2020 State General Election

Coping with change has become the norm in 2020, and elections are no exception. Here are some of the changes from the primary election that will continue and expand through the general election due to court orders, pandemic health concerns and public safety concerns: Absentee Voting Absentee ballot applications are pouring in from Grand Marais residents. As of this writing, […]

Historical Reflections

Grand Marais Lake Superior flood plain with car, photo was taken thirty-one years ago in June 1989. In this year of 2020, this is the current Whole Foods Co-op, Stone Harbor, Bally Blacksmith Museum, and Senior Center parking lot. Flooding still occurs regularly after a heavy rain.

Down Memory Lane

20 YEARS AGOOCTOBER 2, 2000 WTIP, Cook County’s community radio station, received some good news last week: the Federal Communications Commission has agreed to process the station’s request for a translator at the end of the Gunflint Trail. In August, the outlook for an FCC blessing on a WTIP translator that would reach into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness […]

Chamber seeking a new board member

The Cook County Chamber is seeking someone to fill a vacancy on the Chamber board. Jean Spry, formerly of Joynes Department Store, has taken a new job and resigned her board position. There is one year left on her three-year appointment. We are seeking applications from people interested in filling that seat for the next year. A possibility exists of […]

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., $20 (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training […]

The mail must go through



Yes, we can gather for group activities, but stay socially distanced. Yes, we are having more and more Essential Caregivers coming through our doors. We are currently up to 20 Essential Caregiver members to help with their loved ones. Yes, we are still plowing through our day. And yes, we are still waiting on your favorite recipes and some more […]

Cook County Whole Foods Co-op receives Best Emissions Rate award

In striving to protect both the ozone layer and climate system, the Cook County Whole Foods Co-op’s refrigeration practices have brought national attention to town again. For the second consecutive year, the Co-op was recognized for its achievements in reducing harmful refrigerant emissions. The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) GreenChill Partnership presented the Co-op with the Best Emissions Rate […]

Varsity cross country teams continue their winning ways


The North Shore Storm boys and girls cross country teams competed in a triangular meet last week in Two Harbors with both the varsity teams taking first place. Boys’ varsity In the boys’ 5k, Nate Bilben led the team to victory with a first-place finish in the varsity 5k. Nate ran 18:17, just holding off Carlton/Wrenshall runner Jack Riley, who […]

A preview of fall sports


ISD 166 Athletic Director/Assistant Principal Mitch Dorr took time out of his hectic schedule this week to sit down with the paper to describe, in part, the genesis to revive high school football and volleyball across the state, and here in Cook County as well. “There were a lot of hoops to jump through to make it all happen,” noted […]

It’s time for fall


Minnesota’s seasons can change quickly. It often seems that just when you get settled into a summer routine, summer ends. That was doubly true this year. COVID-19 kept me closer to home this summer. My family and I got to know the parks, trails, and waters near our house. And instead of our usual out-of-state summer trip, we opted for […]