Cook County North Shore Hospital and Care Center Administrator Kimber Wraalstad told the hospital board that if the 2014 contract from Blue Cross Blue Shield would have been signed as presented, the hospital/care center would have received $575,000 less in payments than it would have in the past from the insurance provider. “We negotiated that number down. It’s approaching $300,000, […]
Parent Child Interaction Therapy is promising
The Human Development Center (HDC) with support from Cook County Public Health and Human Services is offering Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) in Cook County. Cecilia Bloomquist, MSW, LGSW was able to take advantage of PCIT training and consultation through funding from the Department of Human Services (DHS). PCIT is one of the most researched interventions for young children. It […]
School board discusses budget and bond
The School District 166 school board tackled complex budget issues and decided to issue tax abatement bonds at the June 19, 2014 board meeting. The fiscal year 2015 budget was adopted. Although there are many complexities involved in the budget calculations, expenditures from the unreserved general fund and the transportation fund are projected at $6,976,938 versus revenues of $6,538,948. The […]
Grand Marais PUC reviews credit requests
Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Secretary Jan Smith told the PUC board on June 3 that she had discovered an overcharge on a customer’s bill that began November 2008. “The mistake was a $10 charge per month which resulted in a total overbilling of $716.04,” Smith said. “At [City Administrator] Mike Roth’s request, I reviewed every bill printed for […]
Water monitors thanked at luncheon
Water monitoring within Cook County has taken place over the past 30 years. Individuals have volunteered their time to monitor precipitation or surface water, with some monitoring both. Citizens have monitored on their own or as a volunteer with home owner associations, lake associations, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the Cook County Soil […]
Bill to honor Oberstar introduced
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken have introduced a bill to rename the U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters in memory of former U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar. Oberstar, who passed away May 3, devoted his career to improving transportation and infrastructure and was regarded as an expert on public works and transportation issues. As chairman and longtime member of the […]
Locals do well at Grandma’s Marathon
For the second year in a row the weather was perfect for running: it was cool and wet with a nice breeze at the runners’ backs for the 38th annual running of Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon which was held Saturday, June 21 in Duluth. There were 6,211 finishers (3,497 men and 2,714 women) with an average […]
Caroline Wood is the new Birch Grove Foundation Executive Director
A first look into Caroline Wood’s new office revealed a space in transition— boxes and papers and books and computers looking for a permanent home, but no Caroline. “She’s in a meeting down the hall,” the kindly janitor told me who escorted me to the office. “I can take you there, she said. “No, I’ll wait here, outside in the […]
Five turtle day
The washboard gravel road leading to Lac des Mille Lac is green as I’ve ever seen. It’s a great spot for wildlife sightings, although lately no large animals such as bear or moose have shown their faces. However, I’m always optimistic. Suddenly I spot something on the road’s edge. “Watch out,” I yell. “Turtle!” Dick brings the pick-up truck to […]
New board, new building plans for Cook County Visitors Bureau
Visit Cook County (Cook County Visitors Bureau) has appointed its board of directors for the 2014-15 fiscal year. The CCVB board works to ensure representation from every part of the county and oversees the marketing and promotion of all our natural wonders. Visit Cook County looks forward to an exciting year. Linda Kratt, executive directive, dreams big. “We have contracted […]