More questions for candidates in House 3A race
The three candidates running in the special election to fill the vacant Minnesota House 3A seat are on their final push, door-knocking and making phone calls. Rob Ecklund of International Falls, Kelsey Johnson of Babbitt and Roger Skraba of Ely each sat down with the Cook County News-Herald recently and answered a few questions. Following is the final in a […]
County sets levy increase at 8.5 percent
On December 1, after months of number crunching and tough negotiations among Cook County commissioners and county department heads to find ways to reduce costs, the board set the 2016 Cook County levy with an 8.5 percent increase, down from the original cap of 12 percent they established in early September. The levy for 2016 will be $7,070,780, an increase […]
Grand Marais family loses everything in Thanksgiving day fire
As most community members were settling in for a relaxing evening after Thanksgiving dinner, a page was sounded—at 7:26 p.m. emergency responders were called out for a structure on fire at Gofer Cabins in Grand Marais. When the Grand Marais Fire Department arrived on scene at 7:47 p.m., they found the cabin, home to Heather Spry and her 6-year-old son, […]
Rob Ecklund would be a good representative
Back in September, I was disappointed in my effort to serve the people of Legislative District 3A. It was fun to be a candidate and I thoroughly enjoyed my travels across this beautiful part of the country. I also enjoyed getting to know the other candidates. I was impressed by their sincerity and willingness to serve their community. I was […]
Independent candidate is free to listen to citizens
If you don’t work for the government here in Cook County, you probably work for (or operate) a small business. We all know how critical these are to our economy, and how difficult it can be for them to maintain employees and keep things afloat from season to season. Kelsey Johnson is running for state representative from our district, and […]
No place like home
OK, so it’s true that I have had a hard time with this Grand Marais “Coolest Small Town” thing, I admit it. Then I went away for two weeks to visit 17 states in 13 days. Aside from having a blast with my sister and our friend Sue, laughing until sore while eating our way through the southern states and […]
Ode to Autumn
Autumn on the North ShoreOn the Lake’s North ShoreThe leaves are quickly turning -Green and brown ignited. Brilliant, blazing, burningYellow, orange and fiery red,An eagle soars high overhead,Circling in the steel blue sky,While waxwings sing, andSea gulls cry, andLoons laugh at yesterday’s mistakes,As whitecaps dance on the ancient lake,Cliffs and rocks still pounding waves, andWaterfalls spring from unseen caves. Cloudy […]
Fireworks and festivities created Christmas village
Friday’s parade, tree-lighting and fireworks were a great success, due to the combined efforts of Cook County Chamber of Commerce, the City of Grand Marais, Grand Marais Lions, Visit Cook County and the Grand Marais retail community. Special thanks to Bob Spry and Mark Sandbo for the spectacular fireworks. And thanks to all who planned, participated, and supported this event, […]
Escaping from jury duty
I am happy to report that I have nearly fulfilled my civic duty. I have been in the jury pool for the local court for the last few months. My time as a potential juror will be ending at the end of the month. I have received notice several times that I may have to serve on a trial. Each […]