BWCAW permits now available

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If you want to take a trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) anytime from May 1 to September 30, you should consider getting your permit as soon as possible. Permits went on sale on January 25, 2023. Last year the Forest Service cut back its permits to entry points in the BWCAW by about one third and […]

Injuries reported in Lutsen vehicle crash

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Two westbound vehicles on Highway 61 crashed on Sunday, January 22, in Lutsen. A Resort Shuttle Van carrying 14 passengers turned left on Poplar River Road and was rear-ended by a Toyota Prius. No one in the van was injured, but occupants in the Pirus were taken to the North Shore Health hospital for examination of suspected minor injuries. The […]

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., $25 (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. Ruby’s Pantry will now be at the Cook County High School, near football field. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college […]

Cook County Lodging Tax as of November 2022

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When looking at local 2022 lodging tax collections, it’s obvious that Cook County remains a popular place for vacationers to visit. Cook County Auditor/Treasurer Braidy Powers presented the Lodging Tax Comparison report to the county board at the commissioner’s January 24 meeting. As of November 30, 2022, the Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association reported taking in $20,300.30 in lodging taxes for November […]

Pets of the Week

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Jasmine and Rocky came to our family this past September via an English Springer Spaniel rescue organization. Raised as breeding animals in a kennel for their first four and five years of life, they had no exposure to cuddles with their humans, car rides, walks in the woods, or even routine veterinary care. They have quickly adjusted to the couch-lounging […]

CC Ridge Riders host first drag races of the season

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There was a big turnout for the first snowmobile drag races of the season held on January 21 at Skyport Lodge & Raven Rock Grill. Hosted by the Cook County Snowmobile Club- Ridge Riders, several hundred people attended the fun-filled event, many to watch and some to participate in the races held on Devil Track Lake. Here are the winners:600 […]

Minnesota job growth pauses in December

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Labor force grows by over 3,000 workers, while historically low unemployment rate ticks up

Minnesota’s private sector employers continued adding jobs in December, even as the state lost jobs overall, ending a 14-month streak of job growth that saw Minnesota employment outpace the national average, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Overall, Minnesota employment was down 0.2% from November, following an increase of 6,500 jobs […]

North Shore Storm Nordic skiers do well at their home meet on Pincushion

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Cook County hosted seven schools and 185 skiers at the Pincushion trails on Tuesday, January 18th. Fresh snow and warm temperatures had coaches a bit concerned about what the trails would be like, but thanks to our intrepid groomers that worked from 3:30 a.m. – 8 a.m. the trails were in great shape. And yes, that is 3:30 in the […]

Beargrease Cub Run kicks off the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon week

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The John Beargrease Cub Run was held Saturday, January 21 at the Lakeview National Golf Couse in Duluth. Some 24 mushers 14 and under vied for prizes in age group races that covered between 2.2 miles and one quarter of a mile. Mike Keyport, Grand Portage, greeted the young mushers before the Cub Run. Mike is the great-grandson of John […]

Boys clip the wings of the Northeast Range Nighthawks; Denali Blackwell leads the way

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Viking fans witnessed a record-breaking performance by the Cook Country boys’ basketball team in their blow-out win against the Northeast Range Nighthawks last Tuesday night. Apolo Robbins, considered the world’s greatest pickpocket, would have been proud of the Vikings’ defense. “We broke a school record for steals in a half with 26 and had 37 overall,” said head Coach Keaton […]