I am Ed Zlonis, a Gunflint Trail visitor and occasional homebody. I am currently conducting research for a graduate program at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. My research will inevitably pertain to birds; however, I am still in the process of developing a thesis. One of the subjects that I am interested in is the population, distribution, and species abundance […]
Public should be warned before burns
Last week, as the brush pile burned and the halls of ISD166 smelled of smoke, I “stuck out my neck” and called the Grand Marais city officesto ask – when will this be over? I have outdoor recess duty at the school and needed to know if it was safe for us to be outside. I wanted them to know […]
New restrictions on “robocalls”
Staff reports The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that prerecorded commercial telemarketing calls to consumers – known as robocalls – are now prohibited unless the telemarketer has obtained permission in writing from consumers who want to receive such calls. The new requirement is part of amendments to the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) that were announced a year ago. […]
Attorneys present arguments in kidnapping, assault case
Staff reports An omnibus hearing in the case of the state vs. Kevin Robert Thompson and Susan Ann Thompson of Grand Marais took two hours at the Cook County courthouse Tuesday, November 3, 2009. It included presentation of detailed information on the case and testimony by two Cook County deputy sheriffs. Omnibus hearings are held to determine whether sufficient evidence […]
Axtell receives commendation for PSAT score
Cook County High School (CCHS) senior Karlee Axtell scored in the top 5% in the nation on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) she took in October 2008. She was in the top 50,000 of the more than 1.5 million students who took the test. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has awarded Axtell a commendation for her score. The National […]
Weekly Weather
Date High L ow Precipitation From Dave Clutter, Poplar Lake Oct. 27 42.95 30.45 0.00 0.00 Oct. 28 41.90 28.90 0.10 0.00 Oct. 29 45.20 37.60 0.30 0.00 Oct. 30 50.20 33.25 0.35 0.75 Oct. 31 38.30 28.30 0.00 0.25 Nov. 1 34.70 27.50 0.10 Trace Nov. 2 35.40 28.90 0.00 Trace From Joseph & Mary Routh, Hovland Oct. 27 […]
Veterans’ services officer advocating for local vets
Richard McKenzie has made some new friends since he took over as Cook County’s veterans’ services officer. “It’s interesting. It’s rewarding. It’s fun,” he told the county board Tuesday, October 27, 2009. But it can also be a bit frustrating. The paperwork involved in helping a veteran get set up with services can be “very overwhelming,” McKenzie said. The average […]
Low income home energy assistance available
Staff reports Arrowhead Electric members are once again eligible to participate in a federal program offering heating assistance. Joe Buttweiler, Arrowhead Electric’s director of member services, explained that Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEA), a program funded by the United States Department of Health & Human Services, has released $108 million dollars to the state of Minnesota. Arrowhead Electric members […]
Procedures for a mail-in vote
Approximately 20 people gathered at the Cook County courthouse the evening of Tuesday, November 3, 2009 to tally votes on the proposed 1% sales tax and a telephone exchange to be used as part of a broadband fiber optic cable system. The polls closed at 8:00 p.m., but about 14 election judges showed up at 6:30 p.m., ready to start […]
Cookies for Troops to be collected
Staff reports Shelby Anderson of School District 166 has launched an effort to let the men and women serving in the Armed Forces know that they have not been forgotten, especially during the holiday season. Anderson invites the community to join her in remembering them over the holidays by contributing— either with goodies or non-perishable food items or financially— to […]