News - The Timberjay

Ely’s “Frozen” ticket sales topped $11,500

ELY- The final curtain may have dropped over a month ago on Ely high school’s production of “Disney’s Frozen, The Broadway Musical;” but the final business of the musical … more

Catie Clark | 2/28/24

Garbage hauling tops city council agenda

ELY- While the cold and snowy spring weather certainly can’t be her fault, Ely Mayor Heidi Omerza opened the May 2 council meeting with an apology. She had earlier declared 2023 the “Year … more

Jodi Summit | 5/3/23

Joe Froehlingsdorf helps his children Agnes and Joey hold his 911 Lifesaver Award as his wife Ida holds their daughter Amelia. Presenting the award was Sheriff Gordon Ramsay, left, with commissioners Mike Jugovich, Paul McDonald, and Annie Harala looking on.

Cook man recognized for saving infant child's life

COOK- Joe Froehlingsdorf, of Cook, got the only reward he so desperately wanted when he saved the life of his infant daughter Amelia last September, but the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office … more

David Colburn | 9/28/23

MPUC approves Minnesota Power interim rate hike

REGIONAL— The state’s Public Utilities Commission, or MPUC, has approved an interim rate increase for Minnesota Power customers that is expected to increase the average residential … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/13/23

Obituaries: May 10, 2024

Rebecca L. Swan Rebecca Lynn “Becky” Swan, “Waawiyaasinokwe” Whirlwind Woman, 45, of Virginia, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in her home. A funeral service was … more

5/9/24

Math intervention to world class musician

ELY – Many years ago in a small town in east central Germany, a little girl named Chambriel Ridings was living on an Army base where her dad was stationed, and she struggled with math. To … more

Rachel Brophy | 11/23/22

Broadband project nearing completion in Cook

COOK- While emerging springtime has area residents prognosticating again about the most likely day for ice-out on Lake Vermilion, Cook residents have something else they’re looking forward to … more

David Colburn | 5/3/23

Obituaries: September 29, 2023

Judy B. Stapleton Judy B. Stapleton, 82, of Mt. Iron, formerly of Tower, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, at Essentia Health - St. Mary’s Medical Center Hospice Unit in Duluth. The … more

9/27/23

Tower Fire Hall rehab gets $290,000 from IRRR

REGIONAL- Tower and Breitung Township received good news last week when the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Advisory Board awarded projects in those communities totaling $365,000. The city of … more

David Colburn | 12/13/23

WELY looks at returning to the airwaves in April

ELY- After a wait of a year and a half, WELY, Ely’s radio station, may soon be coming back to life. “We’ll be getting back on the air in early to mid-April,” said local radio … more

Catie Clark | 2/28/24

Sports betting bill faces long odds of passage

REGIONAL- What began the legislative session wrapped in an aura of optimism is now the target of widespread pessimistic speculation as the clock ticks down on the dwindling chance to pass a bill … more

David Colburn | 5/9/24

Greenwood to consult attorney on payment for McGrath study

GREENWOOD TWP- The Greenwood Town Board, on Tuesday, approved the recommendations of the township’s ambulance committee, which the board formed last year to review and advise on the results of … more

Jodi Summit | 2/15/23

Film crew drops plan to change movie name

The producers of a motion picture currently being filmed in Ely have changed their minds about the film’s title following pushback from local residents. Recently, the movie’s producer, … more

Catie Clark | 5/3/23

Loam is a new game created by Max Helmberger to introduce players to the world of soil ecology.

Loam game now available at the Timberjay

TOWER- Did you know there are more living things in a spoonful of soil that there are people on this planet? Soil biologist Max Helmberger, of Tower, has been fascinated by the tiny creatures that … more

Jodi Summit | 12/13/23

CDC to loosen COVID isolation rules

REGIONAL- The Centers for Disease Control is reportedly considering changing its COVID isolation guidelines so that infected people would no longer need to stay home if they’ve been fever free … more

David Colburn | 2/28/24

Finalists Rebecca Buck, left, and Rachel Betterley, center, celebrate with Washburn High Minneapolis teacher Tracy Byrd moments after he was named the 2024 Minnesota Teacher of the Year on Sunday

Betterley feted at teacher of the year ceremony in St. Paul

REGIONAL- From her successful pageantry exploits, North Woods art teacher Rachel Betterley is certainly accustomed to large crowds, but on Sunday the setting was a bit different. Hundreds of … more

David Colburn | 5/9/24

Obituaries: July 1, 2022

Nancy A. Yapel Nancy Ann Yapel, 76, of Tower, passed away on Monday, June 20, 2022. At her request, no funeral is planned. Instead, the immediate family will attend a private burial service in Tower … more

6/29/22

Town board to downsize McKinley Park improvements

SOUDAN- Only $18,000 of a $30,000 Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) funding request was granted to Breitung Township for improvements to McKinley Park and Stuntz Bay. This means … more

Stephanie Ukkola | 5/4/23

Just who was Charlemagne Tower?

TOWER- Amateur historian Mary Palcich Keyes has plenty to say about Tower’s namesake, Charlemagne Tower, whose name lives on even though he never visited the area. During a talk presented at … more

Jodi Summit | 9/29/23

Carol Carlson (right) hands over keys to the Comet to Ryan and Stephanie Horner.

New owners at Comet Theater in Cook

COOK- It’s the end of one era and the beginning of another in the storied history of the Comet Theater in Cook, as owner Carol Carlson announced this week that she has sold the business to … more

David Colburn | 5/3/23

Storm damage in Soudan being assessed; costs still being tallied

SOUDAN – Recent storm damage was the main topic of conversation at the Breitung Township regular board meeting held on Thursday, June 23. Maintenance Supervisor Tom Gorsma reported that in … more

Rachel Brophy | 6/29/22

Bois Forte Native Names Map to be unveiled Nov. 30

TOWER—Mesaba, Biwabik, Kawishiwi, Saganaga—these northern Minnesota place names are among many easily recognized as having native origins associated with the region’s indigenous … more

11/23/22

Obituaries: December 15, 2023

Rodney E. Loe Rodney “Rod” Eugene Loe, 88, iconic Elyite and beloved and respected son, brother, soldier, businessman, husband, uncle, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, … more

12/13/23

Minnesota announces first case of monkeypox

REGIONAL- Minnesota joined the world in another health scare this week, announcing on Monday the state’s first case of monkeypox.As of Tuesday, 4,769 cases of monkeypox have been reported in 49 … more

David Colburn | 6/29/22

Breitung considers fire department cooperation

SOUDAN – With the retirement of Eagles Nest Fire Chief Larry McCray, Eagles Nest Township is looking at alternatives, and one possibility could be some type of collaboration with Breitung … more

Rachel Brophy | 11/23/22