10 YEARS AGO
APRIL 11, 2003
The Forest Resources Council will investigate a logging complaint brought by the Sierra Club against the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry. Jenna Fletcher, the forest policy specialist at the Council’s St. Paul office, said an independent forester will investigate the complaint under the Public Concerns Registration Process program. At issue is six acres of old growth cedar which was logged in a preservation zone near Andy Lake in the Grand Portage State Forest off the Arrowhead Trail. The logged trees included some that were more than 160 years old; some were up to 28 inches in diameter.
Cook County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to proceed with a controversial 5-yearold land exchange process that had been halted by a lawsuit. Land Commissioner Ted Mershon told the board that a recent court decision ruled in favor of the U.S. Forest Service, paving the way for the exchange to continue. But, Mershon said, since the process was begun in 1997, most of the required documentation has become outdated. The exchange in question involves about five acres known as the Top of the Trail. The parcel includes several buildings and other improvements. It would be swapped for about 237 acres of land the county owns inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
20 YEARS AGO
APRIL 12, 1993
A Lake Superior shoreline home was destroyed by fire Friday evening, April 2. The fire apparently started with an explosion in a malfunctioning liquid propane furnace. The 30- by 60-foot log residence located three miles west of Hovland was a total loss, according to Hovland Fire Chief Stan Pelto and sheriff ’s deputy Dave Wirt.
Eighty people turned out April 6 for an informational meeting on the proposed “Honeymoon” land exchange between the U.S. Forest Service and the Minnesota Trust for Public Land. Much of the attention zeroed in on parcels near Caribou Lake, and parcels in the Hovland area. Comments indicated suspicions about the role of TPL, its purpose for promoting land exchanges, and its connections with timber corporations and real estate developers.
50 YEARS AGO
APRIL 11, 1963
A large new building is under construction, with full basement, at the Sea Gull guard station. The Backlunds have the contract for the job. The building will be used to house the Forestry staff located in this area.
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Albinson, director of the American Swedish Institute, were here this week for a few days. He is looking forward to a lecture by a Swedish representative who will speak about the Vassa shipraising and the resultant historic relics now in museums. The ship sank as it was launched 300 years ago and its hull has been raised and is being restored.
Mr. and Mrs. George Cleaver, the new owners of Trail Service Center, have just moved up for the summer and are busy getting settled and unpacked. The Trail Service Center was formerly operated by the Flavells.
Mrs. Bev Johnson and Miss Rita Portner were in Chicago recently to do some buying for their shop, the Little Villager.
90 YEARS AGO
APRIL 12, 1923
Hjelmar Helmerson was out on a bear hunt last week. It was not a successful trip.
Spencer Ficklin is working on his house. He plans to move it out to the sidewalk and to have his barber shop in it.
A 3-year-old girl of Mr. and Mrs. Nels Meguani of Grand Portage was blinded in one eye the first of the week. While playing with a pair of scissors one of the points was stuck into her eye. Her parents brought the little one to Grand Marais and Dr. Hicks dressed the wound and had them take the child to a hospital where the injured eye will probably be taken out.
Bert Opsal dislocated a shoulder last Friday while driving a load of hay near his home in Colvill. When he struck bare ground the sleigh stopped and the evener broke. The team pulled him off the load with the lines, and he lit on frozen ground.
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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