Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota
Top stories
Home heating costs likely to reach records
REGIONAL— The heating season regularly strains budgets for many North Country families, but this year’s season is likely to be among the most painful in memory, as the cost of fuel oil is hitting …
1854 bands seek GEIS on new mining projects and other extractive activities
REGIONAL— The Bois Forte and Grand Portage Chippewa bands announced Sept. 23 that they will formally request the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board to order a comprehensive study of the …
MPCA’s draft Minntac permit at issue at information session
VIRGINIA— Officials from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, or MPCA, heard concerns and skepticism here on Tuesday during an informational meeting to answer questions on its controversial new …
Hauschild-Zupancich rematch draws nearly $1.3 million
REGIONAL- A race for a single state Senate seat in northeastern Minnesota has become a nearly $1.3 million political battle, fueled largely by outside groups pouring money into efforts to defeat DFL …
Study: Gas price surge hitting Eighth District hard
REGIONAL- North Country families appear to be taking one of Minnesota’s hardest hits from gasoline prices driven higher by the war in Iran, with households in the Eighth Congressional District …
Survey finds strong support for nature assets, small town feel
TOWER-SOUDAN- The community survey conducted this past month as part of Tower-Breitung’s new joint comprehensive planning process showed strong support (about two-thirds of those responding) for …
Town board approves bonding for new fire engine
GREENWOOD TWP- The town board here, on Monday, approved bonding of $718,000 to pay for a new fire engine. The board had approved the purchase of the new vehicle last week but wanted more information …
Read our E-edition
Fall Fire
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 …
Forest Service: No records of illegal crossings thru BWCAW
REGIONAL— A response by the U.S. Forest Service to a Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, request raises questions about the value of a proposed amendment to the 1964 Wilderness Act that would …
Drought status eases to moderate REGIONAL— Mid-September rains helped ease drought conditions in northern St. Louis and Lake counties, but an extended forecast that points to warmer and dryer …
As I’ve learned over the past three years, raising chickens comes with more drama than one might expect. It’s like an ongoing soap opera, with a cast of noisy ladies, each with her own particular …
Timberjay Editorial
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 …
Trump’s phony dividend
We’ve all heard the old saying… Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. But by the time the foolery gets to the third, fourth, or fifth go-round, you would hope voters finally get …
Columnists
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, …
Fall: the season of perennials, porch lady, and propane
A large, vibrant red leaf just went swirling by my head while I bask in the sun on my deck....the rich-toned Corinthian Bell wind chimes resonating a short distance away. I’ve been keeping busy …
It’s not a lie...united we stand, divided we fall
We’re living in a time plagued by deep divisions. But I think most of us would agree, we’re in for some huge challenges ahead. Trouble is, there doesn’t appear any clear path forward. One that …
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 …
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 …
Charles E. Scott
Charles Ervin Scott, 98, of Cook, passed away peacefully on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cook, with visitation …
Joan Edman
Joan Torkelson Edman, 100, of Ely, passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, at Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 16 at Grace …
Loretta F. Knutson
Loretta Fern Knutson, 89, of Shelby, Mich., formerly of Nett Lake, passed away on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 12 at Nett Lake Baptist Church. …
Florence Kotzian
Florence Kotzian, 98, of Ely, passed away at Carefree Living in Ely on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. Per her request, there will be no funeral service. The family will hold a private burial at a later …
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) - 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 …
(BPT) - It's that time of year again: Temperatures are dropping, kids are heading back to school — and cold and flu season isn't far behind. To help you and your family stay healthier this fall …
(NewsUSA) - After a car crash, dealing with injuries, medical appointments and vehicle repairs can be overwhelming enough. Then comes another challenge: dealing with insurance companies.While …
Rocket Lawyer reports that small business owners often sacrifice time and income for flexibility and control, but these sacrifices can become permanent if not reassessed.