Stories - The Timberjay

Federal changes could have big impact on state cannabis industry

REGIONAL- To borrow an old saying, the feds may giveth, and the feds may taketh away with regards to the nascent cannabis and hemp industry in Minnesota. A change in the classification of marijuana … more

David Colburn | 6/13/24

Council hears both sides in short-term rental debate

TOWER— The city council here heard from very different perspectives as they continue to grapple with a new ordinance to regulate short-term rentals in the city. After a number of incidents at … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/13/24

Pulsar’s flow rate test shows major helium discovery

BABBITT- Pulsar Helium reported the preliminary results of their May flow tests from their helium gas well this week, documenting remarkable concentrations of the gas. On June 6, Pulsar reported that … more

Catie Clark | 6/13/24

Supervisor Rick Stoehr sparred with other town board members several times during the meeting. From left: Stoehr, Craig Gilbert, and Lois Roskoski.

Greenwood meetings now livestreamed on Facebook

GREENWOOD TWP- Greenwood Town Board meetings have long drawn a crowd, but now that includes spectators who can watch the blow-by-blow from the comfort of their own home. Township officials have hired … more

Jodi Summit | 6/13/24

Pickleball project needs additional funding

COOK- The Cook City Council heard a progress report on the pickleball court project being pursued by Friends of the Parks at its May 30 meeting, but a subsequent error in another newspaper report of … more

David Colburn | 6/13/24

The“Bright Star” ensemble going through the music and choreography of the first act, when Alice relives her flash backs from the time she lost her baby. From left-to-right: Ian Francis Lah, Debbie Prutsman (Alice’s mother), Jacob Haen, Mallory Wintz (Alice), Noah Warner, and Brian Fischer (Alice’s father).

Award-winning musical “Bright Star” opens Thursday

REGIONAL- As the northbound No. 4 St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway train crossed the bridge over the Big River on Aug. 14, 1902, someone threw a newborn baby in a suitcase into the … more

Catie Clark | 6/13/24

Obituaries: June 14, 2024

Theresa M. Berg Theresa Marie Berg, 94, of Rockford, Ill., passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at home surrounded by family. The family would like to give a special thank you to OSF Hospice … more

6/13/24

Democracy vs. Donald Trump and his allies on the Supreme Court

My husband and I are planning a trip to Europe this fall to visit Normandy, site of the landing of Allied troops fighting against the fascist powers, led by Germany, to maintain democracy in the free … more

6/7/24

Refusing responsibility

One might anticipate that sitting through weeks of a criminal trial, in which 20 witnesses and reams of documents pointed to your guilt on 34 felony counts, might encourage at least a few moments of … more

6/6/24

Stauber’s hypocrisy is astonishing

In a May 1 congressional hearing, Rep. Pete Stauber pointed his finger at Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Indigenous person to be a U.S. cabinet secretary, and accused her of ignoring Indigenous … more

6/6/24

A wooden structure holds a camera and microphone that provides a live stream of the loon nest located in the lower left quarter of the photo.

Loon cam sees growing following

LAKE VERMILION— Interest is growing in the drama surrounding a pair of nesting loons here, who have faced rising water and a mink attack as they’ve attempted to bring the next generation … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/6/24

Regional ambulance study to be aired June 13

ELY- The results of the long-anticipated study on ambulance service in the region are finally available. SafeTech Solutions, of Isanti, the consultants hired by Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, … more

Catie Clark | 6/6/24

Another open letter to Pete Stauber

To Pete Stauber, MY Eighth District Representative: I contacted your office numerous times before and after Jan. 6, 2021, first asking you to step to the plate and publicly support the results of the … more

6/6/24

Addy Hartway with her diploma from North Woods.

A MILESTONE ACHIEVED

Last Friday was an eventful one for graduates around the area, who said goodbye to their high school careers and began their new lives as adults ready to take on the world. Timberjay photographers … more

6/6/24

America needs a loyal opposition

In 1973, I lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba for a year. One of my friends was Lawrie Cherniak, who was on the city council and whose father was Saul Cherniak, finance minister in the provincial … more

6/6/24

Two St. Louis County Rescue Squad volunteers rendezvous with a float plane at the lower end drop off point on Iron Lake for a flight away from the search area. Rick and Jake will go out on this flight along with a huge portion of gear. North Pete and Smiley Mike are on deck for the next sortie. All volunteers were evacuated prior to the area being hit by bad weather.

Both bodies recovered at Curtain Falls

REGIONAL- A 16-day search for the bodies of two canoeists who went over Curtain Falls last month came to an end this week with the recovery of the second body on Monday. The St. Louis Sheriff’s … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/6/24

Words that say it all about today’s GOP

To understand how much the Republican Party has changed, just consider the following words, spoken by former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who is currently the GOP’s candidate for the U.S. Senate … more

6/6/24

The Northeast Range-Ely girls golf team proudly displays the championship plaque they received for winning the 7A sectional tournament. Pictured are, from left, Ezra Chamberlin, Cylvia DeBeltz, Abby Koivisto, Maizy Sundblad, Carena DeBeltz, and Danica Sundblad.

NER-Ely golfers claim title claim section title

MCGREGOR- The Northeast Range-Ely girls golf team, driven by the strength of three tournament medalists, won the two-day 7A sectional tournament at the Minnesota National Golf Club in McGregor on … more

David Colburn | 6/6/24

City OKs bonds for public works purchase

TOWER— The city council here approved the funding package that will enable the city to acquire the St. Louis County public works facility on Marina Drive, for $260,000. Dan Tienter, of Ehlers … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/6/24

Ely’s 4x400 relay runners pose under the marquee at the State Theater in Ely before heading off to the state track meet.

Area tracksters qualify for state meet

REGIONAL- Ely and North Woods both sent runners to the Class A state championship track and field meet after they turned in qualifying performances last week at the 7A sectional meet at UMD. The Ely … more

David Colburn | 6/6/24

Olson nabs fifth trip to state tourney

MCGREGOR- North Woods golfer Tori Olson nailed down her fifth trip to the state Class A championship tournament on Wednesday, May 29 by finishing second in the two-day 7A sectional tournament at the … more

David Colburn | 6/6/24

After a three-week layoff, Drew Marolt got the start for Ely and lasted into the sixth inning, giving up two runs, just one earned.

Wolves lose heartbreaker in seventh

AURORA- The Ely Timberwolves ran out of playoff magic at the worst possible time on Tuesday, as Deer River scored three runs in their last at-bat to upend the Wolves 5-4 and bounce them out of the … more

David Colburn | 6/6/24

It could happen to any of us

I found myself agreeing with Donald Trump as I listened to his opening statement at his post-conviction press conference last week. He said, “If this can happen to me, it can happen to … more

6/6/24

Jerome Debeltz and his wife Mary at the newly dedicated Jerome Debeltz Fields in Ely.

Ely dedicates softball fields to Jerome Debeltz

ELY- The impossible happened this week in Ely. The softball league, elected officials, and city employees of Ely kept a secret, some of them for almost a year. The secret was Ely’s plan to … more

Catie Clark | 6/6/24

With his family in the background, Sean Leary pops a wheelie on the 400-foot boardwalk that leads to the island-like peninsula and the resort’s accessible boat dock.

New resort to provide outdoor access for all

ELY- A young family is bringing a closely held dream to life on the shores of Birch Lake, where they’re about to open a brand-new resort to give people opportunities to enjoy the wilderness … more

David Colburn | 6/5/24