North Shore News Hour

Rob Ecklund, our District 3A Representative, visited the North Shore on October 29-30, for what has become an annual tradition. In a non-pandemic year, the Cook County Chamber and Visit Cook County co-host a gala to give community members the chance to get to know not just Representative Rob Ecklund, but also Senator Tom Bakk. This year COVID-19 put a damper on that large gathering, but Representative Ecklund and Senator Bakk still visited the county to meet with community leaders in some smaller gatherings.
 
Representative Ecklund stopped by the WTIP studios and visited with WTIP’s Rhonda Silence on a variety of issues, such as copper/nickel mining in Minnesota, gold mining in Canada, and the concept of “greenwashing.” Representative also gave some thoughts on the proposed expansion of Lutsen Mountains ski hill and on deer management.
 
Here’s their conversation. 
 

Eleven truckers turned up for public comment at the Grand Marais City Council meeting on Wednesday, October 27, sharing their concerns about a possible city ordinance outlawing jake braking through the city. The truckers stressed that these engine brakes are critical safety equipment on their trucks.

Trucker Dean Berglund talked about two trucks that crashed in Grand Marais in years past and told the city council that neither of those trucks had jake brakes, which could possibly have prevented those accidents. Berglund said most truckers use their jake brakes sparingly. However, he said he would not operate his semi without them, especially because now homes and a school have been built along the road designated as the truck route.

Kent Anderson, a trucker who works at Hedstrom Lumber, added to Berglund’s comments, acknowledging that some semis are loud, but also stressed the need for engine brakes because of the topography of the roads into Grand Marais.

Another semi operator, Anders Zimmer said his truck is likely the cause of some of the jake brake noise complaints. He said he is working to reduce the noise of his truck, but he has older equipment. Zimmer said he has been trucking for two years now and noted that not everyone can afford to purchase a newer, quieter semi for $150,000 when they are just getting their business started.

And Nathan Carlson, who appeared before the city council during public comment at the last meeting returned to again stress the need for public safety.

Later in the meeting, the council turned to city Attorney Chris Hood, who said jake braking is covered under state ordinances. He questioned the need for a different, or more restrictive ordinance. Hood questioned how the city—and the sheriff’s office would enforce a more restrictive ordinance. 

Sheriff Pat Eliasen was at the meeting and he agreed that there are Minnesota Pollution Control Agency guidelines for noise pollution. He pointed to charts showing the thresholds for allowable noise and explained what his office would have to do to catch a semi using too-loud Jake brakes. He noted that it wasn’t feasible to assign deputies to sit along the road with decibel monitors, waiting for a truck to pass.

That said, Sheriff Eliasen said he and his deputies do stop truckers when they notice a truck going too fast and using jake brakes too often.  However, he said his primary concern in the matter is safety.

County Attorney Molly Hicken was present via Zoom and she said she and the sheriff had reviewed the ordinance and discussed enforcement. She said there could be changes if the city wanted to pursue them. Hicken said her office could reach out to other cities to see how it is handled there. However, she said she recognized that the local truck drivers are the authorities on the need for engine braking—and she said other cities do not have the geography of Grand Marais.

During the discussion, Councilor Tracy Benson questioned whether some of the recent complaints stemmed from the highway construction projects underway.

Berglund spoke up from the audience stating that there were 37 semis working on the Grand Marais Highway 61 project over the past two summers. Trucker Bobby Deschampe noted that 5,100 loads were transported for the Grand Portage Highway 61 work.

Councilors questioned whether there was still a need for a changed ordinance on jake braking now that there are fewer trucks on the road. 

Councilor Anton Moody said the matter only came up after he heard from citizens and he reached out to the sheriff’s office about how enforcement works. He said he wondered if no engine braking was an option, but after hearing from the truckers, he realizes the importance of this equipment.

Mayor Jay DeCoux said it was important to hear from truck drivers on this issue and to learn that they try not to use their Jake brakes unless necessary.

