A jobs program that works



Earlier this week, at President Obama’s Atkinson, Illinois Town Hall Meeting, Pam Dennis of the Henry County Community Action Agency cited Experience Works as an example of a program that helps people keep their heads above water. The program Ms. Dennis was referring to is the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), operated by Experience Works. This year, Congress cut […]

Bakk staying in St. Paul



In recent months, I have been overwhelmed by the numerous phone calls, letters, and e-mails I have received from citizens encouraging me to run for Congress. It’s clear that many in the 8th District are frustrated with the partisan gridlock that has gripped Washington since the last election and are eager for a new direction— and new representation—in Congress. While […]

Apply for EDA’s commercial rehab funding now



“An economically strong and vibrant downtown business district is vital to the community,” said Steve Grabko of Community Fundraising Solutions (CFS) as he prepared for the August 23 informational meeting on the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) Housing – Commercial Rehab program. Four business owners attended the informational meeting to learn about the grants and low-interest […]

Sawtooth Mountain Clinic— a medical home



Sawtooth Mountain Clinic is hosting an open house for its doctors on Thursday, September 1 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., inviting the public to stop by the lower level of the clinic and visit with the family practice physicians who keep our rural clinic going. The Cook County News-Herald sat down with the community doctors recently to find out what […]

Weekly Weather



New drug store— Grand Marais Pharmacy— to open



Bob Sample sounded exuberant, even excited on the phone. “Elaine and I are coming back to Grand Marais and opening a new business. It will be called Grand Marais Pharmacy,” he said. He and his wife, Elaine, project the opening of the new business to be on September 19—the exact date dependent on final inspections and regulatory approvals. It will […]

Paramedics ready to come to the rescue



If you have to have a medical emergency, being in the hands of a paramedic is a good place to be. That’s where a lot of North Shore Hospital emergency room patients end up now that two paramedics are on staff. Long-time Lutsen resident Jeff Denniston is a new paramedic, but he’s well prepared and came with hundreds of hours […]

An invitation to the table



Did you ever have to sit at the kid’s table? Your family had some big whoopdeedo. There was a huge meal. The big table was covered with bowls of steaming, hot vegetables. There was a big platter of ham, or beef, or turkey, or maybe all three. Every chair in the house that could be used was fit closer than […]

William Harold “Bill” Duininck



William Harold “Bill” Duininck, 88, of Grand Marais, died on Friday, August 19, 2011 at the Cook County North Shore Care Center in Grand Marais. He was born in Prinsburg, MN to Garrit and Elsie (Mulder) Duininck and was baptized at the Christian Reformed Church in Prinsburg. He graduated from Renville High School in 1941 and later graduated from the […]

Thomas Franklin Smude



Thomas Franklin Smude, September 7, 1942 to August 7, 2011 Tom was born and raised in Pine Center, Minnesota. In service to his country, he enlisted in the Navy from 1959 to 1963. He spent most of his working life in the lumber and hardware industry, ending his career in Grand Marais, with his own business, D&T Lumber Company. He […]