Waves of Emotion During a Difficult Time
The influenza pandemic of 1918 swept throughout the world in three waves, finally subsiding in spring 1919. Military bases were especially vulnerable, because of the close living quarters in camps. While today’s COVID-19 pandemic has already infected nearly 9 million in the U.S., causing nearly 160,000 deaths, the “Spanish Flu” of 1918 infected 500 million people worldwide, killing 50 million. […]
Grand Marais Pharmacy closes August 31
It’s official, on August 31, 2020, the Grand Marais Pharmacy will close its doors for good, leaving the county without an independent pharmacy open to the public. Not long ago, the county had two pharmacies to choose from but Arrowhead Pharmacy ceased operating almost two years ago and the building was sold to the Grand Marais Art Colony. Bob Sample […]
Primary results in, commissioner field winnowed for general election
Although the results aren’t official, Stacey Hawkins received 152 votes (45.4 percent) in Tuesday’s primary election, polling ahead of incumbent Cook County District 2 Commissioner Myron Bursheim, who netted 119 votes (35.2 percent). Both will move ahead to the November general election. Jaye White finished with 64 votes (19.10 percent) in District 2 in her first attempt to run for […]
School board holds special meeting on the football field
Will kids return to school full-time? Part-time, along with remote learning? Or will classes once again be held online? Those were the questions parents had who attended the three hour Thursday, August 6, I.S.D. 166 special school board meeting held on the Lyle Anderson football field. When the meeting concluded, parents left with the same questions they came with because […]
Redeeming and preserving grace – Part 2
British historian and philosopher of history Arnold Toynbee, whose 12-volume A Study of History put forward a philosophy of history based on an analysis of the cyclical development and decline of civilizations, chronicles, “Religion [belief in an infinite God] amounts to a cultural glue which holds the civilization together. There is thus a close relationship between religions and civilizations.” In […]
23 Minnesota Cities Recognized as Telecommuter-Friendly Communities
Support for remote work capabilities more important than ever during pandemic On August 7, Governor Tim Walz issued a proclamation congratulating 23 cities, townships and counties across Minnesota as telecommuter friendly communities and declared August 7, 2020, as Telecommuter Forward! Day in the State of Minnesota. Among the 23 named was Cook County. The communities commit to coordinating and partnering […]
Iron Range Mayors upset with outsider
Once again Congresswoman Betty McCollum has placed a target on the backs of the residents of Northeastern Minnesota who reside in the 8th Congressional district by including the following provision in H.R. 7612: Sec. 435, Rainy River Watershed: “None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to review or approve a mine plan […]
Cultured meat should be part of the Green New Deal
The Green New Deal, climate and economic justice legislation popularized by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, should include funding for cultured-meat research. This new form of protein is grown from cells, without slaughtering animals. It has the potential to end our reliance on one of the most significant contributors to global warming. I’m talking about traditional animal agriculture. Cultured meat isn’t science fiction. […]
No Voice for Cook County District 1
I’m asking a question in the most public way I can because it needs a quick answer and I wonder why the answer hasn’t already been provided. Who will represent District 1 from August 21 when Bobby Deschampe leaves until March 1, 2021, when a new commissioner is to be seated? That’s seven months of NO VOICE let alone how […]