Members of the Borealis Chorale & Orchestra present The Gift of Darkness: An Advent Celebration


Recently Borealis Chorale & Orchestra (BCO) Director Bill Beckstrand wrote to the members of the long-cherished group of over 100 Cook County singers and musicians, “I’ve missed you all! I’ve missed all the rehearsing! What a year! This coming Sunday/Monday would have been our concerts this season. As it is with so many things during this crazy time, there will […]

Paisley Smith named All-Conference


Area coaches voted Cook County High School Senior Paisley Smith to the second All-Conference volleyball team on Tuesday, December 8. A fine all-around player and tough competitor, Smith was the lone senior on this years Vikings’ squad and a team leader. As an outside hitter playing on the front line, Smith led the team with 75 kills for the season. […]

Four CCHS football players earn honorable mention All-Conference honors


Three Cook County High School seniors and one sophomore made 2020 honorable mention All-Conference for their exploits on the football field this fall. Area coaches voted for the selections. Vikings named Honorable Mention All-Conference were Aram Falter, Vaughn Swindlehurst, Patrick Pierre, and Ryan Christiansen, a sophomore. As quarterback/runningback for the Vikings, Aram Falter had 130 rushing attempts and gained 467 […]

Cook County announces changes to COVID-19 Hub site

Officials from the Cook County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) have announced several changes to the Cook County COVID-19 hub site, www.cookcountycovid19.org. Beginning today, Cook County will publish a weekly update on Thursday afternoons that will include the following COVID-19 testing data: – Cumulative cases: the total number of confirmed positive cases for Cook County based on local and state testing […]

#GetTakeoutMN: Share your support for Minnesota restaurants

As Minnesota takes necessary steps to battle COVID-19, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is encouraging Minnesotans to shop and eat local this holiday season. In particular, helping your favorite local restaurants and eateries by ordering takeout is a simple way to support vital, beloved local businesses while enjoying a delicious meal in your own home. It’s […]

Minnesota Association of Townships announces 2021 Scholarship Program for high school juniors

The Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) is proud to announce its 2021 Scholarship Program, which will award up to five $2,000 scholarships to high school juniors. All students currently enrolled in 11th grade and attending a Minnesota public, private, or parochial school, or a home-study program, is eligible to apply for this program. Since its inception in 2001, the MAT […]

SMMPA promises no rate increase for 2021


Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) announced that they were on track to end 2020 with extra operating reserves, and the board of directors approved a bonus for member utilities, refunding $10 million and promising no increase for wholesale rates of power for 2021. The City of Grand Marais is one of 18 cities that are members of SMMPA. In […]

DEED creates platform to bring immigrant and refugee advocates and state leaders together

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) convened the first in a series of meetings that will bring immigrant and refugee advocates together with state leaders to network and collaborate, as well as identify concerns and key issues affecting immigrant and refugee communities. This forum, held monthly, will serve as a bridge between state leaders and immigrant and […]

Buy local, support your community


There are a lot of reasons to shop in Duluth at a big box store. There is a lot to choose from and everything is cheaper, right? Or make your purchases online through Amazon Prime or any number of long-distance wholesale businesses. Buying online means you can shop from home, and the item(s) you select will probably be cheaper. And […]

Books make great Christmas gifts for kids!

Visit the Birch Grove Charter School Scholastic on-line book fair! Order by December 13 and your book order will be delivered to your door before Christmas! Shipping is free on orders of $25 or more. Give the gift of reading and support Birch Grove Community School at the same time! Online, go to www.scholastic.com/bf/bgcs Let’s raise readers!