Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota
Top stories
Buh takes first step toward sainthood
REGIONAL- A Catholic priest whose ministry more than a century ago was closely tied to Tower and Ely has taken the first formal step on a path that could eventually lead to his canonization as a …
Vermilion Housing seeking major grant to renovate apartments in Tower and Soudan
TOWER-SOUDAN- The Vermilion Housing Corporation board should learn in December if their $10 million grant application to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to renovate the 1970s-era apartments in …
Fortune Bay marks 40th year
TOWER—October has always been a special month for the Fortune Bay team—especially this year as the expansive facility turns 40. From its relatively humble beginnings as a high-stakes bingo hall …
Hauschild, Zupancich offer sharply different political visions
REGIONAL- In a race that could help determine control of the Minnesota Senate, incumbent Grant Hauschild and Republican challenger Andrea Zupancich offer sharply different visions for how state …
Here’s what will be on your local school ballot
REGIONAL—Voters across the North Country will have school ballot questions before them on Nov. 3, with the details dependent on the district in which they reside. In the St. Louis County School …
Early in-person voting starts on Friday, Oct. 16 at several locations
REGIONAL- In-person early voting options will be available beginning Friday, Oct. 16, for the Nov. 3 general election, with sites in Cook, Ely, Virginia, Nett Lake, and Babbitt. The Virginia …
Babbitt council discusses industrial park issues
BABBITT- A Babbitt Planning Commission member urged the city council here to send a proposed change in the city’s industrial-district rules back to the commission before acting, saying the panel …
Read our E-edition
Peak Gold
While the intial dazziling burst of fall color has already become more subdued, there was still plenty of color to be found in the North Country this past week.
DNR has ideas for family adventures this MEA weekend
REGIONAL— With the annual MEA weekend fast approaching, Minnesota state parks are gearing up with special events and suggestions to encourage families to spend some time outdoors together. The …
The group Hunters4Hunters is wading into partisan waters with a new documentary that blames wolves for the decline of northern Minnesota’s deer population and its livestock producers— and targets …
Sunny days with seasonally cool overnight temperatures in the past couple weeks pushed most maples in the North Country to peak color this past weekend. Watch for the maple color to fade by this …
Timberjay Editorial
Will big money rule?
Anyone who has turned on a television, opened a mailbox or scrolled through their phone in northeastern Minnesota this fall knows something unusual is happening in the race for state Senate District …
A candidate embarrassed
Most of us up here have a complaint or two about Minnesota. We grumble about the weather, the mosquitoes, or summer road construction. But there is a difference between grumbling about the place you …
Columnists
Thank you for going above and beyond
Every week, the Timberjay’s reporters set out to do something that has become surprisingly rare in rural America: report the news of our communities, thoroughly and independently. From local city …
Vote as if your country depends on it
As the days slip away, bringing the midterm elections closer, we continue to see our mentally unstable president flailing about in ever-increasing bizarre gyrations, mimicking the downward spiral of …
A Century of Wilderness for the Boundary Waters
One hundred years ago, on Sept. 17, 1926, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture William Jardine provided the first wilderness designation for the area that would later be named the Boundary Waters Canoe Area …
New steel plant: Viable venture or political smoke and mirrors?
