Frigid temperatures and slippery roads didn’t deter several hundred people who attended the Cook County Community YMCA charter member celebration on Friday, January 3 and grand opening Saturday, January 4, 2014. Once the doors were open it took only a few minutes for the sparkling new facility to fill with excited new members and onlookers as young and old gathered […]
County board holds 2014 organizational meeting
Despite Siberia-like temperatures outside, it was plenty warm inside on Tuesday, January 7 as the Cook County Board of Commissioners set their 2014 assignments and appointed citizens to various commissions, committees and boards. Hall reappointed as board chair District 1 Commissioner Jan Hall was again reelected to serve as the county board chair by a 3-2 vote. Commissioner Heidi Doo-Kirk […]
Bitter cold doesn’t deter Gichigami Express dogs and mushers
The 2014 Gichigami Express Sled Dog Race will likely go in the record books as one of the coldest sled dog races in Minnesota’s history. Governor Mark Dayton ordered schools closed because of the extreme cold temperatures on Monday, January 6, the final day of the race. But the 10 dog sled teams that completed the race trekked on in […]
Minnesota Power Foundation gives $12,000 grant for firefighting equipment
On Friday, January 3, Lutsen Fire Chief Paul Goettl was happy to open the Lutsen Fire Hall for a small gathering. He was more than happy to accept a grant of $12,000 from the Minnesota Power Foundation to be used toward a new fire support trailer. Presenting the check was Minnesota Power’s Taconite Harbor Managing Superintendent Dave Rannetsberger, Minnesota Power […]
New Year’s good intentions
It seems like New Year’s resolutions have become a thing of the past. When I’ve asked friends and family if they made a resolution, one of the most common answers to the question is “I resolved not to make any New Year’s resolutions.” That comment is frequently followed up with an assertion that resolutions are just made to be broken […]
Parents should heed Let’s Talk message
What a positive, encouraging and important column Kelly Senty wrote in the December 28, 2013 News-Herald Let’s Talk column, The confident young woman. Ms. Senty’s reminder to parents to love and value our children regardless of body size or body shape is especially important in light of the intense media focus, advertisements and popular culture’s obsession with unrealistic and indeed […]
Blessed are the poor?
Watching a lot of television these past days I have seen Christmas interpreted in so many ways. The opulence in the stores, the parades, the church services with their picturesque liturgies, the many stories and tales about Scrooge, Santa Claus, Rudolph and Jesus. Few of them seemed to me to hit the true meaning of darkness turning to light, the […]
We the People didn’t get what was promised
I find it very upsetting that the original 1 percent was not used partially for its original purpose: outdoor amenities. The Revitalization/Recreation Committee formed in 2005 spent hundreds of volunteer hours and had many open meetings to see what (we) the public would like created. Items included a soccer field, covered skating rink, multiple ball fields and repaired tennis courts. […]
What does community need regarding the Care Center?
In reference to the December 28, 2013 article Hospital Board finalizes levy amidst concerns from constituents. Is there a business plan for the Care Center? Or is the plan to prop it up with a levy every year and not have an active plan to make it able to operate in the black? Ely, Cook, and Silver Bay are reaping […]