All adult/calf moose collaring stopped in Minnesota
On April 28, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton put the kibosh on the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) plans to capture and collar any more moose this year or for any time in the foreseeable future. “I respect that DNR researchers are trying to understand why our moose population is declining,” said Governor Dayton. “However, their methods of collaring are causing […]
School District 166 preparing for possible staff reductions
Cuts to school staffing are never easy. The School District 166 school board faced a number of difficult staffing decisions at the Thursday, April 23 meeting. In the school board’s information packet were resolutions proposing the reduction of hours for the positions of several teachers. School districts are allowed to place teachers on “unrequested leave of absence,” without pay or […]
County board conflict over county engineer reappointment
Although the county board’s Tuesday, April 28 meeting agenda included “Discussion and possible action regarding County Engineer Appointment,” there was no discussion and very little action, much to the consternation of Commissioner Garry Gamble. The first indication that there was conflict of some kind came in the public comment period at the start of the meeting. Often no citizens come […]
Collaring deaths reduce chance of moose population recovery
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) moose mortality research team is having another tough start this year…actually it’s the moose that are suffering again. Of 32 moose collared in February 2015, five were euthanized by the DNR due to complications arising from capture. Three of the five were cows… two were pregnant, one with twins, one with a single […]
Support safer trapping
Many readers may be unaware that there is an excellent bill coming up for vote in the Minnesota House and Senate that would make trapping far safer for dogs. This bill (House File 1655 and Senate File 1325) would place reasonable and effective limits on bodygrip style killing traps, and is officially endorsed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. […]
Forest Service money better spent on trails
I’d like to take this opportunity on behalf of Conservationists with Common Sense (CWCS) to thank Martin Kubik for his letter to the Ely Echo and Cook County News Herald. His acknowledgement of the frivolous lawsuit to stop the construction of a snowmobile trail outside of the Boundary Waters by Northeastern Minnesota for Wilderness, the Izaak Walton League, Wilderness Watch […]
Bring back Pony Express
Phones at the Cook County News-Herald have been ringing off the hook this week as readers from all ends of the county have been calling asking why they haven’t received the latest issue. We’ve had frustrated subscribers stopping by the office, asking what has happened to the Saturday delivery of the paper. While we are delighted that readers are eager […]
Emergency responders put to the test
A car-propane truck crash, a water rescue and a hostile incident at the local school all took place nearly simultaneously last weekend. Local emergency responders were put to the test in these dramatic situations, which fortunately were just training at the 26th annual Cook County Emergency Services Conference on Friday – Saturday, April 24-25. Crisis at Cook County Middle School […]
