Home - The Timberjay

DNR’s draft wolf plan up for public comment

REGIONAL—The Department of Natural Resources is accepting comments through Aug. 8 on a draft of Minnesota’s updated wolf management plan. The gray wolf is currently under federal … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/29/22

Learn about alternatives to lead tackle in DNR webinar

REGIONAL- The Department of Natural Resources invites Minnesotans interested in fishing, wildlife and outdoor skills to tune into an upcoming webinar on alternatives to lead fishing tackle. The … more

6/29/22

Ann Gawboy dances in the rain at the Lake Vermilion Traditional Pow Wow last weekend.

Rainy Day Dancers - picture story

Weekend showers didn’t dampen spirits at the Lake Vermilion Traditional Powwow last weekend, and Timberjay photographer Jodi Summit was on hand to capture some of the grace, beauty, and … more

Jodi Summit | 6/29/22

A black bear playfully chews on bark from a tree at the Vince Shute Sanctuary. While the sanctuary staff wrestle with HR issues, it’s business as usual for the bears.

Bear sanctuary working through staffing crisis

ORR- Former Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary Executive Director Steph Horner said ‘so long’ to the popular black bear attraction at the end of last year’s season, but she never could … more

David Colburn | 6/29/22

Randy and Carol Semo were on hand for last week’s customer appreciation day at Good Ol’ Days. The couple has owned the popular bar and restaurant in Tower for 20 years, with Randy handling much of the day-to-day operations. Ownership was to formally change hands to Dan and Greta Burandt, on July 1.

Goodbye to a ‘good ol’ guy

TOWER- Twenty years ago Randy and Carol Semo opened a 1950s-themed bar and grill with a décor that echoed both their love of that era and a healthy dose of Green Bay Packers fandom. Good … more

Jodi Summit | 6/29/22

Linda Fryer’s sisters, Suzanne Fryer and Gloria Marion remove the cover from the new street sign, highlighting Linda Fryer Way, in Ely.

Linda Fryer Way dedicated in Ely

ELY – A new street name, Linda Fryer Way, was dedicated last week for the longtime Chamber of Commerce leader whose efforts went a long way to put this community on the map.Family, friends, Ely … more

Keith Vandervort | 6/29/22

Kabetogama and Crane Lake flooding could be gone by mid-July

REGIONAL- Monday’s Rainy River Basin flood update from the Duluth National Weather Service office was one residents in affected areas were likely to be less enthusiastic about than some, as the … more

David Colburn | 6/29/22

U.S. Steel to build new production facility on Iron Range

REGIONAL— The U.S. Steel Corporation announced this week that it plans to break ground this fall on a new $150 million direct reduced iron (DRI) production facility on Minnesota’s Iron … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/29/22

Greenwood residents keep levy at $150,000 for 2023

GREENWOOD TWP- Moving the Greenwood Township annual meeting from March to June did nothing to boost attendance. Fewer than 15 township residents showed up for the June 23 reconvened annual meeting, … more

Jodi Summit | 6/29/22 | 1 comment

Radical justices

In the wake of two jaw-dropping, yet hardly unexpected, decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court in the past week, it is clearly time to remake the political lexicon in this country. For decades, the high … more

6/29/22

Storm damage in Soudan being assessed; costs still being tallied

SOUDAN – Recent storm damage was the main topic of conversation at the Breitung Township regular board meeting held on Thursday, June 23. Maintenance Supervisor Tom Gorsma reported that in … more

Rachel Brophy | 6/29/22

Minnesota announces first case of monkeypox

REGIONAL- Minnesota joined the world in another health scare this week, announcing on Monday the state’s first case of monkeypox.As of Tuesday, 4,769 cases of monkeypox have been reported in 49 … more

David Colburn | 6/29/22

Obituaries: July 1, 2022

Nancy A. Yapel Nancy Ann Yapel, 76, of Tower, passed away on Monday, June 20, 2022. At her request, no funeral is planned. Instead, the immediate family will attend a private burial service in Tower … more

6/29/22

Cynthia Haugejorde, left, and Deb Sunderman spoke in Ely this week about their Title IX opportunities.

Ely celebrates 50 years of landmark Title IX law

ELY – This week, the United States marks 50 years since the landmark Title IX antidiscrimination law was enacted. To celebrate this milestone in the Ely area, two women with notable athletic … more

Keith Vandervort | 6/23/22

Jack Roddy talks to members of the Tower-Soudan Little League about baseball and what a talent scout might look for in a promising player.

Coaching tips from a pro

SOUDAN- A World Series ring was a nice capstone to a long career in baseball for Jack Roddy, and it offered a bit of inspiration this past week to local Little Leaguers.Roddy, a long-time talent … more

Jodi Summit | 6/23/22

Carey accepts Ely school 6-12 principal position

ELY – The grandson of two Ely residents accepted an offer last Thursday to become the next 6-12 principal at Ely Memorial High School.Jeffrey M. Carey, of Eveleth, and two other candidates, … more

Keith Vandervort | 6/22/22

Bois Forte Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Jaylen Strong spoke during anniversary festivities last Saturday.

Cultural Center marks 20th anniversary

VERMILION RES-ERVATION- It was not so much a crowd as it was a simple gathering of people who came to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Bois Forte Heritage Center and Cultural Museum on Saturday. … more

David Colburn | 6/22/22

If all goes as planned, the former Ely Community Center will become a hotel within three years.

Coming soon: Hotel planned at Community Center in Ely

ELY – The historic Community Center building here is destined to become a 28-room boutique hotel following a vote by the city council this week to accept a purchase agreement and business plan … more

Keith Vandervort | 6/22/22

a hoop house was torn to shreds at the Watering Can Greenhouse in Cook

Storm packs a punch

REGIONAL- Thunderstorms packing damaging winds of around 60 mph barreled through the North Country on Monday night, leaving snapped off trees, property damage and thousands of homes and businesses … more

David Colburn | 6/22/22

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

City approves new contract with union staff

TOWER— The city council here, in a special meeting held Monday, voted to approve a substantial revision to the city’s union contract. The new package, which came to the council with the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/22/22

The historic Kettle Falls Hotel was surrounded by water during recent high water. Levels have receded slightly since this photograph was taken. Flight courtesy Adventure Seaplanes.

High water makes Kettle Falls Hotel an island

REGIONAL- It appears that the historic flooding in the Rainy River Basin has made a temporary island of the historic Kettle Falls Hotel. According to the Water Levels Committee of the International … more

David Colburn | 6/22/22

Expected abortion decision won’t impact womens’ rights in Minnesota, at least for now

REGIONAL— For weeks, the unauthorized release of a draft U.S. Supreme Court decision that would appear to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade opinion, has roiled the abortion debate nationally … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/22/22

Having avoided most of the unloading because she was working with customers and an inquisitive member of the press, Dawn Bogdan takes a brief break on Monday to help her husband Chris wheel a chair into their newly-named Northern Comfort Company store in Cook.

Couple buys longtime Cook furniture store

COOK- New empty-nesters usually find something to occupy their time when their kids finally fly the coop. Some travel. Some pick up new hobbies.As for Chris and Dawn Bogdan of Cook? They bought a … more

David Colburn | 6/22/22

Breitung awards bid for joint infrastructure project

SOUDAN- Jola and Sopp was awarded the bid for the Tower-Breitung Waste Water Board’s (TBWWB) force main and manhole improvement project. The project includes work in both Tower and Breitung … more

Jodi Summit | 6/22/22