Stories,photos,videos,specialsections,printissues,eeditions,packages,magazines,maps,polls,charts

Prospectors propose new OHV trail expansions

REGIONAL— A proposal to add about 59 miles of new OHV trail segments and a connecting spur in northern St. Louis County is up for public comment through May 4. That’s according to the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/12/23 | 1 comment

When will the spring sports teams be able to hit the field?

3/20/14 | 1 comment

Timberjay’s Ely editor dies unexpectedly

ELY— The Timberjay’s longtime Ely editor, Keith Vandervort, died suddenly at his home this past Friday, Aug. 26. The cause of death is unknown but was ruled due to natural causes. … more

8/31/22 | 1 comment

With good numbers of drumming grouse this spring and a warm and dry June, the fall ruffed grouse outlook appears strong.

“It should be a phenomenal season”

REGIONAL— The 2023 ruffed grouse season looks to be one of the best in northern Minnesota in years, thanks to what appears to be outstanding reproduction thanks to a warm, dry month of June. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/13/23 | 1 comment

Ben Burns, age 16, and his father Steve pose with the nice bear shot by Ben earlier this month as clients of the Udovich Guide Service.

Bear registrations down significantly

REGIONAL—Bear registrations through the first 11 days of the season were down 30 percent this year, as hunters were hampered by plentiful natural bear foods and the record heat that settled in … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/13/23 | 1 comment

The snowmobile bridge over the East Two River in Tower as it was as of mid-November. The missing and rotted decking and collapsed guard rail have since been replaced.

Aging bridges pose challenge for clubs, DNR

REGIONAL— The state of Minnesota, with help from local clubs, maintains more than 22,000 miles of snowmobile trails across the state, and that means countless bridges that cross streams, … more

Marshall Helmberger | 11/20/23 | 1 comment

Legislators we’ll miss

One advantage of working in the news media, is that we regularly get the chance to talk at length with our various elected officials. Over the years, we’ve frequently talked with Sen. Tom Bakk, … more

6/15/22 | 1 comment

Walz proposes $65.2 billion biennial state budget

REGIONAL- Gov. Tim Walz laid out his One Minnesota budget proposal for the new biennium last week, a record-high of $65.2 billion that would spend most of the state’s estimated $17.6 billion … more

David Colburn | 2/2/23 | 1 comment

July 2, 2021 e-edition

6/30/21 | 1 comment

Ely junior Erron Anderson races to first but not in in time for the final out of the game.

Ely’s season ends in section final

AURORA— It’s said all good things must come to an end, and that was the case here last Thursday for an exceptional Ely high school baseball season as the Wolves fell 3-2 to South Ridge in … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/15/22 | 1 comment

Debt relief a start

While President Biden’s recent decision to forgive up to $20,000 in individual student debt is popular with young people, it’s come under criticism from some quarters as unfair to those … more

8/31/22 | 1 comment

House of Representatives dysfunction is cause for alarm

Like many Americans, I watched with dismay this month as the House of Representatives struggled through 15 votes over four days to select a new speaker. The sense of dysfunction was remarkable. … more

Lee Hamilton | 2/1/23 | 1 comment

The packed house at last year’s drag show at the Grand Ely Lodge enjoyed a highly- entertaining event.

Protest expected during Saturday drag show in Ely

ELY- A source requesting anonymity told the Timberjay that a group opposed to drag shows will protest the “Disney Drag Brunch” at the Grand Ely Lodge on Saturday, April 22. Ely Police … more

Catie Clark | 4/19/23 | 1 comment

Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely has been hit with a new COVID outbreak.

Ely long-term care facility battling COVID outbreak

ELY- Boundary Waters Care Center has been hit with a significant COVID outbreak affecting both patients and staff over the past two weeks.BWCC Executive Director Adam Masloski confirmed for the … more

David Colburn | 11/10/22 | 1 comment

Is the Fed blowing it?

It’s often said that generals prefer to fight the last war, which is another way of noting that we tend to address circumstances in the present based on how we responded to similar … more

11/9/22 | 1 comment

Residents along Trygg Rd. in Eagles Nest Township have experienced dozens of flat tires as a result of sharp gravel recently added there.

Sharp gravel leaves Eagles Nest drivers flat

EAGLES NEST— Township officials are raising the alarm over an issue that St. Louis County public works officials say they’ve never encountered before. Residents along both Trygg and Mud … more

David Colburn | 9/20/23 | 1 comment

Ely senior Zoe Devine is all by herself in the lead of classic race Friday morning. Devine took first overall.

Strong home meet for Ely

ELY— With a northwest wind heralding an Arctic blast, hundreds of the region’s high school Nordic skiers gathered at Hidden Valley a day early to beat the cold that was forecast to hit … more

Marshall Helmberger | 2/1/23 | 1 comment

What's your view of President Obama heading into the mid-terms?

10/22/10 | 1 comment

Looking up through the frosted branches of a grove of giant aspen on an island far out in the middle of the Lost Lake Swamp on a rare sunny day last month.

January was mild, and among the gloomiest ever

REGIONAL— This week’s cold snap was, for the most part, a return to normal for late January in the North Country after an exceptionally mild and remarkably gloomy January.Consistent, deep … more

Marshall Helmberger | 2/1/23 | 1 comment

Kaelyn Puzel gets ready to catch some fish.

Fishin’ fun on Fall Lake at the Ely Chamber Fishing Derby

WINTON - The Northwoods Kids Fishing Derby at Veterans on the Lake Resort last weekend not only included dozens of area youth trying their luck fishing for prizes off the piers, it also included … more

Keith Vandervort | 6/16/22 | 1 comment

Will we have open water for the May 10 fishing opener?

4/4/14 | 1 comment

VNP study records cougar on trail cam

REGIONAL— A study of wolves in and around Voyageurs National Park has captured several seconds of video of a cougar walking at night through a portion of their study area. The Voyageurs Wolf … more

Marshall Helmberger | 11/9/22 | 1 comment

Eagles Nest residents turned out to oppose a proposed ATV that would run through the heart of the township's residential area.

Residents say no to ATV trail

EAGLES NEST— Residents here had a clear message for the town board on Tuesday: A high traffic ATV corridor through their township will permanently impact a way of life focused on peace, … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/22/22 | 1 comment

Most DFL candidates enjoying big leads in fundraising

REGIONAL— DFL candidates from across the region and the state are crushing their Republican opponents in the race for campaign cash, and that could give them a distinct advantage as the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/7/22 | 1 comment

Cathy Cerra-Harvieux took questions from Soudan residents last Sunday at the Vermilion Park Inn. She is hoping to convert the facility to adult addiction treatment and sober housing.

Proposed sober house still faces pushback

SOUDAN- Over two dozen Soudan residents attended a question-and-answer session with Cathy Cerra-Harvieux, who is hoping to convert the Vermilion Park Inn to a sober housing and outpatient treatment … more

Jodi Summit | 7/12/23 | 1 comment