School superintendent and budget discussions nearing conclusion



Twelve members of the high school choir graced the Cook County Schools – ISD 166 school board with a couple of melodies to open the March 3, 2016 board meeting. The chorus under the direction of instructor Erica Ternes performed The Cloths of Heavens and Candle Blessing. The choral group is preparing for their second appearance in two years at […]

Mock shooter invades hospital



Gunshots rang out in the physical therapy department at Cook County North Shore Hospital in the early morning hours of February 29. Employees of the hospital and the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic took cover anywhere they could find as an armed intruder stalked the hallways. Thankfully, it was all part of a prearranged training session. But what if the horror had […]

County will seek septic compliance



On March 8, Cook County Attorney Molly Hicken told the Board of Commissioners that her office was going to start pursuing action against people who failed to repair or replace their failing septic systems. Hicken said there are about 90 septic systems that were known to be out of compliance in the county, and the county would start with the […]

County hears planning and zoning trends



From January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015, Cook County Office of Planning and Zoning issued 144 land use permits, an increase of 4 percent over 2014, said Cook County’s Land Use Permits and Wetlands Administrator David Demmer to Cook County Commissioners at the Feb. 23 meeting. While that number was considered good, it is nowhere close to the 200 […]

Bakk reintroduces bill for Hedstrom Lumber boiler operation



With no adverse effects or incidents recorded last year, on March 8 Minnesota Senator Tom Bakk reintroduced a bill to allow Hedstom Lumber Company to continue operating its boiler at night without a licensed boiler operator onsite to manually inspect it. Last year, despite criticism from some of the state’s boiler operators, both Bakk and the late Minnesota House Representative […]

High School Choir achieves Highest Rating at state competition



The fledgling Cook County High School Choir rose to new heights on March 8, 2016, as it performed at the Minnesota State High School League’s Section 7A music competition at UMD. For the group’s eight freshmen and one new student, this was a first, and only the second trip to competition for the other five singers. They performed two pieces: […]

Knowledge Bowl working toward state competition



Another great season of Knowledge Bowl is under way. According to Knowledge Bowl Coach April Wahlstrom, the participants are dedicated. She said they meet for practice at 6 a.m. One benefit is that they get to enjoy beautiful sunrises while working their brains! Wahlstrom reports that their hard work has paid off. The Cook County Knowledge Bowl team has once […]

Photos



Late winter encounters



The evening was typical late winter in my household. I lounged on my sofa, Magoo, the pug nestled at my side. My husband rested on his sofa, sharing his space with long-legged Abby, our loveable but flatulent lab/mix. We were engrossed in the History Channel series, The Vikings. King Ragnar’s son strode across a frozen lake, wind and snow whipping […]

Renovations at the Pincushion Trails Inn



The building located a few miles up the Gunflint Trail with hiking and skiing trails right outside the backdoor has been operating as a bed and breakfast for about 30 years. The newest owners, Bob Nesheim and Marlys Johnson are planning to keep up the tradition, and, after closing down for about a year to make some renovations, they are […]