Someone cut a huge tree down around 2 a.m. on June 8 that blocked all traffic on Highway 61 near the western county line.
Although the downed tree was actually in Lake County, the incident was reported to the Cook County Sheriff ’s office at 1:54 a.m. when a motorist came in to notify authorities.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation was called in to clean the debris from the highway and by 3:17 a.m. the tree had been removed from the road.
Authorities believe the tree was cut to stop visitors from entering the county. Cook County and Lake of the Woods County are the only two of 87 Minnesota counties that have no confirmed cases of COVID-19. As Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has opened up the state—and with the recent political unrest in the Twin Cities—visitors have flooded the county.
Responding forcefully to the incident, Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen said, “This type of action is reckless, dangerous and uncalled for. The commission of this inappropriate act can carry very serious consequences.”
Sheriff Eliasen also noted, “If there was a medical transport to Duluth which was a life or death matter and the ambulance was unable to continue due to this irresponsible conduct, the cost is far greater than making this type of statement. Not only does this endanger motorists, but there is also a significant cost to the taxpayers for removal of the tree.”
The incident is currently under investigation.
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