Now is the Time to End Minnesota’s Special Education Cross-Subsidy

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With a state surplus of over $9 billion there are many organizations justifiably wanting a piece of the pie this legislative session. As a lifelong educator, it is my strong opinion that the first priority of the Legislature should be to pay for unfunded services that school districts are required to provide. Since the passing of the Individuals with Disabilities […]

Volunteer Appreciation

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There’s so much to celebrate in spring – warmer weather, longer days, fishing opener, and best of all – our fabulous and wonderful volunteers! We celebrated our volunteers with a rousing game of Bingo on Thursday, April 28th. We would like to thank publicly Chester Lindskog and Dick Bockovich for assisting with Bingo, Sharon Bloomquist, Barb Wright and Mary Harrelson […]

“Growing Towards the Light” Art Show Starts Now!

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The 13th annual art show sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church is called “Growing Towards the Light. It will be held at the Johnson Heritage Post from April 29 to May 22. The show opens Friday, April 29, with a reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Professional artists and emerging artists of all ages from up and […]

Weekly Weather

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Downtown Tofte Project is Coming Slowly Along

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When built, the $5.5 million Downtown Tofte Project might not look exactly as it was first proposed. Costs keep rising, and winter never lets go, which doesn’t help. “This year, the build start time is shorter than the last few years, so hitting that short start date window dictates some of our options,” said Joe Swanson. Joe Swanson and Pipasu […]

Susan Joyce Shaffer

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Susan Joyce Shaffer, age 75, passed away on Tuesday, April 19th, 2022. Born in West Virginia in 1946, fate would bring Susan to Minnesota in the 1960’s where she would meet a charming young Air Force recruit named William. Susan and William were married in Grand Marais in 1965, and after a brief honeymoon would find themselves settled near Madison, […]

Historical Reflections

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This is Al Bally with his Studebaker from the early 1920s. Mary Bally took this photo in 1925 or 1926, during one of their many road trips. She saved the photo in her scrap book. The Cook County Historical Society is hosting a special open house at the Bally Blacksmith Shop in Grand Marais on Saturday, April 30, 2022, from […]

Down Memory Lane

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20 YEARS AGOAPRIL 29, 2002 v Future visitors to the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic on the Gunflint Trail are in for a treat as well as treatment. A sculpture garden, featuring a family carved by Hovland artists Dan and Lee Ross, is set to appear outside the clinic in the next year. The figures are planned to be two parents and […]

Over $30,000 Available to Award in Grants – Applications Due May 1

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The North Shore Health Care Foundation (NSHCF) has $30,000 to be awarded to community organizations and programs that contribute to equitable health care and healthy living in Cook County this year, through its semi-annual grant program. Applications are due by 4 p.m., May 1 for the first round of funding this year, and by Oct. 1 for the second round […]

Planning Commission Denies Interim Use Permit

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A request for an Interim Use Permit (IUP) to install three R.V. sites and two tent sites on two acres in an R-1 Zone was denied by a 7-0 vote by the Cook County Planning Commission. On Wednesday, March 13, the vote came after the planning commission held a public hearing. The request came from Jeff and Dana Bartheld, who […]