Sports - The Timberjay

Flanked by his mother, Jenny, and father, Tom, North Woods senior Jonah Burnett signs a letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Northwestern-St. Paul Eagles next year.

Grizzlies’ Burnett signs with University of Northwestern

FIELD TWP- Many North Woods boys basketball fans might swear that senior Jonah Burnett soars like an eagle when he floats down the lane for a shot, and an Eagle is what he will be for the next four … more

David Colburn | 4/10/24

Longtime park tour guide Pete Pellinen is one of the experienced staffers leading above-ground mining tours this summer in Soudan. These tour guides are drawing on their years of research about how this iron mine operated, and what work life was like for the miners.

Lots more to explore at the Soudan Mine

SOUDAN- “When you take the regular underground tour,” said Soudan Underground Mine Park Manager Jim Essig, “we have about 25 minutes to talk to you. The rest of the time we are … more

Jodi Summit | 8/10/22

Lamppa Manufacturing CEO Garrett Lamppa poses in one of the test saunas at the company’s headquarters in Tower.

Tower manufacturer named SBA’s Family Business of the Year

TOWER— A prominent local business has been named the Minnesota Family-Owned Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, or SBA. The SBA made the announcement this week, … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/10/24

Couple’s newest novel set in Ukraine during World War II

REGIONAL- Writer Bill Durbin has become adept at bringing history to life for young adult readers. His earliest books were set in northeastern Minnesota, chronicling the fur trade, iron mining, and … more

Jodi Summit | 8/10/22

he new plan calls for four parallel courts, adjacent to the pavilion and bocce court area.

Pickleball project expands, set to begin later this spring

GREENWOOD TWP- Plans for new pickleball courts in Greenwood Township took a big step forward, Tuesday, as the Greenwood Town Board approved a $25,000 donation to the project, as well as an updated … more

Jodi Summit | 4/10/24

Tiny urns are available for the remains of beloved pets. Pet cremation is now being offered by Vermilion Pet Cremation.

New Cook business now offering pet cremation

COOK- Locally renowned for her love of animals both domestic and exotic, Cook’s Country Connection owner Lois Pajari has recently extended that affection to those bereaved by the loss of a … more

David Colburn | 3/29/23

North Woods junior and South Ridge runner Alex Burckhardt (bib number 549) finished in 20th place to make the all-state team at this year’s state cross country meet.

Burckhardt lands all-state honors at state meet

REGIONAL- North Woods junior cross country runner Alex Burckhardt turned in an all-state level performance last Saturday in the Class A State Championship at the University of Minnesota’s Les … more

David Colburn | 11/9/23

A deep and dense snowpack combined with spring rains led to exceptional flooding throughout the Rainy River watershed last May. A similar snowpack this year poses a risk for flooding again this spring.

As snowpack grows risks rising as well

REGIONAL- Some of the densest snowpack on record is elevating the risk for spring flooding in the Rainy River basin again this year, but the risk still appears to be less than the conditions that … more

David Colburn | 3/29/23

The Grizzlies’ Addy Hartway gets the ball past a Floodwood defender in their semi-final tilt last Wednesday night.

Grizzlies rocked, then rolled

VIRGINIA- The North Woods volleyball season came to an abrupt end last week in the 7A sectional semifinals at Rock Ridge High School when the Floodwood Polar Bears came storming back from a 2-0 set … more

David Colburn | 11/9/23

Margie Grahek, later Margie Johnson, poses with her track coach Carol Alstrom back in 1972, when she qualified for the first-ever Minnesota State Girls Track Meet.

A half century of girls running fast

TOWER- “We didn’t have track shoes,” said Margie (Grahek) Johnson, “we just had little white tenners.”But those little white tenners were enough to get this Tower-Soudan … more

Jodi Summit | 6/2/22

Ely’s Zoe Devine takes part in the Duluth-Marshall sprint competition on Saturday.

Another overall first for Devine

DULUTH— Ely senior Zoe Devine topped the field at the Duluth-Marshall sprints here on Saturday, finishing just ahead of frequent rivals Lydia Kraker and Rowan Bixler, both of whom hail from the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 1/18/23

Mike Rhein (left) and Babbitt Ambulance Service Supervisor Matt Littler at the Minnesota Ambulance Association meeting, where Rhein received the group’s “Star of Life” award.

Babbitt’s Mike Rhein honored for lifelong EMS service

BABBITT- Mike Rhein of Babbitt was honored with the Minnesota Ambulance Association’s (MAA) “Star of Life” award on March 23 at the organization’s annual meeting in St. Paul. … more

Catie Clark | 3/29/23

Ely players and coaches give a cheer as they pose with their Section 7A championship trophy.

