News - The Timberjay

Mayor: State of city is good and getting better

TOWER— Mayor Dave Setterberg offered an upbeat assessment of the city’s status as part of a “state of the city” report he made to the city council here on Monday. Setterberg … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/14/22

Greenwood fire department officers (l-r) Mike Indihar, David Fazio, and Rick Worringer were dismissed as officers by board action Tuesday night.

Board dismisses top fire department officers

GREENWOOD TWP— In a surprise decision at the end of their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, the Greenwood Town Board voted 3-2 to dismiss Fire Chief David Fazio and Assistant Chief Mike … more

Jodi Summit | 9/14/22

Orr man dies while ricing on Vermilion River

CRANE LAKE- A day of harvesting wild rice on the Vermilion River turned to tragedy for a 43-year-old Orr man who died after his canoe apparently capsized on Saturday, Sept. 10.The search for Keith … more

David Colburn | 9/14/22

ISD 2142 board reviews plans to address bullying

VIRGINIA- With the new school year now in session, the ISD 2142 school board turned its attention Tuesday to what its schools are doing to address an issue of increasing concern toward the end of … more

David Colburn | 9/14/22

Gordon Smith poses with Mom and Dad, Edie Renner and Michael Smith for yet another picture before he heads off to start third grade.

Admin reports a smooth first day and enrollment up for ISD 696

ELY – Monday night’s meeting of the Ely School board began with Ray Marsnik pointing out the obvious absence of longtime Timberjay Ely editor Keith Vandervort at the meeting. Marsnik … more

Rachel Brophy | 9/14/22

SBA offers disaster loan help in International Falls

REGIONAL- Homeowners, renters, business owners, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations impacted by summer flooding now have a temporary option in International Falls to consult in person with a … more

9/14/22

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

Vermilion Design Company owner Cade Gornick.

Vermilion Design Company buys Tower embroidery business

TOWER- Sherri Anderson’s Northern Pine Embroidery has been embroidering and printing t-shirts, clothing, caps and more for area businesses for 20 years. Originally located at her home in … more

Jodi Summit | 9/8/22

Ely chamber event director Ellen Cashman hands the baton (or in this case measuring sticks) to Jess Stott who will take Cashman’s place as Ely Chamber of Commerce Event Director following this year’s event.

Marking the park and passing the baton

ELY—It was a bittersweet morning early on Tuesday as Ely Chamber of Commerce Event Director Ellen Cashman was the first to arrive to “mark the park” for this weekend’s Harvest … more

Rachel Brophy | 9/7/22

Council hikes 2023 levy by 7.06 percent

ELY— Taxpayers here may need to dig a little deeper next year after the city council, minus the absent Paul Kess, unanimously approved a preliminary 2023 levy of $2.117 million, a 7.06 percent … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/7/22

Most DFL candidates enjoying big leads in fundraising

REGIONAL— DFL candidates from across the region and the state are crushing their Republican opponents in the race for campaign cash, and that could give them a distinct advantage as the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/7/22 | 1 comment

Ivy Russell, Zaija Schroeder, and Cecilia Majerle hold hands on the first day of school.

Old friends, new friends, school friends

Area students returned to their classrooms on Tuesday. Timberjay photographers were out and about to capture a few of the happy, excited faces. more

Timberjay staff | 9/7/22

Man jailed for fire-related death of infant charged with felony assault

REGIONAL- A man convicted of second-degree manslaughter in the 2017 fire-related death of a Tower infant is now facing charges in the assault of an elderly Culver couple while participating in a … more

David Colburn | 9/7/22

Spectators walked the docks and talked to the owners of some of the nearly two dozen antique and classic boats on display this past weekend at The Landing on Lake Vermilion. Pictured is "Sadie,” a 1928 Hacker Craft in almost perfect original condition. It’s one of only three such craft known to be in existence and it’s owned by Jeff Stebbins.

Boat show winner is a 94-year-old original

LAKE VERMILION- Sunny skies and moderate temperatures were perfect conditions for Sunday’s 30th Annual Antique and Classic Boat Show, with 23 skippers piloting their boats to The Landing on the … more

David Colburn | 9/7/22

New COVID boosters should be available later this month

REGIONAL- New COVID-19 boosters targeting the currently prevalent Omicron variants BA.5 and BA.4 were approved for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease … more

David Colburn | 9/7/22 | 1 comment

Drum circle members perform a traditional song to open the event.

Powwow practices explored during event at Nett Lake

NETT LAKE- Nearly 40 Bois Forte Band members from infants to elders descended on the government center in Nett Lake on Aug. 29 for an event that could easily have been titled “Powwow … more

David Colburn | 9/7/22

Bois Forte awarded over $10 million for transportation projects

NETT LAKE- Public transportation for the Bois Forte Band recently got a huge boost of over $10 million in federal funds that will transform the future of bus transportation on and off the … more

9/7/22

Obituaries: September 9, 2022

Allison M. Thompson Allison M. LaKoskey Thompson, 43, of Hoyt Lakes, passed away on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. A Celebration of Life was held … more

9/7/22

Inlaid burl bowl by Mike Denny of Good Wolf Bowls.

29th Annual Harvest Moon Festival set for September 9-11 in Ely's Whiteside Park

ELY - The 29th Harvest Moon Festival is set to go for September 9-11 in Ely’s Whiteside Park. Friday and Saturday hours are from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy … more

9/2/22

Radio station WELY will remain open for at least another three months as the Bois Forte Band works to finalize a purchase agreement.

No dead air yet—WELY to remain open

ELY- The Bois Forte Tribal Council voted Wednesday to continue operating and programming WELY—The End of the Road Radio Station for an additional three months while the business is moving … more

Brian K. Anderson | 9/2/22

Crowds gather to check out the antique and classic boats at The Landing during the 2019 boat show.

Annual classic boat show set for Sunday

LAKE VERMILION- Vintage boat lovers will have the opportunity to indulge their interests to the extreme this weekend with the return of the 30th Annual Antique and Classic Boat Show on Sunday, Sept. … more

9/1/22

David Elg, of Eveleth, cozies up with Eldy, a horse owned by Shyla Martin, that David has been riding in horse shows this year.

Summer's Last Blast

The annual Embarrass Region Fair this past weekend had almost everything one could want in a traditional rural small-town fair, all done up in uniquely Embarrass style. Timbejay photographer Jodi … more

Jodi Summit | 8/31/22

“I Like That Academy” has fall openings

REGIONAL— Are you someone with what you think just might be the next big idea? Would you like to start your own business or nonprofit, but don’t really know where to start? Do you have a … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/31/22

Timberjay’s Ely editor dies unexpectedly

ELY— The Timberjay’s longtime Ely editor, Keith Vandervort, died suddenly at his home this past Friday, Aug. 26. The cause of death is unknown but was ruled due to natural causes. … more

8/31/22 | 1 comment

Cook broadband on track for fall completion

REGIONAL- Deployment of the city of Cook’s new fiber optic high-speed broadband network is on track to be operational before winter sets in, and new projects proposed for multiple North Country … more

David Colburn | 8/31/22