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:

Violence Prevention Center has named Lindsey Gau as it new director. Photo courtesy of VPC

New director for Violence Prevention Center

Rhonda Silence-

The Violence Prevention Center has been part of the Cook County community for over 30 years. The nonprofit has operated under different names but has had the same mission for all those years—to help those affected by domestic or sexual violence.

Jodi Yuhasey has been the director of the Violence Prevention Center since 1993. She will be retiring soon, continuing to serve during a transition period for the new director, Lindsey Gau.

Lindsey has been the Violence Prevention Center program advocate for more than two years and she has been named as the new VPC director. Lindsey comes to the VPC with a solid background at a Twin Cities nonprofit, as a counselor working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence sat down with Jodi and Lindsey to talk a bit about the history of the Violence Prevention Center and what’s ahead.

If you need information on the Violence Prevention Center or its services, call 218-387-1237, email [email protected] or stop by the VPC office in the NorShor Building on First Avenue in Grand Marais.

Listen:

Program:

North Shore News Hour

New and old business on School District 166 agenda

Rhonda Silence-

School District 166 met in the Jane Mianowski Conference Room on December 12 and covered a full agenda, ranging from personnel matters to taxes, travel and more.

Personnel changes
A number of personnel matters were at the top of the agenda. The School Board accepted a letter of resignation from Shelly Norman, who had recently been hired to serve as school nurse. Norman submitted her letter with regrets, due to a family health issue. The school nurse office is covered on a daily basis by Tim Young, a licensed practical nurse (LPN), but under state requirements, there must be a registered nurse (RN) to oversee the office. That position will again be posted.
The board also accepted the resignations of a kitchen helper and the school counselor. Both positions will be posted. Superintendent Dr. Bill Crandall notes that the counselor position needs to be filled quickly as that person helps graduating students through the scholarship process, among other duties.
There was approval of a long-term substitute teacher for the language arts teacher who will be out on maternity leave. Also approved was the hiring of an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher.

Vikings “Hall of Fame”
The board heard a proposal to develop a Cook County Vikings “Hall of Fame Recognition Board” in the school. Funds for a display come through athletic donation funds. Activities Director/Assistant Principal Mitch Dorr asked the school board for approval to move forward of the first inductions to the Hall of Fame. Members of the Hall of Fame committee are Dorr, School Board Member Deb White, former coach Mike Boomer, former coach Pam Taylor, current coach Marly Wester, current coach Mike Prom, Tom Nelson, member at large and Courtney Quaife, community member.
The county board authorized the committee to move ahead with the Hall of Fame display and inductions.

Travel proposal for CCHS students
Language Arts Teacher Amanda Beal shared travel information with the school board. Beal is taking 13 students on an educational trip to Greece and to a Global Leadership Conference in Switzerland in July 2020. For this trip, Cook County is traveling with Two Harbors High School. Beal said she would like to work with other Cook County teachers to host a different kind of trip every year.

Approval of Indian Policies and Procedures
The board reviewed, and adopted, its annual Indian Policies and Procedures, the IPP. Superintendent Crandall explains that the approval of the IPP is the continuation of ongoing work with the Local Indian Education Committee, the LIEC. After the school board approves the IPP, there is discussion with members of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the LIEC, to see how well School District 166 is meeting its policies and procedures.

Truth in Taxation held
As part of the September 12 school board meeting, the annual Truth in Taxation meeting was held. Information on the 2020 budget and levy was shared, with its impact on local taxes. The school district levy is increasing .62 percent.
The next meeting of the School District 166 school board will be its Organizational Meeting, followed by the regular January meeting, at 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2020, in the Jane Mianowski Conference Room at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts.

Listen:

Program:

North Shore News Hour

Sheriff's Office squad car - Photo courtesy of Cook County Sheriff's Office

A look at the Law Enforcement Log, Nov. 26 - Dec. 8

Rhonda Silence-

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office shared a brief report of calls made to the Cook County Law Enforcement Center from November 26 – December 8. WTIP requested more information on a number of the incidents logged by law enforcement dispatchers.

A domestic assault call came in to the sheriff’s office at 9:35 a.m. on November 26. The call was for an individual with dementia, whose family needed some assistance. Information on dementia programs was given.

