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Federal EA released on mineral withdrawal

REGIONAL—The U.S. Forest Service is now seeking public comment on an environmental analysis of its proposed 20-year withdrawal of approximately 225,000 acres within the Superior National Forest … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/2/22 | 2 comments

Jennifer Schultz looks to replace Stauber in Washington

ELY – “Our freedoms are under attack and those attacks have only grown over time.”Those words, surprisingly, are not from a MAGA Republican, but from Jennifer Schultz, a DFL … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/2/22 | 1 comment

The former Kondo’s building may become the new home of the Ely Ambulance Service.

A new home for the Ely ambulance?

ELY – City council members here last week agreed to support the Ely Ambulance Service in their efforts to find a new home through the purchase and renovation of an existing building in the … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/1/22

Ely runs the Trezona on the Fourth

ELY – The annual Ely 4 on the 4th run/walk will be held on Monday at Trezona Trail, beginning at 8 a.m.On-site registration will be available from 6:40-7:40 a.m. on race day. Early online … more

7/1/22

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

“2000 Mules” is a minefield of gaping holes

One of the first things to keep in mind when considering the credibility of the Dinesh D’Souza film, 2000 Mules, which made its way to Ely this past weekend, is that it makes no attempt to get … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/29/22 | 3 comments

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

The little brown bat and the animals that follow in this picture set is susceptible to being negatively impacted by noise and light created by humans.

Obliterating the sound of silence

One of the things that science is beginning to slowly teach us humans is the way in which we are impacting the lives of other species and the very environment in ways most of us would never imagine. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/29/22

DNR’s draft wolf plan up for public comment

REGIONAL—The Department of Natural Resources is accepting comments through Aug. 8 on a draft of Minnesota’s updated wolf management plan. The gray wolf is currently under federal … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/29/22

Learn about alternatives to lead tackle in DNR webinar

REGIONAL- The Department of Natural Resources invites Minnesotans interested in fishing, wildlife and outdoor skills to tune into an upcoming webinar on alternatives to lead fishing tackle. The … more

6/29/22

Ann Gawboy dances in the rain at the Lake Vermilion Traditional Pow Wow last weekend.

Rainy Day Dancers - picture story

Weekend showers didn’t dampen spirits at the Lake Vermilion Traditional Powwow last weekend, and Timberjay photographer Jodi Summit was on hand to capture some of the grace, beauty, and … more

Jodi Summit | 6/29/22

A black bear playfully chews on bark from a tree at the Vince Shute Sanctuary. While the sanctuary staff wrestle with HR issues, it’s business as usual for the bears.

Bear sanctuary working through staffing crisis

ORR- Former Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary Executive Director Steph Horner said ‘so long’ to the popular black bear attraction at the end of last year’s season, but she never could … more

David Colburn | 6/29/22

Randy and Carol Semo were on hand for last week’s customer appreciation day at Good Ol’ Days. The couple has owned the popular bar and restaurant in Tower for 20 years, with Randy handling much of the day-to-day operations. Ownership was to formally change hands to Dan and Greta Burandt, on July 1.

Goodbye to a ‘good ol’ guy

TOWER- Twenty years ago Randy and Carol Semo opened a 1950s-themed bar and grill with a décor that echoed both their love of that era and a healthy dose of Green Bay Packers fandom. Good … more

Jodi Summit | 6/29/22

Linda Fryer’s sisters, Suzanne Fryer and Gloria Marion remove the cover from the new street sign, highlighting Linda Fryer Way, in Ely.

Linda Fryer Way dedicated in Ely

ELY – A new street name, Linda Fryer Way, was dedicated last week for the longtime Chamber of Commerce leader whose efforts went a long way to put this community on the map.Family, friends, Ely … more

Keith Vandervort | 6/29/22

Kabetogama and Crane Lake flooding could be gone by mid-July

REGIONAL- Monday’s Rainy River Basin flood update from the Duluth National Weather Service office was one residents in affected areas were likely to be less enthusiastic about than some, as the … more

David Colburn | 6/29/22

U.S. Steel to build new production facility on Iron Range

REGIONAL— The U.S. Steel Corporation announced this week that it plans to break ground this fall on a new $150 million direct reduced iron (DRI) production facility on Minnesota’s Iron … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/29/22

Greenwood residents keep levy at $150,000 for 2023

GREENWOOD TWP- Moving the Greenwood Township annual meeting from March to June did nothing to boost attendance. Fewer than 15 township residents showed up for the June 23 reconvened annual meeting, … more

Jodi Summit | 6/29/22 | 1 comment

Radical justices

In the wake of two jaw-dropping, yet hardly unexpected, decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court in the past week, it is clearly time to remake the political lexicon in this country. For decades, the high … more

6/29/22

Storm damage in Soudan being assessed; costs still being tallied

SOUDAN – Recent storm damage was the main topic of conversation at the Breitung Township regular board meeting held on Thursday, June 23. Maintenance Supervisor Tom Gorsma reported that in … more

Rachel Brophy | 6/29/22

Minnesota announces first case of monkeypox

REGIONAL- Minnesota joined the world in another health scare this week, announcing on Monday the state’s first case of monkeypox.As of Tuesday, 4,769 cases of monkeypox have been reported in 49 … more

David Colburn | 6/29/22

Obituaries: July 1, 2022

Nancy A. Yapel Nancy Ann Yapel, 76, of Tower, passed away on Monday, June 20, 2022. At her request, no funeral is planned. Instead, the immediate family will attend a private burial service in Tower … more

6/29/22

Cynthia Haugejorde, left, and Deb Sunderman spoke in Ely this week about their Title IX opportunities.

Ely celebrates 50 years of landmark Title IX law

ELY – This week, the United States marks 50 years since the landmark Title IX antidiscrimination law was enacted. To celebrate this milestone in the Ely area, two women with notable athletic … more

Keith Vandervort | 6/23/22

Jack Roddy talks to members of the Tower-Soudan Little League about baseball and what a talent scout might look for in a promising player.

Coaching tips from a pro

SOUDAN- A World Series ring was a nice capstone to a long career in baseball for Jack Roddy, and it offered a bit of inspiration this past week to local Little Leaguers.Roddy, a long-time talent … more

Jodi Summit | 6/23/22