North Shore News Hour

There was a meeting of the Grand Marais City Council on Wednesday, Nov. 15. WTIP's Rhonda Silence checks in with the mayor of Grand Marais and shares this report. 

WTIP's Rhonda Silence took to the streets of Grand Marais to talk to people about their favorite Thanksgiving tradition, past or present. Thanks to Kimberly, Meadow, Jacob, Harry, Tyson, Wes, Denise, Lynn, Anson, Kathy Ann and Autum for talking to our "roving reporter." 

And thanks to all our listeners. Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! 

The Cook County High School Alpine ski team is off to a great start on the 2018-2019 season. They started with dryland training, hiking hills and building strength. Lutsen Mountains is now open so practice is now taking place on the snow. 

There are 15 skiers on the team, with a number of returning skiers, including last year's state Alpine meet participants, Sela Backstrom and Riley Wahlers. 

The racers are looking forward to the first meet, which will be held on KooKoo at Lutsen Mountains on Friday, December 14. 

WTIP's Rhonda Silence talks to Alpine Coach Charles Lamb to find out how things are looking as the season starts. 

Photo: The 2018-2019 Alpine ski team pauses for a photo. (L-R, front) Elsa Lunde, Reilly Wahlers, Halle Lamb, Cy Oberholtzer.(L-R, back)  Coach Charles Lamb, Sela Backstrom, Weston Hereen, Elijah Blanck, Ben Obinger, Andrew Hallberg, Kalina Dimitrova, Ray Dressely. (Not pictured - Hazel Oberholtzer, Emma Sexauer, Will Surbaugh) Photo courtesy of the team

WTIP has recognized that a lack of childcare in the community is causing concern locally and regionally. We talked to Bill Hansen, a community leader and board member of the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, when we started this series focusing on childcare.

Now we’re checking in with Hansen again, after his attendance at a presentation regarding the childcare issue in the entire northland.

Hansen fills us in on the release of a study about childcare in the region put together by the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, the Minnesota Iron Range Resources Board, Blandin Foundation and the Northland Foundation.

This is part 1 of our discussion with Hansen, who attended that presentation on the study on October 25. Here’s Rhonda Silence with what he had to say about the need for the study, the methodology used to collect the information…and a little about possible solutions to this childcare crunch.
 

Beaver are an iconic Northland species. They are industrious and interesting to watch. However, they can cause problems in urban areas – such as scenic downtown Grand Marais.

After a large maple tree along the entrance to the Grand Marais Recreation Area was taken down by the local beaver population in October, WTIP talked to Grand Marais Parks Manager Dave Tersteeg.

 Apparently, because the trees that the beaver prefer have been caged to protect them from knawing, the beaver are now going after trees like that maple, as well as an apple tree and other trees across Highway 61.

Although the Grand Marais Parks Department recognizes this problem, it is reluctant to have the beaver trapped and killed. At the latest Grand Marais City Council meeting, Councilor Kelly Swearingen said something needs to be done.

City Administrator Mike Roth said the city doesn’t know where to turn. That led to an in-depth council conversation, with Grand Marais Mayor Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux and Councilor Anton Moody also weighing in.

No one wants to kill the beavers, but there seemed to be consensus that something must be done. City councilors asked Administrator Roth to research options for non-lethal removal of the beaver in the Grand Marais harbor area.

Rhonda Silence shares this report of the city council’s discussion.
 
 

WTIP periodically checks in with Superintendent Dr. Bill Crandall about activities at  School District 166. WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Dr. Crandall after the last school board meeting on Thursday, November 15 about renovations at the school;  some staff changes; and about the upcoming "Common Ground Summit" at the school. 

Members of the public who want to see the renovations that have been talked about for the last few months, will have the chance at an Open House on Friday, December 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. 

And community members who would like to give input on what they would like to see at the Common Ground Summit can take a survey on the school's website. Find the survey here. 
 
 

School District 166 has been in the news in recent days, as a civil lawsuit was filed against the district by a student alleging that he was unfairly suspended after being accused of sexual misconduct by several female students.

According to WDIO-TV, which obtained several letters included in the court documents, the school district began its investigation in mid-October 2018 and ultimately concluded that the student allegedly forced a female student to have sex with him. There are also allegations from more than one other female student of other unwelcome acts. All of the allegations are from incidents that took place off of the school grounds.

The documents obtained by WDIO-TV show that the student declined the opportunity to respond to those allegations in an interview with an independent investigator working with the school district. However, in a written statement, the student said, in part, “I maintain that I have not engaged in any sexual misconduct and have not violated school policy.”

The student was suspended for 10 days with the school district stating that he had violated the district’s harassment and violence policy. He was also suspended from participating in football for the remainder of the season.

According to WDIO-TV, the lawsuit alleges negligence on the school’s part and that the suspension process was unfair. It also alleges that the student was suspended in part because the district was under pressure of losing federal funds under Title 9.
The lawsuit asked for a minimum of $75,000 and a jury trial.

On November 12, WDIO reported that the lawsuit against the school district had been dismissed. A court document filed November 9 says all of the student’s claims “have been fully compromised and settled.”

