The cement bleachers inside the old Cook County High School gymnasium are gone. Demolition of the west wing of the school complex is in full swing in preparation for the construction of the Cook County Family YMCA. At the December 20 school board meeting, Superintendent Beth Schwarz said she was working hard on maintaining communication with the county’s owner’s rep, […]
Leaky rink at Birch Grove
The new hockey rink at Birch Grove Community Center in Tofte is leaking water, and it’s hard to skate on cement. At the December 13 Tofte Township board meeting, Fire Chief Rich Nelson reported that the fire department crew had delivered at least 23,000 gallons of water to the rink—3,000 gallons a day—but it kept leaking out. “That’s a lot […]
Public presentation brings update on feasibility of biomass energy plant
The many players involved in researching the feasibility of implementing new biomass technology on a large scale in Cook County met with the public on December 11 to review the results of their work so far. Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP) Biomass Coordinator Gary Atwood gave an overview of the first research phase, funded by Cook County. Atwood said […]
PRMB considers next steps
The Poplar River Management Board (PRMB) has done a lot to reduce sediment in the Poplar River since 2005, when landowners adjacent to the river formed the organization in response to the river being listed as impaired. Where to go from here was a question raised at its bi-monthly meeting at Caribou Highlands on December 14. The Poplar River has […]
Wolf was beautiful free spirit
In regards to the photo in the December 22 Cook County News-Herald of a wolf taken during the 2012 wolf trapping season. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sells the life of this beautiful free spirit for $30…I don’t get it! Bob LaMettry Grand Marais
Kindness shown all over town
Yesterday, a small experience reminded me how deeply grateful I am to live in this caring community of “Minnesota Nice” people. My mother is here visiting again, as she often does from her home in Michigan. She is nearly 95, pretty slow moving and hard of hearing, but strongly independent. I have a sneaking suspicion she times her visits in […]
No-service zone should not be serviced by county
A few people brought a petition to the county board to have the Irish Creek Road, the Tom Lake Road and the Powers Lake Road plowed. These roads are State Forest roads. Wilderness Shores is included and that is a private road. The meeting was held in November when none of the summer resident people were here to protest. The […]
Society is failing our children
Regarding the recent talk of gun control due to the terrible shootings in Connecticut. First, when we outlaw guns only the outlaws will have guns. It’s an old saying but one I have always believed. Do I see a need for the public to own assault guns? Absolutely not. But I want to continue to have the right to hunt […]
Damage control on the road
A last minute decision to join my daughter-in-law Michele (“Goosie” to friends and family) led to a trip far more adventurous than expected last week. The 1,450-mile trip happened because my sister Rhodelle and her husband J.R. in Missouri found the perfect puppy for Goosie and my son Ben. They had lost their Australian cattle dog, a blue heeler, Hooly, […]