2023 Memorial Day Service draws big crowd
By one count, 170 people attended the Memorial Day service held last Monday on the courthouse lawn, a crowd more significant than has been seen for several years. Robert (Bob) Mattson once again led the ceremony. Bob has been active in planning and running the Memorial Day service since the early 1990s. “This will be my last time,” he said, […]
North Shore Health Reports Zero COVID-19 Cases in Care Center throughout the pandemic
North Shore Health (NSH) is proud to announce that North Shore Living (Care Center) made it for over three years through the COVID-19 pandemic without a single case of COVID. The first American case of COVID-19 was reported on January 20, 2020, and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared the U.S. outbreak a Public […]
UMN Extension & SMC Early Childhood Connections announce an inclusive nature themed family social
There are many benefits to spending time outdoors as a family. Children and adults of all ages and all abilities can improve their mental and physical health, as well as find social connections and fun by taking time to play, walk, or simply be in nature. We are lucky in Cook County to have lots of places to play outdoors, […]
Story time with Chione & Summer Reading Kickoff
Saturday, June 3, 2023, 10:30 a.m. Join us at the Grand Marais Public Library on Saturday, June 3 at 10:30 a.m. for Story Time with Chione, featuring a brand new musical story based on Twin Cities author Ka Vang’s Shoua and the Northern Lights Dragon. Vang’s short chapter book tells the story of Shoua, a Hmong-American girl who discovers her […]
Run across Minnesota
Running 30 miles per day on a cantered road while carrying a 25-pound backpack has had some interesting effects on Zack Jennissen. “I suffered overuse injuries. My feet hurt; arches, ankles, calves, hamstrings, everything hurt. I had to take six days off because my legs were injured,” he said. That and eating predominantly gas station food to boost his nutrition […]
County board gets an update on the Capital Improvement Plan
Bruce Kimmel of Ehlers met with commissioners to discuss options for financing the county’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Cook County anticipates spending as much as $13.4 million over the next five years to upgrade buildings nearing or exceeding expected lifetimes. In a past column Administrator James Joerke pointed out, “By catching up on deferred maintenance and adopting regular equipment […]
Legislature completes budget work, adjourns for the year
Rep Roger Skraba talks about the budget.The 2023 legislative session concluded Monday, May 22, and Rep. Roger Skraba, R-Ely, said it will be remembered for victories for the Northland on several issues including a bonding bill that will provide funding for numerous local and regional projects as well as disappointments including nearly $10 billion in tax increases despite the state’s record-setting $17.5 billion budget surplus. “Minnesotans […]
Legislative session comes to an end in Minnesota
The 2023 legislative session came to a close on Monday, May 22nd. It was memorable in many ways: over 6,000 bills were introduced between both bodies; the session lasted a historic number of legislative days; and the session is being described as one of the most productive ever! It is important to note that there was bi-partisan work done on […]
Clarification to a Letter to Editor
A petition asking the Grand Marais Public Library to “stop engaging in political ideological activism” has grown to 116, up from the number of 65 posted. The writer notes, “The drag queen story hour is one example of this.” The writer had wanted the petition link included in her letter to the editor. The petition link is www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-activism-at-the-gm-public-library. The newspaper […]