Top Stories - The Timberjay

REGIONAL— Twin Metals Minnesota made it clear this week that they intend to fight to reclaim two federal mineral leases critical to their plans to build a copper-nickel mine southeast of Ely. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/24/22 | 2 comments

Quannah Chasinghorse and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, made a special appearance at Fortune Bay Resort Casino last week.

Following their dreams

VERMILION RESERVATION- Quannah Chasinghorse is an up-and-coming Native American model, actress, and environmental activist. And while she said New York City’s Met Gala was one of the most … more

Jodi Summit | 8/17/22

Mesabi Trust windfall likely led to Northshore idling

REGIONAL— Increased production and higher prices for Northshore Mining’s taconite pellets in 2021 sparked a financial windfall for a little-known royalty trust and likely contributed to … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/17/22

FCC shoots down LTD broadband application

REGIONAL- The Federal Communications Commission last week rejected troubled LTD Communication’s $1.3 billion application to build high-speed broadband internet networks in Minnesota and across … more

David Colburn | 8/17/22

Driver charged in fatal collision in Embarrass

EMBARRASS— A Virginia man has been charged with criminal vehicular homicide after killing an Eveleth woman in a collision in Embarrass Township on Aug. 12 while driving with a blood alcohol … more

David Colburn | 8/17/22

Sen. David Tomassoni, seated left, looks on as Gov. Tim Walz signs his bill providing $20 million for ALS research and another $5 million to assist caregivers for ALS patients.

Chisholm legislator David Tomassoni dies after battle with ALS

REGIONAL- Longtime Iron Range legislator David Tomassoni, who championed a bill this spring to bring new hope to people affected by the degenerative disease ALS, died from that disease Thursday … more

David Colburn | 8/12/22

Gigabit broadband could come to Cook yet this year

COOK- Faster internet may be coming to Cook sooner than anticipated, as Paul Bunyan Communications announced on Tuesday that there’s a good chance the system will be installed this fall, rather … more

David Colburn | 8/10/22

Performer Jaidynn Diore Fierce does her impression of the video game character Mario.

Struttin’ their stuff

ELY - Heads were turning here last Saturday as the little town at the end of the road hosted an event that probably caught many people by surprise. Ely may never be the same after a parade of drag … more

Keith Vandervort | 8/10/22 | 1 comment

Ely's first day of school has been moved back a week to Sept. 12 because of uncertainties with the completion of the building project.

Construction woes delay start for Ely schools

ELY—What had only been rumored up until now was confirmed this week when the Ely school board voted unanimously to postpone the first day of school here until Monday, Sept. 12. Ely schools had … more

Rachel Brophy | 8/10/22

The original concept drawings at the Tower Harbor, show a highly walkable mix of commercial fronts and upper- level residential. With the shelving of the town home proposal, a new plan could come closer to the original vision.

Sky high building costs kills town home plans

TOWER— The long-planned town home project slated for construction at the Tower Harbor appears dead, nearly six years after city officials pushed for the development project. The Tower Economic … more

Jodi Summit | 8/10/22 | 1 comment

Three candidates vie for Ely mayor seat

ELY – Three candidates are participating in the Aug. 9 primary for Ely mayor. The top two vote-getters will advance to the Nov. 8 general election.Two incumbent Ely city council members, Paul … more

Keith Vandervort | 8/3/22

Standing on the deck of their home overlooking the fields and trees below, Craig and Valarie Flank display the Century Farm sign from the Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Farm Bureau.

Flank Farm receives Century Farm award

BEAR RIVER- In 1906, Peter Flank, a 40-year-old Swedish immigrant, his wife, Anna, and their two young children, six-year-old Arthur and one-year-old Edith moved from their western Minnesota home of … more

David Colburn | 8/3/22

Five-year-old Allison Bajan, of Ely, licks a blueberry cheescake ice cream cone Sunday morning at the 41st Ely Blueberry/Art Festival.

Back to normal

ELY – Following the festival-canceling coronavirus pandemic of 2020 and an epic storm in 2021 that left Whiteside Park in shambles, the 41st annual Blueberry/Art Festival here last weekend … more

Keith Vandervort | 8/3/22 | 1 comment

Ecklund bill would extend jobless benefits for 26 months

REGIONAL— Rep. Rob Ecklund has drafted legislation to extend unemployment benefits for laid off Northshore Mining workers for an additional 26 weeks. Cleveland Cliffs CEO Laurenco Goncalves … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/3/22 | 1 comment

Primary features several non-partisan races

REGIONAL— The general election won’t be held until Nov. 8 this year, but voters will help determine their eventual choices during the primary election set for this Tuesday, Aug. 9. The … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/3/22 | 1 comment

Ely artist Leah Reusch is drawn to the natural world for her artistic inspiration.

Ely artist uses light and space in her oversized works

ELY – A local artist visited the North Country for the first time when she was a 15-year-old camper at YMCA’s Camp Widjiwagen, and she never really left. Leah Reusch worked at Widji off … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/27/22

A black bear was recently spotted foraging for berries and other treats in a ditch a little over a mile from the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary.

Bear visits raise concerns

NETT LAKE- After last summer’s severe drought, there are likely no creatures happier to see this year’s bumper crop of berries than the black bears who count them among their favorite … more

David Colburn | 7/27/22 | 2 comments

Employee faces assault allegations

ELY – A city of Ely employee was placed on paid leave last week while an investigation continues into an alleged physical assault at the Ely City Hall that put a local construction worker in … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/27/22

Midco crews in Ely installed high-speed internet lines in Ely this week.

High-speed internet finally reaching the North Country

REGIONAL— After years of frustration over the lack of high-speed internet at the end of the road, the evidence of a solution is everywhere these days. And it’s all coming to nearby Tower … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/27/22

Babbitt mine, Northshore to remain closed through next April

REGIONAL- Northshore Mining taconite mining and processing operations in Babbitt and Silver will stay closed until at least April 2023, as owner Cleveland-Cliffs says they’re “not … more

David Colburn | 7/22/22

District 3A Republicans share views as primary approaches

REGIONAL- A pair of Republicans are squaring off in the Aug. 9 state primary for the chance to unseat Minnesota House District 3A incumbent Representative Rob Ecklund in November, and while the two … more

David Colburn | 7/20/22 | 1 comment

Commerce: Cut electric rate hike by 55 percent

REGIONAL— Financial analysts with the state’s Department of Commerce (DOC) are recommending a sharp reduction in Minnesota Power’s request for higher electrical rates for its … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/20/22

Odin Picard turns his pot into a helmet while waiting in line.

Old Settlers is booyah fun!

Old settlers, ranging in age from infants to 96-years old, gathered last Saturday at McKinley Park in Breitung Township for the annual community get-together which has been continuing for over 100 … more

Jodi Summit | 7/20/22

Council facing difficult budget work for 2023

ELY – The city’s budget committee released a proposed 2023 budget calendar Tuesday night and council members here were warned that difficult monetary decisions lay ahead in the coming … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/20/22

LTD’s winning bid for providing broadband coverage in northern St. Louis County includes the areas shadded in blue.

Troubled telecom faces state review

REGIONAL- The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) last week ordered an investigation of embattled telecom company LTD Broadband over concerns the small company may not be able to deliver on … more

David Colburn | 7/20/22