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A trumpeter swan, with a couple Canada geese in the background, enjoyed spring-like warmth last Friday on the Pelican River just south of Orr.

April is so often the cruelest month in Minnesota, as those first hints of spring are quickly slapped down by the return of winter’s cold and snow. This year’s mid-month tease, which … more

4/19/23

The first Earth Day was an awakening for many

I still remember the first Earth Day, back on April 22, 1970. Like most kids in Bloomington, then a still new and rapidly growing Twin Cities suburb, I walked to my school, the aptly named Oak Grove … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/19/23

Fire department controversies continue to linger

GREENWOOD TWP- Reverberations from the dismissal of seven fire department members here in February continued to dominate the agenda during the town board’s regular April 11 meeting. The … more

Jodi Summit | 4/19/23

Mesabi Trail closing in on completion

REGIONAL— Oh, so close. That’s the word on the Mesabi Trail, which is within just a handful of miles of bridging the two final gaps in this 150 mile long paved bike trail stretching from … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/19/23

It’s called corruption

The revelations centered around Justice Clarence Thomas and his involvement with right-wing billionaire Harlan Crow went from bad to worse in recent days, as ProPublica reported that Crow had … more

4/19/23 | 5 comments

Fire chief reports rash of carbon monoxide calls

ELY- Three standout items were aired at the April 18 meeting of the Ely City Council: a disturbing trend in fire calls by the Ely Fire Department, Ely spring clean-up days, and water testing.Ely … more

Catie Clark | 4/19/23

New COVID booster OK’d for seniors

REGIONAL- In a move increasingly clamored for by vulnerable seniors, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved people 65 and older to receive an additional COVID booster of either the … more

David Colburn | 4/19/23

Lawmakers have a host of big issues remaining

REGIONAL- Minnesota’s 2023 legislative session began with the state flush with $17.5 billion of extra cash and the DFL in control of the Senate, the House, and the governorship, a recipe ripe … more

David Colburn | 4/19/23

Ely Community Health Center gets $10k grant

ELY- The Ely Community Health Center (ECHC) has announced a partnership with Essentia Health to support the expansion of the ECHC dental program. The ECHC provides free basic medical and dental … more

4/19/23

Obituaries: April 21, 2023

Karen A. Brandt Karen Ann Pulver Brandt, 83, passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at her home in Tower, surrounded by her family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, … more

4/19/23

Board gives McGrath study a lukewarm okay

GREENWOOD TWP- Town board members, on Tuesday, reluctantly agreed to accept the McGrath Ambulance Study report, but still voiced several complaints about what they view as missing or misleading … more

Jodi Summit | 4/13/23

Council OKs move toward ambulance joint powers

TOWER— The city council here voted unanimously to pursue a possible joint powers agreement with neighboring townships to operate the city’s ambulance service. The action came following … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/12/23

Gov. Tim Walz, a former school teacher, clearly relished the time he spent with Ely students during an April 6 visit to Ely and Tower.

Education the focus in Ely

REGIONAL— Gov. Tim Walz used the occasion of his birthday last Thursday for a quick tour of the Vermilion Range, with stops in both Ely and Tower. The governor flew into the Ely airport with … more

Catie Clark | 4/12/23

Gov. Tim Walz talks to Todd Petersen, of Lake Vermilion, one of the workers at Lamppa Manufacturing, along with Garrett Lamppa, who has recently taken the reins at the family business.

Walz tours wood stove plant in Tower

TOWER— Garrett Lamppa had little warning that Gov. Tim Walz would be making a stop at the family business at which he’s recently taken the reins from his father Daryl. “It all … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/12/23

Committee report calls for joint powers, taxing district

REGIONAL- An ad hoc committee established by the Tower Ambulance Commission is recommending the formation of a joint powers board and a taxing district to provide long-term oversight and financial … more

Jodi Summit | 4/12/23

Area deer were taking advantage of bare ground on a south-facing slope this week to search for fresh growth. These deer, located near Puncher Point on Lake Vermilion look to be in relatively good shape, likely due to artificial feeding by local residents.

Deep and dense snowpack posed a challenge for deer

REGIONAL— While winter finally appears to be in retreat across the North Country, the impact of the deep and dense snowpack that’s been in place throughout the region for the past several … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/12/23

A bull moose makes its way through young regenerating forest at the site of the Pagami Creek fire.

Latest moose survey shows stable population

REGIONAL— There is more evidence of stability in the northeastern Minnesota moose population even as the Department of Natural Resource’s latest estimate of 3,290 moose marks a … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/12/23

Prospectors propose new OHV trail expansions

REGIONAL— A proposal to add about 59 miles of new OHV trail segments and a connecting spur in northern St. Louis County is up for public comment through May 4. That’s according to the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/12/23 | 1 comment

Yellow-bellied sapsuckers are returning to the area along with this week’s mild weather.

Mild air brings migrants

REGIONAL— This week’s remarkable weather brought more than near-record warm temperatures to the North Country. The southerly breezes also brought with them a flood of migratory birds that … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/12/23

The floor of the Ely Memorial High School gymnasium where the top layer of water-damaged maple floorboards had already been removed. The floor was damaged by water from a pipe leak on March 17.

Ely School Board floored by gym water damage

ELY- The Ely School Board addressed two notable agenda items during their April 10 session— the gifted and talented program and damage to the high school gymnasium floor from the recent water … more

Catie Clark | 4/12/23

Lawmakers find pot legalization a heavy lift

REGIONAL- The legislative path to approving recreational marijuana for Minnesota has been a long and winding road, as companion bills in the House and the Senate have snaked their way through more … more

David Colburn | 4/12/23

Ambulance funding

Communities around the region are increasingly aware that the old model of funding ambulance services exclusively through the insurance payments generated by users is no longer viable. As services … more

4/12/23 | 1 comment

2142 board develops response to Native parent committee

VIRGINA- It was apparent at Tuesday’s ISD 2142 board working session that communication and understanding between the district and its American Indian Parent Advisory Committee is still a work … more

David Colburn | 4/12/23

The Frandsen Bank & Trust branch in Tower.

Frandsen Bank & Trust recognized by Standard & Poor’s

REGIONAL— Frandsen Bank and Trust, which maintains offices in Ely, Tower, and Virginia, and numerous other communities in the Upper Midwest, has been named among the top community banks in the … more

Catie Clark | 4/12/23

Minnesota Power exceeds conservation goals

REGIONAL— Minnesota Power continues to lead the way among the state’s utilities for energy conservation. In 2022, for the 13th year in a row, the Duluth-based electric utility has … more

4/12/23