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Greenwood to return Isle of Pines bridge fund to road association

GREENWOOD TWP- The Greenwood Town Board, at their July 11 meeting, voted to close out the Isle of Pines Bridge Fund, and return the $31,166 to the Isle of Pines Road Association, a nonprofit that … more

Jodi Summit | 7/19/23

The areas in pink will benefit from a $5.5 million state broadband grant received by Paul Bunyan Communications.

State grant to bring broadband to parts of rural Cook

REGIONAL- Paul Bunyan Communications has been awarded a $5.5 million Minnesota Border-to-Border Broadband low-density pilot grant to expand its all fiber-optic GigaZone network into areas of Angora, … more

David Colburn | 7/19/23

The Broadway in the Boundary Waters theater troupe rehearsing at the Vermilion Fine Arts Theater.

“Songs for a New World” opens in Ely

ELY- The latest musical offering of the Northern Lakes Arts Association (NLAA), “Songs for a New World,” opened Thursday, July 20. The musical was the first work of the then-young Jason … more

Catie Clark | 7/19/23

Obituaries: July 21, 2023

Lucille B. Svatos Lucille Betty Svatos, 94, of Ely, passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. Services will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely … more

7/19/23

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

Worshippers line up to enter the St. James Presbyterian Chapel for the final sermon. Founded in 1884, the church was a center of spiritual life for many residents of Tower-Soudan for nearly 140 years.

Last Call to Pray

TOWER- The sight of a long line of people streaming into St. James Presbyterian Church on Sunday was something not seen for a very long time. But those entering the church building, built at the … more

Jodi Summit | 7/12/23 | 1 comment

Council talks signs and signs of the times

ELY—Signage and signs of the times occupied considerable discussion at the city council meeting here on Tuesday. Ely residents Frederica Musgrave and Lynn Evenson addressed the council about … more

Catie Clark | 7/12/23

A lawsuit filed against the EPA by Minnnesota and nine other states may clarify the regulatory playing field for wood-burning residential furnaces, something which has implications for Tower-based Lamppa Manufacturing.

Ten states sue EPA over wood furnace testing

REGIONAL— Attorneys generals from ten states, including Minnesota, have filed a notice of intent to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over its failure to adequately manage an … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/12/23

The lustrous woodwork in the Lake Vermilion Cultural Center provided exceptional acoustics for performances under the auspices of the Northern Lights Music Festival, held Sunday in Tower.

Classical music, classic venue

TOWER- The Northern Lights Music Festival hosted an afternoon concert of chamber music at the Lake Vermilion Cultural Center in Tower. Concert performers included young musicans attending the … more

Jodi Summit | 7/12/23

Runners look fresh and eager as they take off from the starting line during the 5K portion of the Vermilion Run held July 4.

Over 250 took part in the 40th Annual Vermilion Run

TOWER- The weather cooperated, and the runners showed up for the 40th running of the Vermilion 10K and 5K run. There were 170 signed up for the 5K, and 50 signed up for the 10K race this year. Over … more

Jodi Summit | 7/12/23

Ely’s 4 on the 4th top finishers

Four mile race Ages 0-12 Boys: 1. Charles Fuenffinger, age 12 2. Melvin Geffre, age 10 3. Vincent Howe, age 10 Girls: 1. Eloisa Gomez, age 12 2. Eila Fuenffinger, age 10 3. Cecelia Fuenffinger, age … more

7/12/23

Tower-Soudan Fourth of July children’s races winners

TOWER- There was possibly a record turnout for the children’s races on the afternoon of July 4 in Tower. The following is the list of winners, who received cash prizes. Please note that the … more

7/12/23

Caesar’s wife and Ely’s ambulance service

The perception of a conflict of interest in government is a slippery slope. The Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital (EBCH) sent a letter to the Ely Area Ambulance Service listing several concerns it … more

Catie Clark | 7/12/23

Life has ups, life has dips...

Mid-July has arrived and as you look into the ditches along the roadsides, you see tall, spiky clusters of pink and purple wildflowers adding vibrance to the landscape. Fireweed is in season again … more

Scarlet Stone | 7/12/23

Five weeks after hatching, the white Cornish Crosses appear almost full grown. The other chicks are barely one-third their size.

After years of indecision, I finally took the plunge

My gradual transition from gardener to small-scale farmer took another step forward recently when the U.S. Post Office in Tower called early one morning just over a month ago to tell me that my … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/12/23

A rider winds his way along a narrow trail at Hidden Valley.

DOWN IN THE VALLEY

HIDDEN VALLEY— Ely has debuted the latest contribution to the growing number of top-notch mountain bike trails in northeastern Minnesota— just be sure you’re paying attention if you … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/12/23

Council appears ready to green light chickens in town

TOWER— There was good news and bad news in the city audit this year, which was released Monday by Walker-Giroux and Hahne. The audit cites continued deficit spending in several accounts, … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/12/23 | 1 comment

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

Ruffed grouse numbers look strong again

REGIONAL— The Department of Natural Resources has good news for those who plan to hunt ruffed grouse this fall. Northern Minnesota’s spring ruffed grouse drumming counts are up again from … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/12/23

A changing planet

The numbers are increasing telling us the story about our rapidly changing climate. As has been widely reported in recent days, we had a three-day stretch from July 3-5 in which we beat the previous … more

7/12/23 | 1 comment

Old Settlers Reunion and Picnic set for July 15

BREITUNG TWP- The annual Old Settlers Reunion and Picnic will be held on Saturday, July 15, with booyah dished up at 12 noon sharp. Memberships are available the day of the picnic, and newcomers are … more

7/12/23

Board talks long-term facilities plan in light agenda

ELY— The ISD 696 school board considered a “rough draft” of the district’s long-term facilities maintenance plan (LTFMP) during a 29-minute meeting on Monday. Minnesota state … more

Catie Clark | 7/12/23

Rose drops easement request

TOWER— The on-again, off-again request by RV park developer Dave Rose for an easement across property owned by Your Boat Club, appears to be off-again, possibly for good. Rose told city … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/12/23

Obituaries: July 14, 2023

Jack A. Brandt Jack Ainer Brandt, 83, of Tower, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 23, 2023, at his home. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 14 at Lakeview … more

7/12/23

An old school president

As President Biden laid out in a key domestic policy speech this past week in Chicago, his administration is leading what amounts to an economic revolution that is already remaking America’s … more

7/6/23

Housing needs at the top of Cook council agenda

COOK— The need for more housing and the challenges involved in fostering residential growth were hot topics on the city council agenda here last Thursday. It’s a chronic issue that city … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/6/23