In the middle of the driest, warmest spring in recent memory, the Cook County High School track team had its first outdoor track meet of the season at the 10-team Hermantown Invitational on Friday, April 30. Of course, it was rainy, windy, and foggy with a threat of thunderstorms—we were hoping on the way down they wouldn’t cancel the meet […]
McGregor and Ely edge out Vikings in final innings
The Cook County baseball team lost two closely contested games this past week. On Tuesday, April 27, the Vikings lost a tough one-run game at home in the final inning to the McGregor Mercs, 10-9. On Saturday, May 1, Cook County traveled to Ely and lost 10-7 in a contest where the Timberwolves rallied for four runs in the sixth […]
Vikings lose to McGregor
The Cook County softball team lost a tough home game last week against the McGregor Mercs, 10-6. The Vikings are now 2-7 on the season and have a daunting week ahead of them filled with five games in six days. McGregor scored three runs in the top of the first when two hits combined with a walk and a Viking […]
Fishing opener looks good
Flights of fantasy will soon become reality for Minnesota walleye fishermenA warm, dry spring has been bad for forests but good for walleyes, noted local Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries expert Steve Persons. And on May 15, Cook County lakes should be flooded with fishermen wielding rod and reel, hoping to load their limits into creels and fish tanks on the opener. “Thisis probably going to be one […]
Can big fish be caught in Cook County?
With the fishing opener right around the corner, fishermen start to dream of the “big one that didn’t get away.” The following is proof that a few fishermen’s dreams have come true. Anglers plying Cook County lakes and streams have set some of Minnesota’s best fishing records. Maybe this will be your year to land a fish in the record […]
Spring fishing openers
The rain gauges are not showing any impressive numbers on the Trail, even though it looks like it is about to unleash on us every day. We have had a lot of intermittent showers that just are not accumulating any significant amounts. Lightning has not started any fires that I know of but the true test will be the beginning […]
Cold water increases drowning risk
With the walleye and northern fishing season opening on May 15, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds anglers that even on a warm day in the boat, water temperatures can hover in the low 50s. A 2007 report by the U.S. Coast Guard stated that a boating accident is five times more likely to be fatal if the […]
Another successful Ham Run
The2010 Ham Run Half Marathon was held under mostly sunny skies on Sunday, May 2. There were 120 runners on the “Trail less traveled”—46 men and 74 women. The temperatures held at around the mid-50s, keeping racers cool as they covered the scenic 13.1-mile trek. The Ham Run 5K also saw good participation with 47 finishers—22 men, 25 women. The […]
In your watershed: Habitat = Fish = Fishing Fun
People who like fishing should also like natural shores and vegetated shallow areas in lakes and rivers. Why? Because good fish habitat means more fish. Most fish, at some stages in their lives, are dependent on shoreline and shallow water habitat. Rock and gravel bottoms in lakes and rivers are spawning areas for many game fish, like walleye. They also […]
Lives Remembered
Orel Duane Benson, 90, of Harmony, MN died April 27, 2010 at the Harmony Health Care Center. Orel was born January 12, 1920 in rural Harmony to Judson and Lillian (Bartelmey) Benson. He married Irene Rachel Springmire October 9, 1937 in Decorah, Iowa. Orel and Irene farmed near Canton and Harmony until 1956. At that time they moved to Tofte, […]