Students initiate debate and discussion society



Letters to the editor are valuable prompts for thought, and often leave readers and Cook County citizens with the desire to connect with each other and pursue clarification of the nuances of a civic, ethical or moral dilemma. A debate and discussion society has been developed at Cook County High School to help bring letter writers and readers together. A […]

Golf course conflict of interest?



The Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) was made to operate a business owned by the taxpayer, Superior National at Lutsen (SNL). The concept of operating a business is to make it profitable. Most citizens expect that spending $4.2 million at SNL will include returning the course to a profitable status as the project was advertised to […]

School and county consider support of biomass heat system



Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP) representatives appeared before several governmental entities this month with updates on the investigation of whether or not it is feasible to heat government and commercial buildings in Grand Marais with a central biomass-fueled heating plant. ISD 166 unsure about 25-year contract Paul Nelson and Gary Atwood talked to the ISD 166 school board on […]

Weekly Weather



Surveying our blessings



“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His Word I hope; my soul waits for the LORD more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” Psalm 130:5-6 A waiter or waitress is the person who we depend on to wait on us in a restaurant. Often times we find ourselves waited upon, ever […]

New Arrivals



Bell ringing at Red Kettles helps meet needs in Cook County



A local holiday tradition begins on the Friday after Thanksgiving—the annual (and only) effort to raise funds for meeting needs in Cook County by the Salvation Army. This effort can only succeed with the help of many bell-ringers (or music providers) who attend the Red Kettles in the main grocery stores of Grand Marais and Tofte weekdays and Saturdays until […]

Historical Reflections



Down Memory Lane



10 YEARS AGONOV. 21, 2003 At the Nov. 13 Tofte Town Board meeting current board chairman John Nelson’s retirement announcement came as a surprise to his fellow supervisors Paul James and Gary Kettleson. Fire Chief Rich Nelson (John’s son) announced the retirement during his fire report. John stated he was resigning from his supervisor post and asked his fellow supervisors […]

Caregivers recognized in November



November is Family Caregivers Month. It’s a time to thank, support, educate and empower family caregivers. Day in and day out, 90 million family caregivers in this country fulfill a vital role on the care team. Two out of every five adults are family caregivers. Thirty-nine percent of all adult Americans are caring for a loved one who is sick […]