Top Stories - The Timberjay

Most DFL candidates enjoying big leads in fundraising

REGIONAL— DFL candidates from across the region and the state are crushing their Republican opponents in the race for campaign cash, and that could give them a distinct advantage as the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/7/22 | 1 comment

Ivy Russell, Zaija Schroeder, and Cecilia Majerle hold hands on the first day of school.

Old friends, new friends, school friends

Area students returned to their classrooms on Tuesday. Timberjay photographers were out and about to capture a few of the happy, excited faces. more

Timberjay staff | 9/7/22

David Elg, of Eveleth, cozies up with Eldy, a horse owned by Shyla Martin, that David has been riding in horse shows this year.

Summer's Last Blast

The annual Embarrass Region Fair this past weekend had almost everything one could want in a traditional rural small-town fair, all done up in uniquely Embarrass style. Timbejay photographer Jodi … more

Jodi Summit | 8/31/22

“I Like That Academy” has fall openings

REGIONAL— Are you someone with what you think just might be the next big idea? Would you like to start your own business or nonprofit, but don’t really know where to start? Do you have a … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/31/22

Timberjay’s Ely editor dies unexpectedly

ELY— The Timberjay’s longtime Ely editor, Keith Vandervort, died suddenly at his home this past Friday, Aug. 26. The cause of death is unknown but was ruled due to natural causes. … more

8/31/22 | 1 comment

Cook broadband on track for fall completion

REGIONAL- Deployment of the city of Cook’s new fiber optic high-speed broadband network is on track to be operational before winter sets in, and new projects proposed for multiple North Country … more

David Colburn | 8/31/22

Debbie Olson Shields (left) and her big sister Lynn Olson donned the aprons worn years back by their father and grandfather.

Olson sisters address a packed house

TOWER- Sisters Lynn Olson and Debbie Olson Shields drew a big crowd to Pike River Products, which once housed the Olson Grocery and Hardware Store, with people eager to hear the story of their … more

Rachel Brophy | 8/24/22

Ely school district looks for return to a normal school year

ELY – What a difference a year makes. In the late summer of 2021, as ISD 696 administrators took required steps to adjust COVID-19 public health protocols to keep students and staff safe, some … more

Keith Vandervort | 8/24/22

Disabled military veteran Lonn Cunningham gets ready to board a pontoon boat for a Fall Lake fishing outing at Veterans on the Lake Resort.

‘This is a magical place’

WINTON – Lonn Cunningham, who is from Iowa and now lives in Texas, served his country in the first Gulf War, and after he came home from his military service he got hit by a drunk driver. He … more

Keith Vandervort | 8/24/22

Ecklund says ‘overzealous’ law enforcement could impact VNP tourism

REGIONAL- Complaints from surrounding communities and business owners about what they see as overzealous law enforcement by Voyageurs National Park rangers have reached the ears of a local state … more

David Colburn | 8/24/22 | 1 comment

Twin Metals sues to reinstate leases

REGIONAL— Twin Metals Minnesota made it clear this week that they intend to fight to reclaim two federal mineral leases critical to their plans to build a copper-nickel mine southeast of Ely. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/24/22 | 2 comments

Quannah Chasinghorse and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, made a special appearance at Fortune Bay Resort Casino last week.

Following their dreams

VERMILION RESERVATION- Quannah Chasinghorse is an up-and-coming Native American model, actress, and environmental activist. And while she said New York City’s Met Gala was one of the most … more

Jodi Summit | 8/17/22

Mesabi Trust windfall likely led to Northshore idling

REGIONAL— Increased production and higher prices for Northshore Mining’s taconite pellets in 2021 sparked a financial windfall for a little-known royalty trust and likely contributed to … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/17/22

FCC shoots down LTD broadband application

REGIONAL- The Federal Communications Commission last week rejected troubled LTD Communication’s $1.3 billion application to build high-speed broadband internet networks in Minnesota and across … more

David Colburn | 8/17/22

Driver charged in fatal collision in Embarrass

EMBARRASS— A Virginia man has been charged with criminal vehicular homicide after killing an Eveleth woman in a collision in Embarrass Township on Aug. 12 while driving with a blood alcohol … more

David Colburn | 8/17/22

Sen. David Tomassoni, seated left, looks on as Gov. Tim Walz signs his bill providing $20 million for ALS research and another $5 million to assist caregivers for ALS patients.

Chisholm legislator David Tomassoni dies after battle with ALS

REGIONAL- Longtime Iron Range legislator David Tomassoni, who championed a bill this spring to bring new hope to people affected by the degenerative disease ALS, died from that disease Thursday … more

David Colburn | 8/12/22

Gigabit broadband could come to Cook yet this year

COOK- Faster internet may be coming to Cook sooner than anticipated, as Paul Bunyan Communications announced on Tuesday that there’s a good chance the system will be installed this fall, rather … more

David Colburn | 8/10/22

Performer Jaidynn Diore Fierce does her impression of the video game character Mario.

Struttin’ their stuff

ELY - Heads were turning here last Saturday as the little town at the end of the road hosted an event that probably caught many people by surprise. Ely may never be the same after a parade of drag … more

Keith Vandervort | 8/10/22 | 1 comment

Ely's first day of school has been moved back a week to Sept. 12 because of uncertainties with the completion of the building project.

Construction woes delay start for Ely schools

ELY—What had only been rumored up until now was confirmed this week when the Ely school board voted unanimously to postpone the first day of school here until Monday, Sept. 12. Ely schools had … more

Rachel Brophy | 8/10/22

The original concept drawings at the Tower Harbor, show a highly walkable mix of commercial fronts and upper- level residential. With the shelving of the town home proposal, a new plan could come closer to the original vision.

Sky high building costs kills town home plans

TOWER— The long-planned town home project slated for construction at the Tower Harbor appears dead, nearly six years after city officials pushed for the development project. The Tower Economic … more

Jodi Summit | 8/10/22 | 1 comment

Three candidates vie for Ely mayor seat

ELY – Three candidates are participating in the Aug. 9 primary for Ely mayor. The top two vote-getters will advance to the Nov. 8 general election.Two incumbent Ely city council members, Paul … more

Keith Vandervort | 8/3/22

Standing on the deck of their home overlooking the fields and trees below, Craig and Valarie Flank display the Century Farm sign from the Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Farm Bureau.

Flank Farm receives Century Farm award

BEAR RIVER- In 1906, Peter Flank, a 40-year-old Swedish immigrant, his wife, Anna, and their two young children, six-year-old Arthur and one-year-old Edith moved from their western Minnesota home of … more

David Colburn | 8/3/22

Five-year-old Allison Bajan, of Ely, licks a blueberry cheescake ice cream cone Sunday morning at the 41st Ely Blueberry/Art Festival.

Back to normal

ELY – Following the festival-canceling coronavirus pandemic of 2020 and an epic storm in 2021 that left Whiteside Park in shambles, the 41st annual Blueberry/Art Festival here last weekend … more

Keith Vandervort | 8/3/22 | 1 comment

Ecklund bill would extend jobless benefits for 26 months

REGIONAL— Rep. Rob Ecklund has drafted legislation to extend unemployment benefits for laid off Northshore Mining workers for an additional 26 weeks. Cleveland Cliffs CEO Laurenco Goncalves … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/3/22 | 1 comment

Primary features several non-partisan races

REGIONAL— The general election won’t be held until Nov. 8 this year, but voters will help determine their eventual choices during the primary election set for this Tuesday, Aug. 9. The … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/3/22 | 1 comment