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Local truck driver hits “bump in the road”



In life, sometimes there are bumps in the road. Sometimes, big potholes to brave as we cautiously drive down that roadway, attempting to navigate our future. For Tyler Wick, age 21, bumps and potholes in the road are more than metaphors. As a truck driver for Sawtooth Lumber, he has hit many dips and ruts on deliveries. But none like […]

Broadband Commission ended



With its yeoman’s service accomplished, the Cook County Broadband Commission (CCBC) was officially put to rest at the Cook County commissioners’ Nov. 22 meeting. Commissioners met with Bob Pranis to hear a final broadband report. Begun in July 2011, Pranis said the CCBC had fulfilled its goals to ensure adequate wire and wireless service to the county. Broadband connectivity has […]

Commissioners backtrack on decision to meet with administrator to solve board grievance



The Grand Marais Harbor isn’t full of tea bags yet, but it could be. Commissioner Frank Moe called on citizens to take back their county. Appearing on WTIP Radio on Wednesday, Nov. 30, Moe said he thought the proposed 19.88 percent levy increase was too high for many lower income folks or for people living on a fixed income to […]

Cub Scouts hold food drive



On Saturday, November 12, Cub Scout Pack 167 of Grand Marais held a big food drive at the Community Center’s 4H Log Cabin. They collected hundreds of food, toiletry, baby, and pet items for the Food Shelf at the Congregational Church, participated in exercises designed to get them thinking about the impact of hunger on our world and in our […]

Does Elon Musk have a better way to produce energy?



Tesla CEO Elon Musk thinks you can not only have a better-looking roof but one that produces enough solar power to run both your house and your car. Well, your car would be included if it is a Tesla electric car. The precocious Musk unveiled four houses at Universal Studios in Los Angeles at the end of October, all clad […]

Community Connect event connects community



What a success! Our friends and neighbors in Cook County have now enjoyed our first annual Community Connect, and the event is getting rave reviews. On behalf of Pat Campanaro (Small Business Development Center), Tina Krauz (Salvation Army), Bev Green and Jes Rodne (Cook County Senior Center), Alison McIntyre (Cook County Public Health & Human Services) and myself of course […]

Was the levy vote really a mandate?



I found last week’s Letter to the Editor submitted by the ISD 166 school board rather perplexing. The letter stated “we write to thank you, the citizens of Cook County, for approving both the Operating Levy and the Facilities Bond” passed in November. It might serve the board well to remember that 44 percent of the county citizenry voted against […]

Higher property taxes?

Counties blame hidden MNsure costs

By now most Minnesotans realize the Affordable Care Act has drastically increased the cost of healthcare coverage for many, while at the same time decreasing coverage choices. Governor Mark Dayton has confirmed the worsening prognosis with his admission that “the reality is the Affordable Care Act is no longer affordable to increasing numbers of people.” What’s not widely known is […]

Winter withdraws, will return



Dick Nelson couldn’t believe his water gauge. It contained seven inches of rainwater. “Seven inches. Can you believe it?” Nelson asked on Tuesday, November 29. Convert that rain to snow, said Nelson, and that would make “a good five feet. Maybe more,” he exclaimed on the phone from his Lutsen residence. While Nelson didn’t want five feet of snow dumped […]