218 Home Stretch free workshop



A free homebuyer workshop is going to be held on June 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cook County Higher Education in Grand Marais. Workshop topics include mortgage/loan programs; budgeting, credit issues, saving; shopping for a home/realtor services; professional inspection/appraisals; closing/ title insurance/homeowner insurance; financial responsibilities as a homeowner; $5,000 down payment closing cost to eligible buyers. Registration […]

University of Minnesota and Minnesota Department of Health Homeowner Seminar



The UMN Onsite Sewage Treatment Program along with the Minnesota Department of Health are offering a free septic system and private well homeowner education class in Cook County on Wednesday, June 6 at two locations: 9-11 a.m. at Schaap Community Center, Firehouse 1, Gunflint Trail, and 6-8 p.m., Grand Marais Community Center. Refreshments will be served. This class will cover […]

Cook County Law Enforcement briefs



Friday, May 111:55 a.m., Grand Marais:Security alarm on FirstAvenue West.8:14 a.m., Grand Portage:Deputy assisted anotheragency on Blazes Road.2:14 p.m., Grand Portage:Domestic disturbance onBay Estates Dr.2:58 p.m., Grand Portage:Suspicious activityreported on Casino Drive.3:36 p.m., Grand Marais:Animal disturbance onWest First Street.5:10 p.m., Grand Marais:Fraud attempt reported.6:25 p.m., Grand Marais:Complaint abouthotrodders on WestHighway 61.9:04 p.m., Grand Marais:Grass fire reported off EastHighway 61.11:04 p.m., […]

School crosswalks painted



In light of so many people not slowing down for the kids and adults walking or biking to school at I.S.D. 166, the city of Grand Marais PUC workers got up early this past Wednesday, May 30, and painted the crosswalks. This was part of a Safe Routes to School demonstration project. Hopefully brightening and bolding the crosswalks will give […]

Gitchi Gami Trail ribbon-cutting ceremony held at Caribou Falls



A 2.5-mile segment of the Gitchi Gami trail more than five years in the planning is finally finished. The new section starts .8 mile east of the Beaver River on the West Road, travels inland and ends in Silver Bay next to the Silver Bay hockey arena. When the entire route is completed it will be an 89-mile non-motorized trail […]

2018 LeGrand du Nord gravel grind bike races go off without a hitch



Bjorn Larson, 19, of Duluth was the overall winner of the 120-mile LeGrand du Nord bike race held Saturday, May 26. The race started near Coast Guard Point and finished at Voyageur Brewing. Larson’s winning time was 6:48:47. Jim Joynes, 53, was the top local finisher, placing 11 overall with a time of 7:36:44. Shanie Joynes, 47, Jim’s better half, […]

Four boys move on to Sections at UMD



The Cook County boys’ and girls’ track team traveled to Esko on Wednesday, May 23 to compete in the Section 7A South Subsection track meet held at Esko High School. Esko won the boys’ meet with 144.5 points. Cook County finished 9th with 42 points in the 13-team field. Jack Haussner, a junior, ran a personal best, winning the 110 […]

A big day for diplomas



My husband Mike and I moved to Annandale 16 years ago for one reason, we wanted to raise our three children in a small, close-knit community. Mike had this growing up in Decorah, Iowa and I did on the North Shore in Minnesota. The community of Annandale has exceeded our expectations. After only a few years we both feel “part […]

As I see it

Politic made plain

I’ll try to be fair and balanced here. But true neutrality in politics is, I think, rare to nonexistent. Everyone has a leaning. A citizen using the Independent banner prefers not to admit it or hopes others won’t notice their inclination. For most the political leaning is liberal versus conservative commonly painted as blue or red. The question I’ll look […]

Community Calendar



Cook County Tennis Association Summer Youth Tennis lessons For all ages and abilities are being held from June 4-July 21. Go to www.playtenniscookcounty.org for details and registration. (27) 5/19-6/2b Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5 – 6:30 p.m., $20 (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed […]