North Shore News Hour | WTIP North Shore Community Radio, Cook County, Minnesota

Lutsen needs a citizen to come forward to run for supervisor. File photo - Rhonda Silence

Time to file for township office is now

The county commissioners who were elected in November 2020 have been seated. Ballots are going out soon to voters in Commissioner District 1 to fill the commissioner seat made vacant when Bobby Deschampe resigned after becoming the Tribal Chair of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. That special election will be on February 9.

But that's not the end of elections for Cook County. Local townships--Lutsen, Tofte, and Schroeder--hold their annual elections on the second Tuesday in March, which in 2021 is March 9.

The filing period for township office opened on December 29 and will close next Tuesday, January 12. Each township will have a supervisor and a treasurer seat on the ballot.

Candidate filing forms are available at the Cook County Auditor's office at the courthouse or by contacting the town clerk of the respective township. There is a $2 filing fee.

In Lutsen, that is Clerk Sharon Hexum-Platzer. To schedule a time to pick up a form, call Hexum-Platzer at (218)663-7002 or email [email protected].

Hexum-Platzer told WTIP that incumbent Supervisor Colleen Brennan is not running for re-election. Brennan served a one-year term after Supervisor Christine Ordeman moved away from the township. Lutsen resident Elis Walsh filled the role temporarily but did not run for the one-year term filled by Brennan. Clerk Hexum-Platzer encourages a Lutsen resident to file for the board.

Lutsen Treasurer Ashley VanDoren is running for re-election, but has not yet officially filed.

In Tofte, candidates are asked to contact Clerk Kay Burkett at (218) 401-0229 to file.

Burkett said Supervisor Sam Crowley has stated he will run for re-election, but he has not yet officially filed.

Tofte Treasurer Dan Shirley, co-operator of Sawbill Outfitters and a school board member at School District 166, is undecided about running again for the treasurer seat. He has stated that he hopes someone comes forward to run for that office.

In Schroeder, candidates may schedule a time to file with the Clerk Anna Green by calling 218-370-9425.

Green said Supervisor Bruce Martinson is running for re-election and has filed. There will be an additional space on the Schroeder ballot to fill the vacancy created when Rick Anderson moved away from the township. Lloyd Chase was appointed to fill that seat and he is officially running for that office.

Green said Treasurer Carla Menssen is running for re-election, but has yet to officially file for office.

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Wildersmith on the Gunflint - December 31

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Wildersmith on the Gunflint by Fred Smith
January 1, 2021
GREETINGS…THIS IS NEWS…AND A VIEW…FROM THE GUNFLINT TRAIL

We have quietl opened a new volume of life in the north woods and all over the planet for that matter. Turning the page to chapter one finds us hitching our hopes to an abundance… of new directions along happy trails. May 2021 become a bold new year with courage… to re-kindle love and respect for all earthly beings.

As we passed the holiday blitz last week those dreaming of a white Christmas in this territory had dreams come true in a big way. To the delight of those in snow business “the great spirit of the north” dished up a long awaited, batch of fluff.

Amounts may have varied in different locales of border country but it seems the base line was a foot. As the storm tapered the usual northwest gales kicked in making for blizzard conditions and bitter subzero temps for a couple nights.

At Wildersmith and likely other places along southern shorelines a goodly amount of snow on lake ice ended up on land, and in my case, in the yard. So drifting around the house and buildings was cause for removal concern.

Clearing the two to four foot windblown hard pack fifty feet from house to the woodshop took well over an hour. But then again, being of time-honored years, I neither hurried nor strained. The same strategy was maintained cleaning the driveway which took two days with shovel plow blade and snow blower.

January can be a brute, but activities that go along with snow are now full speed ahead. Cross country ski trails are being blitzed with swoosh enthusiasts. The snow base is deep enough to really snow shoe and the howl of snow mobiles will soon whine through the forest trail system. In fact, I just heard the first snowmobile scream up the lake as I’m keying this report.

