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Legislation proposes tax relief for rural volunteer drivers

WASHINGTON, D.C.- When a change in federal tax law in 2017 meant that the mileage reimbursements over $600 per year received by volunteer drivers were taxed like regular employment income, the … more

Jodi Summit | 9/27/23

The Wolves' Audrey Kallberg goes up for a kill.

Wolves challenged in weekend tournament

BURNSVILLE— The Timberwolves put their perfect season record to the ultimate test here this past weekend when they faced off against a bevy of the toughest volleyball squads in the state— … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/27/23

Offensive struggles continue for Ely

CHISHOLM— The Timberwolves forced four Chisholm turnovers here last Friday but couldn’t take advantage in another defense-dominated contest that allowed the Bluestreaks to claim their … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/27/23

A colorful shoreline along the Pike River Flowage is reflected on still morning water.

Colors of the season

9/27/23

Grizzlies quarterback Trajen Barto finds himself on the receiving end of a pass during last Friday’s contest with Littlefork-Big Falls.

Vikings conquer Grizzlies 68-6

FIELD TWP- The North Woods football team could have used a few more trick plays and a few less miscues against Littlefork-Big Falls last Friday, as the Grizzlies got thumped at home 68-6 by the … more

David Colburn | 9/27/23

NER-Ely swimmers post win and narrow loss

BABBITT— The Northeast Range-Ely swim team notched a 90-77 win here, on Sept. 14, against Duluth Denfeld on the strength of eight first-place finishes. Anna Larson, Tuuli Koivisto, and Via … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/27/23

Students exploring the Ancient Cedar Trail in Tower.

Tower area trails feature four seasons of fun

TOWER- The Tower-Soudan area is home to a remarkably wide variety of trails, and Wagoner Trail Club volunteer Mary Shedd gave a brief overview of all the them at the first Tower-Soudan Civic Club … more

Jodi Summit | 9/27/23

An overlook on the North Country National Scenic Trail in northeastern Minnesota. The 4,800-mile trail will pass through Ely and Tower-Soudan.

North Country Trail chapter organized in Ely

ELY- The North Country National Scenic Trail is coming to Ely and you can help make it happen. Area hiking enthusiasts have formed a new local chapter of the North Country Trail Association and held … more

Catie Clark | 9/27/23

Bear harvest could be lowest in decades

REGIONAL— Abundant natural foods and continued warm temperatures appear to have given bears the edge during the 2023 bear season, with registrations off 25 percent from last year. With just … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/27/23

We are supposed to do what?

“We have little time, so we must move very slowly.” Many years ago, when I was serving on the Friends for a Non-violent World (FNVW) board, the director, a lovely Quaker man named John … more

Betty Firth | 9/27/23

The original RV hook-ups at the campground at 1759 N. Pioneer Rd. in Ely. The new property owner applied for a conditional use permit from the City of Ely to re-open and expand the facility.

Campground hearing is not “Minnesota Nice”

ELY- The unpleasant specter of NIMBY (“not in my backyard”) visited an Ely Board of Adjustment public hearing on a proposed campground on Pioneer Rd. on Wednesday, Sept. 20. In a scenario … more

Catie Clark | 9/27/23

Ely area resident Hudson Kingston outstretches his arms in triumph as he crosses the finish line to take first in last Saturday’s Ely Marathon

Ely man disappointed in second marathon win

ELY— Hudson Kingston was hoping for second place in this past weekend’s Ely Marathon— he had to settle for first. Kingston, a wiry redhead who lives outside Ely in Fall Lake … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/27/23

County board OKs 2.93 percent levy boost for 2024

REGIONAL - The St. Louis County Board of Commissioners gave approval to a proposed 2.93 percent property tax hike at its meeting on Tuesday, an increase that will be offset somewhat by growth in the … more

David Colburn | 9/27/23

Ely man injured in knife attack

ELY- Tate Jordan Cly, age 20, is facing two felony counts here in the wake of an alleged knife attack early Saturday morning, Sept. 23, against Richard Joshua Petrizilka. An officer from the Ely … more

Catie Clark | 9/27/23

COVID booster rolls out as virus persists

REGIONAL- As COVID indicators continue to tick upward, the new boosters from Moderna and Pfizer recently authorized by the Centers for Disease Control for anyone over the age of six months have … more

David Colburn | 9/27/23

Obituaries: September 29, 2023

Judy B. Stapleton Judy B. Stapleton, 82, of Mt. Iron, formerly of Tower, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, at Essentia Health - St. Mary’s Medical Center Hospice Unit in Duluth. The … more

9/27/23

A MIB defender slips around the block of Kaden Gornick to put pressure on North Woods quarterback Trajen Barto.

Rangers level North Woods 76-0

MT. IRON- A young North Woods football team didn’t have the horses to run with 2022 state champion Mt. Iron-Buhl on Friday, as the Rangers scored at will in a 76-0 romp over the Grizzlies. A … more

David Colburn | 9/21/23

A Marsh Masater tracked vehicle used in the search for Glenn Stevenson last Sunday is loaded after another fruitless day of searching by St. Louis County Rescue Squuad members.

Latest search for missing Gheen man comes up empty

GHEEN- The St. Louis County Rescue Squad fanned out again around Gheen on Sunday looking for any sign of missing Willow Valley Township resident Glenn Stevenson, but once again came up empty. St. … more

David Colburn | 9/21/23

Dogs who run in the Ely Marathon allowed in Whiteside Park

ELY- The Ely City Council , on Tuesday, voted to allow half-marathon runners to cross the finish line in Whiteside Park with their dogs, which are not normally permitted at the park. Wendy Lindsay, … more

Catie Clark | 9/21/23

Impeachment investigation

The capitulation of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to Donald Trump and his loudmouth acolytes in Congress to the planned impeachment of President Joe Biden shows the extent to which the Republican … more

9/21/23

When good intentions turn out badly, or travels with a cat

Twenty years after the fact, the incident that taught me the meaning of the phrase “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” is still as vivid and horrifying as ever. My ex-wife … more

David Colburn | 9/21/23

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

Hundreds of runners will descend on Ely this weekend.

Ely marathon brings runners, road closures

ELY- The Ely Marathon weekend gets underway on Friday, with hundreds of racers on tap for the both the full and half marathons as well as the canoe portaging event. The race brings plenty of people … more

Catie Clark | 9/20/23

Ely’s Gillson facing multiple charges

ELY- A domestic incident here that sparked a house fire and a high-speed chase with law enforcement that ended in the woods in Waasa Township last week, has left an Ely man charged with arson, … more

Catie Clark | 9/20/23

Pontoon rams island, sends two to hospital

LAKE VERMILION- Nighttime darkness, speed, and alcohol are believed to have contributed to a pontoon boat accident on Lake Vermilion the evening on Sept. 16, according to a news release from the St. … more

Jodi Summit | 9/20/23