Stories - The Timberjay

County debuts online fire evacuation map

REGIONAL- St. Louis County has launched a new online mapping tool designed to expedite safe evacuations in the event of a wildfire, and the system was introduced in a press conference last week that … more

David Colburn | 4/11/24

The drill rig in February at Pulsar Helium’s exploratory borehole site southeast of Babbitt.

Testing of Pulsar helium deposit near Babbitt continues

BABBITT- Those who missed the tours of the helium exploration southeast of Babbitt in February now have a chance to see the drill site on video. The Reuters news syndicate published a short … more

Catie Clark | 4/11/24

Biden and Israel

The United States has long been a friend to Israel and that’s appropriate. But sometimes friends have to tell a friend when they’re in the wrong, and it is well past time for the Biden … more

4/10/24

The concept plan approved by the TEDA board last week, which includes a 44-unit hotel and related commercial buildings.

TEDA OKs harbor concept plan

TOWER— The Tower Economic Development Authority gave its approval last week to a concept plan for the city’s harbor that calls for a 44-unit hotel along with other associated commercial … more

Jodi Summit | 4/10/24

Ely’s HRA commits cold cash for new housing

ELY- Talk is cheap. Ely’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) went from talk to commitment on Tuesday when it moved $350,000 from its levy account to the city’s housing trust fund. … more

Catie Clark | 4/10/24

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

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

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

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

Justin Lamppa was present in Soudan last June when his father Lon’s coaching jersey was officially retired. Justin has carried on in his father’s footsteps and has created his own legacy as a college baseball coach.

Lamppa recognized for 700th baseball win

REGIONAL— When Justin Lamppa was named head baseball coach for Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids in 1997, he was just a young Itasca graduate, fresh off the field, armed with a love for … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/10/24

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

A male (r) and female red crossbill stop by for sunflower seeds.

Crossbills come and go

I’d been jealous most of the winter as I regularly heard reports of red crossbills at area feeders. Everyone seemed to have a visit from these colorful finches. Even the old, beat-up feeder at … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/10/24

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

Gym teacher Scott Chiabotti gets elementary students ready to play a game in the gym.

Tower-Soudan Elementary gets $85,000 grant

TOWER- An $85,000 grant from Lake Country Power (LCP) will fund the majority of an estimated $91,000 project to update the gym at Tower-Soudan Elementary. The district will be contributing the … more

Jodi Summit | 4/10/24

Camping at Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground Mine State Park.

Plan now for the upcoming camping season

REGIONAL— With the late March snowfall all but faded, North Country residents are increasingly thinking ahead to spring— and for many that will include a camping trip to one of the … more

4/10/24

DNR: Low water could impact lake/river access

REGIONAL— Minnesotams could find that launching a boat this spring is more difficult than usual due to low water levels on many lakes and rivers. The lack of snow this winter and persistent dry … more

4/10/24

It must be a sign...our favorite travel game

Some people collect seashells or coins. Others collect art or Hummel figurines. In my household, we collect signs. To be accurate, we drive around and take photographs of signs. The long-suffering … more

Catie Clark | 4/10/24

The existing water treatment facility is out-of-date and unable to deal with the issue of chlorination by-product contamination.

Tower gives go-ahead to water plant project

TOWER— The city council here took a leap on Monday and approved the bid from Lakehead Constructors to build a new drinking water treatment plant to serve Tower and Soudan despite a remaining … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/10/24

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

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

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

Tower woman injured in crash

KUGLER TWP- A Tower woman was transported to the Virginia hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after her vehicle struck a front end loader on Hwy. 135 south of Tower on March 27. Tina … more

4/10/24

Obituaries: April 12, 2024

James W. Gawboy James Walter “Jim” Gawboy, “Waasagiizhik” “Animikii Aanakwad”, 87, died at home in his wife’s arms on Thursday, April 4, 2024. A Traditional … more

4/10/24

Ambulance study delay adds fuel to suspicions

REGIONAL- Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital (EBCH) CEO Patti Banks accepted some of the responsibility this week for the delay in the completion of the long-promised regional ambulance study … more

Catie Clark | 4/3/24

Motorists can expect some delays this summer from highway projects planned to major corridors, like Hwy. 169, shown above.

Road construction ahead

REGIONAL— Spring is coming and that means road construction can’t be far behind. This week, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced its line-up of nearly 200 road … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/3/24