Top Stories - The Timberjay

Ely artist Leah Reusch is drawn to the natural world for her artistic inspiration.

Ely artist uses light and space in her oversized works

ELY – A local artist visited the North Country for the first time when she was a 15-year-old camper at YMCA’s Camp Widjiwagen, and she never really left. Leah Reusch worked at Widji off … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/27/22

A black bear was recently spotted foraging for berries and other treats in a ditch a little over a mile from the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary.

Bear visits raise concerns

NETT LAKE- After last summer’s severe drought, there are likely no creatures happier to see this year’s bumper crop of berries than the black bears who count them among their favorite … more

David Colburn | 7/27/22 | 2 comments

Employee faces assault allegations

ELY – A city of Ely employee was placed on paid leave last week while an investigation continues into an alleged physical assault at the Ely City Hall that put a local construction worker in … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/27/22

Midco crews in Ely installed high-speed internet lines in Ely this week.

High-speed internet finally reaching the North Country

REGIONAL— After years of frustration over the lack of high-speed internet at the end of the road, the evidence of a solution is everywhere these days. And it’s all coming to nearby Tower … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/27/22

Babbitt mine, Northshore to remain closed through next April

REGIONAL- Northshore Mining taconite mining and processing operations in Babbitt and Silver will stay closed until at least April 2023, as owner Cleveland-Cliffs says they’re “not … more

David Colburn | 7/22/22

District 3A Republicans share views as primary approaches

REGIONAL- A pair of Republicans are squaring off in the Aug. 9 state primary for the chance to unseat Minnesota House District 3A incumbent Representative Rob Ecklund in November, and while the two … more

David Colburn | 7/20/22 | 1 comment

Commerce: Cut electric rate hike by 55 percent

REGIONAL— Financial analysts with the state’s Department of Commerce (DOC) are recommending a sharp reduction in Minnesota Power’s request for higher electrical rates for its … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/20/22

Odin Picard turns his pot into a helmet while waiting in line.

Old Settlers is booyah fun!

Old settlers, ranging in age from infants to 96-years old, gathered last Saturday at McKinley Park in Breitung Township for the annual community get-together which has been continuing for over 100 … more

Jodi Summit | 7/20/22

Council facing difficult budget work for 2023

ELY – The city’s budget committee released a proposed 2023 budget calendar Tuesday night and council members here were warned that difficult monetary decisions lay ahead in the coming … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/20/22

LTD’s winning bid for providing broadband coverage in northern St. Louis County includes the areas shadded in blue.

Troubled telecom faces state review

REGIONAL- The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) last week ordered an investigation of embattled telecom company LTD Broadband over concerns the small company may not be able to deliver on … more

David Colburn | 7/20/22

A sunset in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

BWCAW protection bill advances in House

REGIONAL— Legislation that would significantly expand the mining protection zone around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness was referred to the full U.S. House by a party linecommittee … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/14/22 | 1 comment

An artist’s drawing of the planned trailhead building, set for construction on Ely’s west end thanks to additional federal funding announced this week.

Federal funds rescue Ely trailhead building

ELY – A $1.5 million federal grant has cleared the way for the city of Ely to build a new regional trailhead facility on the city’s west end. The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/13/22 | 1 comment

Three people vying for county sheriff position

REGIONAL— Among the candidates who will appear on the Aug. 9 primary ballot are the three men vying to replace longtime St. Louis County Sheriff Ross Litman. While it’s officially a … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/13/22

Morgan Sauls with the puppet featured in the “Quiltmaker’s Gift” at Ely’s Historic State Theater this weekend.

‘Quiltmaker’s Gift’ returns to Ely

ELY –The “Quiltmaker’s Gift” opens Friday, July 15, with a 7 p.m. performance at Ely’s Historic State Theater. The show continues Saturday, July 16 at 7p.m. and closes … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/13/22

Regional EMS service study moves forward

GREENWOOD TWP- Greenwood Township is putting itself in the driver’s seat as it approved spending approximately $55,000 for a study on options for the feasibility of developing a region-wide … more

Jodi Summit | 7/13/22

Electric rate hike subject to public scrutiny

REGIONAL- Minnesota Power’s quest for a proposed 18 percent overall electricity rate hike will be subjected to public scrutiny next week as customers will have the chance to voice their … more

David Colburn | 7/13/22

Troy Zupancich, at just seven weeks old, mostly napped through the Tower Fourth of July parade on Monday

Patriotism on display

Images of Independence Day celebrations in Ely, Tower, and Orr. See more pictures in the North Country section photo story "A Red, White, and Blue Celebration." more

Timberjay staff | 7/6/22

ISD 696 board adopts budget

ELY – School board members here last week unanimously approved a balanced budget for 2022-23 that calls for $8.2 million in revenues and expenditures.Despite a noticeable drop in enrollment and … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/6/22

Rise of B.5 creates more uncertainty

REGIONAL- Don’t look now, but community transmission of COVID-19 has reached a high level once again in St. Louis County, and the rate of spread is forecasted to remain high through much of the … more

David Colburn | 7/6/22 | 3 comments

Eagles Nest town supervisors voted to oppose any ATV trail development in the township at a special meeting held last week.

Township votes to oppose ATV trail

EAGLES NEST TWP— A simmering clash between township residents and advocates of increased ATV traffic came to a head at a special town board meeting here last week, as town supervisors voted 3-2 … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/6/22 | 3 comments

COVID shots for youngest kids rolling out slowly

REGIONAL- Parents of children under five years of age who have been trying to shield their kids from the effects of a coronavirus infection got the news they’ve long been waiting for recently … more

David Colburn | 7/6/22

Cast concrete storm sewer pipes sit outside the new front entrance this week at the Ely school renovation project.

Ely school project up against hard rock as completion deadline looms

ELY – The scheduled completion of the $21.5 million school building and renovation project at ISD 696 is just weeks away and workers are literally up against hard rock as they struggle to meet … more

Keith Vandervort | 6/29/22

Rose Zoellick tries to keep out the noise of Tower's Fourth of July parade.

Celebrate the Fourth up North!

Ely ’Rocks the Park’ELY - Ely’s Fourth of July celebration looks to be a weekend affair this year with the addition of a new music event to go along with all the traditional … more

Timberjay staff | 6/29/22

Passing of Swanson draws tributes from school board

VIRGINIA- While the ISD 2142 school board had a full agenda for Tuesday’s meeting, they took some time at the beginning and end of the session to remember one of their own, board member Troy … more

David Colburn | 6/29/22

Protestors gathered outside of Ely’s Historic State Theater Saturday morning as the city’s mayor, Roger Skraba, candidate for the Minnesota House 3A seat, made his way inside to view the controversial political film, “2000 Mules.”

A clash of viewpoints

ELY— Two very different views of the 2020 election clashed at times on the sidewalks of downtown Ely this past Saturday morning, as about 150 area residents turned out for showings of the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/29/22 | 4 comments