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BIRCH LAKE— Whether or not to list Birch Lake as an impaired water due to elevated levels of sulfate is another flashpoint in the ongoing battle over mining pollution in northeastern Minnesota …
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Marshall Helmberger
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2/1/23
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Another one of northern Minnesota’s iconic wildlife species appears to be in trouble, a likely victim of a changing climate. Area Christmas bird counts around the region have confirmed an …
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REGIONAL— A new study, based on data from the Environmental Protection Agency, finds that fish caught in lakes and rivers in the U.S. contain dangerously high levels of toxic synthetic …
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Marshall Helmberger
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1/25/23
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REGIONAL— A new study citing data from five national parks, including Voyageurs National Park, has concluded that human-caused mortality among gray wolves has a detrimental effect on both the …
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REGIONAL—December’s heavy snowfall may have set the stage for excellent snowmobiling conditions across the state, but that has also brought with it a rise in snowmobile related crashes. …
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1/18/23
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There was a critter afoot. I pointed that out to Jodi several days before Christmas. Someone had dumped the butchered remains of a deer on our property back in November and I had dragged it all to a …
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Marshall Helmberger
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1/11/23
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REGIONAL— Plentiful snow and winter recreation typically go hand-in-hand, but the region is still feeling the effects of two December snowstorms which left area ski and snowmobile trails a …
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My biannual pilgrimage back to the island has started, but it is always fraught with peril. This year is no exception, and in fact, will go in the logs as a not-too-great travel year. You know, …
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April Wamhoff
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1/11/23
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REGIONAL— The Department of Natural Resources has released an update to its wolf management plan that continues the state’s commitment to wolf conservation. The new plan, which …
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REGIONAL— Three years ago, biologist Michael Joyce installed over 100 “nest” boxes designed to meet the specific needs of the fisher, Minnesota’s largest member of the weasel …
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REGIONAL— Birders around the area will be pulling out their binoculars and warm winter gear over the next couple weeks to take part in the 123rd annual Christmas Bird Count, sponsored and …
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Marshall Helmberger
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12/15/22
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xIf you enjoy feeding birds this time of year but don’t like to see dozens of aggressive blue jays keep other birds from getting their share, consider this rather simple solution. When it comes …
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Marshall Helmberger
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12/15/22
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REGIONAL— A recreation plan issued just over a century ago by a then little-known landscape architect working at the time for the U.S. Forest Service, laid the groundwork for a revolutionary …
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REGIONAL— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced a final rule last week that reclassifies the northern long-eared bat from its earlier threatened status, to endangered. According …
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Marshall Helmberger
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12/7/22
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REGIONAL— The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is asking residents to limit their use of salt to maintain sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots this winter. It can save you money and help …
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Marshall Helmberger
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12/7/22
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“I wish I had a river, that I could skate away on…”
“River” by Joni Mitchell
As we settle into winter here, I’ve been thinking about why this has become my …
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Marshall Helmberger
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12/1/22
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REGIONAL— The story for deer hunters in the North Country didn’t improve during the final week of the regular firearms deer season, which ended Sunday, Nov. 20. Deer registrations were …
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As I sit in my deer blind this brisk Nov. 18 morning and read a recent edition of the Timberjay, I thought I would share my son’s deer hunt from the previous weekend. On Saturday, Nov. 12, …
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With snow on the ground, probably for the duration, and with the bears hopefully now in bed, the bird feeding season is getting underway in earnest in our area. And that means it’s time to take …
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Marshall Helmberger
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11/18/22
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REGIONAL— Deer hunters across the North Country are reporting seeing fewer deer and hearing fewer shots than at any time in recent memory, and that perception is bolstered by some of the lowest …
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PORTAGE TWP— First responders and law enforcement officers were called to rescue a hunter here this past Saturday after the man became stuck in waist deep water in a partially frozen marsh. The …
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Marshall Helmberger
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11/16/22
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In a recent article in the Timberjay, we again heard the DNR company line about bad winters and over-harvest of “snow shelter.” Not once did I see a mention of predation …
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REGIONAL— Wildlife managers with the Department of Natural Resources had predicted a tough opener for deer hunters here in the North Country this past weekend. It was all that and then some as …
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REGIONAL— The trend of milder autumn weather in the North Country continued in October and through the first week of November this year— and that came on the heels of a …
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Marshall Helmberger
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11/9/22
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REGIONAL— A study of wolves in and around Voyageurs National Park has captured several seconds of video of a cougar walking at night through a portion of their study area. The Voyageurs Wolf …
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