School testing can be good practice for life. Think about the last time you took an exam. For me, it was the state boiler operators’ exam required for a two-year license. Over the years, I have taken formal exams to do teaching work, clerical work, and nursing work. Kids in school get a lot of practice taking exams. I am […]
Tofte reelects officers, welcomes Somnis
Tofte supervisors held a busy meeting on April 14, much of reorganizational in nature. Paul James was reelected to the chair position for the coming year while Jeanne Larson will serve as vice chair. In board liaison appointments James was assigned to work with the park and cemetery committees while Larson kept the fire/rescue departments. New board member Sarah Somnis […]
County board approves Septic Ordinance amendment
On April 19 Cook County Planning and Zoning Director Tim Nelson presented the county board with a final Septic Ordinance amendment that should satisfy the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The county has been at odds with MPCA for the last two years over the requirement to find more than one “acceptable” type 1 septic site on buildable lots in […]
Commissioners consider race, routes and roads
County Highway Engineer David Betts came before the county board on Tuesday, April 12 with a special event permit application for the 2016 Le Grand du Nord to be held May 28. “This event will consist of two separate [bicycle] races, a 100-mile route and a 50-mile route,” said Betts. Because the routes use county roads, Betts’ staff and the […]
Local election filing period opens mid-May
The acrimonious presidential election is getting most of the media attention of late, however there are some important local election dates to be aware of that are coming soon. Candidate filing periods for a number of local government boards will be open May 17 – May 31, 2016. In Cook County, citizens will be voting for two county board seats, […]
Icy course for MidWest Extreme Challenge at Lutsen Mountains
On April 15-17, Lutsen Mountains offered the last chance in the MidWest for snowmobilers to test their skills, racing cross country and climbing hills. Racers came from around the region and from Canada to tackle Moose Mountain in Cor PowerSports’ last racing event of the season, the MidWest Extreme Snowmobile Challenge. Fans had a good time in the sunshine relaxing […]
Good Girl Moonshine
Until recently it had been years since I heard about moonshine. In fact, in the TV shows I watched as a kid, moonshine was the running joke. Remember Granny in The Beverly Hillbillies? She was great in touting her “medicine” in a jug marked XXX. Granny joked that her rheumatism medicine didn’t actually cure the aches and pains, “but it […]
Snacks for Packs quietly helps fight hunger
The recent Easter Egg Hunt and activities at the Cook County Community Center were fun for all who attended. But the event was more than an exciting family day; it also benefitted the Cook County KidsPlus “Snacks and Packs” program. Snacks and Packs was launched by the School District 166 Wellness Committee in 2013 after its members realized that some […]
Phil Heywood and Tim Sparks performing at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts
Award-winning fingerstyle guitarist Phil Heywood’s playing encompasses an array of styles, from the down-home rhythmic groove of a Mississippi John Hurt and Leadbelly, to the sheer fluidity and melodic flair of such contemporaries as Leo Kottke. The internationally renowned Kottke, in fact, once handpicked Heywood to tour and perform duets with him. A soul-satisfying instrumentalist, Phil draws listeners in with […]
Is your mom the best?
The Cook County News-Herald is happy to share one of the delightful essays that has been received in the Northern Hi-Lites Salon and Essential Touch Massage Mother’s Day Essay Contest. We can’t tell you who wrote it until the judges make their selection, but it’s a great essay by an 8-year-old. Give it a try. Tell us why your mom […]