The council appeared to reach a consensus on leaving the city ordinance as is, with the understanding that truck drivers will do their part to use jake brakes only when necessary.

Hear the thoughts of the four truck drivers who spoke during the meeting and the response from the Grand Marais City Council in this report from Rhonda Silence.
 

WTIP is in the midst of our “Road Tested Radio” membership drive. The Fall pledge drive celebrates the completion of construction on Highway 61. All of us drive on the highway and appreciate its scenic vistas, but we also know there are many roads enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence turned to the phones and hit the road as a roving reporter to ask, “What’s your favorite road?”
 

There has been no official announcement from the North House Folk School in Grand Marais about the purchase of a nearby parcel of land in Grand Marais. However, when WTIP Community Radio learned of this recent real estate transaction and reached out to North House, the school’s Executive Director Greg Wright confirmed that the school had purchased land near the school’s waterfront campus.

The parcel is across Highway 61 from the North House main campus and is west of the “Green Building,” the one-time U.S. Forest Service building on the upper side of the road. Part of the lot is undeveloped and the upper portion was cleared when an old house was removed.

WTIP sat down with North House Director Wright and asked some questions about the purchase, namely, how can the nonprofit school afford to buy land in downtown Grand Marais? Wright expressed appreciation to the property owner, Bruce Leng, who Wright said, supports the work of North House Folk School. Leng wanted to help North House in its master planning efforts and offered the property at below market value, at $275,000.*

Wright said the purchase was possible in part by revenue received when the Folk School sold a small piece of property to the Angry Trout Café. That sale allows the Angry Trout to build a small addition and become a year-round restaurant, something that demonstrates the school’s efforts to work with partners in the neighborhood.

The other funds came from generous donors who support the North House Folk School mission, said Wright.

Another concern for some is the fact that the purchase of the land by a nonprofit removes a commercial lot in Grand Marais from the tax rolls. Wright acknowledges that fact but adds that North House does pay some property taxes. The North House Folk School spaces used by North Shore Title, The Fisherman’s Daughter, and North Superior Fisheries are not tax-exempt.

Wright further explained that because North House is a nonprofit such as universities, community colleges and churches, it must bring other value to the community. The North House director is passionate about that and easily lists the many education programs available to community members. He cites the free school programs for all 3rd – 5th-grade students in Cook County; the 25 percent tuition discount for Cook County residents; the timber frame projects in partnership with Cook County High School and more as things that North House brings to the community.

There have been questions in the past about the long-ago use of the land by the Anishinabe people. There are also concerns that there are possible burial sites at the location. Wright noted that North House is very cognizant of that. Wright has reached out to the Minnesota State Archeologist’s Office for assistance before any construction begins.

Wright also extended thanks to Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribal Chair Bob Deschampe and the Tribal Council for their advice and continued guidance.  

Wright stressed that there are no specific plans for the parcel yet, but said there are key needs that must be addressed, such as student parking, storage space for drying firewood/extra timbers, and living space for guest instructors. The folk school is just beginning the process of how the land will be used.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence joined Director Greg Wright on campus to talk about all this. Here’s their conversation. 

* This article was edited on Oct. 25 to accurately report the property sale price. See related information here. 
 

There are many signs of the changing season—cooler temperatures, shorter daylight hours, falling leaves—and the closing of World’s Best Donuts in downtown Grand Marais.

The popular spot for treats has been family-owned and operated since 1969. The little red and white building at the corner of Wisconsin Street and Broadway Avenue is a must-stop for visitors to the community and a mainstay for coffee gatherings for locals.

This weekend marks the closing of the donut shop—maybe. In this report from World’s Best Donuts, WTIP spoke with World's Best Donuts owner Dee Brazell and learned that there may be one more weekend.

Learn more about World’s Best Donuts on their website.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence stopped by to see how things were going at the donut shop this weekend. Here’s her report. 
 

Cook County Schools became a "Cool School" on Wednesday, October 20 as the mobile Special Olympics Plungester pulled up outside the school. Brave students, staff and community members climbed the steps and took the plunge to show their support for Special Olympics--as well as one another. 

