A look at the Law Enforcement Log, Nov. 26 - Dec. 8

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office shared a brief report of calls made to the Cook County Law Enforcement Center from November 26 – December 8. WTIP requested more information on a number of the incidents logged by law enforcement dispatchers.
 

 A domestic assault call came in to the sheriff’s office at 9:35 a.m. on November 26. The call was for an individual with dementia, whose family needed some assistance. Information on dementia programs was given.
 

A tow for a stuck Ford F-150 was arranged at 2:19 p.m. on November 26.
 

A call reporting an individual laying in the road in Grand Portage came in at 2:56 p.m. on November 26. Sheriff deputies and the Grand Portage Ambulance were called. It was determined the individual was intoxicated and was now at home, no injuries. 
 

A 9-1-1- call came from a woman on West 1st Street at 4:28 p.m. on November 25, reporting that when she turned a light on, the electric breaker flipped. When she turned the breaker back on, flames shot out of the light switch. She did not know if there was an internal fire in the wall. The wall was warm to touch.
 

Grand Marais and Maple Hill Fire Departments were paged. Maple Hill Fire staged at their firehall as Grand Marais Fire inspected the scene. The fire was out upon arrival. The Grand Marais fire department scanned the wall and determined the fire was out. 

The Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission and an electrician were contacted. 
 

A motorist hit a deer on east Highway 61 at 6:50 a.m. on November 27. The driver of the car, a black Ford Escape, was not sure if it was driveable and was waiting for help. A Minnesota Department of Transportation driver called in at 7:30 a.m. to say the car was difficult to see in the roadway. The motorist was contacted and said they are trying to find a way to move the car. 
 

There was a report of a vehicle in the ditch on County Road 14 at 9:04 a.m. The party swung too wide to avoid the plow truck and went into the ditch. Minnesota State Patrol responded and checked both east and west County Road 14/Highway 61 intersections and the vehicle could not be located. 
 

 A woman flagged down a deputy at 11:14 a.m. on November 27 with concern about garbage bags blowing around on West 4th Street. The deputy collected the bags, which were full of leaves. The owner of the bags called at 4:17 p.m. asking about the bags. She was informed that the bags had been thrown away. She stated the leaves were to cover her bulbs for the winter. She said she will just find hay and apologized for them rolling away from her. 
 

There was a report on November 27 of a woman yelling at, and shoving, a young family member. The child’s mother just learned about the incident on November 24. The woman in question was told to stay away from the family’s house. 
 

A party called from west Highway 61 at 2:09 on November 27 to report that his neighbor was walking on his property. This is an ongoing neighborhood dispute. 
 

 There was a report of a silver Subaru in the ditch near Magney Lane at 3:41 p.m. on November 27. There was one occupant and no injuries. 

 A hit and run was reported at 9:59 p.m. A party leaving the Birch Terrace in a Chevy pickup truck hit a Honda Pilot in the parking lot. Parties witnessed the collision and tried to get the party to stop, but he left. Deputies located the man at home at 10:20 p.m. He was arrested and charged with DWI.
 

A party got stuck going down the wrong driveway of a rental property. They called AARP for tow assistance and AARP advised them to call 9-1-1 to get more specific information on where the tow was needed. Cook County gave the party the closest mile marker and major intersection. 
 

A call reporting a vehicle crash on the Mink Ranch Road in Lutsen came in at 2:10 p.m. on November 28. The vehicles met and crashed head-on as they came around a corner. There were no injuries, and parties exchanged insurance. One of the drivers left the scene and gave deputies a conflicting report when found. He was issued a citation for no proof of insurance, driving after revocation, and failure to transfer vehicle title within ten days of purchase.
 

A report of a truck in the ditch on Thompson Park Drive in Grand Marais came in at 6:06 p.m. on November 28. The vehicle owner was contacted and said he would move the truck in the morning. 
 

 A power outage was reported at 6:19 p.m. on November 28, but it turned out to be Lake Arrowhead in California. The party was informed they had reached Cook County, Minnesota. The party apologized and will get a hold of the local utility.
 

