Timothy (Tim) Cochrane is getting ready to retire from his position as superintendent of the Grand Portage National Monument on January 1, 2017. Over the last 20 years Mr. Cochrane has been witness to many changes at the park, not the least of which is a historic agreement signed between the Grand Portage Band of Minnesota Chippewa and the National […]
Break-in at Oddz & Endz
Someone celebrated Christmas by breaking into Oddz & Endz, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit resale store operated wholly by volunteers whose mission is to make a difference in the community by offering the sale of used furniture and household goods at affordable prices. The thief, or thieves, broke a small window and slithered through it and into the store, finding the […]
Community visioning for C/I Zone
Time is running out for the city of Grand Marais to enact a new ordinance for its C/I Zone. With the February 2017 deadline for a Grand Marais moratorium stopping any commercial development over 4,000 square feet (pending review of the city’s zoning and planning) ending, the city has to scramble to figure out what to do. The moratorium came […]
Lutsen receives new EMS truck
It took longer than expected, but the delivery of the new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) truck is finally here and parked safely in the Lutsen fire hall/community center. Lutsen Township supervisors got a look at the gleaming new vehicle at their December 20 meeting. Fire Chief Larry McNealy and EMS Chief Fred Schmidt gave the board a tour of the […]
West End townships elected positions open for filing period
The filing period for all three West End townships began December 30 and remains open through 5 p.m. January 17, 2017. The last day (most) candidates can withdraw is 5 p.m. on January 17. Each township is seeking candidates for office; most are three-year terms as supervisor and two-year terms as clerk or treasurer. All of the townships call for […]
Sad to see Mike Lavigne retire
It was with bittersweet sadness today when I picked up the News-Herald and read of Mike Lavigne’s retirement from the Grand Marais State Bank (GMSB). It was not a surprise, and I had thought about this day for many years hoping my time in business would not outlast his by too much. I would not be in business today if […]
New Year’s Resolutions
Where did the past year go? As I get older it’s not fair to say time flies; it’s fairer to say time twirls by like a fast spinning top, moving so quickly it’s a blur. Despite the hectic pace of life, the New Year is a good way to wipe clean last year’s slate. Erase the blackboard, so to speak, […]
Sens. Franken, Klobuchar urge Trump to uphold promise to bring down drug prices
On December 21, U.S. Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar, along with 18 of their colleagues, urged Presidentelect Donald Trump and his administration to uphold his promise to bring down the cost of prescription drugs for all Americans. In a letter sent to Trump, the senators expressed concern over the rising cost of drugs and outlined several ways Trump can […]
Winter storm disrupts holiday travel
A major winter storm cut into a large swath of land across the Northland on Sunday, Christmas Day and Monday, giving many visitors an extra day to visit family and friends as they waited out the weather until the roads were safe for travel. Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) plow trucks were out in force on Highway 61, plowing, salting […]
EPA: Nutrient pollution is widespread in lakes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released the results of a national assessment showing that nutrient pollution is widespread in the nation’s lakes, with four in 10 lakes suffering from too much nitrogen and phosphorus. Excess nutrients can cause algae blooms, lower oxygen levels, degraded habitat for fish and other life, and lower water quality for recreation. The National Lakes […]