City sets maximum 2011 budget levy increase at 3 percent



Grand Marais city residents will see an increase of not more than 3 percent in next year’s property tax bills. City council passed a resolution Sept. 8 setting the maximum 2011 tax levy increase at 3 percent. By law, council has to set the property tax limit by mid-September. The final levy must be decided by the end of the […]

Shifting party lines in 8th Congressional District race



Chip Cravaack, the endorsed Republican Congressional candidate for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District, challenging long-time Congressional leader Jim Oberstar, announced endorsements from the Independence Party and a DFL group this week. Tim Olson, Independence Party candidate for Congress, has withdrawn from his run for the 8th District seat. He attended a fundraiser for Cravaack and said, “I will do everything in […]

Golf course request leads to 1% review committee



A crowd of more than 20 people sat in the Cook County commissioner’s room at the courthouse while the county board discussed requests for help with Superior National at Lutsen Golf Course Tuesday, September 14, 2010. The discussion some thought might take place did not, however. When the agenda item came up, golf course advocates Mark Sandbo and Hal Greenwood […]

DNR offers land for sale—six parcels in Cook County



The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be holding public auctions in October to sell a total of 38 parcels of land. Six parcels are in Cook County, with three parcels that have been up for bid before and three new parcels. The Cook County parcels will be auctioned on Thursday, October 21, 2010. Two parcels to be auctioned […]

Clearwater Road closures begin September 20



Beginning September 20, the Cook County Highway Department will be doing work on Clearwater Road (County Road 22) that will result in periodic road closures for up to one week. “We are replacing five culverts, including the major cross pipes near West Bearskin Lake Landing and Aspen Lake,” said Highway Engineer David Betts. “Road closures may delay traffic between two […]

Consider protecting property with wildfire sprinkler system



Cook County was very fortunate this summer with only one fairly small wildfire—the Lizard Lake Fire, which burned approximately 52 acres far from homes and private property. However, the threat of wildfire is always a risk for Northland home owners. That risk can be mitigated though, with Firewise techniques, including the installation of wildfire sprinklers. Some homeowners may hesitant to […]

Centenarian Day at Care Center



September 22 is national “Centenarian Day”— a day to recognize and honor individuals who have lived a century or longer. This is a day to not only recognize these individuals, but to listen to them discuss their memories— filled with historical information from their rich lives. There are now four centenarians residing at North Shore Care Center – four women. […]

Taste of the Gunflint Trail is a sweet success



When Wesley Sedlacek Jr. was busy on-line looking for something to do early last Saturday, he discovered “Taste of the Gunflint Trail,” a fundraiser for the Chik- Wauk Museum & Nature Center’s boardwalk nature trail. The native Illinois resident was staying at a condo in Lutsen with his parents, Wesley Sr. and Roxane. It didn’t take much arm bending to […]

Catching a Musical Wave



Driver safety classes offered Sept. 21-22



An AARP Driver Safety beginning class will once again be offered at the Cook County Senior Center in Grand Marais. Theclasses will be conducted from 5 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 21 and 22. Thefee for AARP members is $17; non-members $19. Minnesota drivers aged 55+ receive a 10 percent auto insurance discount by taking an approved eight-hour driver safety […]