When thanks are due


When you are in a leadership position, it is more than essential that the people with whom you work respect you. But, as the old adage goes, respect is never a given. In the years I was privileged to serve as Cook County Commissioner, I came to respect Rena Rogers. As we all know, respect is not something that you […]

Two sides to Black Lives Matter

Unrest is continuing in our country, attributed to the death of George Floyd. It is curious that rioters were asked if they knew who George Floyd was and the answer was negative. I applaud those people who genuinely are concerned for the rights of individuals and take their time and energy to raise public awareness for justice; I thank them […]

Are we following a path that will destroy our country?

What’s going to happen to us? I submitted a Letter to the Editor in the Cook County News Herald several years ago (2013) and the point made then was the following: “Our society is following the path of many great civilizations that eventually came to ruin. People went from bondage, to spiritual truth, to great courage, to liberty, to abundance, […]

Writer responds to criticism

In response to Mr. Hiniker’s letter of last week. First off, most reasonable people don’t start out a discussion with the predictable diatribe of insults of the President, but It’s been the mainstay of the left for years and I should not have expected less, so it’s with great hesitation that I even respond. But let’s look at some of […]

Weekly Weather

Stay well-rooted for the storms ahead


There is a tree next to a portage that many people may not notice. It is a cedar that I assume was blown down by a storm. Not far from it is another tree that does get noticed, a strong cedar that bears the sign of many hands, packs, and canoes that have rested against it. The tall standing cedar […]

New virtual support group “Growing Families” available to caregivers

On October 14, Cook County Public Health and Human Services announced the formation of “Growing Families”, a confidential virtual support group that meets weekly and is open to all caregivers. “It is challenging to be pregnant, give birth, and adapt to parenting a toddler during the COVID-19 pandemic in our community,” says Cook County Public Health Educator and Growing Families […]

Historical Reflections

COAST GUARD BOATING AND SEAMANSHIP STUDENTS Boaters Steven Steinle, Edward Novotny and Richard Furlow huddle over charts while instructor Jan Nosker looks on. The three men recently completed a Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Skills and Seamanship course. A separate six week short course was completed in February by Jon Sage and Don McNeally. Photo taken by Nancy Nosker.

Down Memory Lane

20 YEARS AGO OCTOBER 23, 2000 Famed Ely sled-dog musher and explorer Will Steger’s Saganaga Lake cabin was destroyed by fire on October 10. Steger co-owned the cabin with Joe Bailey, a longtime friend. The cabin was on the Canadian side of Saganaga on Chik-Wauk Island. A second building on the property wasn’t damaged by the fire. Calling the blaze […]

Hogan running for State Senate District 3


Chris Hogan is running for State Senate District 3, an area covering Koochiching, Lake, and Cook counties, northern St. Louis County, and the Hermantown-Proctor area. Hogan grew up on Rainy Lake on the Canadian border. He is a 1994 graduate of International Falls High School and a 1998 graduate of Bemidji State with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and […]