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Ely girls team places eighth; Durkin makes solid showing for the boys

GIANTS RIDGE— While Zoe Devine’s girls title clearly received top billing locally from last week’s Nordic ski state tournament, several other Ely skiers posted strong performances … more

Marshall Helmberger | 2/22/23

You can play a valuable role in monitoring water quality on your favorite lake or stream by taking part in the MPCA’s Citizen Lake Monitoring Program.

MPCA is looking for water quality monitors locally

REGIONAL—The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is looking for volunteers to serve as part of their Citizen Lake Monitoring Program, and they need volunteers for many lake and stream locations … more

5/10/23

Chuck Cusano works to repair a collapsing doorway inside Tower’s Old Fire Hall.

Labor of love

TOWER— To most people, the work that’s been underway for weeks at the former city and fire hall on Main Street here appears painstaking at best. Masons have been working brick-by-brick on … more

Jodi Summit | 8/2/23

Episcopal priest Mary Groeninger kneels to bless Maya, a German Shepherd belonging to one of her congregants.

IN THE SPIRIT OF SAINT FRANCIS

ELY- The Sunday, Oct. 1, church service at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Ely was not your typical call to worship, and the pews were filled with a far more diverse crowd than on a regular … more

Jen Shuster-Dahlin | 10/11/23

Wolves notch competitive times in opening meets

GRAND RAPIDS— Skiing a short track on manmade snow, the Ely Nordic ski team notched some competitive times in their first two meets of the season even as Duluth East appears set to run away … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/20/23

Township elections set for Tuesday, March 12

REGIONAL- The township election season has been quiet except for Greenwood Township, where all three incumbents filed for reelection, but all three will be facing challengers. Township elections are … more

3/6/24

District failed to get the word out on board vacancy

TOWER— The late June death of Troy Swanson left both a vacancy and a controversy over his replacement on the St. Louis County School Board. Swanson, who had served as the representative from … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/28/22

MIDCO fiber internet goes live in Ely

ELY - MIDCO, the newest fiber internet provider operating in Ely, announced the start of fiber hookups on Monday. The firm, one of two fiber providers in the city, recently completed a two-year … more

Catie Clark | 12/7/22

Wolves hold off Cherry to improve to 20-4

ELY— The Timberwolves used solid shooting and a punishing second-half defense to contain the Tigers as Ely improved to 20-4 with a 71-42 win here on Tuesday, leaving them a contender for the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 2/24/23

An opening day fisherman lifts a little walleye into the boat while another nearby angler looks on.

THE TABLE IS SET

REGIONAL— Patience. That was the advice from most area fishing guides ahead of Saturday’s fishing opener. Not that there aren’t plenty of walleye out there, but as is typical of … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/10/23

Council okays new cannabinoid rules

ELY- The Ely City Council approved the first reading of a new cannabinoid products ordinance at its Aug. 1 meeting. The proposed ordinance forbids the use of cannabis and cannabinoid products in … more

Catie Clark | 8/2/23

Drinking water plant bid comes in sky high

TOWER-SOUDAN— It’s likely back to the drawing board for the Tower-Breitung Wastewater Board after a lone bid for their planned drinking water treatment plant came in nearly $4 million … more

Marshall Helmberger | 10/11/23

House passes school resource officer fix

REGIONAL- The Minnesota House took the first step toward returning school resources officers, or SROs, to schools on Monday by passing legislation to exempt them from a law prohibiting school workers … more

David Colburn | 3/7/24

New state budget surplus projection tops $17 billion

REGIONAL- A state budget surplus once pegged at $7.7 billion has soared to a historic record of $17.6 billion for the upcoming biennium starting in 2023, giving the DFL-controlled Minnesota … more

David Colburn | 12/7/22

Ely goes 1-1 on the week

MT. IRON— The Ely boys hoops squad kept it close throughout the first half here on Tuesday, but the Rangers used a smothering defense to keep the Wolves under wraps in the second half. The … more

2/24/23

A catch from a Kabetogama Lake dock last year.

DNR fisheries staff offers tips on potential opener hot spots

REGIONAL— While most anglers in the area are likely headed to Lake Vermilion this weekend in their quest for walleye, there are plenty of other excellent locations and other species to pursue … more

5/10/23

Two teens injured in Cook car crash

COOK- Excessive speed and alcohol are suspected to have contributed to a one-vehicle injury accident early Sunday morning in Cook, according to a report by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s … more

David Colburn | 8/2/23

Obituaries: December 22, 2023

Robert C. Wilson Robert “Bob” Clinton Wilson, 89, of Lake Vermilion, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Funeral … more

12/20/23

Obituaries: March 8, 2024

Michael D. Swor With gratefulness for a life well-lived, we announce the peaceful passing of Michael David Swor, 74, of St. Paul, Minn., and Naples, Fla., on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. In the spirit of … more

3/6/24

August 31, 2018 e-edition

8/29/18

Families with kids were busy shopping at Legacy Toys on Saturday during the store’s grand re-opening.

Toy story: An Ely original reopens for business after extended closure

ELY – The Legacy Toys store here reopened recently and a celebration was held last Saturday. Founded here in 2012, the company says it’s “devoted to helping kids and their families … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/13/22

Maus tapped as interim fire chief

GREENWOOD TWP- At a special meeting that lasted just over 10 minutes, the Greenwood Town Board appointed fire department member Jeff Maus as interim chief. The vote was 3-0, and Supervisors Mike … more

Jodi Summit | 9/28/22

Posing with the new Ojibwe place names map at its Bois Forte Heritage Center unveiling are, from left, Bois Forte Band member and Ely Folk School board member Rick Anderson, center visitor services manager Kyle Littlewolf, center director Jaylen Strong, and EFS board member Paul Schurke.

Ojibwe map unveiling draws huge crowd

VERMILION RESERVATION- “Bazhidebii” is a word in Anishinaabemowin that means “it overflows,” according to The Ojibwe People’s Dictionary, and it’s an apt … more

David Colburn | 12/7/22

Supporting a fish properly during release.

Tips for successful catch and release

REGIONAL—Anglers who intend to release any of the fish they catch can boost the chances those fish will survive by following best practices for catch and release: • Plan fishing trips … more

5/10/23

Cook City Council debates weed

COOK— The legalization of marijuana for adult recreational use in Minnesota prompted extended discussion at the city council meeting here last Thursday. The meeting, held July 27, was just days … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/2/23