A tow for a stuck Ford F-150 was arranged at 2:19 p.m. on November 26.

A call reporting an individual laying in the road in Grand Portage came in at 2:56 p.m. on November 26. Sheriff deputies and the Grand Portage Ambulance were called. It was determined the individual was intoxicated and was now at home, no injuries.

A 9-1-1- call came from a woman on West 1st Street at 4:28 p.m. on November 25, reporting that when she turned a light on, the electric breaker flipped. When she turned the breaker back on, flames shot out of the light switch. She did not know if there was an internal fire in the wall. The wall was warm to touch.

Grand Marais and Maple Hill Fire Departments were paged. Maple Hill Fire staged at their firehall as Grand Marais Fire inspected the scene. The fire was out upon arrival. The Grand Marais fire department scanned the wall and determined the fire was out.

The Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission and an electrician were contacted.

A motorist hit a deer on east Highway 61 at 6:50 a.m. on November 27. The driver of the car, a black Ford Escape, was not sure if it was driveable and was waiting for help. A Minnesota Department of Transportation driver called in at 7:30 a.m. to say the car was difficult to see in the roadway. The motorist was contacted and said they are trying to find a way to move the car.

There was a report of a vehicle in the ditch on County Road 14 at 9:04 a.m. The party swung too wide to avoid the plow truck and went into the ditch. Minnesota State Patrol responded and checked both east and west County Road 14/Highway 61 intersections and the vehicle could not be located.

A woman flagged down a deputy at 11:14 a.m. on November 27 with concern about garbage bags blowing around on West 4th Street. The deputy collected the bags, which were full of leaves. The owner of the bags called at 4:17 p.m. asking about the bags. She was informed that the bags had been thrown away. She stated the leaves were to cover her bulbs for the winter. She said she will just find hay and apologized for them rolling away from her.

There was a report on November 27 of a woman yelling at, and shoving, a young family member. The child’s mother just learned about the incident on November 24. The woman in question was told to stay away from the family’s house.

A party called from west Highway 61 at 2:09 on November 27 to report that his neighbor was walking on his property. This is an ongoing neighborhood dispute.

There was a report of a silver Subaru in the ditch near Magney Lane at 3:41 p.m. on November 27. There was one occupant and no injuries.

A hit and run was reported at 9:59 p.m. A party leaving the Birch Terrace in a Chevy pickup truck hit a Honda Pilot in the parking lot. Parties witnessed the collision and tried to get the party to stop, but he left. Deputies located the man at home at 10:20 p.m. He was arrested and charged with DWI.

A party got stuck going down the wrong driveway of a rental property. They called AARP for tow assistance and AARP advised them to call 9-1-1 to get more specific information on where the tow was needed. Cook County gave the party the closest mile marker and major intersection.

A call reporting a vehicle crash on the Mink Ranch Road in Lutsen came in at 2:10 p.m. on November 28. The vehicles met and crashed head-on as they came around a corner. There were no injuries, and parties exchanged insurance. One of the drivers left the scene and gave deputies a conflicting report when found. He was issued a citation for no proof of insurance, driving after revocation, and failure to transfer vehicle title within ten days of purchase.

A report of a truck in the ditch on Thompson Park Drive in Grand Marais came in at 6:06 p.m. on November 28. The vehicle owner was contacted and said he would move the truck in the morning.

A power outage was reported at 6:19 p.m. on November 28, but it turned out to be Lake Arrowhead in California. The party was informed they had reached Cook County, Minnesota. The party apologized and will get a hold of the local utility.

A party moving to Cook County from Arizona reached the law enforcement center when trying to contact Arrowhead Electric at 8:50 a.m. on November 29. They wanted to make sure the power was on at the residence. Cook County reached the on-call lineman, who said it was likely the power was on, as Arrowhead discourages homeowners from turning off power. He said if the power is off when the person arrives, a lineman can turn on the power. However, if it is a weekend or after-hours call, the homeowner would be charged. Cook County shared that information with the caller.

There was a call at 3:24 p.m. on November 29 reporting that a black Chevy Impala, driven by a Thunder Bay woman, went up on the sidewalk at the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino and hit the building. The driver is okay and is inside the casino now.

