North Shore News Hour

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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:

Community expresses concern about future of Grand Marais Playhouse

Rhonda Silence-

The lease agreement between the Grand Marais Playhouse and School District 166 for use of the Arrowhead Center for the Arts has not been on a school board meeting agenda for quite some time. However, school officials say the discussions of the lease have been on going. Apparently, according to social media posts from June 19, negotiations have become contentious.

Negotiations were started in the midst of reconstruction and roof repair at the ACA in 2018. Listen to a related WTIP report here.

On Friday, June 19, a letter sent out from Grand Marais Playhouse Director Sue Hennessy, announced that Cook County Schools is “evicting” the Grand Marais Playhouse.

Hennessy’s letter called this action a “death sentence looming over our head” and said the Playhouse has hired a lawyer to defend its contract. Her letter was shared by many supporters—students, and parents of School District 166, actors and stage workers, theater goers and other supporters—who were distressed to see the possible end of the community theater that is celebrating its 49th year of service in 2020.

In the face of the mounting concerns, School District 166 School Board Chair Dan Shirley and Superintendent Bill Crandall issued the following statement:

Cook County Community:

There is NO pending eviction of the Grand Marais Playhouse from the ACA. The Cook County School District values the partnership with the Playhouse and has no intention of severing our ties. The Playhouse is an asset to our community and our students. The School has never contemplated an eviction of the Playhouse.

The District has been in discussions with the Playhouse for over a year on updating our lease, which has not been done for over a decade. Part of this discussion has centered around the location of the Playhouse’s office space within the ACA facility. Due to the changing demands on the School, the District has been working with the Playhouse to move office spaces, down the hall, and still within the facility. The shuffling of rooms and offices is a regular occurrence at the School in order to best accommodate the needs of our students as they change over time.

The District’s commitment to our lease with the Playhouse and the commitment to our partnership is not in jeopardy.

After the School District issued its statement, Grand Marais Playhouse Board Member Jane Gellner sent out another message on the matter, stating:

On June 18 we were required to vacate the office. The office is integral to our survival and we cannot conduct business without the space.

We have a lease that prohibits the school from doing exactly what they are doing, which is to move us without negotiating a new lease agreement.

We want to continue our relationship with the school and we are, with the Playhouse conducting partnership teaching with teachers from ISD166 this fall.

According to Hennessy, the relocation is to the office at the back side of the Arrowhead Center for the Arts, to the space used by WTIP Community Radio when it began in 1998.

In a personal Facebook post, Hennessy notes, "The loss of the office space is not just moving my desk into a small room. The WTIP studios are not adequate for the business of this organization."

In subsequent communications, Playhouse Board Member Jane Gellner and Hennessy explain that the office space currently used by the Grand Marais Playhouse is vital to its continued operations.

Hennessy reiterated on her Facebook page that the office is much more than just an office. As access to other areas of the ACA have been reduced--the elementary art room, the Jane Mianowski Conference Center, and storage space due to mechanical equipment for an air exchanger--the front office has accomodated those needs. It is used currently used for storage of Playhouse archives, for meetings and sometimes for rehearsals. The space also serves as the box office for ticket sales and pickup during productions.

In addition to their contract violation allegations, the Playhouse representatives wrote about the importance of the Playhouse for the school and the community overall. Hennessy notes that the Playhouse pays rent of $10,000 each year, contributing to the school's financial wellbeing.

But Hennessy says more important is the Playhouse's work with Cook County students in two productions a year. Hennessy said these productions train students in viable trades. The Playhouse provides summer work for student interns. And finally, Hennessy stressed that the Playhouse is "a safe place for kids in our crazy world."

The North Shore Music Association, an organization formed in 1985, also had an office in the ACA until June 2018. At that time, NSMA Director Kate Fitzgerald was working primarily off-site, arranging performances that take place at the ACA and other venues. The music association was allowed to lease some storage site in the ACA facility.

The arts center was completed in 1998 and three arts organizations were housed there, the Playhouse, the music association and the Grand Marais Art Colony. Shortly after the ACA opened, WTIP Community Radio began operating out of the small offices at the back of the facilty.

