys worked hard and walked quite a distance to school. When Pearl Harbor occurred, Bob joined the Army, and rode the troop train to California to Camp Cooke and learned to march at the Santa Anita racetrack. He trained in equipment mechanics and desert warfare, expecting to...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Kenneth E. Lind, 92, of Waterloo, Iowa, died Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at the University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics. He was born May 31, 1929, in Sioux City, Iowa, son of Christian & Kristine Lind. He married Beverly Hurt in 1957. Mr. Lind was a graduate of Cedar Falls High School; attended Colorado State College and the University of Northern Iowa (ISTC) and graduated with degrees in Industrial Technology and Earth Science. Kenneth was employed at the Aeronautical Chart & Information Center in St. Louis, MO, and later with the City of Waterloo as a City Planner and also...
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The 14th annual Subaru Share the Love® Event will help deliver nutritious meals and compassion to seniors in Northeast Minnesota. AEOA is proud to announce that it will be participating in the 2021 Subaru Share the Love Event as a member of Meals on Wheels America – one of four national Share the Love charitable partners supported through the campaign. From November 18, 2021, through January 3, 2022, Subaru of America will donate 0 for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased to the customer’s choice of participating charities. Marilyn Ocepek, AEOA Director of Senior and Nutrition Services, said “The...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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It once was commonly believed that temperature controlled the antler (and breeding) cycle of the deer family and most other species. A study in Poland in 1954 was the first to demonstrate that the antler growth cycle was controlled by change in daylight hours throughout the year (photoperiod). Shortly after the start of antler growth in spring, a group of red deer (a very close relative of our elk) were shut in a dark building from 4 p.m. – 8 a.m. each day. This change from the lengthening daylight hours of spring to the daylight hours of winter caused the...
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Last February, with the help of Visit Cook County’s Linda Jurek, I sent information on our “One Moose Apart” program to the Smithsonian. I recently heard from the staff of the Medicine and Science section; they want to include One Moose Apart in their collection of materials on the COVID-19 pandemic. The form to submit materials requests a personal narrative. Here is an edited version: Cousin Peggy Kidwell, a retired Smithsonian Curator, learned of the One Moose Apart campaign in our Christmas/Valentine’s Day letter. She inquired, and I went to our Visitors Bureau; Linda Jurek readily supplied me with posters...
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On Thursday, December 2, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission found Minnesota Power’s November 1 rate request filing complete and approved interim rates for the company’s customers. This is the first step of a longer process to evaluate Minnesota Power’s most recent request to change its rates. The decision will increase rates by approximately seven percent for residential customers and approximately 14 percent for all other customers, effective January 1, 2022. Under the change, monthly bills for the average residential customer will increase by about .89. These interim rates will remain in effect until final rates are decided by MPUC, likely...
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Who, who are you to stare at me? Suggests the look on this snowy owl's face. Judging from this picture, getting into a staring contest against a snowy owl seems like a bad idea. Summering in the arctic where they also breed, a snowy owl can eat more than 1,600 lemmings. If a snowy owl feels threatened, they have been known to dive at people, and one was seen going after two arctic wolves. A snowy owl banded in Massachusetts in 1992 was captured in Montana in 2015, making her at least 23 years, 10 months old, which is longest...
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Lutsen Mountains was the only Minnesota ski facility named to Family Skiers “Best Family Ski Resorts,” for 2021-2022. Boasting 95 runs over four mountains and a maximum vertical drop of 825 feet, Lutsen Mountains is the largest ski hill in the Midwest. “Lutsen’s terrain, vibe, and great setting make it an excellent family ski destination. As families look for resorts that can accommodate everyone on the trip, Steamboat’s features make it a great destination to consider,” said Paul Miller, Founder. The list was created with input from a panel of ski enthusiasts, parent and travel bloggers, and other ski writers....
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the potential punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Jennifer April Meshake, 37, Grand Portage, Minnesota, pled guilty on November 22, 2021, to a misdemeanor of DWI, Driving While Impaired, Operating a Motor Vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration higher than 0.08 within two hours of the incident on July 6, 2021. Sentenced to...
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The North Shore Music Association (NSMA) will present Sone de México Ensemble’s “Beyond the Music: A Musical Geography of Mexico” on Friday, December 10, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The program is free of charge to the public and is family friendly. The 60-minute English-language lecture/demo with the theme “Beyond the Music: A Musical Geography of Mexico” features a slide show, videos, and a lecture by two-time GRAMMY-Award nominated ethnomusicologist Juan Díes and members of the Sones de México Ensemble. The event is sponsored in part by a grant to Sones de México by the National Endowment for the Arts....
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The Cook County High School girls opened their 2021-2022 season at home against the North Woods Grizzlies on December 3 and fell 50-34. Katie Peck led the team in scoring, netting 12 points. Rhonnie Poyirer added nine, Makenzie Fairbanks five, and the following players each scored two points for the Vikings, Amery Oberg, Molly Quello, Kamryn Johnson and E Deschampe. Both Katie and Rhonnie had one three-pointer in the game. For much of the first half the Vikings stayed close, but the second half the taller North Woods team used its height to pull away. Trailing 37-18 in the second...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked early ice anglers and muzzleloader hunters. He worked a complaint of a person living on state land, assisted with a case and followed up on past...
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Katie Mumm caught his bull moose in a Balasana yoga pose. Okay, so this big fellow has some work to do before he masters that pose, but hey, he’s working on it. Or maybe Mr. Moose is getting some sugar snow to lick? Or maybe, just maybe, he’s proposing to a Ms. Moose — just out of camera range — to get married? Who knows for sure what he was up to, or down to, but it’s unusual to see a moose stoop so low, or stoop at all, for that matter.
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Eighteen cases of COVID-19 were reported over seven days bringing the total case count to 341 for Cook County since the start of the pandemic. That was December 2. On December 7 four new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the county and last week the county had its first person die who had contracted the coronavirus. Throughout the region, six people died in Northeastern Minnesota of COVID-19 on December 7. Three perished in Itasca County and three in St. Louis County. There was a total of 639 new COVID- 19 cases in Northeastern Minnesota’s seven counties on December 7....
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There is a long tradition of throwing this hearty holiday baked good known as “the fruitcake” under the bus. There are top ten lists – Things to do with a fruitcake! 7) Paperweight; 4) Doorstop; 2) Anchor your boat. One town in Colorado holds an annual fruitcake toss. And the first late night titan, Johnny Carson, cracked a good one about there being only one fruitcake in the entire world and people keep sending it to each other. Making fun of the fruitcake is low hanging dried fruit, so to speak, and I want in. Pound for pound, unless you’re...
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Deer feeding and attractant bans expand; fall sampling shows CWD prevalence remains low A newly discovered instance of chronic wasting disease in the Brainerd Lakes area will result in three more years of sampling and other disease management efforts for that area. In addition, following the confirmation of a CWD-positive deer in late October in Polk County near the North Dakota border, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will expand its deer feeding and attractant ban to include most of northwestern Minnesota. “These are precautionary but necessary measures,” said Michelle Carstensen, wildlife health program supervisor for the Minnesota DNR. “Continued...
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An increase in visitors to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) over the last two seasons has been a boon to area resorts and outfitters, but the wilderness has also suffered damage from some irresponsible (or unknowing) campers and canoeists. In light of the one-million acre parks increased popularity largely brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Forest Service has announced it will decrease the number of permits for overnight canoe trips at certain entry points from May 1 through September 30, 2022. Just where exactly those reduction in entry point permits will take place isn’t yet known,...
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Editor’s note: This is the second story in a three-part series that dives into the details, history and ramifications of the 1854 Treaty of La Pointe and the ongoing efforts to ensure the rights guaranteed in the treaty are upheld. By Natalie Rademacher Henry C. Gilbert and David B. Herriman went to La Pointe on Madeline Island in 1854 to negotiate a treaty that gave the United States the homelands of the Lake Superior and Mississippi Chippewa. The U.S. was trying to expand its territory and miners and loggers wanted resources from the region. About 4,000 Anishinaabe people gathered on...
