North Shore News Hour

Sophie Holz of Grand Marais was visiting Spain when the coronavirus (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic. She traveled, with her mother Dominque Holz, who was visiting her, to France to be in a more familiar area.

Dominique is French and Sophie has a dual citizenship. She planned on spending time in France before the coronavirus hit. However, it looks like her stay there may be longer than planned.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence reached Sophie in Laroque-des-Albères, France to find out how she is faring.
 

The Grand Marais City Council voted last night, March 18, to close the Grand Marais Municipal Liquor Store for an indefinite time due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. They will revisit the decision at their next council meeting, on Wednesday, March 25.

The city council debated the decision, first considering staying open with limited access. But the council ultimately passed a unanimous motion to close the Grand Marais Municipal Liquor Store.

WTIP Community Radio reached out to other establishments that sell liquor to learn their plans. Most of the area’s liquor stores are remaining open, with some changes to operations. All of the businesses we spoke with asked customers to follow the guidelines of the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control for slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
Here’s what we learned.

Lutsen Liquor in Lutsen will also be open with no Sunday hours. Because the store is small, they are asking that no more than four customers enter the store at one time. Lutsen Liquor can be reached at 218-663-7370.

Tofte General Store and Bottle Shop in Tofte is remaining open unless otherwise directed by the State of Minnesota. If anyone is ill or under self-quarantine, Tofte General Store is offering grocery delivery, on a limited basis. They are also offering curbside service. Tofte General Store can be reached at 218-663-7288.

Temperance Traders in Schroeder will be open through the weekend and then will likely reduce hours next week. Temperance Traders Cabins has suspended rentals for 30 days. Temperance Traders can be reached at 218-663-0111.

Poplar Haus on the Gunflint Trail is open and offering curbside food service. The liquor store will remain open as long as Poplar Haus has supplies. Because the Poplar Haus liquor store is so small, they are limiting visits to two customers at a time. Poplar Haus can be reached at 218-388-2222.

Devil Track General Store and Liquor in Grand Marais will also be open for gas, groceries, and liquor as supplies last. Devil Track General Store can be reached at 218-370-8469.

**Update - March 20 **
At a special meeting of the City of Grand Marais on Wednesday, March 18, the council passed a unanimous motion declaring a state of emergency in the city of Grand Marais in light of the spread of COVID-19. With that motion, the city approved limiting access to city hall.

The city council also passed a unanimous motion to close the Grand Marais Municipal Liquor Store temporarily.

The council has a regular meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, but that meeting will not be held at Grand Marais City Hall. The mayor and councilors will participate remotely. There will not be an opportunity for public comment at the meeting, so citizens with questions or concerned are asked to email them to [email protected] or call 218-387-1848.
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The Grand Marais City Council is holding a special meeting at 6:30 pm. on Wednesday, March 18. The meeting is being held specifically to approve payment of bills, but City Communication Director Patrick Knight said the council will also discuss the city’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19. 
 
The meeting will be broadcast live and published on the city’s YouTube channel. The city asks that the public not attend the meeting in person. 
 
The city has also announced its steps to protect the public's health and slow the rate of transmission of COVID-19. Communication Director Patrick Knight said the city will continue to provide essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Knight said, “City staff will be here ensuring we’re prepared and responding.”

The Grand Marais Municipal Liquor Store is now closed. 
 
However, the city asks that the community access its services remotely as much as possible. Knight provides the following methods to access city services without coming to city hall.
 
To reach city staff, call 218-387-1848 or email [email protected].
 

Viewing Public Meetings

• Meetings of the City Council will be live broadcast here. 

Filling out paperwork

• Mail your documents to: PO Box 600, Grand Marais, MN 55604
• Scan and email your documents to: [email protected]
• Drop off documents in the dropbox at 15 N Broadway
• Most of city business forms are available online here. 
• If you are looking for a form that you can't find on the website, call or email for assistance.

To pay your utility bill

• Mail your payment to PO Box 600, Grand Marais, MN 55604
• Drop off a payment in the dropbox at 15 N Broadway
• Call Payment Service network at 1-877-885-7968
• You can pay your bill online via the Payment Service Network, here. 

More information on city services is available at ci.grand-marais.mn.us

Tony Hegg, former Grand Marais resident and his wife, Jessica Vega, live in Shanghai, China, where Tony works as a researcher at a Chinese university. We spoke with Tony in mid-February to learn how he and Jessica were faring in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak in China.

