Stories - The Timberjay

Election interference

The U.S. Supreme Court, as has become its pattern in recent years, acted recklessly last week when it announced it would hear former president Donald Trump’s claim that he is immune from all … more

3/6/24

NR-E’s Sabrah Hart competes in the butterfly portion of the 200 yd. medley relay.

NR-E swimmers dominate Denfeld

DULUTH DENFELD— Northeast Range-Ely swimmers notched a convincing win Monday as they tallied 17 first place finishes to outpace the Hunters 55-30. Senior Lily Tedrick thoroughly dominated in … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/21/22

Bakk, Ecklund new lobbyists in St. Paul

REGIONAL— Two of northeastern Minnesota’s former lawmakers have joined the stable of lobbyists that represent a wide range of interests at the Minnesota Legislature. Both former Sen. Tom … more

2/22/23

Assault at Voyageurs

The release of body cam footage stemming from the tasing of Ash River business owner Justin Ebel has largely confirmed what we have suspected from the beginning about this troubling incident at … more

5/10/23

Blueberry/Art Festival: three days of fun

ELY- Over 200 art, craft, and food vendors will assemble in Ely’s Whiteside Park this weekend for the Blueberry/Art Festival (BAF). The festival begins on Friday, July 28 at 9 a.m., and ends on … more

Catie Clark | 7/26/23

Mayor Heidi Omerza (far right) read a proclamation to the Ely Memorial High School girls volleyball team at the Dec. 19 city council meeting, awarding the team the key to the city for their achievements over the last two years.

Volleyball team gets the key to the city

ELY- The final Ely City Council meeting of 2023 began with some special recognition for Ely’s high school girls volleyball team. Mayor Heidi Omerza read a proclamation from herself and the city … more

Catie Clark | 12/20/23

The joy of keeping it simple

This morning began as would any other. A little stiffness in my knees as my feet touched the floor. Strands of hair criss crossing my cheeks, the sign of a restless night’s sleep. I felt a … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 3/6/24

Electric rate hike subject to public scrutiny

REGIONAL- Minnesota Power’s quest for a proposed 18 percent overall electricity rate hike will be subjected to public scrutiny next week as customers will have the chance to voice their … more

David Colburn | 7/13/22

MDH hoping to increase uptake of new bivalent boosters

REGIONAL- The Biden administration launched a belated effort last week to shore up an anemic response to the bivalent COVID-19 boosters introduced three months ago, hoping to head off a possible … more

David Colburn | 12/1/22

Ely City Council extends cannabinoid moratorium one year

ELY- In a pleasant excursion from the usual rounds of routine business, the Mayor of Ely, Heidi Omerza awarded Ely senior and Nordic skiing champion Zoe Devine, the key to the city. The award was in … more

Catie Clark | 2/22/23

A lifeline of hope, or get up and do something

In our times there has been a lot of commentary about the aftermath of COVID. It is reported that young people and adults are expressing unusual levels of loneliness and disconnectedness, in spite of … more

Betty Firth | 5/10/23

he procession of police, fire, and EMS vehicles in honor of William Fearn entering Ely.

Deceased local firefighter honored

ELY- Morse-Fall Lake firefighter William Orion Lloyd Fearn of Ely. passed away Monday, July 17, due to a car accident on County Road 88 north of Ely. Fearn’s body returned to Ely on Wednesday … more

7/26/23

Lost hunter spends night in woods north of Orr

ORR- An International Falls man and his dog spent last Friday night lost in the woods north of Orr after becoming disoriented while hunting. St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputies and the St. … more

David Colburn | 10/4/23

Cook hires ambulance co-directors

COOK- In a move intended to strengthen the overall operation of the Cook Ambulance Service, current crew members Amy Luecken and Will Fischer will take on leadership of the service by sharing its … more

David Colburn | 12/20/23

Ely senior Hannah Penke shoots under pressure, while senior Sarah Visser looks on.

Ely advances to semi-finals

ESKO—The Timberwolves were set to face top-seeded Cromwell-Wright in the Section 7A semi-finals here on Wednesday night, after the Timberjay’s weekly presstime. The Wolves advanced to the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/6/24

Regional EMS service study moves forward

GREENWOOD TWP- Greenwood Township is putting itself in the driver’s seat as it approved spending approximately $55,000 for a study on options for the feasibility of developing a region-wide … more

Jodi Summit | 7/13/22

Joan Young (r) and her friend and trail helper Marie Altenau were all smiles as they stopped by the Timberjay office earlier this month. Young, who lives in Michigan, is working on her second full traverse of the North Country Trail.

74-year-old hiker seeks something new each day

REGIONAL- Most people have no idea that the longest trail in the National Trails System, which stretches 4,800 miles from Vermont to North Dakota, runs right through Ely and Tower-Soudan.But Joan … more

Jodi Summit | 9/21/22

School district looks at lobbyist to boost revenue

REGIONAL— The St. Louis County Schools, ISD 2142, may enlist the services of a well-known lobbying firm to try to woo concessions from the Minnesota Legislature to address funding concerns … more

David Colburn | 2/22/23

Ely pitching rules, but errors prove costly

ELY— After solid back-to-back wins over Cook County on Monday, errors proved Ely’s undoing in an 8-4 loss to Mesabi East here on Tuesday. The game was tight through four innings as the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/10/23

An incomplete history of the Arrowhead Garage and the Peyla Family: A journey through time

TOWER- The Tower-Soudan Historical Society has scheduled a fun presentation showcasing the story of the Arrowhead Garage and the Peyla Family, a part of Tower’s history on Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 4 … more

7/26/23

Obituaries: October 6, 2023

Peter J. Johnson Peter Jon Johnson, 87, of Lake Vermilion-Tower, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, at Essentia-Virginia. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 6 at St. … more

10/4/23

The ambulance crisis

It appears that state lawmakers are hearing the message about the need to fix the broken funding system for the state’s ambulance services, particularly those serving rural areas. The message … more

12/20/23

Wolves drop season finale at home

MT. IRON— The seventh-seeded Timberwolves were facing the lion’s den on Thursday as they were set to face the Rangers on their home hardwood in the opening round of the Section 7A boys … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/6/24

Morgan Sauls with the puppet featured in the “Quiltmaker’s Gift” at Ely’s Historic State Theater this weekend.

‘Quiltmaker’s Gift’ returns to Ely

ELY –The “Quiltmaker’s Gift” opens Friday, July 15, with a 7 p.m. performance at Ely’s Historic State Theater. The show continues Saturday, July 16 at 7p.m. and closes … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/13/22

I can see fall from the island

We are all talking about the change of weather. Come on, you know you are. You know the polite, non-political, non-religious, non-sports team topic we talk about at the grocery store, the post … more

April Wamhoff | 9/21/22