20 YEARS AGO
JANUARY 1, 2001
In a 3-2 vote, the Grand Marais city council voted to pay down the municipal swimming pool debt using, in part, $60,000 previously earmarked for a non-motorized trail through town. “This has to be dealt with,” said Councilor Ron Lund in reference to the pool deficit, which stands at $930,000. “And I hope the next council will keep chipping away at it.”
LTV Steel Co. and Steelworkers Local 4108 reached agreement on a comprehensive closure plan last week. Under the plan, hourly workers will receive more vacation pay, full retirement benefits for some and a requirement that any new owner of the plant will first have to hire LTV employees. The agreement also keeps the union at the plant. On February 24, LTV will permanently close its Mining Steel Company in Hoyt Lakes. The company will also begin to close down operations at its power plant and taconite loading dock in Schroeder.
30 YEARS AGO
DECEMBER 31, 1990
Cook County volunteer firefighters extinguished two holiday blazes last week. The Grand Marais Fire Department responded to a chimney fire in Croftville that started in a false ceiling near the fireplace. A portion of the living room was damaged. Hovland and Grand Portage fire departments responded to a call near Reservation River on Monday. It is believed that fire was started by heat tape. The home sustained extensive smoke damage. The extreme cold caused problems with pumps and other equipment.
Despite heavy snow and biting winds that caused the second annual Skyport Speed Run to be abbreviated, more than 75 snowmobile enthusiasts turned out to show their stuff last Saturday. Although the event was scheduled to start at 10 a.m., the course was not plowed and readied until nearly 2 p.m. A grader that had tried to plow Friday night went through the ice. Winners of the five different classes (depending on engine size and modifications) were Tony Everson, Bruce Johnson, Cory Ryden, Craig Ekroot and Jay Mesenbring.
60 YEARS AGO
DECEMBER 29, 1960
Most communities have skating rinks. It is one sport in which most children will take part and really enjoy. It is too bad that there’s not a public rink of some type made available for the children in this town. With no skiing so far, it would have been doubly appreciated.
A group of carolers from the Pilgrim Fellowship group and from the Senior Luther League group caroled last Thursday evening, but because of below-zero weather did not sing as long as they had planned. They had hot chocolate and cookies in the church kitchen afterwards.
85 YEARS AGO
JANUARY 2, 1936
At a special meeting of the Cook County Commissioners on Monday, representatives from the town districts were on hand to turn on the heat because of the commissioners’ action in dissolving all townships in the county. Heated debate was the order of the day with the commissioners catching all the heat. As the board could have taken no other action than dissolve them, it was pretty much of a one-sided argument. The public examiner has instructed county officials several times to take action, and they put it off as long as possible.
Martin Erickson of Maple Hill is recovering from a severe attack of blood poisoning. He is confined in a Duluth hospital.
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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