West End pickleball at risk

For several years now the fastest growing sport in America, Pickleball, has been played by a substantial group of Cook County West End residents at the Birch Grove Community Center. They play on the outdoor tennis court and, until recently, on the indoor gym floor, both of which have been “lined off” for the court dimensions to play the game. Recently, the Town of Tofte has had the aging floor in the gym replaced with a new and enhanced surface. However, with the removal of the old floor the dimensional lines demarking the pickleball court have been eliminated. At this time there appears to be some reluctance to re-do the pickleball court lines, even though the pickleball participants, who only use the court at most two times per week, have offered to participate in the cost of the re-lining project. Also, participants do pay a fee for use of the indoor court.

COUNTY CONNECTIONS

School Traffic Safety With the return of in-person schooling for the children of the community, we at the Cook County Sheriff ’s office want to take this time and offer some tips for school traffic safety. The current drop-off and pick-up areas for ISD 166 including Great Expectations are located on County Road 7, also known as 5th Street between the Gunflint Trail and 4th Avenue West.

Paid Leave is coming to Minnesota. Is your business ready?

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Minnesota’s Paid Leave program will provide job protections and partial wage replacement to workers who need time off to care for themselves or a family member. Paid Leave will support your employees when they need it most and strengthen connections in our families, communities and workplaces to improve employee retention, performance and morale.

Hospital board increases levy for 2025

The Hospital Board passed the 2025 levy at its Thursday, August 22, meeting in Grand Portage. The 2025 levy will be $1,897,500, an increase of $172,500, or 10 percent.

David Eisenberger

David Eisenberger, age 81, of Marshall, Minnesota, died on Monday, August 5, 2024, at the Hendricks Community Hospital in Hendricks, Minnesota. Memorial Services are 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at the Grand Marais Evangelical Free Church in Grand Marais, Minnesota. A reception will follow at the church. Private interment took place in the Russell Cemetery, Russell, Minnesota.

Glenda Jean Paulson-Pooley

November 9, 1952 to August 21, 2024 Born to Melvin and Viola Paulson. Survived by siblings Gary Paulson, spouse LeAnn of Waseca, MN.

Happy Hikers update

The Happy Hikers will hike this 3.2 mile loop to the top of Leveaux Mountain for several grand Lake Superior overlooks. There are some rock and root obstacles, typical of the Superior Hiking Trail.