North Shore News Hour

Lutsen resident and Olympic gold medalist Mark Pavelich was back in the Cook County courtroom Nov. 25 for a commitment hearing. However, when the hearing was over, Pavelich, in a Lake County jail uniform and handcuffs, was taken back to jail.

The former NHL star, a member of the 1980 Olympic hockey team, was arrested Aug. 15 in Lutsen on suspicion of felony assault. According to a law enforcement report, Cook County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report that a 63-year-old man had been struck with a metal pipe by his neighbor after returning from a day of fishing on Deer Yard Lake. Deputies arrived and after an investigation, they arrested the 61-year-old Pavelich for assault.

The victim suffered cracked ribs, a bruised kidney and a vertebrae fracture, as well as bruises.

Pavelich was charged with second- and third-degree assault, possession of an illegal shotgun and possessing a gun with a missing serial number.

On October 28, the court considered a petition for judicial commitment, which asserted that Pavelich was “alleged to be mentally ill and dangerous.”

District Judge Michael Cuzzo concluded that Pavelich was “incapable of participating in the defense due to mental illness or deficiency” and a hearing to determine whether he should be committed was scheduled.

The hearing Nov. 25 was open for a short time and about 10 people were present. Assistant County Attorney Brittany Kubes asked that the hearing be closed because of the confidential mental health/medical matters that would be discussed.

Judge Cuzzo closed the courtroom to hear medical reports from a clinical psychologist and a forensic psychologist via telecommunications.  When the courtroom was re-opened, Judge Cuzzo told the public and members of the press that he had heard the closing arguments from the attorneys during the closed session. He said the arguments were too “deeply intertwined” with confidential medical information to be shared.

Cuzzo said he would make a decision and release whatever information could be made public. Pavelich remains in custody of the court until that decision is made.

Pavelich was a member of the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' Olympic hockey team that won a gold medal. He went on to play for a number of years in the NHL, including stints with the New York Rangers, Minnesota North Stars and San Jose Sharks.

Media reports often focus on the fact Pavelich preferred solitude and enjoyed fishing and hunting in the North Shore region.

Pavelich’s wife, Kara Pavelich, died in September 2012 at their Lutsen home when she apparently fell approximately 20 feet from a second-story balcony that had no railing. She was 44.
 

WTIP likes to share news of local businesses -- new owners, milestone achievements, and new businesses. 

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence does just that in this interview with Rovena Claxton, who recently launched HR Consulting Services in Grand Marais.
Rovena’s company offers a variety of services ranging from labor relations and talent selection to organization design and training. She brings a wealth of educational and business world experience to her new role.

Rovena holds degrees in education and human resource development from the University of Missouri and Webster University. She has worked in all aspects of human resource and organization development, working with Memorial Blood Centers in St. Paul, with Mercy Health Partners, and Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

Along with her husband, Rovena also operates a small franchise shipping business, as well.

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

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office shared a brief report of calls made to the Cook County Law Enforcement Center from October 29 - November 18. WTIP requested more information on a number of the incidents logged by law enforcement dispatchers.

A report of a red car driving recklessly came in at 2:54 p.m. on October 29. The car passed the reporting party and almost hit another car. No deputy was in a position to respond.

A party reported possible fraud on October 29. The matter is under investigation.

A party in Hovland reported harassing phone messages on October 29. A deputy spoke with all parties involved, parties were advised to block phone numbers.

A party reported two females attempting to flag down a car to get a ride back to Grand Marais at 7:25 p.m. on October 29 They told the party that they had been dropped off to pick up a U-Haul truck, but couldn’t get the code for the truck to work. A State Trooper responded and drove through the area, the females were gone.

A party called from Gunflint Lake on October 30 sharing suspicions that parties were using and making drugs. No arrests or suspects at this time.

At 5:54 p.m. on October 30, deputies were called to a dispute over personal belongings in Grand Portage. It was determined to be a civil matter.

A party called at 7:58 p.m. on October 30 reporting suspicious activity across from the US Forest Service Gunflint Ranger Station.

A light-colored four-door sedan was blocking the driveway so another car could not leave the property. A Minnesota State Patrol Trooper checked it out. It was a party leaving Bible study having transmission issues with the car. The car would go in reverse but not forward. The vehicle was not a hazard.

