News - The Timberjay

Loss of health coverage a new threat for many

REGIONAL- COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths remain low across the state, but another threat from the fading pandemic is looming over thousands of Minnesotans– loss of their Medicaid … more

David Colburn | 2/15/23

Vermilion Dam Lodge owner Ed Tausk received a Friends of EMS Award on July 11 for developing and procuring a Landing Zone for Emergency Services to use when an Air Medical Helicopter is requested for the transport of ill or injured patients in the Vermilion Dam Lodge area. On hand to present the award were, from right to left, Dylan Ferguson, Executive Director and Charles Soucheray, Specialist, Minnesota Emergency Medical Service Regulatory Board, Ed Tausk, award recipient, Tyler Wiegman, Partner Engagement Manager LLIII, Adam Shadiow, Executive Director, Arrowhead EMS Association-Duluth, and Roland Shoen, Director, Cook Ambulance.

Tausk receives EMS award for helicopter landing zone

LAKE VERMILION- A Lake Vermilion lodge owner was recognized recently for his efforts to make emergency medical helicopter flights more accessible by creating a dedicated landing zone on his property. … more

7/20/23

Ely Blues Fest 2009 [Photo gallery]

8/10/09

ISD 696 board adopts budget

ELY – School board members here last week unanimously approved a balanced budget for 2022-23 that calls for $8.2 million in revenues and expenditures.Despite a noticeable drop in enrollment and … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/6/22

Obituaries: September 16, 2022

Leroy Anderson Leroy “Putsy” Anderson, 77, of Lake Vermilion-Tower, crossed over to his lake house in the sky on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, after many days of being surrounded by family and … more

9/14/22

WELY Radio station has sold, but will operate out of a new studio when it comes back on the air after the FCC approves the sale and license transfer.

WELY sold to Wisconsin-based radio group

ELY— It’s not the end of the road for WELY Radio after all, as the Bois Forte Band announced Tuesday that they have found a buyer for the iconic “End of the Road Radio,” … more

12/1/22

Purchases during the Dollars for Doggies online auction go to help cover expenses of operating the WolfTrack Classic sled dog races, set for next Feb. 24-25 in Ely.

Dollars for Doggies online auction starts Sunday

ELY- Three things are needed to hold a sled dog race: snow, sled dog teams, and money. Yes, money. The entry fees for Ely’s WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race don’t cover the full cost of … more

Catie Clark | 10/4/23

Council commits to ambulance service improvements

ELY – City council members here unanimously agreed to commit taxpayer dollars and work with other area governments and the Ely Area Ambulance Joint Powers Board to purchase a vacant building in … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/6/22

County joins national monarch protection agreement

REGIONAL- In a win-win Tuesday for monarch butterflies and St. Louis County, the board of commissioners approved an agreement that will provide more butterfly habitat along the county’s … more

David Colburn | 10/4/23

Another group of ‘heroes’ to get state bonus

REGIONAL- Applications for “Hero Pay” for frontline COVID pandemic workers continue to exceed expectations with still a month to go before applications close. But another group of … more

David Colburn | 7/6/22

Lawmakers seek extended UI for N’Shore mine workers

REGIONAL- Prolonged layoffs and the end of unemployment benefits for idled Northshore Mining workers in Babbitt and Silver Bay signal an uncertain future as two area legislators vow to press forward … more

David Colburn | 12/1/22

County Sheriff remains concerned over SRO law change

REGIONAL—St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay indicated he remains concerned about a change in state law that limits the types of physical force that school officials, including student … more

Marshall Helmberger | 10/4/23

Obituaries: March 1, 2024

Christina Premo Christina Premo, 56, lost her strong fight on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. She took her last breaths in her sleep while surrounded by the ones she loved most. She was blessed to be able … more

2/28/24

Tower Ambulance Commission to look at ways to move forward

TOWER- The Tower Area Ambulance Commission intends to move forward, albeit slowly, and look at a different business models to oversee the area’s ambulance service.Rural ambulance services … more

Jodi Summit | 7/6/22

Timberjay’s new Ely editor now on the job

ELY— The Timberjay’s new Ely editor will be on the job starting Friday, beginning her full-time coverage of news and events in the Ely area. Catherine “Catie” Helm-Clark and … more

12/1/22

Tower’s harbor could soon be the site for major development after years of false starts and delay.

Major players seek to join harbor development

TOWER— After decades of public investment, false starts, and dashed hopes, major development at Tower’s harbor and adjacent riverfront may finally be coming soon. At a special July 20 … more

Jodi Summit | 7/26/23

Ely City Council purr-fects its pet ordinances

ELY- Cat owners in Ely are off the hook. The Ely City Council voted to drop the licensing requirements for pets other than dogs. Mayor Heidi Omerza noted that the rewrite of the city’s pet … more

Catie Clark | 10/4/23

Township to enact short-term rental moratorium

EAGLES NEST TWP- Short-term vacation rentals are coming under new scrutiny and are likely to face at least a temporary moratorium based on town board action here on Tuesday. The town board will vote … more

Jodi Summit | 9/21/22

Student Kai Contreras-Pieratos shows off the last remaining bite or two of his piece of pie.

Eats to be thankful for

TOWER- Thanksgiving came a few days early at Vermilion Country School. The meal was traditional: turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, cheesy potatoes, green beans, rolls, cranberries, and plenty … more

Jodi Summit | 12/1/22

Town board meeting public comment changes denied

GREENWOOD TWP- The Greenwood Town Board, Tuesday, denied a request from resident Lee Peterson to move public comments at the meeting to the top of the agenda.“The public can’t comment on … more

Jodi Summit | 2/15/23

ngrid Lyons (left) and Becky Rom presented an overview of the Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness strategy for protecting the Boundary Waters at the July 25 Tuesday Group meeting at the Grand Ely Lodge.

NMW lays out strategy for BWCAW protection

ELY- While the U.S. Department of the Interior has banned mineral leases for 20 years on 225,000 acres within the Rainy River watershed on the Superior National Forest, Ely-based Northeastern … more

Catie Clark | 7/26/23

High court hears arguments in PolyMet case

REGIONAL— Minnesota’s highest court heard arguments Wednesday that may or may not send a key permit for the proposed PolyMet mine back to square one. While the state’s nine top … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/1/22

Obituaries: February 17, 2023

Mark LeustekMark Leustek, 53, of Ely, died on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Arrangements are with … more

2/15/23

Greenwood rep on the hot seat at ambulance meeting

TOWER- Greenwood Township Board Chair John Bassing spent time on the hot seat during a Tower Ambulance Commission meeting that started late and ended early as a result of ambulance calls requiring … more

Jodi Summit | 7/26/23

Operation Santa toy drive almost ready

TOWER- Donations are still needed for this year’s Operation Santa toy drive. We already have over 180 children on our list, so it is looking like the need will be higher than in the past few … more

12/13/23