10 YEARS AGO · MAY 16, 2003
The first of two small grass fires flared on the upper Gunflint Trail May 12. Then, the next day, a couple of yearling bear cubs walked into a lowhanging power line behind Cascade River State Park and started another grass fire. The fire burned only 1½ acres. There was also a possible arson reported May 12 that involved significant damage to a porch behind the Community Center.
Conservationists have denounced legislation that would permit the sell-off of state-owned land in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Minnesota House is expected to vote this week on the measure, which conservationists charge would subject the public’s wilderness to condominiums and other exclusive private developments. Under the measure, which is contained in a larger bill, potentially thousands of acres of state-owned trust lands in the Boundary Waters would be sold off through a public auction. Legislators who support the measure say they are pushing this in an attempt to resolve future management of stateowned trust lands in the wilderness.
20 YEARS AGO · MAY 17, 1993
The Grand Marais City Council authorized a contract with the University of Minnesota that calls for removal of a large number of this summer’s resident Canada geese. The motion specifies that the removal contract is contingent on adoption of a public education and information program to discourage feeding the geese, and upon passage of the ordinance, prohibiting the feeding of Canada geese. Council members emphasized that there is no intent to destroy the geese, nor to get rid of the entire flock. They hope to reduce the size of the flock and achieve a balance. The university’s removal program is conducted in a safe and humane manner, without physical harm to the geese. The geese are not shipped off elsewhere for slaughter; they are captured and placed in a locale conducive to their natural life cycle.
The Grand Marais-Cook County Airport has been named “Project of the Year” for 1992 by the Minnesota Council of Airports. The Award of Excellence cites the paving and lighting of the new airport as outstanding. The council evaluated projects from many of the state’s 150 airports, and named the Grand Marais facility and Rochester airport as co-first-place winners.
The Cook County schools will not offer a fifth-grade band program in the 1993-94 school year. The decision to recommend cutting the program was made by the elementary school faculty after much study and discussion. It should be noted that the school’s elementary music program remains intact, and the sixth- and seventh-grade bands will not be reduced. The reduction is expected to save $10,000 to $12,000 per year by eliminating 25 percent of a full-time teaching position.
50 YEARS AGO · MAY 16, 1963
An improved log barker has been installed by the Ameriply Veneer Company at their plant west of Grand Marais. The new machine is expected to save most of the 21 percent of wood loss occurring in the old machine that has been used.
Legislators have increased the minimum Minnesota driving age to 16, providing for restricted licenses and instruction permits in 15-year-olds only in certain cases.
We are glad to report that “Skipper” Lamb suffered no serious injuries in his losing battle with an automobile when he was crossing Michigan Street in Duluth last week. He was knocked down and has a very lame leg and bruises, but is recovering nicely.
Appearing on the “What’s My Line?” TV program and seen here Sunday night was a former Cook County resident, Mrs. Duane Cole. The Coles formerly owned the Pike Lake Resort. Mrs. Cole is a stunt flyer with the famous Cole Brothers team. She had the panel guessing as to her identity. Her role with the flyers is usually to be strapped to the wing of the plane while her husband pilots it through its various maneuvers and somersaults through space.
90 YEARS AGO · MAY 17, 1923
A fine assortment of steel wrenches just arrived. Come in and look them over. — Ed Toftey & Co.
A reward will be paid to return or advise who took size 9 shoes and size 44 shotgun from John Johnson’s store in the village.
Mr. and Mrs. John M. Blackwell moved Friday into the Andrew Holte house.
Val Millet returned Saturday from the Range, where he spent the winter.
Mr. and Mrs. Simon H. Backlund and baby girl returned Sunday night from Two Harbors on the America.
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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