Now that the virus has begun to impact the United States, WTIP’s Rhonda Silence checked in with Tony again to see how things are going.
 

In the past, WTIP has reported on the work toward completion of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail, which will eventually be an 89-mile non-motorized, paved recreational trail between Two Harbors and Grand Marais, Minnesota, along Lake Superior's beautiful and historic North Shore.

In 2020, another 3.4-mile section of trail will be completed, from Cutface Wayside Rest to the current section of the Gitchi Gami Trail heading west from Grand Marais.

This section includes the Fall River, the site of some controversy, as there are some who do not want the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to construct a bridge at the DNR’s preferred site. In October 2018, the DNR announced it would proceed with the bridge as proposed. More information on that decision is available in this WTIP story.

Tree clearing for this new section of the Gitchi Gami Trail has begun. According to DNR Parks and Trails Northeast Regional Manager Scott Kelling the work must be done before May 1 to prevent the long-eared bat from nesting in the trees to be removed. 

The trail work is being completed by KGM Contractors of Angora, Minnesota. They will be completing some grading work that leads to the bridge over the Fall River. The bridge itself will be built by Red Stone Construction of Mora, Minnesota. Kelling said the intent is to have the trail section ready for riding in fall 2020. 

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence talks to DNR Parks and Trails Northeast Regional Manager Scott Kelling to learn more. Anyone with questions about the project may call Kelling at 218-328-8986. 

See related stories here: 

EDA votes to support DNR plans for Fall River bike trail bridge - September 19, 2018

DNR hears concern about Gitchi Gami bridge proposal - July 16, 2018
 

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office shared a brief report of calls made to the Cook County Law Enforcement Center from February 25 - March 9, 2020. WTIP requested more information on a number of the incidents logged by law enforcement dispatchers.

February 25
8:07 a.m. - A party called to report hitting a deer the night before and wanted to report damage to her 2019 Chevy Silverado.
9:11 a.m. –Grand Portage Human Service requested assistance for a party who has been having people entering his house and taking food, toilet paper and other items. The sheriff’s office told the parties that they are not to visit the residence. Human Services will write a trespass letter for the party.
11:03 a.m. – A party called to let law enforcement dispatchers know they were going to test to see if their Alexa device will call 911. The party called back and said it did not work.

February 26
3:52 p.m. – A party called to request a deer possession permit on West Highway 61. 
4:21 p.m. – A party called to report a man driving with children not in car seats.  
 4:41 p.m. – A party reported that a juvenile wearing a puffy blue coat had broken into a vehicle in Grand Marais. The party caught up with the youth and was able to get the items back. The party did not want to file charges.
 8:36 p.m. – A juvenile was supposed to go home and wanted to stay with cousins. A deputy found the juvenile and dropped the minor off with her grandmother.
9:07 p.m. – A party reported that a 14-year-old had run off and gave some suggestions on where the youth could be. A deputy located the juvenile with another young person. The deputy dropped one youth off at a grandmother’s house and took the other home.

February 27
6:57 a.m. – A female in a gray GMC Yukon went into the ditch and hit a mailbox on Country Road 60 in Grand Marais. The road was slippery. The vehicle was pulled out, there was minor damage to the mailbox. Owner was contacted and said there was no permanent damage; he was able to knock out the dents.
9:33 a.m. – A party wanted to speak with a deputy about someone that may cause problems for their family due to court matters.
10:51 p.m. – A party reported that an unknown person hijacked his account in a Facebook pool game application. Party is concerned they may hijack his Facebook account, and gain access to his financial information. Party advised to contact Facebook and financial assistance.

February 28
9:00 a.m. – The sheriff’s office assisted with a Public Health and Human Services home visit in Grand Marais.
11:30 a.m. – A party found a license plate at the clinic and left it at the front desk. The registered owner of the plate was contacted.
1:34 p.m. – A party called from Grand Portage reported a possibly abandoned snowmobile, an orange Arctic Cat.
4:48 p.m. – Cook County Public Services called for help with a client. The client did not want to talk to a deputy, but will reach out to the sheriff’s office if they want to talk later.
4:54 p.m. – A party called to report a dead deer in the northbound lane of Highway 61 near mile marker 66, causing a hazard. Cook County referred the call to Lake County and the Minnesota State Patrol.