The event was organized by School District 166 Physical Education Teacher Kasha Hanson and Special Education Teacher Melissa Oberg as a fun way to bring the school and community together--while raising some funds for Special Olympics and the Unified Club. The Unified Club is an inclusive school program, funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education, which aims to foster inclusive relationships between students with and without disabilities. 

The purpose of the club is to offer engaging and fun activities, create inclusion campaigns, promote physical health and bring people together to create and maintain relationships and self-esteem.  That was certainly the case on October 13 as a large crowd of students and their families gathered in the chilly fall weather to cheer for one another as they dived into a huge tank of water.

Anyone who would like more information about this "Cool School" event can visit the school's Polar Plunge page here. 

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence was there to watch the fun and provide this report. 

The Grand Marais City Council met on Wednesday, October 13, and heard from citizens on a variety of issues, from engine braking to ATVs in the city.

Engine brakes or jake braking came up in the public comment period, as a local truck driver, Nathan Carlson talked about the use of this emergency braking system. Carlson responded to the city’s discussion of possibly restricting the use of jake brakes in the city. Hear Carlson’s thoughts on this here: Truck driver adds input on city's jake brake discussion

The council thanked Carlson for his comments and invited him to participate if and when the matter is discussed again.

Councilor Tracy Benson brought forward a citizen question about the use of all-terrain vehicles in the city, asking if they are licensed and where they can be ridden. City Administrator Mike Roth provided information from the League of Minnesota Cities on all the different types of vehicles that could travel city streets, ranging from mini-motorcycles and golf carts to ATVs. The city council agreed to reach out to Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen to learn about the regulations and enforcement.  

The city heard from Bruce Kimmel of Ehlers Associates and decided to proceed with refinancing bonds for the city, which should result in considerable savings on some of the city’s debts. Mayor Jay DeCoux tells WTIP that the city could see $125,000 -$150,000 in interest payments with the refinancing.

The council reviewed the various boards and committees on which councilors serve to decide what position city council-appointee Tracy Benson should serve on. After some discussion, it was decided that Benson would take on the boards on which former city councilor Kelly Swearingen served. Benson is now the city representative for the North Shore Management Board, the Cook County Community YMCA board, and the city’s personnel committee.

Swearingen’s resignation also left a vacancy for acting mayor. Councilor Benson said she was not “up to speed” enough to take that on. Councilor Anton Moody agreed to serve as acting mayor. The acting mayor chairs city council meetings if the mayor is not available.

The council also approved the hiring of Greg Lykins as an apprentice in the electrical department. Lykins was working for the city in the water/wastewater department. While pleased that the city had found someone to take the lineworker apprentice, it was noted that the city now had a vacancy to fill in the water department.

The city is still looking for a citizen to come forward to serve on the Grand Marais Park Board, Planning Commission, and Public Utilities Commission. 

WTIP's Rhonda Silence speaks with Grand Marais Mayor Jay DeCoux about all this and more. 
 

Although 2021 had its share of challenges, according to Cook County Chamber Executive Director Jim Boyd, it was also a summer of incredible creativity for groups and individuals who received 2021 Great Place Project grants from the Cook County Business and Civic Partnership – the philanthropic arm of the Cook County Chamber.

It will take a little time before all of the projects funded will come to fruition, but Chamber Director Jim Boyd shared information on those that were completed this year.

They are spread throughout the county, with one project near the end of the Gunflint Trail, at the Chik Wauk Museum and Nature Center. Chik Wauk used its grant to commission five painted benches from Ojibwe artist and educator Sam Zimmerman of Duluth and Grand Portage.

The benches have been installed along paths at Chik-Wauk for the ease of visitors. Boyd told WTIP, “They are simply stunning, even more so when you are able to see them in their setting. Chik-Wauk is closing for the season, but these benches will be there to grace its trails and enthrall its visitors for years to come.”

