Stories,photos,specialsections,printissues,packages,magazines,maps

A male common yellowthroat in the heavy cover of a willow thicket.

Don’t look now, but there’s a masked male hiding in a brushy thicket near you. There’s no need to worry, however, since I’m talking about one of our more abundant warblers, … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/1/22

A lone cyclist pedals down a section of the Mesabi Trail.

Tower to Ely stretch nears completion

REGIONAL— Construction is now underway on the final two segments of the Mesabi Trail that will connect Tower and Ely, and both segments should be completed later this spring or summer. It marks … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/1/22

Voyageurs National Park updates flood closures and restrictions

REGIONAL- With lake levels continuing to rise across the Rainy River Basin and not expected to recede for weeks, Voyageurs National Park officials have updated their information about closures and … more

6/1/22

I can cross Scotland off my bucket list

In the last two columns I have been writing about my trip to the United Kingdom in late March to early April. This is the third and final installment and then I will go back to my regular nonsense. … more

Scarlet Stone | 6/1/22

Inaction on guns

“Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”George Santayana For Americans in the 21st Century, it can seem at times that we are stuck in an endless loop of tragedy, … more

6/1/22 | 1 comment

Obituaries: June 3, 2022

Donald R. Price Donald “Don” Raymond Price, 87, died peacefully at his home on Lake Vermilion on Monday, May 23, 2022. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, … more

6/1/22

North Woods golfers taking tough weather in stride

FIELD TWP- Late melting snow, excessive April rains, and intermittent storms have taken their toll on Minnesota spring sports seasons, but the North Woods boys and girls have taken it all in … more

David Colburn | 5/25/22

Former Ely Chamber of Commerce leader Linda Fryer's impact on the community will be recognized with a street to be named after her.

Street to be renamed in honor of Linda Fryer

ELY – At the request of the Ely Tourism Bureau, the city council here will honor a longtime Chamber of Commerce executive director by renaming a portion of Seventh Avenue, adjacent to Whiteside … more

Keith Vandervort | 5/25/22

School board, teachers ink new contract

VIRGINIA - ISD 2142 teachers will work the final days of the school year with a new contract after school board members, without comment, voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve an agreement … more

David Colburn | 5/25/22

The rising waters of Crane Lake threaten a cabin last week. Continued rise is now expected to last into early June.

Historic flooding

REGIONAL- Lakefront property owners at Crane Lake and Kabetogama continue battling the still-rising flood waters of the Rainy River Basin, flooding that immediately threatens to eclipse the highest … more

David Colburn | 5/25/22

Heated House hearing weighs BWCAW protection

REGIONAL— A U.S. House committee held an at-times contentious hearing on Tuesday over proposed legislation that would expand the mining protection area surrounding the Boundary Waters by … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/25/22 | 1 comment

The current county public works facility in Tower could become the new home for the city of Tower’s public works and possibly emergency services once the county vacates the site a year from now.

Costs rising for planned county garages

KUGLER TOWNSHIP— A new St. Louis County Public Works facility should be open and operating here by this time next year, assuming construction proceeds as currently planned.The new facility, to … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/25/22

Legislature fails to meet deadline, leaving billions in limbo

REGIONAL- Over $10 billion of surplus cash will stay in the bank for now, as last-minute haggling between Republican and DFL state legislators late Sunday night failed to produce any spending bills … more

David Colburn | 5/25/22 | 1 comment

Overcount may have saved Minnesota’s Eighth District seat

REGIONAL– Minnesota narrowly hung on to all eight of its congressional districts in the wake of the 2020 U.S. Census. It probably shouldn’t have, based on the findings of what’s … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/25/22

Ely school project enters ‘summer slam’

ELY – Another brief ISD 696 school board meeting on Monday focused mostly on the $21.5 million school building and renovation project about to enter the final phase, referred to as the … more

Keith Vandervort | 5/25/22

Ely’s Charly Flom raps a hit during Tuesday’s playoff tilt.

Wolves rally for playoff win

ELY- An enthusiastic home crowd turned out here to watch the Timberwolves win their opening round contest in the Section 7A softball tournament in dramatic fashion on Tuesday. Ely, seeded seventh, … more

Keith Vandervort | 5/25/22

After fielding a grounder, the Grizzlies' Helen Koch gets ready to throw out a Cook County runner.

Grizzlies obliterate Nighthawks 24-0

FIELD TWP- The North Woods softball team got off to a roaring start in sectional tournament play on Tuesday, obliterating the visiting Northeast Range Nighthawks 24-0.The game was shortened to just … more

David Colburn | 5/25/22

Ely sophomore pitcher Drew Marolt eyes his catcher intently as he winds for a pitch against Carlton in the opening game of the Veteran’s Memorial tournament on Friday.

Wolves edge Broncos to improve to 12-4

INTERNATIONAL FALLS— Ely bounced back from its Monday loss to Rock Ridge, on the strength of a four-run first inning to edge the Broncos here, 7-6. The Wolves had plenty of help from the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/25/22

Hundreds of acres of high quality wetlands spread out along the Embarrass River.

Plodding the paddies

There are some places that just seem to have that secret sauce when it comes to attracting birds and, in our region, there are few places saucier than the Darwin S. Myers wildlife management area, … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/25/22

One of many docks on Lake Vermilion that were underwater as a result of recent flooding.

Wow! That’s a lot of water

Yeah!! Soft water for fishing opener! And lots of it! Now don’t get me wrong here, and let me make a statement for the record, I am not complaining. I am not complaining! But holy smokes, we … more

April Wamhoff | 5/25/22

Talking of turtles

REGIONAL—Here’s something you probably didn’t know. This past Monday, May 23, was World Turtle Day. You may have missed all the hullabaloo, but any day is a good time to celebrate … more

Tom Emery | 5/25/22

As veterans dwindle, Memorial Day history repeats

“An appeal to the people of Tower and Soudan to observe Memorial Day this year in a manner that will pay fitting tribute to the soldier and sailor dead was made by Nelson-Jackson Post No. 245, … more

David Colburn | 5/25/22

Community gardens

What if our area communities could play a role in helping residents respond to sharply higher food costs? And what if we could improve the physical and mental health of our area residents while … more

5/25/22

Obituaries: May 27, 2022

John Sheldon Majerle John Sheldon Majerle, 74, lifelong resident of Tower, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, May 21, 2022, surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on … more

5/25/22

Flood waters that have already exceeded 2014 levels, like these at Crane Lake, are expected to continue rising at least through next Wednesday, in some places approaching all-time record highs.

Walz sending National Guard to assist with flood relief

REGIONAL- Minnesota National Guard members will be joining the battle against continually rising lake levels in the region this weekend after Gov. Tim Walz authorized their deployment on Thursday. … more

David Colburn | 5/20/22