News - The Timberjay

Audit: City making progress but financial woes continue

TOWER— The city’s finances are more transparent, but some financial issues remained in 2021, according to accountant Devin Ceglar, who presented Tower’s annual audit at the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/10/22

One of the new bear enclosures at the North American Bear Center, featuring special bear-friendly and visitor-friendly zoo fencing and new natural dens.

New digs for residents at North American Bear Center

ELY- At the North American Bear Center, the old bear enclosures with their wooden shelters have lasted many years; however, with wear and bear, it was obvious they wouldn’t last fur-ever. … more

6/8/23

Babbitt clerk-treasurer resigns

BABBITT- In a move that caught many by surprise, Babbitt’s clerk-treasurer, Kathy Vraa, submitted a letter of resignation with 30-days notice. Vraa, who submitted her resignation on Aug. 17, … more

Catie Clark | 8/30/23

District facing SOD by next fiscal year

REGIONAL- The harsh reality of declining enrollment on ISD 2142’s financial status was made clear Tuesday when Finance Director Kim Johnson revealed her projection that the district will fall … more

David Colburn | 4/10/24

In an undated photograph, Martin Gundersen fillets fish on an area dock while one of his grandchildren watches with interest. Gundersen, along with his wife Elizabeth, were major property owners in the area in the early 1900s. They later donated much of that land to the city of Tower, some of which formed the basis for the Gundersen Trust.

Gundersen Trust changes finally approved by court

TOWER- After years of effort, the city of Tower’s Gundersen Trust Fund has received court approval for the transfer of its assets to the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation (DSACF). … more

Jodi Summit | 6/8/23

One injured, one dies in separate accidents

Ely man dies in Fernberg Road crash ELY- A 62-year-old Ely man died Thursday, Aug. 24, as a result of a one-vehicle crash on Fernberg Rd., near the intersection of Summer Home Road. The … more

8/30/23

Ayva Anderson and classmates stand in the drizzle with their eclipse glasses

You can’t eclipse a teachable moment

TOWER- Eclipse day in northern Minnesota featured a heavy overcast and showers, but the wet weather didn’t dampen the astronomy lessons at Tower-Soudan Elementary. Students did trek out to the … more

Jodi Summit | 4/10/24

District looks at class configurations for new year

REGIONAL- With the new school year fast approaching, ISD 2142 School Board members reviewed projected class sizes at the district’s five schools on Tuesday. They also filled vacant teaching … more

David Colburn | 8/10/22

Aaron Kania of the National Forest Service spoke to the Ely City Council on June 6 about regional fire danger.

First license for cannabinoid sales goes to movie theater

ELY- The Ely City Council approved its first license application for the retailing of “on sale” cannabinoids, to Ely’s Historic State Theater. An “on sale” license … more

Catie Clark | 6/7/23

New board backs funding for Tower Ambulance

GREENWOOD TWP- The change in leadership on the Greenwood Town Board has brought a reversal on one of the most contentious issues in the township in recent years. After three years of refusal to … more

Jodi Summit | 4/10/24

Lagging interest in COVID boosters could spark new virus wave this fall

REGIONAL—More than two-thirds of Minnesotans may have completed their initial vaccinations against COVID-19, but the state’s residents have lagged considerably when it comes to getting … more

David Colburn | 8/10/22

Elevated lead levels found in some Ely water samples

ELY- The City of Ely tested twenty homes in August of 2022 for lead and found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes and buildings. The City of Ely has been working closely with the … more

6/7/23

An artist’s rendition of the timberwolf mascot head on the outside of school offices at the Ely Public Schools.

Donation to fund new murals and signage on new addition

ELY- The ISD 696 school board accepted $30,000 in donations from the Ely Educational Foundation at its regular monthly meeting on Monday. Two-thirds of the money is for murals and signage for the … more

Catie Clark | 4/10/24

Zupancich, Skraba cruise to primary wins

REGIONAL- Babbitt Mayor Andrea Zupancich and Ely Mayor Roger Skraba scored big wins in Tuesday’s Republican primary election in their mutual quests to join the state Legislature, and experience … more

David Colburn | 8/10/22

Tower Ambulance ends year with 524 runs

TOWER- The Tower Area Ambulance Service (TAAS)had a total of 524 runs in 2023, which included 486 911-calls and 38 non-emergency transfers. This was comparable to the call numbers in 2021 with 489 … more

1/24/24

Ely school project enters ‘summer slam’

ELY – Another brief ISD 696 school board meeting on Monday focused mostly on the $21.5 million school building and renovation project about to enter the final phase, referred to as the … more

Keith Vandervort | 5/25/22

The Ne-zho-dain is the new tour boat at Voyageurs National Park.

New park tour boat damaged when striking rock

REGIONAL- The debut of Voyageur National Park’s new tour boat, the 42-foot long catamaran “Ne-zho-dain,” has faced a number of challenges this summer, including record flooding that … more

David Colburn | 8/10/22

The Y-Store is getting a big infrastructure upgrade.

Y Store fueling infrastructure project underway

TOWER- Folks who have driven past the Y Store last week may have noticed that gas costs 0.00. But they’ve also noticed that the fuel pumps have been removed and the area is undergoing some … more

Jodi Summit | 10/20/22

Obituaries: March 24, 2023

John J. Braun John Joseph Braun, 62, of Ely, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Services will be held while John’s family is in Ely for the Braun family’s … more

3/22/23

Area businesses urge state to assert jurisdiction

REGIONAL- A concerned group of business owners who depend on providing services to visitors to Voyageurs National Park are mounting a concerted effort against proposed changes in park policies that … more

David Colburn | 4/10/24

Obituaries: October 21, 2022

Carol M. Alstrom Carol Marie Alstrom, 74, of Cokato, formerly of Tower, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, at Cokato Manor. Carol will be missed by many, especially her former students … more

10/19/22

Ely Fire Chief David Marshall displays the thank you note from the three-year-old’s family and the thank you card drawn by the child herself, which they sent to the first responders.

Missing three-year-old back home and healthy

ELY- Fire chief David Marshall had wonderful news for the city council here on Tuesday. During the fire department report, Marshall noted that the three-year-old girl who went missing on the morning … more

Catie Clark | 3/22/23

Obituaries: November 3, 2023

Joann Martin Joann Riendeau Martin, 89, of Embarrass, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. A night visitation was held on Thursday, Nov. 2 at Range Funeral … more

11/2/23

Hotel plans may be stymied by parking

ELY- Matt Stupnik and his $3.5 million boutique hotel project is facing a squeeze from the lack of available parking space. When he bought the former Ely community center from the city for two … more

Catie Clark | 1/24/24

Funds sought to replace Morcom community center

BEAR RIVER- A crumbling area educational landmark could be on its way to the dustbin of history if the Legislature approves a $2.923 million bonding request to fund a new community center for Morcom … more

David Colburn | 4/10/24