News - The Timberjay

The reconciliation bill signed by President Trump last week will have far-reaching impacts on the healthcare system, with rural services getting hit harder in some instances than their urban counterparts.

Health care officials assess impacts of Medicaid cuts

REGIONAL — Health care advocates and state and county officials are trying to better understand the implications of the new funding and policy landscape created by last week’s enactment … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/10/25

Federal budget bill shifts SNAP costs to Minnesota counties

St. Louis County officials are coming to terms with the financial fallout from President Donald Trump’s recently passed federal budget legislation, which reduces federal support for the … more

Robert Monteith | 7/10/25

Analysis: Federal bill to sharply raise Minnesota electric rates

REGIONAL — The rapid phaseout of clean energy tax credits, included in the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act, are expected to slow the ability of Minnesota utilities to meet growing demand … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/10/25

Great turnout for this year's 4th of July Vermilion Run in Tower

Great turnout for this year’s Vermilion Run TOWER- There was a record turnout for this the 42 nd year of the Fourth of July Vermilion 5K/10K Run We had 268 runners, plus over 40 … more

7/5/25

John Jirik coached elementary sports in Tower-Soudan. He is moving back to North Woods

ISD 2142 administrators to swap schools

TOWER — A familiar face at Tower-Soudan Elementary is heading down the highway this fall as part of a leadership shuffle within ISD 2142. John Jirik, who has served as principal in Tower-Soudan … more

David Colburn | 7/2/25

Essentia clinic in Ely would feel impacts from possible nurses strike

REGIONAL- The Minnesota Nurses Association notified Essentia Health on Monday that it will launch an unfair labor practice strike beginning July 10, affecting the Essentia clinic in Ely and urgent … more

Robert Monteith | 7/2/25

Moratorium not expected to slow Pulsar

As Pulsar Helium prepares for flow testing on the Topaz Project near Babbitt, a moratorium on gas production remains in place throughout the state, and it could be about a year before it’s … more

Robert Monteith | 7/2/25

Billy Monteith of Tower was all smiles as he played on the new model Beaver floatplane at Ely’s new Puddle Jumper pocket park.

Model Beaver floatplane highlight of Ely’s new pocket park

ELY—The first pocket park built here is now officially open. Puddle Jumper Park was dedicated this past Friday, and a few dozen people came out to enjoy music, hot dogs, and more at the former … more

7/2/25

The Manick boys had a blast playing pickleball at Greenwood Community Recreation Association's first recreation day and potluck picnic.

Pavilion is packed for first annual recreation day and potluck

GREENWOOD TWP- The Greenwood Community Recreation Board’s first annual recreation day and potluck picnic brought as many as 200 area residents and visitors to the recreation areas at the town … more

7/2/25

Obituaries: July 4, 2025

Elaine M. Villebrun Elaine Marilee Villebrun, 78, of Orr, passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2025. The Traditional Wake will be held on Monday, July 7 starting at 5 p.m. The Traditional Service will be … more

7/2/25

AMERICA’S BIRTHDAY!

Orr packs a lot into July 3rd ORR- Orr’s biggest community event of the year is back, and the town is pulling out all the stops for the annual Third of July Fun Day. From early-morning pancakes … more

7/2/25

Robert and Erin Monteith with their son Billy.

Timberjay taps Robert Monteith as new managing editor

TOWER—Robert Monteith has become the new managing editor of the Timberjay. Originally from southern California, Monteith has worked as a journalist for over 15 years. His career started as a … more

7/2/25

The northern peninsula of Rough-N-It campground on Lake Vermilion’s Black Bay.

Campground dispute drags on through legal twists

LAKE VERMILION — A long-running battle over a proposed Lake Vermilion campground meant to serve disabled veterans has seen court filings, environmental review fights, zoning denials, and yet, … more

David Colburn | 7/2/25

Developments coming soon for NewRange

REGIONAL— Officials with NewRange Copper Nickel say they expect to publicly share more details of their plans to revive the NorthMet copper-nickel project near Babbitt by September. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/2/25

Supreme Court denies U.S. Steel’s request for review of sulfate ruling

REGIONAL — The state’s Supreme Court has denied a request by U.S. Steel to review a lower court ruling issued in April. That ruling had affirmed the decision by the Minnesota Pollution … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/2/25

Hernandez edges Morrison by three votes in Bois Forte tribal chair election

BOIS FORTE — In a tightly contested special general election on Tuesday, June 17, Carlos A. Hernandez narrowly defeated Travis Morrison to become the new tribal chair for the Bois Forte Band of … more

David Colburn | 6/26/25

Mayor reflects on shootings of Minnesota lawmakers

ELY — The city council here began its June 17 meeting with a moment of silence for Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were fatally shot last Saturday at their home … more

Stephanie Ukkola | 6/26/25

Minnesota U.S. Sen. Tina Smith speaks out at a recent press conference.

Boelter’s hit list chills Minnesota abortion providers and activists

REGIONAL – Suspected assassin Vance Boelter listed names of abortion providers and activists in a series of notebooks found at his home and threats to doctors and clinics are on the upswing. … more

Ana Radelat - MinnPost | 6/26/25

More testing underway at helium mining site in Babbitt

Pulsar Helium announced that well clean-up and flow testing operations will commence in mid-July at its Topaz Project near Babbitt, with completion expected by early August. The testing program … more

Robert Monteith | 6/26/25

State’s rural health providers gather as programs are threatened

REGIONAL — The 25th annual Minnesota Rural Health Conference opened in Duluth on June 9-10 with an unmistakable sense of uncertainty hanging over the roughly 450 attendees from Minnesota and … more

David Colburn | 6/26/25

DNR Regional Parks and Trails Director Scott Kelling talks with affected lake residents and business owners.

Skeptics turn out at DNR open house

TOWER — The Department of Natural Resources’ plan for a $3.2 million renovation of Lake Vermilion’s Moccasin Point public access faced plenty of criticism here this past Wednesday … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/26/25

Obituaries: June 27, 2025

Marsha D. Banovetz Marsha D. Banovetz, 85, of Ely, passed away on Friday, May 30, 2025, at M Hospital Fairview Southdale in Edina. Celebrations of life will occur in both St. Paul and Ely. A memorial … more

6/26/25

ISD 2142 headed for statutory operating debt?

VIRGINIA — At its meeting Tuesday, the ISD 2142 School Board got a sobering dose of fiscal reality: The district is projecting a $2.5 million general fund deficit for the 2025–26 school … more

David Colburn | 6/26/25

Vermilion man faces new theft charges

TOWER — A Lake Vermilion man is facing additional theft charges stemming from a May 20 shoplifting spree at the Northwoods True Value hardware store in Tower. Jeffery Allen Bingham, 42, who is … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/26/25

Board OKs budget with small deficit

ELY — The school district here will run a deficit for the second straight fiscal year after the board approved a budget that reduces the general fund by $64,282. That will leave a projected … more

Robert Monteith | 6/26/25