A welfare check was requested at 11:09 a.m. on November 30 regarding the living conditions for a five-year-old child. A deputy accompanied an on-call party from Cook County Public Health and Human Services to a residence and waited outside while the social worker checked conditions. The social worker said the deputy’s assistance was not needed.

A party called from her home on November 30, reporting an assault while vacationing at Cascade Resort on November 28. The caller said her future mother-in-law slapped her, which caused a black eye. She gave a report and sent a photo of the injured eye. Her boyfriend confirmed her account. The sheriff’s office attempted to speak with the suspect, who did not want to talk about the incident. A citation was issued for 5th degree assault, which will be mailed to the individual.

At 2:46 p.m. on November 30, a party called from Grand Portage in the midst of a break-up. The party expressed concern about the ex returning to their apartment to get his belongings. Since both parties are on the apartment lease, this was determined to be a civil matter. The party did not think the ex would become violent. Cook County advised the person to call 9-1-1 if that was the case.

A call came in of a Ford Focus parked in the middle of the road on County Road 7, with no one in it at 3:28 p.m. on December 1. The car has its hazard lights on, but cars can’t see to get around it. The recorded owner was contacted and they said they are trying to get it moved. A sheriff deputy arrived on scene to find the car pulled off the roadway. The party was advised that if there is another break-down, they contact the sheriff’s office for assistance.

A hit and run in front of GunFlint Tavern was reported at 6:24 p.m. on December 1. A party driving a gray Chevy extended cab pickup hit a blue Ford Edge.

There was a report of a white Toyota Tundra with Ontario plates passing five cars going into Grand Marais at 6:43 p.m. on December 2. The motorist was stopped at the Holiday station.

At 9:11 a.m. on December 3, a caller reported vandalism at a Hovland property. Snow and leaves were stuffed in the vent to the incinolet toilet sometime between Thanksgiving and now. Deputy checked area and didn’t see any damages. Party was advised to put up a game camera.

There was a report of an assault at 1:38 p.m. on December 3 in Grand Portage. The incident is under investigation.

Cook County Probation transported a party to CHUM in Duluth at 2:38 on December 3. Cook County recorded the mileage.

A party called at 2:42 p.m. on December 3 with concerns about a Grand Portage road on which parties are getting stuck. The reporting party does not know if it is a county or tribal road. Cook County reached out to Grand Portage and was told the road is being groomed as a snowmobile trail. Barriers will be put up to stop people from driving cars on the road.

A party came in to the law enforcement center at 10:30 a.m. on December 4 to speak to the sheriff about a citation they received regarding trespassing. The party spoke to the sheriff.

A party reported a fire about 10’x10’ burning about 20’ from a structure in Schroeder at 12:19 p.m. on December 4. Parties were shoveling snow to extinguish the fire. The Schroeder, Tofte and Silver Bay Fire Departments were paged and Schroeder Fire reached the scene at 12:43. The fire was extinguished and all parties were clear by 1:04 p.m. The property owner was cited for burning prohibited materials.

A party with a bad phone connection called several times around 1:54 p.m. on December 4. They wanted to confirm that a large burn area on east Highway 61was a prescribed burn. Cook County confirmed that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources was conducting a prescribed burn in the area.

A hunter complained of the theft of a memory card from a game camera at 3:06 p.m. on December 4. A party also put a deer stand up in very close proximity to theirs. The reporting party just wanted this on record in case there are additional issues.

A party called at 6:16 p.m. on December 4 with no emergency. They just wanted to know if the AT&T tower was down.

A party called at 8:28 a.m. on December 5 reporting a truck traveling on 1st Avenue East a couple of times a week, not on the truck route. Deputies will keep an eye out for the truck in the future.

The Grand Marais Recreation Park called at 9:36 a.m. on December 5 to report that someone spinning around in a car tore up some newly planted trees in the Rec park, causing approximately $200 - $300 in damage. It occurred in the last couple days.

A caller reported receiving a disturbing text from a possibly suicidal person at 12:15 p.m. on December 5. The name and address was not familiar to the sheriff’s office, so the phone was checked. It was located in Puposky, Minnesota. Cook County shared the information with Beltrami County. They located and were talking with the party.