February 29
12:14 p.m. – A party in Tofte said people are trespassing on a trail they put in for their own use. Cook County advised the party on the requirements for posting of “no trespassing” signs.
5:40 p.m. – A party called to report a car stuck in the snow on Firebox Road. Cook County contacted the vehicle owner. They will be going in with a loose track vehicle tomorrow to get the car out.
5:57 p.m. – There was a call reporting a vehicle in the ditch between mile marker 144 and the Canadian border. No medical help is needed, but a tow is needed. Cook County shared the information with the Minnesota State Patrol.

March 1
8:51 – A party on Cascade Beach Road called to report a drone pausing in the front window of the cabin they are staying in. The drone left and did not return.
11:39 a.m. - A caller asked for sheriff’s office assistance in locating a possibly missing 37-year-old male. person. The caller said the party was ill during a recent trip to the North Shore and is now not answering his phone. Cook County contacted and visited Grand Marais and Silver Bay hotels. Cook County contacted U.S. Customs and they had no information on the man. The reporting party called back at 7:45 a.m. on March 2 stating that a text had been received from the missing person.
11:54 a.m. – A motorist from Ontario hit a deer on West Highway 61. There were no injuries, and the vehicle was drivable. The dead deer was moved off of the road.
2:50 p.m. There was a hit and run accident.
3:08 p.m. A party called to report a silver-blue Ford SUV parked on the side of the road, south of Cascade State Park. It seemed to be unoccupied. The reporting party said it is an odd place to park.
3:19 p.m. – Cook County provided information to the U.S. Forest Service on a dump truck with old tabs.
4:22 p.m. – A party reported a scam call allegedly from DIRECTV. They asked for a credit card number so she hung up.

March 3
8:18 a.m. -  A Grand Marais business reported that a Grand Marais man had written three checks, totally approximately $900 that were returned by the bank.
10:46 a.m. – There was a report of a disabled vehicle on Highway 61. Assistance in getting a tow was requested. North Coast Towing will respond and will be there in ten minutes.
12:08 p.m. – A driver backed into another vehicle in the Gene’s Foods parking lot. Small damage to a rear fender was reported. Parties exchange insurance information but wanted it on record.
5:07 p.m. – A green 4-door Fiat went down the unplowed Murmur Creek Road and got stuck in snow. Assistance was requested. There were two adults in the vehicle and they are able to stay warm until a tow truck responds. Cook County Towing responded. Cook County dispatch checked back at 7:20 p.m. Cook County Towing was still working to get the vehicle pulled out. The towing company called to let the sheriff’s office know the vehicle was out at 9:09 p.m.
5:40 p.m. A woman called to request a welfare check for her son with mental health issues who might be in Cook County. The sheriff’s office checked local campgrounds and Lutsen Resort, where he had stayed in the past, but could not locate the man. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office was given the information. The woman called back at 7 p.m. to say her son’s car had been located in Hennepin County, where someone had seen him.

March 4
7:21 a.m. – A party reported a yellow lab at the east doors of the Cook County courthouse, just sitting there and shaking. Cook County located the owner who will come pick up the dog. Cedar was reunited with the owner.
11:55 a.m. – A monthly countywide emergency pager test was completed.
12:48 p.m. – A party contacted the sheriff’s office to report a sexual assault that occurred several months ago. A time and place to talk to a deputy was arranged. The matter is under investigation.
2:11 p.m. – Cook County Public Health & Human Services requested assistance on gaining access to a property for possible removal of a child from a home. Based on the evidence provided, the child was not removed from the home. There will be follow up.
2:40 p.m. – A party in Grand Marais said an ex-girlfriend in Ely has been sending threatening text messages to his family.
6:50 p.m. – A party on east Highway 61 called for his neighbor to report a black truck with the lights out sitting at his address for the past 45 minutes. The truck is running with the lights on. No one should be there at this time. Cook County located the truck owner who was visiting someone in the area. They did not realize they left the truck running. Cook County informed the reporting party and they said they are okay with the truck being there.

