Historical Reflections



Down Memory Lane



10 Years Ago March 3, 2006 ISD 166 agreed to accept $200,000 for the Birch Grove Community Center and 6.5 acres surrounding it or $360,000 for the community center and an approximately 35-acre parcel at its regular school board meeting Monday night. The deal, which has taken months of negotiations, must be ratified at the Tofte Township annual meeting March […]

County cuts funds for home health care



In an era when public money is getting harder and harder to come by, any cuts to a budget hurt, and it was against this backdrop that Cook County North Shore Hospital and Care Center (CCNSHCC) Administrator Kimber Wraalstad told the hospital board at its February 18 meeting that the county had cut $15,000 from its home health care funds. […]

Pile-up on ski hill results in five injured skiers



Three ambulances were dispatched to Lutsen Mountains on Saturday, February 27, to transport five people injured while skiing and snowboarding on Bull Run. Lutsen Mountains Ski Patrol contacted Cook County Law Enforcement at 9:47 a.m. reporting that they had two injured skiers needing transport to Cook County/North Shore Hospital. Just a few minutes later, at 9:53 a.m., the Ski Patrol […]

Grand Marais gets IRRRB grants



On February 22, the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) awarded the City of Grand Marais $100,000 to use for water, sewer, road and site development work for a new public works facility. The grant was part of $2.3 million given throughout the taconite district as part of public works stimulus projects. Under the innovative academic programming, Cook County […]

Talking with Tofte candidates



Tofte is the only township that has a contested race in the March 8, 2016 election. Incumbent Supervisor Jim King is running for re-election and he is being challenged by Sarah Somnis. To help voters make a decision on who to vote for, the Cook County News- Herald asked the candidates a few questions.Tell us a little about yourself King: […]

Vikings defeat Panthers and Spartans



The Cook County High School Vikings overcame a rough first half against South Ridge in their Tuesday, February 23 away game, but rallied to a convincing 57-45 win. Trailing 24-20 going into the half, the Vikings exploded to score 37 second half points while holding the Panthers to 21. “We had a run in the second half where we really […]

McKeever and Lamb head to Junior Championships at Winter Park



The Cook County Schools Alpine ski season is over, but some North Shore skiers are continuing their racing season. Masen McKeever and Halle Lamb recently qualified for the U-14 USSA Rocky Central Junior Championships in Winter Park, Colorado. Approximately 70 boys and 70 girls from Region One competed against each other at three qualifying races for 23 available Junior Championship […]

Love and comfort in prayer shawls



Knitting 160 prayer shawls and afghans in the space of only four years represents daunting dedication. For Ginny Anderson, Gunflint Trail resident, her prayer shawl ministry is also a blessing and a joy. When her father was dying some years ago, the First Congregational Church in Grand Marais presented Ginny with a prayer shawl that was a great comfort to […]

Local levels

Joan Crosby

An update of an old column “Are you local?” asked the man wearing an LL Bean jacket and shiny new hiking boots. “Well…” I looked around cautiously to make sure no real locals lurked around the corner. “Yes,” I lied. “I’m local.” “Thank goodness,” he said, obviously relieved. “Can you direct me to a pharmacy?” As I told him, I […]