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An overlook on the Pine Ridges Trail on Tower’s northside hill.

TOWER- A self-titled “rant” on the “What’s Up Tower” Facebook page this week asked a question that volunteers in the Wagoner Trails Club have expected was coming for … more

Jodi Summit | 5/1/24

Stauber bill could relaunch battle over Ely mine

REGIONAL— The U.S. House, this week, gave a narrow vote of approval for legislation that would rescind the mineral withdrawal affecting a portion of the Superior National Forest and require the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/1/24

Elders at higher risk as targets of fraud and scams

REGIONAL- In a brand new report, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) says there was a significant uptick in elder fraud complaints in 2023. The Elder Fraud Report, released on … more

David Colburn | 5/1/24

Whiteside Park may host wifi

ELY- The Ely Telecommunications Advisory Board (TAB) is proposing to install fiber-based wifi into Whiteside Park. The hard-wired connection is expected to improve internet access for the … more

Catie Clark | 5/1/24

First place winners Emily Roose and Erik Nelson.

“Dancing with the Ely Stars” doubles last year’s donations

ELY- Emily Roose and Erik Nelson took the top prize during Northern Lakes Arts Association’s “Dancing with the Ely Stars” event held last Friday at Ely’s Historic State … more

Catie Clark | 5/1/24

Grizzlies hurler Addison Burckhardt winds for a pitch with a group of North Woods defenders backing her up during last Thursday’s game with Mt. Iron-Buhl.

Resilient Grizzlies top Mt. Iron-Buhl 12-9

FIELD TWP- When the Mt. Iron-Buhl Rangers scored seven runs in two innings to take an 8-7 lead on the North Woods Grizzlies softball team going into the bottom of the sixth inning last Thursday at … more

David Colburn | 5/1/24

Ely ten-runs Deer River

DEER RIVER— Ely’s offense clicked here last Thursday as the Timberwolves ten-runned the Warriors 13-3 to improve to 4-3 on the young baseball season. “This was the much-needed … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/1/24

NER-Ely nabs first in East Range meet

HOYT LAKES – The combined Northeast Range-Ely girls golf team scored a big win last week in the East Range Conference meet at Hoyt Lakes. NER-E had three players place in the top five in the … more

David Colburn | 5/1/24

Ely notches two more double-digit wins

ELY— The Timberwolves are suddenly dominating on the softball mound as they notched two more double-digit wins this week, against Two Harbors and Chisholm. Playing at home last Friday, Wolves … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/1/24

North Woods catcher Louie Panichi has an anxious look on his face as he and umpire Mike Turnbull track the flight of a deep fly ball hit by a Mesabi East batter in an April 25 game at North Woods. The Grizzlies lost 11-0.

Grizzlies hang tough in 3-1 loss to Carlton

CARLTON- The Carlton-Wrenshall Raptors baseball team may have picked up a home win against the North Woods Grizzlies on Tuesday, but the Grizzlies will see dividends from the boost in confidence that … more

David Colburn | 5/1/24

A firefighter uses a portable bladderpack to wet down birch bark as fire burns around him near the Pfeiffer Lake Campground.

Fighting fire with fire

SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST— The wind was picking up by midday but that just made the fire “snappier” in the terminology of the fire officials here who were taking advantage of a dry … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/1/24

The science behind the scent of rain

REGIONAL— Our recent April showers have not only set the stage for new growth this spring, they have reminded us of the wonderful scent that comes in the immediate aftermath of rain. That scent … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/1/24

Outdoors briefly

May 3 deadline to enter bear license lottery REGIONAL— If you’re planning to apply for this year’s lottery for the fall bear hunt, and haven’t done so already, you’d … more

5/1/24

The road to recovery (the rest of the story)

As promised in my last column, “Facing the fear and finding hope”, that appeared in the April 5 edition of the Timberjay, I’m resuming the story of Kelly Cramer and her recovery … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 5/1/24

A tricorn hat and a white wig fit well with this man's message as he invoked the Founding Fathers in a call for a constitutional convention.

Transportation survey gets endorsement from council

COOK- Representatives of a citizens’ committee exploring solutions for transportation problems sought and got the Cook City Council’s endorsement of their efforts following a presentation … more

David Colburn | 5/1/24

$980 million House bonding bill moves ahead

REGIONAL – House members in St. Paul were set to vote Wednesday on a $980 million bonding bill that aligns with the priorities established by Gov. Tim Walz in January, but work on a final bill … more

David Colburn | 5/1/24

This isn’t democracy

“I have a spoiler alert: There’s nothing wrong with trying to influence the election. It’s called democracy.” So said defense attorney Todd Blanche last week as he tried to … more

5/1/24

Ely author’s book features stories of our area

ELY- Ever since Scott Stowell moved to Ely, he’s been collecting and telling stories. As someone with experience as a writer and news professional, telling those stories comes second nature and … more

Catie Clark | 5/1/24

Gardner Humanities Trust awards $6,210 to local groups

ELY- The board of the Donald G. Gardner Humanities Trust, at its April 10 meeting, voted to award $6,210 in spring grant awards to local arts organizations. The twice-yearly grant program helps the … more

5/1/24

Proposed law targets job misclassification

REGIONAL- The distinction between an employee and an independent contractor can be confusing to some employers, while for others it’s one that can be manipulated to the employer’s benefit … more

David Colburn | 5/1/24

Obituaries: May 3, 2024

James W. Thierer James “Jimmy” Warren Thierer, 67, of Embarrass, passed away on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at his home. No memorial service is planned at this time. Arrangements are with … more

5/1/24

Ely hurler Zoe MacKenzie delivers a pitch during Tuesday’s home game against Deer River.

Wolves split in week’s softball action

ELY— The Wolves softball squad combined for 16 hits here on Tuesday as Ely routed the Warriors 15-1. “We jumped out to an early big lead scoring nine in the first,” said Ely Head … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/26/24

Alaine and Brett Brodeen, of Orr, celebrate with their daughter, North Woods senior Evelyn Brodeen, after she signs to run for Truett-McConnell University in Georgia.

Brodeen headed to Georgia for collegiate cross-country

FIELD TWP- North Woods senior Evelyn Brodeen answered the call of the South last week, signing a letter of intent at the school to run cross-country and track next year for Truett-McConnell … more

David Colburn | 4/26/24

License lottery is part of cannabis bill fix

REGIONAL- The sale of legalized cannabis in Minnesota is lurching toward next year’s opening of dispensaries with a number of changes being considered by legislators to improve and speed the … more

David Colburn | 4/25/24

Food Shelf receives $8,000 grant for updates

TOWER – At a time when individuals and households throughout Minnesota are experiencing hardships in numbers never seen before, the Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Foundation is … more

4/25/24