A party moving to Cook County from Arizona reached the law enforcement center when trying to contact Arrowhead Electric at 8:50 a.m. on November 29. They wanted to make sure the power was on at the residence. Cook County reached the on-call lineman, who said it was likely the power was on, as Arrowhead discourages homeowners from turning off power. He said if the power is off when the person arrives, a lineman can turn on the power. However, if it is a weekend or after-hours call, the homeowner would be charged. Cook County shared that information with the caller. 
 

There was a call at 3:24 p.m. on November 29 reporting that a black Chevy Impala, driven by a Thunder Bay woman, went up on the sidewalk at the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino and hit the building. The driver is okay and is inside the casino now. 
 

A welfare check was requested at 11:09 a.m. on November 30 regarding the living conditions for a five-year-old child. A deputy accompanied an on-call party from Cook County Public Health and Human Services to a residence and waited outside while the social worker checked conditions. The social worker said the deputy’s assistance was not needed. 
 

A party called from her home on November 30, reporting an assault while vacationing at Cascade Resort on November 28. The caller said her future mother-in-law slapped her, which caused a black eye. She gave a report and sent a photo of the injured eye. Her boyfriend confirmed her account. The sheriff’s office attempted to speak with the suspect, who did not want to talk about the incident. A citation was issued for 5th degree assault, which will be mailed to the individual.
 

At 2:46 p.m. on November 30, a party called from Grand Portage in the midst of a break-up. The party expressed concern about the ex returning to their apartment to get his belongings. Since both parties are on the apartment lease, this was determined to be a civil matter. The party did not think the ex would become violent. Cook County advised the person to call 9-1-1 if that was the case. 
 

A call came in of a Ford Focus parked in the middle of the road on County Road 7, with no one in it at 3:28 p.m. on December 1. The car has its hazard lights on, but cars can’t see to get around it. The recorded owner was contacted and they said they are trying to get it moved. A sheriff deputy arrived on scene to find the car pulled off the roadway. The party was advised that if there is another break-down, they contact the sheriff’s office for assistance. 
 

A hit and run in front of GunFlint Tavern was reported at 6:24 p.m. on December 1. A party driving a gray Chevy extended cab pickup hit a blue Ford Edge. 
 

There was a report of a white Toyota Tundra with Ontario plates passing five cars going into Grand Marais at 6:43 p.m. on December 2. The motorist was stopped at the Holiday station. 
 

At 9:11 a.m. on December 3, a caller reported vandalism at a Hovland property. Snow and leaves were stuffed in the vent to the incinolet toilet sometime between Thanksgiving and now. Deputy checked area and didn’t see any damages. Party was advised to put up a game camera.
 

There was a report of an assault at 1:38 p.m. on December 3 in Grand Portage. The incident is under investigation.
 

Cook County Probation transported a party to CHUM in Duluth at 2:38 on December 3. Cook County recorded the mileage.
 

A party called at 2:42 p.m. on December 3 with concerns about a Grand Portage road on which parties are getting stuck. The reporting party does not know if it is a county or tribal road. Cook County reached out to Grand Portage and was told the road is being groomed as a snowmobile trail. Barriers will be put up to stop people from driving cars on the road. 
 

A party came in to the law enforcement center at 10:30 a.m. on December 4 to speak to the sheriff about a citation they received regarding trespassing. The party spoke to the sheriff. 
 

A party reported a fire about 10’x10’ burning about 20’ from a structure in Schroeder at 12:19 p.m. on December 4. Parties were shoveling snow to extinguish the fire. The Schroeder, Tofte and Silver Bay Fire Departments were paged and Schroeder Fire reached the scene at 12:43. The fire was extinguished and all parties were clear by 1:04 p.m. The property owner was cited for burning prohibited materials. 
 

A party with a bad phone connection called several times around 1:54 p.m. on December 4. They wanted to confirm that a large burn area on east Highway 61was a prescribed burn. Cook County confirmed that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources was conducting a prescribed burn in the area. 
 

A hunter complained of the theft of a memory card from a game camera at 3:06 p.m. on December 4. A party also put a deer stand up in very close proximity to theirs. The reporting party just wanted this on record in case there are additional issues. 
 

