GRAND MARAIS — The Cook County sheriff will resign in May after a law enforcement career spanning three decades.
Pat Eliason is in his third term as sheriff and has served Cook County for 31 years. WTIP reports Eliason is stepping down to accept a position as director of Grand Portage HeadStart, an early childhood education center.
In a news release, some of his accomplishments include cooperative initiatives with the Grand Portage Reservation, establishing specialized safety programs like marine patrol operations and implementing the agency’s body-worn camera program.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of Cook County,” stated Eliason in a Monday, March 9, announcement. “Public safety is built on trust, professionalism, and service. I am deeply grateful to the deputies, staff, and community partners who dedicate themselves every day to protecting this county.”
Eliason also served as an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Concordia University in St. Paul and Colorado Technical University. His resignation is effective May 8.
“I remain committed to supporting the men and women of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and ensuring the continued strength of this organization as it moves forward,” Eliason stated.
The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved Eliason’s Chief Deputy Ben Hallberg to fill out Eliason’s remaining term this year. Eliason previously announced he would not seek reelection.
-
Under current rules, there are no bag limits on many of the state's native rough fish, such as dogfish and sheepshead. -
Contributed/BiCAPMinnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's Youthbuild program provides construction training opportunities to 600 at-risk youths. -
The agreement follows a human rights investigation that found Lyft drivers canceled multiple rides for Tori Andres, a blind student who travels with a service dog. -
Plus: the Minnesota Legislature is considering a ban on cryptocurrency kiosks as the FBI reports these ATMs are connected to $333 million in reported losses to fraud. -
Survey results indicate around 116,000 more Minnesotans went without health insurance in 2025 than they did in 2023. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock via Minnesota News ConnectionNearly 20 states have adopted rules to regulate virtual currency machines, with law enforcement reporting elevated activity among scammers. -
Contributed/Lorie Shaull via FlickrLeanna Goose and Annie Humphrey from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Emma Needham from the Red Lake Nation advocated for uncultivated wild rice beds left in the state. -
Contributed/Karina Kafka / Report for MinnesotaEligibility will be checked twice a year rather than once, and recipients must work or attend school for at least 20 hours a week. Counties will be responsible for all verification. -
Contributed/Karina Kafka / Report for MinnesotaThe community solar garden program created by Hortman’s legislation was the first in the country. The program had bipartisan support and became a national model. -
Author Rep. John Burkel, R-Badger, described the bill as “straightforward, farmer-focused,” with the goal of more timely payouts after wild animals cause damage.
