10 Years Ago
Dec. 13, 2002
A charter school, positioned by its supporters as an alternative to the existing public schools in the county and not competition, now appears to be a reality. Exactly where the school will be located, and how its existence will impact the already financially pressed county public schools, is unknown at this time. But next Aug. 18 the county’s first charter school will open in Grand Marais. The state of Minnesota last week gave official approval to Great Expectations School, a charter school sponsored by the Audubon Center of the North Woods.
More than 2,000 cubic yards of petroleum-contaminated dirt is being trucked out of a site east of Grand Marais this week. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. An estimated 10,000 cubic yards of contaminated soils might ultimately be removed from the former Schulte bulk plant and the neighboring Como Oil bulk plant along Highway 61 by the time the project is over, said the project manager for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. He said there’s a contaminated well associated with the site, and that’s why the excavation is being done.
According to Home & Garden television, Grand Marais is No. 2 in the top 10 of “utopian havens” in which to live in the United States. A recent episode spotlighted all 10, describing Grand Marais as “a tiny artist’s haven on the shores of the Great Lakes.”
20 Years Ago
Dec. 14, 1992
Truth in Taxation hearings held Dec. 7 and 8 by school district 166 and Cook County drew very light attendance. A half-dozen citizens appeared at the high school library Monday evening to express their frustration over the powerlessness of taxpayers and local school districts to control budget or tax levy. The school district is at the mercy of a complicated structure of state-mandated legislation, combined with a formula which annually shrinks the proportion of state aid.
The Cook County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting Dec. 7, inviting officials of the city of Grand Marais to discuss formation of a joint powers agreement governing operation of the Cook County Community Center. The two governing bodies discussed issues ranging from utility and maintenance costs and who should be responsible for what proportion of expenses, all the way to designating areas or times when smoking might be permitted, and who should apply for a liquor or set-up license. With those questions and others still unanswered, and no community center joint powers agreement formally proposed, the meeting drew to a close.
50 Years Ago
Dec. 13, 1962
Tofte residents are in danger of losing their post office unless improvements to the building are forthcoming. This is the information told by County Commissioner Jean Raiken. Since the post office is located in the Tofte Town Hall which is under the jurisdiction of the county board, the government is demanding of it to make some improvements. Otherwise, Raiken said, the post office will be moved to Schroeder and the mail will come as rural delivery.
Monday, Mrs. Art Anderson accidentally sprayed herself in the face and eyes with aluminum paint, when the spray tip became plugged, but prompt treatment by Dr. MacDonald kept her from being burned by it.
Canadian lynx are still being turned in for bounty and although the numbers have declined it is also possible that there are not as many traps out at this time as there were earlier.
Clearwater Lake froze over on Sunday night as did Trout Lake.
100 Years Ago
Dec. 12, 1912
The little ones are talking about Santa Claus again.
John Zimmerman has moved his family from the west side of the bay to the Jaskey house opposite Bally’s shop.
During a blinding snow storm the Booth steamer Easton ran onto Iroquois Reef at the entrance of Thunder Bay at 5:30 o’clock last Thursday morning and was not released until about 6 o’clock Friday evening. At the time of the accident a heavy snow storm was being driven by an off-land gale. Before the boat hit the reef she went over it amidships and there rested with her nose deep in water and her stern in the air. A careful examination shows the boat is not damaged.
What was one of the most daring robberies ever perpetrated in western Minnesota took place at the village of Bluffton, Otter Tail County. The robbers failed to blow the safe of the village bank, but secured about $150 in cash and jewelry from the family of Mrs. M.B. Klein. During the latter part of their operations they kept up a running gun fight with citizens of Bluffton. Charles Kupfer, a village resident, was shot in the shoulder during the fight.
Do you have an old picture or a story from years gone by that you would like to share with the Cook County News-Herald readers? We’d love to hear your Historical Reflections Call (218) 387-9100; e-mail starnews@boreal.org; or stop by our office at 15 First Avenue West.
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