The county’s 2021 budget process essentially began in March 2020 when the county board declared a public emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. FEMA funding for some of our emergency response actions started almost immediately. The board closed public access to county buildings and departments prepared for staff to work from home. Discussions began to determine how the county could […]
How did we get here?
As I see itDan Viren, January 10 The same images of the insurrection against our government on Wednesday were seen by all of us, yet they evoked several different reactions. Some saw the images of rioters holding Bibles and signs saying, “Jesus Saves,” as a signal that God was present in the darkness. Some saw those holding Bibles and signs as prophets foretelling […]
One Act play begins rehearsals
The Cook County High School One Act play has begun rehearsals and is working toward a virtual performance to be sent in to contest officials on January 29. The play is a satirical farce “All I Really Need to Know I Learned by Being in a Bad Murder Mystery” by Werner Trieschmann. The Actors are Abbey Stoddard, Saira Smith, Bryn […]
Winter research activities at Isle Royale National Park postponed until 2022
Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local officials, and to support the nation’s effort to stop the spread of COVID- 19, NPS personnel and researchers will not be conducting research on Isle Royale this winter. Researchers from Michigan Technological University, State University of New York College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry, University […]
Forest Service updates BWCA permits
If you want to get a permit to go into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) this year, you will have to jump through a few more hoops than in the past. The Superior National Forest Service recently updated the quota permit issuance process following last season’s unprecedented visitations to the 1,090,000 acres BWCAW. Last summer there was an […]
DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac updates
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wildlife research staff has taken a fresh look at the last 36 years of winter weather data to update the winter severity index maps and criteria for mild, moderate, and severe winters. A new webpage explores how winter influences deer survival and how a wide variety of other factors such as habitat, food availability, […]
Pet of the Week
Casper Casper is a tabby, now weighing in at twenty-three pounds. We found him living in our woodshed in late fall about eight years ago. Very timid at first, but after being fed over a month he began to trust us. He was introduced to indoor living when temps hit well below zero and found sitting by the wood stove […]
DNR invites public input on deer population goals
Minnesotans interested in deer populations in certain areas of the state can take an active role in shaping deer population goals during an open public input process starting Monday, February 8. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sets deer population goals — how much of an increase or decrease is desired in a deer population in a particular deer permit […]
DNR unveils new pollinator license plate to help preserve critical habitat
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen today unveiled the design of Minnesota’s newest critical habitat license plate, featuring native pollinators including a bee and butterflies. The new license plate is available now online and at deputy registrar and driver’s license offices statewide. “Many Minnesotans share a commitment to maintaining healthy populations of bees, butterflies and other native pollinators,” […]
A walk on the wild side
We walk when I come home from the hardware store in the afternoon, the girls and I. It is cold because I dress light, only a wool shirt and hat and yellow cotton gloves. You do not feel the cold. You do not feel yourself. Like that Thanksgiving morning out in the pothole country where there were pheasants when there […]