10 Years Ago • July 30, 2001
The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has announced the cancellation of the fourth annual running of the Grand Portage Passage Sled Dog Race, but the smaller, less costly eight-dog race will be retained. Last year the 300-mile Passage featured some of the top sled dog racers in the world. Top prize was $15,500, with a total purse of $81,000 offered by the Grand Portage Band, which was the sole sponsor of the event. A Tribal Council member said the decision to cancel was a difficult one, but the cost of the race was just one of the factors in the Council’s decision.
The little Hovland town hall is a place where many in the community come together. Yet, as a sign perhaps of change from country ways, the county commissioners appear to be cracking down on how the hall is used. The county owns the building. On July 24, the commissioners held a lengthy discussion with Hovland residents about the lease between the town hall board and the county. The residents pointed to several prohibitions which could put a damper on the way in which the hall is used. Specifically, forbidding storage of food in the hall’s large freezer, prohibitions against business activities taking place in the hall, and the need for liability insurance. The board said its big concern is insurance — the county would be responsible if anyone gets hurt.
20 Years Ago • July 29, 1991
For the lack of a valid petition, an annexation bid that could have reduced the Lutsen Township tax rate 44 percent failed to make the grade at a meeting at the courthouse July 23. The meeting was advertised as a hearing by the Cook County Board of Commissioners for Lutsen Township to annex approximately 12 square miles along the shore of Lake Superior and six square miles in the Deer Yard area. It was scheduled after 21 freeholders in the area filed a petition for annexation with the board of commissioners this spring. However, since then, four of the petitioners withdrew their signatures, leaving the petition with only 17 names; state statute requires at least 20 valid signatures on an annexation petition.
The state sale of 24 lots on Bearskin and McFarland lakes came in for heavy criticism at the meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners July 9. Three lots are on the north side of McFarland Lake, two of which meet the county standards of having a minimum lake frontage of 150 feet. However, at Bearskin Lake, where 21 lakefront lots are being offered on the east end, none is even 100 feet in lake frontage. The lots were leased by the state, which has since decided to get out of the business and put them up for sale. All have buildings, usually cottages, on them. Minimum bids range from $21,500 to $40,500 on McFarland Lake; on Bearskin minimum bids range from $18,500 to $51,000.
50 Years Ago • July 27, 1961
Tragedy rode the hot tar truck that was nearing Grand Portage at 8 o’clock yesterday morning. A Superior man, 35, was hauling a load of hot oil for the new stretch of highway when his truck went out of control, and he rolled over at the turn a mile and a quarter west of Grand Portage. The cab was crushed, and the hot oil poured over the wreckage. The oil was said to be heated at 305 degrees. Sheriff Emerson Morris said the officials were unable to say exactly what caused the accident, or what was the immediate cause of death. It was their belief, however, that the victim died instantly from the impact, rather than from the hot oil.
Officials and property owners, “hopping mad,” are trying to get to the bottom of the latest outbreak of vandalism in Grand Marais. Monday night someone set adrift three boats in the harbor, one belonging to the U.S. Coast Guard. In tampering with government property it becomes a federal offense. In addition, one axe was missing from the Ed Anderson fish house. On Sunday night, all the windows were broken at the Anderson Shoe Shop. Rocks had been thrown through the front panes. Nothing was taken from the shop.
Hildur Gilbertson of Schroeder, a correspondent to the News-Herald for the past 22 years, has resigned. She has served faithfully and well these many years. Temporarily, Mrs. Tord Johnson will serve.
90 Years Ago • Aug. 4, 1921
Miss Blanch Bally, deputy county treasurer, is taking her vacation.
Sheriff L.H. Lien is building a new house near the courthouse. The framework is about completed.
Roy Divers, the newly-elected school superintendent, arrived with his family last night from Enderlin.
Matt Lanktree moved in from his road camp at Grand Portage Sunday. He will now have charge of work on the Greenwood Road.
A vaudeville show at the Princess last Monday night by a Port Arthur Company attracted about half of a house. It was a creditable show.
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