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The assessor’s office is increasing valuations of property in Cook County at an alarming rate, by 30 to 50 percent in some cases. Concurrently the county, hospital, school and EDA also will add their individual levies for 2022. Since Cook County tax revenue will automatically increase with increased property value... shouldn’t those additional levy funds not be required? Do residents with higher property values receive any more county services than those with less assessed value property? Not really. All property owners have similar access to county services, law enforcement and fire department coverage. Roadway plowing and maintenance is provided. Hospital...
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Rhonnie Poyirier poured in 23 points to lead the Vikings to 55-40 win over the Northeast Range Nighthawks. The away game was played in Babbitt on Tuesday, December 8. While Poyirier was the only Viking in double figures, the team received balanced scoring. Katie Peck had nine points, Makenzie Fairbanks added eight, Kamryn Johnson had eight, Anna Hay three and Molly Quello two. The victory brought the team’s record to 1-1 on the season. Next the Vikings travel to face the Cherry Tigers on December 10. Go Vikings!
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Recent snowfall has the Nordic ski team excited as they are now able to dawn their skis in preparation for the upcoming ski season. The combined Cook County/Two Harbors North Shore Storm Nordic Ski Team has 41 skiers, 16 from Cook County and 25 from Two Harbors. “Many of the kids already know each other either from past skiing years or because they were on the Cross Country running collaborative team together,” said Head Coach Jeanne Wright. Assisting Wright is Angie Robinson, Mike Crook, Kurt Farchmin, Becky Bartol, and Dave Bartol. Workouts started November 14, said Wright. “For the first...
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Any doubt that winter would shrug its broad shoulders and skip the Northland ended last Sunday and Monday as blustery northwest winds howled and shook houses and lots of snow blanketed the ground. City and county snowplow truck operators worked long hours through the day and night to clear the roads. Private snowplow drivers worked throughout the night, opening driveways and plowing for businesses. Of course, the sounds of snowblowers could be heard as well. And certainly, the familiar feel of a snow shovel was renewed for most of us, as well as old muscles reawakened as one shoveled themselves...
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Grand Marais Rec Park Director David Tersteeg reported that 2021 camping and boating revenue “is nearly all in and tracking to exceed last year’s total by 15 percent.” That bit of good news came at the park board’s December 7 meeting. Significant gains, said Tersteeg, could be attributed to being open for an entire season, plus “the pandemic driven demand for camping and boating and the perfect weather.” Marina revenue increased 30 percent over 2020, marking the most significant rebound from the 2020 pandemic year. While 2021 expenses were either tracked on the budget or were under budget, Tersteeg noticed...
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Now that snow is finally here the City of Grand Marais wants to remind residents to follow the parking rules to help city employees remove snow from the city streets. Between midnight and 5 a.m. please park on the odd side of the street on odd days (1st, 3rd, 5th etc.) and park on the even side of the street on even days (2nd, 4th, 6th etc.). Downtown on-street parking is prohibited between Lake Superior and Highway 61 on Broadway Ave, 1st Ave. W, 2nd Ave W, Wisconsin Street and 1st Street between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. Winter parking...
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North Shore Health (NSH) and Care Center Administrator Kimber Wraalstad reports that most employees at North Shore Health have been vaccinated. While most NSH employees received vaccinations to stave off covid, some didn’t. About one dozen NSH workers resisted getting their shots. However, a ruling by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) gave health care workers until December 6, 2021, to get at least their first COVID-19 vaccination, or lose their jobs. That ruling, since suspended prompted many to get vaccinated. CMS suspended the COVID-19 vaccine order for healthcare workers after two courts called for a pause on...
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You may already know that you inherited your father’s chin, your grandmother’s sweet tooth, or your uncle’s love of puzzles. Gathering up a “Family Health History” can help you to understand if you share their health risks too. Stories of family members’ past health challenges and causes of death hold important clues about the future health of family members. This history can alert you to dangers that may be coming up behind you, so you can plan ways to reduce, or even eliminate, them. Biological families share genes, and both biological and adoptive families share behaviors that impact health, such...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is looking for input on how Minnesotans currently access the electronic license system, and what they want in the future as systems are modernized. Feedback from current and potential users — including anglers, boaters, hunters and recreational vehicle operators — is critically important. States throughout the nation are updating their license systems to take advantage of new technology and to improve customer experience. “We hope people take a minute to provide feedback and share their experiences,” said Jenifer Wical, marketing coordinator with the Fish and Wildlife Division outreach section. “The more people we hear...
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Continue the tradition – ride the Norpine Fat Bike Classic in 2022! Experience fat biking on the Norpine Trails in Lutsen. Ride through stands of old growth cedars on Pisten Bully groomed trails while overlooking Lake Superior. Winter riding doesn’t get better than this! This year you have three options to choose from: The Norpine Fat Bike Classic Race (19 or 30 miles). The Norpine Fat Bike Classic Tour (14 miles). *The Norpine Fat Bike Classic Full Moon Tour (6-8 miles). Make sure that you register by December 24, 2021, otherwise we can’t guarantee that you will get a t-shirt!...
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Cold nights are allowing Lutsen Mountains to bring out the snow making guns and prepare the ski hills for customers. Lutsen Mountains opened some hills for Thanksgiving weekend and will open Friday through Sunday, December 3 through December 5. The mountain opens daily starting December 10. For more information about hours of operation or ski packages, go to Lutsen.com.
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Amelia Roth and Aurora Schelmeske, Grand Marais, both Lucia Singers, will perform at the Gustavus Adolphus annual Christmas in Christ Chapel worship service. The evening performance on Saturday, December 4, will be livestreamed online for free beginning at 7:30 p.m. central time. Visit gustavus.edu/ccc to learn more or watch the livestream. Gustavus Adolphus College hosts its annual Christmas in Christ Chapel worship services December 2-5 on campus in Saint Peter, Minnesota. This year, Christmas in Christ Chapel’s theme is We Shall Go Forth Singing. Over 350 students will lead the audience through the service, which places stories of lament and...
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CAPTURING THE HIGH FALLS This photo was taken by Julia Matthews in about 1924. It shows painter Dewey Albinson at work on a painting of the High Falls of the Pigeon River in Grand Portage. On the left are two boys, Fritz and Manny Oberg, future uncles of Captain Roy Oberg. Walter Matthews provided this photo to the News Herald in June 1990.
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Viking Head basketball Coach Andy Feddema welcomed 23 boys out for the 2021-2022 Cook County High School basketball team. “We are a young team,” Feddema said this past week as he took a few moments off from the practice to talk about his players. Returning starters include Derek Smith and brothers Paul and Jacob Dorr. The rest of the starting spots and key substitutions are open, said Feddema. “The kids are working hard,” noted the coach as he put them through their paces. Early workouts include a lot of repetition to learn defense and offensive sets—which are essentially walk-throughs—and then...
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I’m not sure why I find it hard to use the word ‘home.’ I mean for myself, as in mine. I suppose a trapper’s shack – one small room with a low ceiling, a heavy door, and two small windows – was never meant to be a home, only a temporary, seasonal shelter. Not a trapper’s home for any trapper worth his salt. Of course, I’m not a trapper worth my salt. Oddly in my youth in the city and in my young adulthood when I lived abroad for all those years, I was too very comfortable using the word...
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Commissioners have approved the resignation of Kay Burkett, Eric Robley, and retirement of Patricia (Pat) Strand with regret at the board’s November 23 meeting. Kay worked as the Deputy Auditor/Benefits and Taxation Specialist. Her resignation was effective November 21 and Human Resources is in the process of recruiting to fill the position. Eric Robley worked in the Highway department as a Highway Maintenance Worker ll. The Highway Maintenance ll position is already posted due to another vacancy and now the recruitment process will be for two workers. Pat Strand submitted her intent to retire effective January 31, 2022. Human Resources...
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Thanksgiving is over and now looms the biggest holiday of the year. Christmas. Time for addressing beautiful cards. I recently read a Facebook post about the proper addressing of cards and the adding of the plural to names. No more APOSTROPHE…ever. If the last name ends in A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, T, U, V, W or Y simply add an S. If the last name ends in S, X, Z, CH or SH add ES. The exception is names ending in CH, but the sound is...
