Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota
Top stories
Klobuchar sets another milestone
REGIONAL— Twenty years ago this week, the voters of Minnesota elected Amy Klobuchar as the state’s first female U.S. Senator. This week, on Tuesday, voters made her the state’s first female …
Hauschild defies massive outside spending to hold seat
REGIONAL- More than $1.7 million in outside spending supporting Andrea Zupancich or opposing Grant Hauschild wasn’t enough to keep the incumbent senator from winning a second term Tuesday, and by a …
Skraba edges Kania for third term
REGIONAL- Republican Roger Skraba held off DFL challenger Aaron Kania to win a third term representing House District 3A Tuesday, surviving a much tighter contest as voters across Minnesota handed …
Flanagan defeats Tafoya by wide margin
REGIONAL- Minnesota Democrat Peggy Flanagan made history Tuesday as the first Native American woman elected to the U.S. Senate, defeating Republican Michele Tafoya to win the seat being vacated by …
ISD 2142 referenda rejected by voters
REGIONAL — Voters rejected both of ISD 2142’s proposed school funding measures Tuesday, denying the district additional operating revenue and a capital projects levy. Both ballot questions failed …
General Election Returns
Vote totals for selected precincts for national, state, and regional races. Click on chart to enlarge image.
Omerza reelected as Ely Mayor, other incumbents retain council seats
ELY — Mayor Heidi Omerza won reelection Tuesday, defeating challenger Emily Roose and preserving her position for another two-year term. On the city council, incumbents Albert Forsman and Angela …
Read our E-edition
Reason for optimism?
Hunters should have more opportunities to target a buck in permit areas in northern St. Louis and Lake counties when they head to their deer stands beginning a half hour before sunrise on Saturday. …
Mass movement of red crossbills now underway
REGIONAL— Enormous numbers of one of North America’s most complicated bird species have been pouring into the North Country over the past several months, setting new records at places like Hawk …
REGIONAL— Hunters concerned about the presence of chronic wasting disease in the deer they harvest this season can take advantage of free testing by the Department of Natural Resources. The DNR’s …
REGIONAL—Deer season is a time of tradition, family, and fun. It’s also a time for great outdoors stories and we’d like to hear yours— so we can share the best with our readers. We’re …
Timberjay Editorial
Election fraud disproven
The provocateur James O’Keefe set out to prove Minnesota’s elections are wide open to fraud. He may instead have produced the most convincing evidence yet that they aren’t. It’s a worthwhile …
Is America worth saving?
America is in trouble. Around the world, and here at home, it is widely recognized that the America that led the western world for the past 80 years is no longer up to the challenge. In our …
Columnists
A 90th birthday gala for Mary Batinich and the cultural center
Turning 90 is an accomplishment most people fail to achieve but doing it with a little pizzazz is even better! My friend, Mary Batinich of Soudan, just celebrated her 90th birthday…but why settle …
Vote! It’s the best thing we can do for American and the world
Another election cycle is about to end. Tuesday Nov. 3 is the final chance we’ll have to cast our ballots. Polling results are pouring in from all across the country. It looks like Democrats have a …
What the woods know: What remains
There’s a certain kind of silence that comes when someone dies. Not the peaceful kind you find beside a lake at sunrise, or standing among the trees after a fresh snowfall. It’s a different …
I’m a few steps closer to a Heinz 57
I was at a loss for a column topic this week when, on a whim, I logged into Ancestry.com to see whether its latest DNA update had arrived. It had. Serendipity is always welcome on deadline. For those …
Letters to the Editor
Wolves come up just short in sectional final
REGIONAL- The Ely Timberwolves had another trip to the state tournament within their reach on Wednesday, until they didn’t, as the Chisholm Bluestreaks rallied from five points down to win the …
Wolves head to title showdown
REGIONAL- With the opening set slipping away and Barnum threatening to turn Friday’s Section 7A semifinal into a much longer night, the Ely Timberwolves found another gear. Ely erased three set …
Grizzlies out on loss to Bluestreaks
CHISHOLM- The North Woods volleyball squad found the going tough last week at Chisholm, where the top-seeded and ninth-ranked Bluestreaks bounced the Grizzlies out of the Section 7A tourney with a …
Wolves miss state berth by a single point
