Stories - The Timberjay

COVID studies exploring human-animal transmission

REGIONAL- The origins of the COVID-19 virus remain unclear, although the most promising theory points to a transfer of the virus from a species of bat in China to humans sometime in 2019. Researchers … more

David Colburn | 10/4/23

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

The Grizzlies’ Noah Westman forces a Deer River ball handler to fumble during action last Friday at North Woods.

Grizzlies fall to Warriors

FIELD TWP- The North Woods Grizzlies are still looking for their first win of the season after a soggy 26-6 loss to Deer River on their home turf last Friday.The Warriors drew first blood on their … more

David Colburn | 9/21/22

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

What the Florida Black history standards miss

There was little chance that approval of new standards for Black history education in Florida would slip by without igniting some sort of protest, given the state’s recent track record when it … more

David Colburn | 7/26/23

A Quetico lake visited by Frank Davis and Kristin Foster.

QUETICO BOUND

Having paddled across Nym Lake, the trip into the Quetico formally begins with the portage into Batchewaung. No more than fifty yards or so on the portage, the cares and strains of daily life begin … more

Frank Davis | 10/4/23

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

Ely seniors Madeline Kallberg (l) and Rachel Coughlin team up to form a red wall against a Broncos’ kill attempt.

Wolves stay red hot

ELY— The red-hot Timberwolves extended their perfect streak to nine games on Tuesday as they tamed the Broncos in straight sets, 25-14, 25-19, 25-16. Now more than a third of the way through … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/21/22

Guess who else loves winter? Our dog Loki was very excited to see the start of the snow season on Veteran’s Day.

Winter’s our little secret

“I wish I had a river, that I could skate away on…” “River” by Joni Mitchell As we settle into winter here, I’ve been thinking about why this has become my … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/1/22

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

Jimmy Laine with his giant heirloom tomato with a colorful past.

Homegrown with a story

LAKE VERMILION— Jimmy Laine is no stranger to music fans in the region, but he is perhaps less known for his accidental gardening exploits. As anyone who gardens heirloom vegetables knows, the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 10/4/23

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

Grizzlies win streak at five

FIELD TWP- The Cherry Tigers were more like mild cats on Tuesday as the North Woods volleyball ran its winning streak to five on Tuesday with a 3-0 win on the Grizzlies’ home court.A … more

David Colburn | 9/21/22

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

Ben Pawlak of Rusty Nail Woodcraft, shown here with his immigrant grandfather’s chest of woodworking hand tools from Sweden.

Third-generation woodworker continues tradition of his Swedish grandfather

ELY- Ben Pawlak inherited his love of woodworking from his Swedish grandfather, who brought his tools with him when he came to America. Pawlak also inherited his grandfather’s tools, which he … more

Catie Clark | 7/26/23

September proved much warmer than average, again

REGIONAL— The North Country’s trend of warming early fall weather bore out once again this year as one of the mildest Septembers in recent history made its way into the record books. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 10/4/23

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