Aquatic plants provide important habitat



Plants that grow in and under the water are part of our surroundings, whether we are fishing, swimming or just sitting on the shore. A diversity of aquatic habitats makes for healthy lakes, rivers and wetlands that are home to a variety of fish, birds and wildlife. Unfortunately, some people see aquatic plants as problems or weeds. But aquatic plants […]

Conservation Officer Tales



Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few who run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all […]

Sign-up begins for new stewardship program



The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) began a continuous sign-up for the new Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) on Aug. 10 in Minnesota. The first cutoff for ranking purposes is Sept. 30. “The Conservation Stewardship Program changed dramatically in the 2008 Farm Bill,” said spokesman Daniel Weber. “NRCS took the time to develop a program that would […]

Cook County Law Enforcement briefs



It is the policy of the Cook County News-Herald to withhold the identities of individuals in Cook County Law Enforcement briefs. When court proceedings are complete, the Cook County News-Herald publishes a complete accounting of names and penalties in its Matters of Record. Friday, July 31 1:45 a.m., Grand Marais: Complaint that Birch Terrace had customers and employees there after […]

Matters of Record



The Cook County News-Herald publishes Matters of Record to inform the public of arraignments and dispositions of criminal cases in which the potential punishment exceeds $100 and/or 10 days in jail. All fines have additional surcharges and fees and may be much higher. It is the Cook County News-Herald’s policy that this information contains a complete record. Requests for items […]

Gitche Gitche Gumee



Petunias and politics



I was thinking about writing about the lovely petunias that are growing in a pot on the deck outside my living room window. They are very pretty and very fragrant. I love when the wind blows the sweet scent into the house. It’s a relaxing and reassuring sensation— the perfect antidote to the aggravation of politics— local and national. On […]

The Power of Small Things



On April 13, 1901, Professor Wilhelm Ostwald of the University of Leipzig received a letter that read: “Esteemed Herr Professor! Please forgive a father who is so bold as to turn to you in the interest of his son. I shall start by telling you that my son is 22 years old, that he feels profoundly unhappy with his present […]

Down Memory Lane



10 Years Ago · Aug. 16, 1999 • The prospect of increasing the amount of offhighway vehicle (OHV) trails in Cook County drew a crowd to the Community Center in Grand Marais last Wednesday evening. The preliminary plans on view were the result of a local committee’s work with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Trails and […]

Can a ham sandwich lead you to heaven?



  I was raised by parents who, by example, are really good neighbors. At the drop of a hat I remember them helping out friends and strangers alike. Whether it be a burning house—and there were several as most people heated with wood stoves—or someone facing illness, my mom and dad offered to help out in any way they could. […]