News - The Timberjay

PolyMet, Teck Resources launch joint venture

REGIONAL—Canadian-based PolyMet Mining and Teck Resources have launched a joint venture to bring two of the largest known deposits of copper-nickel and precious metals on the Duluth Complex … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/27/22

Green light for chickens in Tower

TOWER— The city council here gave final approval late last week to a new ordinance allowing the keeping of up to five hens within the city limits. Acting Mayor Joe Morin presided over the early … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/16/23

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

MCEA: ‘Jobs’ mantra transitioning to ‘renewable energy’ argument

ELY – Sulfide mining companies are subtly shifting their rhetoric and messaging about the proposed projects in northern Minnesota.“No one is probably more familiar with this rhetoric over … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/27/22

ISD 696 fumbles communications twice in a row

ELY- For the second time in a row, the Ely School Board faced a room overflowing with teachers and parents at their May 22 meeting, this time over concerns about the schedule for the 2023-24 school … more

Catie Clark | 5/24/23

A party at Peyla’s Arrowhead Garage in Tower for the arrival of the 1957 Dodge models.

PEYLAS MADE THEIR MARK

TOWER- It was a full house here last week when Dick Peyla offered a look into the history of his family in the area as part of a presentation sponsored by the Tower-Soudan Historical Society. … more

Jodi Summit | 8/16/23

An excavator hauls rock across the east parking lot on the Ely school campus Tuesday morning as work continues on $21.5 million building and renovation project.

Ely school construction project finish line looms

ELY – The $21.5 million building and renovation project on the ISD 696 campus here is quickly headed for the Labor Day completion finish line, and with about a month to go, just seven percent … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/28/22

Ebel VNP tasing video making splash on YouTube

REGIONAL- Outside of the Timberjay’s ongoing coverage since last summer, regional media outlets have shown little interest in the tasing of Ash River houseboat owner Justin Ebel by Voyageurs … more

David Colburn | 5/24/23

Hoodoo Point Campground tops city agenda

TOWER—The Hoodoo Point Campground dominated discussion at the city council meeting here on Monday, as the council discussed a rate increase for seasonal campers, a new playground, and limits on … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/16/23

A back view of the Pike River Dam and Engineer's House.

The ill-fated hydropower experiment of 1912

TOWER- Members of the Tower-Soudan Historical Society gathered at the Herbert R. Lamppa Civic Center on Sept. 27 for the group’s annual meeting. Tucker Nelson, editor of the Hometown Focus, … more

Jodi Summit | 10/5/22

Flat state aids push county levy higher

REGIONAL— St. Louis County spending will have increased 14.6 percent over the past five years, based on the 2023 budget approved earlier this month by the county board. At the same time, the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/21/22

Fur flies over proposed Ely pet ordinance

ELY- Ely Police Chief Chad Houde and City Attorney Kelly Klun presented a revised pet ordinance to the Ely City Council on Tuesday, but didn’t anticipate the concerned reactions of three … more

Catie Clark | 8/16/23

ISD 696 facing major budget shortfall

ELY- ISD 696 Superintendent Anne Oelke revealed here this week that the Ely Public Schools is facing a nearly half million-dollar deficit in its 2024-25 budget. The school district’s 2024-25 … more

Catie Clark | 3/27/24

Prospective North Country broadband supplier under fire

REGIONAL- In a move that could have major implications for the expansion of broadband internet services in the North Country, prospective developer LTD Broadband has come under fire again from two … more

David Colburn | 5/12/22

Northshore shutdown extended to next April

REGIONAL- The uncertainty surrounding the future of Northshore Mining taconite mining and processing operations in Babbitt and Silver Bay was magnified last week when parent company Cleveland Cliffs … more

David Colburn | 7/27/22

Obituaries: October 7, 2022

Daniel D. Rutchasky Daniel “Dan” David Rutchasky, 57, of Cook, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at Mlaker Funeral … more

10/5/22

IRRRB grants funds to three area projects

REGIONAL- Last week’s meeting of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board yielded windfalls for infrastructure projects in local communities. The city of Orr landed $243,411 toward the … more

8/16/23

Tower woman killed in crash on Hwy. 169

WUORI – A 61-year-old Tower woman, who was the passenger in a vehicle driven by an intoxicated driver, was killed here last Saturday evening when the 2013 Chevy Impala she was riding in … more

Marshall Helmberger | 10/25/23

Ely School Board re-elects Ray Marsnik as board chair

ELY- Ray Marsnik is known for running meetings that are tight, transparent, and fair. It was no surprise, therefore, when his colleagues on the Ely school board elected him board chair once again, a … more

Catie Clark | 1/10/24

Data reflects vibrance of Ely economy

ELY- Ely was a giant of business development in 2023 according to data recently provided by the Northland Small Business Development Center (SBDC). After the Ely Economic Development Authority heard … more

Catie Clark | 3/27/24

Fourth of July Vermilion Run in Tower [Photo gallery]

The 27th running of the Vermilion Fourth of July Celebration 10K run, 3-mile walk, and 1-mile kids run seems to be getting bigger and better each year – thanks to what everyone agreed this year was … more

7/30/09

VCC students walk out for women’s rights

ELY- More than two dozen Vermilion Community College students and faculty participated in a walk-out on Friday to protest the anticipated U.S. Supreme Court ruling that could overturn the Roe v. Wade … more

Keith Vandervort | 5/11/22

Temporary power outage planned for repair work on Tuesday

REGIONAL- Lake Country Power members near Cook and Tower will be without power starting at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11, for approximately one hour.The outage will affect Lake Country Power members … more

10/6/22

K-2 students at T-S Elementary sang songs of thanks for the season.

Sounds of the season

Holidays are merrier with music, and North Country communities have been merry indeed with the songs of the season performed by young and old alike. Timberjay photographers captured a few images of … more

Timberjay staff | 12/21/22

Cousins Zaija Schroeder and Lily Russell work side-by-side.

Pumpkin season

TOWER- With over 200 pumpkins spread in piles inside the Herb Lamppa Civic Center here, there was no shortage of work to do for the families who attended this year’s pumpkin carving party on … more

Jodi Summit | 10/25/23