At the I.S.D. 166 school board’s December 15 meeting the board passed a motion relating to the $6,500,000 general obligation school building bonds. The superintendent, the business manager or school board officer, can now authorize the series 2017A bonds for issuance. The first building project some of the bond money will be used for is to repair or replace the […]
HUD announces grant awards
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Tuesday, December 20, announced its fiscal year 2016 Continuum of Care (CoC) program competition. Approximately $1.95 billion has been awarded for new and renewal projects. . Cook County and Lake County were jointly awarded $26,271 for transitional housing. . North Shore Horizons in Two Harbors received $13,692 for rental assistance […]
Grand Marais city council sets 2017 levy at 4.37 percent increase
The Grand Marais City Council met December 28 and held a short, but important meeting. Two councilors, Dave Mills and Tim Kennedy, couldn’t attend, but a quorum consisting of Mayor Jay Arrowsmith-DeCoux, Tracy Benson, and Anton Moody were on hand to conduct city business. Council approved and certified the 2017 budget and levy of $909,993.88, which is a 4.37 percent […]
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy available for public review and comment
The 2017-2022 draft of Arrowhead Regional Development Council (ARDC) Northeast Minnesota Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy is available for public review and comment through Thursday, January 19, 2017. The Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC) is designated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) as the planning organization for the Economic Development District (EDD) for Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and […]
Cook County lodging taxes up for 2016
From 2010 through 2015 lodging taxes in Cook County rose every year. That trend will undoubtedly continue based on the first 10 months of collections for 2016. Through October, the last date the figures are available, Cook County Auditor/Treasurer Braidy Powers said the county had collected $1,037,348.35, not far from the 2015, 12-month tally of $1,069,719.65. In 2010 the county […]
Solstice crowd burns their gloomies
The winter solstice— the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night—is an event celebrated by cultures the world over. Cook County is no exception as a stalwart crowd gathered at North House Folk School on Wednesday, December 21 to watch the annual Winter Solstice Puppet Show performed by the Good Harbor Hill Players. Under a clear […]
Grand Marais Ole Opry coming soon
The North Shore Music Association will present its fourth annual Grand Marais Ole Opry, a classic country and old-time music showcase featuring local and regional musicians performing tunes made famous by artists such as Hank Williams Sr., Patsy Cline, The Louvin Brothers, Johnny Cash, the Carter Family, and much more. Emceed by WTIP’s “Classic Country” host Carl Solander, this year’s […]
A soupy winter day
The outside thermometer reads a frigid -25 and a cold wind ruffles the snow on Devil Track Lake. It’s a great day to make soup, so I begin by dredging stew meat in flour and sautéing it in hot oil. The dogs rest quietly on their sofas. Dick is working on a project in the garage. Out in the yard, […]
Senior Center looking for reading volunteers
Cook County Senior Center is once again starting its inter-generational reading program and is in need of volunteers. The program will begin in January and run through May. Volunteers will be matched with fourth graders each Friday for one hour. Research shows that when the generations come together, everyone benefits, youth, adults and the community as a whole. So, connecting […]
Briand Morrison to perform at Grand Marais Library
On Saturday, January 21 at 3:30 p.m. the Grand Marais Public Library will offer a rare mixture of art and music when Briand Morrison will perform original jazz guitar compositions to a visual sequence of his late father George Morrison’s artwork. Young adults and adults will enjoy this fantastic blend of art and music. Growing up, Briand was surrounded by […]