Details of the settlement are not disclosed in the court filing.

WTIP contacted Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen to ask if any criminal charges had been filed. Sheriff Eliasen said he could not discuss the matter, but said, “There is an open investigation involving criminal sexual conduct involving a juvenile.”

WTIP's Rhonda Silence reached out to School District 166 Superintendent Dr. Bill Crandall to learn more. Here's that conversation:

Veterans Day 2018 was observed in two special ceremonies on Monday, November 12. The day started in Grand Portage, at American Legion Post 2019. The Stonebridge Singers started the day with first a welcome drum song, followed by an honor song for veterans.

Legion Post 2019 Commander Orlando Swader was the keynote speaker who spoke about remembrance, sharing the historic poem, In Flanders Field by John McCrae. He thanked all veterans for their service, those who have passed and those serving today.

Grand Portage Veterans Services Officer Clarence Everson gave a brief video presentation with music and poignant photos of service men and women around the world. The video included statements from the top military officials at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. honoring veterans on this special day.

The event ended with a time for friendship and fellowship over a luncheon prepared by the Grand Portage Legion Auxilliary.

Many local veterans also attended the Veterans Day Concert at School District 166.

That event featured the Cook County High School Choir and Band. Continuing the remembrance theme of Orlando Swader's speech, the choir performed a song, based on the poem In Flanders Field. 

Bob Carter, an Army medic who served in Vietnam, was the speaker. Carter gave a meaningful speech, sharing a wish made by President John F. Kennedy in the 1960s—that there be no need for veterans; that there be peace in the world.

Carter also expressed thanks to the American Legion Post 413 Honor Guard, which started the ceremony with the presentation of the flags, and all of the veterans at the event. He said as years have passed, he has become more and more thankful with the bond with “his brothers and sisters” of the service.

The event ended with a lovely echoing version of Taps, performed by Jack Willis (pictured in slideshow) and Jonah Schmidt.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence was at the ceremonies and she shares this report.

Although Veterans Day observances are traditionally held on the 11th day of the 11th month, local ceremonies are being held on Monday, November 12.
 
There are multiple events happening in Cook County in observation of Veterans Day.

The day starts in Grand Portage with a Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, November 12 beginning at 10:30 a.m. with traditional drum song with the Stone Bridge Singers. There will be a brief presentation and a moment of silence at 11 a.m.
 
Following the ceremony, the Grand Portage Legion Auxiliary will provide light refreshments.
 
The Grand Portage event is at Grand Portage Legion Post 2009 at 8495 East Highway 61 (mile marker 146).

Also on Monday, November 12, Cook County School District 166 will be hosting a Veterans Day concert at 2 p.m. The band and choir will be performing musical pieces to honor our military, past and present. Students are assembling a slideshow of photos of veterans in their families.

Throughout the day Monday, Gene’s Foods, 431 Highway 61 in Grand Marais, is offering a free soup and sandwich to all military members in recognition of their service. 

The American Legion Post 413 and the Post 413 Auxiliary will be hosting a Veterans Day Dinner from 4-6 p.m. on Monday at Grandma Ray's. The meal is free for veterans.

At this annual event, the Legion Auxiliary is accepting clean, gently used clothing and other items at Grandma Ray's. Clothing, towels, sleeping bags, coats, boots,...are being collected for homeless veterans.  All items will be driven to a distribution center to be organized and then provided to homeless vets.

Also of note, Grand Marais Public Library will be closed Monday for Veterans Day.
 

The Minnesota Department of Transportation held an Open House on Wednesday, November 7 at Grand Marais City Hall. It was standing room only in the council room as about 60 community members gathered to hear the latest on the plans for reconstruction of Highway 61 as it runs through the city.

Brad Scott of LHB Engineering gave an overview of the project, reminding the public that this process began in February 2016.
Michael Kalnbach of MnDOT gave a presentation of the plan, explaining the two-stage process starting in 2019 on the outskirts of Grand Marais and then continuing in 2020 in the heart of Grand Marais.

Kalnbach described the detours and traffic control measures that would be in place throughout the process. He shared photos of just what visitors and community members can expect to see as the project advances, such as the 10-foot deep trench that will be cut for utility work and when the contaminated soils are removed from the Cobblestone Building and Harbor Inn area.

The agenda for the meeting called for one-on-one discussion following the presentation, however members of the public said they would like to hear questions from others, so MnDOT and LHB answered questions from the audience for about an hour before breaking into smaller discussion groups.

There were questions about traffic control about specific intersections; about MnDOT’s work at Fall River where a bridge is being built on the Gitchi Gami Bike Trail; about access to businesses; and about future snow removal in the city. Concerns were expressed about parking during the project.

Grand Marais resident Dick Powell asked if MnDOT would help repair the roads that were to be used as detours, such as the road he lives on, County Road 7.

Although officials have said the highway design has been finalized, public comment forms were available for the public, with MnDOT asking for feedback on suggestions for minimizing disruption to the community during the construction project.

Anwers to questions and other information will be posted to the MnDOT Highway 61 project website.

WTIP was at the meeting and Rhonda Silence shares this report.