Media Release from Cook County - June 14, 2018

June 14, 2018 – On Monday June 18, Cook County will again welcome the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics for a second time! The Flame of Hope will start its journey into Cook County when US Customs & Border Protection Officers accept the beacon from Canadian Customs & Border Services Officers at the Grand Portage US Port of Entry.

Customs & Border Protection Officers and/or family members will carry the Flame of Hope from the Border up Mount Josephine and through the Village of Grand Portage. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office, along with County staff and partners, will deliver the Torch through the rest of the County to contribute to its journey on the North Shore Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

 The Torch will be carried through each community/township in Cook County along Highway 61, but will be driven distances in between for safety and efficiency on the busy highway. Monday, June 18, will see the Torch go from the Border to Tofte, and on Tuesday, June 19, from Tofte to the County Line. 

 “We are so proud to participate in this very important cause to support Special Olympics, the incredible athletes, and to welcome the Torch Run back to Cook County again,” said Chief Deputy Will Sandstrom, local LETR organizer. “We encourage everyone to come out and cheer us on for this great cause.”   

The tentative schedule is as follows (times are approximate, and subject to weather conditions):

• Monday, 12 pm – International Border Hand-off 
• Monday, 1:15 pm – Top of Mount Josephine Photo Op
• Monday, 2 pm – Run through village of Grand Portage
• Monday, 2:45 – Run through Hovland
• Monday 3:15-3:30 – Run into Grand Marais from County Road 7, Group March through downtown
• Monday, 4 pm – Run from Java Moose to Odds & Ends
• Monday, 4:30 pm – Run from Cascade River to Cascade Lodge
• Monday, around 5:15 pm – Run through Lutsen Towhnship
• Monday, approx 6 pm – Run through Township of Tofte – end at AmericInn approx 6:30
• Tuesday, June 19 – 9 am - Run from AmericInn through Tofte
• Tuesday, 9:30 am – Run through Temperance River area
• Tuesday, 10:15 am – Run through Town of Schroeder
• Tuesday, approx 11 am – Final mile to County Line.

In addition to the Torch Run, Sheriff Pat Eliasen will present a check for $2,502 to the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics which was raised by Sheriffs, their families and vendors at the Minnesota Sheriffs Association Conference last week, through a three-hour MN Brassholes Rockin Sheriffs concert and auction for the event.

For more information on Minnesota Special Olympics and the Law Enforcement Torch Run, go to: http://specialolympicsminnesota.org/get-involved/law-enforcement-torch-run/

Contact:  Valerie Marasco, Director – Emergency Management & Public Information, 
                  218-387-5366 or [email protected]