Illegal immigration into Canada

Ever wonder what would happen if you snuck across the Pigeon River into Canada without documentation or visible means of support? Free housing, healthcare, path to citizenship? Bob LaMettry, Grand Marais

Local Republican GOP didn’t endorse anyone

After reading the October 31 ‘As I See It’ column’s second paragraph, I feel it is imperative to further discuss those few sentences. ‘Transparency’ needs clarity and accuracy also! The referred-to meeting was never meant to be a secret anything, and never was presented that way. The Cook County GOP Basic Political Operating Unit (BPOU), as well as the DFL […]

Weekly Weather

COVID-19 cases in county climbing


As of Monday, November 2, Cook County now has 29 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with eight of them active. On October 30 the county had 22 cases with 11 active. The active case count is based on the minimum 10-day isolation period for positive COVID-19 cases. Last week the county had 18 confirmed cases of COVID-19. If you feel like […]

Anchor your trust in God


“…come quickly…my helper, my deliverer…do not tarry!” When have you known a time in which these imploring words could have been yours? “But as for me, I am poor and needy; come to me quickly, O God. You are my helper and my deliverer; O Lord, do not tarry.” (Psalm 70:5) ————————— It matters not your political leanings. It matters […]

Wavel Elvin Schafer

Wavel Elvin Schafer, of Kanawha, Iowa, and formerly of Lutsen, Minnesota, was the youngest child of Elmer and Gertrude (Stille) Schaefer. He died on October 20, 2020, at the age of 91, surrounded by his family after a long and courageous battle with cancer. A funeral service was held October 25 at Andrews Funeral Home in Belmond, Iowa. Wavel was […]

Charles H. “Chuck” Toftey

Charles H. “Chuck” Toftey, 80, of Two Harbors, Minnesota, died Tuesday, October 20, 2020, at St. Luke’s Hospice in Duluth. He was born July 13, 1940, in Joliet, Illinois, to John and Ione (Seglem) Toftey. He lived in Duluth, Minnesota, until Junior High School, moved to Grand Marais, Minnesota, where he attended Cook County High School graduating in 1958. He […]

Honoring our Veterans



On November 11, we once again celebrate our Veterans and their service to our country. I would like to share a poem with you titled It is the Veteran, author unknown. It is the Veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. […]

Historical Reflections

FIRST RINK TO WIN MAIN EVENT SPIEL The Commander Open Bonspiel at the Finland Air Force Base, was won by the Cook County Curling team in the A Event. Ronald Gervais was skip for the team. Sixteen rinks participated from Finland, Two Harbors, Grand Marais, and Duluth. This is the first team from Grand Marais to win a Bonspiel main […]

Down Memory Lane

20 YEARS AGONOVEMBER 6, 2000 The Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission has paid slightly more than $10,000 in Recreation Park surcharge refunds. The refunds are the result of a lawsuit brought against the city of Grand Marais by a New Brighton couple who alleged the surcharge was illegal, and took the city to court over the issue. Due to the […]