Due to the recent snowy insulator application, lake ice has become messy with slush. It will not be suitable for some forms of vehicular travel, and no doubt the quality ice for skating has taken a hit, but foot traffic should be OK with cautions. With the trout opener a couple weeks away, we need some long term serious cold to firm things back up.

While the Trail residents I know remain strict followers of COVID safe living recommendations, we have many opportunities to observe daily routines of our “wild neighborhood” folk.

A mysterious happening occurred down the road a few days ago. A hovering air bourn critter appeared on a trail cam over a critter feeding table. The being did not fly like a bird, but landed and departed vertically like a drone. At first guess it was thought to have been a bat, but that is yet to be confirmed, thinking bats must be in hibernation. The residents are trying to find expertise who might confirm what they were seeing.

Like many other holed up Gunflinters, I have plenty of time for contemplation these days. I find critter watching of considerable intrigue. I wonder sometimes what some of these wild beings might be thinking as they perch on a tree branch, fly by the window, scramble around the deck, zip across the yard or meander down the road.

While we humans have self-appointed our species as the supreme beings of creation with ability to think and reason, research concludes the populous of the animal world also have innate abilities to resolve issues critical to their daily existence t. Animal cognition for some species may not be as complex as the human species, but nevertheless is the basis for ecological meaning and survival of all living beings.

I’m often curious as to what the little red breasted nuthatch is thinking while perched, waiting for an opportunity at the seed terminal; or a grouse browsing along a border country path; or what a red squirrel is thinking when its cousin is about to contest a position at the table; or the pine marten when it’s spooked by an overhead raptor; or a lone wolf as it trots down the lake ice; or a moose when it wanders down the trail ahead of my vehicle, refusing to yield half the road.

Further wonderment arises as to what they may be thinking as we gawk at them. Do you suppose they might wonder about some of the decisions we make? There are no dumb animals as we might speculate. “In fact, they are not that different than we humans.” “Animal-kind have families and feelings too” (Nguyen).

Like we humans, some members of the “wild neighborhood” are gifted more than others. It seems we ought to be giving our best efforts to show greater respect for the sustenance of their existence. Well, I was just thinking!

For WTIP, this Wildersmith, along the Gunflint Trail, where every day is beautiful in the great white North!

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Wildersmith on the Gunflint

City says goodbye to Councilor Tim Kennedy

Rhonda Silence-

The Grand Marais City Council's last meeting of 2020 was also the last meeting for Councilor Tim Kennedy.

Kennedy did not file for reelection to the council when his term ended. Hear Kennedy's comments about not running again and why citizens should become involved in local government here: City Councilor Tim Kennedy will not run for reelection.

There was a four-way race for two city council seats and Michael Garry won the race for the vacant council seat. Councilor Craig Schulte did run again and was reelected.

At the December meeting, it was noted that Kennedy was the city council representative on the Grand Marais Planning Commission and the Public Utilities Commission, so the council will have to decide who will take on that role. That reorganization will take place at the first city council meeting of 2021, on Wednesday, January 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Because it was Kennedy's last meeting, after serving for 18 years, his colleagues took a few moments to wish him well. WTIP's Rhonda Silence shares some of that conversation.

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Great Expectations resumes with distance learning, preps for in-person school Jan. 18

Rhonda Silence-

The end of the year and the return to school after winter break looks very different for our local schools. Great Expectations School resumed on January 4, 2020, with distance learning but is also preparing for a return to school in person on January 19.

Great Expectations School Director Peter James told WTIP that most of the latest Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 guidelines for schools are already in place for GES. However, there are new screening and testing protocols to be enacted.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence checked in with Great Expectations School Director Peter James to learn more about plans at GES for the return to school and about how distance learning has been going so far.
Here's their conversation.

