Sports - The Timberjay

TOWER- Twenty years ago, when Mickey (Bristol) Ferguson first slid a drink across the bar at the newly-opened Good Ol’ Days Bar and Grill, smoking was still permitted and the local cops were … more

Jodi Summit | 7/18/24

United Way has funds to help flood victims

CHISHOLM - As communities across the state continue to clean up and repair from June’s flooding, United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) is offering financial support to households in its … more

7/18/24

Ely to be featured on PBS North’s “Great Gardening”

ELY- Ely has some new television personalities, but they aren’t talking. Given that they’re a bunch of vegetables, they didn’t have much to say when the Timberjay dropped by for an … more

Catie Clark | 7/18/24

Tower 4th of July race results

Children's races TOWER- There was a great turnout this year for the sawdust scramble and children’s races after the Fourth of July parade. Winners listed in order, first, second, third. … more

7/18/24

At the Tower parade, a young parade spectator smiles big as she waves the flag.

Waving the flag

Timberjay staff photographers were out in force for the various Independence Day festivities throught the North Country. Enjoy a healthy dose of red, white, and blue and a whole lot of fun seeing … more

Timberjay staff | 7/11/24

Old Settlers Picnic set for Saturday, July 20

BREITUNG TWP- The annual Vermilion Range Old Settlers Reunion and Picnic will be held on Saturday, July 20, at McKinley Park Campground. Booyah served at 12 noon sharp. Booyah is a beef, pork, and … more

7/11/24

ISD 696 proposes new cell phone policy

ELY- The Ely school district unveiled its proposed cell phone policy at last Monday’s school board meeting, and it will likely make students who like to text in class unhappy. “In our … more

Catie Clark | 7/11/24

Pulsar Helium reports encouraging seismic results

BABBITT- The firm exploring the helium discovery southeast of Babbitt continues to report promising results from its testing. This week, the company announced a new seismic result hinting at more gas … more

Catie Clark | 7/11/24

Testing offers mostly good news for White Iron chain

REGIONAL- A local nonprofit has updated their water quality assessment of the White Iron chain of lakes, reporting mostly good news on overall lake health, some unsurprising bad news about sulfate, … more

Catie Clark | 7/11/24

Lily Redday hugs her father for a little warmth on a chilly and windy day.

A TIME FOR FAMILIES

Timberjay photographer Jodi Summit was at the Lake Vermilion Traditional Powwow to capture images of the annual festivities. more

7/4/24

The Tower food shelf moves into its new home.

Small move, big opportunities for Tower food shelf

TOWER- After more than 25 years of serving the community from the basement of the Timberjay building, the Tower Area Food Shelf has moved its operations to the old St. James Presbyterian Church … more

Seth Roeser | 7/4/24

Some of the members of the ECR camping group at a BWCAW portage.

Storm challenges canoe campers

ELY- The torrential rains that struck the region on June 18 washed out roads and caused major flooding. But for those caught out in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the storm presented even … more

Catie Clark | 7/4/24

Flood tops city council agenda on Thursday

COOK- In its first regular meeting on Thursday since the flood, Mayor Harold Johnston opened the proceedings with the obvious. “We’re going to talk about to begin with, obviously, the … more

David Colburn | 7/4/24

All aboard...train tales storytelling on July 10

TOWER- Area children and their families are invited to Train Tales, a storytelling event hosted by the Tower-Soudan Historical Society. This month’s storytelling is set for Wednesday, July … more

7/4/24

A sticky tile floor, carts of books and empty shelves are all signs of the volunteer response to the six inches of water that seeped into the building during the flood. Removing the waterlogged carpet quickly was essential for protection the library's collection.

Cook Public Library closes due to flood damage

COOK- Last Wednesday, Juneteenth, the Cook Public Library was closed for the holiday, so while library director Crystal Whitney came by about 9 a.m., she didn’t stay and wasn’t there to … more

David Colburn | 6/27/24

The sign at the bottom of the Soudan mine hangs just a couple feet above floodwaters that inundated the mine during last week’s torrential rains.

Flooding halts underground mine tours at Soudan

SOUDAN—The Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park has indefinitely suspended underground tours of the Soudan mine due to flooding from the torrential rains that hit the area June 18. … more

Seth Roeser | 6/27/24

RV park developer Dave Rose was all smiles in 20022, expecting that his RV park would be officially open by the following spring.

Delayed opening sparks concern

TOWER— It’s been one step forward, one step back lately for Dave Rose and his not-yet-completed Tower RV Resort on the East Two River— and the frustration among would-be residents … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/27/24

Author Nicholas DeShaw holds his son Magnus with one hand and his new children’s book about powwows at the SahGiiBahGah powwow at Nett Lake earlier this month.

Cat leads readers on journey of discovery

REGIONAL- Have you ever wondered what a powwow is like but weren’t sure who to ask? Well, Nicholas Bimibatoo Mishtadim DeShaw has a unique answer – ask a cat. But not just any cat will … more

David Colburn | 6/27/24

Community input sought on Timber Hall renovations

EMBARRASS- A community input meeting to discuss proposed renovations to the Timber Hall Event Center will be held on Thursday, June 27 at 6 p.m. at the event center. The Embarrass Region Fair … more

Seth Roeser | 6/27/24

Jan Kimes (at left) was presented with an appreciation award by board members Mary Batinich and Ryan Bajan.

Midsummer fundrasier celebrates a milestone

TOWER- Sen. Grant Hauschild keynoted this year’s Midsummer fundraiser for the Lake Vermilion Cultural Center, which packed the Herbert R. Lamppa Civic Center this past Saturday evening. … more

6/19/24

Guide Reed Petersen, left, directs the loading of a train car for a tour.

The “Cadillac of Mines” reopens for public tours

SOUDAN— After a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a $9.3 million reconstruction project, the Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park re-opened tours of … more

David Colburn | 6/19/24

A pen-and-ink drawing of the front of Ely Memorial High School, made before the removal of 14 small ornamental turret-like caps on the facade.

Ely Memorial High School dedicated in the dark

ELY- Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Royal A. Stone gave the keynote address to an overflow audience that turned out here on Oct. 3, 1924, for the original dedication of Ely Memorial High School, … more

Catie Clark | 6/19/24

A newly completed shore lunch site on Smart Bay is fully accessible for wheelchair access.

New shore lunch site offers full accessibility

LAKE VERMILION— A new, fully accessible shore lunch location is now open at a former DNR campsite tucked into a quiet cove on Smart Bay. The project is the culmination of more than 18 months of … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/19/24

Olson tops local golfers at state meet

REGIONAL- North Woods golfer Tori Olson completed her high school golf career on Wednesday by finishing 15th in her fifth trip to the two-day Class A state golf tournament, this year held at the … more

David Colburn | 6/19/24

A dancer spreads her brightly colored shawl at the Sah Gii Bah Gah powwow at Nett Lake on Saturday.

Dramatic dancers

Timberjay photographer David Colburn was on hand to capture these images at the annual Sah Gii Bah Gah powwow at Nett Lake on Saturday. NOTE: A caption accompanying these pictures in the print … more

6/13/24