20 YEARS AGO AUGUST 29, 2003 v Due to the dry docking of the gas barge Greenstone, Isle Royale National Park supplies of gas for boaters are low. The Greenstone was put into dry dock after a recent inspection found it was not in compliance with federal law, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, forbidding gas hauling by single-hulled vessels.
Ending a year-long search, the Reverend Calvin Konop was selected to become the minister at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Mr. Konop replaced Reverend Mark Ditmanson, who served in his role as pastor from 2001 until 2022.
Cook County Schools, in collaboration with Cook County Law Enforcement, was awarded a grant to upgrade and install school bus stop arm cameras. Safety is a number one priority for the district and the stop arm cameras will ensure that the bus drivers can keep their focus on the roadway and students, while still being able to report violations in an effort to decrease/mitigate this safety hazard.
This past week, Pete Smerud, Director of Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, was honored to receive the 2023 ANCA Nature Center Leadership Award. This award acknowledges Smerud’s significant achievements at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center and as a national leader in outdoor school. Smerud is the first Minnesotan to receive the award. Pete has worked at Wolf Ridge for 36 years and served as its director since 2012. But let’s dig a little into just who Pete is and his background.
Once again, the City of Grand Marais has won a top award. Travel & Leisure Magazine ranked Grand Marais on top as the country’s “Best Small Lake Town.” The award was announced August 22, 2023.
The North House Yellow Building was moved on Thursday, August 24 to 5th Street near the school bus garage where it will be renovated and turned into a longterm rental by new owner Dave Walter. Below, Chris Skildum maneuvers the building into place.
Is the Herald so desperate for submissions to the Editor that it must resort to reprinting Rae Piepho’s religious sermon which we all have heard ad nauseam? God the Father’s punishment for being human, sinful, less-than-perfect is hell after death. Sounds abusive! But Jesus “paid it ahead” for you when he suffered a miserable death thousands of years ago so you may thus avoid hell’s punishment and live forever in a blissful heaven, but only if you submit to this Jesus figure. Hero worship is required.
Please forgive my perhaps predictable (for those who know me) response to Rae Piepho’s impassioned letter to the editor regarding the Christian Bible and today's world. I respect her and others who hold the Bible to such high esteem and find answers, strength, comfort and hope therein. I really do! Nevertheless, I think a bit of caution might be in order before giving oneself completely to biblical teachings.
Momentum builds for clean energy projects As someone who works across Minnesota helping communities harness the benefits of clean energy, I am thoroughly impressed by Northeast Minnesota community clean energy efforts. The region is home to various meaningful clean energy related projects. Among others, projects led by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa come to mind.
This year, more than others, has seen multiple days during which the Environmental Protection Agency has issued an air quality alert due to wildfires. Climate change has led to an increase in the length of wildfire season, the frequency of wildfires, and the total area burned, a trend that is predicted to continue in the coming years. Even when fires are far upwind of Cook County, wildfire smoke can lead to poor air quality locally, which, in turn, can lead to negative health affects for those of us who live, work, and play in the area.