Stories - The Timberjay

SOUDAN- The mine siren, a long-time tradition in this area’s first and oldest mining town, has resumed its twice-daily sounding. The siren stopped working several years ago, and then needed to … more

Jodi Summit | 5/17/23

Take A Kid Fishing participant Cass Nelson hoists the 30-inch walleye he caught after braving the showers that kept most other participants back on shore.

Thirty-inch walleye a hefty highlight of kids fishing event

LAKE VERMILION— With rain steadily pelting the lakeside tent at Fortune Bay Resort Casino on a recent Wednesday morning, Phil Bakken announced to the 40-plus kids in attendance that the 2023 … more

8/2/23

North Woods senior defensive lineman Noah Westman fights to get into the Cherry backfield.

Grizzlies walloped by Cherry

CHERRY- Last Friday’s North Woods football game was a classic case of the Grizzlies’ David against the Cherry Tigers’ Goliath, with one major difference – the Grizzlies came … more

David Colburn | 10/11/23

Joe Heller's Year in Review

Joe Heller | 12/27/23

Ely finds developer for apartment project

ELY—At the city council meeting here on Tuesday, Ely Clerk-Treasurer Harold Langowski reported that the city has found a potential developer for its planned housing project after more than a … more

Catie Clark | 3/13/24

LTD’s winning bid for providing broadband coverage in northern St. Louis County includes the areas shadded in blue.

Troubled telecom faces state review

REGIONAL- The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) last week ordered an investigation of embattled telecom company LTD Broadband over concerns the small company may not be able to deliver on … more

David Colburn | 7/20/22

Ely comeback falls short, 58-50

GRAND MARAIS— Something finally clicked for the Timberwolves in the second half of last Friday’s contest here against Cook County. After managing just 20 points in their previous ten … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/28/22

Costs rising rapidly for water treatment plant

TOWER— Delay has proven costly for the Tower-Breitung Wastewater Board’s long-planned new drinking water treatment plant and members of the board talked about a path forward at a special … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/1/23

ISD 2142 board gets ready for the new school year

VIRGINIA- The ISD 2142 school board took care of a number of personnel and operational items at their July 25 regular business meeting in preparation for the upcoming 2023-24 school year. The … more

David Colburn | 8/2/23

Members of Team BOREALIS gather for some pre-practice advice on a recent outing at Hidden Valley recreation area in Ely.

Team BOREALIS wraps up its 2023 race season

ELY- Team BOREALIS bike team is wrapping up its 2023 race season, demonstrating well-versed skills and techniques, and competitive race times. While racing is optional for the team, around half of … more

Christine Kolinski | 10/11/23

This Kansas kid misses Minnesota winter

As a kid growing up in Kansas, snow and ice were happy aberrations in the otherwise brown and dreary winter months. It was a true marvel when we would get enough snow to cancel school, dust off the … more

David Colburn | 12/27/23

Tower looks to update its charter

TOWER— City officials here are looking at possible changes to the city’s charter, a key city document that hasn’t been updated since 1997, according to Mayor Dave Setterberg. Some … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/13/24

Council facing difficult budget work for 2023

ELY – The city’s budget committee released a proposed 2023 budget calendar Tuesday night and council members here were warned that difficult monetary decisions lay ahead in the coming … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/20/22

Grizzlies crushed

BARNUM- The North Woods Grizzlies faced a daunting task when they traveled south to square off against the Barnum Bombers last Friday. Barnum’s offense had put 95 points on the board in its … more

David Colburn | 9/28/22

MPCA: Don’t overuse salt-based de-icers

REGIONAL— The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is asking residents to limit their use of salt to maintain sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots this winter. It can save you money and help … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/7/22

Rail safety

There but for the grace of God.It’s worth considering that the recent environmental disaster created by the train derailment near East Palestine, Ohio, could have devastated virtually any … more

3/1/23

Obituaries: August 4, 2023

James A. Planton James Anthony “Jim” Planton, 76, of Soudan, died on Saturday, July 22, 2023, in his home surrounded by his family. A Memorial Mass was held on Wednesday, Aug. 2 at St. … more

8/2/23

No more free gravel deliveries in Breitung Township

SOUDAN- There was much ado about gravel at the Sept. 28 Breitung Township Board meeting. During the normally routine road and bridge report, Maintenance Supervisor Tom Gorsma reported that he had … more

Stephanie Ukkola | 10/13/23

Hoyt Lakes native leading regional hydrogen hub

REGIONAL — A Hoyt Lakes native leading a regional hydrogen fuel partnership says the emerging fuel source could someday help make Minnesota’s Iron Range a leader in the production of … more

Larissa Donovan, KAXE News | 12/27/23

Too much regulation

When it comes to free enterprise in the U.S. there is always a balancing act between the rights of Americans to engage in private contracts for work performed and the need for regulation to protect … more

3/13/24

Commerce: Cut electric rate hike by 55 percent

REGIONAL— Financial analysts with the state’s Department of Commerce (DOC) are recommending a sharp reduction in Minnesota Power’s request for higher electrical rates for its … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/20/22

Ely senior Madeline Kallberg focuses as she goes up for a kill attempt during last Thursday’s contest with North Woods.

Wolves nip Grizzlies 3-1

FIELD TWP- The Ely volleyball team left the gym at North Woods School last Thursday with their undefeated record intact, but not before the Grizzles put an end to another Timberwolves’ season … more

David Colburn | 9/28/22

Katie Erickson (left) and Nina Wycoff (right).

Northern Lights Salon opens on Tower’s Main Street

TOWER- They may be young, but these two women are bringing over a dozen years of experience to their new salon now open on Main Street. After working side-by-side at a salon in Virginia, … more

Jodi Summit | 12/7/22

Searching for joy in the smallest of things

It’d been a long winter already when I was hit with a flu bug that sent me into quarantine for two weeks. After a few days, determined not to let the isolation drive me crazy, I came across a … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 3/1/23

Familiar arguments at hearing to rescind mineral withdrawal

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Familiar arguments filled a House committee room here last Thursday as the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee heard testimony and more than a bit of grandstanding on a … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/17/23