March 5
3:42 a.m. – The sheriff’s office received a report of a 2002 blue Ford Escape in the ditch on County Road 7. No damage to the vehicle, but it is partially blocking the road so a tow is needed. Cook County called the registered owner, who said he swerved to miss a small animal and the road was slicker than he thought. Cook County Towing will respond.
8:29 a.m. – There was a report of a 2009 Saturn Vue on fire in a parking lot on Ski Hill Road. No one is inside. Three fire extinguishers were used with no luck putting the fire out. Lutsen Fire Department, Lutsen First Responders, and North Shore Health ambulance were paged. The Fire Department responded and at 8:59 p.m. reported the fire was out. The fire department remained on the scene to monitor until 9:20 a.m.
12:11 p.m. – A party in Grand Marais wanted to report that their neighbor has been singing and screaming at the top of his lungs the last few nights. The sheriff’s office asked the party to call when the party is causing a disturbance so a deputy can respond.
3:53 p.m. - Cook County assisted with the transport of a juvenile to Omegon Residential Treatment Center in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.
4:43 p.m. – A party in Grand Marais requested a welfare check for her mother in Silver Bay. Cook County transferred the party to Lake County for assistance.
5:24 p.m. – A deputy moved a 10-12 foot 2x4 board from the middle of the road near the tennis courts in Grand Marais to the shoulder of the road as it would not fit in the squad car. It looks as though it fell off of a truck.
6:08 p.m. – A party in Grand Marais reports that it is really slippery. They did a quick stop and then had trouble getting started again. The sheriff’s office contacted the Cook County Highway Department who said that the wind keeps blowing everything they lay down there.
9:03 p.m. – A big, black dog with a white chest and white, right paw is loose in Grand Marais. He has a collar on, but the phone number on it is disconnected. The dog was placed in the pound and Animal Advocates was contacted. Cook County tried contacting known Bernese Mountain dog owners in town and all dogs were accounted for. The owner learned that her dog had been found. It is a Pyrenees Newfoundland. Her husband will come to claim the dog.
11:28 p.m. - A caller reported that a possibly intoxicated person had just left a location in Grand Marais, possibly toward Silver Bay. A deputy drove from Tofte to Grand Marais and did not encounter any vehicles similar to the suspect vehicle.

March 6
7:13 a.m. – A deer with a broken leg was reported on the highway by Grand Marais Pharmacy. Deputies could not locate the deer.
7:54 a.m. – A party in Grand Marais has a delivery coming by semi and asked if the sheriff’s office had someone that could be in the area to help slow down traffic. Deputy was informed, but may not be available at that time.
8:07 a.m. – A county employee reported that County Road 7 is glare ice.
8:41 a.m. – Several callers reported two deer injured on Highway 61 near Tofte, needing to be dispatched. On deputy’s arrival, one deer was dead; the other was dispatched.
9:52 a.m. – A call came in from Sag Lake Trail of a 60-year-old male possibly having a cardiac episode. He collapsed in the Sag Lake Corridor, about four miles southeast of Camper Island. Gunflint First Responders and Search and Rescue headed to the scene via snowmobile. At 10 a.m., a call came in that the incident may not be a cardiac event. Responders continued with a 7-foot Otter sled behind the snowmobile and reached Camper Island at 10:10 a.m. Emergency responders had the patient out to the Gunflint Ambulance at 10:30 a.m. The patient was alert and conscious.
12:43 p.m. – A party on West Highway 61 reported receiving a nonsufficient check for $44.00. The individual’s bank accounts have been closed. They are not able to collect the funds. The sheriff’s office will email documents for worthless checks.
2:04 p.m. – Deputies changed and tested the battery in a Project Live Saver bracelet for an individual in Grand Marais.
2:20 p.m. – A party in Grand Marais said her neighbor yelled at her in the parking lot about 45 minutes ago. She had to calm down before calling. The party thought she had complained about his dog.
3:00 p.m. – A party called from the Gunflint Trail, saying his brother is running away from his mom. The party was from Barron County, Wisconsin, so Cook County offered to give him contact number for that police department. The party declined.
3:33 p.m. – A party in Schroeder reported a small, white, Chihuahua mix running into the woods near Sugarloaf Cove. The reporting party couldn’t catch it.
10:44 p.m. – A party called with concerns about a 14-year-old at a Grand Portage residence where there was alcohol and no adults. A deputy located the youth at 11:59 p.m., walking back to the reporting party’s house.

