Top Stories - The Timberjay

Snowmobilers have been out in force in recent weeks and that’s been a boon to the local economy. Abundant snow this winter has made for good riding.

REGIONAL—When it comes to the winter economy in the North Country, those who cater to outdoor enthusiasts have a common refrain: “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.”It’s … more

Marshall Helmberger | 2/24/23

Board rejects participation in ambulance joint powers

GREENWOOD TWP- “We are asking you to join an organization, to come to the table, and be part of the solution,” Tower city council member Kevin Norby told the Greenwood Town Board on … more

Jodi Summit | 5/10/23

Grant Hauschild, a member of the task force talks about the challenges to rural ambulance service;

Legislators hear similar message on EMS funding needs

MT IRON— Members of the Legislature’s Emergency Medical Services Task Force heard a consistent message during a packed Dec. 13 field hearing here, called to take input from ambulance … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/20/23

Northshore to recall workers but questions still remain

REGIONAL- As area and state politicians joyfully shared the news Monday that laid off Northshore Mining workers were being recalled for an April re-start of operations in Babbitt and Silver Bay, … more

David Colburn | 2/22/23

New co-owner Paula Dundas and now-former owner Joe Kruchowski behind the minnow tanks at Northwoods Bait and Tackle in Cook.

New blood at old bait shop

COOK – It’s been a fishing opener tradition for over three decades for some anglers who’ve counted on the Northwoods Bait and Tackle in Cook to fill their bait buckets on their way … more

David Colburn | 5/10/23

NewRange Copper nets a legal win over air permit

REGIONAL— After a string of legal defeats, NewRange Copper, formerly PolyMet Mining, and the state’s Pollution Control Agency, chalked up a win in a challenge to its air emissions permit. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/20/23

With tongues hanging out, sled dogs make their way toward the finish line during last year’s running of the WolfTrack Classic.

Ely goes to the dogs

ELY- It is impossible to think of this city at the end of the road without noting its history of sled dog racing— and the WolfTrack Classic has become the latest iteration of that longstanding … more

Catie Clark | 2/22/23

Large segments of this former railroad bridge are falling into the East Two River. A total collapse could inundate Tower-Soudan’s drinking water wells and pump station.

Crumbling bridge risks T-S water supply

BREITUNG TWP— The recent rapid deterioration of a bridge along a former rail grade here is raising concerns about a possible threat to the drinking water source for both Tower and Soudan. The … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/10/23

Kindergarteners perform during the school’s winter concert last week.

Signs of the Season

Signs of holiday spirits can be found in the most festive and solemn of places in the North Country. Timberjay photographers recently captured these images of the season. more

Timberjay staff | 12/20/23

Area ambulances recognized

REGIONAL— While some area ambulance services may be small, they’re getting the job done and then some, according to a recent certification from the state’s Emergency Medical … more

Marshall Helmberger | 2/22/23

New COVID strain fueling major rise in cases

REGIONAL- The entire northeast Arrowhead region of Minnesota has been upgraded from low to medium COVID activity status by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control this week, based on increased numbers … more

David Colburn | 12/20/23

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

Three taser prongs (see highlighted circles) are visible in the legs of Justin Ebel after he was attacked by park rangers on Lake Kabetogama.

VNP rangers pummeled for tasing incident

REGIONAL- Officials at Voyageurs National Park have come under more criticism on social media in the wake of the release of body camera footage last week that shows the altercation that led two park … more

David Colburn | 5/10/23

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

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

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

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

Moratorium set on sale of cannabinoids

ELY - The Ely City Council voted at their Dec. 6 meeting to approve a moratorium on new permits for the sale of cannabinoid products derived from hemp until March 7, 2023, or until the city passes an … more

Catie Clark | 12/7/22

Fae Laakkonen-Gaylord listens as Santa asks if she's been good during his weekend stopover in Orr for the Snow City Christmas celebration.

Sights and sounds

'Tis the season for holiday events in the North Country, and Timberjay photographer showed up at a couple of them this past week to snap some pics. more

12/7/22

The walls and roof are up on the new county garage now under construction in Kugler Township.

New public works garage taking shape

KUGLER TWP— The pre-cast walls and roof are up and the new St. Louis County public works garage here will soon be fully enclosed so crews can begin interior work perhaps ahead of the new year. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/7/22

he former LTV processing facility, currently owned by PolyMet Mining, was intended to be a processing facility for the NorthMet mine. The future of the mine, however, appears increasingly in doubt.

Court overturns another critical NorthMet permit

REGIONAL— The proposed NorthMet copper-nickel mine near Hoyt Lakes has suffered another body blow, this time delivered by the state’s Supreme Court, which has reversed the proposed … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/2/23

Council okays new ambulance purchase

TOWER— The city council here gave a unanimous green light at a special meeting on Monday to the purchase of a new ambulance before the end of the year. The council took the action at the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/7/22

New housing study predicts hot rental demand in Ely

ELY- A new housing study predicts that a planned workforce housing project here would be 50 percent pre-leased before completion and fully leased within six months after the doors open on the new … more

Catie Clark | 8/2/23

Twin Metals makes moves at Birch Lake

REGIONAL— With its federal mineral leases canceled and a 20-year moratorium on new mineral leasing now in place over a large portion of the Superior National Forest, Twin Metals is looking to … more

Marshall Helmberger | 10/11/23

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