At 11:24 p.m. on October 30, a party called to report an 84-year-old man stranded in his pickup just east of County Road 14. North Coast Towing will tow the truck to Tire and Auto Lodge, but the man seems very confused. He was taken to the hospital.

A party came into the Law Enforcement Center on October 31 to request a copy of a driving record in preparation for being a volunteer driver.

A party called at 4:06 p.m. on October 31, reporting suspicious activity at a resort on West Highway 61. A man with a beard, wearing a ball cap and flannel shirt was crawling into a ground floor window. The front desk checked on the man. He said he wanted a cigarette and thought going out the window would be easier.

A welfare check was requested for a case of possible child neglect at 4:17 p.m. on October 31. A deputy responded and found the child happy and healthy, with no signs of neglect or abuse.

A party from Hawkins Water Treatment Group of Superior, Wisconsin was delivering chemicals for a pool at a resort on West Highway 61 when there was a mix-up of chemicals, releasing chlorine gas. At 5:16 p.m. on October 31, the party asked for help in checking air quality. People were evacuated from the building. Tofte Fire and First Responders and Cook County Ambulance responded. Tofte First Responders evaluated people at the scene. One party decided to go to the hospital due to coughing but went by personal vehicle.

A theft was reported at 1:54 p.m. on November 1 in Grand Marais. Two tires were taken off a trailer. The matter is under investigation.

A heavy propane smell was reported near Lupin Lane in Grand Marais at 2:35 p.m. on November 1 by someone walking in the area. Cook County checked with Como Oil & Propane, which checked with their driver. A propane tank had just been filled in the area and it is normal to have a lingering propane smell. A deputy drove through the area with windows down and no odor was detected.

Deputies were called to an apartment building in Grand Marais at 8:30 p.m. on November 1 for a dispute between neighbors.
A Grand Marais business reported that someone was dumping trash in their bin without permission on November 2. Some of the mail has a tracking code. The matter is under investigation.

A woman from Edina, Minnesota slid off the road on the Gunflint Trail at 7:41 p.m. on November 2. She got a ride to Poplar Haus for help. After getting a ride back to get the car out of the ditch, she again ended up going sideways on the slippery road. The vehicle, a 2015 Jeep Cherokee, ended up against a tree. No damage and no citations or charges.

A deputy followed up on that call at 9 p.m. by driving all the way up the Gunflint Trail to Gunflint Lake to check for other vehicles that may have gone in the ditch. The road was slick the whole way, but no other cars were off the road.

A party reported suspicious activity at 9:53 a.m. on November 3. The party said a dark, blue, Chevy has been parked there for five days. Deputies spoke with the registered owner, who works at Blue Water Café and parks there to walk to work.

A jail inmate ripped his jail uniform on November 3. He was charged with criminal damage to property.

A party called law enforcement at 1:34 p.m. on November 3 saying she had sprayed Windex in her eyes. She did not want an ambulance but asked to talk to Poison Control. Cook County gave her the number and advised her to call back if she needed help.

On November 3, at 7:16 p.m., a party in Grand Marais said her neighbor was yelling. Deputies advised the party to be quiet.

There was a report of a fraud call on November 4 at 8:58 a.m. The reporting party said the caller asked for her social security card number, which she did not give. The caller then threatened her with an arrest warrant. She hung up, which Cook County advised was the right thing to do.

There was another call from Tofte reporting a caller claiming to be from a police department on November 5. The party asked if Cook County had tried calling and the law enforcement center dispatcher said no.

There was a report of harassment in Grand Marais on November 5. A deputy responded and talked to two parties that were arguing. Neither party wanted any charges from the incident and they were advised to stay away from each other.

The sheriff’s office received a request for assistance with a flat tire.  The call was transferred to the Minnesota State Patrol.
There was a call of a domestic disturbance at 8:31 a.m. on November 6. The matter is under investigation.

The sheriff’s office was called regarding a neighbor dispute on West Highway 61 at 11:53 a.m. on November 6. A party said a neighbor keeps coming onto their property. A deputy spoke with the neighbor, who said they were walking on their property line.
There was a call of possible child protection needed at a residence in Grand Portage on November 6. A deputy investigated and did not see any evidence of any danger posing imminent harm to a child.

