Pine Knot News - A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news

Conditions for snowmobile riding in many parts of the state are as good as they’ve been in a long time, prompting what Department of Natural Resources conservation officers call the biggest number of riders in years to hit the state’s 22,000 miles of snowmobile trails.

While zipping around on a sled is a great way to experience Minnesota’s snow-covered outdoors, law enforcement officials remind riders to leave the booze on the shelf or in the refrigerator until after they’re done riding.

Alcohol is a factor in more than 70 percent of snowmobile-related fatalities in Minnesota. And i...