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Michael Cascone, in the outdoor seating area of the new Frisky Otter Restaurant, currently under renovation.

Ely’s new Frisky Otter hopes to open mid-May

ELY- The restaurant property at the corner of Sheridan and 3rd, most recently the home of Rockwood Grill, is about to come back to life. Michael and Nicole Cascone plan to open the Frisky Otter … more

Catie Clark | 3/27/24

Cross Range thruway to be named for Tomassoni

REGIONAL- In a politically polarized Legislature, there’s at least one bill this session that has the power to bring Republicans and DFLers together—a bill that would designate a 40-mile … more

David Colburn | 3/27/24

Wastewater treatment facilities recognized by MPCA

REGIONAL— Wastewater treatment plants in Cook, Winton, and at two Iron Range taconite mines have been recognized for consistently meeting state requirements for monitoring, operations, … more

3/27/24

Walz signs school resource officer fix

REGIONAL- Last week Gov. Tim Walz signed a strongly bipartisan bill designed to fix legislation approved last year that prompted dozens of law enforcement agencies across the state to pull student … more

3/27/24

AI is getting too smart for our own good

You’re all probably channeling Ronald Regan’s classic debate line “There you go again” as you realize I’m writing once again about artificial intelligence, but I just … more

David Colburn | 3/27/24

Area projects get $1.6 million from IRRR

REGIONAL- The Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation will be sending out $1.6 million to support four North Country projects related to broadband, infrastructure, and housing after … more

David Colburn | 3/27/24

Residents delay setting levy, show support for ambulance levy

SOUDAN- Amber Zak and Erin Peitso are new members of Breitung Township government following their election as town clerk and supervisor respectively in the township elections held March 12. Both Zak … more

Stephanie Ukkola | 3/27/24

School board tackles teacher staffing cuts

VIRGINIA- The ISD 2142 School Board saved it’s most challenging tasks for last on Tuesday, those related to the release of teaching staff. Based on a projected budget shortfall for the 2024-25 … more

David Colburn | 3/27/24

Deal reached on additional state spending

REGIONAL- DFL and Republican legislators have differing viewpoints regarding the $512.5 million supplemental budget framework agreed to last week between Gov. Tim Walz and DFL legislative leaders. … more

David Colburn | 3/27/24

Obituaries: March 29, 2024

David J. Crego David Jonathan Crego, 69, a veteran of the Vietnam War and a longtime resident of Cook and Hibbing, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, surrounded by family. A Memorial Service … more

3/27/24

American theocracy

The America that our founders framed in our Constitution guaranteed religious freedom, yet that’s a tradition that is under threat in this country like never before. As we reported last week, a … more

3/20/24

Trygg Road offers a scenic drive through pine woods. But sharp rocks along the road are leaving drivers flat.

Is there a fix for the flats?

EAGLES NEST TWP— What to do about Trygg Road? That’s the quandary facing St. Louis County public works officials as last year’s rash of flat tires on this several mile-long stretch … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/20/24

Jacob White smiles during the most recent Ely Film Festival, which attracted huge crowds.

New leadership at Ely theater

ELY- It’s been nearly four years since Ely’s Historic State Theater reopened its doors for the first time. And it set another milestone this past week when the board of directors that … more

Catie Clark | 3/20/24

Board works on response to AIPAC complaints

REGIONAL- For a fourth consecutive year, the ISD 2142 St. Louis County Schools American Indian Parent Advisory Council (AIPAC) had found the district to be noncompliant with state Indian Education … more

David Colburn | 3/20/24

Measure could lead to full-time Legislature

REGIONAL- Minnesota voters could see a trio of subjects consolidated into a single constitutional amendment question slated for this November seeking to overhaul certain operations of the Minnesota … more

David Colburn | 3/20/24

Exploitation of children online is one of the issues lawmakers are hoping to address this year in the state Legislature.

Social media bills address multiple issues

REGIONAL- As the social media and artificial intelligence landscapes continue to evolve, legislators are playing catch-up, reacting to problems stemming from the technology that threatens online … more

David Colburn | 3/20/24

Enjoying a natural pool in a Puerto Rican forest.

Seeking heart, light, water, and coffee

Heartlessness has always been easy to find. But if you know where to look, you’ll find kind eyes and warm hearts too. Shiny palm tree fronds glitter in the sun. I can’t stop looking at … more

Jean Gendreu | 3/20/24

Experts discuss growing problem of rural suicide

REGIONAL- The growing problem of rural suicide and what can be be done to reverse the trend was the subject of an expert panel discussion earlier this month, sponsored by the Center for Rural Policy … more

David Colburn | 3/20/24

New book highlights the BWCAW’s darker side

REGIONAL— For the vast majority of visitors to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the experience is awe-inspiring. But for a very small number, a trip in the wilderness ends in tragedy. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/20/24

Greenwood residents voting at the Greenwood Township annual meeting.

Greenwood hosts a busy annual meeting

GREENWOOD TWP- Greenwood’s annual meeting, held here March 12, was contentious from the start. With a nearly full house, Carmen DeLuca asked for a paper ballot to select the meeting’s … more

Jodi Summit | 3/20/24

What are your body rhythms telling you?

I promised in my previous column to write in more detail about the rhythms of the body as utilized in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to assess, diagnose, treat, and prevent illness. Oriental … more

Betty Firth | 3/20/24

Council sets hearing on 45 Boundary St. violations

ELY- After months of little to no progress on the unsafe residence at 45 E. Boundary St., the Ely City Council scheduled a public hearing for 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, to discuss mitigation … more

Catie Clark | 3/20/24

Kes Ebbs (left) and Lou Wiggen (right) introduce the newly-incorporated SAGE Foundation at the March 12 Tuesday Group meeting. The group is hosting a fundraiser at the Ely Folk School this weekend, on both Saturday and Sunday from 5-7 p.m. with pizza, Dorothy Molter root beer, and a silent auction.

New nonprofit seeks to help local college students

ELY- Elyites Kes Ebbs and Lou Wiggen introduced the SAGE Foundation, a new a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, at last week’s Tuesday Group meeting. SAGE, which stands for “Students Achieving Goals … more

Catie Clark | 3/20/24

Orr council scrutinzes city operations at special meeting

ORR- Meeting in a special session on Monday, Orr City Council members made quick work of two business items before turning their attention to a lengthy discussion of a number of items that could … more

David Colburn | 3/20/24

Nursing Honor Guard formed for our area

REGIONAL- Paying tribute to nurses at their time of death is the mission of the newly-formed Northern Range Nursing Honor Guard. A group of nurses, some working, some retired, are now offering free … more

Jodi Summit | 3/20/24