Who was Cook County named after?


In an article submitted to the newspaper several weeks ago it was suggested that Cook County was named after a local family. But according to the late editor Ade Toftey, Cook County was named after Major Michael Cook of Faribault, a member of the Minnesota Senate during Civil War days, who lost his life in service. Cook County Historical Society […]

Child development resources in Cook County


Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) has the responsibility and privilege of working with individuals and families throughout their life cycle. In the area of early childhood development, our department provides education, advocacy, direct services and referrals for families to help prepare children for a healthy future and to grow and develop into healthy adults. Research shows that […]

Chamber board members head to St. Paul to advocate for Cook County, Higher Education


A number of Cook County Chamber board members will travel to St. Paul next week for a series of meetings with legislators arranged by the Chamber’s St. Paul representative Judy Erickson. While in St. Paul, they also will participate in the Duluth Chamber’s Duluth & St. Louis County Days. The overriding purpose of their effort, according to Chamber Executive Director […]

Boys fall to Barnum Bombers, lose in overtime to Marshall Hilltoppers


Pete Sutton hit a long three to start the game off on the right foot for the Vikings against a good, Double A Barnum Bombers team last Friday night in a home game. For most of the first half the score was close. After eight minutes of play the Vikings were up 16-15 and with five minutes to go in […]

Will Ramberg goes over 1,000 points


Over the last decade few Viking varsity players have been more fun to watch than Will Ramberg, a 6’3” guard/forward whose game has gotten markedly better each year. On Friday, February 8 the hard-working senior was honored for something rarely achieved by any player to wear a Viking uniform. Will was asked to come to the center of the basketball […]

Girls play Barnum tough


Double A Barnum Bombers came to Grand Marais last Friday and ran into a formidable Class A Viking team. The shorter Vikings played a tenacious “man” defense, and it was all hands on deck when it came to rebounding. Crashing the boards in mass and fighting for every loose ball were Alyssa Spry, Ariana Poyirier, Abbie Crawford, Paisley Smith, Emma […]

Booster Club cribbage tournament raises more than $700


Two guys chatting more than one year ago led to the first of what might become fairly routine cribbage tournaments. Rob Hackett and Kyler Hawsen were discussing ways to raise money for the Cook County High School Booster Club and Hackett mentioned cribbage. “It took a while, but Kyler ran with the idea, planned the event and the tournament was […]

Weather, plus or minus 40F degrees


Recently the weather was a chilly minus 40F. The ice froze, and then it melted at plus 40F on Saturday, Feb. 2, just when the debut show by Iceformance needed ice the most. Iceformance, a Minnesota-based professional figure skating performance troupe, was created in May 2018 by professional skaters Amy Berglund, Twin Cities and Debbie Mueller of Grand Marais, both […]

Chickens, Goats and Ducks


Occasionally my husband and I help our son and daughter-in-law with their livestock, and I’ve come to realize just how much work it is. The other morning was one of those days. It was cold, -10, and I was acclimating to the crowing, clucking, and quacking normally heard in a barn. Suddenly I was face to face with a pair […]

Pincushion Mountain Family Ski Festival Feb. 17


Time tested, weather tested, kid and family tested, the 40th annual Pincushion Mountain Family Ski Festival will be held Sunday, Feb 17 on the fabulous Pincushion Mountain Trails. All ages and abilities are encouraged to sign up, whether it’s to race or to enjoy a scenic tour around the Pincushion Mountain trails. The North Shore Ski and Run Club will […]