A deputy was flagged down by a protester asking about their legal options in stopping the removal of trees in Grand Marais at 3:08 p.m. on November 6. The Minnesota Department of Transportation representative on the scene asked the deputy to ask the protestor to leave. The protester left willingly when asked to do so.

At 3:14 p.m. on November 6, a party called from a location above a gravel pit on Caribou Lake. They said someone was shooting at a target and they can’t pass them. The caller requested a deputy to tell the party shooting to cease fire so he can pass. Another person came into the gravel pit and the party stopped shooting so the party was able to come out and get on his way.

Sheriff’s Office assistance was requested for a property exchange in Grand Marais on November 7. The requestor had questions regarding the order for protection in the matter. Cook County advised that the party consult with a lawyer.

A party called from Voyageurs Point Road on November 8 expressing concern about the safety of anyone trying to get in or out on the road because it has not been serviced yet this season. The sheriff’s office contacted the Cook County Highway Department.

Two parties called stating that the road is slick at the stop sign on Ski Hill Road on November 9. Cook County transferred the call to the Minnesota State Patrol.

A party asked for assistance from Cook County on November 9 to have a welfare check on a relative in another county.

At 9:56 a.m. on November 9, a party called and said they could not stop their vehicle on West 5th Street because the road was slippery. A second call came in shortly after. Cook County called the highway department, which said it has people coming in to sand all the roads again.

Another slippery road call came in at 11:53 a.m. on November 9, at the bottom of Country Road 13 (Fall River Road). The sheriff’s office contacted the Highway Department by radio and they will send someone out to check it out.

There was a call at 1:32 p.m. on November 9 of a red Jeep in the ditch on Lodge Road. Cook County checked and the vehicle was off the roadway and not a hazard. Cook County spoke with the owner who said he slid into the ditch because of icy conditions the night before. Arrangements were made to have it removed when his nephew is done deer hunting.

A party requested a welfare check on November 9 on a relative in another county. Cook County shared the information with St. Cloud Police Department.

There was a report of a 2000 GMC Sierra in the ditch at east Highway 61 at 9:35 p.m. on November 10. Cook County Towing was called, but in the meantime, a Border Patrol unit was able to get the vehicle out of the ditch.

There was a call from a possibly suicidal person in Grand Marais at 12:53 a.m. on November 11. A deputy conducted a welfare check and the party agreed to go to the hospital with the deputy.

A party called at 4:23 a.m. on November 12 reporting bright flashes in the northeastern sky. Cook County advised that the Taurid meteor shower was peaking, which could be the reason for the bright flashes.

There was another report of fraud on November 12. A party said they received a call from a supposed mortgage company stating they were $848 short in their escrow account. The party contacted the real mortgage company and there is no problem with the account. Party was advised to contact social security administration and credit card companies. And, to hang up if they call again.

There was a two-vehicle accident on County Road 6 at 3:43 p.m. on November 12. A Honda CRV and a Chevy Silverado collided. There were no injuries and no citations.

A confused person called law enforcement at 8:01 p.m. on November 12. Sheriff deputies visited the man and spent some time listening to him to ascertain that he was okay, he just needed someone to talk to.

A party called at 10:16 p.m. on November 12 reporting some sort of loud construction noise outside of his building since 9 p.m. Party just wanted to know who would be making the noise so late at night. Party called back a few minutes later and said the call could be canceled, it seems to be coming from his apartment. The party called back at 10:37 p.m. to confirm that the noise was in his apartment, from an electronic fireplace.

 At 10:29 p.m. on November 12, a party called to report a semi in the parking lot east of Como Oil that has been running since 9 p.m. A deputy spoke with the driver who will move his truck.

There was a report of a fender bender at 7:52 a.m. on November 13 on West Highway 61. No injuries and parties will exchange insurance information.

A caller reported that a truck was slipping around on the road on West Highway 61 at 8:42 a.m. on November 13. The information was shared with the Minnesota State Patrol.

An adult male was picked up and transported to jail. Cook County confirmed that the man has a bond in St. Louis County.

The law enforcement center received a request at 11:33 a.m. for help in doing a welfare check for a party in Duluth. Party was transferred to St. Louis County dispatch.

A party came into the law enforcement center on November 13, reporting that her vehicle was hit in the Cook County High School parking lot on November 8. Someone left a note on the windshield with a phone number, but she has been unable to reach anyone. The sheriff’s office also tried to reach the person. The individual later contracted the sheriff’s office and will come in to discuss.