ELY- One point separated the Ely boys cross country team from a trip to state at the Section 7A Championships last Thursday at Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Coleraine, bringing a strong season to an …
Grizzlies fall to Bigfork in overtime
REGIONAL- A stout defensive effort and 253 yards on the ground put North Woods within reach of a playoff road win at Bigfork on Tuesday, Oct. 27, but missed scoring opportunities came back to haunt …
Sylvia A. Makela
Sylvia A. Makela, 88, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, and left behind a legacy defined by a passion for teaching and a deep love of her family and country. Whether she was in a classroom, …
Timothy M. Dyhr
Timothy Moran Dyhr, 75, formerly of Ely, passed away peacefully in Tucson, Ariz., on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation in his name may be made …
Charlotte J. Wood
Charlotte “Shirley” Jean Wood, 89, of Ely, passed away peacefully at Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. The family wishes to acknowledge Shirley’s Boundary Waters Care …
Philip B. Stevenson
Philip B. Stevenson, 74, recently passed away due to complications from a stroke and cardiac arrest. There is no memorial planned at this time. Please reach out to his family with any …
Shirley M. Lundgren
Shirley Mae Olson Lundgren, 91, of Babbitt, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital. A memorial service was held on Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Evangelical …
Dominic and Josephine Elioff
Dominic J. Elioff, 95, of Virginia, died on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. Josephine Lunka Elioff, 95, of Virginia, died on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. Originally from Ely, and high school sweethearts, they had …
Duane M. Solberg
Duane M. Solberg, 67, of Babbitt, died on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud. Funeral arrangements are pending with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
Diedre K. Powell
Diedre Kay Omerza Powell, 74, of Mt. Iron, originally of Ely, passed away on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. Services will be private. She will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, and loved …
Lillian J. Filius
Lillian J. Sample Filius, 85, of Tower, died on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, at Vermilion Senior Living in Tower. Funeral services were held on Thursday, Nov. 5 at Legacy Church East Range in Aurora. …
Rachel A. Thomatz
Rachel Ann Empting Mager Thomatz, 86, formerly of Babbitt, has died. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clear Lake and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. …
Trick or treat?
Overcast skies and occasional drizzle only added to the eerie ambiance of Saturday's Halloween festivities, and Timberjay photographers were out and about to capture images on some of the …
Ely High School fall theater production ‘Ranked, A Musical’
Krystal Poppler, the director of the Ely High School musical recently discussed the upcoming production of “Ranked, A Musical.” “It’s a psychological drama exploring academic pressure and …
TSHS hosting open houses at the historic fire hall
TOWER- The Tower-Soudan Historical Society’s new executive director, Kelsey Cooke, was at the open house on Monday, to greet community members and show off the newly-restored historic building. …
Cook City Council tackles range of issues old and new
COOK—The Cook City Council discussed progress on infrastructure improvements, historical preservation efforts, blight concerns, and winter recreation hours during a regular meeting Oct. 28.
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Bourbonais to take Cook administrator-clerk/treasurer position
COOK—Jenny Bourbonais has accepted the administrator-clerk/treasurer position for the city of Cook. Bourbonais is leaving her position as Virginia’s community development director. Bourbonais …
Quizlet reports that research shows self-testing improves memory retention more than rereading materials, despite students feeling more confident when rereading.
Intuit TurboTax reports energy-saving tips for winter after Daylight Saving Time, including bundling up, using space heaters, and sealing drafts.
(BPT) - Fall is arguably one of the best seasons for running. The crisp, cool air brings runners a much-needed reprieve after a summer of sweaty miles and serves as a reminder to make the most of the …
Houzz reports on four retro-inspired room designs blending past styles with modern touches, showcasing 1920s Art Deco, 1950s charm, 1960s Space Age, and vibrant 1990s aesthetics.
Some options that might look like health insurance actually aren’t – and they may leave you stranded with large, unexpected medical expenses.