County board ponders pay rates when jobs are reclassified



If a county employee’s job description is upgraded to a higher classification because of new responsibilities, what should be done about that employee’s rate of pay? The county board deliberated this at its regular meeting Tuesday, May 10, 2011. Since 1984 when the county started implementing a job classification system called the Decision Band Method, policies have varied regarding changes […]

County job upgrades, appointments, and transitions



Changes in county departmental procedures sometimes result in changes to county job descriptions and pay. Two county jobs were upgraded upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and the approval of the county board on Tuesday, April 26, 2011. Because of increased complexity in the job of the chief deputy county recorder and registrar of titles – currently held by […]

Down Memory Lane



10 Years Ago · May 14, 2001 A 31-year-old Superior, Wis., man was killed after the logging truck he was driving rolled over after running off Highway 61 near Lutsen. No other vehicles were involved in the accident. The rollover occurred at 11:20 a.m. near Ski Hill Road and Highway 61. Weather was not believed to be a factor. It […]

Research continues on renovation of Lutsen Fire Hall



How to proceed with renovation and expansion of the Lutsen Fire Hall and Town Hall was again discussed at the April 19 town meeting. When Supervisor Joe Buttweiler asked for a cost estimate, the citizens tasked with researching the expansion said they were at an impasse. “It would be really hard to get someone to bid off of our drawings,” […]

Donations, grants, enable major purchases for Lutsen Fire Department



Lutsen EMS Chief Fred Schmidt happily announced that the township had received its new AED. Schmidt explained that the new AED does the things that the First Responders and EMTs used to need two machines for. He gave a brief explanation of what the AED can do, noting that it is compatible with the ambulance. It includes a tape which […]

County gears up for summer projects



The county board is endeavoring to be responsible in its spending of public money. A proposal by Emergency Management Director Jim Wiinanen and Maintenance Director Brian Silence on April 19 for improvements to the inside of the Search and Rescue building across from the hospital was met with a request for more quotes on the cost. Requested was funding for […]

Taking down the birdfeeder



The ladder is sturdy with a solid platform, so I’m not going to take a nosedive on to the deck flooring. I step up and reach for the empty suet mesh bag. It will not be replaced. May has arrived and I’m going to quit hanging suet balls for the birds. I’ve already quit throwing out sunflower seeds. A new […]

Photo



ARAC biennial plan to be presented



On May 17, the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council’s biennial plan for fiscal year 2012/13 will be presented in Duluth. At this meeting, the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council Executive Director, Bob DeArmond, will present an overview of the Council programming and grant programs; proposed changes for the coming two years; grant maximums and match requirements; and will answer any questions from […]

Farm and Craft Market opens May 21



The Cook County Farm & Craft Market opens for its 15th season from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, May 21 in the Senior Center parking lot in Grand Marais. All the members are excited about the season opening, said Carolyn Kopchik, market manager. She and her husband, John, own Lake Superior Logworks and sell handmade woodcarvings, cabin accents […]