10 YEARS AGO
APRIL 4, 2003
A state senator has introduced legislation that could have Minnesotans driving faster. David Tomassoni, DFL-Chisholm, said his bill would allow drivers to go 65 mph (10 mph faster than current law) on two-lane highways such as Highway 61. The speed limit would return to 55 mph at night, and the proposed new rule would exclude freeways and expressways outside of urban districts.
The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council announced that Ellen Olson of Grand Portage has won the prestigious George Morrison Artist Award for 2003. The George Morrison Artist Award is named after the internationally recognized visual artist George Morrison, who was also a member of the Grand Portage Chippewa and a longtime resident of Cook County. Olson, who is nationally recognized for her traditional beadwork and native designs, was nominated by Lennie Sobanja, chair of the Fiber Guild’s nominating committee.
A new single-day record was set last week when 588 bald eagles migrated north along the shore of Lake Superior to their nesting sites in northern Minnesota and Canada. According to reports received by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, on March 24 and 25 more than 1,000 bald eagles passed through the Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve in Duluth.
20 YEARS AGO
APRIL 5, 1993
Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Manager Bill Peterson reports that the northeastern Minnesota 1993 moose count of 4,300 is an indication of slow growth. The figure is a substantial increase from the recent low of 3,600 in 1990, and about comparable with the level of the middle 1970s. Peterson said, “It’s encouraging to see the count going up again, but we don’t really know where the ideal balance is. Setting a goal for what population level you want to have is a major concern.”
“Be a Book Buccaneer” was the theme of the special reading program sponsored during the month of March by the Grand Marais Public Library, the Library Friends and the Arrowhead Library System. Eighty-one young readers and their families signed up to dig for hidden treasures at the library. Each received a book log and a pirate-theme bookmark, and all were invited to a pirate party to celebrate the program.
Max Wahlers won a new commercial drill from Hedstrom’s last week for winning the nail driving contest over 14 other competitors at their open house for contractors.
50 YEARS AGO
APRIL 4, 1963
Two Canadians, Mr. and Mrs. Karl Gaul of Fort William, ran into a roadblock near Lutsen Thursday and became deeply involved with the law. Border patrolmen had set up the roadblock after a two-week hideand seek. As a result, the couple may face charges of smuggling and pure food law violations, and possibly other charges. Both 51, the Gauls have been accused of unlawfully bringing herbal remedies across the border for the past two years and mailing them here and elsewhere to points throughout the United States. Local postal authorities became suspicious when packages were often found Monday morning in the drop.
Steven Schinn, son of the Joseph Schinns, fell down while climbing a tree and broke his leg. In a week he’ll be back at school wearing a walking cast.
Norris Downing, who lives in Berlin Heights, Ohio, came to spend a day with the Roberts. He is assistant to the undertaker in Berlin Heights and drives the ambulance.
90 YEARS AGO
APRIL 5, 1923
Four automobile bandits drove 65 miles south of Minneapolis, captured, disarmed and tied up the night constable, looted the Leauhold Clothing Store of 250 suits of clothing valued at $10,000, and drove away, leaving the constable in the store basement, bound hand and foot. The constable wriggled free from his binds within half an hour after the bandits had left, and rousing citizens, gave chase, only to lose the trail near Northfield as the robbers raced north toward the Twin Cities.
Chris Johnson went on duty Wednesday as village marshal.
Four buses came through the village from Duluth Monday. The roads had been blocked for a week.
There will be an effort made to organize a baseball team for Grand Marais for this season and a meeting is hereby called to meet in Sjoberg’s Restaurant Sunday at 2 p.m. All interested persons are urged to be there. A captain and a manager will be chosen.
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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