News - The Timberjay

Legislative efforts to control chronic wasting disease in wild deer populations by heavily regulating white tail deer farmers has the state of Minnesota facing a federal lawsuit.

Federal suit filed over deer farm regulations

REGIONAL- Has Minnesota gone too far in imposing regulations on cervid farms intended to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease? A lawsuit filed with the Minnesota federal district court in … more

David Colburn | 4/3/24

Gordy Adams Jr. a victim of house fire

NETT LAKE- A house fire here on Sunday, March 24 claimed the life of the home’s resident, 66-year-old Gordon Adams Jr., marking a significant loss for the Nett Lake community. Adams was … more

David Colburn | 4/3/24

You’ll want to use special eclipse glasses to see Monday’s partial eclipse in Minnesota.

Partial solar eclipse to be visible in area April 8

REGIONAL- The North Country will experience a partial solar eclipse this coming Monday, as the sun will be partially blocked by the moon as it passes between the sun and Earth. The partial solar … more

Catie Clark | 4/3/24

Chavers, Drift top Bois Forte primary election results

BOIS FORTE RESERVATION- Incumbent Bois Forte Band Chair Cathy Chavers outdueled three competitors in the Bois Forte Band’s primary election on Tuesday but will still face a challenge in the … more

David Colburn | 4/3/24

Long-time supervisor Chuck Tekautz joins his wife, Nancy, at a table in back of the meeting hall. Tekautz has retired after 18 years of service to the township.

New faces at the table in Breitung Township

SOUDAN- Breitung Township continued its transition to a younger generation at the town board’s reorganization meeting held March 28. Longtime supervisor Chuck Tekautz, who served on the town … more

Stephanie Ukkola | 4/3/24

Police Patrol Office Bradley Roy presented Ely’s new interactive evacuation map at Tuesday’s city council meeting.

Ely updates its emergency response plan

ELY- Ely Police Patrol Officer Bradley Roy presented Ely’s new online interactive evacuation map during the April 2 meeting of the city council here. He also presented Ely’s portion of … more

Catie Clark | 4/3/24

Clarification of last week’s story on permitting reform

EDITOR’S NOTE: Last week’s news report on an amendment to a bill reforming the permitting process for certain energy projects, authored by Sen. Grant Hauschild, included provisions in the … more

4/3/24

Scenic Rivers seeks support from communities

REGIONAL- “We love what we do and the people we serve and want to continue to create a solid foundation for Scenic Rivers Health Services to build off for generations to come,” said Kara … more

Jodi Summit | 4/3/24

Obituaries: April 5, 2024

Gordon C. Adams Jr. Gordon “Jones” Clifford Adams Jr., 66, longtime resident of Nett Lake, died on Sunday, March 24, 2024, in his home from a tragic house fire. A wake was held on Friday, … more

4/3/24

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

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

City maintenance supervisor Ben Velcheff plows N. Third St. in Tower on Monday.

Packin’ a punch

REGIONAL— A major double-barreled snowstorm dumped as much as a foot of snow on the North Country this week, and considerably more along the North Shore of Lake Superior, providing the region … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/27/24

Newly-elected supervisors Lois Roskoski and Craig Gilbert.

Newcomer Roskoski elected as board chair

GREENWOOD TWP- Newly-elected supervisor Lois Roskoski was unanimously elected chair at the Greenwood’s reorganization meeting on March 21. Paul Skubic was elected to serve as vice-chair. … more

Jodi Summit | 3/27/24

Walz touts progress, calls for more action on guns

REGIONAL- Gov. Tim Walz delivered his annual State of the State message on Tuesday evening with a new school in Owatonna serving as backdrop to highlight his administration’s accomplishments … more

David Colburn | 3/27/24

Area projects get $1.6 million from IRRR

REGIONAL- The Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation will be sending out $1.6 million to support four North Country projects related to broadband, infrastructure, and housing after … more

David Colburn | 3/27/24

Residents delay setting levy, show support for ambulance levy

SOUDAN- Amber Zak and Erin Peitso are new members of Breitung Township government following their election as town clerk and supervisor respectively in the township elections held March 12. Both Zak … more

Stephanie Ukkola | 3/27/24

School board tackles teacher staffing cuts

VIRGINIA- The ISD 2142 School Board saved it’s most challenging tasks for last on Tuesday, those related to the release of teaching staff. Based on a projected budget shortfall for the 2024-25 … more

David Colburn | 3/27/24

Deal reached on additional state spending

REGIONAL- DFL and Republican legislators have differing viewpoints regarding the $512.5 million supplemental budget framework agreed to last week between Gov. Tim Walz and DFL legislative leaders. … more

David Colburn | 3/27/24

Obituaries: March 29, 2024

David J. Crego David Jonathan Crego, 69, a veteran of the Vietnam War and a longtime resident of Cook and Hibbing, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, surrounded by family. A Memorial Service … more

3/27/24

Trygg Road offers a scenic drive through pine woods. But sharp rocks along the road are leaving drivers flat.

Is there a fix for the flats?

EAGLES NEST TWP— What to do about Trygg Road? That’s the quandary facing St. Louis County public works officials as last year’s rash of flat tires on this several mile-long stretch … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/20/24

Jacob White smiles during the most recent Ely Film Festival, which attracted huge crowds.

New leadership at Ely theater

ELY- It’s been nearly four years since Ely’s Historic State Theater reopened its doors for the first time. And it set another milestone this past week when the board of directors that … more

Catie Clark | 3/20/24

Board works on response to AIPAC complaints

REGIONAL- For a fourth consecutive year, the ISD 2142 St. Louis County Schools American Indian Parent Advisory Council (AIPAC) had found the district to be noncompliant with state Indian Education … more

David Colburn | 3/20/24

Measure could lead to full-time Legislature

REGIONAL- Minnesota voters could see a trio of subjects consolidated into a single constitutional amendment question slated for this November seeking to overhaul certain operations of the Minnesota … more

David Colburn | 3/20/24

Exploitation of children online is one of the issues lawmakers are hoping to address this year in the state Legislature.

Social media bills address multiple issues

REGIONAL- As the social media and artificial intelligence landscapes continue to evolve, legislators are playing catch-up, reacting to problems stemming from the technology that threatens online … more

David Colburn | 3/20/24