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Sale of Grandma Ray's building pending

Rhonda Silence-

Grandma Rays, the building that is "home" to American Legion Post 413 has been for sale for several months now, listed at $389,900. The restaurant and bar at 17 First Avenue West in Grand Marais has been closed since early in the COVID-19 pandemic, but recently some activity has been seen there. Community members have been curious about whether the building has been sold.

WTIP reached out to Terry and Janet Breithaupt, who are the owners of the building. Terry Breithaupt tells WTIP that an offer was made and accepted for the sale of the building to Brad Shannon. Breithaupt said the sale was not complete as of December 31, as the process is more complicated for commercial buildings, but he said it is under contract for sale. Breithaupt did not disclose the sale amount.

Shannon is the individual who earlier had approached the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) with a purchase offer of $25,000 for a lot in the Cedar Grove Business Park. He was representing the nonprofit NorthPoint LLC, which hoped to buy a small lot just off the Gunflint Trail to the west of the Como Oil and Propane lot. NorthPoint LLC planned to open a youth center.

However, at the December meeting of the EDA, Executive Director Mary Somnis informed the EDA board that the purchase offer had been withdrawn. Shannon informed the EDA that NorthPoint had found another location for a youth center.

The sale to NorthPoint had been on hold since September 2020 as language in the EDA covenants was considered by the EDA, the Grand Marais Planning Commission, and the Grand Marais City Council. There were questions on what is allowed in the business park, about the original purpose of the business park, and about what sort of services should be allowed.

Asked what would happen with all the American Legion Post 413 memorabilia at the restaurant and lounge, Breithaupt said the items, such as the wall of veteran's photos, will be taken care of and another way will be found to display them.

WTIP also spoke with Bob Mattson, Commander of Post 413, and he echoed that sentiment. He said that memorabilia is important to the community and a way will be found to care for it. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," said Mattson.

Commander Mattson added that he understood why the Breithaupts put the building up for sale. He said the upkeep was difficult, noting that taxes were extremely high when the Legion post owned the building.

Noting that the building would be owned by a nonprofit if the sale goes through, WTIP asked Auditor Braidy Powers about the past property taxes on the building. Powers said the Breithaupts paid $8,618 in 2019. Before that, in 2017, when American Legion Post 413 owned the building, the taxes totalled $9,656. Powers said the taxes are less now because the value of the building had gone down.

Asked if the building would be taxed if owned by a nonprofit, Powers said, "It will depend on how Shannon uses it. The assessor will classify it based on use. If they use part of it like a business, it will be classified that way and they’ll pay taxes on it.

"If the taxable value goes down that shifts more taxes to the rest of us through a higher tax rate," added Powers.

Terry Breithaupt said he and Janet were sad about the sale, but added, "Janet and I are going to miss it. This is not the way we wanted to go out the door, but at this time, it's something we needed to do."

WTIP reached out to Brad Shannon of NorthPoint and hopes to share more information as it becomes available.

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RN Melanie Allen, in full personal protective equipment, at work in the COVID unit. Photo courtesy of Sanford Health

Catching up with RN Melanie Allen on a COVID unit

Rhonda Silence-

Sanford Medical Center, a 284-bed hospital in Fargo, North Dakota, has been very transparent about its battle to keep COVID-19 patients alive. The medical center gave access to the Grand Forks Herald for video segments of what the COVID ward is like for the doctors and nurses who work there.

A nurse featured in this three-piece series is someone known to many North Shore residents, Melanie Allen. Melanie lived in Cook County for many years and earned her nursing degree through the Cook County Higher Education program.

To see the video shared on the Grand Forks Herald, click here: The trials and triumphs of health care workers on Sanford Health's COVID-19 unit

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Melanie about this experience and what she would say to someone who isn't worried about getting the virus. Here's their conversation.

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RN Rob Wells on the second day after his COVID-19 vaccination notes slight arm pain. Submitted photo

Thoughts on COVID-19 vaccine, one week later

Rhonda Silence-

Vaccinations against the COVID-19 virus continue across the United States, the state, and locally here at North Shore Health.