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After a long stint as an evening “star,” Venus plunges into the sunset on its next trip between Earth and the sun. It’s a short trip, though; in less than a month, Venus reappears in the morning sky. Jupiter remains a beacon in the southwest, while dimmer Saturn shimmers to its lower right. But over the next couple of months they, too, will tumble over the horizon. Next year they will join Venus—and Mars—as morning planets. The Great Square of Pegasus and the constellation Andromeda ride high in the south at nightfall. Andromeda is basically the line of stars extending...
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It’s back! After being canceled last year the popular Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Races will be held Saturday, January 8. The two events start and finish at Trail Center on Poplar Lake. But, say organizers, they need helpers. “We’ve had a good response so far, but we’ve still got close to 40 slots to fill over the next few weeks. Gather a group of friends or family and consider signing up online by following the link below. Thanks everyone and think snow!” A lottery opened on November 1 to fill 30 slots. With teams entered in either the 12-dog,...
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the potential punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Andi Marie Shackleton, 27, Tofte, Minnesota, pled guilty on November 17, 2021, to a petty misdemeanor of Driving After Suspension of license on April 13, 2021. Fines and fees total 5. Steven Matthew Bonin, 33, Lutsen, Minnesota, pled guilty on November 18, 2021, to a...
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Columnist’s note: After I played an early round at Gunflint Hills with the Junior Dew Boys, Bruce Futterer was kind enough to share their story with me. I have edited it for length and clarity. Thank you, Bruce. Bruce Futterer recalls: The Dew Boys golf group began as a couple’s group in the 1950’s, playing after work. After retirement, the men in the group created what became known as the Dew Boys, playing before the dew evaporated. The Dew Boys were Chuck Futterer, Ray Sjoberg, Walt Mianowski, Leonard Goodell, Dwayne Staples, and Frankie Rabold. Donnie Ingram played with them on...
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Following the Oh Ole Night Parade held Friday, November 26, was the annual lighting of the Christmas tree in Harbor Park. The large crowd who had gathered for the parade and tree lighting didn’t have to wait long for the fireworks which filled the clear skies over the harbor. With lively tunes coming from speakers on the corner of Joynes Ben Franklin Department store and Murray the Moose dancing in the streets to the happy musical beats, it was a festive, joyful night.
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Cook County Commissioners learned a lot from Assessor Bob Thompson, who presented the 2021 assessment and early projections for the 2022 assessments. Thompson appeared before commissioners on November 23. Significant sales in the real estate market have resulted in less inventory of homes and cabins across the county, no surprise there, but the volume of sales was shocking. There has been “roughly an 84 percent increase in the number of sales over the 2020 study period,” noted Thompson. From October 1, 2019, to September 2020, there were 325 sales versus 597 sales over the same time in 2021. Thompson said...
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Could this have been the first plow truck in Grand Marais this winter? Snow fell Friday night, November 26, and the city crews were plowing the next day. The town has received scant amounts of snow earlier, but this is the first time the ground was completely covered and to our knowledge, no snow has been plowed before this in town.
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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The Senior LinkAge Line® will offer two Medicare Fraud Awareness and Prevention classes Wednesday, December 8 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. These are the last two remote Medicare Fraud Awareness and Prevention classes of 2021 Attendees will learn about detecting, preventing, and reporting Medicare fraud, avoiding potential COVID-19 fraud and scams, as well as other scams targeting older adults. They will also learn how to read and understand their Medicare Summary Notices and other Medicare-related documents. Please register at one of the links below. Our Website page: https://www.arrowheadaging.org/classes-workshops-trainings. Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ pg/arrowheadaaa/events/.
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Mary Manning (Hovland) traveled area forest roads and checked lake accesses. Rain earlier in the month is still impacting some road conditions, with washed out areas and large sheets of ice...
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Following a November 23 closed session, Cook County commissioners voted unanimously to accept a settlement with former Cook County Sheriff ’s deputy Julie Collman. According to Minnesota Statute 13D.05, Subdivision 3 (b), the commissioner’s meeting was closed by motion under attorney client privilege to discuss legal issues., legal advice and strategy. Kendra Olson of Pemberton Law represented the county. A sheriff ’s deputy, Collman, worked at the Cook County Law Enforcement for 16 years, leaving employment May 19, 2019. During her career in law enforcement, Julie served as the primary investigator of child protection and vulnerable adult cases as well...
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Rob ventured North, far North, almost as far North as anyone on this planet can go, to the true North Pole (not to be confused with the magnetic North Pole) and sat down with Elmer the Elf. ROB: I appreciate you squeezing me in. I understand it’s your busy season. Elmer: Honestly, other than Christmas Eve, I’ve got time. R: Really? You’re not busy? E: Well, the hobby horse isn’t flying out the door, if you catch my drift. R: Oh yeah? What’s the new thing? E: The kids… they all want the endorphin screen. R: Right. E: Phones. Tablets....
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Over the past nine months, the North Shore Music Association has enjoyed bringing liveliness to local classrooms with outreach programs led by talented Minnesota music educators. Through these programs, students have been able to connect with guest artists via Zoom and Google Classroom and learn about the music, movement, instruments, and traditions of cultures from around the globe. Thanks to grant funding from the MN State Arts Board and the support of our NSMA members and business sponsors, these programs have been a key way for NSMA to continue offering high-quality interactive programs and residencies for students in a way...
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We met on a blustery We met on a blustery November Sunday in the parking lot of Hermantown’s Wal-Mart. Through a series of twists and bends in life’s road, he’d traveled from South Carolina to northern Minnesota. Through a series of Internet searches and numerous phone calls, we had driven from Grand Marais to Duluth. Standing there on the asphalt with a northwest wind freezing off my ears, I eagerly scanned the area for a red Fiesta which would be transporting him. Once again, my life as well as my husband’s, was going to change. We were there to meet...
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When some kids were showing up to school sad or glum, feeling underconfident or overwhelmed, several Cook County High School students came up with a way to help those kids start their day on better footing. They did so by creating a “Feel Good Cart.” What’s in a Feel-Good Cart? Well, there are items for hair, nails, lotions, deodorant self-care products kids can learn how to use. The items in the cart were purchased by a local couple, Donna and Orvis Lunke, but they say the story is about the kids who volunteer. Those students are Kamryn Johnson, Molly Lavigne,...
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Cook County’s Dark Sky Festival will return December 9-11, celebrating the area’s world-class dark sky with programs, activities, dinners and more. This event is especially fitting as Northern Minnesota was recently named one of the “25 amazing journeys for 2022” by National Geographic because of the region’s lack of light pollution and dark skies. This year’s festival kicks off Thursday, December 9, with a special night along the Gunflint Trail at Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters, next to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, one of only 15 International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world. The evening will include a Dark...
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Betsy Blume is the new statewide health improvement partnership (SHIP) coordinator for Cook County. She is replacing Andrea Orest, who has taken another job. Some of you know Betsy. She has been working at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic since March 2020 as a Care Coordinator and medication refill nurse. When asked to share a bit of her background, Betsy said, “I grew up in a suburb of Minneapolis, Golden Valley. I have been visiting this area, mostly upper Gunflint, since the early 90’s.” Her decision to pursue life in Cook County said Blume, was her passion for “biking, hiking, kayaking and...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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At North Shore Living we started out November with a bang. We had our dear volunteer Diane Nowers dressed in her orange hunting garb read us a deer camp story. We proceeded to hunt our wily Tom turkey and hone up on our mad skills on the hunting range with our Nerf guns. Linda Johnson was our big winner of this event. We ended deer camp with fresh baked bread made by Nadine and her daughter Mary all the while telling tall tales of the buck that got away. Button Button Who’s Got the Button National Button Day was Tuesday,...
