Stories - The Timberjay

Area deer were taking advantage of bare ground on a south-facing slope this week to search for fresh growth. These deer, located near Puncher Point on Lake Vermilion look to be in relatively good shape, likely due to artificial feeding by local residents.

Deep and dense snowpack posed a challenge for deer

REGIONAL— While winter finally appears to be in retreat across the North Country, the impact of the deep and dense snowpack that’s been in place throughout the region for the past several … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/12/23

A bull moose makes its way through young regenerating forest at the site of the Pagami Creek fire.

Latest moose survey shows stable population

REGIONAL— There is more evidence of stability in the northeastern Minnesota moose population even as the Department of Natural Resource’s latest estimate of 3,290 moose marks a … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/12/23

Prospectors propose new OHV trail expansions

REGIONAL— A proposal to add about 59 miles of new OHV trail segments and a connecting spur in northern St. Louis County is up for public comment through May 4. That’s according to the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/12/23 | 1 comment

Yellow-bellied sapsuckers are returning to the area along with this week’s mild weather.

Mild air brings migrants

REGIONAL— This week’s remarkable weather brought more than near-record warm temperatures to the North Country. The southerly breezes also brought with them a flood of migratory birds that … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/12/23

The floor of the Ely Memorial High School gymnasium where the top layer of water-damaged maple floorboards had already been removed. The floor was damaged by water from a pipe leak on March 17.

Ely School Board floored by gym water damage

ELY- The Ely School Board addressed two notable agenda items during their April 10 session— the gifted and talented program and damage to the high school gymnasium floor from the recent water … more

Catie Clark | 4/12/23

Lawmakers find pot legalization a heavy lift

REGIONAL- The legislative path to approving recreational marijuana for Minnesota has been a long and winding road, as companion bills in the House and the Senate have snaked their way through more … more

David Colburn | 4/12/23

Ambulance funding

Communities around the region are increasingly aware that the old model of funding ambulance services exclusively through the insurance payments generated by users is no longer viable. As services … more

4/12/23 | 1 comment

2142 board develops response to Native parent committee

VIRGINA- It was apparent at Tuesday’s ISD 2142 board working session that communication and understanding between the district and its American Indian Parent Advisory Committee is still a work … more

David Colburn | 4/12/23

The Frandsen Bank & Trust branch in Tower.

Frandsen Bank & Trust recognized by Standard & Poor’s

REGIONAL— Frandsen Bank and Trust, which maintains offices in Ely, Tower, and Virginia, and numerous other communities in the Upper Midwest, has been named among the top community banks in the … more

Catie Clark | 4/12/23

Minnesota Power exceeds conservation goals

REGIONAL— Minnesota Power continues to lead the way among the state’s utilities for energy conservation. In 2022, for the 13th year in a row, the Duluth-based electric utility has … more

4/12/23

Obituaries: April 14, 2023

Patricia Mason Patricia Griffis Waisanen Mason made her final boarding call and “slipped the surly bonds of earth” on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. She died at home in Albany, Ore., with her … more

4/12/23

Mid-Range Honor Guard gets van upgrade thanks to retrofit by Lamppa Manufacturing

TOWER- Lamppa Manufacturing, in Tower, is still building on the tradition of founders Herb and Daryl Lamppa.“We believe in being good local citizens,” said Lamppa plant manager Dale … more

Jodi Summit | 4/6/23

Black Bay campground back on county agenda

LAKE VERMILION— The prospective developer of a rustic campground near the mouth of Lake Vermilion’s Black Bay plans to appear before the St. Louis County Planning Commission next … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/5/23

Ely finally passes new cannibinoid ordinance

ELY— After four months of moratoriums and failed first readings, the Ely City Council passed ordinance 367 on Tuesday, to license and regulate edible cannabinoid product dealers within city … more

Catie Clark | 4/5/23

Meadows won’t face additional charges, at least for now

ELY— A 20-year-old Ely man won’t face additional charges after he intentionally ran down three deer with his pickup truck last month, but he may face a stiffer penalty than it initially … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/5/23

River Carter, Lailana Stellmach, and Sri Stellmach finished their projects.

Cupcake smiles

Tower-Soudan Community Education sponsored a cupcake decorating class, just in time for the Easter holiday. Students piped, sprinkled, and used candy to decorate pre-made cupcaked, and Timberjay … more

Jodi Summit | 4/5/23

DNR seeking comment on several area lakes

REGIONAL—The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is inviting anglers and others to comment through Friday, April 21, on fish management plans for several lakes in northern St. Louis … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/5/23

Park seeks input on ice roads plan

INTERNATIONAL FALLS— The National Park Service has begun a planning process to draft a new access and use plan for frozen lake surfaces in Voyageurs National Park to make the park more … more

4/5/23

Fed funds to address wildfire risk in county

REGIONAL— St. Louis County will be receiving $890,925 from the U.S. Forest Service to help plan for and mitigate wildfire risks within the county. The county’s proposal was one … more

4/5/23

Anglers had better keep their nets handy when fishing on Lake Vermilion this summer. Both the walleye count and the average size should make for exceptional fishing this year.

Walleye count stays strong

LAKE VERMILION— The fishery here continues to be remarkably strong and anglers can anticipate more of the same for the foreseeable future. That’s the upshot of the latest fall … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/5/23

Outdoor briefs

DNR finalizes rule changes to reduce accidental lynx take REGIONAL— The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has finalized trapping rule changes to help minimize the risk of accidental … more

4/5/23

Floodwaters pour over the Kettle Falls dam last May. Water level regulators will be allowing more discharge in the coming weeks to try to head off similar flooding this year.

Rainy River basin lake level targets lowered

REGIONAL— The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB)’s Water Levels Committee (WLC), the group responsible for recommending lake levels for Rainy and Namakan … more

David Colburn | 4/5/23

Easing into the life of a weekly editor

It’s always enlightening to examine the nuances of a new place after moving across the country. After a third of a year at the Timberjay, I took a look at my experiences so far with returning … more

Catie Clark | 4/5/23

North Country communities score IRRR awards for projects

REGIONAL- Ely, Cook, Orr, and Breitung Township were among the area winners in the latest round of infrastructure funding approved by the Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation’s … more

David Colburn | 4/5/23

As cases dwindle, MDH focuses on long COVID issues

REGIONAL- The effects of COVID-19 can vary greatly, from cold and flu-like symptoms to life-threatening complications. Recovery can be similarly complicated. Not everyone who contracts COVID-19 makes … more

David Colburn | 4/5/23