The first healthcare workers at our local medical facility received their vaccinations on Tuesday, December 22. Among the medical staff was RN Rob Wells of Grand Marais, who spoke to us when he got off work that day.

At that time, Wells reported a bit of soreness in his arm.

Wells has agreed to give a report to WTIP after he receives his second COVID-19 vaccination on January 12.

But before then, WTIP checked in with Wells on Monday, December 28, almost a week after he received his vaccination. Wells shared how he felt on day two and the following days in this interview.

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School District 166 reminds families that reduced lunch program helps with more than food

Rhonda Silence-

School districts rely on funding from the free and reduced-price lunch program for more than food for students. Data acquired from applications for the program helps schools learn what other services are needed to help students affected by poverty.

That ultimately leads to funding that benefits those students and the school overall, through services such as counseling and the ability to maintain small class sizes.

Schools across the state have seen a slow return of the applications for the free and reduced-price lunch program, and School District 166 is no exception.

ISD 166 Business Manager Lori Backlund said the lack of applicants, and therefore eligible students, could mean a financial reduction of $140,000 to the school's budget.

Backlund encourages those who have been eligible for the free and reduced-price lunch program in the past to complete and return the form. However, she adds that anyone who has a change in employment or financial status is also encouraged to apply.

To apply, parents can pick up a form at the school or access it via Parent Portal online. You can also find the form here.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Business Manager Lori Backlund about the free and reduced-price lunch program and its benefit to the school in this interview.

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RN Rob Wells gets his first round of the COVID vaccine from coworker RN Sandi Rude - 12-22-20 - Submitted photo

A nurse's thoughts on getting the COVID vaccine

Rhonda Silence-

Vaccinations against the COVID-19 virus have begun across the United States, throughout the state, and locally here at North Shore Health. Learn more about the vaccine arrival and the coronavirus case count on the North Shore in this WTIP report by Joe Friedrichs, speaking with North Shore Health Administrator Kimber Wraalstad: Cook County COVID-19 positivity rate and case count climb as vaccine set to arrive

The first healthcare workers at our local medical facility received their vaccinations on Tuesday, December 22, with nurse Kristi Silence getting the first dose. See that first local vaccination here: Care Center nurse gets first Cook County COVID-19 vaccination

And here the latest from Dr. Kurt Farchmin of Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, who has been a resource for WTIP Community Radio and the entire community throughout the pandemic: Cook County's 'Dr. Fauci' shares final COVID-19 update for 2020

Another of the medical workers who received the first round of the COVID-19 vaccine was RN Rob Wells of Grand Marais.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Rob at the end of his workday on December 22, to see how he fared in the hours after the shot, as well as how he feels about being part of the first wave of getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Here's their conversation.

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A traveler heading to Grand Marais from Duluth shared this look at the expressway to Two Harbors. Submitted photo

Northland residents warned of poor road conditions, downed trees and possible power outages

Rhonda Silence-

The strong winter storm that hit the North Shore area and Cook County today continues tonight.

According to the National Weather Service, gusts of 70 miles per hour have been recorded in Grand Marais. The blizzard conditions are expected to continue until at least midnight tonight.

Additional snow accumulations will vary greatly in our region, from less than an inch in western areas to 2 to 6 inches or more in the Arrowhead. The snow will be followed by extreme cold, from -25 to -30 on Christmas Eve.

There are reports of numerous vehicles in the ditch along Highway 61. There are also numerous trees down on roads throughout the county, including Highway 61. At 7 p.m. there was a report of a downed powerline near the Onion River Road in Tofte. Arrowhead Electric line crews were responding, but they too, are hampered by road conditions. It does not appear to be blocking the roadway.

There have also been reports of trees on powerlines, so county residents should be prepared for possible power outages. Have flashlights or candles available and store some water in containers.

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle.

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