There was a report of a fraud call on November 14.

A woman called from a home on the Caribou Trail at 1:38 p.m. on November 18, saying the house was filling up with smoke. The Lutsen and Tofte fire departments and Cook County Ambulance were paged. Lutsen firefighters conducted an exterior inspection and saw no visible smoke or flames. An interior sweep was done and Lutsen fire said that Tofte Fire Department could stand down at 2:04 p.m. At 2:16 p.m., firefighters located the source of the smoke, burned lunch in the microwave. All responders were clear of the scene at 2:43 p.m.

There was another call from an individual who had received a fraud message concerning her social security card on November 14.

There was a report of a 10-foot by 10-foot bush on fire near Lutsen Resort at 9:04 p.m. on November 14. The Lutsen and Tofte fire departments, U.S. Forest Service and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources were paged. State Patrol arrived on the scene and was unable to locate the fire.
The Trooper spoke to spoke with a party that said he dumped an ash bucket right where the fire was reported. The party said the fire is out. All responders were canceled and clear of the scene by 8:36 p.m.

 There was another fire call at 5:16 p.m. on November 15 in the Creechville area. The initial call, at 5:16 p.m., said the fire is in a home and there are flames coming out of the window. Grand Marais and Maple Hill fire departments were paged. They arrived to find a brush pile on fire. No structure was involved and all responders were canceled.

 A party called at 10:27 p.m. on November 15, reporting weird noises outside their cabin. A deputy arrived on the scene and checked the area. There were no footprints around except those to the cabin and outhouse. Occupants decided to go stay at a hotel for the night.

A claim of a theft of pills was investigated on November 16. It was found to be a false claim.

There was a complaint of people speeding and a missing stop sign on Townsite Road in Grand Portage on November 17.

A business on West Highway 61 called at 7:47 p.m. on November 17 to report a male party urinating near their business. The car was a rental car from Canada. Cook County stopped the vehicle and the party said there was a sign that said “No public restroom” and he could not wait. The man apologized.

The Grand Marais and Maple Hill fire departments were paged to a report of a chicken coop on fire at 2:16 a.m. on November 18. The chicken coop is right next to the house, on the deck. A sheriff deputy responded to find the coop fully engulfed in flames. He attempted to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher, but the fire was too hot. The Grand Marais Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire. All responders were clear of the scene by 2:58 a.m. It is believed a heat lamp in the chicken coop started the fire.

Animal calls
There were many calls to the sheriff’s office regarding animals—pets and wildlife.

On October 29 at 12:35 p.m., a black and white spaniel wandered into a yard in Grand Marais. The dog was recognized and the owner contacted. He came and picked up the dog.

At 9:13 a.m. on October 30, a party from Lutsen called to report hitting a deer. Deer is on the side of the road, dead; the reporting party is not injured and the car is drivable.

There was a call of a small, black, Scottish terrier type dog on the snowmobile trail near Cedar Grove Business Park at 7:12 p.m. on October 30. It was very friendly and took off toward town. There was no report of a missing Scotty. Deputies will keep an eye out for the dog while on patrol.

There was a call at 8:57 p.m. on October 30 of an injured deer on the shoulder of Highway 61 near West Highway 61. Cook County advised the State Patrol dispatch. There was another call of an injured deer at 9:06 p.m. near the east intersection of Highway 61 and County Road 14. State Patrol will check to see if it is the same deer or another one.

At 5:52 a.m. on October 31, a party reported an injured dog on 8th Avenue in Grand Marais. The dog was black with a little white on it. The area was patrolled and the only dog to be found was outside at a residence. The dog is old and limping but seemed fine.

At 4 p.m. on October 31, a party called about a dog that has been roaming the Kelly’s Hill neighborhood in Colvill without a leash, including on the Superior Hiking Trail. The dog barked and chased the party’s wife when she was riding bike in the area. The dog is a big, “Dane” type dog. A deputy spoke with the pet owners. They are aware of the complaint. They are looking into an e-collar or electric fence. The dog is a boxer/Dane mix rescue animal and deputy said it seemed friendly.

At 7:57 p.m. on October 31, sheriff deputies attempted to pick up a dog roaming the streets in Grand Marais, but the dog slipped out of collar when being placed in the vehicle and ran away. The deputy has the collar and tags, so-called and left a message.

