Counties team up with Vikings and Hotel Ivy to give employee a game experience of a lifetime



Through the generosity of the Minnesota Vikings and Hotel Ivy, Cook County was able to provide one of its employees battling cancer a special trip to a Vikings’ game on Sunday. Jennifer Rue, a social worker employed as the Adult Mental Health Case Worker with Cook County Public Health & Human Services, has been battling brain cancer since March of […]

Birthday celebration held for Grandpa Lyle



The man who spent 33 years graciously reading to Cook County school children had his turn to be read to, and it was a joyous event. Young and old filled the Grand Marais Public Library at noon Saturday, December 16 to join in a two-hour celebration for “Grandpa Lyle” Gerard’s birthday. Recently, vision problems have curtailed his ability to read, […]

Break-in at Great Expectations School



Cook County Law Enforcement sent two sheriff ’s deputies to Great Expectations School on Monday, Dec. 18 to investigate theft and vandalism that occurred over the weekend. After conducting interviews with staff and some students the officers were able to find the perpetrators and the missing items were returned to the school. When asked to comment, Great Expectations School Director […]

School board reduces levy



The Cook County I.S.D. 166 school board adopted the 2017 levy payable in 2018 at its Thursday, Dec. 14 meeting. The levy of $1,723,667.70 represents a 1.1 percent reduction, which equates to $19,205.10 less than last year’s levy, according to business manager Lori Backlund. As required by state law, the school board held its Truth in Taxation hearing Thursday before […]

DeRosier purchases Cook County Towing



At the top of the hill, Kevin DeRosier could see two cars in the ditch at the bottom. He was there to pull them out, but the only thought on his mind was, “I think I am going to die right now,” he said. And he wasn’t kidding. DeRosier recounted sliding down the steep, sheer ice embankment in his tow […]

Licari, Larsen & Co., Ltd. acquires the rest of George Maruska’s firm



Two years ago Licari, Larsen & Co. purchased George Maruska’s tax planning company. This past August they acquired Maruska’s Grand Marais accounting business, as well as bought the building. “We have enjoyed working with the local businesses and getting to know our Cook County clients,” said Nick Licari. “We decided to make a move to Grand Marais because we were […]

Vikings beat Northeast Range



Viking coach Kelly Senty took her young team to Babbitt to play the Northeast Range Nighthawks on Thursday, December 14 and the Vikings came away with a lopsided 68-28 victory. The win followed a tough loss to Two Harbors, but it pushed the Vikings’ record to 2-1. “The girls focused on their transition offense. It was good to see the […]

Christmas



Who hasn’t watched Charlie Brown pluck a large Christmas ornament from Snoopy’s prize-winning doghouse and hang it at the top of the “lovable loser’s” spindly evergreen, only to watch the sapling— seemingly unable to hold the ornament’s weight— immediately droop to the ground. “Argh! I’ve killed it!” The scene, taken from Charles Schulz’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas”—which made its debut […]

Levy seems too high year after year



We appreciate the attention and concern of Cook County residents about the county tax levy decision-making and the public gatherings to inform all of us taxpayers – resident and non-resident. The recent letters mirror some of our sentiments including deserved respect for elected officials and distress at the lack of transparency on decision-making by our county commissioners. The levy seems […]

Enough Is Enough



Of all the tons of money dumped into bottomless holes, there seems to be no changing of thought by the liberals in power. Only one voted no because he thought correctly. The other one voted no because she wants it all. She wants you to have nosebleed level taxes. She’s OK with it. She needs to be the first one […]