North Shore News Hour

 As WTIP listeners likely know, with the retirement of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Darin Fagerman in June 2019, Cook County was down a CO. That void has been filled and there is now a new Tofte area conservation officer, Kylan Hill.

Rhonda Silence sat down with this new member of the DNR Conservation Officer team to learn more about how he came to be a CO and his thoughts on his new station.

Conservation Officer Hill asked WTIP to share his phone number, so citizens who have questions may contact him at 218-387-4393.
 

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office shared a brief report of calls made to the Cook County Law Enforcement Center from November 18 - 24. WTIP requested more information on a number of the incidents logged by law enforcement dispatchers.

On November 19, an individual getting a divorce came into the law enforcement center at 9:20 a.m. to see if there is anything that came be done because his soon-to-be ex-wife had dropped him from her health insurance. He was told this is a civil matter and advised to talk to an attorney.

That afternoon at 3:58 p.m., a party came into the law enforcement center to speak to a deputy about someone harassing her. She was advised to file for a restraining order.

The Cook County Recycle Center called at 8:11 a.m. on November 20 to report a van parked across the road, in the way when trailers are moved in and out of the center. The sheriff’s office checked and the vehicle is parked legally in the Little League field parking area, but the owner was contacted to see if it could be moved. It has a bad transmission and the party is working on it.

The sheriff’s office assisted the Cook County Environmental Health Department with a video documenting at 10:20 a.m. on November 20.

There was a report of a structure fire on East Highway 61 at 2:10 on November 20. The reporting party said cabin number 3 is on fire. Grand Portage, Colvill and Hovland fire departments and Cook County Ambulance were paged.
Grand Portage Fire was on scene by 2:30 p.m. and found a chimney fire, smoldering in the rafters, as the renters were using the woodstove. Grand Portage said the other departments could stand down. All responders were clear of the scene by 4:51 p.m.

 There was a report of a vulnerable adult being a victim of theft on November 20.

A party called at 7:50 p.m. on November 20, asking for a welfare check on 28-year-old their son in Tofte. The party said they normally hear from him once a day. Cook County asked if the son has mental health or drug issues. The parent did not think so and told Cook County to disregard the call, they would go to the son’s home to check on him themselves. They will call back if assistance is needed.

There was a report of suspicious activity on West Highway 61 at 9:41 p.m. on November 20. It was determined that it was someone putting some items in storage.

A call reporting an overdue motorist on the slippery Gunflint Trail at 12:38 a.m. on November 21 led to a deputy going in the ditch in a squad car. The incident started when a party asked the sheriff’s office to check on her daughter, who was coming to her residence on Mile ‘O Pine Drive from Grand Marais.
A deputy checked the daughter’s place of work and other possible places she could be and then headed up the Gunflint Trail to look for her car. The deputy told dispatchers that the Gunflint Trail was practically undriveable at 1:36 a.m. At 1:39 a.m., the deputy reported that the squad car had gone in the ditch. Staff from Poplar Haus assisted the deputy and he was on the way again at 1:58 a.m. The deputy found the daughter on South Gunflint Road. Her car had gone into the ditch. She was delivered to her destination at 2:20 a.m.

At 4:14 a.m., on November 21, a party called to say said he hydro-planed and went off the road into the ditch, taking out a couple of trees. He said there were no injuries, but it looks like the vehicle is probably going to be totaled. The reporting party needed to continue on to the border so he could plow their parking lot. He just wanted to advise that his pickup would be in the ditch until he could get back to it and call a tow.

Sheriff deputies assisted probation on November 21 with the transport of a party that was being released from the Northeast Regional Corrections Center.

At 8:55 a.m. on November 21, a party called to say they were having difficulties getting up the hill on the Gunflint Trail in his logging truck. He was having to back down the hill and requested help. The Cook County Highway Department was contacted for sand and a deputy responded to follow the truck up the hill with lights on. The truck was up the hill and the deputy clear at 9:18 a.m.

A party called the sheriff’s office at 9:54 a.m. on November 21 to report that he had hit a tree while plowing in a Grand Portage Housing vehicle. There was minimal damage. Photos were taken. No citations were issued.
There was a report of child neglect at 10:22 a.m. on November 21. The call was determined to be a matter of record.

