ORR — Halloween came early to Orr last Saturday with the annual Orr Lions Club pumpkin weigh-in and associated festivities at the Orr Center. Kids enjoyed art and pumpkin carving while everyone …

ELY—The first thing you notice about Dafne Caruso’s work isn’t the subject matter — it’s the colors. Electric purples dance across a familiar Ely storefront. A pink …

REGIONAL- While a federal vaccine advisory panel last week narrowed its COVID-19 recommendations and even flirted with requiring prescriptions, Minnesota health officials announced Monday …

BREITUNG TWP — After 22 years managing the McKinley Park Campground on Lake Vermilion, Susie and Jerry Chiabotti are going to retire. “We are 75 years old,” said Susie, “and …

NETT LAKE- The Bois Forte Band’s powwow at Nett Lake took a flavorful turn on Sunday when the celebration of the wild rice harvest included the event’s first-ever wild rice cooking …

SOUDAN — The Breitung Town Board affirmed their commitment to doing a Joint Comprehensive Plan with the city of Tower at their last board meeting on Sept. 16. A comprehensive plan is a tool …

EMBARRASS — The Northwoods Saddle Club voted on Wednesday, Sept. 17 to accept the proposal from the Embarrass Region Community Association (formerly the Embarrass Region Fair Association). The …

Marjorie J. McPeak Marjorie Jean “Marge” McPeak, 90, of Tower, passed away on Thursday, Sept.18, 2025. A gathering time for family and friends will be held on Sunday, Sept. 28 at Hope …

BABBITT— The ongoing debate over the regulation of sulfate discharges from Iron Range taconite mines has centered, at least to date, on the perception that expensive reverse osmosis is the only …

VIRGINIA— The Iron Range is facing economic challenges, but most speakers at the State of the Range event, held here Sept. 17, offered warnings mixed with hope for the future of the region. …

ELY — Ely Marathon weekend was one for the record books, with new world records set in both the full and half portage marathons. As the only long-distance race in the world with a canoe portage …

BABBITT— Residents here packed their city council chambers Monday during a four-hour meeting in which the council tried to set a preliminary levy for 2026. A previously proposed levy increase …

VIRGINIA- A parent of North Woods School students took the ISD 2142 school board to task Tuesday night over the confusion and frustration created when third grade class assignments were unexpectedly …

TOWER — Buddy Bears have become an important tool for first responders in our area, thanks to the ABATE motorcycle group from central Minnesota. American Bikers for Awareness, Training, and …

KUGLER TWP — In the time it took to make lunch, Nancy Kotzian realized that her 76-year-old husband, Tim, who has been suffering from some serious health issues, had wandered out of their yard …

ELY—The city council here unanimously approved a maximum 2026 levy Tuesday night that includes a 6.54 percent increase. The city’s total projected budget would increase to $2.464 million …

REGIONAL- Minnesota’s deer farmers have come up short again in their legal battle to stop a state law that many say will drive their industry out of existence. In a decision handed down July …

TOWER — Area students learned some new games, stories, and Indigenous culture this past week when retired phy ed teacher Dan Ninham visited area schools, spreading his knowledge of Indigenous …

REGIONAL — A study by the St. Paul-based nonprofit, Majority in the Middle, suggests that bipartisanship is still alive in the Minnesota Legislature, despite the increasing sense of political …

Donald Markwardt Donald “Don” Markwardt, 97, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, at Edgewood Assisted Living in Virginia. In accordance with Don’s wishes, there will …

ELY- The Ely Marathon is celebrating its 10th year, and the unique series of races has been growing in popularity. This year is no exception. It’s the only marathon in the world where you are …

LAKE VERMILION — The battle over the Rough N It campground on Black Bay showed no sign of ending at the Sept. 9 meeting of the St. Louis County Board, where commissioners voted to keep legal …

ELY — It’s 2 a.m. on a Saturday night, and most sensible people are asleep. But Steven Solkela, known for his one-man band performances, is standing on Chapman Street with his accordion, …

REGIONAL— Gov. Tim Walz is hoping to become Minnesota’s longest-serving governor. He made that explicit with his announcement on Tuesday that he will seek a third, four-year term as the …

REGIONAL — A Tower man and an Eveleth woman are facing multiple charges after a stolen vehicle pursuit on Interstate 94 on Monday led to a standoff and temporary highway closure in Douglas …