Twin Metals Minnesota mining permits denied



On December 15 the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture took actions that denied an application for renewal of two hard rock mineral leases near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), as well as initiated steps to withdraw key portions of the watershed from new mineral permits and leases. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), […]

Highway department receives award for Sawbill Trail paving



The Cook County Highway Department received the County/ Municipal Rural State Aid Paving Award for the CSAH 2 (Sawbill Trail) paving project at the Minnesota Asphalt Paving Association’s (MAPA) Annual Paving Awards Banquet December 7 in Minneapolis. Award criteria included rideability, joint construction, general appearance, project complexity and design compliance. The Sawbill Trail project received accolades for the road’s rideability […]

School District 166 sets levy



The Cook County School Board I.S.D. 166 adopted the 2016 levy payable in 2017 at its regular meeting on Thursday, December 15. The levy of $1,742,872.80 represents an increase of $800 per student, which equates to 54.58 percent more than last year’s levy, according to District Business Manager Laurie Backlund. As required by law, the district held its Truthin Taxation […]

Wahlers leads girls’ ski team to win



With her runaway win in the girls’ race, Cook County sophomore Reilly Wahlers led the Cook County/Silver Bay team to victory over seven teams at the Virginia Invitational Alpine ski meet held at Giants Ridge on Friday, December 16. Wahlers finished her two races in 1:21.94 to beat her teammate Sela Backstrom by over 4 seconds. Madysen McKeever was the […]

You say there isn’t a Santa Claus? Think again!



There comes a time that every child questions the validity of Santa Claus. There are some children who enjoy being “in the know” and declaring that Santa is not real. Personally I have always believed in Santa Claus….I cry whenever Santa comes to Mass to pray over baby Jesus in the manger. My friend shared this story of Grandma and […]

Community invited to “Careers and Controversy”



Cook County High School seniors in the College Writing class have been looking to their future. After researching ethical dilemmas in different jobs, they plan to discuss their findings with the public in a presentation called “Careers and Controversy.” Students welcome the community to join them in a friendly debate on Monday, January 9, at 7 p.m. in the Arrowhead […]

MPCA will hold Wild Rice Sulfate Standard open houses in January 2017



The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will be hosting three open houses on the wild rice sulfate standard rulemaking in January 2017. The main purpose of the open houses is to provide the interested public with an opportunity to learn more about the MPCA’s proposed approach for revisions to its wild rice sulfate water quality standard before the proposed rule […]

Living well with chronic disease



If you are living with diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic pain, anxiety or another chronic condition, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic is hosting a class that will help you live with these chronic conditions. The six-week Living well with Chronic Conditions class is free to the public. The program will be held in the lower level of the clinic […]

Book your reservation now for Robert Burns’ celebration



A Robert Burns dinner is returning to Cook County on January 21, 2017, at Cascade Restaurant. This is a celebration of Scottish poet and songwriter Robert Burns’ birthday, which is on January 25. The program will feature a full course dinner, a piper, poetry readings by professional actors, and a sing-along. Robert Burns is a poet who is considered a […]

Community Calendar



Cook County Ruby’s Pantry Ruby’s Pantry is a food distribution program held 5 – 6:30 p.m., every second Tuesday. Parking at Sawtooth Elementary. $20 (cash only) per share. Buy more shares as you want. No financial qualifications. Bring a laundry basket and cooler to bring home frozen items. Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Volunteers always needed. $20 gift […]