New Arrivals



Historical Reflections



Do you have an old picture or a story from years gone by that you would like to share with Cook County News-Herald readers? Give us a call, or stop by our Grand Marais office. We’d love to hear your Historical Reflections. Call (218) 387-9100; e-mail starnews@boreal.org; or stop by our office at 15 First Avenue West.

Three small fires in Cook County



With all the concern about the now 100,000-acre Pagami Creek fire near the Lake-Cook county border, two smaller, more manageable fires in Cook County have been almost overlooked. Fortunately these fires have been put out and/or have not grown significantly. On September 8, a fire was reported at Lake Twelve off of the Greenwood Lake Road in Grand Marais. U.S. […]

Forest Service, DNR impose fire restrictions



In light of continued unseasonably warm, dry conditions the Forest Service is restricting campfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Despite the on-again, offagain rain that was falling at press time, there are still concerns about potential wildfires. As of Sept. 12, until further notice, campfires will only be allowed between 6 p.m. and midnight at designated campsites […]

Forest Service updates county board on Pagami Creek fire



Superior National Forest/Gunflint District representative Melissa Grover updated the county board Tuesday, September 13 on the Pagami Creek fire situation. Grover described a number of different fires in the area; some were under control or out. One fire had been started by a powerline. “There’s competition for fire equipment,” she said. Sheriff Mark Falk told the board the area had […]

Legislative trends affecting forest management



With upward trends in the cost of fossil fuels and concerns over carbon levels in the atmosphere, the pursuit of renewable energy is growing in America. Numerous laws have passed or are being considered that would use penalties and incentives to move the nation into greater reliance on more eco-friendly transportation, heat, and power. Some of those laws, such as […]

Down Memory Lane



10 Years Ago · Sept. 17, 2001 The county commissioners voted unanimously last week to levy property owners to the limit imposed by the state of Minnesota. In the past few weeks, the commissioners have considered passing a levy that was more than $370,000 under the state-imposed levy limit for Cook County. But with the Sept. 15 deadline upon them, […]

County to save money by refinancing bonds



Not one objection was made at a September 13 public hearing at the Cook County courthouse to consider refinancing bonds to pay off the cost of the 1996 courthouse addition and construction of the Cook County Law Enforcement Center in Grand Marais. Accountant Carolyn Drude of Ehlers & Associates told the county board she conservatively estimated a savings of $127,000 […]

ORB and county board discuss oversight of library addition



ORB Management, overseeing the Grand Marais Public Library addition on behalf of Cook County, expressed its concern over quality issues raised by County Commissioner Fritz Sobanja by showing up at a special county board meeting on Friday, September 9, 2011. At the meeting were ORB owners Kim Barse and Tom Wachholz as well as Senior Project Manager Wade Cole and […]

Tofte begins work on Birch Grove Community Center skating rink



ORB Management will begin soliciting bids to get the new warming house and skating rink in place this fall at the Birch Grove Community Center, said Tofte Supervisor Allan “D.C.” Olsen at the Tofte Board meeting held September 8. Olsen said the warming house would have two bathrooms and lots of storage space in addition to an area for skaters […]