News - The Timberjay

Area residents gather regularly at the Embarrass Timber Hall for a wide range of activities. The facility will receive $1.5 million to fund improvements and repairs.

ST. PAUL— A late session deal that added $1.5 billion in state bonding to a capital projects improvement bill is expected to inject $2.6 billion into the state’s economy over the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/24/23

Nursing Honor Guard formed for our area

REGIONAL- Paying tribute to nurses at their time of death is the mission of the newly-formed Northern Range Nursing Honor Guard. A group of nurses, some working, some retired, are now offering free … more

Jodi Summit | 3/20/24

Ely writer, illustrator team up on new childrens’ book

ELY- A new book published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press will give area families a new tradition to celebrate with their children. The book is now available at area bookstores and online. … more

Jodi Summit | 5/24/23

Obituaries: March 22, 2024

William J. Ulicsni William “Bill” J. Ulicsni, 86, longtime resident of Mt. Iron, died on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. A celebration of life will be … more

3/20/24

Chippewa Tribe votes to end blood quantum requirements

REGIONAL- Since the 1800s, federal and state laws have legally defined Native Americans in fractions of “Indian blood” – one-half, one-quarter, one-eighth, and so on – to … more

David Colburn | 7/27/22

Personnel and drug policy top light board agenda

BABBITT- The ISD 2142 school board held its regular meeting at Northeast Range school in Babbitt on Tuesday, approving a drug overdose medication policy and numerous personnel actions. Board members … more

David Colburn | 5/25/23

U.S. Steel rejects Cleveland-Cliffs buyout offer

REGIONAL— U.S. Steel has rejected a $7.3 billion buyout offer from rival Cleveland-Cliffs that would have made Cliffs the predominant company in the U.S. steel sector. But U.S. Steel, which … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/16/23

Orr council scrutinzes city operations at special meeting

ORR- Meeting in a special session on Monday, Orr City Council members made quick work of two business items before turning their attention to a lengthy discussion of a number of items that could … more

David Colburn | 3/20/24

High water levels plaguing Rainy River basin

REGIONAL- The water continues to rise along the Rainy River basin, fueled by recent rains and snowmelt, and that could pose problems for lake residents in the border country. Levels are already … more

David Colburn | 5/15/22

PolyMet, Teck Resources launch joint venture

REGIONAL—Canadian-based PolyMet Mining and Teck Resources have launched a joint venture to bring two of the largest known deposits of copper-nickel and precious metals on the Duluth Complex … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/27/22

Green light for chickens in Tower

TOWER— The city council here gave final approval late last week to a new ordinance allowing the keeping of up to five hens within the city limits. Acting Mayor Joe Morin presided over the early … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/16/23

Kes Ebbs (left) and Lou Wiggen (right) introduce the newly-incorporated SAGE Foundation at the March 12 Tuesday Group meeting. The group is hosting a fundraiser at the Ely Folk School this weekend, on both Saturday and Sunday from 5-7 p.m. with pizza, Dorothy Molter root beer, and a silent auction.

New nonprofit seeks to help local college students

ELY- Elyites Kes Ebbs and Lou Wiggen introduced the SAGE Foundation, a new a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, at last week’s Tuesday Group meeting. SAGE, which stands for “Students Achieving Goals … more

Catie Clark | 3/20/24

MCEA: ‘Jobs’ mantra transitioning to ‘renewable energy’ argument

ELY – Sulfide mining companies are subtly shifting their rhetoric and messaging about the proposed projects in northern Minnesota.“No one is probably more familiar with this rhetoric over … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/27/22

ISD 696 fumbles communications twice in a row

ELY- For the second time in a row, the Ely School Board faced a room overflowing with teachers and parents at their May 22 meeting, this time over concerns about the schedule for the 2023-24 school … more

Catie Clark | 5/24/23

A party at Peyla’s Arrowhead Garage in Tower for the arrival of the 1957 Dodge models.

PEYLAS MADE THEIR MARK

TOWER- It was a full house here last week when Dick Peyla offered a look into the history of his family in the area as part of a presentation sponsored by the Tower-Soudan Historical Society. … more

Jodi Summit | 8/16/23

An excavator hauls rock across the east parking lot on the Ely school campus Tuesday morning as work continues on $21.5 million building and renovation project.

Ely school construction project finish line looms

ELY – The $21.5 million building and renovation project on the ISD 696 campus here is quickly headed for the Labor Day completion finish line, and with about a month to go, just seven percent … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/28/22

Ebel VNP tasing video making splash on YouTube

REGIONAL- Outside of the Timberjay’s ongoing coverage since last summer, regional media outlets have shown little interest in the tasing of Ash River houseboat owner Justin Ebel by Voyageurs … more

David Colburn | 5/24/23

Hoodoo Point Campground tops city agenda

TOWER—The Hoodoo Point Campground dominated discussion at the city council meeting here on Monday, as the council discussed a rate increase for seasonal campers, a new playground, and limits on … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/16/23

A back view of the Pike River Dam and Engineer's House.

The ill-fated hydropower experiment of 1912

TOWER- Members of the Tower-Soudan Historical Society gathered at the Herbert R. Lamppa Civic Center on Sept. 27 for the group’s annual meeting. Tucker Nelson, editor of the Hometown Focus, … more

Jodi Summit | 10/5/22

Flat state aids push county levy higher

REGIONAL— St. Louis County spending will have increased 14.6 percent over the past five years, based on the 2023 budget approved earlier this month by the county board. At the same time, the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/21/22

Fur flies over proposed Ely pet ordinance

ELY- Ely Police Chief Chad Houde and City Attorney Kelly Klun presented a revised pet ordinance to the Ely City Council on Tuesday, but didn’t anticipate the concerned reactions of three … more

Catie Clark | 8/16/23

ISD 696 facing major budget shortfall

ELY- ISD 696 Superintendent Anne Oelke revealed here this week that the Ely Public Schools is facing a nearly half million-dollar deficit in its 2024-25 budget. The school district’s 2024-25 … more

Catie Clark | 3/27/24

Prospective North Country broadband supplier under fire

REGIONAL- In a move that could have major implications for the expansion of broadband internet services in the North Country, prospective developer LTD Broadband has come under fire again from two … more

David Colburn | 5/12/22

Northshore shutdown extended to next April

REGIONAL- The uncertainty surrounding the future of Northshore Mining taconite mining and processing operations in Babbitt and Silver Bay was magnified last week when parent company Cleveland Cliffs … more

David Colburn | 7/27/22

Obituaries: October 7, 2022

Daniel D. Rutchasky Daniel “Dan” David Rutchasky, 57, of Cook, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at Mlaker Funeral … more

10/5/22