One of Cook County’s largest events of the year, the Lutsen 99er, returns June 24-26 with a new route following the region’s hydrological event this spring. As per years past, Highway 61 will be closed from approximately 7:25-8 a.m. the morning of June 25 during the start of the races near Ski Hill Road in Lutsen. Spectators are invited to... READ MORE >
Funding support for the Gunflint Mail Run, U.S. Forest Service Summer Naturalist programs, Radio Waves Music Festival and so much more will be considered in the coming weeks. In 2008, an additional 1 percent lodging tax was established for all Cook County lodging tax districts to specifically fund local events and programs. This 1 percent lodging tax is in addition... READ MORE >
After taking a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festive Scandinavian holiday celebration “Oh Ole Night” is returning to downtown Grand Marais. On Friday, Nov. 26, the event will start with a parade at 5:30 p.m. at the Cook County Senior Center parking lot on South Broadway Avenue, which will make two loops along Broadway, head westbound on... READ MORE >
The Cook County Incident Command Team plans to close the County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which has dedicated itself to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic response since March of 2020. Core response activities such as case investigation and contact tracing, helping with safety planning, testing for COVID-19, and vaccinations will continue with local healthcare and public health partners. “While the pandemic... READ MORE >
The Cook County Public Health and Human Services Advisory Council, a multi-sector group of medical and service providers and community members, recognized, at their July 6 meeting, the contributions of staff and volunteers during the community response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 200 community members volunteered a combined, over 4,000 hours since March 2020 through Minnesota Responds including: *1,527 hours... READ MORE >
The Cook County Recycling Center will resume full operations beginning July 1. This will include the reopening of the Budget Shop. The Recycling Center had set limited temporary hours and the Budget Shop had closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning Thursday, July 1, hours for the Recycling Center’s materials drop-off garage will be: *Monday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. *Tuesday, 9... READ MORE >
Cook County Public Health and Human Services, in partnership with the North Shore Health Care Foundation, launched an online survey last Friday with the goal of assessing transportation barriers to health care for county residents. The survey aims to collect comprehensive feedback from residents who have traveled for health care services both within and outside of Cook County. Any person... READ MORE >
Do you have a history of using the Old Shore Road beach area in the past? If so, how have you used this area, locally referred to as “Passion Pit,” in the past? The summer of 2020 saw an increase of concerns from nearby private property owners regarding a perceived overuse of the site, which impacted the area with adverse... READ MORE >
Imagine that you’re out exploring some of Cook County’s remote areas when you find yourself dealing with an emergency. You reach for your cell phone but find it has a weak signal and you can’t call 911. What do you do? Thanks to Next Generation 911 (NG911), you could try sending a 911 text message instead. NG911 is a nationwide... READ MORE >
Cook County Public Health learned this week that the more contagious B117 strain of COVID-19 is present in Cook County. Public Health urges caution and encourages swift vaccination efforts. “The Minnesota Department of Health randomly selects some positive COVID-19 tests for genetic sequencing,” said Grace Grinager, Cook County Public Health Supervisor. “A few of our recent cases were selected for... READ MORE >
