Stories - The Timberjay

Politicians for sale

Rarely has a presidential candidate been so blunt. During a meeting with some of the country’s top oil executives at Mar-a-Lago last month, Donald Trump reportedly pushed them to raise a … more

5/15/24

Area stream levels continue to show considerable bounce

REGIONAL— River and stream levels continued to exhibit considerable bounce this week as the impact of late April and early May rains faded. Area stream levels began the ice-free season at near … more

5/15/24

Duluth man dies in BWCAW accident

REGIONAL- A 62-year-old Duluth man was found dead on Friday on Lake Agnes, the victim of an apparent drowning. Mark Ham was described by family members as a clinical psychologist and an avid … more

David Colburn | 5/15/24

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

Ebert chosen as new CEO for Bois Forte Business Corp.

TOWER—Despite only being on the job for a few weeks, Bois Forte Business Development Corporation’s new CEO Andrew Ebert is already making a significant impact. Not … more

5/15/24

New manager takes the reins at The Wilderness

TOWER— When The Wilderness at Fortune Bay opened last Friday, there was a new manager at the helm – Bill Manahan. Manahan, who most recently served as general manager at the Cloquet … more

5/15/24

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

Hikers losing ground

Social media has its uses. Unfortunately, it tends to generate more heat than light. That was certainly the case with a recent post on the Facebook group, “What’s Up Tower MN,” that … more

5/9/24

An Ely police cruiser with a canoe on top. The city’s new incentive has proven to be a significant draw for new police applicants.

Canoe incentive proves effective for Ely police

ELY— The city of Ely’s unique police hiring incentive appears to be making a difference. That was the report from Police Chief Chad Houde, who told the city council here on Tuesday that … more

Catie Clark | 5/9/24

ALLETE sale approved by directors

REGIONAL— Officials with Duluth-based ALLETE Inc., the parent company of Minnesota Power, announced this week that they have agreed to be acquired by a partnership led by the Canada Pension … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/9/24

Mike Forsman, of Ely, was showing off his 1957 Chevy 210 Station Wagon along with his grandson Isaiah Forsman.

And every one has a story

TOWER- A rainy Saturday morning was not an auspicious start for what the new owners of the Tower Café are hoping to become a regular feature in downtown Tower. But plans for future car show … more

Jodi Summit | 5/9/24

These signs will be a common sight this summer as road construction season will be in full swing around the region.

Road projects in the works for Cook, Lake Vermilion areas

REGIONAL- Spring heralds the onset of road construction season, that time when drivers have to satisfy themselves that a little short-term pain will bring some welcome long-term gain. St. Lous County … more

David Colburn | 5/9/24

Legendary Orr basketball coach Bill King stands beside the display honoring the team’s many accomplishments.

High school history museum opens at Orr Center

ORR- When a small-town school closes, a community loses a piece of identity, But volunteers at the Orr Center are trying to restore that historical sense of community pride by creating the Orr High … more

David Colburn | 5/9/24

Ely nabs comeback at North Woods

FIELD TWP- The Ely Timberwolves softball team came on strong in the latter innings of a road game against the North Woods Grizzlies on Thursday, May 2, going home with a 12-9 victory. Moved to North … more

David Colburn | 5/9/24

Olson notches seconds at GR, Babbitt tourneys

GIANTS RIDGE- North Woods senior golfer Tori Olson is rounding into good midseason form with a pair of second-place finishes in her last two tournaments, the most recent at the Mesabi East … more

David Colburn | 5/9/24

Grizzlies notch first win at Hill City

HILL CITY- The Hill City/Northland baseball team was ripe for the picking last week when North Woods came visiting, with the Storm riding a six-game losing streak. The Grizzlies cashed in for their … more

5/9/24

The Grizzlies’ River Cheney slides in safe at third after hitting a triple during last Friday’s contest with South Ridge.

Grizzlies split a pair

FIELD TWP- The North Woods softball team split a pair of games bracketing the weekend this past week with a Friday home loss to South Ridge balanced by a Monday road win over Mt. Iron-Buhl. The 6-4 … more

David Colburn | 5/9/24

Road trips: exploring and simply meandering

The almighty road trip is a favorite activity in my household. Journeys too often get second billing to destinations. For that reason, the road trip gets top billing in my house. Many a weekend has … more

Catie Clark | 5/9/24

Anglers are expected to be out in force beginning early Saturday, May 11 when the Minnesota walleye opener gets underway. Pictured are scenes from the 2023 walleye opener on Lake Vermilion.

Ready and waiting...

REGIONAL— If there’s a consensus about the prospects for anglers when they hit the water on Saturday, it’s that the outlook is favorable for a solid opener. While water temperatures … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/9/24

A pine warbler looks for an opening at a local bird feeder. Pine warblers are the only warbler in the region that regularly makes use of bird feeders during the early season.

The early bird

The return of warblers to the North Country is always a sure sign that spring is on its way, although a couple species can make an appearance even as winter is still holding on. Our two earliest … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/9/24

County to take major action to address Trygg Rd. flats

EAGLES NEST TWP— After months of criticism over the impact of tire-piercing aggregate on Trygg Road, St. Louis County Public Works has opted for a major overhaul of the winding gravel road. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/9/24

Walz signs new law allowing digital images of game and fish licenses

REGIONAL— Gov. Tim Walz, this week, signed into effect a new law that allows anyone with a state game or fish license to use a digital image of their license in place of a paper copy when … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/9/24

City of Ely asking residents to check their water lines

ELY- The city of Ely is looking for information from all its residents on their water intake lines. The payoff will be a free replacement if an intake line is found to be made of lead. The Minnesota … more

Catie Clark | 5/9/24

Postal audit finds major problems at Bemidji PO

REGIONAL—An audit report released this week has shed light on some of the problems facing the U.S. Postal Service as a result of the expansion in its package delivery service. The audit of the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/9/24

Birth records open to adult adoptees July 1

REGIONAL- Starting July 1, Minnesota-born adoptees, 18 years and older, will have new access to their original birth records, a move that promises to unlock deeply held questions about their … more

David Colburn | 5/9/24