North House Folk School celebrates Winterer’s Gathering



Several hundred people from near and far took part in North House’s annual Winterer’s Gathering held last weekend at the North House campus in Grand Marais. “It was wonderfully cheerful, a charming event because everyone who attended is a big fan of winter,” said North House Program Director Jessa Frost. In the red and blue buildings, attendees learned crafts, customs, […]

Lloyd K. Johnson’s legacy enriches community



Lloyd K. Johnson was born and raised in Grand Marais, graduated from its high school in 1925, and completed his formal education at the University of Minnesota with both an undergraduate degree and a law degree. Lloyd began his professional career as the Cook County attorney, died in 2006 at the age of 97 and left substantial, enduring and highly […]

PUC votes on rates for 2018



Grand Marais City Administrator Mike Roth made his recommendations to the Grand Marais public utility board for the city water, sewer and electrical rates for the coming year. Roth proposed not to raise the city’s electrical rates, a two percent hike in the Water Fund budget and five percent increase in the Sewer Fund budget. Roth made his presentation to […]

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Campground rates may go up slightly for 2018



The Grand Marais Park board held its annual discussion about where to set campground rates for next summer at its November monthly meeting. The rates have been raised slowly the last couple of years, said Grand Marais director of Parks and Recreation Dave Tersteeg, “and occupancy was still up over last year.” One board member asked how Grand Marais’s campground […]

Arson confirmed in Hovland residence fire on North Shore



A preliminary investigation by the Minnesota state fire marshal in conjunction with the Cook County Sheriff ’s Office has confirmed the cause of the residential structure fire that occurred in the early morning hours of Nov. 5 at 5774 Highway 61 in Hovland is likely arson. The investigation confirmed that gasoline was used as an accelerant in the incendiary blaze. […]

County officials working in our best interest



Your intelligence is being tested and insulted by a serial blowhard who has taken it upon himself to be the judge and jury of our elected officials. We are fortunate that thoughtful and caring individuals put themselves out there to represent us and our interests. By our interests, I mean the citizens of Cook County who live and work here […]

Cook County Chamber 2018 legislative agenda focuses on bonding, Higher Ed



At its board meeting Nov. 15, the Cook County Chamber board adopted a legislative agenda for the 2018 session of the Legislature in St. Paul. Top priorities will be bonding for a Grand Marais harbor access project and the Gitchi Gami State Trail, along with efforts to build a strong case for increased state funding of Cook County Higher Education. […]

Talkin’ turkey



When it comes to speaking frankly about the basic facts of a matter—like the county’s proposed 2018 budget, for instance—it dawned on me that preparing a turkey for Thanksgiving plays as a great metaphor for serving up a tax levy. But before I get into the noteworthy similarities, let me address the quirky oddity as to why the turkey gets […]

WTIP wraps up fall fund drive



WTIP’s fall fund drive fell a little short of their stated goal, but it was the biggest fall fund drive ever for the iconic North Shore community radio station. According to Jana Berka, WTIP’s development director, the station garnered 40 new members and along with 213 renewing members brought in $23,081. The goal, said Berka, was to raise $25,000. “If […]