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Many Christians don’t sing Christmas carols till December 24th. Not because we are Scrooges, but because we are in a church season known as Advent: from the mid-6th century, the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas were kept as a time of expectation, often as a mini-Lent. What are we expecting during Advent? The birth of a baby, yes. The advent calendars I had growing up opened little doors toward the expectation of Christmas morning—baby Jesus, sure, but mainly presents! But Advent as it has been understood, for example in the great Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” has...
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With a deadly open-water season nearly in the rearview mirror, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone that lakes and ponds throughout the state have started to freeze – and that where ice hasn’t formed, the water is dangerously cold. It’s up to all people to choose to stay safe around the water or ice, according to the DNR. Where there is ice, its thickness this time of year is highly variable and subject to the whims of Mother Nature. And where ice hasn’t formed – or where it freezes at night and opens during the day – the...
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November 30, 2021 – Local health officials at North Shore Health and Cook County Public Health report the first confirmed death of a Cook County resident due to COVID-19. Cook County was the last of Minnesota’s 87 counties to record a confirmed death due to COVID-19. Public Health and North Shore Health are unable to share additional details about the case due to medical privacy. “Our sympathies go out to the loved ones during their time of loss,” said Kimber Wraalstad, North Shore Health Administrator. “As COVID-19 continues to impact Cook County, everyone should follow the recommended public health guidance...
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Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic (SMC) announce expanded eligibility for COVID-19 booster vaccines following updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Those ages 18 and over are eligible for a booster six months after receiving the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine; OR they are eligible for a booster two months after receiving a Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Those eligible for a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine are now able to choose which COVID-19 vaccine they receive as a booster. The new CDC recommendation now allows for this type of mix-and-match...
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Tuesday, November 9 12:36 p.m. County Road 7: Grass Wildfire. Multiple callsreceived concerning a dry grass fire that was headingback into the woods in an area that included power lines.Wind was driving the fire eastward. Arrowhead Electric was contacted as a downed power line appeared tohave started the fire. The south insulator on a pole hadbroken and caused wires to tangle and spark. The firewas knocked down. One hour later, everyone was clearedfrom the scene.2:17 p.m. Gunflint Trail LEC: Property lost/found. Person walked into the LEC lobby with a black MAVIC Airdrone that they had found. Drone owner was contactedand...
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A hungry Cedar Waxwing gets ready to gobble down a mountain ash berry. As we slide quickly into winter, it has been noticeable that the waxwings have been feasting on mountain ash berries.
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20 YEARS AGODECEMBER 3, 2001 v Power outages and a three-pronged plan to curtail them highlighted the agenda of the Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission last week. According to Grand Marais Director of Public Works Russell Good, there have been six power outages in the last six months caused by an undetermined problem with the underground line near the hospital. Good said he suspects the load on the line, which climbed to 198 amps, blew out the 140-amp fuse at the power line pole by the Birchwood Apartments. v Christmas came early this year for ISD 166 when the county...
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It is with sadness we read that 14 employees will be losing their jobs at North Shore Health, due to their choice to not to take the shot. The government should not be mandating our health choices! These folks losing their jobs need to be encouraged and helped for standing up for freedom of choice. They are paying dearly to keep their freedom. Many have served for years, and through the beginning of the pandemic. Now being told their services are no longer wanted if they have chosen freedom of choice. We have lost freedom of speech, freedom of medical...
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Editor’s note: Natalie Rademacher is the granddaughter of Mary (Blackwell) Harrelson. She is a journalist who has worked for the Minneapolis Star & Tribune, St. Paul Pioneer Press and currently works at the Mankato Free Press. She is also a free-lance journalist who has agreed to write a three-part series about the 1854 Treaty, what came before, the treaty itself, and what followed. We hope you enjoy these pieces. The North Shore looked very different 167 years ago. Majestic white and red pine trees filled the forests – many standing more than 100 feet tall. Wild rice beds flourished in...
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It’s hard to believe that it has been over a year since I started serving you as County Administrator. I want to start by thanking all of you who have made me feel welcomed, shared your insights about our community, and recommended your favorite hikes and fishing spots. With each passing day I feel more connected to this magical place and the amazing people who live here. It is truly a privilege to be able to call Cook County home. With the pandemic still swirling around us, upheaval in employment markets, escalating housing costs and supply chain bottlenecks, Cook County,...
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Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation in 2020 awarded million in grants to 12 communities across the region that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants ranged from ,000 to 0,000. Each community leveraged their own funding with the grant to establish a lending program for businesses located within their community. Communities included: Babbitt, Chisholm, Cook County/Grand Marais, East Range, Ely, Eveleth, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Greater Itasca County, Virginia, Silver Bay and Tower. The Taconite Area Community Relief Grant Program collectively assisted 145 businesses and impacted 776 jobs through a total of over .9 million in zero-interest loans...
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites Minnesotans interested in serving on the department’s Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Committee to apply by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15. Aquatic invasive species present one of the state’s most pressing natural resource issues. Preventing the spread of zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, invasive carp, starry stonewort and other invasive plants and animals is of critical environmental, recreational and economic importance. The AIS Advisory Committee is a core element of the DNR’s partnership approach to addressing aquatic invasive species. The committee comprises 15 members. The DNR is seeking five new members to join the committee,...
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The Northwoods Fiber Guild will host their annual Holiday Sale & Open House on Saturday, December 4th, at Grand Marais Art Colony's new "Studioa21" located at 21 West Highway 61 in Grand Marais, Minnesota. The sale is a well-known tradition on the north shore featuring quality one-of-a kind fiber crafts handmade by guild members. The doors will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with fiber demos, music, and plenty of holiday spirit. There is a wide variety of fiber handcrafts at the Holiday Sale this year including knitting, weaving, felting, quilting, pottery, woodcarving, paper art, cards, beadwork, and...
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On the quest to raising good humans, I realize that most people tend to use the holidays as a teachable time for kids. We encourage the need to do good for others who might have less than we do as we donate food, toys, money and help in our communities and beyond. We do this on overdrive in November and December because these months are within the “season of giving.” And while I wish this was more of a year-round notion; I still jump on board with my own three kids to embrace the season as a time to do...
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Editor’s note: The stories recounted here are largely taken from the oral tradition of the Ojibwe and some written historical accounts. The Lake Superior treaty creating the Grand Portage Indian Reservation was signed by the United States government and chiefs at Madeline Island near today’s Bayfield, Wisconsin in 1854. Before that, white people were not allowed to enter that vast area around Lake Superior and the Iron Range. Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin were all part of this treaty. However, people working for mining and logging companies sent scouts in to check out this vast area. One who went later on...
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The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) proudly observes November as Native American Heritage Month as proclaimed by Governor Tim Walz. There is a deep and rich Native American history in Minnesota, with these communities making essential contributions to the culture and economy of our state. The area known today as the State of Minnesota is located on ancestral and contemporary lands that have been called home by Native Americans since time immemorial. This land is home to many Tribal Nations, including the Anishinaabe, Dakota, Ojibwe, Ho-Chunk, Cheyenne, Oto, Iowa, Hidatsa, Arikara, A’aninin, Cree, Blackfeet, Assiniboine, and the Sac and...
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Mike Eckhart wrote regarding junk mail. It’s fine to write: Return to sender but you also need to erase or wipe out the bar code at bottom of envelope. I was told that when I returned an envelope to the post office that I needed to wipe out the bar code. Nancy Smith, Grand Marais
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Fall is over. The color that cheered the hillsides has wiggled from the sky and now crunches under our feet. Days are short, colder, grey skies are the new norm. For some, this time of year is depressing. But a book by local artist Jan Rivard Attridge can brighten your winter days. The book is called Northshore Flowers, Gardens & People Paintings, and it’s hard to look at without smiling. “Each page is a riot of color,” says Vivian Johnson, PhD, Professor Emeritus, who is quoted on the back jacket of the book. It’s an apt description. The peonies and...
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The Senior LinkAge Line® will offer two Medicare Fraud Awareness and Prevention classes Wednesday, December 8 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about detecting, preventing, and reporting Medicare fraud, avoiding potential COVID-19 fraud and scams, as well as other scams targeting older adults. They will also learn how to read and understand their Medicare Summary Notices and other Medicare-related documents. This class is offered online using the easy-touse Microsoft Teams meeting platform. To register go to our “Classes, Workshops, and Trainings” page on our website: https://www.arrowheadaging.org/classes workshops-trainings or call the Senior LinkAge...
