North Shore News Hour

Electric vehicle charging stations went online at the end of June in the City of Grand Marais. How much use have these stations received? WTIP’s Rhonda Silence checked in with Shane Steele, the sustainability coordinator for the City of Grand Marais to find out.

Steele tells WTIP that the city currently has two “level 2” stations and one "DC fast" charging station. The level two station can charge two cars at once and would typically charge an electric vehicle (EV) in the range of three to five hours.

One of level two stations is at city hall, along with the DC fast charging station. The other level two charging station is at the Grand Marais Recreation Park, in the parking area where the swimming pool used to be.

There are other EV charging stations in the county—one at Bearskin Lodge on the Gunflint Trail; at Arrowhead Cooperative, Clearview General Store, Lutsen Mountains, and Lutsen Resort in Lutsen, and one at Bluefin Bay Resort in Tofte and at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. Locations of EV charging stations can be found on PlugShare.com and similar applications.

The city-owned EV charging stations were installed by the city’s power provider, the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA), so there were no initial costs for city taxpayers or utility customers.

Sustainability Coordinator Steele is able to track use of the charging stations and fees collected. He said between the time the charging stations went online on June 26 and the end of July, there were 163 charging sessions that collected $838 in fees.

Steele explained that the fees cover the cost of the electricity used by EV station users.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence learns more about the city’s electric vehicle charging stations in this interview. 
 

On August 9, Mary Hanson of Lutsen experienced something that has happened to many homeowners, a bird hitting a window of her house. This was not a little sparrow or chickadee however, it was a pileated woodpecker. Mary was heartbroken to see the large woodpecker crumpled on the ground.  Mary reached out to the community to see if anyone could transport the injured bird to a wildlife rehab center.

The request was answered by Leah Nelson who drove the woodpecker to Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation in Duluth.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Mary Hanson about the experience.

 
Today, August 10, WTIP followed up with Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation to see if the pileated woodpecker had survived its journey to Duluth. The good news is that it did and an immediate inspection showed no broken bones. However, Valerie Slocum, with Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation said there are no guarantees that the bird will recover. It does have significant swelling and has been transported to another wildlife rehabilitation center for further testing.

WTIP will check in on the bird’s progress in our next regular interview with Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation on North Shore Morning on August 18. For now, here’s an update on how it has fared so far. 

Anyone who encounters a wounded animal is encouraged to contact a wildlife rehabilitation center for advice and assistance. Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation can be reached by phone at 218-491-3604. 
 

Although cooler temperatures and higher humidity have dampened the immediate fire danger in Cook and Lake counties, the long-term weather forecast shows no relief for drought conditions.

To prevent the risk of wildfires, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is increasing burning restrictions in Cook and Lake counties, beginning Tuesday, Aug. 10.

Under these additional restrictions, the campfire and recreational fire ban in Cook and Lake counties now includes all public and private land.

Under the additional restrictions, all recreational fires are banned and the use of welding devices and other torches is prohibited when in proximity to combustible vegetation (unless special permission is granted).

While the DNR's restrictions do not control tribal lands, the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has restricted burning on its lands.

In the backcountry, and at campsites, only gas or propane camp stoves are allowed. Gas and charcoal grills are allowed at occupied homes, cabins, and resorts. Charcoal and gas fires must be in devices designed for grilling.

The burning restrictions will remain in effect until terminated by the DNR commissioner when weather and environmental conditions indicate a reduction in fire danger.

That won’t happen anytime soon, according to DNR Forester and Firefighter Aaron Mielke. WTIP’s Rhonda Silence spoke with Mielke at the Grand Marais office about the additional restrictions. Here’s their conversation. 
 

Normally when the Grand Marais Lions Club announces the annual “Citizen of the Year,” there is some clue as to who it may be. Often, a group of family members and friends can be seen coaxing a person toward the Lions Club stage in Harbor Park. There are whispers and delighted smiles surrounding that person. On Saturday, August 7, 2021, there was just curiosity. No one had seen the call for nominees for the Senior Citizen of the Year or Citizen of the Year. Was the ceremony going to take place?

Grand Marais Lion Pete Kavanaugh, who organized the outstanding lineup of musicians who performed on the harbor stage throughout the weekend, answered that question with a meaningful message to the entire community. The Citizen of the Year award—for 2020 and 2021—goes to the frontline workers of Cook County.

Kavanaugh said, “As we have survived the last year and a half, enduring unusual circumstances, the Grand Marais Lions Club decided we wanted to recognize more than one or two Citizens of the Year. This year we are recognizing all the essential workers as they worked to take care o the residents of Cook County.

“We can start by recognizing all the medical workers, but also the people beside them, supplying support. We also had tons of volunteers, delivering groceries, meals and working at the vaccine clinics to name a few. We had businesses making sure they were open for a multiple needs and concerns to the community.

