News - The Timberjay

Ely School Board takes closer look at the bills

ELY- The number of home school enrollments is down slightly this year in the ISD 696 district, and board members discussed possibilities for bringing those students back into the system’s … more

Rachel Brophy | 10/12/22

The Iron Mosquitos celebrate after winning the First Impact Award at the Lake Superior regional competition.

Iron Mosquitos create a buzz

BABBITT- “I am not sure who signed me up for this,” said Iron Mosquitos head coach Ryan Lindsay. The Northeast Range High School (NER) science teacher whose background was in genetics. … more

Jodi Summit | 3/16/23

Obituaries: May 26, 2023

Jon D. Folz Jr. Please note change in service date Jon David Folz Jr., 63, of Ely, died on Sunday, April 30, 2023, with his family at his side at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth. A Mass of … more

5/24/23

Latest COVID variant is spreading rapidly in Minnesota

REGIONAL- It’s a week of mixed signals for COVID activity in Minnesota, not an unusual circumstance considering the limited measures of surveillance available now compared to earlier in the … more

David Colburn | 1/17/24

City of Ely could acquire WELY radio station for free

ELY – For the past two weeks this community has been in desperation, almost panic, over the impending shut down of WELY-FM radio on June 1. Ely Mayor Roger Skraba talked informally with the … more

Keith Vandervort | 5/18/22

Obituaries: July 29, 2022

Carrie Cazares Carrie Henrika Folz Cazares, 59, passed away on Thursday, June 30, 2022, surrounded by family at her home in Hillsboro, Ore. A memorial service will be held on what would have been her … more

7/27/22

Future of Tower Fire department in question

TOWER— The future of the Tower Fire Department will be the subject of a new ad hoc committee established by the city council here on Monday. The department is down to fewer than half a dozen … more

Marshall Helmberger | 10/12/22

Teachers back early release proposal

ELY- The proposal for the Wednesday early release program for professional development and training was once again the main topic of discussion before the Ely School Board at its March 13 meeting. … more

Catie Clark | 3/16/23

Controversial nurse staffing bill crumbles

REGIONAL- In a stunning last day reversal of fortunes, Minnesota legislators killed a controversial proposal that would have left hospital staffing decisions to committees, shifting the bill’s … more

David Colburn | 5/24/23

Orr hires deputy clerk, adjusts ambulance policies

ORR- The Orr City Council had a relatively routine list of items to consider at Monday’s regular meeting, with one item in particular they were likely delighted to approve. City business … more

David Colburn | 8/16/23

Public Works Foreman Mike Popesh received a commemorative plaque from Mayor Heidi Omerza in honor of his more than 43 years of service to the city of Ely at Tuesday’s city council meeting. Popesh retired last week. He started working for the city at the end of 1980.

Council recognizes Mike Popesh for 43 years service to city

ELY- After 43 years of service, Public Works Foreman Mike Popesh, a long-time city of Ely employee, retired last week. He began work with the city at the end of 1980, according to Mayor Heidi Omerza. … more

Catie Clark | 1/17/24

Ely-area pro-choice advocates joined thousands of marchers in hundreds of cities across the United States last Saturday for a “Bans Off Our Bodies” rally.

Pro-choice advocates rally in Ely

ELY- Nearly 100 pro-choice advocates here joined thousands of marchers in hundreds of cities across the nation for a “Bans Off Our Bodies” rally expressing concern and even outrage that … more

Keith Vandervort | 5/18/22

Cook native is repeat finalist for Grammy educator award

COOK- It was a special moment for Cook native Trevor Nicholas last year when he was named as one of only ten national finalists for the 2022 Music Educator Award presented by The Recording Academy, … more

David Colburn | 12/21/22

Few attend Morse meeting

MORSE TOWNSHIP- In a repeat from last year, the Morse Township meeting on March 14 was thinly attended, with just the clerk, treasurer, two supervisors, one reporter and three township residents. … more

Catie Clark | 3/16/23

Tower and Soudan water supplies both meet safe drinking water standards

REGIONAL- A new drinking water report from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) shows that while some areas of the state face challenges including quantity, quality and aging infrastructure, the … more

Jodi Summit | 5/24/23

Deal reached on additional state spending

REGIONAL- DFL and Republican legislators have differing viewpoints regarding the $512.5 million supplemental budget framework agreed to last week between Gov. Tim Walz and DFL legislative leaders. … more

David Colburn | 3/27/24

Dafne Caruso (left) and Sara Skelton (right) at the Northern Lakes Arts Association reception at the State Theater in Ely.

Dafne Caruso art show at State Theater

ELY- Dafne Caruso is a local Ely artist whose career shows that it’s never too late to start pursuing the arts. The Northern Lakes Arts Association in collaboration with Ely’s State … more

Catie Clark | 12/21/22

Study suggests big job gains from new kind of mining

REGIONAL— A new pilot study suggests a new type of “mining” could create more than 1,700 direct jobs in Minnesota and help address the country’s need for valuable metals like … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/16/23

Ice candles bring community together in Embarrass

EMBARRASS- It took a little while to explain the tradition of ice candles to my 87-year-old mother-in-law, who recently moved to the area. But as soon as we pulled up the narrow lane to the Embarrass … more

Jodi Summit | 12/21/22

Jason and Lauren Dinsmore in happier times before the accident during which Lauren suffered serious facial injuries. The couple owns a summer cabin on Lake Vermilion and live in Rochester the rest of the year.

Moose versus minivan leaves five injured

BREITUNG TWP- Five members of an extended family from Rochester were sent to area hospitals last Thursday, Aug. 17, after their 2019 Sienna minivan collided with a moose on Hwy. 169 near the Murray … more

Jodi Summit | 8/23/23

The two new pups that arrived recently at the International Wolf Center are enjoying the attention. Neither has a name yet— those will be decided as part of a naming contest set to get underway next month.

New pups for a new season

ELY - The International Wolf Center is adding two pups to its Exhibit Pack this year. The pups have arrived at the Wolf Center and will be visible to the public starting in early June.“These … more

Keith Vandervort | 5/18/22

Obituaries: December 23, 2022

Ronald R. Hujanen Ronald R. Hujanen, 80, of Cook, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 30 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tower. … more

12/21/22

City approves concept plan for improvements at mini-park

TOWER— The city council here, at their regular monthly meeting on Monday, approved a concept plan that would substantially remake the city’s mini-park. The plan, developed by Benchmark … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/16/23

A Boeing Chinook CH-47D helicopter drops its 2,500 gallons of water on a wildfire that started just west of the Ely Golf Course on Saturday, May 27.

Blaze scorches 20 acres near Ely

ELY- With red flag fire weather warnings posted across northern Minnesota, Ely had its first brush with a wildfire on the afternoon of Saturday, May 27. The fire was reported before 5 p.m. … more

Catie Clark | 5/31/23

Greaney thief caught thanks to GPS tracker

GREANEY- Tipped off by GPS locators attached to stolen equipment, St. Louis County deputies found more than they bargained for when they descended on the home of Martin Earl Voss northwest of Greaney … more

David Colburn | 8/23/23