There was big news in the steel industry this week, with the White House announcement that Mesabi Metallics was going to build the country’s largest steel plant ever somewhere in southeastern Iowa, …
Letters to the Editor
We need to return to Indigenous economics
“INDIGENOMICS,” authored by Carol Anne Hilton explains, “The way we see the world shapes the way we treat it.” Relational economics in terms of Indigenous thinking, sees land as sacred, calls …
School amendment far from a magic bullet
Lately, many local politicians, school boards and lobbyists have been relentlessly hawking the ballot amendment for the Permanent School Trust Fund. Here’s some needed perspective: Minnesota public …
Let’s offer thanks to judges who defend our democracy
I send out a dozen postcards every week to our federal judges who insist on doing their jobs and protecting our constitution, and I would like to encourage your readers to do this as well. When you …
Heating costs are skyrocketing this season
The cold weather heating season is just about upon us. Many people do not know of the increase in home heating oil that has occurred in the last couple months. Currently in Ely, the cost for 100 to …
Minnesotans would regret putting the GOP in charge
Let’s fast forward to the day after the 2026 midterm elections here in Minnesota. The Republicans have gained control of not only the governor’s seat, but all statewide offices along with control …
Read more letters
Nighthawks notch win at Chisholm
CHISHOLM- The Northeast Range/Ely swim team earned a 46-39 road win over the Chisholm Bluestreaks last Thursday, using five first-place varsity finishes and several key second-place efforts to pull …
Ely runners sweep Deer River team titles
REGIONAL- The Ely boys and girls cross country teams each ran away with first-place finishes Tuesday at the Deer River Invitational, held at the White Oak Antique Tractor Club. The boys dominated a …
Johnson, Swanson lead Grizzlies to first win
LITTLEFORK- Carson Johnson carried the ball 24 times for 119 yards and two touchdowns, then helped lead a hard-hitting defensive effort as North Woods earned its first win of the season Friday, …
Big plays and missed chances sink Ely
ELY- Ely put together several promising drives Friday night against Cherry, but too many big plays, missed tackles, and costly mistakes allowed the Tigers to pull away for a 30-8 win. The Wolves held …
Grizzlies breeze past Vikings in three straight
REGIONAL- The North Woods volleyball team earned a road sweep Monday, knocking off Littlefork-Big Falls 25-19, 25-21, 25-19. The Grizzlies used a balanced attack, led by Laurin Glass with 11 kills. …
Nighthawks rally for three-set victory at Rock Ridge tourney
REGIONAL- The Northeast Range volleyball team found a bright spot in a busy stretch of matches Saturday, rallying from an opening-set loss to beat Deer River in three sets at the Rock Ridge …
Loretta F. Knutson
Loretta Fern Knutson, 89, of Shelby Township, Mich., passed away on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, at home, surrounded by loved ones. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 12 at the …
Judith M. Ferguson
What do you say about this remarkable woman? Judith Mae Ferguson, lovingly known as Judy, was born on May 3, 1944, and passed away on Sept. 28, 2026, leaving behind a beautiful legacy of faith, love, …
Geraldine E. Sipola
Geraldine Elsie Pete Sipola, 94, of Ely, passed away at her home on Burntside Lake surrounded by her daughter and son-in-law, on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. Per her request, there will not be a …
June J. Osborne
June J. Strong Osborne, 78, of Ely, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital. Burial took place at the Bois Forte Cemetery in Nett Lake on Thursday, Oct. 8. A …
James A. Schwarz
James “Jim” Allen Schwarz, 68, of Lake Vermilion and Palm Harbor, Fla., passed away at peace on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Duluth after a long journey with cancer. He was loved and appreciated …
Free feast, music, and more at solar commons event
TOWER- The Vermilion Country School and the Tower Economic Development Authority have reached an agreement to create the state’s first-ever Solar Commons, a method of converting financial savings …
Nett Lake hosts fall Miigwech Manoomin Powwow
NETT LAKE- Roxanne Goggleye took top honors in the wild rice (manoomin) recipe contest at the Miigwech Manoomin powwow last weekend with her puffed rice blueberry crisp. There were seven entries this …
Bois Forte writer blends traditional stories with supernatural horror
NETT LAKE—When Shane Drift gets up around 5 a.m. each morning, he puts on coffee and starts to write. Then he writes, and writes some more. “I served on our tribal council for eight years, and …
Memorial project explores the lives of fallen Soudan miners
TOWER- They came to remember 143 men whose deaths had once been recorded largely as names on a list. By the time members of the Soudan Mine Miners Memorial Committee finished their presentation …
From barn to yarn
COOK- While most people who visit Cook’s Country Connection petting farm go to visit with the wide variety of farm animals who make their home there, others have a more practical, and creative, …
(BPT) - Key takeaways:Homeowners value hardwood floors because of their warmth, beauty and endurance.It's important to protect the appearance, value and lifespan of hardwood floors by …
Talkspace reports on 17 therapist-approved tips to cope with seasonal depression, including therapy, hydration, sunlight, and exercise, aiding in symptom relief.
(BPT) - Key takeaways:Hardwood floors are valued for their beauty, warmth and endurance.Refinishing protects the lifespan, appearance and value of hardwood floors.Zack Clavin, Bona's "Floor Doctor," …
(BPT) - Where is Alexander the Great really buried? What led to the disappearance of the dodo? And how much do we truly know about the Neolithic cultures that shaped the earliest chapters of human …
(BPT) - The holidays are approaching, which means it's time to start thinking about what you'll give your loved ones. This year, go beyond traditional presents and give your friends and family a …