As folks began to gather at Harbor Park in the early afternoon on Saturday, August 4, dark clouds also accumulated overhead. It looked as if the presentation of the Grand Marais Lions Club “Citizen of the Year” and “Senior Citizen of the Year” awards might be interrupted by rain. The audience at Harbor Park didn’t seem to care. They wanted […]
Election filing period still open for school, hospital and city
With just a few days left to file, there are some open slots on the ballot for the November 6, 2012 election. Citizens interested in serving on the School District 166 school board, the Cook County North Shore Hospital board or the Grand Marais City Council have until August 14 to file. The Cook County North Shore Hospital board has […]
Reflections on leaving Superior National Forest
U.S. Forest Service Superior National Forest Gunflint District Ranger Dennis Neitzke is leaving the position he has held since August 2001 for a new job in the Dakota National Grasslands near Bismarck, North Dakota. The Cook County News- Herald talked to Neitzke this week about his 10-plus years in the Gunflint District and about his new job. New business for […]
Park board designates new spot for potential events pavilion
With the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) starting to move toward installing a new boat launch and parking lot in the Grand Marais Recreation Area, the Grand Marais Park Board is faced with finding an alternative location for the events pavilion outlined in its Master Plan. On August 7, 2012, the park board discussed an alternative to the area […]
Seizing snippets of time
I hope that everyone had a good time at the Grand Marais Lions Club Fisherman’s Picnic. I know I did. I just wish I had more time for catching up with friends and family. Last week I whined about the need for name tags for all the people who return for Fisherman’s Picnic that I don’t recognize. This week I’m […]
Hoping for sign of missing pilot
Eight weeks ago, my husband, Mike Bratlie, went missing in a twin-engine plane somewhere around Silver Bay. Mike, a Navy pilot, an Alaskan bush pilot and retired NWA captain, was also an avid outdoorsman, musician and artist. Unfortunately, heroic efforts by the Civil Air Patrol, the Air Force and local law enforcement produced no trace of him or the plane. […]
Concerned about biomass misconceptions
The responses of the county commissioner District 4 candidates to the question about biomass energy in last week’s News-Herald revealed several common misconceptions about biomass energy and, more importantly, a general lack of awareness about the biomass energy feasibility study currently under way. Biomass energy could be a significant economic and environmental opportunity for Grand Marais and Cook County. It […]
Dragon Boat “swimmers” appreciate the rescue
As team manager of the Spirit of the Wilderness Dragon Boat Team 2012 and on behalf of the entire team, I wish to heartily thank Cook County Law Enforcement, the DNR, the Coast Guard, CERT [Community Emergency Response Team] members and officials in the chase boat for our rescue during Race 3 of the Dragon Boat Races. You did a […]
Who will use a multi-million-dollar community center?
Do we really need a multi-milliondollar community center in Grand Marais? They are building a community center in Tofte. They have a community center in Grand Portage. Who will use the center in Grand Marais? Two hundred families in Grand Marais will not pay for maintenance. Are we building for the YMCA? People living outside of Cook County who have […]