March 7
12:24 a.m. – A party asked for help locating his wife, who was driving from Ely to Grand Marais in a black Ford Ranger, pulling a dog sled trailer. Party was heading to Dog Days on the Gunflint Trail. Calls are going directly to her voice mail. Deputies checked back roads, area hotels, parking areas, etc. At 3:26 a.m., they located her vehicle parked on Hungry Jack Road. Party said the hotel she was going to stay at had sled dogs already and they were being loud, so she moved to be considerate of other guests. She tried texting her husband, but lost service. Cook County will relay that information to her husband.
12:11 p.m. – A party reported that a gray Saturn sedan, half-covered in snow, has been parked on a Grand Marais street for several days. The sheriff’s office contacted the registered owner who said he had sold the car 6-8 months ago. He had asked the party to transfer the title, but he hadn’t gotten around to it. It appears to be broken down. The sheriff’s office noted that the party had a suspended driver’s license.
1:08 p.m. – A party in Tofte reported snowmobiles trespassing on their property. Party has posted signs and they were ripped own. The party reports three sleds, a combination of red, white and black colors with all riders dressed in black suits and helmets. They were arrogant and showing off. Party just wanted it on record.  
1:44 p.m. - A party called requesting a tow for a Jeep stuck a road near Grand Stable Overlook. Unaware of that location, Cook County requested that the party call back on 911 to get a better location. The party called back to apologize, they were trying to reach law enforcement in Grand Marais, Michigan.
1:52 p.m. - There was a call of a missing 92-year-old female on North Pike Lake Road. The female’s husband dozed off and the women went outside and cannot be found. She is in good health physically and strong enough to walk a ways, but has dementia. This is not the first time she wandered off. Last summer she was found on a dead-end road west of their house, but that road is not plowed. A neighbor joined the search and found her on the dead-end road, which has been plowed. Both parties were back at the residence at 4:19 p.m. A deputy spoke with the husband about the Project Lifesaver program. They will look into it.
6:05 p.m. - A small black and white dog, possibly a pit bull mix was seen running loose in the library area in Grand Marais. Party is worried it will get hit. Deputy caught the dog and took it to the pound. The owner called to see if anyone had found her dog. She paid the fee and was reunited with the dog.
7:06 p.m.  – A party said they were driving north and almost hit a black and white dog by the State Park. Party was unable to catch the dog.
9:51 p.m. – A party on the Ski Hill Road in Lutsen called to report an intoxicated person refusing to leave Papa Charlie’s.
10:05 p.m. – A party called from a residence east of Grand Marais reporting either shots fired or fireworks for the second night. The sound is in rapid-fire, like a semi-automatic weapon.
11:35 p.m. - A party at Papa Charlie’s reported another intoxicated party who threw up twice. He was kicked out but snuck back in. Deputies responded and the party was told not to go back to Papa Charlies for the night or he will be arrested.

March 8
3:09 a.m. – A wallet was found in the alley behind Gunflint Tavern. The sheriff’s office contacted the owner and he will come to pick it up.
7:43 a.m. – A deputy got out to dispatch a deer on east Highway 61, but the deer took off.
9:24 a.m. – A party reported that a silver Chevy Volt was plugged into a city power outlet across from the Trading Post. A deputy checked with Bluewater Café and the owner was not there, but was told the vehicle had been there since early morning. The deputy left a card on the vehicle dash advising the owner to call the sheriff’s office. The party called back and was told they need to get permission before using electricity for his vehicle.
9:38 a.m. – Cook County received a request to be on the lookout for a possibly suicidal 44-year-old female in a gray/silver 2007 Mazda. Her destination was unknown, but her husband said she shared photos of what looked like Palisade Head. Lake County contacted Cook County at 10:15 a.m. to report that the woman had been found.
9:47 a.m. – A party east of Grand Marais reported the sound of shots again. A deputy responded but was unable to find anyone shooting.
 
March 9
8:01 a.m. – A little white dog, about 10-15 pounds, was seen running on the Gunflint Trail. The caller will try to catch him. Deputy went through the area, but saw no sign of the dog.

Miscellaneous other calls
During this time period, Cook County Sheriff’s Office deputies had 43 traffic stops, resulting in one warning, 33 reprimands and nine citations. There were 55 business or residence checks.
Deputies also participated in Operation Stonegarden, a joint sheriff’s office and U.S. Customs and Border Protection patrol effort.
There were 17 medical calls and 12 crank or misdialed 911 calls. The Sheriff’s Office issued six burn permits and one permit to acquire a firearm.

If you need to contact the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, call 218-387-3040. For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.
 
 
 

 When longtime commercial fisherman Harley Toftey of Grand Marais started talking about retiring in 2018, some residents were worried. Would there be someone fishing out of the Grand Marais harbor, stocking the local fish market and restaurants? There was a communal sigh of relief when it was learned that a new generation of fishermen was stepping forward.

Among a handful of old-timers, Tyler Smith and Zachary Smith, who had apprenticed with Harley Toftey, were continuing the fishing tradition. As was Eric Brisson, who apprenticed with his uncle, Ed “Ole” Hendrickson of Grand Portage.

