After 16 years of serving Cook County as a supervisor for the Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), Jim Hall is retiring. Jim is a humble leader and often encourages to see new programs implemented through the SWCD. Over the years, the board has been instrumental in implementing hundreds of conservation projects and practices. From its beginning, the SWCD has […]
Second Harvest needs four new board members
Opportunities to serve our northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin communities are now available. Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank is seeking up to four (4) new board members to serve on its regional board of directors beginning in January 2019. If you or someone you know may be a good fit, tell them about this opportunity. The Second Harvest questionnaire […]
MNsure open enrollment runs until January 13
MNsure announced that over 97,000 Minnesotans have signed up for private health plan coverage through MNsure during the first two weeks of open enrollment. MNsure’s open enrollment runs until January 13, 2019. For coverage that begins January 1, 2019, Minnesotans must enroll by December 15, 2018. “We are excited with our smooth start to open enrollment and that over 97,000 […]
Community Calendar
Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5 – 6:30 p.m., $20 (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Cook County High School. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and […]
Gearing-up for winter
While watching the sunset over Devil Track Lake, I wonder how long before someone leaves the first footprints or snowmobile tracks across the untouched snow-covered surface. I am not the daring type that wants to brag about being the first, and the lake has a very pristine feel to it before being matted down by man and machine that I […]
Deer hunters shoot fewer deer
Preliminary deer harvest numbers for the 2018 firearms season indicate that hunters took fewer deer this year than in 2017. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reported that at the Nov. 18 close of the 2018 firearms season 148,019 deer were harvested, with 78,886 of those being bucks. All told, that was an 8 percent drop overall, and an […]
Winter is here, get prepared for recreational activities
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and everyone is waking up from his or her turkey naps. Snow has already been falling and sticking over the hill away from the big lake. Driving can be tricky this time of year, so be sure to give other drivers some additional space and be sure to plan on a few extra minutes for […]
Angler sets new benchmark for northern pike state record
Minnesota anglers who want to catch a state record northern pike now have a new mark to beat after angler Matthew Swanson of Woodbury has claimed the record with a 45¼-inch northern pike caught on the Rainy River. The record surpasses the first ever record set in early October when Maddy Ogg caught and released a 43½-inch pike from Mille […]
Minnesota DNR Conservation Officer Tales
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked trappers and ATV riders, and responded to wildlife calls. Anglers are excited and venturing out on the ice for the early season bite. CO Mary Manning (Hovland) continued to follow up on firearms deer season issues and worked opening weekend of the muzzleloader deer season. She also checked fisher and pine marten sets as that […]
On thin ice – teach kids the dangers of ice
Now is the time to talk with kids about the dangers of ice. Ice thickness varies greatly on lakes, ponds and rivers throughout the state. Some water bodies have none, while others have several inches, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “Ice, especially early ice with snow cover, is extremely deceptive because you can’t see dangerous cracks or […]