Stories - The Timberjay

An artist's rendering of the Crane Lake Visitor Center.

Crane Lake OKs bid for new park visitors center

CRANE LAKE- With contractors in place, the long-held dream of a Voyageurs National Park visitor center and campground for Crane Lake is well down the path toward becoming reality. The Crane Lake … more

David Colburn | 6/14/23

Joint powers board resolves little

ELY- The four person Ely Area Ambulance Joint Powers Board (EAAJPB) met on June 12 without resolving any of a host of outstanding issues. That includes a substantial budget shortfall for renovations … more

Catie Clark | 6/14/23

Kids dance gleefully in the overspray from Friday’s firefighters challenge.

TIMBER DAYS A HIT

COOK- The annual Cook’s Timber Days festival last weekend was a winner all around, with favorable weather, attractions new and old, and good-sized crowds across all three days of the event. The … more

David Colburn | 6/14/23

Secretary of State Steve Simon (l) was on a tour of Hibbing Taconite on Tuesday. He met with tribal officials and union pipefitters at Fortune Bay Resort Casino on Wednesday.

Simon has full agenda on Iron Range visit

REGIONAL— Secretary of State Steve Simon had a busy agenda during a trip to both ends of the Iron Range this week and he had a lot to talk about with local political and business leaders. While … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/14/23

A screen porch can be the perfect sanctuary in a very buggy summer.

A bug-free hideaway

No matter where you are in the outdoors in the North Country this month, you’ve probably noticed that mosquitoes are, well… everywhere. While the weather has been pleasantly summer-like, … more

6/14/23

Heat pump units located on an outside wall

Making sense of heat pumps into home renovation

REGIONAL— Today, there’s more reason than ever to look to save energy at home— it’s good for the wallet and it’s good for the planet. Here in the North Country, the vast … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/14/23

Container gardening a good option with limited space e

Gardening is a rewarding hobby that has been linked to health benefits like reduced stress and improved mental well-being. Gardening also can lead to an inviting home landscape full of attractive … more

6/14/23

Five patio projects to enhance your summertime

Warm weather paves the way to more opportunities to enjoy fresh air. For homeowners who have the luxury of outdoor spaces, including private patios, now is the time to start thinking about projects … more

6/14/23

Small renovations that can make a big impact

Home renovations provide a host of benefits. Such projects can increase resale value and improve on the safety, aesthetics and functionality of a home. Some homeowners may employ the mantra “go … more

6/14/23

Who’s bugging you recently?

Is this what we were fantasizing about on a brutal 30 below night? As we damned the ice dams causing a rain forest in the kitchen, were we dreaming of participating in an involuntary blood drive, … more

Betty Firth | 6/14/23

Attendees take an inside look at a barrel sauna on display and for sale.

IT’S ALL ABOUT SAUNA

It was a celebration of all things sauna in Embarrass this past weekend, and Timberjay photographer Jodi Summit was on hand to capture the festivities. more

6/14/23

Island Life: Tales from the Number 9 Outhouse

I think a lot of you can relate to the evolution of our “cabins.” We started with just the land, building up as time and money could afford. And we upgraded as time went on. With the … more

April Wamhoff | 6/14/23

The cult of lying

What ever happened to the Republican Party? In the wake of the 37-count indictment of former President Donald Trump for violations of the Espionage Act, false statements to federal law enforcement … more

6/14/23 | 3 comments

Ely area DNR conservation officer Sean Williams was recently recognized for his efforts in the rescue of a snowshoer in the Boundary Waters last February.

Local CO recognized for BWCAW rescue

ELY— A local DNR conservation officer has been recognized for his efforts that led to the rescue of an individual trapped deep inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area last February. Sean … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/14/23

Amy Vesel with a handful of flowers from her new flower farming operation in Embarrass. Follow her on Facebook to see when flowers are available.

Fresh flowers to go

EMBARRASS- Amy Vesel brought bouquets of her homegrown flowers from her yard to give to coworkers to brighten their office. Now that she works remotely from home, she has decided to pursue her dream, … more

Jen Shuster-Dahlin | 6/14/23

Fire restrictions now in place

REGIONAL— Increasingly tinder dry conditions across the region have prompted the Department of Natural Resources to institute burning restrictions across the Arrowhead, including St. Louis, … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/14/23

Greenwood road repairs on the agenda

GREENWOOD TWP- The poor condition of Birch Point Extension was the focus of discussion at Tuesday’s town board meeting. While Birch Point Road is a county road, the last 1.8 miles (Twp 4136) … more

Jodi Summit | 6/14/23

Minnesota enacts landmark right-to-repair law

REGIONAL- Most everyone knows a tinkerer, someone who for the sheer challenge or pursuit of savings loves diving into broken things to try to repair them. And when it comes to a wide array of … more

David Colburn | 6/14/23

Range Mental Health Center (RMHC) Outpatient Therapists Jared Sabin, right, and Duane Dale discuss new processes and procedures as a result of the recent change in status for RMHC to a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic at the Gov. Rudy Perpich Building in Hibbing.

Range Mental Health Center ups its game

REGIONAL- Range Mental Health Center (RMHC), a nonprofit that has been serving the region for over sixty years, recently gained recognition as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) … more

6/14/23

Free summer meals for kids offered in Cook

COOK- A well-utilized free summer food program for children is back again at the Cook Public Library and in a dozen other Iron Range communities, but a change in how the meals are distributed has … more

David Colburn | 6/14/23

Obituaries: June 16, 2023

James F. Charles James Frederick “Jim” Charles, 100, formerly of Tower, passed away on Monday, June 5, 2023, at Lake Minnetonka Shores Assisted Living in Spring Park. A funeral service … more

6/14/23

In an undated photograph, Martin Gundersen fillets fish on an area dock while one of his grandchildren watches with interest. Gundersen, along with his wife Elizabeth, were major property owners in the area in the early 1900s. They later donated much of that land to the city of Tower, some of which formed the basis for the Gundersen Trust.

Gundersen Trust changes finally approved by court

TOWER- After years of effort, the city of Tower’s Gundersen Trust Fund has received court approval for the transfer of its assets to the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation (DSACF). … more

Jodi Summit | 6/8/23

One of the new bear enclosures at the North American Bear Center, featuring special bear-friendly and visitor-friendly zoo fencing and new natural dens.

New digs for residents at North American Bear Center

ELY- At the North American Bear Center, the old bear enclosures with their wooden shelters have lasted many years; however, with wear and bear, it was obvious they wouldn’t last fur-ever. … more

6/8/23

Brinker is pick for Timber Days grand marshal

COOK – There are certain constants about Danny Brinker, this year’s Grand Marshal for the Cook Timber Days parade. One is his volunteerism in the community, the primary reason he’s … more

David Colburn | 6/7/23

Ely High School graduates take part in the rite of graduation, tossing mortarboards to the sky.

Ready for anything

Area high schools held graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2023 last week. Here are a few images captured by Timberjay photographers. more

Timberjay staff | 6/7/23