Budget and levy discussed at School Truth in Taxation meeting



The School District 166 school board voted to increase the school levy by 5.06 percent—the legal limit it can levy—at its December 18 meeting, pushing the taxpayer total from $1,063,000 last year to $1,117,687 in 2015. Before the board voted they held the district’s annual Truth in Taxation meeting. Only one person from the public attended and had no comment. […]

School board considers alternative learning facility, bus route



The School District 166 board decided to move forward in setting up a Level lV Special Education Center as well as an Alternative Learning Center. At the Thursday, December 18 board meeting, Superintendent Beth Schwarz presented the board with a potential timeline and asked for ideas that could help raise funds to support this initiative. The board didn’t take any […]

Grand Marais PUC discusses water losses



Grand Marais Water and Waste Water superintendent Tom Nelson said approximately 60,000 gallons per day are leaking from unknown places in the town’s massive plumbing works. “That’s about a 30 percent loss,” he told the Public Utilities Commission at its Wednesday, December 17 meeting. PUC board member Adam Harju asked if it was hard to find a leak, and Nelson said if […]

Stolen car and high speed chase through Cook County



A car in the parking lot of the Grand Marais Post Office was taken by 21-year-old Rueben R. Taylor, of McGregor, Minnesota at 1:40 p.m. on Monday, December 22 who then led a Minnesota State Patrol Officer on a high-speed chase on Highway 61. The 2006 Chevy Trailblazer, owned by David Larsen, 52, of Grand Marais, was located heading southbound […]

December 20 a busy day for tow trucks



Although Saturday, December 20 did not bring the worst weather the North Shore has seen this winter, there were a number of cars hitting the ditch in the county. Cook County Law Enforcement received the first report of a car in the ditch on Powers Lake Road in Hovland at 9:37 a.m. Lisa Hennessy was pulled out of the ditch […]

Alpine teams ready for competition



Despite warm, soggy weather near the lake, ski practice has been going well for the boys’ and girls’ teams, said Alpine Head Coach Charles Lamb. “The Cook County Alpine ski season is in full swing,” said Lamb. “We had 25 kids show up for dry land training back in early November.” Dry land workouts included hiking and running up the […]

My Christmas Story



I’m in the belly of the American consumer beast—Mall of America on the first weekend in December. I’m spending a weekend with my daughter while she enjoys a “child-free get-away.” Although I love hanging out with her, my energy flags by mid-afternoon. She is shopping in Nordstrom’s amongst aisles of glittery sumptuous items such as scarves, jewelry and handbags and […]

Operation Family Christmas: Mission Accomplished



Although there were a few concerns as the deadline for donations for Operation Family Christmas (OFC) neared, Cook County community members came through and organizers were able to fill bags of toys, games, and clothing items for all of the families that needed a little help this holiday. Organizers gathered at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Wednesday, December 17 to distribute […]

Legion Auxiliary donates to six local groups



The American Legion Post 413 Auxiliary is delivering its annual donations this month. At the December meeting the Auxiliary decided that it should contribute to the local chapter of the Salvation Army, the Cook County Senior Center, the North Shore Care Center, the Cook County Food Shelf, the Silver Bay Veterans Home, and Northland Honor Flights. Auxiliary President Janet Breithaupt […]

Liminal Space exhibit at Art Colony Jan. 9-Feb. 1



The Grand Marais Art Colony will present Liminal Space: Lynn Speaker Solo Exhibition from Jan. 9 through Feb. 1 at the Art Colony’s studio at 127 W. Third Ave. Speaker is a 2014 recipient of an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This exhibition features work created during the course of the grant period. Liminal space refers […]