News - The Timberjay

Native group faults school district’s Indian Ed performance

VIRGINIA- The ISD 2142 School Board zipped through its agenda on Tuesday, with little discussion and few questions.A letter from the district’s American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) … more

David Colburn | 3/1/23

Encouraging helium exploration results near Babbitt

STONY RIVER TWP- A 2011 discovery southeast of Babbitt may lead to production of one of the highest-demand natural commodities in the world: helium. While helium is the second-most abundant element … more

Catie Clark | 12/27/23

Township planning recreation improvement projects

SOUDAN- The town board here is working on several projects to improve the safety, beauty, and enjoyment of outdoor recreation in Breitung Township. At their regular meeting on Feb. 23, the board … more

Stephanie Ukkola | 3/1/23

Soudan’s siren back in action

SOUDAN- The mine siren, a long-time tradition in this area’s first and oldest mining town, has resumed its twice-daily sounding. The siren stopped working several years ago, and then needed to … more

Jodi Summit | 5/17/23

Ely finds developer for apartment project

ELY—At the city council meeting here on Tuesday, Ely Clerk-Treasurer Harold Langowski reported that the city has found a potential developer for its planned housing project after more than a … more

Catie Clark | 3/13/24

Concerns about North Woods aired

COOK- A student cornered and bullied as others recorded the attack on cell phones. Vaping in bathrooms. Openly disrespectful comments toward staff.What’s going on at North Woods School?These … more

David Colburn | 5/4/22

LTD’s winning bid for providing broadband coverage in northern St. Louis County includes the areas shadded in blue.

Troubled telecom faces state review

REGIONAL- The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) last week ordered an investigation of embattled telecom company LTD Broadband over concerns the small company may not be able to deliver on … more

David Colburn | 7/20/22

Costs rising rapidly for water treatment plant

TOWER— Delay has proven costly for the Tower-Breitung Wastewater Board’s long-planned new drinking water treatment plant and members of the board talked about a path forward at a special … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/1/23

ISD 2142 board gets ready for the new school year

VIRGINIA- The ISD 2142 school board took care of a number of personnel and operational items at their July 25 regular business meeting in preparation for the upcoming 2023-24 school year. The … more

David Colburn | 8/2/23

Tower looks to update its charter

TOWER— City officials here are looking at possible changes to the city’s charter, a key city document that hasn’t been updated since 1997, according to Mayor Dave Setterberg. Some … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/13/24

These Mayo Clinic COVID hotspot maps show the projected spread and increase of COVID-19 cases through May 14.

COVID cases on the rise as latest Omicron subvariant takes hold

REGIONAL- With less than half of Minnesotans up to date on their COVID vaccinations and recommended boosters, cases are slowly but steadily on the rise as a new and still more transmissible Omicron … more

David Colburn | 5/4/22

Council facing difficult budget work for 2023

ELY – The city’s budget committee released a proposed 2023 budget calendar Tuesday night and council members here were warned that difficult monetary decisions lay ahead in the coming … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/20/22

Obituaries: August 4, 2023

James A. Planton James Anthony “Jim” Planton, 76, of Soudan, died on Saturday, July 22, 2023, in his home surrounded by his family. A Memorial Mass was held on Wednesday, Aug. 2 at St. … more

8/2/23

No more free gravel deliveries in Breitung Township

SOUDAN- There was much ado about gravel at the Sept. 28 Breitung Township Board meeting. During the normally routine road and bridge report, Maintenance Supervisor Tom Gorsma reported that he had … more

Stephanie Ukkola | 10/13/23

Commerce: Cut electric rate hike by 55 percent

REGIONAL— Financial analysts with the state’s Department of Commerce (DOC) are recommending a sharp reduction in Minnesota Power’s request for higher electrical rates for its … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/20/22

Katie Erickson (left) and Nina Wycoff (right).

Northern Lights Salon opens on Tower’s Main Street

TOWER- They may be young, but these two women are bringing over a dozen years of experience to their new salon now open on Main Street. After working side-by-side at a salon in Virginia, … more

Jodi Summit | 12/7/22

Familiar arguments at hearing to rescind mineral withdrawal

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Familiar arguments filled a House committee room here last Thursday as the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee heard testimony and more than a bit of grandstanding on a … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/17/23

Babbitt rollover

BABBITT- According to a statement from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, a 22-year-old Babbitt woman suffered a single-vehicle crash on Monday around 9 a.m. just north of Babbitt in … more

8/2/23

Tower Ambulance still operating in the red, city adding funds

TOWER- The costs of maintaining 24/7 on-call coverage for the Tower Area Ambulance Service (TAAS) continues to outpace the revenue the service receives for providing its life-saving work. At the Oct. … more

Jodi Summit | 10/11/23

Ely native to UM Board of Regents

REGIONAL - Tadd Johnson, from Ely, was appointed to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents last week. He is the first Native American to be appointed to the Board since it was established more … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/22/22

Obituaries: December 9, 2022

Brian C. Bakk Brian C. Bakk, 66, of Minneapolis, formerly of Cook, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. … more

12/7/22

Hux Broten smiles as he gets a hot dog while out fishing with his grandparents on Pike Bay on Saturday. The new floating hot dog stand proved a hit on opening day.

Opener Oddity

PIKE BAY- More than a few opening day anglers likely did a doubletake here on Saturday when they saw a hot dog cart and a woman wearing a hot dog costume floating by on the water. It was the launch, … more

Jodi Summit | 5/17/23

Ely School Board tackles sports-related issues

ELY- Athletics were the theme here on Monday, with four sports-related topics taking up a third of the 45-minute meeting of the Ely School Board. The board accepted a quote of $53,650 from Phil … more

Catie Clark | 10/12/23

Fix for state’s unemployment account finally inked

REGIONAL— After months of political wrangling, the Legislature finally agreed last week on a measure that will provide $2.73 billion to replenish the state’s unemployment insurance (UI) … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/4/22

Odin Picard turns his pot into a helmet while waiting in line.

Old Settlers is booyah fun!

Old settlers, ranging in age from infants to 96-years old, gathered last Saturday at McKinley Park in Breitung Township for the annual community get-together which has been continuing for over 100 … more

Jodi Summit | 7/20/22