News - The Timberjay

Snowmobilers have been out in force in recent weeks and that’s been a boon to the local economy. Abundant snow this winter has made for good riding.

REGIONAL—When it comes to the winter economy in the North Country, those who cater to outdoor enthusiasts have a common refrain: “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.”It’s … more

Marshall Helmberger | 2/24/23

Board rejects participation in ambulance joint powers

GREENWOOD TWP- “We are asking you to join an organization, to come to the table, and be part of the solution,” Tower city council member Kevin Norby told the Greenwood Town Board on … more

Jodi Summit | 5/10/23

Hauschild campaign fined for finance violation

REGIONAL— The campaign committee for Sen. Grant Hauschild has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $3,853.62 for overspending on Hauschild’s 2022 campaign. After a review, staff members of … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/26/23

Grant Hauschild, a member of the task force talks about the challenges to rural ambulance service;

Legislators hear similar message on EMS funding needs

MT IRON— Members of the Legislature’s Emergency Medical Services Task Force heard a consistent message during a packed Dec. 13 field hearing here, called to take input from ambulance … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/20/23

Northshore to recall workers but questions still remain

REGIONAL- As area and state politicians joyfully shared the news Monday that laid off Northshore Mining workers were being recalled for an April re-start of operations in Babbitt and Silver Bay, … more

David Colburn | 2/22/23

New co-owner Paula Dundas and now-former owner Joe Kruchowski behind the minnow tanks at Northwoods Bait and Tackle in Cook.

New blood at old bait shop

COOK – It’s been a fishing opener tradition for over three decades for some anglers who’ve counted on the Northwoods Bait and Tackle in Cook to fill their bait buckets on their way … more

David Colburn | 5/10/23

Obituaries: July 28, 2023

William M. Wyman William M. “Morrie” Wyman, 83, of Orr, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. A celebration of life will be held from … more

7/26/23

NewRange Copper nets a legal win over air permit

REGIONAL— After a string of legal defeats, NewRange Copper, formerly PolyMet Mining, and the state’s Pollution Control Agency, chalked up a win in a challenge to its air emissions permit. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/20/23

State projects $3.7 billion budget surplus

REGIONAL – Minnesota legislators have an even larger budget surplus than anticipated to work with this session. The Minnesota Department of Management and Budget (MMB) released its February … more

David Colburn | 3/6/24

With tongues hanging out, sled dogs make their way toward the finish line during last year’s running of the WolfTrack Classic.

Ely goes to the dogs

ELY- It is impossible to think of this city at the end of the road without noting its history of sled dog racing— and the WolfTrack Classic has become the latest iteration of that longstanding … more

Catie Clark | 2/22/23

Large segments of this former railroad bridge are falling into the East Two River. A total collapse could inundate Tower-Soudan’s drinking water wells and pump station.

Crumbling bridge risks T-S water supply

BREITUNG TWP— The recent rapid deterioration of a bridge along a former rail grade here is raising concerns about a possible threat to the drinking water source for both Tower and Soudan. The … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/10/23

Chimpy Tuominen poses with grandchildren Saija, Silas, and Sadie Snyder, along with co-workers during his final day on July 12.

A 47-year career at Zup’s Grocery in Tower

TOWER- Ever since he was a junior in high school, James “Chimpy” Tuominen has been working at Tower’s only grocery store. Nearly half a century later, he’s ready to retire. … more

Jodi Summit | 7/26/23

Kindergarteners perform during the school’s winter concert last week.

Signs of the Season

Signs of holiday spirits can be found in the most festive and solemn of places in the North Country. Timberjay photographers recently captured these images of the season. more

Timberjay staff | 12/20/23

With nearly bare ground, spring flood risk is historically low

REGIONAL- It’s likely that no one in the North Country was caught off guard by last week’s spring flood forecast issued by the National Weather Service office in Duluth, which concluded … more

David Colburn | 3/7/24

Board renews Engebritsen through 2026

FIELD TWP- The ISD 2142 school board expressed its confidence in the leadership of Superintendent Reggie Engebritson at its Nov. 22 meeting at North Woods School by unanimously approving a new … more

David Colburn | 12/1/22

Area ambulances recognized

REGIONAL— While some area ambulance services may be small, they’re getting the job done and then some, according to a recent certification from the state’s Emergency Medical … more

Marshall Helmberger | 2/22/23

New COVID strain fueling major rise in cases

REGIONAL- The entire northeast Arrowhead region of Minnesota has been upgraded from low to medium COVID activity status by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control this week, based on increased numbers … more

David Colburn | 12/20/23

ATVs drivers involved in two area incidents

REGIONAL- Two ATV incidents, including one with serious injuries, kept emergency responders on the run last week. On Friday evening, March 1, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office responded to … more

3/6/24

Obituaries: July 8, 2022

Marguerite Eyre Marguerite Eyre, 95, of Cook, passed away on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at the Cook Care Center. A private interment will be held at a later date. Memorials can be directed to the Cook … more

7/6/22

Wind turbines, like these at Taconite Ridge, are likely to play a major role in the ongoing energy transition.

New state law advances date for carbon-free power

REGIONAL- DFL legislators and Gov. Tim Walz put the state’s electric utilities on a fast track to carbon-free power generation last week when Walz signed a bill advancing the date for the total … more

David Colburn | 2/22/23

Three firefighters officially retiring

GREENWOOD TWP- Three now-former fire department members, Rick Worringer, Jet Galonski, and David Fazio, announced their intention to retire from the service during public comment this week. All three … more

Jodi Summit | 5/10/23

Pickleball moving ahead without township funding

GREENWOOD TWP— Planning and fundraising for a set of dedicated pickleball courts at Greenwood Town Hall will move forward as a result of town board action on Dec. 12. The board approved siting … more

Jodi Summit | 12/20/23

Tickets for Fiddler on the Roof selling fast

ELY- The widely acclaimed musical, “Fiddler on the Roof,” which has captivated audiences for 60 years, is set to open in Ely beginning Thursday, March 14 at the Vermilion Fine Arts … more

3/6/24

Troy Zupancich, at just seven weeks old, mostly napped through the Tower Fourth of July parade on Monday

Patriotism on display

Images of Independence Day celebrations in Ely, Tower, and Orr. See more pictures in the North Country section photo story "A Red, White, and Blue Celebration." more

Timberjay staff | 7/6/22

Paul Bunyan wins $10 million federal broadband grant

REGIONAL- Exercising perseverance, Paul Bunyan Communications (PBC) has secured federal funding for multiple proposed high-speed broadband projects, including one for an area north of Virginia that … more

David Colburn | 2/22/23