Boreal Access

Cook County Higher Education Director Paula Sundet returned to the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) on September 30, following up on her organization’s request to purchase the former First Baptist Church building. Sundet said Higher Ed was still unable to make a firm financial commitment for purchase of the building, because questions of what was to be removed from the building had slowed things down. Sundet also said Higher Ed’s funding source, the USDA, may not make funds available immediately. She asked if the EDA would consider a lease with an option to buy. EDA Director Geretschlaeger suggested that the EDA consider a two-year lease for a payment amount high enough to cover the EDA’s costs of owning the building, approximately $1,300 in interest plus insurance and utility costs. The Higher Ed attorney will draft a lease agreement, which EDA attorney Mike Hero will review. If the lease agreement is acceptable, the board will approve it at the October 14 meeting.

It was business as usual for customers at the Schroeder Baking Company on Saturday, October 4, despite the fact that the bakery had been broken into some time during the night. Customers enjoyed coffee and baked goods, unaware that the owner’s day had started with the discovery of a shattered pane of glass on the entry door. The only evidence of a problem was one window panel covered with cardboard. Owner Kathy Lawrence called Cook County Law Enforcement at 5:59 a.m. reporting that it appeared as though someone had tried to break in. One pane of glass in the door was shattered. Deputy Pat Eliasen arrived and found that the door had apparently been smashed with a rock. Money was taken from the till and from a pop machine inside the building.

The incident is being investigated and anyone who may have information on the burglary is asked to contact Cook County Law Enforcement at (218) 387-3030.

The Northern Light Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, number 292, which has been active for over 80 years, voted at its September meeting to consolidate with its “mother chapter,” in Two Harbors, the Emera Chapter, number 160. Emera has invited Northern Light members to a special meeting on October 11 for a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. to be followed by a meeting on the consolidation. Local members may contact Eleanor Sjoberg at (218) 387-1401 or Lou at (218) 387-2415 to offer rides or get a ride. Participants will leave from the Masonic Temple in Grand Marais by 10:30 a.m.

The Colvill Volunteer Fire Department, recognizing that pets are part of the family, has obtained equipment that could save a beloved animal’s life. SurgiVet Animal Oxygen Recovery Masks can be used to resuscitate a variety of animals—from parakeets and poodles to lizards and Labradors.

If the animal has a chance at life, the Colvill Fire Department wants to be ready. The oxygen masks are inexpensive to have on hand. The masks connect with tubing to the same oxygen tanks used for humans, so there is no additional cost. The Colvill Fire Department was able to purchase a set of three masks (small, medium and large) for $60. The reusable masks have a rubber gasket that forms a tight seal around the animal’s snout and provides life-saving oxygen.

“We’ll try the masks on any muzzle or snout that fits—dogs, cats, snakes, lizards, birds—we want to save these important members of the family,” said McFarlane.

The animal oxygen masks are an initiative of HELP Animals, Inc. of Orange City, FL. More information can be found at www.helpanimalsinc.org or by calling McFarlane at (218) 387-9404.

The park board is preparing to conduct a long range planning effort with help of a professional consultant over the next six months. Grand Marais Park Manager Dave Tersteeg says he’s looking forward to the upcoming public process.

“We got a grant through the Minnesota Costal Program to hire a planner. We’ve gone through the public process to select the planner and we’ve chosen Carduus Consulting out of Duluth. The principal down there is Bob Bruce and he is an excellent professional planner,” said Tersteeg.

An initial meeting is planed for Oct. 22 to define the scope of the visioning process. Tersteeg comments, “We hope to focus on the Rec Park, and we are really hoping to engage the public—the citizens of Grand Marais and the visitors—you know, everyone should get involved that cares about the park.”

The search for two Duluth hikers lost in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness came to a successful conclusion about 3:15 Thursday afternoon when they were found on the north shore of Glee Lake in Cook County.

Marie Jacenko, age 42, and Grace Knezevich, age 23, were located by a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

Float planes from the Superior National Forest and a helicopter from the United States Border Patrol also assisted in the search. Personnel from the Cook and Lake County Sheriffs’ Departments and federal rangers were involved in the ground search.

The pair set out to hike the Kekakabic Trail at Snowbank Lake near Ely on Friday, Oct. 3 and planned to be picked up on the Gunflint Trail on Monday, Oct. 6. However, they did not make it to the Gunflint and were reported missing Tuesday morning. The Kekakabic Trail has 31 miles in Lake County and nine in Cook County. It is known as one of the most rugged trails in the Arrowhead and its difficulty was increased by the 1999 blow-down and the Ham Lake Fire.
 

This afternoon, October 9, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office announced that the two women presumably lost while hiking the Kekakabic Trail have been found. At approximately 3:15 p.m., two females were located on the north side of Glee Lake in Cook County by a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter. At 3:40 p.m. it was confirmed that the females were Maria Jacenko, 42, and Grace Knezevich, 23, of Duluth, who had been missing since Monday.
The women were reported as missing when the Cook County Sheriff’s Office received a call on October 7, 2008  at 11:01 a.m. requesting help in locating two overdue female hikers on the Kekakabic Trail.
The two women left Ely on Friday, October 3, intending to hike the Kekakabic Trail from Ely to the Gunflint Trail.  Arrangements had been made for the women to be picked up at the Gunflint Trail on Monday, October 6, at 5:00 p.m.
The woman, who appeared healthy, were taken out of the Boundary Waters via MN State Patrol helicopter to Ely, MN.