A party called at 6:16 p.m. on December 4 with no emergency. They just wanted to know if the AT&T tower was down. 
 

A party called at 8:28 a.m. on December 5 reporting a truck traveling on 1st Avenue East a couple of times a week, not on the truck route. Deputies will keep an eye out for the truck in the future. 
 

The Grand Marais Recreation Park called at 9:36 a.m. on December 5 to report that someone spinning around in a car tore up some newly planted trees in the Rec park, causing approximately $200 - $300 in damage. It occurred in the last couple days. 
 

A caller reported receiving a disturbing text from a possibly suicidal person at 12:15 p.m. on December 5. The name and address was not familiar to the sheriff’s office, so the phone was checked. It was located in Puposky, Minnesota. Cook County shared the information with Beltrami County. They located and were talking with the party. 
 

An accident was reported on private property in Grand Portage at 12:16 p.m. on December 5. It was a non-injury, no alcohol involved, accident and both drivers have insurance. Parties asked for a sheriff’s office report, which was provided. 
 

A motorist reported cars sliding backward down County Road 14 at 5:18 p.m. on December 5. Cook County advised the county highway department. 
 

The sheriff’s office assisted Cook County Probation in conducting a urinalysis on an individual at 6:02 p.m. on December 5.

A motorist reported being passed by a large, yellow panel truck on West Highway 61 at 7:37 on December 6. After passing, the truck was “wagging” all over the lane. 
 

A party reported a lost American Express credit card on December 6, possibly at the Post Office.
 

At party with an order for protection came into the law enforcement center at 4:36 a.m. on December 6, asking the sheriff’s office to tell the party to bring her TV to court. Cook County advised that this is a civil matter, which can be addressed in court before the judge. Cook County also reminded the party that the parties should not be having any contact with one another. 
 

A party called from School District 166 at 5:38 p.m. on December 6 reporting four kids “rough housing” by the Eagle doors. Party said they may be waiting for their parents but they are blocking the door, being juvenile delinquents. A deputy arrived on scene, checked area and said they couldn’t locate any juvenile delinquents. 
 

A traffic stop at 12:29 a.m. on December 7 resulted in the arrest of a man for DWI. 
 

There was a call from a party on east Highway 61 at 8:09 a.m. from a party whose elderly father with dementia was attempting to hitchhike to Grand Marais. The man would likely not listen to family members. A deputy arrived and talked to the man, advising him that traffic was bad and they would prefer that he not go walking today. The man said he wouldn’t and went home for breakfast. 
 

Snowmobile activity was reported at the Minnesota Power Taconite Harbor Energy Center at 11:35 a.m. on December 7. One of the snowmobilers was located and he said they have been riding there five years, entering from his property, and going to the snowmobile trail. Deputies advised him that this was private property and he needed permission to be there. He said he is trying to contact someone from there to get permission. Cook County advised Minnesota Power to post more “no trespassing” signs if they want to keep people from entering the property.
 

A check welfare request came in at 4:04 p.m. on December 7 for an elderly man walking on the side of the road in Grand Marais. A motorist stopped to see if he was okay and he seemed distressed. Deputies visited his residence and found the man at home. His wife said he has dementia and he became upset by something on TV. His wife was advised of Project Lifesaver, which could help keep track of the man. 
 

There was a report of a car in the middle of the road on 1st Avenue West at 6:59 p.m. on December 7. The tire of the car had fallen off. A tow had been requested. 
 

A caller reported an out-of-control male on the Ski Hill Road at 10:10 p.m. on December 7. Lutsen First Responders and Cook County Ambulance were paged and responded. The man was transported to North Shore Health.
 

A welfare check was requested for an apparently intoxicated person at 12:45 a.m. on December 8. The deputy found and spoke with him. He lives a block away and was okay to walk home the rest of the way.
 

A call came in from two parties in a black Jeep Cherokee stuck on the Lutsen Access Trail at 2:14 p.m. on December 8. They took a wrong turn off of Evergreen Road from the Caribou Trail and ended up on the Mistletoe Road, then a logging road and then the Lutsen Access Trail. The snow was too deep for them to get out. The parties were okay—no medical issues and they are warm. North Coast Towing has the equipment to get a vehicle off the snowmobile trail, but it would take several hours to get the equipment and get there. The stuck men called at 2:50 p.m. to say they managed to get the vehicle unstuck. The tow was cancelled.
 

