Around Cook County
Cook County Sheriff’s Department personnel will participate in an active shooter training with the U.S. Border Patrol at the Cook County courthouse this weekend, April 5-7. Participants will have hands-on training with simulations in the courthouse on Saturday and Sunday of that weekend.
As law enforcement trains for all contingencies, county commissioners continue to wrestle with balancing security concerns with fiscal responsibility as they consider recommendations for security improvements at the courthouse and other county buildings. The recommendations came from a security committee that was formed after the December 2011 courthouse shooting. After working with a consultant, the committee formulated a list of improvements they considered of highest priority.
Recommended were security cameras in the courthouse, Community Center, and Highway Department buildings, duress buttons in all offices and meeting rooms, an intercom system, a keycard access system that would be programmed by computer to allow various levels of access, a walk-through x-ray machine and a metal detector like those at airports, and two full-time entry-level bailiffs to staff the x-ray machine and metal detector during normal courthouse business hours. The total cost of the equipment would be just over $164,117 and the cost of two new employees was calculated at $119,100 a year.
At the March 12, 2013 meeting, the board voted to purchase the recommended equipment except for the x-ray machine and the metal detector. They will discuss purchasing that equipment and hiring the staff to operate it during their regular meeting on April 9.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced this week that there will be several fishing closures in Cook County during the beginning of the 2013 fishing season to protect concentrations of spawning walleye. Closures on Minnesota-Ontario waters are made in cooperation with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and affect both sides of the border.
The following closures took effect April 1:
* Sea Gull River from Sea Gull Lake through Gull Lake to Saganaga Lake approximately 1/3 mile north of the narrows, closed through May 24.
* Saganaga Falls on the Minnesota‑Ontario border where the Granite River enters Saganaga Lake, closed through May 31.
* Maligne River (also known as Northern Light Rapids) on the Ontario side of Saganaga Lake, closed through May 31.
* Channel between Little Gunflint and Little North Lakes on the Minnesota‑Ontario border, closed through May 31.
* Cross River (inlet to Gunflint Lake) from the Gunflint Trail to Gunflint Lake, closed through May 24.
The following areas will be closed to fishing from May 11 through May 24:
* Tait River from White Pine Lake to the Forest Road 340 crossing, including a portion of White Pine Lake.
* Junco Creek from the first log dam above County Road 57 downstream to Devil Track Lake, and including a portion of Devil Track Lake near the river mouth.
Closures apply to fishing only; travel is permitted through these areas. All closed areas will be posted.
The closures are intended to protect concentrations of walleye that may be vulnerable to over-harvest in what is expected to be a year with relatively late ice-out and delayed spawning. Questions can be directed to the DNR fisheries office in Grand Marais at 218-387-3056, or to the Grand Marais area fisheries supervisor, Steve Persons at firstname.lastname@example.org.
Lake Superior dropped two inches in March, a month it usually drops only a half-inch. The Duluth News Tribune reports the International Lake Superior Board of Control made the announcement late Tuesday.
The lake now sits 13 inches below the long-term average for April 1 and 3 inches below the level at this time last year.
The board said water supply to the entire Lake Superior basin was down from usual, even though snowfall in some areas was up.
Lake Superior will begin its annual, seasonal increase in April as ice and snow melt and rains become more frequent. The lake will rise into September and then begin to fall again.
Lakes Michigan and Huron, meanwhile, rose an inch in March, a month the lakes usually rise 2 inches. That’s not good news for shipping and boating interests worried about low water levels, as the lakes now are 27 inches below their long-term average and 15 inches lower than April 1, 2012.
Northland News Center reports Maude Barlow, national Chairperson of the Council of Canadians and chair of Food and Water Watch's board is embarking on a seven-city speaking tour in Canada and the United States in an effort to protect the Great Lakes.
She will be touring regions of the Great Lakes to talk about threats such as low lake levels, pollution, over-extraction, climate change and invasive species. The tour kicks off today in Duluth.
A 15-week experiential, intensive beekeeping course will be offered this spring and summer by staff from Wozupi, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s organic garden, orchard, honey, maple syrup, and organic egg producing enterprise. Open to the public, this course will be held Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon from April through October. The course will cover all phases of beekeeping, including extracting and bottling honey.
The course is designed for those interested in gaining guided, hands-on experience for a season without investing heavily in the initial startup costs. Many backyard beekeepers quit due to lack of experience and know-how after investing in expensive equipment and beekeeping supplies.
Students will be able to learn and observe 20 hives in the tribe’s teaching apiary, while managing their own personal hive with guidance and support from trained SMSC beekeeper Victoria Ranua. Students will provide their own personal gear (veil, hive tool, honey bottles, etc.) while the instructor will provide bees, hives, and honey extracting equipment.
“This is a hands-on course for those who are ready to become successful beekeepers in the backyard or beyond. Participants will manage their own hive with guidance, and we will also have in depth discussions on a number of topics,” said Ranua.
Topics covered in this course will include how to package a new hive; how to split a wintered hive; spring management techniques, disease management, and wintering a hive; and managing honey and extracting/bottling techniques.
The course costs $585 with an additional $50-$200 for supplies, based on participant’s equipment preferences.
The Wozupi Cabin in Prior Lake will host the class on these dates: April 13, 20, and 27; May 4 and 18; June 1, 15, and 29; July 13 and 27; Aug. 10 and 24; Sept. 7 and 28; and Oct. 19. Wozupi is owned and operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.
Don’t miss the 3rd annual Fingerstyle Masters Weekend featuring artist Jim Ohlschmidt. April 12 - 13 at Bluefin Bay Resort in Tofte, MN.
Friday, April 12 - Gordon Thorne & Jim will play a couple of informal sets beginning @ 8 pm
Saturday, April 13 - Fingerstyle Guitar Workshops:
• 10 am - Gordon Thorne will present "Fundamentals of the Form: Getting Started"
• 11 am - Jim Ohlschmidt will present "John Hurt's Country Blues Guitar"
• lunch break
• 1:30 pm - Jim Ohlschmidt will present "Nashville Thumbstyle: a look at players such as Merle Travis, Jerry Reed and Chet Atkins"
• 7:30 pm - Evening Concert featuring Gordon Thorne and Jim Ohlschmidt.
The workshop fee is $50 for all workshops and lunch. To register contact Gordon at email@example.com or 218-353-7308
The concert tickets are $15, available at the door or can be reserved by calling Bluefin @ 218- 663-6200 or Gordon @ 218-353-7308
There are two evening classes to choose from in the clay studio at the Grand Marais Art Colony this spring.
Beginning Clay with Joan Farnam will be held April 4 through May 9 (six Thursdays) from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuition is $115, plus a $25 supply fee.
The class is designed for students with some previous clay experience and beginners alike who will explore all things stoneware. Learn how to make bowls, mugs, vases, and more in this class focused on wheel-throwing. Explore glazing techniques and elements of functional pottery. This class includes 24-hour access to the clay studio during the session.
Beyond Centering: Intermediate Clay by Melissa Wickwire runs from April 23 through May 28 (six Tuesdays) from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuition is $150, plus a $30 supply fee.
Students ready to explore pottery and clay sculpture at an intermediate level will enjoy this class. Basic forms and techniques will be reviewed and experimentation with sculptural elements and creative surface design will be encouraged. Class time will include demonstrations and guided, independent work time, and a variety of relevant artwork will be presented. Bring ideas of specific projects you’d like to create or just practice and explore. This class includes 24-hour access to the clay studio during the session.
Call now to register: (218) 387-2737 or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.org