Weekly Weather



Big rain overwhelms city sewer system



The very big rain that dropped 3½ inches of rain on downtown Grand Marais on July 18, 2013 flooded the Cook County Whole Foods Co-op parking lot once again and overloaded the city’s sanitary sewer. At a Public Utilities Commission meeting on July 24, Water/ Wastewater Superintendent Tom Nelson reported that the city’s system cannot handle rains this big. The […]

Deliverance: The movie I skipped



Maybe you know the 1972 movie, Deliverance. It portrayed those who lived in wooded areas as dangerous, scary, eager to inflict fear, damage and injury. I was in my early 20s, but already loved going alone to our family cabin hidden deep in the Minnesota woods. It had no neighbors for a mile, a long driveway off the gravel road, […]

Harvey sets sail on Mercy Ship



He shares a small room with three bunkmates, but Jeremiah Harvey doesn’t mind. He has a cot and small dresser, and hopefully room for a surfboard behind the cot. “They just docked in the Canary Islands and Jeremiah found out there is good surfing nearby. He’s hoping he has room for a surfboard that can be stored behind his cot, […]

Historical Society seeks comments on historic sites



A long-term planning workshop was held July 22 by the Cook County Historical Society to evaluate best future uses of the historic properties under its care. Participants toured the Lighthouse Keeper’s Museum, Chippewa City Church, Bally Blacksmith Shop and the 1930s Fish House Replica with the fishing tug Neegee. From now through August 4, community members and visitors are invited […]

Public comment period for mining issues ends July 31



The Lake Superior Binational Forum offers a public comment opportunity to allow the public to give input about mining issues in the Lake Superior basin. The Binational Forum is a diverse stakeholder group of 24 members from Michigan, Minnesota, Ontario, and Wisconsin whose role is to make recommendations and provide input to the binational, state, provincial, and indigenous governments that […]

County looks at updating solid waste and land use plans



Some work just doesn’t seem to get done without outside help. On July 23, 2013, the county board authorized Planning & Zoning Director Tim Nelson to hire a consultant to update the county’s Solid Waste Management Plan at a cost not to exceed $22,300. The state requires counties to update their plans every 10 years, but the last time Cook […]

Historical Reflections

Chippewa City has rich history

St. Francis Xavier Church, built in 1895, is the most visible remnant of Chippewa City, once a thriving community separate from Grand Marais. According to a brochure created by Staci Drouillard for the Cook County Historical Society, “The bulk of funds for the construction of the church was raised through basket socials. … Most of the contributions came from area […]

Down Memory Lane



10 YEARS AGOJULY 25, 2003 The county board voted Tuesday to deny a rezoning request that would have created smaller, additional building lots in the Echo Woods Plat near McFarland Lake in Hovland. It was the second time in three months that such a request had come before the county commissioners; the first request was voted down on May 27. […]

Local group takes part in World Breastfeeding Week



World Breastfeeding Week will be celebrated Aug. 1-7 and once again, Cook County organizations plan to take part in the event. The 2013 theme, “Breastfeeding Support: Close to Mothers,” highlights the importance of providing support to breastfeeding families. Infant feeding is one of the most important decisions that new families make; evidence is clear that breastfeeding is the ideal way […]