Brian Larsen While Minnesota Municipal Liquor stores saw increased sales last year, 'increased operating costs drove down net profits,' said State Auditor Julie Blaha, who released her annual report on December 13, 2023. Two hundred eleven municipal liquor stores were operating across 176 cities in 2022, which took in a combined $432.2 million in sales, an increase of $8 million over 2021.
What a wonderful way to spend an evening in the afterglow of Christmas! Sharing original songs from her new album, 'Wolves' (as well as some holiday favorites), Maria Nickolay is 'back for the holidays' from her new home in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She will perform on December 27th at 7:00 p.m.
Brian Larsen Grand Marais city councilors met on December 13 and held a Budget and Levy Hearing. At the Grand Marais City Council's September 13 meeting, the Council set the preliminary 2024 levy at 7.19 percent, but better than expected revenue from the recreation park and lower health insurance costs than first projected meant the final levy could be cut significantly from the proposed levy, said City Administrator Mike Roth who met with the Council on December 13.
Diane Blanchette, Director, Birch Grove Community School Birch Grove Community School's annual winter musical was 'Christmas at the O.K. Corral' this year! K-5 students worked hard and gave two performances on Wednesday, December 13, one in the afternoon during school and an evening performance.
In an exclusive to the Cook County News-Herald, Santa Claus reports that his elves have been working overtime to prepare for the big day, or shall we say big sleigh ride night? The call to the paper was a bit fuzzy, almost white noise, just like his fuzzy white beard, but behind the banging and clanging and loud happy elves talking and singing, Santa could be heard to say, 'Ho, ho, ho Cook County. Merry Christmas to all and especially Merry Christmas to all of the good little girls and boys.” Santa’s headquarters shelves are stocked to the brim with the latest toys, he said, and gracious gift wrappers are rapidly wrapping presents.
20 YEARS AGO DECEMBER 26, 2003 v Eighty-five acres in Grand Marais – essentially the entire business development area (BDA) – have been designated with special tax-exempt status under the new state development initiative known as JOBZ (Job Opportunity Building Zone). The “tax free” zones, created statewide, give new businesses locating in the zones a 12-year exemption from most state and local taxes.
Many of the ads in the 1930s used humor or claimed that buying their product would greatly enrich your life. While many of those local businesses are gone today, the Grand Marais State Bank is still going strong, proving a little humor and good business practices go a long way.
Announcement is made that the 11th District Minnesota State Bar Association will be awarding two nonrenewable $2,000 scholarships for 2024. Deadline for submission is March 1, 2024. The Scholarship Committee asks that the school counselors make applications available to interested students.
Cook County University of Minnesota Extension will host a winter meet up for local farmers and agricultural producers in January. The gathering will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.