An accident was reported on private property in Grand Portage at 12:16 p.m. on December 5. It was a non-injury, no alcohol involved, accident and both drivers have insurance. Parties asked for a sheriff’s office report, which was provided.

A motorist reported cars sliding backward down County Road 14 at 5:18 p.m. on December 5. Cook County advised the county highway department.

The sheriff’s office assisted Cook County Probation in conducting a urinalysis on an individual at 6:02 p.m. on December 5.

A motorist reported being passed by a large, yellow panel truck on West Highway 61 at 7:37 on December 6. After passing, the truck was “wagging” all over the lane.

A party reported a lost American Express credit card on December 6, possibly at the Post Office.

At party with an order for protection came into the law enforcement center at 4:36 a.m. on December 6, asking the sheriff’s office to tell the party to bring her TV to court. Cook County advised that this is a civil matter, which can be addressed in court before the judge. Cook County also reminded the party that the parties should not be having any contact with one another.

A party called from School District 166 at 5:38 p.m. on December 6 reporting four kids “rough housing” by the Eagle doors. Party said they may be waiting for their parents but they are blocking the door, being juvenile delinquents. A deputy arrived on scene, checked area and said they couldn’t locate any juvenile delinquents.

A traffic stop at 12:29 a.m. on December 7 resulted in the arrest of a man for DWI.

There was a call from a party on east Highway 61 at 8:09 a.m. from a party whose elderly father with dementia was attempting to hitchhike to Grand Marais. The man would likely not listen to family members. A deputy arrived and talked to the man, advising him that traffic was bad and they would prefer that he not go walking today. The man said he wouldn’t and went home for breakfast.

Snowmobile activity was reported at the Minnesota Power Taconite Harbor Energy Center at 11:35 a.m. on December 7. One of the snowmobilers was located and he said they have been riding there five years, entering from his property, and going to the snowmobile trail. Deputies advised him that this was private property and he needed permission to be there. He said he is trying to contact someone from there to get permission. Cook County advised Minnesota Power to post more “no trespassing” signs if they want to keep people from entering the property.

A check welfare request came in at 4:04 p.m. on December 7 for an elderly man walking on the side of the road in Grand Marais. A motorist stopped to see if he was okay and he seemed distressed. Deputies visited his residence and found the man at home. His wife said he has dementia and he became upset by something on TV. His wife was advised of Project Lifesaver, which could help keep track of the man.

There was a report of a car in the middle of the road on 1st Avenue West at 6:59 p.m. on December 7. The tire of the car had fallen off. A tow had been requested.

A caller reported an out-of-control male on the Ski Hill Road at 10:10 p.m. on December 7. Lutsen First Responders and Cook County Ambulance were paged and responded. The man was transported to North Shore Health.

A welfare check was requested for an apparently intoxicated person at 12:45 a.m. on December 8. The deputy found and spoke with him. He lives a block away and was okay to walk home the rest of the way.

A call came in from two parties in a black Jeep Cherokee stuck on the Lutsen Access Trail at 2:14 p.m. on December 8. They took a wrong turn off of Evergreen Road from the Caribou Trail and ended up on the Mistletoe Road, then a logging road and then the Lutsen Access Trail. The snow was too deep for them to get out. The parties were okay—no medical issues and they are warm. North Coast Towing has the equipment to get a vehicle off the snowmobile trail, but it would take several hours to get the equipment and get there. The stuck men called at 2:50 p.m. to say they managed to get the vehicle unstuck. The tow was cancelled.

Animal calls of all kinds

A party called at 9:54 a.m. on November 27 to report that her three-legged dog, Sage, was loose. The party cannot go after the dog right now as her car is snowed in, but she believes the dog will come home on its own. She just wanted to let law enforcement know in case Sage was found. The party called back at 10:27 a.m., Sage was home safe.

A truck driver reported three horses on Highway 61 about a mile from Temperance River at 4:37 a.m. on November 28. There were two spotted horses and one white one. Cook County called Lake County to ask if it had received a report of missing horses, or knew of someone with horses in that area. State Patrol responded to the area, but was unable to find the horses. The trooper saw horse tracks on the side of the road and would follow them. A sheriff deputy said a resident on Good Neighbor Hill Road had horses. That party was contacted. When Cook County asked if her horses were missing, there was a short pause, and she replied yes. However, they were back in the yard now.