A party called to report a black and white husky running loose at 9:37 a.m. on November 1. The dog’s name is Jack. The dog was not found and Cook County left a message on their phone.

There was a report of an injured eagle at Hedstrom Lumber Mill at 8:31 a.m. on November 6. The Sheriff’s Office referred the call to Minnesota State Patrol.

Another party found a young bald eagle dead on the side of the road on West Highway 61 on November 6. The party was transferred to Minnesota State Patrol.

A FedEx truck hit a buck at 2:02 p.m. on November 6. The reporting party said the deer is dead, the vehicle is off the road in a driveway, and there are no injuries to the driver. The reporting party asked to keep some of the meat.

The sheriff’s office received a call at 8:21 on November 7 from a party on West Highway 61 concerned about the welfare of a dog that is running around all the time. Party wanted information on options about rehoming the dog. The dog was dropped off at the pound, the owner paid the pound fee and picked up the dog.

A party called to report hitting a deer on east Highway 61 near the Arrowhead Trail at 7:14 a.m. on November 9. The deer ran off in the woods and the driver had no injuries, but the car has vehicle damage to driver front side.

At 8:47 a.m. on November 9, a party called to report that they hit a bald eagle on West Highway 61. Party did not know if the bird was dead. Cook County transferred the call to Minnesota State Patrol to be handled by the Department of Natural Resources.

There was a request for a welfare check for animals at the mini-golf in Grand Marais on November 9. The sheriff’s office spoke with the owners who said there were only a few chickens and geese left at the course and they will be moved soon. He also said that he has an electric coil that goes in the water bucket that he will be installing today.

A party reported finding a large, black, male dog with a red shock collar with no tags. Reporting party will hold onto the dog until owner is found.

A deputy drove up on a vehicle with flashers on by Fall River. Party hit a deer, but no damage was done to the vehicle. Driver is okay and the deer was not located.

A party reported a lost black golden doodle named Wally on Cascade Beach Road on November 10 at 8:17 p.m. Deputies will watch for the dog while on patrol.

A party reported that they hit a 9-point buck on east Highway 61 at 5:45 a.m. on November 14. No injuries and vehicle is drivable, but the party said the deer was still moving in the ditch. Deputy located the deer, now dead, and in good condition. A party was found to take possession.

Another report of a deer killed by a car came in at 6:40 a.m. on November 14. A deputy located the dead deer and pulled it off the road.

A party called on November 14 looking for contact information for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to report a doe with an injury on the Gunflint Trail.

A dog walked up to a sheriff’s office squad car at 7:05 p.m. on November 16. Cook County called the vet and found owner information. The dog was returned to the owner.

A black dog with white and brown markings was found on Highway 61 by the Grand Marais Holiday at 2:10 p.m. on November 17. The dog was taken to the pound. The owner came into the Law Enforcement Center to report the missing dog and they were reunited.

A party called in a report of a lost dog, a black husky with some white markings. The dog named Dora has a collar and tags, but is deaf, so will not answer to its name.

Lost and Found
There were also many reports of lost or found items. A lost wallet was reported on November 7. It is black leather with possible paint stains, last seen at the liquor store.

A party called on November 7 asking if a wedding band had been turned into the Law Enforcement Center. Cook County has no record of any rings being found.

A Grand Marais State Bank debit card was found on the street at 5:11 on November 1. The card was turned into an employee at the bank drive-up window.

A party reported a lost black leather bi-fold wallet on November 6. It was last seen at Holiday on November 5.

A party found a black woman’s wallet with a social security card and credit card, asking if this is a local person. The sheriff’s office said to bring the wallet in for safekeeping.

A wallet was reported lost in downtown Grand Marais. It is a black, brown and white, leather clutch style with a wrist strap. The party called back to say someone had turned the wallet into South of the Border Café and they now have the wallet back.

Other
During this time period, there were 19 medical calls, as well as a medical response alarm at Homestead Cooperative at 8:49 p.m. on November 1, which turned out to be a false alarm. No response needed.

There were 10 misdialed or crank 9-1-1 calls. There was also a monthly countywide paging test was conducted at 11:55 a.m. on November 6.

Sheriff deputies completed checks of 66 businesses and residences. They made 58 traffic stops resulting in 21 warnings, 25 reprimands, and 12 citations.

