A look at the Law Enforcement Log, Dec. 23-Jan. 6
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The Cook County Sheriff’s Office shared a brief report of calls made to the Cook County Law Enforcement Center from December 23 – January 6. WTIP requested more information on a number of the incidents logged by law enforcement dispatchers.
December 24
1:59 p.m. A message came into the Cook County Sheriff’s Office from Grand Portage Lodge security about a snowmobiler stranded at Speckled Trout Road in Grand Portage. The party was not injured but was having snowmobile problems. A DNR Conservation Officer responded and went to assist the man.
2:23 p.m. A party called from Tofte looking for the phone number for the hospital to let them know she was ill and coming into the hospital by private vehicle.
4:51 p.m. Cook County was asked to assist in locating a man who was wanted for 3rd-degree assault of an off-duty conservation officer in Grand Rapids. The man has a seasonal residence in Cook County. The sheriff’s office checked the residence and there was no sign of new vehicle traffic. Another party advised that the man planned to leave the country for Jamaica after Christmas. Deputies checked the airport and found no sign of the party.
December 26
7:39 a.m. Cook County received a request to notify a landlord that a property he owns was evacuated because of high CO levels. It was determined the caller needed to contact Pine County.
12:03 p.m. Law enforcement dispatch received a very broken 9-1-1 call and could only understand “moose” and something about being stuck in snowmobile tracks.
A search located two vehicles at 1:52 p.m. on Moosehorn Road. One of the vehicles had antifreeze issues. Parties were locked out of the other vehicle, with one of the people wearing just a bathrobe and leggings. While waiting, the party broke the window to get out of the elements.
First Responders and an ambulance were called as a precaution.
.A tow was arranged and meanwhile, one vehicle began backing out of the road. The tow was canceled, parties got out of the road, and medical attention was declined.
December 27
12:04 a.m. Lake County called to report an attempt to locate a possibly suicidal woman in the area. Deputies patrolled Highway 61 and wayside rests. No sign of the woman, but Cook County will continue to be on the lookout.
10:33 a.m. A party found a pair of glasses on the sidewalk. They were lost in a medical call the night before. Cook County contacted the party and glasses were returned.
11:24 a.m. A party reported a small brown dog running around on 6th Avenue West. While on the phone with law enforcement, the dog ran to the backyard. Party said it appears that is where the dog lives.
11:31 a.m. A caller reported that their young, gray, Great Dane named Finn had run off. He is very friendly and looks full-grown, but is still a puppy. Party called back at 11:48 a.m., Finn was found.
2:51 p.m. A party in Grand Marais reported a loud boom in the area. It felt like it was on top of her house. Cook County advised that a deputy had just seen fighter jets from 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth fly over a few minutes ago.
December 28
7:16 a.m. A party reported a dead wolf on West County Road 7. The party pulled it out of the roadway by a mailbox. Cook County notified the state dispatch to let the DNR know.
10:03 a.m. A party was washing clothes at the laundromat before Thanksgiving and observed a young male party prowling vehicles at the Cook County courthouse and along the side of the street. The party didn’t think anything of it, but after hearing about vehicle break-ins, wanted to share the information.
10:37 a.m. A party called to let the county know that she would be parking just off the highway overnight because she didn’t think she could make it out of her driveway if the expected ice/rain storm happened. Law Enforcement dispatch notified the highway department.
1:48 p.m. A party called to report that a family member might be having a stroke and needed directions to the hospital. The party refused the ambulance. They will take the person to the ambulance by private vehicle.
2:53 p.m. A caller reported an extremely icy Forest Service road in the Tofte area. He said there are many people skiing there and there could be an accident. Cook County contacted the US Forest Service which said a contractor was responsible for the road. The county attempted to find the contractor to see if he could sand.
4:39 p.m. There was a report of two children sledding down a hill onto east Highway 61. The deputy found the kids who stated they never went into the road. The deputy walked them to their house and parents said the kids were not supposed to go back to the end of their yard. The parents told the kids they were to be inside for the rest of the night.
7:48 p.m. A party reported hearing yelping between Caribou Highlands and Eagle Ridge around Bridge Run. A deputy checked the area but did not observe anything unusual.
11:49 p.m. A structure fire destroyed a family home in Grand Portage. More details are available in this WTIP report.
December 29
10:47 a.m. A party reported two separate vehicles in the ditch on West Highway 61 about 100 feet apart—a silver station wagon and a gray sedan. They didn’t hit each other, but assistance was needed.
2:06 p.m. A local conservation officer requested assistance with a felon in possession of firearms. The party shared formal paperwork reinstating his gun-carrying rights. No further action was taken.
4:56 p.m. A party called to report that the tire had fallen off their ’98 Jeep Cherokee. They asked for a tow. Cook County Towing said it would respond once it was done pulling a plow truck out of a ditch.
