10 Years Ago
March 12, 2004
Contract negotiations between the Cook County Education Association and the school board have reached an impasse. The teacher contracts, which have been under negotiation for eight months, are not yet signed. This is the longest time that the Cook County teachers have gone without contracts. Their contracts expired June 30.
Two years after winning his race for the House District 6A seat, Rep. David Dill is facing charges that he fudged on his campaign finances. On March 3, Ely attorney Nancy Powers and three other northeastern Minnesota party officials filed a complaint with the state Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. Dill’s accusers, all notably from his own DFL party, claim that the freshman representative deliberately exceeded spending limits by at least $5,000, tried to cover it up and took an illegal gift of aviation fuel for his private jet from the city of Orr. Dill counters that the charges were suspiciously timed to coincide with the start of the campaign for the 2004 DFL endorsement by former rival Bill Hansen of Tofte. Yet, Dill said he pledges to do the right thing if errors are found in his records; each of the charges can be explained, he said.
20 Years Ago
March 14, 1994
At their annual town meeting, citizens of Schroeder passed a motion to approve the preliminary design concept for a small boat basin and launch ramps at Taconite Harbor. The design, prepared by the DNR, was recommended Jan. 25 by the Schroeder harbor citizens advisory group. The DNR intends to lease the land from LTV Steel Mining Company, and has been working on liability issues with LTV and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.
Cook County commissioners debated but did not act on a request for a zone change on property surrounding Lost Lake. The request from a landowner for a change from FAR-1 to FAR-3 was recommended for approval by the Planning & Zoning staff, but the planning commission recommended denial by a 4-2 vote. The owner wants to develop only six lots in the near future, though the application submitted is for the entire lakeshore property. The present zoning provides for a minimum lot area of 20 acres and minimum lot width of 600 feet; the change would allow lot sizes of five acres and minimum lot width of 200 feet.
50 Years Ago
March 12, 1964
A 25-year-old Wisconsin man died about noon last Thursday as a result of a woods accident north of Schroeder. He was using a “cat” when a dead branch fell on his head, causing a skull fracture. He was brought to the hospital in Grand Marais, but lived only about three hours.
It won’t be long before shipping season for ore begins. Bill Donegan, ship’s chandler, has returned to Schroeder a little ahead of the first boat. Welcome back.
The seventh annual Lions Club Trout Derby drew hundreds of people to Trout Lake Sunday and Roger Malner won the top big-fish prize with his 2-pound, 11-ounce trout. He won a canoe. In all, 61 fish were registered, and quite a number more were caught either before or after the contest.
90 Years Ago
March 13, 1924
The Motor Inn Garage is delivering a tractor to Mr. Ohlund at London Crossing this week. This makes the second tractor sold this winter, showing that our farmers are beginning to farm in an up-to-date manner.
Ed Toftey has struck water in his new well at 35 feet.
Mr. and Mrs. Morris Olson have returned from a week’s trip to the Twin Cities. They report having had a fine time, but that Grand Marais beats them all.
Adolph Backlund is in from Scott’s camp this week helping the Backlund Bros. cut ice for their milk business.
Official minutes of the village council proceedings, held March 5, 1924: The following bills were upon motion duly allowed – J.H. Pinkerton, 6 dogs killed, $6.
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.
Leave a Reply