News - The Timberjay

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

Mayor Heidi Omerza delivers the first-ever State of the City address.

Mayor lauds local achievements in “State of the City”

ELY- Calling Ely a “small town that does big things,” Mayor Heidi Omerza enthusiastically explained why 2024 was a year filled with proof of that in the city’s first ever … more

Catie Clark | 1/23/25

City takes possession of old county garage

TOWER— The former St. Louis County public works facility here is now the city of Tower’s following the recent closing on the property, which had been in the works for more than a year. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 1/17/25

Victim in wheelchair fire identifed

ELY- The Ely Police Department has identified Marjorie Jane Hible of Ely, age 80, as the victim who suffered fatal burns while she was outdoors on a mobility scooter near the Boundary Waters Care … more

Catie Clark | 1/17/25

Britt man jailed for criminal sexual conduct

REGIONAL— A Britt man remains in the St. Louis County Jail after his Dec. 20 arrest on three separate counts stemming from his use of a nine-year-old boy in a sexual performance or pornography … more

Marshall Helmberger | 1/17/25

Erickson gets probation in fraud against city of Cook

REGIONAL- Former Cook Housing and Rehabilitation Authority Executive Director Reed Erickson, 69, of Side Lake, received two years’ probation and will pay $24,232.90 in restitution for the … more

David Colburn | 1/16/25

Gillson sentenced for 2023 arson and assault in Ely

ELY- After a year and a half, the curtain is finally being closed on the prosecution of Jason Keith Gillson, age 50, for his acts of assault and arson at his home at 45 E. Boundary St. in late summer … more

Catie Clark | 1/16/25

DFL House boycott sparks drama in St. Paul

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota House of Representatives opened its 2025 legislative session with drama on Tuesday, with half the chamber empty as DFL lawmakers made good on their threat to boycott … more

David Colburn | 1/16/25

The site of Stroud’s home in Altadena, a mile south of the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains and a mile east of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

“Boundary Waters” film casting director loses home in LA fires

ALTADENA- The casting director of the film “Boundary Waters” lost her home in the Eaton fire, one of several that has raged across portions of Los Angeles in recent days. Nothing remains … more

Catie Clark | 1/16/25

Annual Celebrate Ely award nominations now open

ELY- It’s that time of year again to nominate your favorite Ely businesses and employees for the annual Celebrate Ely Awards. Every year, the Ely Chamber of Commerce gives out four awards to … more

1/16/25

Obituaries: January 17, 2025

Katherine Aune Katherine “Katie” Picek Aune, 93, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, at Carefree … more

1/16/25

Out of control flames lit up the night on Tower’s south side last Thursday after an explosion in the basement of a house on S. Third nearly took the life of an elderly resident.

Close call as explosion and fire destroys Tower home

TOWER- Former Tower Fire Chief Rolando Noyes put his fire training to good use, Jan. 9, when the neighboring house caught fire shortly after 9 p.m. “We heard a boom, looked out the window, and … more

Jodi Summit | 1/16/25

Board puts Maus on paid leave

GREENWOOD TWP- The Greenwood Town Board voted 3-2, Tuesday, to place fire chief Jeff Maus on paid administrative leave, and requiring that he obtain a doctor’s note before he can return to the … more

Jodi Summit | 1/16/25

Judges sound skeptical of Twin Metals’ arguments

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Twin Metals officials were hoping an appeal before a three-judge panel here could reinstate their claim against the Biden administration’s cancellation of two federal … more

Marshall Helmberger | 1/16/25

Cathy Chavers, holding plaque, surrounded by members of the St. Louis County Board.

County board lauds Chavers for life of service

SOUDAN- The St. Louis County Board opened their Jan. 14 regular meeting by paying homage to Cathy Chavers, who recently announced her retirement from her position as Bois Forte Tribal Chair. Meeting … more

Jodi Summit | 1/16/25

Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital and other rural hospitals in the county will retain their critical access hospital designations after submitting successful appeals to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Press release finds drama in paper shuffle

ELY— This week’s drama over a purported threat to the Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital’s status as a critical access hospital, appears to be more of a paperwork shuffle than an … more

Marshall Helmberger | 1/16/25

Chavers steps away from Bois Forte chair position

NETT LAKE- Bois Forte Tribal Chair Cathy Chavers, who had started her third term in office this past July, announced last week that she is retiring from the office to care for her mental health. … more

Melissa Olson, MPR News | 1/9/25

Bob Anderson is retiring after 44 years of service as a city of Ely building engineer.

Three Ely cannabis edibles dealers found in violation

ELY- Three of ten Ely businesses licensed to sell THC-infused cannabinoid edibles failed to pass muster last month when they sold products to an underage buyer as part of an Ely Police Department … more

Catie Clark | 1/9/25

Amanda Boshey with one of her sons in happier times.

Virginia man charged in hit-and-run death of mother of five

TOWER- A Virginia man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in Minnesota U.S. District Court in connection with the fatal hit-and-run of a Bois Forte band member and mother of five, Amanda … more

David Colburn | 1/9/25

Long-sought local funding fix fails to advance in U.S. House

REGIONAL— A prime opportunity to resolve a longstanding concern over federal funding to three Arrowhead counties missed a key deadline in the U.S. House when time ran out on the 118th Congress … more

Marshall Helmberger | 1/9/25

Pulsar begins new year with work on a second well

BABBITT- Pulsar Helium issued an update on its drilling activities on Monday, including news that they have started work on a second well. The Canadian helium exploration company started new drilling … more

Catie Clark | 1/9/25

Obituaries: January 10, 2025

Thomas J. Martin Thomas Joseph Martin, 68, longtime resident of Embarrass, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth after a courageous battle … more

1/9/25