10 YEARS AGO
AUG. 15, 2009
Cook County Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers reported to the county board Aug. 11 that the county had received from the state an increase of 5.6 percent over last year as payment in lieu of taxes (PILT). The payment is designed to offset the amount of state-owned land that does not generate property taxes for the county. This year’s payment is $195,613.83, an increase of $10,400.95 over last year.
While July’s cold temperatures drew more swimmers to the municipal pool, they seemed to keep golfers away from Gunflint Hills Golf Course. This July’s revenue was down 18 percent from last year, bringing in $24,731 to last July’s $30,266. The reduction was “mostly weather-related,” said golf course manager Mike Kunshier. Meanwhile, $12,700 was taken in at the pool during the month.
20 YEARS AGO
AUG. 16, 1999
The prospect of increasing the amount of off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails in Cook County drew a crowd to the Community Center in Grand Marais last Wednesday evening. The preliminary plans on view were the result of a local committee’s work with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Trails and Waterways. Despite letters, ads and news stories aimed at making the OHV committee representative of the entire community, only one anti-OHV person came forward to be on the planning committee; a DNR spokesman took the heat from those attending the open house.
With several rounds of litigation behind them the state agency in charge of building a trail that will be used primarily by snowmobiles from Grand Marais to the Canadian border is stalled again. According to Cook County Commissioner Wes Hedstrom, the state DNR must secure trail easements through Hovland before the U.S. Forest Service will finalize its part of the project. The DNR and Forest Service have an agreement that no construction may occur on state or federal property until the latter agency completes the required environmental review.
50 YEARS AGO
AUG. 14, 1969
The tornado-type storm that struck northern Minnesota last Wednesday afternoon with destructive violence, doing an estimated $5.5 million worth of damage in the state, also did some damage in Cook County. A U.S. Forest spokesman said the damage to timber in this county was much greater than most people realize. He estimates that from 200 to 300 acres were affected. The hardest-hit areas were the Alpine-Jasper-Red Rock lakes area south of Saganaga, and the west end of Sea Gull Lake.
Willard “Pappy” Wright was in Prineville, Oregon, to attend his high school class reunion. Classes of 1929-1939 convened. It is a coincidence that both he and son John graduated from a Cook County High School.
90 YEARS AGO
AUG. 15, 1929
Last Monday while playing with the motorcycle recently acquired by Stanley Smith, Lloyd Larson of this village sustained a broken leg when the motorcycle was accidentally tipped over. Several of the children had been playing around it, pretending to be driving the machine as small boys often do when the situation presents itself. The accident occurred as a result.
Ed Nunstedt is digging a well at his residence.
Grand Marais librarian L.E. Keller has issued his annual public library report and sent it to the Department of Education in St. Paul. Among the highlights: the total number of volumes is 913; 51 books were purchased and 63 received as gifts; and 25 out of the 913 had to be withdrawn as worn out. Additionally, the total number of registered borrowers is 394 and the population served is estimated at 700. Keller noted that a small library averages 1,000 volumes.
Alfred Fenstad is building a cabin near the Durfee house on the bay which he expects to rent out.
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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