News - The Timberjay

John and Heather Chaulklin say demand is high for the THC products they’re selling from their Cook store.

COOK- John and Heather Chaulklin, of Cook, already had a thriving e-commerce business selling natural health supplements and other items when they purchased the former propane gas building at the … more

David Colburn | 10/26/22

Jeffrey Hanson of Babbitt, holds up a small glass of the water he’s treating in his basement laboratory to eliminate sulfate. He’s already patented one of two steps in the process and has a patent pending on the final steps in the process.

Babbitt engineer patenting a low cost solution to sulfate pollution

BABBITT— In a makeshift basement laboratory here, Jeffrey Hanson is fine-tuning a process that could turn a cost-effective fix for one of the Iron Range’s biggest environmental problems … more

Marshall Helmberger | 10/26/22

Ely board OKs more sharing with NE Range

ELY – In a unanimous vote on Monday night the ISD 696 school board approved pursuing a cooperative agreement with Northeast Range for girls’ basketball for the upcoming season.The … more

Rachel Brophy | 10/26/22

This rock arch dam in Pine County that replaced a failed dam is similar in concept to what Bois Forte official have decided to use on the Nett River.

New Nett River dam planned

NETT LAKE- An aging, ailing concrete dam controlling the waters of Nett Lake is about to be demolished and replaced with a new design that will have ecological benefit for the lake and the Nett … more

David Colburn | 10/26/22

Crane Lake wastewater plant to get upgrade

CRANE LAKE- The lakeside community of Crane Lake is unique in many ways, and one of those that flies under the radar of most visitors is the town’s wastewater collection and treatment … more

David Colburn | 10/26/22

Eagles Nest puts one-year moratorium on new short-term rental properties

EAGLES NEST TWP- The Eagles Nest Town Board approved a year-long moratorium on any new short-term rental properties in the township, unless they have received zoning approval from St. Louis County or … more

Jodi Summit | 10/26/22

Driver in Embarrass area fatality wreck pleads guilty

REGIONAL- A Virginia man plead guilty to charges in a drunk driving crash in Embarrass Township last August that killed an Eveleth woman.Michael Kenneth Miller, 40, of rural Virginia, plead guilty in … more

David Colburn | 10/26/22

Students work together to steady Timberwolves 5 weather balloon just before launch.

Ely eighth-grade science students launch Timberwolves 5 weather balloon

ELY - On Wednesday, October 19, Ely eighth graders launched a high altitude balloon into the stratosphere. The Timberwolves 5 Weather Balloon was the fifth annual balloon launch for the students. The … more

10/26/22

Pam Brunfelt speaks at the Lake Vermilion Cultural Center in Tower.

LVCC celebrates the history of the Iron Range

TOWER-The building might still be a work in progress, and it certainly does need a heating system, but St. Mary’s Hall at the Lake Vermilion Cultural Center hosted its third and final event of … more

10/26/22

Obituaries: October 28, 2022

Marguerite SkalaMarguerite “Marge” Skala, 82, of Champlin, formerly of Burnsville, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on … more

10/26/22

Outgoing Tower Area Food Shelf leader Marge McPeak (at left), with new leaders Hugh and Frannie Wood.

New leaders take helm at the Tower Food Shelf

TOWER- Starting in November, Tower residents Hugh and Frannie Wood will be taking over the leadership role at the Tower Area Food Shelf from long-time volunteer Marge McPeak.McPeak took on a … more

Jodi Summit | 10/21/22 | 1 comment

The Y-Store is getting a big infrastructure upgrade.

Y Store fueling infrastructure project underway

TOWER- Folks who have driven past the Y Store last week may have noticed that gas costs 0.00. But they’ve also noticed that the fuel pumps have been removed and the area is undergoing some … more

Jodi Summit | 10/20/22

The cross-hatched portion of this map of Lake Vermilion encompasses areas potentially served by a major new Bois Forte broadband project recently approved for funding.

Bois Forte broadband project will have major impact

REGIONAL- The $19.8 million high-speed broadband grant recently awarded to the Bois Forte Band will have impact far beyond the borders of the reservation, allowing the Band to extend the benefits of … more

David Colburn | 10/19/22

Ely man jailed for social media death threats

ELY— A 47-year-old Ely man is facing criminal charges after posting multiple death threats against law enforcement officers on social media in response to an imminent eviction notice delivered … more

David Colburn | 10/19/22

The former Kondos building was purchased to house the ambulance service in Ely.

Future of ambulance tops special meeting agenda

ELY— How to maintain local ambulance service here was top of the agenda at a packed special meeting of the Ely Ambulance Joint Powers Board this week. As previously reported, the Ely Area … more

Marshall Helmberger | 10/19/22

Timberjay hires new Ely editor

ELY—The Timberjay has hired a new full-time Ely editor to replace Keith Vandervort, who died suddenly last August. Catherine “Catie” Helm-Clark is a research geologist who turned to … more

10/19/22

District 3A House candidates answer questions

Editor’s Note: The Timberjay submitted questions to the two District 3A House candidates ahead of this year’s general election. Below are their responses DFLer Rob Ecklund • … more

10/19/22

Haley Glatch appears pleased with her pumpkin’s scary grin.

Jack-O-Lanterns galore

TOWER- Valerie Turnbull is a nurse by day, but somehow this mother of three has been finding time to organize community events for area families. Her latest success was a free community pumpkin … more

Jodi Summit | 10/19/22

District 3 Senate candidates answer questions

DFLer Grant Hauschild • Hermantown Minnesota has an estimated $9 billion budget surplus. What do you propose to do with the money?One of the reasons I’m running for the Legislature is … more

10/19/22

Ambulance service future hinges on volunteer EMTs

COOK- Since taking over as director of Cook Ambulance Service this summer, Roland Shoen has been getting a handle on what the service has and what it needs for continued vitality, and his conclusions … more

David Colburn | 10/19/22

Ely School Board candidates sound off at AAUW forum

ELY – Seven of nine candidates running for the upcoming ISD 696 school board election on Nov. 8 were present at the Minnesota North-Vermilion Auditiorium on Oct. 11 for a candidate forum hosted … more

Rachel Brophy | 10/19/22

Conservative Duluth News-Tribune breaks with Stauber

REGIONAL— The Eighth Congressional District’s largest newspaper has parted ways with Rep. Pete Stauber, endorsing his DFL opponent Jen Schultz, in the hotly-contested race. The Duluth … more

Marshall Helmberger | 10/19/22

Obituaries: October 21, 2022

Carol M. Alstrom Carol Marie Alstrom, 74, of Cokato, formerly of Tower, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, at Cokato Manor. Carol will be missed by many, especially her former students … more

10/19/22

Flood damage loan application deadline coming soon

REGIONAL– For those who experienced physical damage to their property from this spring and summer’s historic flooding, only a few weeks remain to take advantage of U.S. Small Business … more

10/13/22

$97 million in small business support coming to Minnesota

REGIONAL- With White House officials reporting that more people than ever before are starting new businesses, the U.S. Treasury on Tuesday announced the release of up to $1 billion for small business … more

David Colburn | 10/13/22