A party called the sheriff’s office for help at 2:17 a.m. on November 30 because one of her hamsters attacked the other in the cage and it was severely injured. Cook County attempted to reach local veterinarians, who were not available. Cook County gave the party that information. She said she is sad this happened and would contact her pastor.

A six-year-old, male, yellow lab named Kirby was reported missing at 11:08 a.m. on December 1. The party called back ten minutes later, Kirby was home.

A party reported a couple of dogs running around on County Road 7 at 5:45 p.m. on December 4. She almost hit them. Other vehicles went by in the opposite direction without stopping or slowing, so she thinks the dogs are okay.

A party reported that his son’s dogs ran off at 3:14 p.m. on December 6 – a cocker spaniel mix and a German shepard. They have been gone since 10 a.m.

And there were many reports of car-deer collisions. A party called to say there was a deer in front of his residence on east Highway 61 that was in the ditch and needed to be dispatched at 6:33 p.m. The party asked if he could take possession of the deer after it was dispatched. The answer was yes, but he would have to come into the law enforcement center for a permit.

A car hit a deer on West Highway 61 at 8:19 on November 28. The party reported no human injuries and the disabled car will be towed in the morning. The party asked for a deer possession permit and that was issued, along with a warning for an expired driver’s license.

A deputy responded to a car-deer crash on east Highway 61 at 5:01 p.m. on December 4. No medical was needed and there was minimal damage to the car’s right, front fender. The driver was issued a roadkill permit and took the dispatched deer.

There were two reports of deer in the northbound lane of Highway 61 near the Lake/Cook County line. Both deer were removed from the road.

Fraud calls continue

Two reports of possible fraud were reported on November 26. A Tofte resident was told that someone is using their social security number. The reporting party just wanted the information on record. Another party called saying he had received a call from someone claiming to be from the social security administration. He wondered if it was true. Cook County advised him it was false. If the SSA wants to reach someone, they send a letter.

A party received a call at 2:32 p.m. on November 29 from a number that came up as from Jamaica on his caller ID. The caller said the party won 2nd place in the Publisher’s Clearing House contest. They asked for personal information and the reporting party told the caller when they showed up on his doorstep with his winnings, he would give them his information. He did not give out any information and just wanted the call on record for others.

And another party called on November 3 reporting calls from someone saying they are a social security investigator. He just wanted to find out if it is real or a scam. Cook County advised it was a scam and said he did a good job not giving out his social security number.

Parking and permits
During this time period, the Sheriff’s Office conducted 46 traffic stops, resulting in two warnings, 33 reprimands and 10 citations. Deputies also made 42 business and/or residence checks. And on November 19, deputies conducted an ATV patrol.

And 88 reprimands were issued in the City of Grand Marais to inform the public of the new alternate calendar parking ordinance.

There were 11 medical calls.

The law enforcement center issued 38 burn permits and permits to carry. There were 20 crank or misdialed 9-1-1 calls.

For non-emergencies, call the Cook County Sheriff's Office at 218-387-3030. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1.

Program:

North Shore News Hour

Taconite Harbor Energy Center. Photo by Joe Friedrichs

Community gets Taconite Harbor update from MN Power

Rhonda Silence-

The citizen advisory panel (CAP) was established six years ago to give community members, Schroeder residents, in particular, the opportunity to weigh in on what they would like to see happen at the Minnesota Power Taconite Harbor Energy Center. The coal-fired plant was idled in 2016 and was slated for closure this year.

However, at a CAP meeting at Surfside Resort on December 5, community members learned that the plant will not be shut down completely. The Taconite Harbor Energy Center will remain on “standby” for two more years.

At this time, Minnesota Power told citizens that the plant would not be completely shut down until sometime in 2022.

That means any economic development planning to be done by the citizen advisory panel is now on hold. There had been some hopes that the former Taconite Harbor townsite could be resurrected as a new affordable housing site, but that too will be on hold until the energy center is shut down.