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Join us at the Co-op for our Build-a-Basket Event on Black Friday! This is a fantastic way to create your own personalized holiday gift for family members and friends! The Basket Bar will be open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Britta will be there to guide you, as you select a small African Market Basket, pair of socks, lip product, bar of soap and bar of chocolate. Get 10 percent off the entire project, even sale prices will be reduced. Sale prices are good throughout the entire day!
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This photo of the Grand Marais Steppers was taken in the early 1960s. The girls were students in Laura Grant’s dance class. From left to right are Heidi Sobanja, Cristy Leet, Leah Thomas, Terri Nelson, Jan Hansen, Traci Nelson, Marilyn Sande, Sherri Nelson, and Geri Benson. Photo courtesy of Laura Grant.
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In my function as iconoclast – one who, for example, would pull the smug Marlboro Man off his horse - and a person intent on living a singular life, I thought I’d sit down to write a poem of death. A death poem like Uncle Walt. Or Bob Frost. Or Dylan Thomas. But I realized I could write nothing different, nothing original. Death has the same place for me as it does for others. Only three people close to me have died, all in the recent past, each a grandparent of mine. I was very saddened for each, and I...
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Conner Ingram’s 230 field deer held up as the largest buck entered in the 2021 Buck’s Hardware Big Buck contest. Ingram, from Grand Marais, received 0 for his win. With a massive antler span of 23/4 inches, Trevor Deschampe’s buck won the largest antler spread category. Joe Kill from Ham Lake, Minnesota, had his ticket pulled for the drawing and he received [post_excerpt],690. Trevor Deschampe received [post_excerpt],690 for winning the largest antler spread. Some 338 people entered the contest. Each person throws into the pot to join. Half of the prize money goes to the most massive antler spread,...
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I’ve always been confused about the phrase “hope against hope.” I know it’s just an expression, but does it mean you hope people don’t hope? That’s sad. I prefer to think it means that though everyone has lost hope, you still hope. I hope so. I recently listened to a radio interview of Katharine Hayhoe, the Chief Scientist of the Nature Conservancy as well as the author of Saving us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World. Her comments gave me hope. I’ve been discouraged about the number of people denying climate change, and even...
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North House Folk School was a busy place this past weekend as folks gathered to take part in the Winterer’s Gathering and Arctic Film Fest. Featured classes included snowshoe lacing, Mukluk repair and restoration, firewood preparation, and Fix your Holey Socks. There was also a sled dog meet and greet courtesy of Points Unknown Dogsledding and a display of winter camping gear from Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply. North House Communications and Marketing Manager Joe Beres said, “Winterers' Gathering may have looked a bit different this year, but it felt wonderful to welcome this annual event back to campus and celebrate...
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I.S.D. 166 Superintendent Chris Lindholm noted in his November school board report that when it came to staffing, “Overall, things are moving forward as planned however we are operating with zero redundancy or backup. One food service staff member, one bus driver, one admin out sick and we have to shut down parts of our organization.” Lindholm called for, “Anyone that can commit some energy to serving as a bus driver, a food service employee, or a sub in any of our roles is strongly encouraged to contact the district office. We are looking forward to any and all to...
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20 YEARS AGONOVEMBER 26, 2001 An historic Grand Marais building is about to be infused with new life. The former Grand Marais Playhouse building — the old church and school — has been purchased from the Playhouse organization by local artist Betsy Bowen. The building has a long history in the Grand Marais art scene; it served as the performance space for the Playhouse for more than 20 years. When the Playhouse organization left the building for the ACA, the space was closed and used for storage and occasional summer rehearsals. “My thought is to have it be a place...
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Care Partner’s 13th Annual “Light up a Life” offers community members the opportunity to celebrate the life of a loved one during the holiday season. Each donation lights one bulb in memory of one person on our memory tree, which is located downtown in front of the Johnson Heritage Post. A Virtual Candle-Lighting Ceremony will be held via Zoom on Thursday, December 9th at 5:30 p.m. Care Partners staff and Pastor Enno Limvere from Grand Marais First Congregational UCC will lead participants in a time of reflection and connection, with the opportunity to share brief stories and memories of...
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Care Partners of Cook County wishes to announce an important change coming to our organization. Kay Grindland, Executive Director, will be retiring this coming Spring, after guiding and leading Care Partners from a community/volunteer effort to an essential, successful provider of aging services in Cook County over the last 12 years. Kay has shaped Care Partners in such a way that it fills a critical niche in Cook County, providing companionship and practical help to older adults and the people who care for them. She leaves a legacy of building Care Partners to be client-centered with values of respect, compassion...
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This might possibly be the first laker (large cargo ship) of the year to hug the shore as it makes its way to the Duluth Seaport.
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Noted outdoor photographer, David Johnson, caught this curious fisher on the hunt for a meal, or maybe it was just interested in the sights and smells of the forest.
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Gratitude, which comes from the Latin gratia, means grace, graciousness, or grateful, is a wonderful thing. Studies show the more gratitude you have, the happier you are. Who do you think is happier, the guy in his new home, grateful for the roof over his head? Or the nitpicker going on and on about the fact that the house has no windows. Or siding. Or stairs. So, this year, as we move into our new, unfinished house, in addition to being grateful for my wife and kids, extended family, friends, dogs I like to pet, etc., I have another, smaller,...
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Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules! CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checking deer hunters during the last week of the firearms deer season. He followed up on complaints, monitored whitefish nets and executed a felony arrest....
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I.S.D. 166 will have some new coaches this winter, and some familiar names who return to coaching. Alpine skiing head coach will be John Oberholtzer. His two volunteer assistants will be Gene Dressely and Plamen Dimitrov. The new Nordic Skiing head coach will be Jeanne Wright. Jeanne will have four volunteer coaches to assist her. They are Angie Robinson, Mike Crook, Dave and Becky Bartol. Kelly Hawsen returns as the girls’ head basketball coach. Her husband, Kyler Hawsen will once again assist her, as will Rachel Seim. Jenna Berglund will coach sixth through eighth grades and Betsy Jorgenson will volunteer...
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Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic (SMC) announce expanded eligibility for COVID-19 booster vaccines following updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Those ages 18 and over are eligible for a booster six months after receiving the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine; OR they are eligible for a booster two months after receiving a Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Those eligible for a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine are now able to choose which COVID-19 vaccine they receive as a booster. The new CDC recommendation now allows for this type of mix-and-match...
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Private first class Julia Larsen joined the National Guard in the spring of 2021. Her basic training began in the summer of 2021, following successful completion of her nursing Boards. She graduated from basic training at Ft Jackson, South Carolina on October 21, 2021. Upon graduation Julia was awarded as Soldier Leader of the Cycle. Of the nearly 900 graduating troops only five receive this award. After graduation from her basic training, Julia was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for artillery training.
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Financial advisor Claire Smith said she is excited to be opening a new office for a firm that has built a reputation on serving individual investors. "Edward Jones is the largest financial services firm in the nation in terms of offices, but it maintains its commitment to individuals," Smith said. "I have been impressed with the interest the firm's headquarters in St. Louis has shown in this new office. Cook County and the investors who live here are very important to the firm, and I really like that." "I have spent the past five years getting to know the people...
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Did you know when you buy the “Support Our Troops” (SOT) License Plate, you are helping Minnesota Veterans and their families? The Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs (MDVA) distributes funds raised by the sale of SOT license plates to numerous organizations that support Minnesota Veterans and their families. Learn more about the SOT grant program on the website. Freedom Flight was awarded a ,500 SOT grant to purchase a mobility impaired/accessible hot air balloon basket, trailer, and other related equipment (e.g., double burner, etc.). About Freedom Flight Freedom Flight, Inc. is a non-profit, educational corporation established in 1989 that seeks...
