July 2025
Air quality alert due to wildfire smoke continuing to affect northern Minnesota
Smoke from wildfires burning out of control in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada, caused unhealthy air for not only Cook County but much of the upper Midwest (Montana, Wisconsin, North Dakota) last weekend.
JUDGE’S VIEW
In our courtrooms, we see a heartbreaking pattern play out over and over again: Addiction, mental illness, and trauma lead people into the criminal-justice system, and our communities suffer the consequences. As a judge, I see this cycle daily.
Conservation Officer Tales
Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules!
EDA approves three grants to local businesses
At the Cook County/Grand Marais EDA meeting on Tuesday, July 15, the EDA board approved three Business Development grants.
Grand Arts Festival draws robust crowds
Despite some damp weather, the Grand Marais Arts Festival was a resounding success, attracting over a thousand visitors. The festival, a testament to the vibrant local arts scene, was made possible in part by the support of Visit Cook County’s one percent event programs funding. It featured sixty juried artists, including a strong contingent of local talent. Notable among them were Gina Adams, Betsy Bowen, Mazzy Flynn, Marybeth Garmoe, Misha Martin, Nan Onkka, Mary Sannerud, Natalie Sjobanja, Cooper Ternes, Aleka Tomlinson, Emily Wick, and Bill Youmans.
Happy Hikers: Kadunce River – July 23
The Happy Hikers will hike the lovely trail along the Kadunce River. This is a Happy Hikers favorite that is familiar to many of us. The trail follows the river for most of the way, with steps going up to the top of the waterfall area. We’ll make it to the Superior Hiking Trail and then hike along the SHT as time allows, for a total of 3-4 miles, as the group desires. This is an out-and-back hike. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, on a leash. We will enjoy lunch on the shore of Lake Superior.
Pull, Plant, Protect the Gunflint Trail
The Gunflint Scenic Byway Committee and the Cook County Invasives Team are partnering to host Pull, Plant, Protect the Gunflint Trail, an afternoon of volunteer work, pulling invasives species at the end of the Gunflint Trail. The event will be held on Wednesday, July 23 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. starting with an information session and treats, followed by one hour of plant pulling and spreading wildflower seeds, and finishing with a prize drawing and more treats. Signups are preferred and online forms can be found using the QR code on the flyer, or following this link: https://forms. gle/SgSJ1qa53xivfTNXA, or by emailing Abigail.prom@co.cook.mn.us.
MPCA includes greater protection for wild rice waters in Keetac mining water permits
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) seeks public comment on two draft industrial wastewater permits for U.S. Steel Corp.’s Keetac mining area and tailings basin in Keewatin. These permits will improve protections for wild rice waters and human health.