Deputies also participated in a joint U.S. Border Patrol monitoring patrol, Operation Stonegarden, and conducted ATV patrols.

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

The current operators of Dockside Fish Market in Grand Marais made an announcement on November 21 that they would not be returning next spring.  What will happen to the popular fish market and restaurant is not known. 

The Dockside Fish Market building was purchased by North House Folk School in 2018 and at that time, North House Board Member Mike Prom said Dockside is a treasure that Grand Marais and the North Shore count on for many reasons. North House Director Greg Wright said the idea of purchasing the property from Harley and Shele Toftey was to keep the fish market, restaurant and commercial fishery in operation.

To keep the fish market and restaurant going, North House partnered with Seafood Markets, LTD, which ran the establishment for two seasons. This week, however, Seafood Markets, LTD, said their company has approached North House to find another tenant—or use—of the fish market building. A Facebook notice, signed by the operators of Seafood Markets, LTD--Steve and Ellen Frank and Elsye and Paul Burton-- announced the development. 

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence reached out to Seafood Markets, LTD and spoke to Paul Burton about the reasons for the decision, which Burton said were primarily economic. Speaking for the family business, Burton thanked the Grand Marais community for its support during their two seasons of operating the local fish market.

WTIP also reached out to North House Folk School, who stated: "North House wishes our friends at Morey's Seafood the best of luck in their future endeavors, and remain committed to the fishing legacy of the Grand Marais Harbor. We are in the process of exploring new possible partnerships, and are working closely with our local fisherman to build a future that all of us can be proud of. Be assured, we're working hard to keep fish on the menu!"

In Minnesota, backyard burning of garbage is still common. A 2005 survey in the state concluded that 45 percent of rural Minnesotans dispose of their household wastes in burn barrels, fire pits, or similar devices, burning anywhere from less than a bag of garbage per week to more than two bags per week.

Often waste burning is being done in woodstoves used to heat homes. This is troubling to officials in both environmental protection agencies and fire safety organizations. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, with help from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, has launched an educational campaign to remind people of the hazards of burning garbage.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence spoke with Aaron Mielke of Grand Marais, a Minnesota DNR forester, as well as the Grand Marais Fire Department assistant chief, to learn more.

Click below for:

More information on the rules prohibiting garbage burning.

More information on health hazards of burning trash.

An MPCA fact sheet on burning.
 

At their October meeting, the School District 166 board held a closed session to conduct an evaluation of Superintendent Dr. Bill Crandall. School Board Chair Sissy Lunde said notes from that evaluation would be shared at the next school board meeting, which is Thursday, November 21.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence spoke with Dr. Crandall after that meeting, about the evaluation and other school matters. Here’s their conversation.

 
WTIP also followed up with School Board Chair Sissy Lunde, for her thoughts on the evaluation.

As promised, Lunde’s school board report for the November 21 school board meeting included a statement regarding the superintendent evaluation which reads:

Summary of Superintendent Evaluation
The Board felt the following were the strongest areas of Superintendent Crandall’s performance:

• Managing the district’s finances with an eye toward future sustainability
• Developing and maintaining positive relationships with various agencies and the community
• Effectively managing the administrative team

The board would like to see improvement in the following areas:

• Timeliness of the board packet and ensuring supporting information is provided in advance of the meeting
• Continue work on strategic planning and focus attention on district goals in a more meaningful way
• Review/update policies to ensure compliance with state laws and the needs of the district

Other matters on the November 21 school board agenda are the usual goals report and bond update; information about the Minnesota State High School League; and hiring of winter coaches.

The board will also have a discussion of the Cook County Public Health T21 initiative, which seeks to increase the age requirement for the purchase of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years.

The board will also discuss and likely approve the Cook County Education Association, the teachers’ union, contract.

The meeting is at 5 p.m., Thursday, November 21 in the Jane Mianowski Conference Room at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. The meeting starts with a time for public comment.
 

Cooperation Station Nature Playschool is licensed family day care in Grand Marais, housed in a home owned not by a single family, but by the not-for-profit Cooperation Station. 

The daycare has become a fixture in our community after two decades of operation. There was a celebration of 20 years of providing childcare in the community at Voyageur Brewing Company in Grand Marais on Nov. 13.

