There’s a new church in Cook County, and it hopes to connect with people who need what it has to offer. Those who appreciate being accepted just the way they are and who see no good reason to dress up on Sundays might like this new church. It’s the Bay Area Vineyard Church, and to help it get rooted, pastors... READ MORE >
The last time I wrote this column, I shared some of the jewels from a book my friend Ev Fuller wrote before she died a few years ago. Ev struggled with physical and mental health issues most of her life, but her spirit was triumphant. Her book is chock-full of wisdom and good advice. Here are more of the valuable... READ MORE >
Mining is sometimes referred to as an example of a boom or bust economy. Worldwide, mines come and go. But in northeastern Minnesota, fourth-generation iron miners have grandchildren who will follow in their footsteps because of the discovery of a huge deposit of gold, copper, nickel, platinum, and palladium. A lot has changed in how the mining will be done,... READ MORE >
The children of Grand Portage have been exploring their creativity this year thanks to art therapist Belle Janicek. Last summer, she worked with several children individually and with the kids in the Grand Portage Summer Youth Program as a group, leading to an exhibit of their work December 12, 2013 at the Grand Portage Community Center. Angel Burnett, Niimin LeGarde,... READ MORE >
Gracious readers, with a touch of sadness I am writing to let you know that after six years as a writer for the Cook County News-Herald, I am moving on. I am returning to my previous career in the field of psychology and moving to Onamia, Minnesota to work as a psychologist for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. It... READ MORE >
What is it like to go from the routine of getting up at 3 a.m. to milk 550 dairy cows to accommodating the diverse needs of vacationers— shuttling guests to Lutsen Mountains, loaning out cross country skis, getting people set up on snowshoes, arranging dog sled rides and grooming snowmobile trails? David and Shawn Howe bought Solbakken Resort on Superior... READ MORE >
A plea for support of the Birch Grove Community School turned into a somewhat contentious discussion at the December 12, 2013 Tofte Township board meeting. At issue was whether the school should pay more rent to the Birch Grove Foundation than it gets in “lease aid” from the state, which is based on the number of students. The number of... READ MORE >
Despite the fact that none of the nonferrous mining projects being proposed in Minnesota would be located in Cook County, community members are talking about mining. Two projects are in the works: an above-ground mine in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness watershed by PolyMet and a below-ground mine in the Lake Superior watershed by Twin Metals Minnesota. The companies... READ MORE >
The ISD 166 school board approved a levy of $1,063,844 for 2014, the amount of the levy limit, at its last meeting of the year on December 19. This reflects a 1.55 percent increase—$16,243.15—over the 2013 levy and amounts to about 15 percent of the school’s revenue. The school’s share of the taconite credit increased by $13,785.45 to $302,405.90. Total... READ MORE >
Community member Lloyd Speck appealed to the Cook County North Shore Hospital board on December 19, 2013 to keep its levy as low as possible and to be cautious as it considers a multi-million dollar renovation project. “The bottom line is can we afford it or can’t we?” he asked. The board was preparing to finalize its levy for 2014.... READ MORE >
