News - The Timberjay

Hospital cuts off ambulance funds

ELY- The Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital (EBCH) will no longer contribute to the Ely Area Ambulance Service (EAAS) until certain changes are made in the struggling service. That bombshell … more

Catie Clark | 5/10/23

Fall Lake annexation back up for board discussion

ELY- The long-discussed subject of the possible annexation of Fall Lake Township to the Ely School District was back on the ISD 696 board agenda on Monday. It’s long been a sore point as the … more

Catie Clark | 12/20/23

Eleanor Nyquist (left) and her mother Jordyn Stocks were on the winning team.

Piecing it all together: Jigsaw competition proves popular

EMBARRASS- Five hundred pieces. Four sets of hands. Ten teams ready to go, each with their own copy of the same puzzle. The Timber Hall Event Center’s first Jigs and Jaws puzzle competition got … more

Jodi Summit | 5/16/24

Bakk, Ecklund new lobbyists in St. Paul

REGIONAL— Two of northeastern Minnesota’s former lawmakers have joined the stable of lobbyists that represent a wide range of interests at the Minnesota Legislature. Both former Sen. Tom … more

2/22/23

Mayor Heidi Omerza (far right) read a proclamation to the Ely Memorial High School girls volleyball team at the Dec. 19 city council meeting, awarding the team the key to the city for their achievements over the last two years.

Volleyball team gets the key to the city

ELY- The final Ely City Council meeting of 2023 began with some special recognition for Ely’s high school girls volleyball team. Mayor Heidi Omerza read a proclamation from herself and the city … more

Catie Clark | 12/20/23

Obituaries: May 17, 2024

Jennie Woodenfrog Jennie Woodenfrog “Ge be-gah shig”, 94, longtime Nett Lake resident, made her journey to the spirit world on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Traditional services were held … more

5/15/24

Electric rate hike subject to public scrutiny

REGIONAL- Minnesota Power’s quest for a proposed 18 percent overall electricity rate hike will be subjected to public scrutiny next week as customers will have the chance to voice their … more

David Colburn | 7/13/22

MDH hoping to increase uptake of new bivalent boosters

REGIONAL- The Biden administration launched a belated effort last week to shore up an anemic response to the bivalent COVID-19 boosters introduced three months ago, hoping to head off a possible … more

David Colburn | 12/1/22

Ely City Council extends cannabinoid moratorium one year

ELY- In a pleasant excursion from the usual rounds of routine business, the Mayor of Ely, Heidi Omerza awarded Ely senior and Nordic skiing champion Zoe Devine, the key to the city. The award was in … more

Catie Clark | 2/22/23

Lost hunter spends night in woods north of Orr

ORR- An International Falls man and his dog spent last Friday night lost in the woods north of Orr after becoming disoriented while hunting. St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputies and the St. … more

David Colburn | 10/4/23

Cook hires ambulance co-directors

COOK- In a move intended to strengthen the overall operation of the Cook Ambulance Service, current crew members Amy Luecken and Will Fischer will take on leadership of the service by sharing its … more

David Colburn | 12/20/23

Cost-free airport upgrades reviewed by Orr council

ORR- Approval of bids for the pavement crack sealing project at the Orr Airport was on the Orr Council’s agenda on Monday, but they ended up getting a full update on airport improvements from … more

David Colburn | 5/15/24

Regional EMS service study moves forward

GREENWOOD TWP- Greenwood Township is putting itself in the driver’s seat as it approved spending approximately $55,000 for a study on options for the feasibility of developing a region-wide … more

Jodi Summit | 7/13/22

School district looks at lobbyist to boost revenue

REGIONAL— The St. Louis County Schools, ISD 2142, may enlist the services of a well-known lobbying firm to try to woo concessions from the Minnesota Legislature to address funding concerns … more

David Colburn | 2/22/23

Obituaries: October 6, 2023

Peter J. Johnson Peter Jon Johnson, 87, of Lake Vermilion-Tower, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, at Essentia-Virginia. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 6 at St. … more

10/4/23

Morgan Sauls with the puppet featured in the “Quiltmaker’s Gift” at Ely’s Historic State Theater this weekend.

‘Quiltmaker’s Gift’ returns to Ely

ELY –The “Quiltmaker’s Gift” opens Friday, July 15, with a 7 p.m. performance at Ely’s Historic State Theater. The show continues Saturday, July 16 at 7p.m. and closes … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/13/22

Will pickelball and ice skating mix? Cook may try

COOK- At last Thursday’s regular Cook City Council meeting, councilors and members of the Friends of the Parks (FOTP) batted around the idea of turning the ice skating rink at the community … more

David Colburn | 10/4/23

Three people vying for county sheriff position

REGIONAL— Among the candidates who will appear on the Aug. 9 primary ballot are the three men vying to replace longtime St. Louis County Sheriff Ross Litman. While it’s officially a … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/13/22

Township still seeking broadband project grants

GREENWOOD TWP- For the first time since the resignation of the elected clerk and treasurer, the Greenwood Town Board at their Sept. 13 meeting was able to approve their treasurer’s report, … more

Jodi Summit | 9/21/22

Obituaries: September 23, 2022

Janice M. Strub Janice M. Strub, 69, of Orr, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Holy Cross … more

9/21/22

Moratorium set on sale of cannabinoids

ELY - The Ely City Council voted at their Dec. 6 meeting to approve a moratorium on new permits for the sale of cannabinoid products derived from hemp until March 7, 2023, or until the city passes an … more

Catie Clark | 12/7/22

ISD 696 looking for another superintendent

ELY – Just weeks after the top administrator at ISD 696 agreed to a contract extension, John Klarich announced Monday night that he is leaving his superintendent post after his contract expires … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/13/22

Orr Ambulance Service gets brand-new rig

ORR- There’s an age-old proverb that goes, “Too many cooks spoil the broth,” but a good look at the sharp looking new vehicle in the Orr Ambulance Service garage suggests this … more

David Colburn | 9/21/22

Fae Laakkonen-Gaylord listens as Santa asks if she's been good during his weekend stopover in Orr for the Snow City Christmas celebration.

Sights and sounds

'Tis the season for holiday events in the North Country, and Timberjay photographer showed up at a couple of them this past week to snap some pics. more

12/7/22

The walls and roof are up on the new county garage now under construction in Kugler Township.

New public works garage taking shape

KUGLER TWP— The pre-cast walls and roof are up and the new St. Louis County public works garage here will soon be fully enclosed so crews can begin interior work perhaps ahead of the new year. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/7/22