The sound of drums and the scent of sacred tobacco were in the air on Saturday, May 12, as community members gathered for the 20th Annual Honor Our Elders Powwow at the Grand Portage Community Center. At the start of the powwow, Grand Portage Royalty, Tiny Tot Brave John Pierre, Tiny Tot Princess Kassia Deschampe, Junior Brave Patrick Pierre, Junior […]
City council votes to pursue swimming pool litigation
Grand Marais city councilors voted 4-1 May 9 to pursue litigation against a Wisconsin firm. The action, if successful, will allow the city to participate in ongoing efforts to construct a community center. An action for declaratory judgment will be filed by Flaherty & Hood, the city’s legal counsel, seeking relief against Burbach Aquatics Inc. The firm has alleged that, […]
Fire season begins with house fire, numerous wildfires
On Sunday, May 13, a page went out to the Grand Portage Fire Department at 10:48 p.m., reporting a house fire at 62 Margarets Road in Grand Portage. Everyone had safely exited the house, the caller said. A Sheriff Deputy responded and informed Cook County Law Enforcement that there was smoke in the house, apparently coming from an exterior wall. […]
County board authorizes increased funding for two 1 percent projects
The Tofte Township Board labored on May 10 to cut numerous much-hoped-for improvements to its Birch Grove Community Center project, with new cost estimates coming in more than $300,000 over the $700,000 the county board granted from its 1 percent infrastructure and recreation sales tax. That didn’t stop them from asking for an increase in the county’s allocation at the […]
Election filing period opens for county seats
Secretary of State Mark Ritchie issued a reminder this week to Minnesotans interested in running for public office that the candidate-filing period for federal, state, county and some local offices begins Tuesday, May 22 at 8 a.m. and closes Tuesday, June 5 at 5 p.m. Candidates filing for office in Cook County do so at the Cook County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office […]
Consistency unorganized
As I begin to write this week’s Unorganized Territory, I am looking at a little orange post-it note on the edge of my computer screen. It says, “Column 600 words max.” I am behind schedule and I am now at the mercy of my co-worker and friend Laurie who pastes the paper together each week. Newspaper fans are likely saying, […]
Put community center to a vote
First, I want to say I think Vilnis Neilands wrote an excellent letter, as have several others. To the commissioners….what part of no don’t you get? We do not want a new community center and we cannot afford it. I don’t like stepping on toes that aren’t deserved, but if the commissioners would do their jobs properly, we would not […]
Working with YMCA on community center is positive
I met YMCA Representative Chris Francis when he was in Grand Marais for community and school board meetings regarding the new community center. I think it is an incredible opportunity for our community to have the YMCA considering partnering with us! Mr. Francis has been very open and has provided a lot of information about what the YMCA can do/bring […]
Power plant and loading docks essential to Cook County economy
Cook County taxpayers should be alarmed over the prospect of both MN Power’s Taconite Harbor Energy Center and Cleveland Cliffs railroad/taconite loading docks being idle. Pressure is being placed by the MN Public Utilities Commission to close the power plant in Schroeder with a loss of 47 full-time high-wage jobs. Without use of either one of the facilities, a good […]