Plans reversed on Honking Tree | Lake County News Chronicle | Two Harbors, Minnesota
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Plans reversed on Honking Tree | Lake County News Chronicle | Two Harbors, Minnesota
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Board Considering 4 Day Week for Schools
“Benefits for the School in General:There are savings on utility bills, substitute teacher pay, school buses and building wear and tear. School days missed due to inclement weather can be more easily made up.” There’s no doubt that this change will save money. From a financial standpoint it seems like a great idea. Fewer miles on buses, fewer meals to prepare, less days to keep the buildings warmer, etc. As far as how students cope with a slightly extended day, there are many studies that say there is really no net effect on student outcomes. But, consider some other people. Some of the savings come from reducing paychecks. Many hourly staff will see reduced hours. Bus drivers, kitchen employees and custodial staff come to mind right away. What about office staff? 4 day weeks for them too? Most of the school nursing staff are hourly employees. Reducing to a 4 day week will cause some pain for these folks. What about teaching and administrative staff? As I understand it, the school day will be extended by about 35 minutes. That is 2 hours and 20 minutes over 4 days. With the 5th day being cut, that represents a workweek for teaching staff that is perhaps 6 hours shorter. That’s a guess, but you get the point. I know the teachers agreed to a 2 year wage freeze, something that wasn’t easy for them either. Will the District ask for other concessions from the teachers? I would bet that there are many hourly employees who would love to have the option of agreeing to a 2 year wage freeze if they could continue to be paid for same number of hours whether they work them or not. I don’t have any magical answers to the challenges of school finance. I am merely pointing out that there are many more things to consider than first meet the eye. 
The School Board is working on funding for the District. There is good information in the most recent issue of “Good News”
Lake County is Unhealthy?
A study released today says Lake County, with a population of about 10,600, is the unhealthiest county in Minnesota. Link to full article in Duluth News Tribune
I appreciate that Paul Bergman picked up on the fact that Lake County ranks 16th in Health Factors. Dennis Henkel made some good observations about the data as well.
This study, like many, is good for a few headlines, but on closer inspection there is much to cause a person to reconsider the rather sensational headlines they generate.
Old Sleds
I paid a brief visit to the Winter Frolic festivities down on First Avenue today. The City crews hauled in a bunch of snow and the 600 block was closed to all except snowmobile and foot traffic. It was nice to see some of those old snowmobiles. Some of those brands have been gone for years. Sno-Jet, Rupp, Johnson Ski-Horse were a few of the oldies. Some of the other brands like Ski-doo, Polaris and Artic Cat are still around, but they sure look different now. I spotted the really nice Scorpion (photo) and was transported back in time. Our family had one of these, but the hood had been painted an odd metallic green color. Same type of sled though, no doubt about it.
Split Rock Lighthouse Preservation
Split Rock Lighthouse
There is a nice little blurb in the Duluth news today about preservation work done at Split Rock Lighthouse by Collaborative Design Group of Two Harbors. A Google search does not turn up a company by this name in Two Harbors. I did find a link to the work done by the Collaborative Design Group on Split Rock Lighthouse, but it leads to their Twin Cities location. I wonder if there is a Two Harbors branch that does not have a web presence? Maybe there’s more info in the Split Rock Lighthouse Weblog. Lee Radzak does an awesome job with it.
Under new ownership, Lake View expects few health care changes | Lake County News Chronicle | Two Harbors, Minnesota
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Blackwoods was a good choice
Thursday evening, my wife and I decided to eat at Blackwoods. We love the pasta there, even though the price seems a little on the high side. After looking at the menu for a while, I found myself gravitating more toward eating some real meat. I ordered a 10 oz. ribeye steak, medium rare. I was really pleased with it. The steak was not thick, but it was done perfectly and the BBQ sauce was really good. Price was $15.95 (I think) which felt like a bargain, especially considering that most of the pasta dishes are $13.95.
The TripAdvisor website has some Blackwood’s reviews too.
FirstSolutions Plans Local Layoffs
FirstSolutions announced several months ago that FirstPlan of Minnesota would cease operations at the end of 2009. The company’s headquarters in Canal Park began reducing staff a year or more ago and the trend continues there. (more…)
How much is too much?
The Lake County News Chronicle, or some person or persons associated with it or supportive of it, have reportedly sent a few complaining emails to TwoHarborsNews.com over the last few days. I haven’t verified this information, but it sounds familiar. 1/9/2010: Update/Clarification: The information in the first sentence came from a post on the Two Harbors News facebook page stating that they had received “nasty emails from ‘family members’ of the Chronicle.” Per Mike Creger (LCNC Editor), no one from the Chronicle sent any emails. Mike acknowledges that they have had some issues with that site, (more…)
Stocking Fish
The DNR has announced that they will be reducing operations at the French River Hatchery. hatchery. source I’m not much of a fisherman, so I don’t usually pay much attention to this, but I was surprised at the number of Kamloops that are stocked in Lake Superior each year. Approximately 92,500. That sounds like alot. It started me thinking about the ethics and value of stocking fish like this. (more…)