WTIP Community Radio offers a lot of interesting programming. There’s the Sidetracks and Swing Session music shows, Classic Country, School News, and of course Viking sports. There’s also the always-informative AM/PM Calendar shows. But did you know that WTIP is also a great source of information about what’s happening at the Cook County Board of Commissioners? It is—our county commissioners […]
County board increasing opportunity for public input
At the county board’s annual organizational meeting on January 4, 2011, commissioners discussed a suggestion that they change their modus operandi by accepting public input during a designated time each meeting instead of throughout the entire meeting. At their next meeting on January 11, they continued the discussion. “I feel public input is critical, and we have to include public […]
County board members vie for committee assignments
At its second meeting of the year, Cook County commissioners expressed eagerness to be involved in a wide variety of boards and committees both in and outside of Cook County. Three of the commissioners wanted to be involved as county liaisons to the U.S. Forest Service. Last year, Bruce Martinson was the primary liaison and Fritz Sobanja was the alternate. […]
Gravel pits given annual review
The county has 13 permitted gravel pits, and it takes the responsibility of overseeing them seriously. Each year, the Cook County Planning Commission reviews the assessments performed by the Office of Planning and Zoning and makes recommendations to the Cook County Board of Commissioners regarding renewal of the permits. On January 11, 2011, the county board passed nine of the […]
Down Memory Lane
10 Years Ago · Jan. 15, 2001 This coming June and early July, the Minnesota Shakespeare Project is mounting the Minnesota Shakespeare Festival in Grand Marais. It is projected to be an annual event and the signature early summer draw to the North Shore. The festival is set to include 11 days and nights of theater plus workshops and spin-off […]
Biomass Part III: The Debate
Controversy over human intervention in federal forestsJust over a century ago, timber harvesting was one of our nation’s biggest industries. Wood was a major component in American homes, used for everything from foundations and siding to roofing. Everyday household items from file cabinets and horse-drawn wagons to wash buckets were made of wood. The concept of harvesting wood with the future health of the forest in […]
2011 – A win-win year
2011. Who would have thought we’d be here just 11 short years after Y2K? Seems like a blink doesn’t it? If you say 2011 as two…oh…one…one… out loud it sounds a little like two…oh…won…won or win win to me. The Steve Covey definition of win-win is a situation found to be mutually beneficial and cooperative. All parties come out on […]
Dupre making his way up Denali
After a delay of several days Lonnie Dupre has begun his climb of Mount Denali, North America’s highest peak at 20,320 feet. Dupre arrived by plane at Kahiltna Glacier on Jan 7. The glacier is located at the base of Denali. Dupre is seeking to become the first person to climb Denali alone in January. Three Russian climbers made it […]
Former CCHS graduate performs scientific work in Antarctica
While one Cook County resident ascends the top of the world by climbing Mount Denali (Lonnie Dupre), a former Cook County resident works at the bottom of the world in Antarctica. Both, it seems, can’t get enough of cold weather. Cook County High School (CCHS) graduate Jeff Vervoort is currently working in Antarctica on a geology project with University of […]
Biophilia: Sacred Inner and Outer Landscapes at the Art Colony
The Grand Marais Art Colony and Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church are collaborating again on a spring theme exhibit entitled Biophilia: Sacred Inner & Outer Landscapes. As with the exhibit last year on the Stations of the Cross, the show will run the two weeks leading up to Easter and will feature a wide range of artists and medias […]