In response to the dramatic rise in local courthouse violence across the nation—including the December 15, 2011 shooting at the Cook County Courthouse in Grand Marais during which County Attorney Tim Scannell and subpoenaed witness Greg Thompson were wounded— U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) has introduced the Local Courthouse Safety Act to improve security at smaller courthouses. Senators John Boozman […]
Big jump in property taxes? A refund may be available
Minnesota has two property tax refund programs for homeowners: a regular one and one for people whose property taxes increased significantly this last year. Regular property tax refund A regular refund is available to people who homestead their property if their household income is under $99,240 if they have no dependents or under $121,140 if they have dependents (senior or […]
Historical Reflections
Do you have an old picture or a story from years gone by that you would like to share with the Cook County News-Herald readers? We’d love to hear your Historical Reflections. Call (218) 387-9100; e-mail starnews@boreal.org; or stop by our office at 15 First Avenue West.
Down Memory Lane
10 Years Ago . Feb. 11, 2002 After several years of anticipation, Schroeder finally has the newly renovated post office it’s been waiting for. The ugly cement façade of the old building has yielded to a warm wood Lundiestyle exterior, its cramped dark quarters to a bright and spacious interior. There’s plenty of room now to mingle and meet, which […]
Community Center Steering Committee reconsiders location of community center
On October 18, 2011, the Cook County Commissioners accepted the recommendation of consulting firm ORB Management to site the proposed new community center on the corner of Fourth Avenue West and the New Gunflint Trail in Grand Marais, dubbed “the northwest corner.” However, at a Thursday, February 2, 2012 meeting of the Cook County Community Center Steering Committee, that group […]
Minnesota Power— retrofit or shut down?
On February 6, 2012, Minnesota Power (MP) filed a study with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) that explores future energy needs along with the potential impact of bringing three of Minnesota Power’s coal-fired plants into compliance with pending EPA regulations. The study, called a Baseload Diversification Study, was ordered by the Minnesota PUC and required Minnesota Power to examine […]
Cover Me
When I was young I loved blankets, not just for sleeping but for cuddling, for cozy reading props and for blanket forts made by draping them over a card table and then crawling underneath. Being “tucked in” at night was sometimes the best part of my day. I would kiss both sides of my pillow twice for good luck. Don’t […]
Cook County Schools celebrate healthier school lunch choices
Chances are, if you asked a student in the Cook County School District what’s new at lunch lately, they will have a lot to talk about. Under the leadership of Head Cook Linda Bockovich and with support from the District Wellness Committee, administration and local health advocates, there have been significant improvements in the nutrition of foods served for school […]
Lots of excitement in 2012
As I said last time the 2012 season started off running and we are keeping up that pace. The Grand Marais Playhouse is busy putting together a fantastic season of plays and special entertainment for the Grand Marais area. At press time, Shout! The Mod Musical returns as dinner theater for Valentine’s Day weekend on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 6:30 […]