A party called from the Gunflint Trail at 11 a.m. on November 21 to report damage to a room. There was a broken TV and the room was a mess. The credit card number left for damages got denied and phone calls to the party were unanswered. The sheriff’s office called the party and left a message. Shortly after the resort owner called to say the renter had called and will provide a credit card number.

A deputy provided assistance to a tow truck pulling a car out of the ditch on east Highway 61 at 12:11 p.m. on November 21.

There were four reports of possible fraud on November 21. One party gave the sheriff’s office a phone number for a caller who told him he was getting money back for computer services. There were three other reports the same day, reporting a call supposedly from the Social Security Association. None of the parties gave any personal information and just wanted the calls on record.
There was another fraud call report on November 23. This call was supposedly from Medicare and the caller asked for personal information. Information was not given. The party asked that the Sheriff’s Office keep the information for the record.  

Law enforcement was contacted about a large tree down near the hops farm on North Road in Hovland at 3:11 on November 21. The Cook County Highway Department was notified.
      
 A party called the sheriff’s office at 9:03 a.m. on November 22 to express concern about a mail delivery vehicle heading south on Highway 61, delivering mail without flashing lights.

The sheriff’s office took a call reporting a possibly suicidal person in Grand Marais at 1:54 p.m. on November 22. A party was transported to North Shore Health.

A party reported a reckless driver at 6:07 p.m. on November 22. The caller said the red vehicle was passing in no passing zones and cutting people off. The car passed the reporting party in a 30 mph zone and flipped him off. Deputies drove west to County Road 14 and were unable to match a vehicle.

An automated fire alarm went off in Tofte at 10:18 p.m. on November 22. Tofte Fire Department and First Responders were paged and responded. It was a false alarm call, one of four such calls during this time period.

A logger called at 3:42 a.m. on November 23 to report that the Hall Road was a sheet of ice. He asked the sheriff’s office to let the highway department know to put down sand so that logging trucks can travel the road. The highway department was contacted.

Two different motorists called at 2:20 p.m. on November 23 to report another driving in front of them, driving like he is falling asleep or drunk. Information was given to Minnesota State Patrol.

 A hunter called at 6:36 p.m. on November 28 to let the sheriff’s office know that he needed to go onto private land to track a deer he had shot. He just wanted the sheriff’s office to know in case someone reported it.
There was a report of an intoxicated woman leaving an establishment at 10:15 on November 23, driving a Jeep Cherokee. The party could hardly walk. The sheriff’s office found the car parked.

A gold Pontiac Grand Am slipped off the road into the ditch on Devil Track Road at 1:22 a.m. on November 24. The party told the sheriff’s office he would get it out in the morning, as the road is very slippery. He tied caution tape to the car mirror.

A call of an unwanted person at a residence on east Highway 61 came in at 1:31 a.m. on November 24. A party said his ex was at his house. She is intoxicated and he took her keys, but he does not want her at his house. Deputies gave the woman a ride to a friend’s house

A party called at 12:49 p.m. on November 24 with questions about the new driving speeds. Are drivers allowed to go 10 mph over the posted speed limit to pass? The sheriff’s office deputy read the state statute on passing, which says the speed limit is increased by 10 mph over the posted speed limit on a highway with a speed limit equal to or higher than 55 miles per hour.

Lost and found
There were only two “lost and found” calls during this period. One party reported a lost black Toyota key fob on a rectangular shaped key ring on November 22. The second report was of a credit card was found and turned in to the counter at Java Moose on November 24.
 
Animal calls
There were calls of loose dogs and cows and more in this law enforcement log, starting with a call of a loose dog on West Highway 61 on November 19.

Two cows were spotted on the loose on Fall River Road at 2:17 on November 21. The owner was contacted and found all cows accounted for.

A woman on the Gunflint Trail called at 10:07 p.m. to report that a large white dog, possibly a great Pyrenees was in her yard. He was wearing a collar, but wouldn’t come to her. She wanted it noted in case the owner is looking for the dog.