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North Shore News Hour

Theresa Oberg of Cook County Soil and Water, handing out trees in May 2020. Submitted photo

Pandemic doesn't stop 2020 Soil & Water Tree Sale

Rhonda Silence-

Operations were a bit different for the Cook County Soil & Water tree sale this year, but the end result was the same. Many community members obtained trees from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources nursery, with help from Soil & Water.

Community members received many species, such as evergreens, deciduous trees and shrubs. Tamarack was especially popular this year.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence talks to Soil & Water Conservation District Administrator Theresa Oberg to learn more about this year's tree sale.

Anyone who missed the sale this year can contact Soil & Water to be put on the mailing list to be notified when next year's tree sale comes around. Call 218-387-3647 or visit the conservation district website here for more information.

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North Shore News Hour

Grand Portage Tribal Chair Beth Drost. Photo courtesy of Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

The latest update from the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

Rhonda Silence-

As part of our ongoing coverage of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on North Shore, here is the latest update from Grand Portage. WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribal Chair Beth Drost Tuesday, June 16, about the community’s efforts to protect band members and residents.

Drost has agreed to give updates for the community through the COVID-19 pandemic, until the end of her term as tribal chair. Her term will end when Tribal Chair-elect Robert "Bobby" Deschampe takes the oath of office, likely at the end of August. Deschampe garnered 54.51 percent of the vote in the June 9 primary. See the related story here.

This update gives information about the slow reopening of services in Grand Portage and about the impact of the continued closure of the U.S.-Canadian border.

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North Shore News Hour

ISD 166 teachers union supports systemic change to eliminate racism

Rhonda Silence-

The School District 166 teachers union, known as the Cook County Education Association (CCEA), issued a statement on June 12, clearly stating that it supports systemic change to eliminate racism.

The statement reads:

The Cook County Education Association (CCEA) is committed to systemic change to dismantle white supremacy and end race-based violence. We believe Black Lives Matter and we support the Black Lives Matter movement.

The horrifying death of George Floyd is yet another example of the racism that Black, Brown and Indigenous Minnesotans live with every day. It's also an opportunity for us to join together and rewrite the rules so everyone, with no exceptions, can thrive without fear, care for their families, have their voices heard, and their rights respected.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with the teachers union president, Chad Benesh, about the statement. Science teacher Benesh talked about the crafting of the statement and about the efforts that have been under way at School District 166. Their conversation is below.

The ISD 166 School Board meets Thursday, June 18 at 5 p.m. via Zoom teleconference. Among usual school business is an agenda item titled "Respect for All" Initiative. The full agenda can be seen here. For information on participating in some way, contact the school district at 218-387-2271.

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North Shore News Hour

Grand Portage Tribal Chair-elect Robert Deschampe. Photo courtesy of Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

County commissioner will resign to assume Grand Portage Tribal Council position

Rhonda Silence-

Cook County Commissioner Robert "Bobby" Deschampe has informed WTIP that he will resign from his post on the county board in August.

Deschampe won the June 9 primary for the chairperson seat for the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribal Council.

His victory in the primary raised the question of whether Deschampe would step down from his county board seat. A letter dated today, June 16, answers that question.

Deschampe’s letter, which he shared with WTIP, is addressed to the other county commissioners and Auditor Braidy Powers. In the letter, Deschampe says that his resignation will be official Aug. 21 and is due to his recent election victory to become the tribal chair for the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

Deschampe won the county commissioner seat in a special election held after Frank Moe resigned from the District 1 seat in 2017. Deschampe was reelected in 2018. His term runs through 2022.

Deschampe's announcement raises another question about the election process, including when the election for the District 1 commissioner seat will take place.

This is an ongoing story and WTIP will provide updates as they become available.

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North Shore News Hour

Cook County Chamber workforce recruiter Laura Muus is back to work, June 10, 2020. Submitted photo

Cook County Chamber workforce recruiting resumes

Rhonda Silence-

In 2019, the Cook County Chamber created a position to help fill the worker shortfall here on the North Shore. The chamber sought funds and hired a workforce recruiter to reach out to potential employees to encourage them--and assist them--with moving to Cook County. Laura Muus was hired for that role.

The workforce recruiting focused primarily on hospitality industry workers from Puerto Rico. These workers are American citizens who require no visas, and their industry has been severely damaged by hurricanes and earthquakes. Unfortunately, just as that effort was gaining traction, the pandemic hit and it was put on hold.

