CCSD #166 opportunity to add Solar for Schools All Minnesota school districts have a unique opportunity to receive Federal plus State funding for solar panel arrays and storage batteries with the MN State Solar for Schools (S4S) program combined with the landmark Federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). In 2023 the MN State Legislature appropriated $29.3 million to S4S for K-12 schools, state colleges and universities.
Nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN), Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, Cook County Local Energy Project, and the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society launched the Duluth and Arrowhead Solar Co-op to help Duluth and Arrowhead area residents go solar. The solar co-op will host online public information sessions on February 13 and February 29.
Over the last 18 months, the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation awarded 11 Regional Trails grants totaling $371,050. The grants were for equipment area trail clubs, communities, and volunteers used to maintain and groom trails throughout the agency's 13,000-square-mile service area.
Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules!
The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the punishment exceeds $150 and/or ten days in jail and/or includes one year of supervised adult probation. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items to be withheld will not be granted.
BRIAN LARSEN Rhonda Harrison, Easter Seals Ontario community engagement manager for the Northern region, was in Grand Portage on Thursday, January 25, to review the details of the upcoming Easter Seals Snowarama scheduled for February 10 at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. Harrison met with Tony Swader of the Grand Portage Trail Riders and several other Grand Portage representatives to discuss the upcoming annual event, which, over the last 19 years, has raised $575,000 for kids with physical disabilities.
Winter Blues Ward off the winter blues this season with a few self-care techniques! If the clouds decide to part and give us blue skies, run out to greet the sun and sky. Take several deep breaths and soak in the goodness.
Rob Perez Adjacent to the township of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in the township of Primrose, Pennsylvania in an open prairie, under an oak tree, notebook in hand, Rob Perez sits on the ground near a groundhog’s burrow. After a moment, a groundhog emerges.
The full Board of Directors (“Board”) of the Cook County Hospital District (“Hospital”) met in a special closed session on January 9, 2024, under the attorney-client privilege to discuss legal strategy related to potential litigation; to consider certain Review Organization matters; and to consider contracts related to the Hospital’s competitive position. Kimber Wraalstad, Hospital CEO, did not attend or otherwise participate in the closed session meeting. This meeting was convened, in part, to respond to the request of certain community members made at the Board’s December 21, 2023, meeting, correspondence to the Board, letters to the editor and various articles in newspapers. Specifically, the Board conducted a focused review of certain allegations related to (i) Dr. Bruce Dahlman, (ii) the Hospital’s Ambulance service and (iii) the Hospital’s Laboratory. This report summarizes the findings of fact and conclusions of the Board during this review process on each of these three issues.
BRIAN LARSEN Cook County Commissioners held a public hearing on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, to provide the public a chance to express their opinions and concerns about the County Capitol Improvement Plan (CIP) and the county’s intent to issue general obligation capital improvement bonds to help pay for deferred maintenance to several buildings. A resolution relating to a tax abatement of certain properties for 15 years to help construct improvements at the Community Center in Grand Marais was also on the docket.