News - The Timberjay

Green dots indicate areas that are in the broadband plan, and red dots indicate areas that have been removed due to increasing project costs.

Large areas of the township no longer included in broadband project

GREENWOOD TWP- During a meeting that stretched over two-and-a-half hours, the Greenwood Town Board dealt with a long list of issues in addition to the fire department policies detailed in last … more

Jodi Summit | 6/18/25

Scammer solicits phony donations from Tower businesses

TOWER- When a man purporting to be collecting donations for the scholarship fund for the VFW in Cook came to the Tower Café last week, owner Jen McDonough’s spidey-sense awakened. … more

Jodi Summit | 6/18/25

Survey shows mixed feelings towards communities, county

REGIONAL- A new countywide survey shows that most St. Louis County residents are generally satisfied with life in their communities, but that optimism doesn’t always extend to how they feel … more

David Colburn | 6/18/25

Small changes in your yard can improve your local water quality

ELY- Every piece of land is connected to each other, to waterways, and wild lands. To keep our watersheds in good health it’s important that landowners be aware of the choices they make and how … more

Stephanie Ukkola | 6/18/25

State agency warns of fake traffic ticket threat

REGIONAL- State officials are warning Minnesotans to steer clear of scam text messages pretending to be from the Department of Public Safety or the state’s motor vehicle division. The texts … more

David Colburn | 6/18/25

Obituaries: June 20, 2025

Danielle A. Pieratos It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Danielle Alys Pieratos, 36, of Lake Vermilion-Tower, beloved mother, daughter, sister, auntie, niece, cousin and friend, who … more

6/18/25

Members of the Choralaires perform a sea shanty about coming by ship to America, the experience of so many immigrants to the Iron Range.

Midsummer event honors region’s immigrant history

TOWER— The Lake Vermilion Cultural Center’s annual Midsummer Gala paid homage to the Iron Range’s immigrant history while raising several tens of thousands of dollars from from … more

Jodi Summit | 6/18/25

Both sides in mining debate can claim a win

REGIONAL— The recent flurry of congressional action on the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine marked apparent victories for both sides on the controversial mining project. The victory for … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/18/25

Protesters lined Sheridan Street in Ely on Saturday to protest the increasingly authoritarian actions of President Trump. Nearly 400 protesters turned out, part of a nationwide protest that drew several million people. About 40 Trump supporters were also on hand.

‘No Kings’ rally draws hundreds to Ely protest

ELY—Nearly 400 people lined Sheridan Street here last Saturday to express their strong displeasure with the authoritarian actions and policies of President Donald Trump. The protest, which … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/18/25

BIA steps up traffic citations in Tower area

REGIONAL— Multiple individuals in recent days have reported to the Timberjay that they have been issued traffic citations by an officer from the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs operating in … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/18/25

Partnership inked with Nippon and U.S. Steel

REGIONAL— Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel announced Monday that President Trump has approved a partnership agreement that will facilitate Nippon’s eventual control, with caveats, over … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/18/25

Edwin Swanson, Dot Swanson, Ellie Jankowski and Logan Jankowski enjoy the view in this barrel sauna made by Nordic Legend Products of Cloquet.

Sauna Day a celebration of Finnish traditions

EMBARRASS- The Finns of Embarrass, along with their friends, neighbors and visitors from afar, gathered Sunday to celebrate tradition, heritage and community at Sauna Day. The annual celebration of … more

Stephanie Ukkola | 6/13/25

Ely School Board to manage more of its tech work in-house

ELY- The Ely School Board, Monday, continued with cost-saving measures as it works to reduce a potential deficit. On this month’s agenda, that included dissolving a 2019 agreement for IT … more

Jodi Summit | 6/13/25

The former El-Roy Supper Club was destroyed in an early morning fire last Friday

Former El-Roy Supper Club destroyed in early morning fire

BRITT— The former El-Roy Supper Club here was destroyed by fire last Friday, June 6, and a family that had recently purchased the former restaurant property is lucky to have survived the early … more

6/12/25

Timber Days starts Friday in Cook, runs through June 15

COOK— Whether you come for the music, the parade, the pancakes, or the petting zoo, Timber Days in Cook is serving up all the familiar favorites—with a few fresh additions to keep things … more

David Colburn | 6/12/25

Hibbing Fire Chief Erik Jankila presented the new fire department policies to the board.

New fire department policies adopted; now taking applications for chief

GREENWOOD TWP- The Greenwood Town Board, Tuesday, approved a set of new policies and job descriptions for the township fire department. The policies also set up written hiring policies and … more

Jodi Summit | 6/12/25

Lawmakers finish state budget in one-day special session

REGIONAL- It took a single marathon day, a raft of last-minute deals, and more than a few hoarse floor speeches, but Minnesota lawmakers wrapped up their budget work during a special session on … more

David Colburn | 6/12/25

Pulitzer-winning musical “Next to Normal” on stage in Ely June 18–29

ELY- Northern Lakes Arts Association continues to raise the bar for regional theater with its newest production: “Next to Normal,” a bold and groundbreaking musical exploring mental … more

6/12/25

Obituaries: June 13, 2025

Susan R. Miller Susan R. “Sue” Miller, 82, of Ely, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 23, 2025, surrounded by family. In the week preceding her death, her home was filled with most … more

6/12/25

Roger Skraba, Tom Bakk, Grant Hauschild, and Interim VNP Superintendent Brian Harmon look on as Gretchen Janssen and retired park superintendent Bob DeGross cut the ribbon, officially opening the new Crane Lake Visitor’s Center.

Crane Lake celebrates

CRANE LAKE- In the heart of Minnesota’s northern wilderness, the long-held dream of a community became reality on Friday as Crane Lake cut the ribbon on its new visitor center for Voyageurs … more

David Colburn | 6/12/25

A photo circa 1910s at Goodwill’s Summer Home, the first resort built on Vermilion’s west end.

Goodwill Township an homage to Vermilion’s past

LAKE VERMILION- For the first time in St. Louis County since the formal organization of Kabetogama Township in 2001, a newly organized township held its first official meeting on Tuesday at the Lake … more

David Colburn | 6/12/25

Council weighs Hoodoo Point improvements

TOWER— Replacing the Hoodoo Point Campground’s outdated electrical system was a major topic for the city council here on Monday as electrical engineer Joe Peterson outlined the steps … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/12/25

Fighting wildfire with knowledge

ELY- As recent times have demonstrated, climate change is here, noted Barb Jones as she introduced a series of speakers on emergency management to more than 70 people who gathered at the Ely Senior … more

Stephanie Ukkola | 6/12/25

Deputies investigate suspicious incident near Orr

ORR— Authorities are investigating a suspicious encounter reported Sunday night outside the Dam Supper Club, along Hwy. 53 just south of Orr. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s … more

David Colburn | 6/12/25

Jeannie Taylor is being honored as grand marshal of the Cook Annual Timber Days parade for her work with Cook Friends of the Parks.

Jeannie Taylor chosen as Timber Days Grand Marshal

COOK- The Cook Annual Timber Days committee in recent years has chosen grand marshals for Sunday’s parade who have been involved in many different volunteer and philanthropic groups. This … more

David Colburn | 6/5/25