Due to cold weather Cook County birders had to move the 2016 Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) from Saturday, December 17 to Sunday, which was even colder but not as windy. “We actually did better than the temporary counts we did on Saturday morning,” said CBC compiler Jeremy Ridlbauer. “So we did count our circle area of birds and have […]
Commissioners change 2017 levy increase to 11.21 percent
Last week, in front of a packed commissioners’ room, the Cook County commissioners voted 3-2 to set the levy increase at 9.9 percent for 2017, dropping it from 19.88 percent and ending, it seemed, a contentious budget period. Voting against that 10 percent drop were commissioners Jan Sivertson and county board chair Heidi Doo-Kirk, and Doo-Kirk wasn’t happy with the […]
Commissioner Moe resigns
Following a lengthy county board meeting where commissioners spent five hours poring over the budget making decisions of what to cut—or to add— to the 2017 levy, District 1 Commissioner Frank Moe announced that he was resigning for several reasons, the primary one because of his health. The meeting was held Tuesday, December 20. Moe’s last motion as a county […]
Grand Marais State Bank President Mike LaVigne retiring after 33 years
On Monday, December 19 the Grand Marais State Bank Board of Directors announced the retirement of President Mike LaVigne, effective January 27, 2017, after 33 years of service. As a testament to the stability of the Grand Marais State Bank, LaVigne is one of only three presidents that the bank has had since its inception in 1916. Upon the retirement […]
Isle Royale may get new wolves
Right now there are two aging wolves on Isle Royale, a male and female, but that looks like it could change. With the moose population soaring past 1,300, their sheer numbers have caused over browsing on the island, damaging tree and plant life. To restore the ecology of the Island and the genetic diversity of the wolves, the National Park […]
Withdraw from the IRRRB
I believe it is in the best interest of Cook County to withdraw from the finances and influences of the IRRRB. What relationship to mining do we have? When I suggest this as a “goal” everyone seems terrified that I should even suggest such a thing and it is not clear how it could be done at present, anyway. Cook […]
A Christmas story
In your last edition, someone had written a letter to the editor. It went on about the left-liberal progressives and how disappointed and angry they are. No kidding! They haven’t shut up and stopped whining or acting out since the election. They preach love but practice deceit-manipulation and hate in many forms. The candidate that lost was and is it […]
Commissioners need to plan budget better
I’m here because my 2017 proposed property tax increase of 20.6 percent and the previous 147 percent increase since 2011 is an insult and serious financial threat and burden to myself, my neighbors in rural Cook County, and all county property owners. The current board and specifically Kirk, Sivertson and new Administrator Cadwell have done a disgracefully inept job of […]
Christmas wishes
By the time this paper gets to you, Christmas will be almost here. If you are like me you will have to run out and buy a few more presents, wrap presents, put up a tree—if you haven’t already— decorate the tree, put the decorations back on that the cats have batted off, and feel exhausted from the rush of […]
Changes coming to Boreal.org
Users of the local Internet service provider Boreal Community Media will notice a change in the website’s design and functionality this coming year. Some of the improvements will be behind-the-scenes – such as updated hardware to increase security and reliability – while other changes will be an overhaul of Boreal’s online appearance. By updating old equipment Boreal will avoid issues […]