“Unfortunately we can’t name each person individually. In fact, it’s difficult to name all the groups without leaving someone out. So, for you who worked in the forefront, as well as in the background, we thank you.

“You know who you are and what you did to protect and keep Cook County well and to be a shining example to the rest of the state. You knew how to get the job done and have collaborated well to accomplish it. Let’s keep up this good work,” said Kavanaugh.
 
 
 

The City of Grand Marais rescinded the peacetime emergency declaration last month and has been having in-person meetings in the council chambers at city hall. However, it has raised some questions about remote attendance at meetings.

Mayor Jay DeCoux planned to attend the July 28 meeting remotely, but at the start of the meeting, City Attorney Chris Hood told the council that could not happen. If a member of the council plans to attend a meeting remotely, there has to be a public notice three days prior to the meeting.

So, for the July 28 meeting, Mayor DeCoux participated as a private citizen. City Councilor Kelly Swearingen served as acting mayor. It was at that meeting that Swearingen made the announcement she was resigning from her council seat.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence caught up with Mayor DeCoux this week to learn more about how the city will fill that vacancy, about the changing rules for remote participation at meetings, and about the city’s recent work sessions on capital improvements and capacity.

Here’s their conversation. 

* This article has been edited to clarify that Mayor Jay DeCoux was attending remotely.

WTIP’s Music Director Will Moore took a week off to head to Iowa to take part in RAGBRAI, the Des Moines Register Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. He joined an estimated 15,000 bicyclists on the seven-day trek across Iowa, starting on July 26.

Will checked in from the road, talking to WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs on day two of the adventure. Hear that report from the road here: WTIP music director riding in RAGBRAI across Iowa.

Will survived—and actually enjoyed—the ride from its starting point near the Missouri River on the western side of Iowa to its terminus on the Mississippi River.

Will joined the WTIP Noon News crew on August 3 to share his thoughts on the RAGBRAI experience. Will noted that one of the most enjoyable aspects was seeing the small rural towns along the route. He said all along the way there were Iowans cheering them on, offering spots to rest and providing snacks and entertainment.

The photo above shows Will doing “The Dip,” a traditional celebration of the finish of the RAGBRAI. Riders dip their bike tire in the Mississippi.

Here’s Will answering questions about RAGBRAI, including the big question—will he do it again? 
 

Since our very first broadcast, WTIP Community Radio has enjoyed interacting with the youth of our community. We have had young people in the studio for youth radio projects and to give us the latest school news report. We have reported on sporting events, plays, and of course graduation ceremonies.

And we periodically check in with these Cook County graduates as they’ve gone on to interesting adventures and important careers in a series called Where Are They Now?

In this segment, WTIP’s Rhonda Silence speaks with Karlee La Favor, a 2010 graduate of Cook County High School, who is embarking on her career as a family practice physician.
 
If you know of a Cook County graduate or someone with ties to our North Shore community that could be featured, please contact Rhonda by calling 218-387-1070 or email [email protected]

Where are They Now is made possible in part with funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
 

Fourteen-year-old Allie Duclos of Lutsen is a multi-sport athlete, participating in volleyball, softball and skiing– and log rolling!

She had a great season on the water, culminating in a 1st place finish at the 2021 Lumber Jack Championships in Hayward, Wisconsin last weekend. Allie is a four-time world champion log roller. 

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence spoke with Allie about the win and about the interesting sport of log rolling. 
 

Anyone driving or walking along Highway 61 near the Hungry Hippie Tacos building in recent weeks may have been a bit startled by changes to the small building next door at what was the Dog Haus, a pet supply store. The entire front side of the building is gone.

The Grand Marais Art Colony now owns the small building, as well as the former Arrowhead Pharmacy building. Both structures have a long history in Grand Marais. The former pharmacy was once the Grand Marais Post Office. And the Dog Haus was long ago a dress store, operated by Marvel Soderlund.

The Grand Marais Art Colony purchased both buildings in 2019 after the nonprofit outgrew its space in the old church on Third Avenue. The Art Colony began operations there in 1953 and added on to the building in 2005. There was still a need for more room, which initiated the purchase of the downtown properties.

The renovation of the former pharmacy building, now called Studio 21, is complete and the Art Colony has been having gallery exhibits there. The building is open to the public on Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

However, as the Dog Haus building was inspected, it became apparent that major renovations would be needed. Grand Marais Art Colony Executive Director Lyla Brown told WTIP that the building was constructed in 1935 and probably last renovated 40 or 50 years ago.

The current reconstruction includes the installation of in-floor heat for more energy-efficient operations. However, that has been a delay as concrete is in short supply as the Highway 61 project wraps up.

Brown assures the public that the front of the building will return, again with large glass windows, as well as a wider door, which will provide better handicapped access. When it is open again, it will be the Grand Marais Art Colony Studio 17.  There may be a retail business in the former Dog Haus building.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence spoke with Lyla Brown about the changes to the buildings and the future use of these downtown properties.