The chamber has now restarted. Laura Muus, the chamber workforce recruitment specialist, is back to work and redoubling her effort to help find workers for Chamber members.

At this time, her services are available at no cost for Cook County Chamber members. The current efforts are funded by a Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation grant that was secured to underwrite her Puerto Rico effort. Until those funds are exhausted, membership in the Chamber is all you need to avail yourself of Laura’s assistance.

Muus can be contacted at [email protected] or at 370-2410.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Muus about her work, including the extra challenges of bringing workers into Cook County during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here's their conversation.

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North Shore News Hour

Businesses destroyed by April 13 fire get go-ahead for cleanup

Rhonda Silence-

A devastating fire destroyed three buildings in Grand Marais on April 13. Despite valiant efforts of local fire departments, the buildings that housed Picnic & Pine, Crooked Spoon Cafe and White Pine North, were all lost, changing the face of downtown Grand Marais. The fire left a huge pile of debris and concern about when the remains could be removed. The business owners received good news last week--cleanup can begin as soon as contractors have time to take on the job.

WTIP Community Radio contacted the State of Minnesota Fire Marshal's Office on June 10, asking if the investigation was complete. A Fire Marshal's Office representative said the case was "still open and active."

Kelsey Kennedy, owner of the Picnic and Pine gift shop, confirmed that she has yet to hear anything official from the State Fire Marshal. However, Kennedy told WTIP that the insurance companies for the businesses had agreed to a financial break down of the cleanup and the site had been released.

Kennedy said the businesses are working with Edwin E. Thoreson, Inc. on the debris removal.

Kennedy said it will be difficult to see all evidence of what was once there wiped clean, but added it is important to complete the cleanup for the safety of the community.

Tyler and Jessica Dean, who had purchased White Pine North just months before the devastating fire also said the insurance companies “released the property.” Tyler Dean said, “We can now begin cleanup. We are obviously super excited about this. We are now just waiting on Thoreson’s to let us know when they have availability to start.”

As far as when rebuilding will begin, none of the business owners are ready to share their plans. Kennedy of Picnic and Pine explained, “I don't know if anyone has had time to look at rebuilding—what that would look like or means, etc. I know I have been working on insurance paperwork since the fire. It has been very consuming getting it put together.”

In an email answer to WTIP’s inquiry, Tyler Dean of White Pine North wrote, “As far as our future plans, we have started selling our coffee online again, which has been going well. Once the site gets cleaned up, it will be easier to focus on the future plans. The hope of course is to rebuild and we are moving in that direction.”

But like Kelsey Kennedy, Dean said, “There are just many details to figure out with that.”

The owners of Crooked Spoon Restaurant also said there are too many unknowns to share plans. In a recent Facebook post, they shared a heartfelt message from all three businesses. They wrote, “Thank you for the countless messages, emails, phone calls, cards and well wishes. Thank you for the meals you organized or prepared for us.

“Thank you for the monetary donations, from the smallest to the largest we are overwhelmed with the financial support. Thank you for everyone who patronized our businesses over the years.

“Thank you for giving us space to grieve our losses. Although we would like to thank each and everyone individually, we realize that is not possible because of the huge outpouring of love and support we have seen. As we look into the future, we are all trying to find a path forward. We look forward to thanking you in person when that time comes.”

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North Shore News Hour

The flag of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa - WTIP file photo

Grand Portage update on COVID, closures and racism

Rhonda Silence-

As part of our ongoing coverage of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on North Shore, here is the latest update from Grand Portage. WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribal Chair Beth Drost Monday, June 8, about the community’s efforts to protect band members and residents.

The interview took place the day before the primary for Tribal Council, in which Robert “Bobby” Deschampe won over 50 percent of the ballots cast. Because Deschampe garnered 54.51 percent of the vote, he will be the new Tribal Chair when Drost’s term has been fulfilled.

The interview also took place two days before the announcement that Cook County has its first case of COVID-19. However, the discussion of the Grand Portage Band’s preparation for COVID19 is still relevant, as is the serious discussion of racism in the county.

