Since 1919, state law has limited where veterans' memorials funded by county boards could be located, restricting them to courthouse squares, public parks or cemeteries in the county seat.

But legislation that has unanimously passed the Minnesota House calls for expanding potential sites for the memorials.

Sponsored by Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, the legislation was suggested by American Legion Post 199 in Minneota, which has sought to create a memorial outside the Lyon County seat of Marshall with County Board assistance.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where it is sponsored by Sen. Gary Dahms, R-Redwood Falls.

Mark Brunswick @markabrunswick

Grand Marais

Isle Royale visitors might get another travel option

Minnesotans who want to travel to Lake Superior's Isle Royale may soon have an option other than a boat.

The National Park Service is considering authorizing Isle Royale Seaplanes to start air taxi service from Devil Track Lake near Grand Marais to the island in 2017 or 2018. The company already has a contract to fly people in from Houghton County, Mich.

The company now provides up to five flights a day with a maximum of 20 people entering and leaving Isle Royale.

The National Park Service would authorize a one- or two-year trial period from Grand Marais. It would include flight pattern and altitude restrictions, as well as sound monitoring.

Public comments can be submitted through March 17 to Superintendent Phyllis Green, Isle Royale National Park, ISRO Seaplane, 800 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, Mich. 49931-1896 or online at parkplanning.nps.gov/seaplane.

Pam Louwagie @pamlouwagie

Rochester

School board to buy former Globe building

The Rochester school board has agreed to buy the shuttered Globe University/Minnesota School of Business building in northwest Rochester.

The board agreed last week to pay $5.1 million for the 40,500-square-foot building to consolidate up to 16 of its prekindergarten classes, which are now housed in elementary schools.

Closing is scheduled for May 31 and school officials hope to have the building ready by the second semester of the 2017-2018 school year.

The Woodbury-based, for-profit schools were forced to close after a court ruling found they committed fraud in representing their law enforcement program and actions by the U.S. Department of Education that cut off their federal funding.

Last month, the schools were ordered to offer restitution to more than 1,200 students who were defrauded in their criminal justice program.

The schools are operated separately but owned by the same family.

Mark Brunswick @markabrunswick