Several projects enhance the Lutsen community, the first, a butterfly garden at County Plumbing in Lutsen. Confronted with a need to control runoff and also provide additional parking, Tanya Miller and Tim Goettl at County Plumbing came up with the idea of a butterfly garden.

When they received the grant, they lost no time in getting the butterfly garden installed. At one point, Tanya reported 30 Monarch butterfly caterpillars on the garden’s milkweed plants. Director Boyd said, “The garden is a terrific addition to a busy business area in Lutsen.”

Nearby, the Homyak family at Lutsen’s Clearview General Store created a welcome park-like retreat by adding Great Place Project picnic benches to the lawn beneath their splendid grove of spruce on both sides of Clearview. The Homyaks report that the benches are being well used by locals and visitors alike.

The third Lutsen project enhances the entrance to the Isak Hansen Lumber and Home Center. The hardware store crew created a promising young garden out front that should grow into a magnificent addition. The garden was part of a much larger effort to improve the looks of the building, including a coat of paint. 

In Tofte, the North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum, a project of the Tofte Historical Society, supports a series of signs, including one with an oral Voice of the Past, along the Tofte lakewalk. The signs share the history of commercial fishing in the area. Two of the signs had become so damaged they were difficult to read, and the Voices of the Past needed a new battery. With a Great Place Project grant, the museum was able to effect repairs to both the signs and the Voices.

At the Cook County Community YMCA in Grand Marais, the Great Place Project has contributed significantly to the play area for toddlers out front. In 2021, YMCA director Emily Marshall requested funds to add plantings that would make the area more pleasant. Children at the YMCA daycare were recruited to plant the seeds and watch them grow.

YMCA Director Marshall reports, “Our little people learned a lot and took great pride in picking out plants to plan in their ‘Great Place.’ They loved watering the flowers and plants and especially loved watching them grow and eating them for snack! Thank you so much for turning this into a great place.”
 
The money to fund Great Place Project grants was raised from several large private donations plus the proceeds from an annual canoe raffle.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence sat down with Chamber Director Jim Boyd to hear what it has been like to be involved with projects in the past and about the 2021 awardees. Here’s their conversation. 
 

At recent meetings of both the Grand Marais City Council and the Cook County Commissioners, the subject of semis using jake brakes on city and county roads has been brought up.

Jake brakes are technically compression release engine brakes but are more often referred to as “jake brakes,” a reference to the Jacobs Vehicle System company which introduced the brakes as a safety feature over 60 years ago.

The problem with the safety feature, designed to help large vehicles maneuver hilly terrain at slower speeds, is that they can be quite noisy.

City councilors and county commissioners have questioned the need for use of these brakes and have been researching city and county ordinances on whether using jake brakes is a violation of any sound ordinances.

The city found that the ordinance governing jake braking is vague and asks only that truckers use jake brakes only in emergencies. The council considered whether it should tighten the language in that ordinance to restrict jake braking entirely.

Absent from this conversation was any input from someone who drives a truck—until the city council meeting on October 13. Grand Marais resident and truck driver Nate Carlson spoke during the public comment period at the start of the meeting.
Carlson reminded the council of a truck losing its brakes and crashing into “Eckel’s fish house” at the bottom of Fifth Avenue West, the old Gunflint Trail.

Carlson agreed that jake brakes are loud and can be annoying. He said he prefers not to use them himself, but spoke of the importance of the engine brakes as a safety feature. He noted that the new Gunflint Trail is now the truck route, however, there is still a steep grade. And, Carlson added, it passes a schoolyard and ends on Highway 61.

Councilors Craig Schulte and Tracy Benson added their own reminiscences of trucks losing their brakes on the old Gunflint Trail, including one crash in which the truck driver was killed. They thanked Carlson for his comments. 

Mayor Jay DeCoux said the use of jake brakes will be on a future agenda and invited Carlson to come back for that discussion. 

Hear Carlson's own words in this report by WTIP's Rhonda Silence.