In this interview, Chair Drost shared some thoughts on a Grand Portage Band member’s unpleasant encounter with someone questioning the closure of tribal lands and roads. Drost responded that these kinds of things have happened for decades, possibly forever. She said it is very unfortunate that the sovereignty of Grand Portage is questioned in this way.

Chairwoman Drost said, "We realize a lot of people find Grand Portage special and it's unfortunate when they don't agree on how we can assert our sovereignty. But, this is a fact. We have the right to protect our members and those in our community."

Drost added that there are Grand Portage community members who work in essential services in Grand Marais, and there are community members with friends and relatives in Grand Marais. She said it concerning to have these kind of differences between communities.

Drost said in part, "We have tried to prepare our community members to protect themselves and to protect each other. And that carries on to Grand Marais, and the rest of Cook County as well.

"I hope we can move to a better place of understanding between Grand Portage and the rest of the county," Drost said.

In light of the unrest in Minneapolis and the efforts to enact major changes in the policing of that community, Drost also answered a question about the relationship between the Grand Portage community and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

Finally, Chairwoman Drost made the Tribal Council official announcement that most of the Fourth of July festivities have been cancelled. As a cost-saving measure due to the closure of Band’s enterprises (the lodge and casino), the fireworks have been cancelled for 2020. The annual fishing derby that draws visitors from around the region has been cancelled.

Drost said those with family members in the community are welcome to come celebrate Independence Day, but to do so in compliance with the Minnesota Department of Health guidelines.

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North Shore News Hour

The polling place at the Grand Portage Community Log Building was arranged to maintain physical distancing. Submitted photo.

Grand Portage election board explains COVID-19 prevention measures for voters

Rhonda Silence-

The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa held its primary for two seats on the Tribal Council on Tuesday, June 9. The results of the election can be found in this story.

WTIP also checked in with Grand Portage election judge Toby Stevens to learn more about the election, one of the first in the region conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary was held one day before the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in Cook County.

Stevens declined an on-air interview, but she tells WTIP that the turnout was very similar to previous years. The average votes cast at the Log Cabin Community Building polls over the past five years has been 142 with 113 absentee votes.

In the 2020 primary, there were 139 ballots cast at the polls and 147 absentee ballots submitted.

Stevens said the election board followed CDC guidelines for voters—the number of observers was limited to 10 and only three voters were allowed in the building at one time. She said voting booths were set up as usual, as they are normally spaced to allow voter privacy.

This year the election board had a door attendant, ensuring that the proper distances were maintained. Pens and pencils were not reused and all parties wore masks.

The election board members are Election Judge Stevens, Clerk Jason Burnett, Teller Vivian Carlson and Alternate Larry Manthy.

Overall, Stevens tells WTIP the primary went very well, with everyone complying with guidelines. She said the election board would likely follow the same protocol for the August 18 general election, depending on the COVID-19 situation at that time.

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North Shore News Hour

City council to consider downtown business coalition request

Rhonda Silence-

The Grand Marais City Council has been meeting weekly since its declaration of a state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to meetings strictly dedicated to changes to city operations because of the pandemic, regular meetings are held on the second and last Wednesday of each month, so meetings on those dates have very full agendas.

At the last city meeting, on Wednesday, June 3, the city talked extensively about the pandemic impact on the municipal campground and liquor store. The council also considered changes to city ordinance to allow local dining establishments to have outdoor dining on the sidewalks. The council unanimously approved that change, which came to the city from the Cook County Chamber's Business Coalition.

But the council stopped short before approving another request from the business coalition, to close a portion of First Avenue West to traffic. The request asked for the city to close First Avenue West from the alley north of Joynes Department Store to the north
edge of Grandma Ray’s for the remainder of June and all of July, with an option to continue the closure through until Labor Day. The coalition said it hoped that this would help Grandma Ray's serve enough customers to survive the pandemic.

The closure could also allow other businesses in the area to expand their offerings, possibly with tables set up with activities for visitors. Supporters of this idea noted that this would allow more physical distancing and could create a welcoming "street fair" atmosphere.

There was consensus among the city councilors that more information was needed before approving this request. City staff was asked to bring back more information to the next meeting, which will be June 10 at 6:30 p.m. See the city council agenda for the meeting here.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Mayor Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux about the proposal in this interview.

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North Shore News Hour