Sign of the times

In these trying times of pandemic, climate change and social injustice issues, these song lyrics by the Five Man Electric Band from the turbulent days of the 1970’s seem appropriate: Sign, sign, everywhere a signBlockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mindDo this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign? And the sign said anybody caught trespassin’ would be shot […]

It is happening here

For some, a mask mandate is seen as tyranny or some weird form of communism, even though we are in the midst of a deadly pandemic. Yet, many of them see unidentified paramilitary being deployed on our streets to teargas, beat, abduct and shoot people exercising their First Amendment Rights of free speech and assembly as something to cheer about. […]

Happy hereafter!

Our western civilization has been influenced principally by the three major religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Each religion is based on a belief in one god, respectively named Jahve, Trinity and Allah. Each religion teaches that life here and now is a proving ground for a life hereafter; that is, the way you live now will determine whether you will […]

Let the people live with their choices

I’m writing in response to Mike Ulen’s recent letter in the News- Herald where he decries the federal government sending troops to help quash the recent violence, looting, shootings, and arson occurring nightly in Democrat controlled cities (including our own Minneapolis). While we are all aware that, if there is a moderate position to take, Mike will generally take the […]

Writer encourages folks to vote for Ann Sullivan

I’d like to encourage voters on Maple Hill (District 4) to choose Ann Sullivan for County Commissioner. I also want to stress that she’s received a letter of support from the Cook County DFL Executive Committee. Ann’s experience includes 44 years as an educator, and she has proven herself an organized and highly motivated leader through her efforts with the […]

Artists wanted

Cook County Public Health is looking for a local artist to design a t-shirt for our community volunteers that have worked through the MN Responds system during the pandemic. Cook County Public Health is looking for a unique design that will signify the value of the volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact Andrea Orest for more information. Call her at […]

Weekly Weather

Loving your enemies (Even Them)


It’s easy—well, most of the time—to love friends and family. We chose to spend our lives with a select few. Shouldn’t loving them be enough? But when Jesus tells us to love, he says, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?!” “Love your enemies,” he goes on. “Pray for those who persecute you. Walk […]

County administrator search ramps up


Interim County Administrator Rena Rogers told the county board that 34 applications had been received for the county administrator position. Rogers addressed the board at the commissioner’s July 28 meeting. “That’s a really good number, an amazing number,” she said. Rogers, the IT Director, was asked to step in as interim county administrator after Jeff Cadwell resigned last October to […]

Political signs stolen


Ann Sullivan, a cook county commissioner candidate running in District 4, said four of her political signs have gone missing. They were all located by the Gunflint Hills golf course. Myron Bursheim, current cook county District 2 representative, and 2020 chair of the board, also had a sign taken from one of his backer’s yard. In Minnesota it is a […]