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First responders in northern Minnesota are getting a major boost in their wireless communications thanks to the FirstNet® network expansion currently underway by AT&T. AT&T has added two new, purpose-built cell sites – one located along the Gunflint Trail near Gunflint Lake and Magnetic Lake and another located near Lichen Lake in the Superior National Forest. These FirstNet sites will serve those traveling in the remote wilderness of northern Minnesota. One site will provide coverage when traveling along the Gunflint Trail north of Grand Marais. The second will provide coverage when traveling along State Highway 165 near Lichen Lake north...
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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I recently had a medical emergency and was treated so kindly by all of the people at the hospital. From the ambulance crew to the support staff, nurses and doctors at North Shore Health, everyone was so helpful. We are so fortunate to have this kind of care up here. Thank you all for being so kind to me and my family. Sincerely, Joyce Drouillard, Grand Marais, Minnesota P.S. Food was good too!
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Park rangers closing Isle Royale in late October took one last look at the Horne Fire before heading back to Houghton for the winter. At that time, the fire was continuing to slowly smolder in a few places, mostly in the thick duff layer. Light smoke plumes could be seen on both sides of the Greenstone Ridge. The fire was left to slowly burn itself out this fall and winter as rain and snow eventually blanket the island. The final map, reflecting more accurate measurements of the burned area, showed the fire at 335 acres. The Horne Fire started on...
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National Geographic has cited the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park as one of the 25 best places on earth to visit in 2022. What makes the BWCAW and Voyageur’s so alluring are its vibrant night skies. As a result, the Northern Minnesota national parks were named in the “Natural Category,” along with Victoria, Australia; Lake Baikal, Russia; Belize, and Namibia. “Thousands and thousands of stars dazzle above northern Minnesota. Yet, this remote region bordering the Canadian province of Ontario has little to no light pollution, and residents are determined to keep it that way. “Although the...
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Jack Brian Wilson, Grand Marais, Minnesota, and Lily Claire Jewell, Bemidji, Minnesota, November 1, 2021. Katrina Ruth Sletten, Des Moines, Iowa, and Isaac James Landers, Des Moines, Iowa, November 5, 2021. Jacob Ryan Vollert, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, and Shaylynn Valerie Schultz, Rosemount, Minnesota, November 12, 2021.
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Editor’s note: As more vaccinated people become sick with covid-19 some are wondering if the vaccinations work or work very well. The Minnesota Department of Health answers these and other questions in this report filed November 15, 2021. COVID-19 vaccines are effective. However, some people who are fully vaccinated will still get COVID-19 if they are exposed to the virus that causes it. These are called “vaccine breakthrough cases.” We are tracking vaccine breakthrough cases in Minnesota and monitoring trends. Vaccination can make illness less severe in people who get vaccinated but still get sick. Fully vaccinated people are also...
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded more than .3 billion in relief funds to help low-income individuals and families afford heating costs and cover unpaid utility bills this winter. Funds are coming from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Nationwide, an estimated 5.3 million households received assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP in 2020. The average cost of home heating is unaffordable for millions of low-income households, costing over 0 per year nationally. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households with their home energy bills by providing payment and/ or...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Many people can experience feelings of anxiety or depression during the holiday season. A survey conducted by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, found that 64 percent of respondents stated that they were affected by “holiday blues.” The holiday blues are temporary feelings of anxiety and depression during the holidays that can be associated with extra stress, unrealistic expectations, or even memories. Some of the signs of holiday blues may include fatigue, tension, frustration, loneliness, sadness, or a sense of loss. People who already live with a mental health condition should take extra care to tend to their overall...
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Why does gratitude matter? Why do the world’s great faiths—including the Psalms common to Judaism and Christianity--all carry songs of thanksgiving? Why do so many of the people I love to be around have a general aura of gratitude? Well, of course it could be that gratitude keeps us from what St. Augustine calls ‘sin’—turning in on ourselves. When we recount our blessings—over a meal or at the end or beginning of the day—we are pulled outwards. We consider those we had contact with, the sunrise or sunset, the food before us. Gratitude also reminds us of how much we...
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A new locally written paperback book is out just in time for Christmas. The book is called Squeezed: Covid the Constrictor. It is a collection of pictures, poems, essays and short pieces written by more than 130 students from Cook County schools who tell about the affects the on-going plague has had on their lives. The works were collected by teachers and the project was an initiative of WISE (women’s initiatives for service and education). Samples include: “One day when I was in second grade we went home from school, and we never went back. There was a virus. It...
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The “three amigos” seem to be planning a raid on the nearby fish house in the Grand Marais Harbor. No word on whether they were successful or not, but these playful otters sure are cute.
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In 2018 more than 400 people went to St. John’s Catholic Church to eat a simple meal of donated soups, loaves of bread and desserts as part of the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser held to fight community hunger. When that evening concluded almost ,000 had been raised, a new record. The next year more than ,000 was taken in. Last year the event was virtual because of the pandemic, but it raised ,000, breaking the previous year’s high-water mark. This year—with covid on the uptick, the event will again be virtual, and Beth Kennedy says, “Our goal is the same...
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As of November 22, 2021, there was a reported 314 cases of COVID-19 in Cook County since the start of the pandemic. Of those, 19 were reported in the seven previous days. To date there are 4,103 fully vaccinated people in the Cook County. Minnesota has the highest rate of COVID-19 infections in the country. As of November 16, more than 95 percent of the state’s available hospital beds were being used to treat covid patients. No deaths have been attributed to COVID-19 in Cook County.
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On Tuesday, November 9, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources began accepting public comments regarding parts of the nonferrous mine siting rule. Public comments will be accepted from November 9, through December 8. The DNR is seeking public comment on the following question: With express consideration of how Minn. R. 6132.2000, subp. 2A and subp. 3A fit within the broader context of all applicable environmental protection in state and federal law regulating nonferrous mining, are the exclusion of mining in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) set forth in Minn. R. 6132.2000 subp. 2A, and the prohibition of surface...
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After taking a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festive Scandinavian holiday celebration “Oh Ole Night” is returning to downtown Grand Marais. On Friday, Nov. 26, the event will start with a parade at 5:30 p.m. at the Cook County Senior Center parking lot on South Broadway Avenue, which will make two loops along Broadway, head westbound on Wisconsin Street, turn at 1st Ave and back around to Broadway. On the second loop the parade will end up at Harbor Park where parade participants and spectators will gather for the tree lighting ceremony, where Grand Marais will illuminate...
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Running errands on this blustery Veterans Day was not the most pleasant of experiences, so, when my husband suggested we take a break, drive out to the “Point” and look at the big waves rolling into the east bay, I had no problem saying yes. We often drive out on this strip of land connecting town and the Coast Guard station, look at the view and watch the waves. Sometimes the harbor is calm. Sometimes it is turbulent, but it is always majestic. The breakwater, the coast guard station, the little town--- all look miniscule and oh so unimportant set...
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What is Economic Assistance? Economic assistance refers to any government-run program that assists low-income people with meeting basic needs such as food and shelter. Programs can provide eligible residents with a monthly benefit to purchase food, can be paid directly towards shelter expenses like rent or utilities or provide recipients with money to help them purchase other items of basic need. Economic assistance is designed to support persons or families who are experiencing financial difficulties. They are not intended to provide for all household needs. For example, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides a monthly food benefit to supplement the...
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Need a covid booster but don’t think you’re qualified? Check your body mass index (BMI). Anyone 18+ who has a BMI of 25 or greater qualifies for a booster according to the CDC’s definitions of qualifying underlying medical conditions. That’s 70 percent of Minnesota’s population and many in Cook County who may not think they have a qualifying underlying medical condition may have a BMI of over 25. If you have a BMI over 25, it means that you qualify for a booster. If you aren’t sure of your BMI, you can check it at the CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/english_bmi_calculator/bmi_calculator.html The...
