Cook County Commissioners held their Truth in Taxation meeting last Tuesday night, December 8, presenting a preliminary 2021 levy of $10,798,575, an increase of 4.16 percent over last year’s final levy of $10,367,293. The lightly attended Zoom meeting was held in the commissioners’ room beginning at 6 p.m. The levy can be lowered but can’t be set higher than 4.16 […]
Area Christmas worship services schedule 2020
Christmas services will be different this year. Theworship services will continue, albeit with apandemic twist.Area pastors have had to be creative with theirservices. While many of the usual traditions willbe on hold or performed differently, the spirit ofChristmas will continue with the celebration of thebirth of Jesus remaining the focus of the day. Thefollowing churches provided their holiday schedules.Merry Christmas […]
Ice Cream & Fish, a great book about the history of Grand Marais
Frilufsliv. Every so often, a book comes along that is a pure joy to read from start to finish. For me, Ice Cream & Fish is one of those books. Linnea Ljosenvoor, 12, and Iris Works, 10, teamed up with some friends to author and create Ice Cream & Fish, a children’s illustrated history of Grand Marais, Minnesota. Filled with […]
Y-Ski program has phenomenal turnout
The following is an interview with Tina Hegg Raway, director of the local Y-Ski program. Q- How many kids are out for Y ski this year? And what is the start/end date? A- Y-Ski finished up its equipment rental distribution on Sunday, December 6. This year we had 50 kids sign up to rent 70 pairs of skis – nearly […]
Rain, ducks and dad
My father loves to recount the trip up to Lake Lizzie on the opening weekend of duck hunting in 1980. I was ten years old and it was the first “trip” I went on with my father, who was a duck hunter, and who was a very young father then. It was a miserable weekend. It rained all Saturday. That […]
DNR seeking applicants to serve on Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Committee
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking applications from Minnesota residents interested in serving on the statewide Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Advisory Committee. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. Friday, January 22. Aquatic invasive species are one of the state’s most pressing natural resource issues. Preventing the spread of zebra mussels, Eurasian water-milfoil, invasive carp, starry stonewort, and other […]
Lake Superior water levels lower than last December
According to the International Lake Superior Board of Control, while Lake Superior water levels are in decline, they are still 10 inches above the December long term average. Still, the big lake is lower than it was last year at this time. That said, a big storm could still kick up waves large enough to cause erosion and threaten buildings […]
Does my ice shelter need a license?
As anglers prepare for ice fishing, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sometimes receives questions about ice shelter licenses. Minnesota fishing regulations recognize two types of shelters: portable and nonportable. A portable shelter is one that collapses, folds or is disassembled for transportation. Portable shelters need licenses and identification only when left unattended, defined as all occupants being more than […]
A very chirpy Christmas
A handful of peanuts rolled onto the counter along with several dimes and a few quarters. I had reached into my jacket pocket for change. “For my birds.” I explained to the cashier. It’s true. I never go anywhere without peanuts in my pockets. Neither does my husband. This year of 2020 has been stressful in many ways, but one […]
Calling all snow angels
“Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” Remember that famous line from Jimmy Stewart’s classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life”? Well, there won’t be any bell ringing if you take part in a world record attempt at making snow angels on January 1, at noon, but there might be some happy singing, and cheering if everyone gets outside […]