News - The Timberjay

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

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

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

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

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

Businesses pinched for liquor sales to minors

REGIONAL- Four North Country businesses have been fined and will have their liquor licenses suspended for a day for serving alcohol to minors. The St. Louis County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday … more

David Colburn | 10/11/23

County board awards $1.5 million to assist school project

ELY— Just days ago, the school board here had few good answers for covering $550,000 in cost overruns on the district’s facilities project.Yet salvation arrived on Tuesday morning as the … more

Rachel Brophy | 9/28/22

A sample of Wednesday’s NCRFC river forecast for the Vermilion River.

Flood forecasts for three Rainy River Basin waterways go live

REGIONAL- Under development since last year’s flooding, the National Weather Service and North Central River Forecast Center (NCRFC) on Monday unveiled three new forecast points within the … more

David Colburn | 5/10/23

Council hears of short-term rental nightmare

TOWER— Short-term rental horror stories are hardly unusual, but they had been relatively uncommon in Tower—that is until now. At Monday’s council meeting, residents from North Star … more

Marshall Helmberger | 10/11/23

A large pack of half marathon runners made their way along Pioneer Road on Saturday.

No hitches on race day

ELY- While turnout for the Ely Marathon and the Boundary Waters Bank Half Marathon was a bit lighter than normal, 548 runners plunked down the registration fees to compete in friendly weather … more

David Colburn | 9/28/22

Obituaries: February 24, 2023

Randy J. ZupancichRandy James Zupancich, 60, of Britt, died of natural causes on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. A private service will take place for family, followed by a celebration of life on Sunday, Feb. … more

2/22/23

Pickleball fans form group to work on new Greenwood courts

GREENWOOD TWP- While the Greenwood Town Board appeared to throw cold water on the idea of building new pickleball courts at the town hall at their meeting in August, the large group of pickleball … more

Jodi Summit | 10/11/23