North Shore News Hour

Listen on WTIP at:

Monday 12-1pm
Monday 5-6pm
Tuesday 12-1pm
Tuesday 5-6pm
Wednesday 12-1pm
Wednesday 5-6pm
Thursday 12-1pm
Thursday 5-6pm
Friday 12-1pm

Genre:

News

The North Shore News Hour includes up-to-the minute weather, North Shore happenings in local news, sports and entertainment, as well as a variety of features from WTIP staff and volunteers. If you miss the North Shore News Hour at noon, tune in for a replay Monday through Thursday beginning at 5:00 p.m.

What's On:

Vikings baseball ready for season--if rain stops

Rhonda Silence-

The Cook County Vikings baseball team has been practicing for a few weeks now. The field at the high school is in good shape and the Vikings are ready for their first game on Monday, April 12 starting at 4 p.m. at home versus Two Harbors.

They follow that the next day, April 13 with an away game at McGregor High School.

Of course, the weather has something to do with whether or not the games are played. WTIP will provide updates on cancellations as soon as possible.

The team started practicing in March with conditioning and started batting practice on March 29. There are 28 players in grades 7-12th ready to go. Baseball Coach Arleigh Jorgenson said the younger players have been eagerly waiting for their chance to be leaders, following last year's team of mostly seniors. Coach Jorgenson talked to WTIP a little bit about the lineup for players, but it is quite fluid at this time.

There are three coaches for the Vikings, Jorgenson, Andy Fedema, and George Gomez.

With baseball being a "non-contact" sport, the team will be able fairly easily follow COVID-19 precautions. Some players will not be in the dug-out during the game. Huddles will be in small groups and will take place.

The public is invited to attend games at the Arleigh Jorgenson Field at Cook County High School, but Coach Jorgenson does remind the public that they need to avoid interaction with the players.

Click to connect to the online baseball schedule.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence talked to Baseball Coach Arleigh Jorgenson on April 6 to get a little preview of the season.

Listen:

Program:

North Shore News Hour

Photo by Matthew McBrayer on unsplash.com

Fishing opener is not on Mother's Day, but Take-a-Mom fishing event is

Rhonda Silence-

The opening of spring fishing is an unofficial Minnesota holiday, dubbed "The Opener." The season typically falls on the same weekend as Mother's Day. However, this year that is not the case.

Minnesota's fishing opener for walleye, bass, trout in lakes and northern pike is May 15. Minnesota statute sets the fishing opener as the Saturday two weeks prior to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. This year, with Memorial Day the latest it can be, on May 31, that puts the fishing opener on Saturday, May 15.

There is a special event each year on Mother's Day weekend, the "Take a Mom Fishing Weekend." This is something that does fall on Mother's Day, under Minnesota statutes. So this year, "Take a Mom Fishing" falls on the weekend before the opener, on Saturday and Sunday, May 8-9.

So although moms can't fish for walleye or lake trout in lakes, they can stream fish or seek fish that are available now, such as crappie or perch.

WTIP spoke with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Program Consultant Jon Hansen, who pointed out that there is an error in the printed version of the Minnesota Fishing Regulations book regarding the dates for the 2021 Take a Mom Fishing Weekend. Hansen stressed that the correct dates for the 2021 Take a Mom Fishing Weekend—when Minnesota-resident moms can fish without purchasing a license—are Saturday, May 8, to Sunday, May 9.

Fishing season dates, and the corrected Minnesota Fishing Regulations handbook, are available online. Anyone with questions may also call the Grand Marais fisheries office at 218-387-6021.

Listen:

Program:

North Shore News Hour

Dan Shirley, co-owner of Sawbill Outfitters and chair of the ISD 166 school board. Submitted photo

Write-in candidate Dan Shirley declines treasurer position

Rhonda Silence-

When Tofte township elections were held in March 2021, incumbent Treasurer Dan Shirley let it be known that he was not running for that office. As co-owner of Sawbill Outfitters in Tofte and School Board chair at School District 166, Shirley has enough to keep him busy.

Despite not running for the office, Shirley won the write-in vote. He has since informed the board that he does not want to accept the position. He will, however, serve until the May township meeting.

Anyone who would like to talk to Shirley about the position may reach him at Sawbill Outfitters at 663-7150.

Information is also available from Tofte township Clerk Kay Burkett at 218-401-0229.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence checks in with Dan Shirley to see what's ahead for him--and for the Tofte township.

Listen:

Program:

North Shore News Hour

Fireweed Bike Co-op still offering bike repairs

Rhonda Silence-

WTIP likes to share news of local businesses -- new businesses, new owners, milestone achievements, changed locations, and more. It is a changed location that we hear about in this interview--the Fireweed Bike Co-op has moved out of the building on Broadway Avenue. Owner Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux is still offering bike repairs, but on a somewhat limited basis at his home on 7th Avenue West in Grand Marais.

