Sports - The Timberjay

North Woods shortstop Emarie Gibson preps for a throw to first base against Deer River on Tuesday.

FIELD TWP- The North Woods softball team bounced back from a tough 17-4 loss to Mt. Iron-Buhl on Monday to crush Deer River on Tuesday, 18-0. The Grizzlies got off to a hot start when Zoey Burckhardt … more

David Colburn | 5/9/25

Visser, Udovich top Ely track at Hibbing meet

HIBBING- The Ely track team taught the schools at the 69th Annual Doc Savage Invitational in Hibbing on Saturday a thing or two about talent and determination, as numerous Ely athletes turned in a … more

David Colburn | 5/9/25

North Woods’ Aidan Hartway competed in the 100-meter dash this week in Mesabi East.

Grizzlies show promise at Hibbing invitational

HIBBING- The North Woods Grizzlies track team competed in the 69th Annual Doc Savage Invitational Meet in Hibbing on Saturday, with numerous athletes competing well in a crowded 13-team field. The … more

David Colburn | 5/9/25

The Grizzlies’ Louie Panichi, pictured here in Tuesday action against Littlefork-Big Falls, pitched a no-hitter last week against Mt. Iron-Buhl.

Panichi hurls no-hitter

FIELD TWP- It’s been a good roll for the North Woods baseball team, starting out with a stellar no-hitter by senior pitcher Louie Panichi and following up with three more wins. Panichi was a … more

David Colburn | 5/8/25

Ely tallies sixth win in a row

CHISHOLM— The Timberwolves notched their sixth straight win here on Tuesday as they routed the Bluestreaks 16-3 in six innings to improve to 7-2 on the season. Senior Maija Mattson was nearly … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/8/25

Caid Chittum tips to his back foot as he prepares to swing at a Mesabi East pitch during Monday’s contest in Aurora.

Wolves show they have what it takes

AURORA— The Timberwolves improved to 8-1 on the baseball season this week with back-to-back wins over Mt. Iron-Buhl and Mesabi East. In Aurora on Monday, Ely demonstrated patience and execution … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/8/25

NER/Ely girls golf team showing real promise in Class A

REGIONAL- Class 2A Rock Ridge appears to be the area’s dominant force in girls’ golf this season, having claimed the top eight spots in last week’s Greenway-Nashwauk-Keewatin meet … more

5/8/25

Aune notches best round for Grizzlies at Two Harbors meet

REGIONAL- The North Woods boys golf team hit the links last Thursday for a tournament at the Lakeview National Golf Course in Two Harbors, placing third among four schools. Gage Aune led the way for … more

David Colburn | 5/8/25

North Woods’ Louie Panichi slides into second ahead of a tag by Ely second baseman Hunter Halbakkan.

Ely dominates North Woods

ELY- The North Woods baseball team traveled to Ely last Friday with hopes of avenging a pair of losses to the Wolves last season, but Ely hurler Owen Marolt put shackles on the bottom half of the … more

David Colburn | 5/1/25

Second inning the charm for Ely in week’s action

TWO HARBORS— Give the Timberwolves an inning to warm up and then watch out. That was the message sent this past week as Ely blew back-to-back games wide open in the second inning. On Friday, … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/1/25

Wolves win fifth straight in convincing fashion

ELY— The Timberwolves looked convincing in a three-game weekend home stand, allowing just five combined runs to improve to 6-1 and extend their winning streak to five games. Hosting Cook County … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/1/25

Area golfers show promise

VIRGINIA- Golf season has finally arrived, and the Northeast Range/Ely and North Woods girls squads teed it up last Thursday in the Rock Ridge ERC meet at the Virginia Golf Course. NER/Ely … more

5/1/25

Grizzlies slip to Rangers 5-3

MT. IRON- Early North Woods pitching problems gave Mt. Iron-Buhl a lead they wouldn’t relinquish last Thursday, as the Rangers defeated the Grizzlies softball team 5-3 in Mt. Iron. Zoey … more

David Colburn | 5/1/25

Addison Burckhardt is flanked by her parents Eric and Stephanie during her recent signing ceremony.