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Rumsey George Ellsworth Christian, Husband, Father, Father-in-law, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Godfather, Uncle, Friend. Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, November 5, 2021. George was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on January 8, 1925. Preceded in death by beloved wife, Gloria; son, Mark; daughter-in-law, Bridget Votel (Anne); father, Ellsworth; mother, Marcella; stepmother, Marie; brother, Edward; sister, Joy Galbreath; parents in-law, Giocondo & Madellena Giuliani; brothers in-law, Angelo Giuliani, William Chandler, Thomas Galbreath; sisters-in-law, Genevieve Giuliani, Agnes Giuliani, and Mary Louise Chandler. Educated at St. Mark’s parish K-8, graduated Cretin High School 1942. Enlisted at age 18 in the 517th...
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Direct link to release: mn.gov/commerce/media The Minnesota Department of Commerce has been awarded 6 million in federal funds for Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program for the 2021-2022 season, which will help more Minnesotans than ever. The Energy Assistance Program Dashboard published by the Commerce Department shows over .5 million has already been paid to over 25,000 Minnesota households in just the past 30 days. The dashboard, which is updated weekly, shows county-by-county information for household average energy costs and energy assistance for Minnesotans who have already applied and qualified for benefits. “As the weather turns colder, it’s important for Minnesotans to...
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Rep. Pete Stauber VOTED NO on the bipartisan infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This is a once-in-a-generation investment in roads, bridges, broadband, and clean drinking water. When needed infrastructure improvements and jobs appear in our area, do not let Stauber take any credit for them. Remember that he VOTED AGAINST them. Stauber is not a bridge to the future, and he does not deserve any roads to reelection. Unseat Pete. Denny FitzPatrick,Maryl Skinner,Grand Marais
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Thursday, November 11, a strong storm brought wind, rain and some snow to the Northland. Rain fell across Grand Marais for most of Thursday, accumulating about 6 inches. The Cook County Whole Foods Co-op parking was flooded, and rocks and debris were strewn across the Coast Guard parking lot as waves 10-15 feet high crashed against the shore. Winds reached up to 52 miles per hour in the Grand Marais harbor. Hovland received 4 inches of rain while Tofte was doused with 5.75 inches and Grand Marais drenched with 3.24 inches. On the Gunflint Trail, it was snow that fell...
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20 YEARS AGONOVEMBER 19, 2001 v The new director of the Joint Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority, John Kremer, worked with the board November 13 to begin finding a focus for the development of the Business Development Area (BDA) near the county Law Enforcement Center. Kremer asked for, and received, two board motions that will allow him to work toward creating a viable BDA. v It was quite a surprise when the power went out during dinnertime on November 8 between 6 and 6:30 p.m. for city residents along County Road 7. It was even more of a surprise...
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GroupHug has launched just in time for the holiday season and the inevitable group gifts that will be organized, as we find new ways to connect and be together during the holidays. Created to restore the gesture in group giving, Minneapolis-based business GroupHug, is focused on easy financial collection for groups and ensuring everyone feels a part of the giving. “During this pandemic, it has become clear that we will find ways to come together even when we cannot physically be together,” said GroupHug Founder, Katy Ramme, “GroupHug is here to help foster that connection no matter where we are.”...
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The I.S.D. 166 band played for the Veterans Day ceremony. Wild, windy, rainy weather kept many from attending, but for those who could make it, it was a nice way to honor our service members who have defended the country, both past and present. Story on B1.
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A mad Raven was pestering an eagle and didn’t notice the eagle who was bearing down behind and nearly swiped the Raven.
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Grand Marais State Bank is excited to announce that Assistant Vice President Marja Erickson has been recognized by Finance & Commerce magazine as one of the Top Women in Finance for 2021. Each year Finance & Commerce honors the Top Women in Finance in Minnesota. Marja, along with 28 other women were selected for this year’s class. The program strives to recognize women who are making an impact not only in their professions but also in their communities in Minnesota. An outside panel of experts reviewed the nominations and helped to select the honorees. Marja is being honored for the...
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High winds and rain kept a lot of people from attending the November 11 Veteran’s Day program held in I.S.D. 166 gymnasium, but fort those who did weather the storm, it was a great program. Following the Honor Guard posting of the colors, the CCHS band played the State Spangled Banner and the audience rose for the Pledge of Allegiance. Next, the high school band, led by I.S.D. 166 Band instructor Mikkel Haas, played the Battle Hymn of the Republic and then Minnesota State Trooper Andrew Olson stepped to the podium to give the keynote address. Olson and his family...
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The sounds of whistles, balls bouncing, and players voices came from the Pam Taylor gymnasium last Tuesday. They were happy sounds. Opening the door to the gym one’s eyes were turned to the Viking girls’ basketball players who were at the far end of the gym working out under the tutelage of head coach Kelly Hawsen and her capable assistants, her husband Kyler and Rachel Seim. Hawsen welcomed 15 girls to practice this past week. Well, she said, there are 15 girls who will be playing this year but a couple who can’t practice yet because being of health reason....
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The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the potential punishment exceeds 0 and/or ten days in jail. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Andi Marie Shackleton, 27, Tofte, Minnesota, pled guilty on November 4, 2021, to a petty misdemeanor of Driving After Suspension of license on August 24, 2021. Fines and fees total 5. Samuel Aaron Johnston, 20, Fridley, Minnesota, pled guilty on November 6, 2021, to two...
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As of November 11, there were a reported 293 confirmed cases of COVID- 19 affiliated with Cook County. That tally was an increase of 21 over the previous seven days. The increase in cases has created a demand for additional monoclonal antibody therapy at North Shore Health, said NSH Administrator Kimber Wraalstad. North Shore Health provides monoclonal antibody therapy for up to four patients a day Monday through Saturday. Difficulties and delays in transferring patients to higher level care remain. The regional health care organizations continue to discuss lateral transfers of patients from tertiary facilities to community facilities in an...
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Celebrate the crafts, customs, landscape, history and stories of winter travel and traditional lifeways in the North. Featuring winter-centric coursework, a winter tent camp, gear swap, film festival, speakers, this is a classic event to welcome the season of white. We welcome Featured Speaker Jon Turk back to campus with new stories of adventure and reflections on the healing power of nature. Highlights include: • Open Fire Dinner on a Stick & Outdoor Film Screening, Friday, 5:30 p.m. • Artisan Development Studio Open House, Friday, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. • Ready for Winter! Skill Shares and Demonstrations, Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m....
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Cook County Commissioners held a public hearing on Tuesday, November 16, to see what the community's pulse was on fixing the Pike Lake Road (Co. 45). The special meeting lasted just over five minutes, with no public attending either in person or via email. Hearing no complaints, commissioners unanimously passed the Capital Improvement Plan for Pike Lake Road. The next step will be to issue General Obligation / Transportation Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2021A, in a maximum amount of ,140,000 to provide funding for road and bridge improvements to County Road 45. Work is expected to be completed by...
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Editor’s note: This story is taken from the oral tradition of the Ojibwe, who didn’t have written records until the last hundred years or so. These stories have been passed down from generation to generation. To the Ojibwe people of not too long ago, “Windigo” was a word that was not used in winter. When a native person was starving and had not eaten for many days, it became what they called “Windigo.” The veil force of starvation in cold winter took over their mind and body. Once that happened, these Windigkahn, or Windigo, began killing and eating anyone near...
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Do you get rave reviews on your homemade breads, cakes and cookies? Are family and friends asking to buy your yummy home canned salsa and pickles? Have you considered starting a food business out of your home but are at a loss where to start? Join University of Minnesota Extension Food Safety Educators, Kathy Brandt and Suzanne Driessen at a Cottage Food Producer Food Safety Training webinar or take the online course. Both the webinar and online course meet the Minnesota Department of Agriculture food safety training requirements to register as a Minnesota Cottage Food Producer. Once registered, you’ll be...
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Every year, a few days before Thanksgiving, the President of the United States of America pardons two turkeys. Most turkeys are denied clemency and suffer the same fate as 46 million others. They become a Thanksgiving entrée. And lunch on Friday. Sometimes Saturday, too. Though many letters are sent, only two are granted pardons. Here are this year’s winners. Dear Mr. President- They say I am guilty and have been sentence to death. And yet I know of no charges filed. There was no trial. No evidence was presented. There was not a single witness called. There was no cross...
