New Year’s greetings!



The Cook County News-Herald wishes everyone a safe, happy,  and healthy New Year. We hope all your news is good news!  

Grand Portage man dies in house fire



A Grand Portage man, 29-year old Japheth “Jake” Carlson, died in a house fire in Grand Portage on December 28. The fire was reported by a passing motorist who saw flames and turned into the lakeside driveway at 7200 East Highway 61. The reporting party drove to a neighboring residence and called 911, stating that it looked like the point […]

Courthouse shooting suspect dies



Still reeling from the shock of a shooting at the Cook County courthouse and the subsequent arrest of Daniel Sidney Schlienz, 42, Grand Marais, the Grand Marais community received more bad news on Tuesday, December 27. Schlienz, incarcerated at the St. Louis County jail since being arraigned and charged with two counts of premeditated attempted first-degree murder, died at Essentia […]

Courthouse security to be reviewed after shootings



Five days after a shooting at the Cook County courthouse, the county board forged ahead with its regularly scheduled meeting in the Commissioners’ Room Tuesday, December 20, 2011. The courthouse had been closed until 10 a.m. that morning at the conclusion of county staff meetings with an employee assistance team. “We all realize this is going to take a while […]

Tofte identifies potential cell tower site



Shane Begley of Begley Wireless Consulting Service reported to the Tofte Township Board on December 8, 2011 that he was working with Minnesota Towers Inc. on finding a place for a 140- 190-foot communication tower in Tofte. Minnesota Tower would offer the landholder $300-500amonthwitha3percent annual increase. One piece of land that is available is a 3.5-acre triangular piece of property […]

Keeping your cool–

Entertaining 101

I have always enjoyed food and the pleasure it brings to other people. With the exception of zucchini I can’t think of too many foods I do not like. Because I started cooking at an early age (about 10), I expected to receive high praise for everything I made, even if it was just a layered Jell-o mold with whipped […]

McKenzie appointed to Governor’s Task Force on Broadband



In November 2011, Howard Hedstrom, chair of the county’s broadband committee, appeared before the Cook County commissioners to let them know that Danna McKenzie, the county’s information technology director, had been appointed to Governor Mark Dayton’s Task Force on Broadband— one of only 15 people in the state. Hedstrom said, “As chair of the Broadband Commission, I just wanted to […]

County keeping healthy fund balance



Cook County Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers told the county board on December 20, 2011 that Cook County has been in the top 25 percent of Minnesota counties in the amount of money it holds in its unreserved fund balance compared to its total current expenditures. It came in 19th out of 87 counties with a fund balance of 79.9% as of […]

Sawtooth Races postponed to Feb. 18



The North Superior Ski and Run Club officials have decided to postpone the Sawtooth International Cross Country Ski Races due to low snow conditions and poor prospects for additional snow by Dec. 31, the originally scheduled date. The new date will be Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 on the Pincushion Mountain trails. All times and other aspects of the event will […]

Why Weight? returns to GM



Those little numbers on the bathroom scale can affect the way we feel about our bodies, ourselves, and our lives. Why do they seem so powerful? What would happen if we shifted the way we approached food, eating, exercise… everything? Why Weight? is a 12-week program that will move you beyond impossible diets and grueling exercise. It’s a combination of […]