As usual, there were several deer/vehicle collisions. A party called at 3:14 p.m. on November 20 stating there was an injured deer in his yard. Cook County contacted the Minnesota State Patrol to reach a conservation officer.

A car hit a deer at 10:15 a.m. on November 22. There were no injuries to the driver, but the deer needs to be dispatched, it is hobbling around on the road.

A caller reported hitting a deer near Chicago Bay Road at 10:14 p.m. on November 24. Airbags did not deploy, but there is windshield damage and other damage. There were no injuries, but the party will need a tow to Thunder Bay.

Another deer was hit on west Highway 61 at 11:47 p.m. on November 24. The deer is still alive. A deputy responded and was unable to locate the injured deer.

Traffic problems
The city’s new parking ordinance and flyers informing the public of which side of the street to park resulted in 88 “parking problem” log entries. It also brought a party into the law enforcement center on November 20 to say that they had received a flyer event though they were parked on the proper side of the street.

There were 18 traffic stops, with 13 reprimands and five citations. Deputies also conducted ATV patrols.
Deputies made 8 business and residence checks. There were three medical calls.

Dispatchers handled 8 crank or misdialed 9-1-1 calls and issued 15 burn permits. One permit to carry was issued.

For non-emergencies, call the Cook County Sheriff's Office at 218-387-3030.  If you are experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1.
 
 

For over sixty years, community members have come together to present a community choral and orchestral concert at the beginning of December. The North Shore Music Association invites all to “Come hear your musically talented friends, family, and neighbors in the Borealis Chorale & Orchestra.”

The community musical event began with Ora Wilcox’s Symphonium Music Club in the 1950s, and was led by B.J. Muus from 1980 to 2010.

In 2010, accomplished composer and musician Bill Beckstrand became the group’s director, and its name changed to Borealis Chorale & Orchestra. Under his direction, the Borealis Chorale & Orchestra has continued the treasured tradition of Christmas-season concerts.

We learn more about what is in store for the audience this year in this interview by WTIP volunteer Gary Latz.
 

UPDATE: According to the city of Duluth and the National Weather Service, 19 inches of snow has fallen in Duluth and another 1-3 inches is predicted to fall before noon, when the storm begins to move out of the region. Winds will start to subside later today as well. The powerful winter storm has been accompanied by events and institutions issuing postponements and closures. In partnership with the National Weather Service, the city of Duluth issued a no-travel advisory at noon Saturday until further notice. In the Proctor area, a stretch of I-35 remains closed Sunday after heavy snow slammed the region. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the stretch between Exit 237 near Scanlon and Exit 249 near Boundary Avenue in Proctor is closed. No word as of 9:15 a.m. Sunday when it will re-open. It still appears that Cook County will avoid the worst of the slow-moving storm moving across Minnesota and Wisconsin, with an expected 2-5 inches of snow. However, anyone planning to head to the Twin Ports should wait. Highway 61 beyond the Cook/Lake county line is extremely hazardous, with the National Weather Service in Duluth measuring 16.3 inches before 3 a.m., Nov. 30.

Winds are creating blizzard conditions in the Duluth area with near whiteout conditions along the South Shore as well.

High waves and flooding in Duluth led the city to close access to Park Point for non-residents. The Duluth Police Department is checking identification before at the Aerial Lift Bridge.

Officials have also closed Buchanan Street and the portion of Canal Park Drive that connects to Morse Street.
The city of Duluth continues to advise absolutely no travel unless it is an emergency.

The storm is expected to last until noon on Sunday, however, the majority of snowfall will accumulate before 6 a.m.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
 

According to the National Weather Service in Duluth, the forecast remains on track for a powerful winter storm to greatly impact holiday travel this weekend with very heavy snow accumulations likely.
 
For the North Shore, winds up to 40 mph are possible which will likely result in Blizzard conditions Saturday afternoon and night. Visibility of a quarter mile or less will be possible during this time along the Lake Superior North Shore, however, it appears much of the storm will stall short of the Cook County border.
 