5:38 p.m. A party whose daughter was overdue at home called to see if there had been any accidents on the Gunflint Trail. Party drove partway down the Gunflint and did not see her. Party called back at 5:55 p.m. to say the daughter had been located.
December 31
12:06 a.m. There was a report of a vehicle skidding sideways into the ditch on east Highway 61 in Hovland. Parties refused an ambulance and were given a ride home by a friend. Deputies checked the car and found two tall beer cans and the vehicle reeked of booze. The party admitted to driving and was tested. An arrest was made for 4th degree DUI.
10:44 a.m. A party reported going into the ditch on West Highway 61. The vehicle, a 2017 black Jeep Grand Cherokee was well off the road and a tow has been arranged. Cook County Towing was asked to inform the sheriff’s office when on the scene so assistance can be given with lights while being pulled out.
12:11 p.m. Cook County provided snowmobiler information to the Forest Service conservation officer.
12:19 p.m. The hospital asked for a welfare check for a patient who was a no show for an appointment and who was not answering phone calls. The road to the patient’s house was unplowed, so the US Forest Service assisted with a snowmobile to reach the house. The party was found home safe. He does not have a phone, so he couldn’t let the hospital know he was missing the appointment because of the unplowed road. He will reschedule when he gets his road plowed.
12:31 p.m. A party found an envelope of cash on Ski Hill Road. The envelope was put in a safe for someone to claim.
12:54 p.m. A party reported a short-haired dog with a pink collar running around South Caribou Trail that wouldn’t go to anyone. Cook County will keep a record of the report in case the owner calls.
5:32 p.m. A party reported that people who do not live in the area had dumped trash in the dumpster. The reporting party gave information and parties. They were found and advised to handle their garbage differently.
January 1
12:30 a.m. A party reported a disturbance Papa Charlie’s at Ski Hill Road. Law Enforcement dispatch contacted the establishment and the bartender said there was no disturbance, but it might be helpful if deputies swung through to help clear people out.
12:47 a.m. A party on Ski Hill Road reported a power outage. Dispatchers called the front desk and general manager with no response. Security was contacted and they will assist the party.
2:46 a.m. A call of an unwanted person came in from Grand Portage. A man was outside the caller’s home yelling about his car being stuck. Deputies arrived and attempted to get the man in a squad car. He was uncooperative and was arrested.
4:25 a.m. A caller in Grand Portage reported a party yelling and throwing beer bottles. Deputies responded and a man was arrested.
9:29 a.m. A caller reported a deer in the ditch in Lutsen, apparently with broken back legs. Dispatchers received two more calls reporting the deer trying to get up and unable to do so. A deputy responded and put the deer down.
10:47 a.m. A party found a brand new pair of snowshoes on Highway 61 by the Holiday station. Party will keep them, but left his phone number in case someone calls looking for them.
11:55 a.m. A monthly test of the countywide ARMER system was conducted.
12:10 p.m. A car reported having a snowmobile hit the side of his car as he was traveling down Clearwater Road. There were no injuries, but there was damage to the car, a 2000 Trailblazer. The snowmobiler told the sheriff’s office that there was no stop sign on the trail as it crosses the road. US Forest Service law enforcement will contact the snowmobile club to replace the trail stop sign.
7:33 p.m. The Grand Portage Lodge called for help with an unwanted person in a hotel room. The person is not a registered guest. The party left before sheriff deputies arrived. Deputies advised the lodge to call again if the person came back.
10:46 p.m. A caller reported a dark-colored pickup truck doing donuts in the Community Center parking lot. The vehicle was located and followed. A warning was issued for failure to stop at a stop sign and exhibition driving.
11:05 p.m. A party called reporting that they had slid into the ditch on West Highway 61 in a Mini Cooper. No injuries, but a tow was needed. North Coast Towing responded.
January 2
10:58 a.m. A party’s utility trailer blew a tire while heading toward Grand Marais on the Gunflint Trail. They had to park the trailer on the side of the road, but are going to get supplies to fix the tire.
11:04 a.m. A party reported that a semi routinely travels 1st Avenue East toward the school and it was just seen about three minutes ago, heading toward the school. Cook County advised the driver to not drive up or down 1st Avenue.
5:13 p.m. Cook County assisted with drug testing for probation.
11:51 p.m. Lake County asked Cook County to be on the lookout for a possibly suicidal 33-year-old male. The man was known to vacation on the North Shore and might be on the North Shore. Deputies checked the casino, state park, rest stops and motels along Highway 61 and the Ski Hill Road. No sign of the man.
January 3
9:01 a.m. A party reported a credit card scam that led to the loss of about $1,500. The credit card company is not holding her liable but wanted to let law enforcement know.
10:14 a.m. A caller reported that the avenue between the post office and the bank is very slippery. Cook County contacted Grand Marais City Hall. The street department will put some gravel down soon.
10:46 a.m. A party hit a deer on Highway 61 and Lupin Drive.