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The oldest possession of mine still extant, that is, still mine and still in my possession, is a Little Joe Red Devil spinner - a walleye snell. I actually have a couple left from a gift of around a dozen from my grandfather Jim to me when I was about nine. A snell is a live bait system composed of a leader (monofilament in our case; otherwise wire), a spinner blade attached by a clevis to the leader, some beads threaded on the leader, and a hook tied onto the leader with the special “snell” knot. I’m sure that after...
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For those of you that don’t know I have committed the next two months to be a “newborn nanny” for Baby Odin. He is adorable, learning to coo, track faces, smile, and of course poop. I now spend my days completely focused on the care and happiness of another human being. It has been a while as my “baby Ben” is now over six feet tall and will be 22 next week. Ben was born the day before Thanksgiving 1999. And in typical Sandy fashion, I had invited everyone over for dinner because he wasn’t due until December 6th. I...
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Halfway through Minnesota’s firearm deer hunting season Buck’s Hardware in Grand Marais has seen some nice entries in the annual Buck’s Big Buck contest. Conner Ingram’s early entry, a 230 pound field dressed buck is still in the lead, but barely. Trevor Deschampe brought in a buck that weighed 227 pounds and this beast had an antler spread of 23 ¾ inches, easily the biggest antler spread measured so far. Clay Johnson and Ben Peters each weighed in bucks that were 220 pounds. A total of 338 entries were recorded. The winner of the heaviest (largest dressed weight) buck will...
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On behalf of Post 413 and the Legion Auxiliary, a heartfelt thank you to the kind individual who so generously paid for all of the meals that the veterans and their wives enjoyed at the Birch Terrace this last Veteran’s day. It was very much appreciated. Post 413 CommanderRobert Mattson,Grand Marais
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Antler development is usually on the 2 permanent pedicles which developed a few months after birth, but they also can develop at other locations. A paper published in 1894 reported a 9.8 cm antler grew at the location where a broken piece of glass had pierced the skin and periosteum (a tissue covering bones) of a roe deer’s face. Since then, a number of papers have described antlers growing on other facial bones. Pedicles then develop at these locations and antlers continue to be grown on them. Experiments found that pedicles and antlers can be removed and then grafted to...
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Both feeder watchers and walking/driving birders needed for the 2021 Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC). The count will be held Saturday, December 18 for the Grand Marais CBC, which is a 7.5-mile radius circle from a point three miles south of the middle of Devil Track Lake. The count circle covers Hwy 61 to Lindskog Road and north, some of County Road 60, Gunflint Trail to the landfill road, Pine Mountain Rd to the backside of Elbow Lake, Devil Track Road to Bally Creek Road, Ball Club Road to The Grade, Pike Lake Road, and Hwy 61 west to the...
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“It is always a treat to see a big, beautiful Pine Grosbeak show up in the yard,” said Jean Brislance. Late fall is when we usually start to see some of our first winter finches. And we are due for a good invasion of the Common Redpolls. We usually see a few, but every once in a while, we will have a huge flock hang around at the feeders for an extended period of time. We also enjoy finding some White-winged Crossbills with their crazy beaks designed for tearing apart the spruce cones. It is nice to have such colorful...
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Cook County has already had its first taste of winter weather and even though we are hearty northlanders, it’s a good time to refresh our cold weather skills and ensure that we are prepared for winter challenges. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DPS-HSEM) partner with the National Weather Service to sponsor the annual Winter Hazard Awareness Week. The 2021 Minnesota campaign runs from November 15 through 19 and offers daily tips to assist families and businesses in preparing for and surviving winter. Monday’s topic is Winter Weather Overview. The main weather threats...
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Since 2005 local Girl Scouts have sponsored Santa's Workshop on the first Saturday in December. Last year they took a break and decided they really would try hard to make that the only interruption in this tradition. So this year, Troop #412, with the help of Lifetime Members, is sponsoring the event. This is a shopping spree for kids, safe for the littlest ones, and gratifying for all. This year we will begin at 9 a.m. and go until 12 noon at the Colvill Town Hall. Adults are asked to prepare a list of names for whom to shop. Part...
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Editor's note: More than 2,400 Americans died when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the U.S. naval base near Honolulu, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, and another 1,000 were wounded. One of the men there had only recently graduated from what is now called Cook County High School. Here is the story of the late Clarence William Ellquist, as told to his daughter, Claudia Ellquist. It is a day that stands with great clarity, and great detail, in my memory, like no other. I will never forget. My twin brother, Roger, and I had enlisted in the Navy at age 18,...
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Do you have a favorite pet photo you would like to share? Tell us a little about your pet and send pictures and contact information to ccnh@boreal.org or Cook County News Herald, PO Box 757, Grand Marais MN 55604. Thank you!
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Thomas R. Nelson, 79, of Grand Marais, Minnesota, died on October 21, 2021, in Two Harbors at the Water View Shores Care Center. Thomas was born in Oak Park, Illinois, on May 4, 1942, to Roy A. Nelson and Joan (Helle) Nelson. He went to school in Chicago and the University of Illinois. Later he moved to Duluth, Minnesota, where he became a regional manager for Sumatoma Corporation, which meant a lot of traveling from there. He moved to Silver Bay, Minnesota, with his three hunting dogs. After a short stint in Chicago, he sold his house in Silver Bay...
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David Hahn, well-loved Cook County artist, has a new honor. One of his pieces has been accepted at the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame! "Grandpa Dave," who each year completes portraits of Cook County High School athletic teams and the individual players, has had a life career in illustration and artistry, especially in sports-artistry. (Including as sole illustrator for the 2017 "coffee table book", The St. Louis Browns--the Story of a Beloved Team.) A few years ago, David was commissioned for a memorial portrait of the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame player Lionel (the Train) Aldrich. Aldrich played...
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CCHS BAND RECEIVES FIRST PLACE HONORS The Cook County High School Senior High Band gave a sterling performance which earned them a superior rating and first place honors at the recent World of Music Festival held in Minneapolis.
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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses at the North Shore Campus, 300 W. 3rd St., Grand Marais. Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 218-387-3411 or at www.northshorecampus.org. Cook County AA & Al-Anon Meetings https://gm-aa-alanon.com 641-715-3900 ext 563145. Tofte Town Meeting Held...
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Correction: In the article about the visit to Cook County by Rep. Rob Ecklund and Senator Bakk it was stated that Mary Somnis is the Director of the EDA. Mary recently retired and Beth Drost is the new director of the EDA. The News-Herald regrets the error.
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Most of us who live in Cook County love our natural surroundings—light on water, lichens and mosses on rocks, white pines and cedars. Sometimes people ask me, “Do you ever get so you don’t even notice? Do you ever stop being awed by the nature around?” I think I can answer ‘no’ to that; I try to look at our beautiful world every day and see it with new eyes. Last Thursday when Lake Superior was so wild, gale force winds pushing gravel across the parking lot at Artists Point, I was at Dappled Fern Fibers, and I placed my...
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Nancy Moran (Johnson) Needham, age 57, of Plymouth, formerly of Grand Marais, passed away November 10, 2021. She was a loving sister, aunt, daughter, friend, and amazing mother. She was a lover of life, full of laughter and humor, and possessed a heart full of love for her family, friends, and animals. Not a fan of: ziplining, hot air ballooning, quiet laughter, mincing words, store bought baked goods, and funerals. Preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Patricia Johnson, sister Carol Johnson. Survived by daughters Grace and Lily Needham; siblings Molly (Mike) Lutz, Patsy (Bill) Bernhjelm, Rick (Jayne) Johnson,...
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By Randy-von Voeks The last time I spilled West-End secrets was to clue Cook County into Jim Vick’s Singer- Songwriter free concerts at Papa Charlies (which hopefully will return as we move into a post-Covid era). Now I have a new secret to share for West- Enders (and visitors from afar) who are looking for an escape from ‘cabin-fever’ where they can watch N.F.L., Timberwolves, N.H.L. and college football games at the same time and not have to cook. For years, the Superior National Golf Clubhouse has been under-used during the winter months, despite spectacular views and a cozy fireplace...
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