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Hill Annex Mine and Surrounding Area: Part 2
Last week here on the Years of Yore page some of the history of the Hill Annex Mine and the area around it was shared with readers. Today we will continue that story. The Hill Annex Mine, which ceased production in 1978, then served as a wonderful site for locals and tourists to learn about mining. It became a Minnesota State Park in 1988 and in 1991 it was transferred to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The legislation which established the park made clear...
Religious differences
Religious differences have contributed to war and civil strife throughout recorded history. Scholars estimate that in the last century, over 25 million Christians alone died from secular antireligious violence worldwide. For that reason, our Founders’ vision that government stay out of religion is ingenious. Thomas Jefferson referred to the First Amendment as creating a “wall of separation” between church and state. This separation is the bright line between democracy and theocracy, and foundational to our national identity. Those clamoring to retain the Ten Commandments in the Itasca County jail and imploring our Grand Rapids City councilors to follow “Christian Law” cannot claim to be patriots. Seeking to impose one’s religious beliefs on another is un-American. Religious freedom was a beacon of our founding. Defenders of democracy in Itasca County will continue to insist on the right all of us – including prisoners – share as Americans: to be free from government interference in our beliefs.
Operation Round Up gives more than $59,000 to community programs
COHASSET — Through the contributions of Lake Country Power’s participating members, the Operation Round Up Electric Trust Board recently approved $59,047 in assistance to local community programs during its quarterly meeting. The cooperative’s Trust Board reviewed and considered 46 grant applications and distributed funds to 41 projects and programs this past quarter. All funds generated through Operation Round Up are set aside in a trust fund. A voluntary Trust Board...
Itasca Blue Lodge Freemasons donate fire suppression tools to GRPD and ICSO
Tuesday June 18, 2024, Itasca Mason Blue Lodge #208 members, Jeff Fortune and Durin Smith, presented fire suppression tools (FST) to the Grand Rapids Police Department and the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office. The three Masonic Lodges in Itasca County are planning a raffle to secure twenty-nine more units for the sheriff department’s first responder squads. A portion of the grant monies have been provided by the Minnesota Masonic Charities (MMC), an umbrella organization that promotes greater levels of philanthropy for critical issues and community service....
Fauchild sworn-in as board tackles dense agenda
Jacob Fauchild took his oath of office as the new Itasca County Attorney at Tuesday’s Itasca County Board meeting, officially filling the position that had been vacant for weeks until Fauchild’s hire. Following the swearing-in, Citizen Input was provided to the commissioners, mostly surrounding last weekend’s Pride event. Local citizens spoke strongly both for and against the heavily attended festival that took place last Sunday at Old Central School. ...
Grace House receives a grant from the Diocese of Duluth
GRACE House of Itasca County recently received a grant from the Diocese of Duluth, Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl grant program. The funding for this grant comes directly from Catholic parishioners in the Diocese of Duluth who participate in the CRS Rice Bowl Project. GRACE House will use these funds to purchase food through the local food bank and to purchase items needed in the preparation of three hot, nutritious meals we serve every day to our guests experiencing homelessness. ...
Itasca County Sports History
1964 June 25, 1964: “Pokegama Plans Tourney Flights” Pokegama country club manager Dave Chalberg predicts 12 flights for the annual Pokegama shortstop Saturday and Sunday. Defending champion Lou Barle is planning to defend his crown and other top contenders will be former club champion Mike Latimer, Bob Johnson of Silver Bay, and Curt Bradford of...
Itasca County students among Minnesota Connections Academy’s class of 2024
Nearly 500 graduating seniors from communities across Minnesota were awarded their high school diplomas as members of Minnesota Connections Academy’s Class of 2024. The tuition-free, public online school recently recognized more than 200 of the graduates during a traditional, in-person commencement ceremony at the Minneapolis Convention Center on June 15th. “The faculty and staff at Minnesota Connections Academy are so proud of this year’s graduates for their hard work and determination to reach this milestone,” said Minnesota Connections Academy principal Brad Swanson. “These students came...
Commissioners tackle a dense agenda through extreme weather Tuesday
At Tuesday’s Itasca County Board work session, the commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Jacob Fauchald as the Itasca County Attorney, effective next Tuesday, June 25. The commissioners moved to fill the vacancy in swift fashion after James Austad withdrew his application last week following strong public pushback. Fauchald was one of the four interviewees who applied to fill former county attorney Matt Adam’s vacancy and the second-highest scorer from the points-based system used by the selection committee in the interview process, which was headed by...
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