News - The Timberjay

Residents in Unorganized Township 63-17 will choose if they want the township to be formally organized in an election scheduled for May 13.

Vermilion area residents seek to organize new township

LAKE VERMILION- A rare event in local government will take place in April and May when registered voters in Unorganized Township 63-17 will vote to decide whether to become a formally organized … more

David Colburn | 2/6/25

Snow sculptors Claudia McBride (l) and Nancy Scheibe begin work on the official “pin” sculpture crafted each year in front of Piragis Northwoods Co. at the intersection of Central and Sheridan.

Let the fun begin!

ELY— Ten days of fun at the end of the road gets underway in earnest this Friday, Feb. 7, with the opening ceremony of the 31st annual Ely Winter Festival, set for 6 p.m. at Whiteside Park. The … more

Catie Clark | 2/6/25

Trump tariffs would spike area fuel prices

REGIONAL- President Donald Trump, on Monday, put a temporary 30-day halt on tariffs he had announced for Canada and Mexico, but the spectre of a 10 percent tariff on Canadian energy imports has not … more

David Colburn | 2/6/25

Appeals court: DNR made legal error in Northshore decision

REGIONAL— The Minnesota Court of Appeals has overturned the Department of Natural Resources’ decision to move forward with permitting of a tailings basin expansion by Northshore Mining … more

Marshall Helmberger | 2/6/25

Trump’s federal funding freeze sends shockwaves through state

REGIONAL- Minnesota officials and organizations are scrambling after a surprise move by President Donald Trump to temporarily freeze federal funding for a wide array of programs, from road … more

David Colburn | 1/30/25

Ely firefighters setting up ventilation equipment after a CO alarm went off at an Ely residence on Monday.

Ely Fire Department responds to high CO levels in Ely home

ELY- An Ely resident on the 600 block of E. James Street did exactly the right thing when the CO alarm went off in her house — she exited the building and called 911. The Ely Fire Department … more

David Colburn | 1/30/25

Ely School Board share concerns with local legislators

Ely- Both State Senator Grant Hauschild and Representative Roger Skraba virtually attended the ISD 696 school board study session on Monday to discuss issues the district wants the Legislature to … more

Catie Clark | 1/30/25

A reveler from a recent Great Nordic Beardfest. The event returns to Ely, Feb. 7-8

Great Nordic Beardfast returns to Ely after two-year break

ELY- After a two-year hiatus, the Great Nordic Beardfest returns to Ely for two evenings of fuzzy fun on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7-8 at Ely’s Historic State Theater. Each evening will feature … more

Catie Clark | 1/30/25

Cabins parked at resort only temporarily

FALL LAKE- When six cabins on trailers appeared at the Silver Rapids Resort earlier this month, it prompted concerns from a few neighbors who asked the Timberjay to investigate. It turns out the … more

Catie Clark | 1/30/25

Obituaries: January 31, 2025

John Ratzloff It is with heavy hearts that the family of John Ratzloff announces his peaceful passing on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Born in Austin, Minn., on Jan. 30, 1947, John is survived by his son, … more

1/30/25

Sculptors worked on their art last winter during the snow sculpture symposium. Conditions are expected to be ideal for snow sculpting next week with single- digit high temperatures forecasted. Sculptors from around the world are expected to take part in the competition.

Winter festival kicks off Thursday

ELY- The 31st annual Ely Winter Festival gets underway next Thursday, Feb. 6, with a long list of festivities during the ten-day event. Snow sculptors from three continents, including 17 professional … more

Catie Clark | 1/30/25

Grant to test feasibility of green iron plant on the Range

REGIONAL— A $1.3 million federal grant award to UMD’s Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth should be the final piece in a $4-5 million funding package to support a feasibility … more

Marshall Helmberger | 1/30/25

Bus crash leaves two students injured

FIELD TWP- A school bus on the way to North Woods School on Wednesday morning slid off an icy road, injuring two students who were both sent by ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries. The ISD … more

David Colburn | 1/30/25

Last Friday night’s blaze destroyed a garage and two vehicles, but firefighters kept the blaze from spreading.

Second fire this month in Tower south side neighborhood

TOWER— Breitung police officials are hoping to talk to anyone with information about a late-night fire that destroyed a garage and contents, including two vehicles, on S. Second St., this past … more

Marshall Helmberger | 1/30/25

The man accused of killing Amanda Boshey in a December hit-and-run accident near Fortune Bay Resort and Casino plead not guilty on Tuesday to two federal charges of involuntary manslaughter.

Peterson pleads not guilty in Boshey hit-and-run death

REGIONAL- Eric Scott Peterson, 50, Virginia, was formally arraigned in federal court on Tuesday on two charges of involuntary manslaughter after allegedly causing the death of Amanda Boshey in a … more

David Colburn | 1/24/25

Joint ambulance proposal appears dead

ELY— A proposed three-way merger of ambulance services in Ely, Tower, and Babbitt, appears to be dead after Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital CEO Patti Banks said the hospital has suspended … more

Catie Clark | 1/23/25

Warrantless search nixes case against Greaney couple

GREANEY- Charges of theft and receiving stolen property filed against a Greaney couple were dismissed recently following a judge’s ruling that officers violated their Fourth Amendment rights by … more

David Colburn | 1/23/25

Courts are battleground for legislative control

REGIONAL- It’s become clear that the Minnesota court system has and will continue to play a key role in shaping the power structure of the state’s new legislative session. The state … more

David Colburn | 1/23/25

Great River, LCP energy projects get federal boost

REGIONAL— Electricity consumers in Lake Country Power’s service territory are expected to benefit from two major federal grants designed to promote new ways of providing power, while … more

Marshall Helmberger | 1/23/25

Two recent structure fires reported

Garage fire in Babbitt BABBITT—A fire here last Sunday destroyed a garage on Fern Court, according to the Northland Fire Wire. The Babbitt, Ely, and Embarrass fire departments all responded to … more

1/23/25

Obituaries: January 24,2025

William M. Isham William Merle Isham, 78, passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. Visitation was held on Sunday, Dec. 1 at the Bois Forte … more

1/23/25

Harold’s Arctic Cat has been in business since 1967 and has weathered downturns in the past.

Downturn in power sports industry an adjustment

REGIONAL— Jeff Carlson hears it all the time. As the owner and operator of Harold’s Arctic Cat south of Tower, he said nearly every customer who walks in the door has a question or … more

Marshall Helmberger | 1/23/25

Water quality data raises doubts about DNR legal claims

REGIONAL—A legal proceeding now in its fifth year has the potential to reshape state rules surrounding the permitting of non-ferrous mining operations. The case, filed by Northeastern … more

Marshall Helmberger | 1/23/25

Council finds multiple areas of disagreement

ELY- Unanimity was in short supply at Tuesday’s Ely City Council meeting as members wrangled over state funding for a proposed cannabis dispensary and appointing members to a new city … more

Catie Clark | 1/23/25

Voters will have choices on March 11

GREENWOOD TWP- Greenwood voters will have decisions in the March 11 township election, with contested races across the board. Steve Bradach and Sue Drobac filed for the supervisor seat currently held … more

Jodi Summit | 1/23/25