20 YEARS AGO
OCTOBER 16, 2000
Cook County’s rate of unemployment for July 2000 was 2.1 percent, down from last year’s rate of 2.4 percent. There were 3,205 people employed in July this year compared to 3,198 employed countywide a year ago. June saw an unemployment rate of 2.6 percent.
Richard Swanson, attorney for the Joint Grand Marais/Cook County Economic Development Authority, distributed a memo and reviewed Robert’s Rules of Order with the board last week. Swanson also led a discussion of the Open Meeting Law. He advised the board that when in doubt, to err on the side of sharing information and decision-making with the public. The subject was prompted by an allegation last month that some board members conducted an unlawful meeting when they stayed after adjournment to eat pizza. Swanson said that, as far as he knows, there is no interest in pursuing those charges.
30 YEARS AGO
OCTOBER 15, 1990
“Economic growth in the Grand Portage community will lead to more children at the Grand Portage Elementary School within a few years, and the present school building will have to be enlarged to accommodate them,” Billy Blackwell told the District 166 school board at their meeting last Monday. Blackwell is a spokesman for the Local Indian Education Committee. “We need a five-year planning committee. We have 16 kids coming into the school system in the next two years. The reservation is planning to build 10 new homes next year,” he said. “We’re looking at large numbers of new kids. There is a good chance we will see 20 to 60 more kids in the next five years. Planning must be a priority.”
At last week’s Economic Development Authority meeting, directors grappled with a legal fee of $11,390 submitted by attorney Arlin Waelti for work done in drawing up a management agreement for the new Lutsen Golf Course. Board Member Jim Sommerness, himself an attorney, said, “I think the bill is high and I’d like to see some kind of reduction. It’s just one of the growing pains that we’re facing.”
60 YEARS AGO
OCTOBER 13, 1960
When Mrs. Sigurd S. Nybakken at the North Queen Motel opened the back door Tuesday morning, a cute bear cub was sitting on the door mat outside. He soon took off for the woods, but his hosts enjoyed the visit immensely.
The west end of the county has become aroused over a picture of a bow and arrow hunter who is reported to have killed three bears at the Tofte dump. One unsigned letter we received is a stinging rebuke against such action.
100 YEARS AGO
OCTOBER 13, 1920
James A. Kirkwood Jr., formerly of Grand Marais, died suddenly in Duluth Thursday, following an operation for tonsillitis. Mr. Kirkwood was one of the organizers of the Grand Marais State Bank, and was an officer in that institution for some time.
Minnesota is threatened with a fire on a 25-mile front along the Wisconsin state line. There are numerous small fires in northern Minnesota which are being carefully watched by forest rangers.
Clarence and Ellis Smith have been harvesting their potato crop at Schroeder this week. They will both attend an automobile school this 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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