Cook County News Herald

Down Memory Lane


10 YEARS AGO
DEC. 19, 2009

Despite some questions and concerns about the wisdom of pursuing a management agreement with St. Luke’s Hospital, Cook County North Shore Hospital Board members said Dec. 15 they intend to move forward with the process as originally planned. The decision to enter into an agreement with St. Luke’s was made by the board in November, and was preceded by the resignation of hospital administrator Diane Pearson, who has held the position for more than 20 years.

Cook County Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers received a reply from the Minnesota Department of Revenue regarding why the county received only $8,754 in sales and excise taxes from the Grand Portage Reservation in 2009, when it had received $72,819 the year before. The state told Powers that incorrect reporting by the petroleum suppliers and incorrect calculation of reservation use resulted in the discrepancy. The county should actually have received less in 2008 and more in 2009, leaving the county with $9,766 more this year than it had initially received.

20 YEARS AGO
DEC. 20, 1999

The historic Hovland Dock will more likely be restored than rebuilt, a local group working to restore the structure told the county board. Rebuilding the dock, which was overlaid with concrete decades ago, would be prohibitively expensive, according to an engineer’s report. Instead, the committee has opted for restoration to the original 1920s state. Also, it is hoped that the boat ramp and warehouse might be restored using materials salvaged from the old hotel on the shore.

The county commissioners voted to hold a public meeting during tomorrow’s meeting to force the resignation of two of the four county appointees to the Grand Marais/Cook County Economic Development Authority (EDA). The two appointees did not submit their resignation from the EDA when asked after two alleged violations of the Minnesota Open Meeting Law were reported. The two others involved in the meeting did submit their resignations when asked.

50 YEARS AGO
DEC. 18, 1969

Money was reported stolen from the purses of two Sunday School teachers as they were with their classes at Bethlehem Lutheran Church for the Children’s Christmas program Sunday afternoon. The purses (containing “considerable” money) were left with wraps in one of the classrooms. Also, an expensive projector was taken from a classroom at the high school recently, and at the Baptist Church Christmas Cantata, while the concert was in progress, a pair of intruders were surprised helping themselves to the Christmas smorgasbord set in the church basement.

The nursing home will have its carpeting, and there will be money enough for some needed equipment at the North Shore Hospital. This was the good news after the women counted all the money made at the Holiday Homes event on Dec. 6, paid their bills, and found they had cleared about $700.

90 YEARS AGO
DEC. 19, 1929

The barn and sawmill owned by Chris Tormondsen of Tofte burned to the ground at 2 a.m. Wednesday. Two horses and 50 chickens were burned to death. A large supply of hay and feed were also lost in the conflagration. The barn was below the road and there was no danger to the house.

Last Thursday night the store at Little Marais, owned by Fenstad Brothers, was broken into and looted by thieves. Among the loot obtained by thieves are: men’s woolen pants, canvas gloves, woolen mittens, men’s all-wool union suits, and hunting and pocket knives with ivory handles. Also, a cash register was taken, rifled of $50 in cash, and thrown away.

E. Luick, lightkeeper, has put the harbor light out for the winter.

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 ccnh@boreal.org; or stop by our office at 15 First Avenue West.

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