Stories - The Timberjay

Applause for area ambulances

“Small Is Beautiful.”That was the title of the influential 1973 economics and philosophy primer by E.F. Schumacher, but it also appears to be a good description of what it takes to be a … more

2/22/23

Ely drops two more

ELY—In doubleheader action here last Friday, the Wolves struggled with Cherry’s pitching in a 1 p.m. contest, managing just four hits in a 13-2 drubbing. The Wolves held the lead briefly … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/10/23

Will pickelball and ice skating mix? Cook may try

COOK- At last Thursday’s regular Cook City Council meeting, councilors and members of the Friends of the Parks (FOTP) batted around the idea of turning the ice skating rink at the community … more

David Colburn | 10/4/23

Savor the light and the dark

Here in the midst of the holidays at the darkest time of the year, it feels right to explore the layers of light and dark that we experience in many ways in our lives. Author Susan Caine, through her … more

Betty Firth | 12/20/23

The Grizzlies’ Louie Panichi grimaces as he puts up a driving shot in the lane.

Warriors edge Grizzlies

FIELD TWP- A questionable no-call on a potential foul against North Wood’s Louie Panichi as he scored on a putback shot at the buzzer gave Deer River a big 78-77 upset road win over the … more

3/6/24

Three people vying for county sheriff position

REGIONAL— Among the candidates who will appear on the Aug. 9 primary ballot are the three men vying to replace longtime St. Louis County Sheriff Ross Litman. While it’s officially a … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/13/22

Township still seeking broadband project grants

GREENWOOD TWP- For the first time since the resignation of the elected clerk and treasurer, the Greenwood Town Board at their Sept. 13 meeting was able to approve their treasurer’s report, … more

Jodi Summit | 9/21/22

North Woods pitcher Helen Koch eyes the plate during her wind-up.

Grizzlies sink Ely

ELY- Everything was clicking for the North Woods softball team last week as the Grizzlies rolled over the Ely Timberwolves 16-1 on Thursday in Ely. North Woods never trailed in the game, grabbing a … more

David Colburn | 5/10/23

North Woods’ Jonah Burnett, seen here shooting a baseline jumper against Moose Lake, was the state’s leading scorer after Monday night’s action.

Grizz win a pair heading into break

CARLTON- The North Woods boys knocked the Carlton-Wrenshall Raptors from the ranks of the unbeatens on Monday with a second-half haymaker and an 81-66 road win. The Raptors led most of the first … more

David Colburn | 12/20/23

North Woods senior River Cheney is all smiles as she hugs a teammate after scoring her 1,000th career point against Bigfork.

Grizzlies fall to Huskies in heartbreaker

FIELD TWP- The North Woods girls had a disappointing early exit from the Section 7A tournament last Wednesday, with No. 5 seed Bigfork pulling a minor upset over the No. 4 seeded Grizzlies 55-52. But … more

David Colburn | 3/6/24

Obituaries: September 23, 2022

Janice M. Strub Janice M. Strub, 69, of Orr, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Holy Cross … more

9/21/22

Moratorium set on sale of cannabinoids

ELY - The Ely City Council voted at their Dec. 6 meeting to approve a moratorium on new permits for the sale of cannabinoid products derived from hemp until March 7, 2023, or until the city passes an … more

Catie Clark | 12/7/22

Ely’s Zoe Mackenzie goes in for a layup under pressure from North Woods’ Kiana LaRoque.

Timberwolves KO Grizzlies

ELY- In boxing terms, the early January bout between North Woods and Ely girls hoops teams was the equivalent of a 12-round slugfest ending in a split decision in favor of the Ely girls, 64-61. But … more

David Colburn | 2/22/23

Grizzlies take two at home

FIELD TWP- The North Woods baseball team hosted a double-header on Tuesday against Littlefork-Big Falls and came away with a pair of close wins, 6-5 and 3-1. Levi Chauklin drew a bases-loaded walk in … more

David Colburn | 5/10/23

Grizzlies post OT win at Moose Lake

MOOSE LAKE- The North Woods girls scored a big overtime win on the road against 7AA Moose Lake/Willow River last Thursday, making the winning push with two of their senior leaders out of the game. … more

David Colburn | 12/20/23

North Woods performs well at Mt. Iron

MT. IRON- The North Woods archery team traveled to Mt. Iron-Buhl on Saturday for a bullseye and 3D target competition and came back with a fistful of medals. The Grizzlies won the middle school … more

David Colburn | 3/6/24

ISD 696 looking for another superintendent

ELY – Just weeks after the top administrator at ISD 696 agreed to a contract extension, John Klarich announced Monday night that he is leaving his superintendent post after his contract expires … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/13/22

Orr Ambulance Service gets brand-new rig

ORR- There’s an age-old proverb that goes, “Too many cooks spoil the broth,” but a good look at the sharp looking new vehicle in the Orr Ambulance Service garage suggests this … more

David Colburn | 9/21/22

Fae Laakkonen-Gaylord listens as Santa asks if she's been good during his weekend stopover in Orr for the Snow City Christmas celebration.

Sights and sounds

'Tis the season for holiday events in the North Country, and Timberjay photographer showed up at a couple of them this past week to snap some pics. more

12/7/22

The Grizzlies' Talen Jarshaw leads a break with Luke Will in hot pursuit.

Grizzlies pound Giants

AURORA- The North Woods boys amped up the defensive heat on Friday, turning a close game at Mesabi East into a rout, as the Grizzlies improved to 13-9 on the season with a 90-49 win.It’s been a … more

David Colburn | 2/22/23

Fifth-grader Clark Danielson capped a stellar year by qualifying for and competing in two events at the NASP Western Nationals meet in Sandy, Utah.

North Woods archer fares well at national meet

FIELD TWP- Four North Woods archers qualified for the National Archery in the Schools Program Western Nationals through their performance at the state tournament, but only one, fifth-grader Clark … more

David Colburn | 5/11/23

Senior Grace LaTourell concentrates as she brings the ball up court. LaTourell scored 28 points in Monday’s contest.

Ely dumps ‘Streaks

ELY— Solid defense and a big second half by senior Grace LaTourell made the difference for the Timberwolves here on Monday as they easily handled the Bluestreaks 64-36. “We played really … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/20/23

Most of the region has little to no snow cover at a time of year when snow depths of 20”-28” are more common.

Cold comes with less frequency and intensity

REGIONAL— The North Country is getting much warmer, and that was apparent even before the region experienced its warmest “winter” on record this year. Yet, trying to explain the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/6/24

The walls and roof are up on the new county garage now under construction in Kugler Township.

New public works garage taking shape

KUGLER TWP— The pre-cast walls and roof are up and the new St. Louis County public works garage here will soon be fully enclosed so crews can begin interior work perhaps ahead of the new year. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/7/22

Grizzlies golf season now underway

BABBITT- It’s been a long time coming, but the North Woods girls golf team finally has a couple of tournaments under their belt, hitting the Babbitt meet on Tuesday and a Virginia meet on … more

David Colburn | 5/10/23