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Child protective placements down; Mesabi Trail opened to snowmobiles between Nashwauk, Keewatin

At last week’s County Board meeting, Family and Children’s Services Division Manager Becky Lauer updated the board for 2019 child and adult protection results. Fewer cases than in the last four years were opened for children (497), but more cases for adults (71). Child protection cases included 1,030 children, and 12 percent were placed out of the home. Of those, over half were due to parental drug use which is about average, according to Lauer. Other reasons included neglect, family conflict, physical abuse or domestic violence and abandonment. About half of the families were living in Grand Rapids, Cohasset and Warba; about a third in eastern Itasca County cities and the remainder in Deer River, Talmoon, Northome and Bigfork.

Commissioner Terry Snyder inquired about the county’s readiness for the March Presidential Primary as some staff who presided over elections have retired. Chief Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Deb Davis reviewed the preparations for the board.

PolyMet to ask for Supreme Court review

of appellate court decision

Poly Met Mining will ask the Minnesota Supreme Court to overturn a state Court of Appeals decision remanding the company’s permit to mine and dam safety permits to the Department of Natural Resources for a contested case hearing.

“The issues raised by the court of appeals’ decision are, of course, important to our project, but equally, they have far reaching impact to the State of Minnesota and to any future project that seeks permits from the state,” said Jon Cherry, president and CEO, in a Thursday announcement. “The potential negative consequences of the decision to any industry or business in the state, and the many Iron Range communities and workers who stand to benefit economically from responsible copper-nickel mining, warrant the Minnesota Supreme Court’s attention.”

Jail Committee narrows options to two, sets public meeting schedule

During the fourth meeting of the Itasca County Jail Committee, commissioners discussed ways to advertise outreach town hall meetings, a survey for the public and two conceptual remodeling options that had been refined on request.

Outreach:

Dates and locations for public meetings arranged by commissioners will be advertised in the Scenic Range NewsForum, Hibbing Daily Tribune, Herald Review and Manney’s Shopper. News releases will also be submitted to other area outlets including radio.

Bovey Police Chief recognized for life-saving actions

At last week’s Bovey City Council Meeting, Bovey Police Chief Bill Hollom was met with a hero’s welcome after saving the life of a citizen. Paramedic Elisa Hughes of MEDS-1 Ambulance was at the meeting to give Chief Hollum a wall plaque as an award from MEDS-1 to honor his life-saving actions.

Hughes described the event where Chief Hollom responded to an emergency call and found the victim of cardiac arrest who initially appeared deceased. Hollom performed a field assessment for vital signs and found a very faint pulse. At that point Chief Hollom initiated Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and continued to perform the CPR until paramedics arrived on the scene. The victim was saved and Mayor Bob Stein commended MEDS-1 Ambulance for their service to the community.

Nashwauk Winter Festival

Pet of the week

Pretty little Jewel had six kittens three months ago. Her babies have all been adopted, but she is left all alone waiting for a family of her own. Jewel is a beautiful lady who is calm, friendly and sweet. She raised her babies well, now It’s her turn to find happily ever after. Is there room in your heart and home for this precious gem?

Precious Paws Humane Society, located at 101 First Avenue SW in Chisholm (across from Jubilee Foods), is a no-kill shelter staffed entirely by volunteers. We serve the communities of Chisholm, Nashwauk and Keewatin. We may reached via telephone at 218-254-3300, or email: preciouspaws2011@hotmail.com. Please call ahead for hours of operation. Check out current adoptees on the Facebook page.