Burckhardt signs with St. Mary’s

FIELD TWP- When North Woods School graduation comes around this year, it will bring an end to an unusual and lucky run of having three top-level long distance running siblings representing the school … more

David Colburn | 4/25/25

With Nevada Gauthier looking on from shortstop, Addison Burckhardt winds up for a pitch.

Grizzlies maul Chisholm 13-3

FIELD TWP- Nevada Gauthier had a huge day at the plate Tuesday to drive the North Woods softball team to a 13-3 five-inning home win over Chisholm. Gauthier singled and scored in each of the first … more

David Colburn | 4/24/25

Ely looks impressive in back-to-back road wins

ELY— The Timberwolves seem to be hitting their stride early in the season, picking up two convincing wins this week. Dominant pitching, timely hitting, and sharp execution of small ball tactics … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/24/25

Wolves rout Warriors 18-4

DEER RIVER— Timely bats and 14 walks proved the ticket to an easy 18-4 Timberwolves rout here over the Warriors on Tuesday. It was Ely freshman Naomi Archer’s varsity pitching debut and … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/24/25

Ely boys and girls dominate at Deer River meet

DEER RIVER- Both the Ely boys and girls track teams opened their spring season with statement victories at Tuesday’s meet in Deer River, each capturing first place among seven competing … more

David Colburn | 4/24/25

North Woods goes solo for track season

DEER RIVER- The newly independent North Woods Grizzlies made a strong impression at Tuesday’s Deer River track and field meet, competing as their own team after several years combined with the … more

David Colburn | 4/24/25

Ely junior pitcher Zoe MacKenzie winds to deliver from the mound during last week’s contest with Mesabi East.

Wolves’ rally sinks Giants

AURORA- A big day for Zoe MacKenzie powered the Ely Timberwolves to a 9-6 comeback win over Mesabi East on Friday, as the Wolves’ hurler drove in four runs on three hits, including a solo home … more

David Colburn | 4/17/25

Wolves split in weekend road trip

REGIONAL—With winter conditions still lingering up north, the Timberwolves kicked off their 2025 baseball season last weekend with a two-game swing through southern Minnesota that showed both … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/17/25

Talen Jarshaw keeps his eye on his pitch as it floats toward a waiting Chisholm batter.

Hopeful signs for North Woods despite 6-0 loss

AURORA- A 6-0 loss to the Chisholm Bluestreaks on Friday may have looked like an inauspicious start to the North Woods baseball season, but first-year Head Coach Steve Baker saw a lot to like from … more

David Colburn | 4/17/25

Keith Secola talked about a new flute he had just purchased. He also demonstrated how to record and edit music using Garage Band.

Lessons from Keith Secola: writing music, respecting the earth

TOWER- When Keith Secola visited Vermilion Country School on April 8, it wasn’t solely to give a concert for the students and staff. Secola, a nationally known, award-winning Native American … more

Jodi Summit | 4/17/25

Mr. B on his perch. Formerly known as Blockhead before moving to Tower, Mr. B is currently employed at Rick’s Relics on Main St.

Ely cat now employed at Rick’s Relics in Tower

ELY – A cat rescued here has found a new home – and a job – at a store in Tower. Blockhead is a fluffy cream-colored kitty who was abandoned by his former owners. “We believe … more

Catie Clark | 4/10/25

A video featuring VNP Ranger Erik Ditzler and Archivist Catherine Crawford showing part of the park's historical collection was shown during Tuesday's Zoom presentation.

Voyageurs National Park kicks off 50th anniversary

REGIONAL- Tuesday was the official golden anniversary of Voyageurs National Park, and a months-long celebration kicked off with a reception at the park’s headquarters in International Falls, … more

David Colburn | 4/10/25