Environment: Red River dam modifications restore wildlife

MOORHEAD, Minn. — Construction crews in northwest Minnesota are finishing work this week on a unique river project — one that not only restores fish habitat, but also could save human lives.

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Cass Lake ice fishing tournament Saturday

The Cass Lake Area Chamber of Commerce/Palace Casino and Hotel Winter Fishing Challenge will be Saturday on Cass Lake.

Area ski trails report

Movil Maze: Conditions are listed as good. Skating lane was groomed Monday but low snow prevents classical track grooming NOTE: The Movil Maze system includes 14 kilometers of skate lane and classical track. The trails are listed as intermediate to expert.

Ice remains strong on area lakes but avoid ice heaves

Cooler temperatures this week helped firm the ice in the Bemidji area. Most lakes still have very good ice, as long as anglers avoid the ice heaves and watch where they are going.

Ruffed Grouse Society, Whitetails Unlimited host banquets

A pair of banquets for area sportsmen are scheduled for the spring.

DNR says rules bill endangers hunting

ST. PAUL — The Dayton administration fears a Senate Republican proposal to place a moratorium on state rule making could mean two years without hunting and fishing seasons.

Time to welcome back the wood duck

It’s February. And while lakes and rivers and ponds remain locked in ice, the days are growing longer and winter is more than half over. Indeed, in about a month it will be springtime once again here in the Northland.

Unsafe ice prompts Hennepin Co. sheriff to bar cars, trucks from lakes

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — After a rash of vehicles going into the water, the Hennepin County sheriff's office is banning cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles from all frozen lakes in the county.

Researchers: Internet bear's cubs male, female

ELY, Minn. (AP) — Researchers believe a 3-year-old bear in Minnesota gave birth to a male cub and a female cub before an Internet audience last month.

• North American Bear Center

DNR says it meets 150-day permit issuing goal

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Department of Natural Resources says it's meeting a new 150-day target for approving or rejecting permit applications 99.6 percent of the time.

Arboretum seeks Top 10 plants that changed Minn.

CHASKA, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum wants to know: Which plants changed Minnesota and transformed how we live today?

Buena Vista Logging Days draws large crowd

Mostly sunny skies and mild February weather made the 29th annual Buena Vista Logging Days event a popular attraction this winter.

• Sleigh rides
• Stack of pancakes
• Cuting wood

New map pinpoints Lyme disease risk areas

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Researchers who spent three years dragging sheets of fabric through the woods to snag ticks have created a detailed map they claim could improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease.

Annual survey begins

Recent snowfall in northeastern Minnesota has allowed for the start of the 2012 aerial moose survey, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Anglers continue to enjoy ice fishing season on area lakes

It has been another good week of ice fishing in the Bemidji area. Unseasonably warm temperatures and good ice conditions are allowing anglers to spread out and go just about anywhere they want on the lakes, as long as there isn’t an ice heave or current area in their way.