A party called at 9:54 a.m. on November 27 to report that her three-legged dog, Sage, was loose. The party cannot go after the dog right now as her car is snowed in, but she believes the dog will come home on its own. She just wanted to let law enforcement know in case Sage was found. The party called back at 10:27 a.m., Sage was home safe. 
 

A truck driver reported three horses on Highway 61 about a mile from Temperance River at 4:37 a.m. on November 28. There were two spotted horses and one white one. Cook County called Lake County to ask if it had received a report of missing horses, or knew of someone with horses in that area. State Patrol responded to the area, but was unable to find the horses. The trooper saw horse tracks on the side of the road and would follow them. A sheriff deputy said a resident on Good Neighbor Hill Road had horses. That party was contacted. When Cook County asked if her horses were missing, there was a short pause, and she replied yes. However, they were back in the yard now. 
 

A party called the sheriff’s office for help at 2:17 a.m. on November 30 because one of her hamsters attacked the other in the cage and it was severely injured. Cook County attempted to reach local veterinarians, who were not available. Cook County gave the party that information. She said she is sad this happened and would contact her pastor.
 

A six-year-old, male, yellow lab named Kirby was reported missing at 11:08 a.m. on December 1. The party called back ten minutes later, Kirby was home. 
 

A party reported a couple of dogs running around on County Road 7 at 5:45 p.m. on December 4. She almost hit them. Other vehicles went by in the opposite direction without stopping or slowing, so she thinks the dogs are okay.
 

A party reported that his son’s dogs ran off at 3:14 p.m. on December 6 – a cocker spaniel mix and a German shepard. They have been gone since 10 a.m. 
 

And there were many reports of car-deer collisions. A party called to say there was a deer in front of his residence on east Highway 61 that was in the ditch and needed to be dispatched at 6:33 p.m. The party asked if he could take possession of the deer after it was dispatched. The answer was yes, but he would have to come into the law enforcement center for a permit. 
 

A car hit a deer on West Highway 61 at 8:19 on November 28. The party reported no human injuries and the disabled car will be towed in the morning. The party asked for a deer possession permit and that was issued, along with a warning for an expired driver’s license. 
 

A deputy responded to a car-deer crash on east Highway 61 at 5:01 p.m. on December 4. No medical was needed and there was minimal damage to the car’s right, front fender. The driver was issued a roadkill permit and took the dispatched deer.
 

There were two reports of deer in the northbound lane of Highway 61 near the Lake/Cook County line. Both deer were removed from the road. 

Two reports of possible fraud were reported on November 26. A Tofte resident was told that someone is using their social security number. The reporting party just wanted the information on record. Another party called saying he had received a call from someone claiming to be from the social security administration. He wondered if it was true. Cook County advised him it was false. If the SSA wants to reach someone, they send a letter.
 

A party received a call at 2:32 p.m. on November 29 from a number that came up as from Jamaica on his caller ID. The caller said the party won 2nd place in the Publisher’s Clearing House contest. They asked for personal information and the reporting party told the caller when they showed up on his doorstep with his winnings, he would give them his information. He did not give out any information and just wanted the call on record for others.
 

And another party called on November 3 reporting calls from someone saying they are a social security investigator. He just wanted to find out if it is real or a scam. Cook County advised it was a scam and said he did a good job not giving out his social security number. 
 

Parking and permits
During this time period, the Sheriff’s Office conducted 46 traffic stops, resulting in two warnings, 33 reprimands and 10 citations. Deputies also made 42 business and/or residence checks. And on November 19, deputies conducted an ATV patrol.
 

And 88 reprimands were issued in the City of Grand Marais to inform the public of the new alternate calendar parking ordinance.
 

There were 11 medical calls. 
 

The law enforcement center issued 38 burn permits and permits to carry. There were 20 crank or misdialed 9-1-1 calls.