In a microcosm of events that took place throughout the country and throughout the world on Saturday, January 20, at least 190 people took to the snow melt streets of Grand Marais, many carrying signs and banners, and joined symbolically with millions of other women and men who were holding similar marches for women’s rights throughout the small towns and […]
North House gets IRRRB grant
North House Folk School Director Greg Wright called from Eveleth, Minnesota on Wednesday, January 24 with exciting news. The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) had just voted to give a $200,000 grant to Northouse that will be used to help with the purchase of Dockside Fish Market and property that adjoins the North House campus. “This donation is […]
Commissioners approve 3-year labor contract
Cook County commissioners approved a three-year labor contract with the Cook County Employee Association (CCEA) that calls for a 2.5 percent wage increase over the next three years, as well as a change in cost-share health benefits with the county picking up 80 percent of the costs while the employees pay 20 percent of their health insurance. The contract was […]
Hospital holds organizational meeting
The Cook County North Shore Hospital Board met on Thursday, January 18 to elect a new board chair, along with several other typical organizational duties to start the new year. In the end, the board stayed the same with Kay Olson, chair; Sharon Bloomquist, clerk; Randy Wiitala, treasurer; all re-elected. Grand Marais State Bank was designated North Shore Health financial […]
CCHS Knowledge Bowl takes first and second place
We know kids from Cook County are smart, but gee wilickers, it’s doubtful anyone would have guessed that the two teams head coach David Liechty brought to the January 17 Knowledge Bowl competition held at Mountain Iron high school on January 17 would end up mainly competing against each other for first and second place. But that’s what happened. Out […]
Committee of the Whole
A little over three miles from where the Minnesota Vikings recently met their Waterloo—Lincoln Financial Field—the first Committee of the Whole gathered at Congress Hall in Philadelphia in 1789, the same place where the United States Bill of Rights was ratified two years later (mentions nothing about the “right to tackle!”). Forgive me; I’m digressing… the long history of the […]
Time to caucus!
I come from Michigan where caucusing is unknown. We vote twice, in a primary and in the national election. The process for choosing the primary candidates is a complete mystery. Only the elite members of a party had any say in who would run. The caucus process in Minnesota was so revealing to me and a chance to participate in […]
Women’s March: A march against the symptoms
Mary Ellen Ashcroft’s Spiritual Reflections column last week did cause me to reflect. When I considered the issues that she pointed out in her article it became clear that while these are significant troubles in our country, they are not the real problem. Bigotry, misogyny (and may I add misandry), cruelty, treating women as sexual objects, neglect of the poor, […]
Fire for life
Have you ever been cold in your own home with no options of warming up other than sleeping in your car? Me neither and I cannot imagine. The people of Pine Ridge Reservation are desperately in need of firewood to heat their homes. Right here, right now YOU can help! Donate anything you can spare, no amount too small. Your […]
HUD awards nearly $33.1 million to Minnesota homeless programs
On Thursday, Jan. 11 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded nearly $33.1 million to support 217 homeless housing and service programs in Minnesota. The Continuum of Care grants will provide critically needed housing and support services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness across the state. Locally Cook County and Lake County will share $26,271 for Transitional […]