Dean Deschampe and Geraldine Kozlowski received the most votes in the special primary election for the Reservation Tribal Council of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in April 2009. The candidates will now face each other in the general election on June 16, 2009. The polls at the Old Log School will be open from 8:00 a.m. to... READ MORE >
On June 7, 2009 Victor “Vic” Carl Torrel, 20, of Virginia, Minnesota was found deceased in Cook County after being missing overnight. Cook County Law Enforcement issued a page at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, requesting that the Cook County Sheriff Response Unit (SRU) assist with a search for a missing fisherman. Torrel’s friends were camping with him... READ MORE >
At the April Lutsen town meeting, long-time chief of the Lutsen Fire Department and EMS Fred Schmidt said he intended to step down as fire chief. Schmidt said he would be willing to continue as EMS chief and suggested that Assistant Fire Chief Paul Goettl be appointed to the fire chief role. The restructuring raised questions over how the positions... READ MORE >
What happens in Grand Marais… I never found time to write about my Las Vegas vacation at the end of April. Returning to Cook County—and to work—meant playing catch up. I quickly got right back in the work routine and forgot about the wonderful time I had in Las Vegas. As they say, "What happens in Vegas…stays in Vegas."... READ MORE >
There is only one more week left of the wonderful Hovland artist show at the Johnson Heritage Post in Grand Marais. The exhibit, featuring 14 artists, has received rave reviews since its May 8 opening reception. The show continues until June 21. With 14 talented artists, it is difficult to pick a work of art to feature. It simply is... READ MORE >
When Larry “Fish” Deschampe’s School District 166 colleagues decided they wanted to honor him upon his retirement after 28 years, they knew it would be tough to surprise him. ” So they let him know there was going to be some sort of presentation. What Deschampe didn’t know is that the Arrowhead Center for the Arts would be filled with... READ MORE >
After making the news on May 12, 2009 when his birch bark canoe was swamped in the Duluth harbor, Erik Simula re-pitched his vessel and continued on his 1,000-mile journey. Fortunately, Simula and his dog, Kitigan, have seen relatively smooth paddling as they proceed—despite encounters with a mountain lion and bear! Simula’s friend and employer, Sue McCloughan of Bearskin Lodge,... READ MORE >
A few days before the start of new U.S. border crossing regulations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued notices assuring U.S. and Canadian citizens that, if otherwise admissible, they will be able to re-enter the United States without passports after the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is implemented for land and sea travel. Before the implementation of WHTI on... READ MORE >
A few years ago I wrote a column for the parents of the Cook County High School graduates. I didn’t intend to write a column for parents; I started writing to the seniors themselves. But I realized that the students finishing their last week of high school and preparing for commencement exercises don’t really want to hear from some... READ MORE >
Many Cook County residents were delighted to see a familiar face on the front page of the May 18 Duluth News Tribune. Under a headline of Reluctant student now teacher of excellence was Rudy “Cisco” Carlson, a 1976 graduate of Cook County High School. Carlson was featured because of he had been named as a Teacher of Excellence by the... READ MORE >