The afternoon briefing on Friday, November 29, shows Cook County under a Winter Storm Watch, not yet a Winter Storm Warning, from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon.
 
But south of the Arrowhead region, confidence remains high in heavy snow accumulations, strong east to northeast winds, and the possibility for lakeshore flooding in Duluth and Superior.
 
That entire area is now covered by either a Blizzard or Winter Storm Warning. The anticipated start time is early Saturday morning, with possibly a period of wintery mix. The Weather Service says the worst weather conditions will be on Saturday afternoon and Saturday night.
 
According to the National Weather Service, this storm has the potential to become a top-10 highest two-day snowfall total in recorded history for Duluth, with top-15 totals for Ashland and Brainerd.
 

Finances and operations of North Shore Health are complicated and the hospital district board meets monthly to make decisions that impact Cook County residents and visitors alike. The hospital board met on Thursday, November 21 and worked its way through a fairly lengthy agenda.

The board heard from hospital finance officer Vera Schumann with the latest on budget planning.

The board also heard an update on the hospital helipad. According to North Shore Health Administrator Kimber Wraalstad, the helipad is operating and available for emergency medical helicopters. However, North Shore Health is still awaiting official approval of the landing zone at the back of the hospital.

Likewise, no resolution has yet been found for citizen concerns about the brightness of the reconstructed parking lot lights. Administrator Wraalstad explained that the lighting is dark sky compliant, however, because the elevation of the parking lot changed, the lights are higher than they were, so they now illuminate nearby homes differently.

Among other routine matters, the hospital board heard about the “Safe Care for Seniors” program enacted at North Shore Health last year to serve the 37 Care Center residents and hospital patients. Administrator Wraalstad expressed appreciation to staffers Malorie Brazell and Mary Edson, who have taken on the role of “safety champions.”

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence spoke with North Shore Health Administrator Kimber Wraalstad about all this.

Anyone who would like to contact Wraalstad to ask their own questions may do so by calling her at 218-387-3260 or emailing [email protected].
 

School District 166 starts each school board meeting with a time for public comment. At the Nov. 21 board meeting, a community member asked questions about the school’s relationship with the Violence Prevention Center. In particular, the commenter wanted to know if the school was addressing the needs of students who may be in need of the services the VPC offers.
 
WTIP’s Rhonda Silence reached out to Superintendent Dr. Bill Crandall after the meeting for answers about the school’s involvement with the Violence Prevention Center, as well as how it relates to Title 9 programs at schools.
 
Here’s that conversation:

 
 
In that interview, Superintendent Bill Crandall deferred to Cook County Principal Megan Myers about the details of how the school works with the Violence Prevention Center. Principal Myers came into the radio station and here’s their conversation:
 

Senator Tina Smith visited Cook County yesterday, spending time at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and North Shore Health and with members of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Chippewa.

During her visit to our local medical facilities, Senator Smith sat down with local health care administrators and staff for a roundtable discussion.

The conversation covered the many partnerships in place in Cook County to provide health care services. Sawtooth Mountain Clinic CEO Kate Surbaugh and Cook County Public Health and Human Services Director Alison McIntire talked about the shared family home visiting program.

Senator Smith asked about challenges for rural health care and North Shore Health CEO Kimber Wraalstad pointed out that despite the hospital no longer handling scheduled deliveries, North Shore Health does provide pre- and post-natal care.
Dr. Milan Schmidt spoke about the recent improved behavioral health services at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic. Dr. Schmidt said he would like to see behavioral health evaluation become a routine part of physician visits.

Staffing was a critical issue shared with Senator Smith by nearly all the participants. There was discussion of the impact of lack of housing for applicants to various vital healthcare positions.

The importance of federal funding for rural medical centers was stressed. Administrators suggested some changes to the language used in the criteria for funding rural health centers, as the current guidelines sometimes cause hardship for truly rural areas like Cook County.

Senator Smith was given a tour of the hospital, care center, and clinic and spent about an hour in the roundtable session.
WTIP was able to speak with the senator before she headed to her next stop in Grand Portage. We were able to ask just a few questions--about mining, transportation, and about the legacy of Senator Paul Wellstone.