As I See It
Carolyn Dry addressed the Cook County Board of Commissioners during the public comment period on Tuesday, April 23. Here are her comments to the county board.
April 2024
Read MoreAs I See It
Community picnic for residents
There will be a community picnic on Sunday, May 5th. If it rains on May 5th, the picnic will be held on May 12th.
Lodging taxes down considerably
BRIAN LARSEN A winter without snow and an economy racked by high inflation meant many potential visitors to Cook County either stayed home or went elsewhere. Through February, the Cook County 1 percent local option sales tax is down 15.1 percent over the same time in 2023.
Writer expresses appreciation and thanks for the many helping hands she received in dire time of need
'It could have been worse', is meant to sound positive. When I slid over the center line of icy highway 61, across the oncoming traffic lane, and into the ditch where my car was abruptly totaled by a sturdy birch tree, it could have been worse if oncoming traffic, if the ditch was deep enough to roll the car on top of me, if the rib crushing seat belt and air bags had failed, or if no one had noticed my dilemma.
Pot Luck: Minnesota’s Hazy Path to Marijuana Legalization
Recently, I’ve been playing around with a free, online artificial intelligence program called “Perplexity”. I gave it this prompt: “Please give me a 500 word comedic essay on the subject of the legalization of cannabis in Minnesota - in the style of Dave Barry”. It took one second to spit out the following:
County board suspends plans to build a Justice Center
BRIAN LARSEN Administrator James Joerke said that without state or federal assistance, the proposed Cook County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center project would cost too much to put on the taxpayers, and he asked commissioners to put the project on hold. Joerke spoke at the commissioner's meeting on Tuesday, April 23.
Grand Marais City Council accepts bids for City Hall/Liquor Store project
BRIAN LARSEN Grand Marais City Councilors met on Wednesday, April 24, at the Cook County Commissioner's board room, the Council's new home for the next half year or so while the new city hall is being built. While the current city hall liquor store is in the early stages of demolition, materials are being ordered, and contracts are being signed for firms to assist in building the new city facilities.
Lee Nelson Zopff
where Jocko coached the football team and taught at the High School. They enjoyed many years of attending games, including 3 Superbowls with the Minnesota Vikings, and making friends along the way. They owned Jocko’s Clearwater Lodge on the Gunflint Trail for many years and following Jocko’s early death, she ran the resort on her own for several years. Lee spent summers at her home on Leo Lake, where she hosted friends and family. Lee was an active member of the Gunflint Trail Historical Society and the Gunflint Trail Quilters; she volunteered at Chik-wauk Museum, Westminster Church, and Orchestra Hall. Lee was a wonderful wife, mother, businesswoman, grandmother, and friend. She was a talented baker, seamstress, knitter, quilter and enjoyed craft projects. Lee loved to support her grandchildren by attending events, games, Leone (Lee) Margaret Eloise Jaenson Nelson Zopff Age 94, of Minneapolis and the Gunflint Trail, passed away March 9, 2024. Preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and husbands Jack Nelson and Fred Zopff. Lee was born in St. Cloud, MN, in 1930. She graduated from Tech High School and was named the Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes in 1949. Lee attended Gustavus Adolphus College where she met her husband, Jocko, who became a football coach. Their first residence was in Grand Marais concerts, and many birthday parties.
Memorial service for Bev Denyes
A memorial service will be held for Bev Denyes in the Congregational Church basement on Saturday, May 4th from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Jon Wayne Warren
Jon Wayne Warren, age 62, of Waseca, died, Saturday, January 6, 2024, at his home in Waseca. Born on August 10, 1961, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he was the son of Jack and Judy (Lushenko) Warren.