News - The Timberjay

Board renews Engebritsen through 2026

FIELD TWP- The ISD 2142 school board expressed its confidence in the leadership of Superintendent Reggie Engebritson at its Nov. 22 meeting at North Woods School by unanimously approving a new … more

David Colburn | 12/1/22

Area ambulances recognized

REGIONAL— While some area ambulance services may be small, they’re getting the job done and then some, according to a recent certification from the state’s Emergency Medical … more

Marshall Helmberger | 2/22/23

New COVID strain fueling major rise in cases

REGIONAL- The entire northeast Arrowhead region of Minnesota has been upgraded from low to medium COVID activity status by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control this week, based on increased numbers … more

David Colburn | 12/20/23

ATVs drivers involved in two area incidents

REGIONAL- Two ATV incidents, including one with serious injuries, kept emergency responders on the run last week. On Friday evening, March 1, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office responded to … more

3/6/24

Obituaries: July 8, 2022

Marguerite Eyre Marguerite Eyre, 95, of Cook, passed away on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at the Cook Care Center. A private interment will be held at a later date. Memorials can be directed to the Cook … more

7/6/22

Wind turbines, like these at Taconite Ridge, are likely to play a major role in the ongoing energy transition.

New state law advances date for carbon-free power

REGIONAL- DFL legislators and Gov. Tim Walz put the state’s electric utilities on a fast track to carbon-free power generation last week when Walz signed a bill advancing the date for the total … more

David Colburn | 2/22/23

Three firefighters officially retiring

GREENWOOD TWP- Three now-former fire department members, Rick Worringer, Jet Galonski, and David Fazio, announced their intention to retire from the service during public comment this week. All three … more

Jodi Summit | 5/10/23

Pickleball moving ahead without township funding

GREENWOOD TWP— Planning and fundraising for a set of dedicated pickleball courts at Greenwood Town Hall will move forward as a result of town board action on Dec. 12. The board approved siting … more

Jodi Summit | 12/20/23

Tickets for Fiddler on the Roof selling fast

ELY- The widely acclaimed musical, “Fiddler on the Roof,” which has captivated audiences for 60 years, is set to open in Ely beginning Thursday, March 14 at the Vermilion Fine Arts … more

3/6/24

Troy Zupancich, at just seven weeks old, mostly napped through the Tower Fourth of July parade on Monday

Patriotism on display

Images of Independence Day celebrations in Ely, Tower, and Orr. See more pictures in the North Country section photo story "A Red, White, and Blue Celebration." more

Timberjay staff | 7/6/22

Paul Bunyan wins $10 million federal broadband grant

REGIONAL- Exercising perseverance, Paul Bunyan Communications (PBC) has secured federal funding for multiple proposed high-speed broadband projects, including one for an area north of Virginia that … more

David Colburn | 2/22/23

Three taser prongs (see highlighted circles) are visible in the legs of Justin Ebel after he was attacked by park rangers on Lake Kabetogama.

VNP rangers pummeled for tasing incident

REGIONAL- Officials at Voyageurs National Park have come under more criticism on social media in the wake of the release of body camera footage last week that shows the altercation that led two park … more

David Colburn | 5/10/23

Cyclists in The Wolf bikepacking race camping out on Friday, July 21, at Semer’s Beach

Wolf bikepacking race overnights in Ely

ELY- Ely’s Semer’s Park became the overnight camping spot for The Wolf bikepacking event sponsored by Heck of the North Productions. Over 60 cyclists participated in the three-day event, … more

Jen Shuster-Dahlin | 7/26/23

Ely Ambulance needs bailout to make payroll

ELY- The financial woes of the Ely Area Ambulance Service, or EAAS, prompted a special city council meeting here last Wednesday evening to approve another emergency funding allotment to allow the … more

Catie Clark | 12/20/23

Wahlsten Rd. house destroyed in fire

VERMILION LAKE TWP- A rural home here was destroyed by fire last Thursday afternoon, Feb. 29, as the result of an apparent chimney fire that quickly spread to the building’s attic. Paul … more

3/6/24

Hospital cuts off ambulance funds

ELY- The Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital (EBCH) will no longer contribute to the Ely Area Ambulance Service (EAAS) until certain changes are made in the struggling service. That bombshell … more

Catie Clark | 5/10/23

Fall Lake annexation back up for board discussion

ELY- The long-discussed subject of the possible annexation of Fall Lake Township to the Ely School District was back on the ISD 696 board agenda on Monday. It’s long been a sore point as the … more

Catie Clark | 12/20/23

Bakk, Ecklund new lobbyists in St. Paul

REGIONAL— Two of northeastern Minnesota’s former lawmakers have joined the stable of lobbyists that represent a wide range of interests at the Minnesota Legislature. Both former Sen. Tom … more

2/22/23

Mayor Heidi Omerza (far right) read a proclamation to the Ely Memorial High School girls volleyball team at the Dec. 19 city council meeting, awarding the team the key to the city for their achievements over the last two years.

Volleyball team gets the key to the city

ELY- The final Ely City Council meeting of 2023 began with some special recognition for Ely’s high school girls volleyball team. Mayor Heidi Omerza read a proclamation from herself and the city … more

Catie Clark | 12/20/23

Electric rate hike subject to public scrutiny

REGIONAL- Minnesota Power’s quest for a proposed 18 percent overall electricity rate hike will be subjected to public scrutiny next week as customers will have the chance to voice their … more

David Colburn | 7/13/22

MDH hoping to increase uptake of new bivalent boosters

REGIONAL- The Biden administration launched a belated effort last week to shore up an anemic response to the bivalent COVID-19 boosters introduced three months ago, hoping to head off a possible … more

David Colburn | 12/1/22

Ely City Council extends cannabinoid moratorium one year

ELY- In a pleasant excursion from the usual rounds of routine business, the Mayor of Ely, Heidi Omerza awarded Ely senior and Nordic skiing champion Zoe Devine, the key to the city. The award was in … more

Catie Clark | 2/22/23

Lost hunter spends night in woods north of Orr

ORR- An International Falls man and his dog spent last Friday night lost in the woods north of Orr after becoming disoriented while hunting. St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputies and the St. … more

David Colburn | 10/4/23

Cook hires ambulance co-directors

COOK- In a move intended to strengthen the overall operation of the Cook Ambulance Service, current crew members Amy Luecken and Will Fischer will take on leadership of the service by sharing its … more

David Colburn | 12/20/23

Regional EMS service study moves forward

GREENWOOD TWP- Greenwood Township is putting itself in the driver’s seat as it approved spending approximately $55,000 for a study on options for the feasibility of developing a region-wide … more

Jodi Summit | 7/13/22