Weekly Weather

Preparing for Thanksgiving


Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor. Proverbs 22: 9 One of the most beautifully written narratives in all of American literature is a scene that comes about halfway through Ole Rolvaag’s novel Giants in the EarthEarth. As the story goes, Per Hansa has left his life as a Norwegian fisherman; and even […]

Ralph Latham

Ralph Latham, 91, of Grand Marais, formerly of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Nov. 16, 2019. As was his request, there will be no services. Ralph is survived by his wife, Geraldine; daughter Ruth Ruley (Dan) of Cedar Rapids; son David Latham (Carrie) of Tiffin, two granddaughters, Dawn and Rebekah, and a great-granddaughter, Adelyn. He was predeceased by his parents, […]

Historical Reflections

The 4-H Go-Getters Club was named “Cook County Club of the Year” during the Achievement Rally held in October 1992. Shown, back row from left, are JoAnne Smith, Sam Hedstrom, Mark Brandt, Ben Cervenka, Brian Weitz, Eric Brandt, Ben Brandt and Lynn Goble. In front are Lacey Smith, Lucas Goble, Melanie Smith and Laura Weitz.

Down Memory Lane

10 YEARS AGONOV. 21, 2009 A new addition to the Grand Portage Veterans Memorial was installed just days before the Nov. 11 Veterans Day event – a majestic bald eagle sculpture, perched on a globe with its wings stretched in a protective pose. A new sign has also been put up at the site, to explain why the Grand Portage […]

City council discusses code enforcement engagement results


Grand Marais city councilors addressed a variety of topics at their November 13 meeting, including an opportunity to reduce the debt service of a bond by approximately $143,000 over the next 11 years. Council listened to a report from Chris Mickelson, a municipal advisor for Ehlers, the city’s financial advisor, who monitors the city’s existing debt and advises the city […]

North woods law welcomes Kylan Hill


Whether they are up at the crack of dawn checking bear bait stations or dealing with two legs who pretend they do not know the law, conservation officers (CO) protect the North woods and pile up miles. Most recently, Cook County welcomed a new CO, Kylan Hill of SE Minnesota, to the Tofte station. In proper small-town fashion, here are […]

Getting to know the Iron Range Fiscal Disparities program



In a recent letter to the editor, Grand Marais resident Arvis Thompson asked, “Do you know about fiscal disparity?” This is a great question about a very complex topic – and one that arises periodically. In 1971, the state of Minnesota instituted a program of commercial/industrial tax-base sharing within the Twin Cities metropolitan area via the Charles R. Weaver Metropolitan […]

Mentors needed at the Cook County Senior Center


The Hub/Senior Center friends and seniors will be mentoring students from Ms. Dumus’s 5th-grade class from Sawtooth Elementary throughout the year with reading, playing board games, arts, crafts, and other projects. On Friday of this week, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. (for approximately an hour), we will be pairing up one on one with students to listen and provide support […]

Commissioners hold a closed meeting to discuss Opiate Litigation


Opt-in? Or opt-out? That was the question on Cook County Commissioners’ minds when they met in a closed session on Tuesday, November 19, to discuss whether the county wanted to be part of the National Prescription Opiate Litigation. On the advice of Cook County Attorney Molly Hicken, the meeting was not recorded. It was also closed to the public, following […]