4:19 p.m. An alleged missing person called the sheriff’s office. He said he was visiting someone in Ohio and was kicked out. He returned to Grand Marais and was told he is a missing person in Cleveland. Cook County confirmed that he is listed as a missing person. The party came into the law enforcement center to show that he is okay. Cook County attempted to contact the person who filed the missing person report. They were unable to reach them, but left a message that the supposed missing person is fine.
6:10 p.m. An abandoned tent was found near the Fall River waterfall. It is a very nice, new-looking tent. A deputy investigated and confirmed that the tent seemed to have been abandoned. It was frozen to the ground. However, there was no indication of any foul play.
6:49 p.m. A party reported hitting a deer earlier on West Highway 61.
January 4
1:33 p.m. A party reported a large, white, school bus with blacked-out windows heading east on Highway 61. Party wondered if this could be someone involved in sex trafficking.
3:51 p.m. A sheriff deputy encountered a man in the Cedar Grove Business Park walking his dog off leash. The man had been told in the past that the city ordinance requires that dogs be on the leash. The man became argumentative and told the deputy to go enforce some real laws, to get drugs off the streets. The party was advised to go to the dog park where the dog can be off leash. A citation was issued for not having his dog on a leash.
4:49 p.m. The man cited earlier for a dog off leash reported that a sheriff’s office squad car parked in violation of the city’s calendar parking ordinance.
6:55 p.m. A party in Grand Portage called in an alleged assault. The party did not want a law enforcement response, but just wanted the incident on record.
8:36 p.m. Eagle Ridge called reporting a drunk party at the pool. Party is not combative, but they would like him to leave the pool area. When the deputy arrived, the party was leaving the building. As the deputy spoke with him, he was swaying and slurring his words. He was advised to not return to the pool. The female party with him recorded the conversation on her cell phone.
January 5
12:18 a.m. Papa Charlie’s called to report two groups of men fighting outside the building and it is more than security can handle. The bar manager called back at 12:25 and said the men are leaving. The men were in their 30s-40s and were probably staying at Eagle Ridge. Deputies were directed to where they were staying and they were obviously intoxicated and communicating in loud voices. They were advised to quiet down.
4:47 a.m. A party called from Grand Portage frightened that someone was outside the house where she was staying. Deputies arrived and spoke with the woman and her brother, who had been sleeping when she called. He had checked the area and found no one. The deputy confirmed there was no one outside.
11:01 a.m. A party called 9-1-1 for help contacting the hospital to let them know they were bringing in a child with an injured arm.
12:27 p.m. Security at Grand Portage Lodge reported finding a substance they believe is crack in a room. It was placed in a safe. A deputy arrived and tested the suspected drugs. It was not a known narcotic.
12:56 p.m. A party called from out of town to report that he had a video of people trespassing on his driveway in Colvill. The sheriff’s office located the parties walking on the road. They said they are looking at a property for sale. Their realtor said there is an easement to access the property. Cook County said the people should contact the realtor to confirm the easement.
1:19 p.m. A snowmobiler called for help. She had gotten her snowmobile stuck and was walking, but didn’t know where she was. Cook County got a possible location from her 9-1-1- call. Forest Service law enforcement responded by snowmobile. They were on their way back to Grand Marais at 2:33 p.m. and were back where she started at 4:25 p.m.
2:47 p.m. U.S. Customs reported an intoxicated person at the border. The party thought they were on the way back into Canada, not going southbound into the United States. A man from Ottawa, Canada was arrested and his truck and snowmobile trailer impounded.
6:00 p.m. Cook County assisted probation with testing.
6:02 p.m. A 9-1-1 call came in that was meant for Ramsey County.
10:44 p.m. A mother called asking for a welfare check on her daughter in Grand Portage. She is unsure if her daughter is under the influence of alcohol or substance. Law Enforcement located the daughter at her brother’s house and she was cooperative and polite and seemed of sound mind.
January 6
7:10 a.m. A party reported hitting a deer on West Highway 61. The hood on her car was damaged but was drivable. The deer seems salvageable and Cook County contacted people who might want it.
8:20 a.m. A tree is down, partially blocking Clearwater Road. The highway department was notified.
11:41 a.m. Three watercraft permits were applied for, and approved, for upcoming Cook County RidgeRiders Snowmobile Drag Races.
12:36 p.m. A party in court needed help with bail.
1:36 p.m. A motorist reported a propane tank in the middle of the roadway east of Lutsen. Cook County made two passes through Lutsen and was unable to find anything.
Miscellaneous calls
During this time period, the sheriff’s office conducted 61 traffic stops and issued 15 warnings, 31 reprimands, and 15 citations. Sheriff deputies checked 35 businesses and residences.
There were 21 medical calls.
The law enforcement center issued 18 burn permits and one permit-to-carry. Dispatchers handled 25 crank or misdialed 9-1-1 calls.
If you need to contact the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, call 218-387-3040. For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.
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