At that December 5 meeting at Surfside, community members also discussed the railroad between Taconite Harbor and Hoyt Lakes and the Taconite Harbor Safe Harbor.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence checked in with Schroeder Supervisor Bruce Martinson on all of these matters.

Listen:

Program:

North Shore News Hour

The frosty view from the webcam at Lutsen Mountains - Image courtesy of Lutsen Mountains

U.S. Forest Service beginning review of Lutsen Mountains expansion request

Rhonda Silence-

Lutsen Mountains would like to add some skiing opportunities to the recreation area. To grow, however, would mean use of U.S. Forest Service land. Lutsen Mountains has asked the Forest Service to consider leasing land to the ski hill to allow it to expand.

Lutsen Mountains is requesting approximately 50 acres on adjacent federal land, on what the ski area calls Eagle Mountain, and about 400 acres on Moose Mountain.

WTIP spoke with Lutsen Mountains co-owner Charles Skinner about the proposal and he explained the project is in the beginning stages of the NEPA process. Skinner said the Forest Service had the option of conducting an environmental assessment or the more in-depth environmental impact statement. He said Lutsen Mountains asked for the more rigorous environmental study and that is what the U.S. Forest Service is pursuing.

An environmental impact study will likely take two years to complete. Work began in spring 2019. There will be opportunity for public comment as it moves forward.

Lutsen Mountains was established in 1948. It is home to 95 runs across four mountains, with a maximum vertical drop of 825 feet. Past improvements at the ski hill include installation of a high-speed, six-passenger chairlift in 2013 and an 8-passenger gondola in 2015.

Charles Skinner said he hopes the expansion comes to fruition, as it is something to benefit the next generation.

Here’s more on the status of the expansion plans at this time.

Photo courtesy of Lutsen Mountains LIVE webcam. To view the webcam, click here.

To learn more about Lutsen Mountains, click here.

Listen:

Program:

North Shore News Hour

Taylor Everson was St. Lucia at the 2019 Julefest at Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Photo courtesy of the family

A St.Lucia family tradition for Taylor Everson

Rhonda Silence-

The “queen of lights,” St. Lucia, visited Grand Marais on Saturday, December 7. The celebration of one of the longest, darkest, days of the year was held a bit early this year, but it was a joy for all in attendance at Bethlehem Lutheran Church anyway.

Each year a student from the Bethlehem Lutheran Church confirmation class is selected to be St. Lucia. This year’s St. Lucia was Taylor Everson of Grand Marais. Taylor is the daughter of Andrea and Tony Everson.

Taylor becomes the latest in her family to assume the traditional role of St. Lucia. Her mother Andrea was St. Lucia when she was a teen and her sister Paige was St. Lucia in 2015.

With St. Lucia, as she entered wearing the crown of lights, were her lovely attendants, Ella Hallberg and Katey Shannon.

The Legend of St. Lucia
According to a Swedish folktale, Lucia appeared during a famine and distributed food from a ship to the starving people on land. For centuries, St. Lucia Day has been celebrated in Scandinavian countries on Dec. 13.

That date marks the darkest day in the Swedish winter and is the on for a family celebration. The oldest daughter in the family is St. Lucia and wears a white dress with a crown made of pine boughs. On the crown are seven glowing candles, to represent the coming of brighter days. Around her waist,she wears a bright red sash.

The other children in the family carry candles and follow her into their parents' bedroom, singing the traditional song, Santa Lucia. It is considered bad luck to eat after dawn on this day, so the children treat the parents to a special breakfast in bed.
St. Lucia is the “queen of lights” bringing the promise of longer days after a long, dark winter.

Song for St. Lucia
Nightly, with heavy steps; round farm and steading
On earth, where sun departs, shadows are spreading.
Then in our darkened house, rises with candles lit!
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Then in our darkened house, rises with candles lit!
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
The night is dark and still. Hark, something’s stirring!
In all our silent rooms, wingbeats are whisp’ring!
Stands on our threshold there, while clad, lights in her hair,
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

Program:

North Shore News Hour

Grand Marais plans to expand Climate Action Plan coordinator position

Rhonda Silence-

At the upcoming Wednesday, December 11 meeting of the Grand Marais City Council, the city will have a discussion of changes to the structure of its Climate Action Plan. The council meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. with a time for public comment.

