County board endorses Indigenous Peoples’ Day



Before entering the courthouse for a special meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners on Monday, October 12, about 25 people gathered on the courthouse lawn to listen to the drum song of the Stonebridge Singers. The young men of the drum group, their mentors and supportive community members stood in a light rain to make a statement about […]

County hears complaints about ATV signs



How many road signs are enough? And, how many are too many? That was a major topic of discussion at the Cook County Board of Commissioners October 13, 2015 meeting when the new ATV signs posted on the Gunflint Trail brought several dissatisfied citizens to the meeting. Complaints ranged from too many signs, to the height and placement of signs, […]

Public Comment Period open for Tofte Township Plan



If you live in Tofte and have an idea that would help the community become a better place to live, now is your chance for input. For months residents and business owners in Tofte have been meeting with Andy Hubley and Michelle Pierson of the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC) to come up with a long-term document that will help […]

Government inspection of Lake View Natural Dairy argued in court



Although the Berglund family, which operates Lake View Natural Dairy in Grand Marais, has better things to do than sit in the Cook County courthouse, that is exactly what they were doing for more than two hours on Tuesday, October 13, 2015, as their right to operate their small dairy without government inspection was argued before Sixth District Judge Michael […]

Student input admirable



I was wrong. The school board with admirable student input has proved the perfect vehicle to lead the county to turn Columbus Day into a cause of social justice. It seems time we replace old curriculum with higher values found recognizing indigenous identity. Harry DrabikHovland

Elected officials show lack of judgment



The Grand Portage tribe donates to the community in countless ways from financial support for fireworks for Whiteman’s celebrations to financial support to bring school sports to WTIP airwaves. Whether you support Indigenous Day or not, what the Grand Portage children asked of the community was small and cost nothing. The response by three commissioners, and the aftermath is unacceptable […]

School working to keep up with technology



Do you remember when you needed information for your history assignment only to find all the books on the subject were signed out of the library? For the past 26 years I’ve been working in the ISD166 libraries, and I remember disappointed faces when we didn’t have a book about skidders or St. Bernard dogs or some other student passion. […]

City storage facility could be part of Cedar Grove Business Park



I read in disbelief the headline stating the City OKs purchase for West Highway 61 property. The city already owns the Cedar Grove Business Park! It owns close to 30 lots. Surely one or two of those would work as a storage facility location. What were the city councilors thinking? Or were they? The city says about its Cedar Grove […]

Rec Park rate increase may drive off summer residents



Just a few words about the proposed rate hike for the Rec Park. Indeed the sites with a lake view along South 8th Street are nice, but the nice view comes with issues. Foremost is the traffic along South 8th. This is more like an industrial park area rather than a quiet RV park. The 10 mph speed limit is […]

Get registered!




This week—possibly on the same day that this issue of the Cook County News- Herald hits mailboxes—ballots for the November 3 general election will appear. On Election Day, the first Tuesday of November, we have the chance to vote on a single issue, on whether School District 166 should increase its levy from $437.09 per pupil to $1,276 per pupil […]