Sawbill Canoe Outfitters faces Pagami Creek fire threat



Although the Pagami Creek fire never crossed the Lake-Cook County border, it came close and precautions were taken in case it did spread to Cook County. Several roads were closed to vehicles as well as Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) entry points, portages, and remote campsites in the Superior National Forest within Cook County. At press time there are […]

Forest Service updates county on Pagami Creek fire



Three U.S. Forest Service employees updated the Cook County board about the condition of the Pagami Creek fire on September 20, 2011. The fire, first sighted on August 18, was believed to have been started by lightning in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) about 14 miles from Ely. Wally Bennett of the Northern Rockies Type I (“hotshot”) unit […]

District ranger weighs in on South Fowl snowmobile access



The final word on a snowmobile route connecting McFarland and South Fowl lakes is still unknown, but Superior National Forest District Ranger Dennis Neitzke has registered his decision on the matter in the latest Environmental Impact Statement. It’s the same decision he handed down in 2006 before the original environmental analysis was appealed in court. The old Tilbury Trail route […]

Council OKs two more rain gardens



Grand Marais city councilors voted 4-1 Sept. 14 to pursue funding for the construction of two more rain gardens. Kerrie Fabius, district manager for the Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District, presented council with plans for the new gardens, both of which are in city rightsof way, and both of which will be cared for by neighboring property owners. […]

Cartoon



Wanting moveable walls




In this issue of the Cook County News-Herald, you will find our special Fall Home Improvement insert. We always have fun putting this special supplement together, starting with trying to decide what to write about. Since there is a limited amount of room, there is hearty competition over what stories will run. We are always amazed at how much is […]

Dogs should be kept under control



People should keep mean dogs in a yard. Every time we visit Caribou Lake the mean dogs chase me and bark and push me off my bike and run after me. And they bark all the time and chase me when I walk my dog and try to bite me. Anna AndersonAge 7St. Paul

Forest Service “let it burn” policy must change



The utter foolishness of federal policies regarding forest fires is shown for all to see during the current BWCAW fire. When the fire started weeks ago no measures were taken to extinguish it despite the dry summer that we are experiencing. Now we are seeing the mammoth undertaking under way, at great cost, to finally put the fire out before […]

Concerned citizens offer suggestions on pool



There has been a lot of discussion about what the 1% sales tax can and cannot be used for. Myth # 1: The sales tax cannot fund a stand alone pool. This is false. Myth # 2: The sales tax cannot be used to repair, upgrade or add on to an existing building. This is false. Myth # 3: The […]

Baby arrives early for Tofte couple



Cook County emergency responders almost had the opportunity to deliver a baby on Tuesday, September 13, but the baby’s unexpected arrival happened before they could even respond. At 3:50 p.m., Cook County law enforcement dispatchers received a call from Alex Jerabek of Tofte reporting that his girlfriend, Katie Wright, had just delivered a baby boy at their residence. Jerabek reported […]