Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | February 27, 2016
I’m grateful to Publishers Hal and Deidre Kettunen for allowing me to attend the Minnesota Newspaper Association (MNA) Convention at the end of January to accept three awards for the Cook County News-Herald. It is rewarding to be recognized by our industry peers, but what I enjoy even more is the networking with other newspaper people. It was fun to... READ MORE >
Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | February 20, 2016
As I wrote in Unorganized Territory last week, I don’t share the despair that many are feeling over the possible establishment of a Dollar General store in Grand Marais. While I’m not exactly thrilled that this is the business that wants to set up shop in Grand Marais, I think Grand Marais will survive. I don’t think the arrival of... READ MORE >
Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | January 30, 2016
As I write this column, members of the Cook County DFL are preparing for an interesting public meeting on Saturday, January 30: Everything you wanted to know about caucuses, but were afraid to ask. The notice of the presentation was in last week’s News-Herald and posters were up all over the county. It was hosted by the Cook County DFL,... READ MORE >
Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | January 23, 2016
Hats off to the ISD 166 School Board members for their decision to not accept any pay for the coming year. Their unanimous motion was made after only the slightest discussion. The board agreed that it needed to set an example as it moved ahead with the unpleasant task of cutting hundreds of thousands of dollars from the school’s budget.... READ MORE >
Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | January 16, 2016
I have been waiting a long time to write this column. In October 2014, when I heard that the county was going to hold a public meeting to consider possible change to the county’s “Miscellaneous Fee Schedule,” I asked Auditor Braidy Powers for a list of the fees that were under consideration. I knew that Braidy would have the answer.... READ MORE >
Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | January 09, 2016
Long time readers of Unorganized Territory may recall my misadventure with my daughter-in-law Michele (“Goosie” to friends and family) in December 2012 to pick up their family’s new puppy from my sister in Missouri. The little Australian cattle dog’s name was selected before we met him. Because Goosie and my son Ben own Benny’s Collision Center in Grand Marais and... READ MORE >
Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | January 02, 2016
One of my earliest memories is cleaning house with my mother on New Year’s Eve day. Mom has always said that whatever condition your house is in at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, that is what it will be like for the entire year. I remember frantically changing linens, dusting knickknacks, washing dishes, dust mopping the hardwood... READ MORE >
Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | December 05, 2015
I am happy to report that I have nearly fulfilled my civic duty. I have been in the jury pool for the local court for the last few months. My time as a potential juror will be ending at the end of the month. I have received notice several times that I may have to serve on a trial. Each... READ MORE >
Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | November 28, 2015
Sometimes the fact that the Cook County News-Herald is a weekly newspaper creates problems as I write Unorganized Territory. It is difficult when a holiday or event falls in the middle of two issues, like Thanksgiving always does. As I write this Unorganized Territory, I am still planning what I’m going to bring to our family Thanksgiving get-together. But when... READ MORE >
Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | November 21, 2015
Last week I wished Cook County commissioners luck in the quest to keep our tax levy from increasing drastically. They’ve done a pretty good job so far. From a 28 percent levy increase in April to an 11.2 percent increase in November, they’ve found a way to trim some expenses. It would be nice if they could do more before... READ MORE >