Jay is accepting appointments for bike tune-ups and repair. He recommends getting on the list for work now as it will only get busier as the weather gets warmer. To talk to Jay about bikes, he can be reached at 218-370-1625.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux about the move. Here's their conversation.

If you know of North Shore business owners who should be featured, give us a call at 218-387-1070 or email: [email protected]. WTIP would love to tell their story!

Listen:

Program:

North Shore News Hour

School District 166 reports positive COVID-19 case, some students quarantining

Rhonda Silence-

School District 166 announced on Thursday, April 8 that it has its first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the student body.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with ISD 166 Principal/Acting Superintendent Megan Myers who said the school learned of the positive case on Wednesday evening and immediately began working with Public Health and Human Services. After reviewing student interactions it was determined that 28 students would need to quarantine for 7, 10 or 14 days, depending on the distance and time of exposure.

Working with Public Health, the school district has contacted all of the families affected by this case.

Myers told WTIP that teachers and other staff do not have to quarantine because they have been strictly following the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health guidelines and because they have received two doses of the coronavirus vaccine.

In the memo to the public, Myers wrote, "As we work through this incident, please know that we will continue to work hard to continue to follow the COVID plans that include the implementation of the CDC and MDH guidelines. As a community. we should be proud of our public health officials and their diligence when working through these cases with the parties involved.

"We, as a school, will be working with the public health team to continue to diligently evaluate and re-evaluate our procedures and protocols. Our focus is to ensure the safety of all staff, students, and the community."

In addition to the quarantine for some students, the CCHS Prom, which was to be held April 17 has been postponed to May 8.

Myers said she was glad to tell WTIP that the individual with the positive COVID-19 case has had minor symptoms. She added that as a community we need to support the family at this time.

Finally, Myers reminded everyone to keep following the recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Rhonda Silence spoke with Principal/Acting Superintendent Megan Myers about "the many layers" of handling a positive COVID-19 case at the school. Here's their conversation.

Listen:

Program:

North Shore News Hour

School District 166 asks for community input on superintendent search

Rhonda Silence-

The School District 166 school board met on Tuesday, April 6, to complete the "planning phase" of its superintendent search.

The school board worked with representatives of the Minnesota School Board Association, which the school has hired to facilitate the superintendent search. At Tuesday’s meeting, they set key dates in the process, which will include interview training and question selection, the application deadline, and interview schedules.

School Board Chair Dan Shirley told WTIP that there will be public meetings throughout this process. None of it will be in closed session, not even the candidate interviews, according to Shirley.

At the meeting the board finalized the brochure to be used in advertising the position - it includes points of pride about the school district and Cook County, as well as the attributes the school board is looking for in a successful candidate. To see the brochure, click here.

Superintendent applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on May 3 and the new superintendent will begin work in the district on July 1, 2021.

The board also agreed to distribute what they call a stakeholder survey. To see and/or take the survey click here: Cook County ISD 166 Superintendent Search

Any interested party who would prefer to complete the survey on paper may download the form here and return it to the school district office. Surveys are due by April 15.

All responses are anonymous. Shirley said the information collected will provide valuable input for the school board to consider as they move ahead in selecting the next superintendent of School District 166.

Program:

North Shore News Hour

Mark Pavelich on the ice with the New York Rangers, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Death of former Olympian, Lutsen resident Mark Pavelich, ruled suicide

Associated Press (AP)-

A Minnesota medical examiner has ruled that last month’s death of “Miracle on Ice” Olympic hockey standout Mark Pavelich was a suicide.

The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office in Anoka County said in an April 5 news release that the 63-year-old Pavelich died of asphyxia. His body was found March 3 at the Eagle’s Healing Nest in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

Pavelich was undergoing treatment at the home as part of a civil commitment for assaulting his neighbor on Deer Yard Lake in Lutsen in August 2019. Pavelich thought the man had spiked his beer.

Pavelich was charged with felony assault but was found incompetent to stand trial. Judge Michael Cuzzo said psychologists found that Pavelich was suffering from delusions and paranoia. Experts also diagnosed him with a mild neurocognitive disorder due to traumatic brain injury, likely related to repeated head injuries.

Pavelich, the speedy center from the Iron Range, assisted on Mike Eruzione’s winning goal against the heavily favored Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympics. That U.S. team went on to win the gold medal.

Pavelich starred at Eveleth High School and was an All-America selection at the University of Minnesota Duluth before earning a spot on the Olympic team.

The 5-foot-8, 170-pound forward spent five seasons with the New York Rangers and played briefly for the Minnesota North Stars and San Jose Sharks, finishing with 137 goals and 192 assists in 355 NHL regular-season games. He had a five-goal game for the Rangers on Feb. 23, 1983, in an 11-3 victory over Hartford.

