Democracy is alive and well



“Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a president and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.” Franklin D. Roosevelt Residents of Cook County traveled to Duluth, to St. Paul and some even to Washington to take part in […]

Jacob Schmidt rocks The Tonight Show



If you missed Jacob Schmidt (aka Cobi) singing his debut single Don’t You Cry for Me on the January 23 airing of the Jimmy Fallon Show, don’t fret. It’s online, and it’s great. You can see his incredible performance at headlineplanet.com/home/2017/01/23/first-look-cobi-performs-tonight-show-starring-jimmy-fallon/ The song is dark, powerful, a haunting statement against past and present prejudices. With more than 7 million views, […]

Weekly Weather



God makes all things new



A nondescript blue building with plate glass windows rests just off Highway 61 at the eastern entrance to Grand Marais. Driveways course down to a parking lot scarred by snow and ice furrows despite the effect of a prolonged January thaw. A short, pebbled walk leads to the front door where the occasional toe kick loosens the frost that sometimes […]

New Beginnings



Patty and Tom Nelson of Grand Marais announce the engagement of their daughter, Kari, to David Berube of Brule, Wisconsin. David is the son of Bob Berube and Mary Berube. A wedding is planned for next winter. No date has been set.

Curtis Burns



Curtis Burns, 80, died Jan. 18, 2017, at ManorCare Health Services in Topeka, Kansas. He was born April 15, 1936, in St. Paul to Curtis and Jeannette (McConnon) Burns. Curtis was married to Ellen Moyer on Aug. 26, 1961, in Grand Marais. His wife passed away on June 18, 1987. Curtis graduated from Grand Marais High School and went to […]

911 and telephone service down



For the second time in less than a month many Cook County residents found themselves with no phone, Internet, or 911 service. At approximately midnight, January 19, the Cook County Sheriff ’s Office Dispatch was notified via radio from Grand Portage Casino surveillance that they were unable to contact 911 or the non-emergency Sheriff ’s Office number 218- 387-3030. Upon […]

One number connects vets to many services



As part of an effort under the U.S. Veterans Administration to provide veterans with a seamless, unified experience across the entire department and throughout the entire country, VA is launching a new, national toll-free number: 1-844-MyVA311 (698-2311) for veterans and their families to use when they don’t know what number to call. Veterans who know the direct number to the […]

North House celebrates beginning of 20th year



On Friday, Jan. 13, current employees, former interns, and community members gathered at North House Folk School’s North classroom to celebrate the start of its 20th year of operation. The main attraction of the evening was a large group art installation made up of six by six inch wood tiles that represented the work and lives of more than 100 […]

Cook County group organizes to strengthen, expand creative economy



Following two years of evaluation and research, a cross-sector group of county residents has organized the Creative Economy Collaborative. Its goal is to help develop a larger role in the county economy for artistic endeavors of all kinds. Included in the group are representatives of local and county government and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, numerous arts […]