News - The Timberjay

An angler uses his bare hands to land a modest Lake Vermilion walleye on opening day.

REGIONAL- Another successful fishing opener weekend is in the books, with hoards of eager anglers flocking to Lake Vermilion and other area lakes in search of the often elusive walleye. Reports … more

David Colburn | 5/15/24

Council hears pushback over short-term rental recommendation

TOWER— A recommendation to prohibit short-term rentals in districts zoned residential here drew some pushback at Monday’s meeting of the Tower City Council. The city’s planning and … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/15/24

Beldo pleads guilty in Babbitt double homicide

BABBITT- Roger Beldo pled guilty to second degree murder “with intent” in a Virginia courtroom May 8 in the deaths of an elderly Babbitt couple last October. Beldo acknowledged the double … more

Catie Clark | 5/15/24

Greenwood still wrangling over treasurer reports

GREENWOOD TWP- “We are going to zip right through here tonight,” said Greenwood Chair Lois Roskoski optimistically at the beginning of the May 14 town board meeting. And while the meeting … more

Jodi Summit | 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

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

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

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

Sports betting bill faces long odds of passage

REGIONAL- What began the legislative session wrapped in an aura of optimism is now the target of widespread pessimistic speculation as the clock ticks down on the dwindling chance to pass a bill … more

David Colburn | 5/9/24

Finalists Rebecca Buck, left, and Rachel Betterley, center, celebrate with Washburn High Minneapolis teacher Tracy Byrd moments after he was named the 2024 Minnesota Teacher of the Year on Sunday

Betterley feted at teacher of the year ceremony in St. Paul

REGIONAL- From her successful pageantry exploits, North Woods art teacher Rachel Betterley is certainly accustomed to large crowds, but on Sunday the setting was a bit different. Hundreds of … more

David Colburn | 5/9/24

Obituaries: May 10, 2024

Rebecca L. Swan Rebecca Lynn “Becky” Swan, “Waawiyaasinokwe” Whirlwind Woman, 45, of Virginia, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in her home. A funeral service was … more

5/9/24

An overlook on the Pine Ridges Trail on Tower’s northside hill.

Trail designation ruffles feathers

TOWER- A self-titled “rant” on the “What’s Up Tower” Facebook page this week asked a question that volunteers in the Wagoner Trails Club have expected was coming for … more

Jodi Summit | 5/1/24

Stauber bill could relaunch battle over Ely mine

REGIONAL— The U.S. House, this week, gave a narrow vote of approval for legislation that would rescind the mineral withdrawal affecting a portion of the Superior National Forest and require the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/1/24

Elders at higher risk as targets of fraud and scams

REGIONAL- In a brand new report, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) says there was a significant uptick in elder fraud complaints in 2023. The Elder Fraud Report, released on … more

David Colburn | 5/1/24

Whiteside Park may host wifi

ELY- The Ely Telecommunications Advisory Board (TAB) is proposing to install fiber-based wifi into Whiteside Park. The hard-wired connection is expected to improve internet access for the … more

Catie Clark | 5/1/24