SECTION CHAMPS, AGAIN

VIRGINA- A jubilant celebration erupted at Rock Ridge High School on Saturday as the Ely Timberwolves and their fans rejoiced after earning a repeat trip to the Class A state volleyball tournament … more

David Colburn | 11/9/23

Wolves stun Barnum with seventh inning tourney rally

AURORA— A dramatic seventh-inning rally over Barnum here on Tuesday, left the Timberwolves flying high during the first two games of double elimination in the Section 7A tournament. Ely made it … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/1/22

Ely runners named IRC All Conference, included (from left) Claire Blauch, Zoe Devine, Molly Brophy, Caid Chittum and Ben Cavalier on Oct. 19.

Ely runners find their stride at IR Conference final

HOYT LAKES – Timberwolves runners got an extra day of practice when snow prompted the postponement of the Iron Range Conference Championship meet last week. The event, originally scheduled for … more

Rachel Brophy | 10/26/22

Win some, lose some

FIELD TWP- It’s been a run of feast or famine on the basketball court for the North Woods girls in their past three games, trounced by Mt. Iron-Buhl and South Ridge but running roughshod over … more

David Colburn | 1/18/23

Grizzlies archers score trips to national meet

DULUTH- A host of North Woods archers qualified for the Western Nationals tournament in Utah with strong performances last Saturday at the state tournament in Duluth.Nearly 50 schools fielded teams … more

David Colburn | 3/29/23

Ely sophomore pitcher Andrew Marolt winds to deliver during last Thursday’s home contest against Chisholm.

Ely wraps up regular season with a win

DEER RIVER— Freshman Cade Chittum rapped a two-run single in the top of the sixth and notched a save from the mound in the bottom of the seventh as he helped lead Ely to a 7-5 come-from-behind … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/1/22

Grizzlies bow out

CHISHOLM- The North Woods football season came to an end on Tuesday at Chisholm, with the Bluestreaks coming out on top 22-6.The Grizzlies could ill-afford to let Chisholm get its passing game on … more

David Colburn | 10/26/22

Ely senior Joey Bianco eyes the prize while under pressure from two Bigfork defenders Tuesday night in Ely.

Ely defense stymies Huskies

ELY- The Ely Timberwolves stifling zone defense was a puzzle the Bigfork Huskies couldn’t solve on Tuesday, as the Wolves came away with a 56-44 win on their home floor.Senior Joey Bianco had … more

David Colburn | 1/18/23

Six North Woods golfers will be competing in the Class A state tournament in Becker on June 14-15 after turning in qualifying performances at the Section 7A tourament in Virginia. Members of the qualifying first-place girls team include, from left, Abbigail Shuster, Morgan Burnett, Haley Bogdan, Madison Dantes, and Tori Olson. Davis Kleppe qualified for the boys.

Grizzlies girls golf team headed to state

VIRGINIA- The North Woods girls’ golf team is headed to the state Class A tournament after claiming the Section 7A championship last week on May 25-26 in Virginia.North Woods sophomore Tori … more

David Colburn | 6/1/22

Jared Chiabotti bursts through a line of East Central defenders during last Wednesday’s regular season finale. Chiabotti rushed for 143 yards on 25 carries.

Grizzlies top East Central

FIELD TWP-The North Woods Grizzlies made the most of a short turnaround before the start of the sectional playoffs by chalking up a solid 20-7 win over visiting East Central last week.North Woods had … more

David Colburn | 10/26/22

The Grizzlies’ Brendan Chiabotti eyes the bucket under heavy pressure from a MI-B defender.

Grizzlies drop three straight

FIELD TWP- The North Woods boys basketball team hit a rough patch this past week, dropping consecutive games to Mt. Iron-Buhl, Red Lake, and Fond du Lac.Friday the 13th was indeed an unlucky night … more

David Colburn | 1/18/23

Timberwolves make quick exit from playoffs

GRAND RAPIDS – The Timberwolves suffered a quick exit from the Section 7A girls softball tournament played here last Thursday, falling first to Cherry and then North Woods in the consolation … more

Keith Vandervort | 6/1/22

Be sure to check out the animal barn at the Embarrass Fair.

Embarrass Fair starts on Friday, Aug. 26

EMBARRASS- It’s time to get ready for the Embarrass Region Fair. This event has been held almost every year for over 80 years. It’s a chance to remember the area’s agricultural … more

8/17/22