In a case that has drawn national headlines, a 28-year-old local man has been charged with killing a 77-year-old Grand Marais resident. The victim was killed with a shovel and a moose antler. He was suspected of stalking a young girl, the daughter of the attacker. Levi W. Axtell, inebriated and covered in blood, turned himself into authorities after he... READ MORE >
Entering through the Eagle Doors at the Cook County High School on March 9 from 5 to 7 p.m., visitors were greeted with smells of food wafting through the long hall leading to the varsity gymnasium. School never smelled so good! The hall was filled with 125 happy ticket holders who had paid $30 to attend the EATS fundraiser at... READ MORE >
Cook County High School Sophomore guard Denali Blackwell had an outstanding year on the basketball court and area coaches noticed, casting their ballots which named him to the 2023 Polar League all-conference team. Denali averaged 19.3 points per game to lead the Vikings in scoring. He ended the season with 385 points which puts him on track to score over... READ MORE >
Cook County Commissioner Deb White is holding a meeting for the public on Saturday, March 25 at 10 a.m. at the Hovland Townhall. Commissioner White is inviting members of the public to come with questions and concerns. Also attending the meeting will be Cook County Administrator James Joerke and Maintenance Director Brian Silence. Both will be there to answer questions... READ MORE >
Cook County is plagued with a shortage of workers in many fields, but the greatest need might be filling job openings at the local hospital and care center. Despite a waiting list of 20, only 28 of 37 care center rooms are occupied because there need to be more employees to care for additional residents. Many positions at the hospital... READ MORE >
There were a lot of smiling faces at the Hub (Senior Center) on Friday, March 4 as Ann Marie Mershon handed out checks to a wide variety of representatives from area non-profits. In all, The First & Second Thrift Store donated $95,000. “Although we had a profit of well over $110,000 this year, our new board voted to donate $95,000... READ MORE >
District 2 Cook County Commissioner Stacey Hawkins is asking the public to weigh in on the county’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The County had laid out three options for the public to consider for its five-year CIP. Option 1: $17.4 million The first option consists of a courthouse remodel and improvements as well as additions to the Law Enforcement Center... READ MORE >
Cook County cross country skiers joined a record field of more than 13,000 skiers who raced in one of several events at the 2023 American Birkebeiner in northern Wisconsin. The events ran from Wednesday, February 22 with the long races held February 25. Perfect snow greeted Nordic skiers who traveled from all ends of the planet to compete in either... READ MORE >
On March 2 the Viking boys’ team traveled to Carlton to play the Bulldogs and lost 86-68. The following day the Marshall Hilltoppers came to town and beat the Vikings 78-63. Carlton Bulldogs Sophomore guard Denali Blackwell was the only Viking to score in double figures, finishing the game with 29 points. Blackwell was 11 of 19 from the field... READ MORE >
Jeff Eliasen, Grand Marais, won $500 at the Cook County Snowmobile Club-Ridge Riders annual Trout Derby for his lake trout weighing 6.96 pounds. Jeff must have had a special bait or was fishing a “honey hole” because he also caught the sixth largest fish weighed in during the contest. The annual trout derby was held on Gunflint Lake on Saturday,... READ MORE >