“As a kid growing up in Hibbing I used to go to the arena and hang out with gear in hand waiting to see if I could skate with the teams that rented the ice,” former Minnesota and NHL player Pat Micheletti tweeted after Pavelich died. “Mark Pavelich always let me join with the Eveleth guys. He taught me so much about the game.”

Cook County residents who knew Pavelich have reported that the former hockey star preferred solitude and enjoyed fishing and hunting on the North Shore.

Program:

North Shore News Hour

American Legion Post 413 finds "home" at Harbor Light

Rhonda Silence-

When the Grandma Ray's building sold last winter, American Legion Post 413 needed to find a new "home." They needed a place to hold meetings and to display the historical veterans photos and other memorabilia that was kept at Grandma Ray's, which was once the American Legion lounge.

Post 413 has found that "home" at Harbor Light Bar & Grill in Grand Marais. Brad Rude, Jr., the new proprietor has dedicated space in the building specifically for the Legion. The meeting room is a nicely paneled room with a large photo of the Legion Honor Guard leading a community parade. The photo is flanked by the U.S. and American Legion flags.

In another room, to the west of the bar, the large display cases filled with photos of Cook County veterans are hung for all to appreciate.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence checked in with Post 413 Commander Bob Mattson to find out more about the Legion's new space.

Listen:

Program:

North Shore News Hour

School District 166 sets criteria for superintendent search

Rhonda Silence-

The School District 166 school board met in a special meeting on Wednesday, March 31 to continue its strategic planning. The board picked up the discussion that began on March 25 regarding the school district’s administrative model. At the end of that meeting, board members were given some homework. They were asked to return to the next meeting with their ideas of what the administrative structure at the school should look like.

The March 31 meeting started with a presentation from the Minnesota School Board Association. MSBA representatives shared information on how they could help the school board develop its “leadership profile” and guide the school district through the search process. It was noted that the search and hiring process should take place as soon as possible, as now is the time that potential superintendent candidates are looking for placement. It was also noted that if the school board doesn’t feel any potential candidates are the right fit, the district can continue as it is, with Principal Megan Myers as interim superintendent.

Board members shared what they thought would be the best model for ISD 166 and there was consensus that having a superintendent that was also serving another district, as was the case with Superintendent Dr. Bill Crandall, is not the ideal situation. It was agreed that the school district should have a “stand alone” superintendent.

However, there was not complete agreement on whether the superintendent should be full-time. School Board Chair Dan Shirley said that having a part-time superintendent had meant some things hadn’t had the attention they could. He said the Community Education program was one example.

Board Member Stephanie Radloff disagreed and suggested giving the current administrative model, with Principal Myers serving as superintendent with support from Assistant Principal Mitch Dorr. She said there seems to be an advantage of having Myers in the role. Radloff said because she lives in the community and is familiar with the workings of the district, it may work having her as a part-time superintendent. Radloff said she would like to give the current model “a shot.”

Board Members Carrie Jansen and Rena Rogers both said that even if Myers would like to take on the superintendent role, a search should be completed. Jansen said looking at other candidates and ultimately selecting an in-house candidate would affirm that the right decision was made. Shirley agreed and noted that both Principal Myers and Assistant Principal Dorr have superintendent credentials and could apply for the position.

There was more discussion about possible administrative models and whether or not to use MSBA to help with the search and hiring process. Board Member Radloff again suggested that the school board pause before proceeding, expressing concern at paying $7,800 for something that could be done by the school board. Board Member Rogers said she feels that the $7,800 was very reasonable, stating that the county recently paid over $20,000 for its search for the county administrator. Jansen said she appreciated the expertise and access to a network of administrators that MSBA offers.

A motion passed to work with MSBA, with Radloff casting a nay vote.

The school board then had to let MSBA know if they wanted to seek a full-time or part-time superintendent. Acting Superintendent Myers weighed in, saying that the job really needed to be more than part-time, but could possibly be less than full-time. The board asked MSBA to put together an employment announcement for a 7.5 – 8.0 position, leaving the decision of full-time or a little less to later.

The school board was again given homework. MSBA asked the board members to come up with “points of pride” about ISD 166 and the community to be incorporated in the employment announcement.

MSBA will put together an employment announcement and other information and bring it back to the board at another special meeting via Zoom at 5 p.m. on April 6. The meeting can be followed via Zoom. Click here to participate.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with School Board Chair Dan Shirley to get his thoughts on the superintendent search and actions at the last meeting.

Listen:

Program:

North Shore News Hour

American Legion Auxiliary in Grand Marais considering retiring Unit 413

Rhonda Silence-

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 413 has done many good works for the community and for local veterans. However, the unit has seen a decline in membership in recent years and there is the possibility that the service unit will dissolve.

If you want to see the Auxiliary's history mentioned in the interview, please click here.

And, if you want to find out how to participate in the Auxiliary's April 5 meeting, email [email protected] or call Auxiliary President Dee Brazell at 218-370-2463.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence found out more in this interview.

Listen:

Program:

North Shore News Hour