The city and the Public Utilities Commission worked with Shane Steele as a contractor in 2018 – 2019. According to the city, his 400 hours of work to develop the city's Climate Action Plan were supported by a grant from the McKnight Foundation. The grant has come to an end, but the city has submitted a grant request for another two years. The city is waiting to learn if the funding will be received.

In the meantime, the Public Utilities Commission would like to see the city revise the Climate Action Plan coordinator to become a fulltime job, with the city picking up more of the cost for that position, approximately $25,000.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence learns more in this interview.

To learn more about the city’s Climate Action plan, which was adopted in June 2017, click here.

Listen:

Program:

North Shore News Hour

Restoration of Rock of Ages Lighthouse continues

Rhonda Silence-

The historic Rock of Ages Lighthouse in Lake Superior had fallen into disrepair when the Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation Society was formed in 2008. The society has made great strides in restoration since the work on the grounds began in 2016.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence checked in with Heather Gerth of the society to hear the latest on the restoration work.

Listen:

Program:

North Shore News Hour

Winter storm advisory for Monday's commute

Rhonda Silence-

Another winter storm will be rolling across Minnesota and into Wisconsin tonight, December 8. According to the National Weather Service, the storm will once again have less impact on the North Shore, but Cook County can still expect 4 - 6 inches overnight, with the worst conditions between midnight and 6 a.m.

Cook County and northern Lake County are under a winter weather advisory until noon on Monday, and by 10 p.m., Sunday, freezing drizzle had begun.

The weather service predicts 6 - 8 inches in the Silver Bay area and 6 - 10 inches in the already hard-hit Duluth area. Across Lake Superior in the Ashland and Hurley, Wisconsin areas, snow totals could reach 8 to 12 inches.

Snow will begin before midnight Sunday in central Minnesota and will spread east, giving heavy snowfall rates between midnight and noon before exiting Monday afternoon.

Sunday night’s low will likely fall to zero.

The Monday high should be around 6 degrees. Monday night temps will fall to -11 degrees, with winds of 5 to 10 mph, and some gusts as high as 15 mph. That equals wind chills of -20 or -30 degrees.

Cold temperatures continue through the week, with a Tuesday high near -2; the Tuesday night low, -15 degrees. The forecast expects continued negative temps on Wednesday with a high near -2 and the Wednesday night low, around -11.

At this time, the National Weather Service predicts a warming trend on Thursday with a high near 13 degrees.

The predicted hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.

Motorists are advised to plan on slippery road conditions. Each year, on average, more than 5,000 people are killed and more than 418,000 are injured due to weather-related vehicle crashes. If you need to drive in snow or cold conditions, take it slow in the snow. Black ice can be difficult to see. If the temperature is near freezing, drive like you're on ice--you may be!

Before you leave the house, especially before a longer trip, make sure all fluid levels are full and ensure that the lights, heater, and windshield wipers are in proper condition. Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.

Avoid traveling alone. Let someone know your timetable and primary and alternate routes.

Program:

North Shore News Hour

The old dock at Hat Point was destroyed in the severe storms in September and October 2019. Submitted photo

Grand Portage prepares for repairs, improvements to Hat Point Marina

Rhonda Silence-

The Hat Point Marina – home base for the Grand Portage-Isle Royale Transportation Line for many decades – is slated for some long-needed repairs and upgrades, hopefully, this spring and summer. Although the need for the work was highlighted after severe storms in September and October destroyed the old dock, this is a project that has been years in the making.

The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior has been working on plans to redevelop the marina and ferry terminal for several years. The project cost is estimated to be $5.2 million.

The Grand Portage Band has received a $3.2 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, part of a tax-incentive program to encourage investment in economically distressed communities. More funds were garnered from the Minnesota Department of Transportation piers program.

And the community will contribute in-kind work with the Grand Portage Construction Department doing much of the grounds preparation work.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence learns more from Grand Portage Tribal Chair Beth Drost in this interview.

Rhonda also talked to Tony Swader of Grand Portage Trust Lands, who has been spearheading project planning.

Program:

North Shore News Hour