From Staff Reports by The Cook County News Herald - September 15, 2017

Some shuffling of positions will soon take place in Tofte and Grand Marais at the U.S. Forest Service offices.

The current acting Gunflint District Ranger, Ellen Bogardus- Szymaniak, will soon move to the Tofte Ranger Station where she will take over the position that was last held by Kurt Steele. Steele, his wife Melissa, and their baby boy moved to Idaho to the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest where Steele is now the deputy forest supervisor.

Bogardus-Szymaniak will transfer to Tofte when Michael Crotteau arrives from Oregon. 

Originally from Minnesota, Crotteau will take over the permanent Gunflint Ranger duties. Currently, he serves as forest hydrologist and climate change coordinator in Lakeview, Oregon for the U.S. Forest Service on the 2,252,587- acre Fremont-Winema National Forest.

Much like the 3-million acre Superior National Forest, which is heavy on recreation, the Fremont-Winema National Forest has 2,252,587 acres of forested land that offers hiking, skiing, boating and camping and wildlife viewing.

Crotteau, who is married with two young children, is expected to arrive for work this fall.