10 Years Ago · Feb. 21, 2003
The lack of significant snow this winter has had quite an impact on Lake Superior. The water levels in the big lake are down by 2 inches from last year’s levels, more than 6 inches below the long-term average. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Duluth, the levels haven’t been this low since the 1920s.
The county commissioners were asked for more than money at their Feb. 17 meeting. Richard Thompson and Sharon Bloomquist, representing the county fair board, came requesting that the county donate 20 acres of land to their group for use as a permanent fairgrounds. Bloomquist said the popularity of exhibition riding was one of the main reasons for asking for the land. While not encountering opposition, the pair were asked to come back with more information. “I’m looking for documentation for why we should deed 20 acres of county land over,” said Commissioner Bob Fenwick.
20 Years Ago · Feb. 22, 1993
The Cook County girls’ slalom ski team went hard and earned third in the state championship meet at Welch Village Feb. 12. The boys’ team also competed, finishing eighth when two of its best skiers fell.
The Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission has adopted both fixed fee and user fee increases in water and sewer rates effective on the March billing. Water fixed fees go from $5 per month to $5.25, with user fee per 1,000 gallons jumping from $1.55 to $1.75. City officials said the city is now required to set aside $30,000 each year into an equipment reserve and replacement account, and the new water treatment plant has a bigger pump size that requires more power to operate.
50 Years Ago · Feb. 21, 1963
The new Cook County High School addition came into use yesterday a bit quicker than had been anticipated! It was an emergency move. The heavy wind that whipped down from the north yesterday morning caused a down-draft at South High, filling the rooms with smoke. It also covered the desks and materials with soot. The classes were transferred to the high school gym, where they were seated until temporary arrangements could be made in four rooms in the new addition. Folding chairs were set up as a temporary measure. The move was to have been made Friday and Saturday this week, anyway, so the students will not be sent back to the old church building.
Sen. Homer Carr and Rep. Willard Munger introduced a bill in the Minnesota legislature that would allow an open season on moose, but it looks like it has little chance of passing. The bill, which would allow the Conservation Department to establish a moose season, was also introduced four years ago. Reaction at that time was strongly against it, and the opposition is even stronger now.
A chimney fire at the Frank Kreiner house was the reason for the fire department to be summoned last Wednesday evening. However, Charles Nylund’s house was not on fire when the fire alarm sounded Sunday morning about 7:30. He had built a fire to thaw out an area behind the building where the pipes had frozen up, and someone mistakenly thought it was his house burning.
90 Years Ago · Feb. 22, 1923
Ruby Woodard of Mineral Center had his eyes nearly put out one day last week while cranking a gasoline engine which was being used for cutting wood. He had been having some trouble starting the engine and had taken the spark plug out to see if it was working and had left it close to the cylinder. His face was over the spark plug opening. When the spark plug fired it ignited the gas in the cylinder, shooting fire into his face and nearly blinding him. He was taken to Duluth for treatment and the report is that he will lose the sight permanently in one eye.
The strong northwest winds of the last part of last week blockaded the roads with snow drifts so that all traffic on the road between here and Two Harbors has been at a standstill during the last week. Two of the state tractors which have been plowing snow on this road this winter are laid up.
The girls’ sewing circle will meet Friday evening at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Herstad. They will be entertained with a taffy pull.
The local merchants and hotels are filling their ice houses this week. The ice is of good thickness and the weather has been very favorable.
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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