Tyler Smith and Eric Brisson recently announced that they have formed a new commercial fishing operation, North Superior Fisheries, LLC.
They will continue to lease and work with North House Folk School, which purchased the Dockside Fish Market building in December 2017.  And the fish they catch—lake trout, herring, and menominee—will be on the menu at the soon-to-be opened restaurant The Fishermen’s Daughter in the Dockside building.

Click here to see the related story on The Fishermen’s Daughter, to be operated by Abby Tofte and Sam Hedstrom, owners of The Big Lake, and Kate and Jeremy Keeble, owners of Hungry Hippie Hostel and Hungry Hippie Tacos.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence sat down with Eric and Tyler to learn more about their fishing backgrounds and about what is ahead for North Superior Fishery. 
 

The Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and North Shore Health have issued a joint statement about new screening procedures at the entrance to the medical facility. In making this announcement, they stress that as of Sunday, March 15, there are NO known cases of Covid-19 in Cook County.

However, local health care officials have announced new entrance and patient screening procedures as a precautionary measure.
Effective immediately, patients will be greeted at the hospital and clinic entrances by staff members who will ask questions about recent health history and any symptoms of respiratory illness, recent travel activity and will be taking patient temperatures before entry is granted to the facility.
 
“These are common-sense steps to be sure that we are aware of the status of all patients and visitors who enter our facilities,” said Kate Surbaugh, CEO of Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, “These new procedures will help us ensure the health of all who need our services during this national emergency.”

North Shore Health announced Saturday that effective immediately, North Shore Health will restrict visitors to North Shore Living (Care Center) and Inpatient Hospital area, with the exception of compassionate care circumstances. This action was taken based upon revised recommendations of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and to combat the spread of the disease and protect the health and welfare of our residents, patients, and staff.
 
“The health and wellness of our residents, patients and the caregiving teams who support them is our number one priority,” said Kimber Wraalstad, Administrator of North Shore Health, “To help save lives and reduce severe illnesses, we will be implementing these restrictions and new screening procedures effective immediately.”
 
Both Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and North Shore Health are partnering closely with Cook County Public Health and Human Services, the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to stay abreast of on-going developments and to strengthen preparations for any additional spread of Coronavirus in Minnesota.
 
“We encourage people to take the COVID-19 virus seriously and take personal steps to avoid the spread of any virus.  Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, cover your cough and stay home if you are sick,” said Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Medical Director Dr. Paul Terrill.

Terrill continued, “As the environment for COVID-19 is changing rapidly, we also encourage people to stay aware of the latest developments, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and MN Department of Health (MDH) websites regularly, and prepare their families for potential disruptions in daily life.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, if you recently returned from a country with a COVID-19 outbreak and are feeling sick, call your health care provider and tell them where you traveled and what symptoms you are experiencing.
 
“North Shore Health, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and Cook County Public Health and Human Services are working closely and are committed to providing quality health care to all of our communities. In this current state of flux regarding COVDID-19, we pledge to communicate frequently about what we know and what steps we are taking to address the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” said Surbaugh.
 
“As we navigate this challenge, we remain focused on providing exceptional care and services for our patients and residents,” Wraalstad added.

For more information on the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, contact Erin Watson at 218-387-2330.
 
For more information on North Shore Health, contact Kimber Wraalstad at 218-387-3260.
 
For more information from Cook County Health and Human Services, contact
Grace Grinager at 218-387-3620.
 
 
More information can also be found on our website, in a section dedicated to coverage of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. Click here for updates and important informational links. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Just before 1 a.m. last night, March 13, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office 911 dispatch received a report of a 91-year-old male missing in the Lutsen area. 
 
The caller believed the party, Edward Stark of Lutsen, had left the house sometime during the night. 
 
Cook County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Search & Rescue, North Shore Health ambulance and Lutsen First Responders were paged. A search was conducted and he was located at 1:43 am, within a 100-yard radius of the residence.
 
CPR was initiated, but at 2:16 a.m., Stark was declared deceased.
 
An autopsy will be completed at the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death. No further information is available at this time.
 

The North Shore Storm PeeWee “B” team is headed to the state tournament in New Ulm, March 13-15.

Before they took off, we asked two of the team members, who live in Grand Marais, to come in and talk hockey with us. Here's WTIP's Rhonda Silence with Brody Bronikowski and Rayce Gibson.