ELY — When the call came in from the state last Friday, Ely Fire Chief Dave Marshall answered. State fire coordinators were requesting 12 structural engine crews to converge on a fast-moving …

GREENWOOD TWP — A yet-to-be-spent federal COVD-era grant the township received at least four years ago will need to be repaid to the federal government. That was the surprising news offered to the …

ELY — The city council gave unanimous approval Monday to move forward with Phase 1 of a new pickleball facility to be built on the hill above Semer’s Park, with city staff handling initial site …

REGIONAL — In a stated effort to save money, the U.S. Postal Service has enacted new rules this past week which will delay postal delivery for customers in northeastern Minnesota. The new policy, …

TOWER — A financially struggling charter school in Mt. Iron, the East Range Academy of Arts and Science, or ERATS, will be incorporated into Vermilion Country School, effective July 1. The existing …

REGIONAL — Former state Sen. Justin Eichorn pleaded guilty last Thursday to a reduced federal felony charge stemming from the undercover teen solicitation sting that led to his arrest in 2025. …

REGIONAL — A sweeping infrastructure bonding package approved by the Minnesota Legislature in the final hours before adjournment Sunday includes direct funding for projects in Ely and Cook while …

EMBARRASS — “This is where it all started,” said Jim Kramar, President/CEO of the Embarrass Vermillion Federal Credit Union. On Tuesday, credit union staff and board members gathered for a …

Thomas J. Strom Thomas John “Tom” Strom, 57, of Ely and Hoffman, passed away on Dec. 6, 2025, surrounded by family. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 13 at the Hoffman …

ORR — A 48-year-old Portage Township man is accused of shooting at a firefighting aircraft battling a wildland fire north of Orr on Friday, striking the plane as it worked the blaze last week. …

REGIONAL—The Timberjay is pleased to announce that it has hired journalist Ben Austin through its partnership with Report for America. Ben is one of 78 journalists that Report for America is …

REGIONAL — Anthony Hamilton never wanted to run for Congress. The Moore farmer and residential maintenance worker has retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition that has cost him his …

GREENWOOD TWP — At the suggestion of both the township attorney Steve Couri and the Minnesota Association of Townships attorney Steve Fenske, the Greenwood Town Board has asked the St. Louis County …

ELY — The Ely school board voted unanimously Monday to cut positions and reduce hours across multiple departments as initial steps to close a roughly $600,000 budget gap. The changes will occur at …

TOWER— The city council here gave approval Monday night to a $1.23 million bid from Valint Construction to build a new rental hangar at the city’s airport. The big question still hanging over …

REGIONAL — Rural hospital leaders from across Minnesota gathered at the state Capitol on Tuesday urging House lawmakers to pass legislation they say is critical to keeping small-town hospitals …

BEATTY TWP — One person died and three others were injured Tuesday evening following a boat crash near Manbeck Island on Lake Vermilion, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. The …

TOWER — Residents driving through Tower this week finally saw something many had nearly stopped expecting: heavy equipment moving dirt at the harbor development site. After more than two decades of …

ELY — A recent press release to the Timberjay came with an unusual request, to send a couple staff members to serve as background extras in a film being shot in the area. I and one of our stringer …

Conrad Gill Conrad Gill, of Ely, passed away with his wife by his side on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 16 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely …

TOWER — The city council here has given the green light to exploring the creation of a joint powers board to operate the Tower Area Ambulance Service. At a special meeting last Thursday, the …

ELY — A National Weather Service flood warning was in effect for the South Kawishiwi River near Ely on Thursday, with high water affecting the White Iron Chain of Lakes and dozens of lakes and …

REGIONAL — Minnesota senators have approved a sweeping health and human services budget that sends funding to hospitals, ambulance services, and food banks, as the state tries to keep up with …

REGIONAL — The Minnesota Senate on Monday approved a sweeping gun control package that would ban the future sale of assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, but there is no path forward …

REGIONAL — Minnesota lawmakers are trying to steady the state’s public broadcasting system after a major federal funding cut, but two House proposals aimed at helping radio and television …