News
Broadband Expansion Continues in Itasca and St. Louis counties
(Grand Rapids, MN) (July 1, 2025) – Paul Bunyan Communications continues to make progress on its broadband expansion across parts of Itasca and St. Louis Counties.
Cattail Removal to Continue in Voyageurs National Park
From July through October 2025 Voyageurs National Park staff and contractors will resume work removing areas of invasive, hybrid cattail in wetlands within the park. The work includes grinding up mats of floating cattails with a specialized cutting machine and removing the debris using a harvesting barge. The removed plant debris will be deposited on shore, where it will be spread out and left to decay naturally. Some areas of treated wetlands will also be re-seeded with a native aquatic plant mix.
Public Invited to Participate: Little Fork River Watershed Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan
Residents and landowners in the Little Fork River Watershed are invited to take part in a new, locally driven planning effort focused on the long-term care and management of our water and land. Local government units are initiating a comprehensive watershed management plan for the Little Fork River Watershed. The Little Fork River Watershed Planning Partnership was created through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to create a watershed-based plan under the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) program. The current MOA partners include Koochiching SWCD, Koochiching County, North St. Louis SWCD, St. Louis County, Itasca SWCD, Itasca County, and the City of Littlefork.
PEO Chapter ER to meet
The next monthly meeting of PEO Chapter ER will be held on Monday, July 14, at 5:30 p.m., at St. Mary’s Community Room, Cook. All PEO Sisters in the area are welcome to attend.
Local student receives degree from UW-River Falls
Justin Malecha of Orr received a BS degree in Management, Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls during spring commencement in May.
On Your Mark. Get Lost. Go.
If you genuinely enjoy nature, there’s a good chance you’re finding ways to get out and appreciate it. Television can let you see it, and a good book can let you imagine it, but experiencing it is irreplaceable. Hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, canoeing, berry picking, gardening, camping, or simply sitting under a tree in the yard on a beautiful day are all great ways to get there. Total immersion in nature inspired one of America’s most prestigious authors, Henry David Thoreau’s classic work, Walden which contains a wealth of reflections on the good life and happiness that result.
Buyck Area News
It was a hot 4th of July on Friday. Pretty darn humid, but then it stormed that night and all Crane Lake activities were canceled. They had their parade the following day, but fireworks did not happen this year in Crane Lake. Hopefully, next year it will be better weather. Orr 3rd of July went very well, lots of people attended it and everyone had a great time. Myrtle Lake held their annual 5th of July with a great afternoon of activities, and fun was had by all. Rob and Scotty Rutar won the Bean Bag Tournament. They had to come out of the losers’ bracket to win. They won two games against Jon and David Bauer. Everyone enjoyed the addition of Karaoke this year! Thanks to all who came out and celebrated with them. It’s a must try for next year for sure.
Haarfager Lodge #40, Sons of Norway, 2025 Scholarship Awarded
Vincent Kajala, Tower, MN is the recipient of the 2025 Haarfager Lodge #40, Sons of Norway, scholarship. He graduated this Spring from the North Woods High School in Cook and was attending MN North Mesabi as a full-time PSEO student. He will be graduating from there in May 2026 with his AA degree when he plans to transfer to a university to pursue a degree in Business. He and his brother own and operate EVK Services in Cook offering yard maintenance, property management and snow removal.
Notes from all over
We are six months into President Trump’s second term. The border is secured for the first time in four years. Iran’s nuclear aspirations are gone. It appears that the Israel and Gaza war is over. The 2017 tax cuts are extended, along with one of the largest tax cuts for the middle class ever. No more taxes on tips and limits on overtime taxes. The military is seeing a resurgence – strong military provides safety for a nation.
NWFA’s Spring Art Expo: A Month of Creativity, Connection, and Community
COOK, MN — Northwoods Friends of the Arts (NWFA) wrapped up its month-long Spring Art Expo celebration, a vibrant showcase of local talent, community spirit, and artistic collaboration. The event, which ran throughout June, included a diverse array of activities and events that brought together residents and visitors alike in support of the arts in the Cook area.