On hand were former staffers, board members, parents and, of course, lots of kids who attend, or used to attend, the preschool.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence joined the celebration. Here’s her report.
 

The Grand Marais City Council met  Wednesday, Nov. 13, with Councilor Anton Moody filling in as acting mayor for vacationing Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux. There was no public comment at the meeting, which covered bonding matters, city ordinances and discussion of housing policies.

The council heard a presentation from Ehlers Associates, the firm that handles city projects that require bonding. Ehlers asked the city to consider changes to bonds that were let in 2009 that would result in a lower interest rate and potential savings to the city of $143,000.  The council authorized Ehlers Associates to proceed with what they describe as a bond refunding. Ehlers will return to the city’s Dec. 11 meeting to let the city know what the ultimate savings to the city will be.

The city also reviewed results of the surveys that were conducted in the attempt to know what the public wants Grand Marais to look like. The city conducted an online survey with photos of local properties, had a hands-on display for giving feedback on various photos, and sent out a survey to all Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission. The online survey gathered 524 responses, the hands-on token board survey had 274 participants and the PUC mailer had 188 responses.

Hear the response to that online survey in this previous WTIP story.

The survey results for all three showed three consistent concerns: accumulation of trash and garbage, obstruction of public ways and obstruction of views.

The results of the survey have been shared with the Grand Marais Planning Commission, which will work with city staff to assemble groups of community members to further define the issues addressed. For example, these groups will determine just what is meant when citizens say the accumulation of trash and garbage. Does this mean outside storage or actual waste?

According to Moody, it is hoped that the city will hear from community members, those who indicated concerns about situations covered by city ordinances, as well as those who think the city should leave ordinance enforcement as it is.

The city again reviewed the information it had received from HKGI, which included an inventory of the housing stock in Grand Marais and a review of city ordinances and any obstacles there may be to increase housing in Grand Marais. The city council asked for more information on how HKGi could help move things forward. HKGi shared a proposal for work to develop additional housing types and standards; to determine appropriate locations for each housing type; and to work on zoning ordinances to be possibly be adopted.

The council moved to ask HKGi to proceed, at a cost of $32,500.

The council meeting wrapped up with a closed session to discuss labor negotiations. Information on the outcome of that discussion will be shared when negotiations are complete.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence checked in with Acting Mayor Anton Moody to learn more about the city’s decisions.
 

This week, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) introduced another piece of bipartisan legislation in the ongoing efforts to bring down the cost of insulin for patients who need this life-sustaining medication.
 
This is the second bipartisan bill that Smith and Cramer have introduced related to this issue. In June 2019, they introduced the Emergency Access to Insulin Act, which, if passed, would establish state insulin assistance programs to provide a short-term insulin supply for uninsured and underinsured patients. This summer’s legislation would also impose a penalty on insulin manufacturers to hold them accountable for increasing insulin prices beyond inflation. Funds from manufacturers would be used to set up these state insulin assistance programs.
 
Smith and Cramer are still working to get the Emergency Access to Insulin Act passed. Learn more about the bill here.

While working to pass that legislation, Smith and Cramer have proposed a new bill, the Insulin Affordability Data Collection Act.  This bill would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) to conduct a study that examines the impact of the affordability of insulin on individuals who are insulin-dependent. 
 
Under this legislation, ASPE would be required to submit this report to Congress within two years of enactment.
 
WTIP’s Rhonda Silence spoke with Senator Smith on November 14, 2019, World Diabetes Day about this latest legislation.
 
 

Although the Minnesota Department of Transportation Highway 61 construction project—a two-year undertaking—is not even beginning until Spring 2020, it has been in the news a lot recently. 
 
The removal of trees in the highway right-of-way was troubling for many. But local business owners with frontage on Highway 61 are also facing challenges. About a dozen businesses are involved in legal proceedings with MnDOT. 

WTIP reached out to nearly all of them and most are hesitant to speak publicly about their interactions with MnDOT. 
 
However, two local business owners were willing to talk to WTIP. Here’s WTIP’s Rhonda Silence with more.

After reaching out to Highway 61 corridor business owners, Rhonda Silence also reached out to the Minnesota Department of Transportation to try to learn more about the Highway 61 right-of-way acquisition process. Here’s her conversation with Minnesota Department of Transportation Land Management Supervisor John Hinzman regarding local businesses and road easements needed for the Highway 61 project.