Cook County Schools achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status for the scores of its students on Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) during the 2008-09 school year. The tests are required under the federal No Child Left Behind Act and measure achievement toward the goal of 100% proficiency by 2014. Half the state’s schools achieved Adequate Yearly Progress this year, according to […]
County drops local insurance agent
At the recommendation of Cook County Personnel Director Janet Simonen, the county board unanimously passed a motion July 21, 2009 to have an outside company send out requests for proposals (RFPs) for life and long-term disability insurance policies on the county’s behalf. In doing so, however, local insurance agent John McClure, who has been the county’s long-term disability policy agent […]
Sheriff’s Office to conduct alcohol compliance checks
TheCook County Sheriff ‘s Officehas received a $3,600 grant from the Minnesota Institute of Public Health to conduct alcohol compliance checks between August 1, 2009 and May 15, 2010. At its Tuesday, August 18, 2009 meeting, the county board approved Sheriff Mark Falk’s request to accept the grant, provided to enforce underage drinking laws and educate alcohol retailers and community […]
Planning Commission recommends rezoning for Thompson Performance
Nearly 30 people turned out for the Cook County Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on Wednesday, August 12 to ask questions or show support for a zoning change for Thompson Performance on the outskirts of Grand Marais. The hearing started with Planning & Zoning Administrator Bill Lane explaining that the request for rezoning from residential (R1) to commercial (GC) is […]
County board decides to pursue broadband stimulus grant
The county board met in special session Friday, August 7, 2009 to decide whether to authorize application for a federal stimulus grant that would bring high-capacity broadband Internet service to homes and businesses throughout Cook County. A consulting firm was hired in February to study the feasibility of broadband, Cook County Information Systems Director Danna MacKenzie told commissioners, but when […]
1st and 2nd volunteers bring amazing yield to local nonprofits
The volunteers for 1st and 2nd Thrift Shop in Grand Marais have brought their favorite Cook County nonprofits a whopping $40,000.14 this year. Enthusiasm was high at the Senior Center Tuesday, August 18, 2009 as payouts were made to 37 different organizations during an annual celebration coffee. The time people spend volunteering for 1st and 2nd is logged. At the […]
Family remembered at Hughie’s Taco House
Hughie’s Taco House wasn’t the first name considered for the unique “Home of the Puffed Taco” in downtown Grand Marais—but it is the perfect name for the successful restaurant opened by family-oriented businesswoman Anna Hamilton. When Hamilton decided to open a restaurant in Grand Marais, she wanted to name it “Nacho Mama’s,” a play on the planned Mexican fare as […]
City budget still hinges on two unknowns
Even though Grand Marais city councilors devoted their Aug. 12 work session to a discussion of next year’s budget, City Administrator Mike Roth cautioned that until two key factors are determined — the amount of state aid the city will receive, and the amount of support the city will get from the county for swimming pool operations — a clear […]
In other news:
» On the recommendation of the planning commission, two variances were approved. The Cook County Tennis Association will be allowed to construct a wall for a practice court near the existing courts. The wall will be three feet from the east line and five feet from the north line; the required setback is 20 feet. Both the county and the […]
Retracing steps of Cook County ministers
Five people walked the 19 miles from Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais to Trinity Lutheran Church in Hovland Sunday, August 9, 2009 in honor of early Cook County pastors who years ago made the trek once a month to hold services and meet with parishioners. Some of those pastors also walked to Lutsen and Tofte as well. The ceremonial […]