News - The Timberjay

ELY— The AM side of WELY radio returned to the airwaves this week, providing the first tangible evidence of the progress being made by staff from Wisconsin-based Civic Media, as they work to … more

Catie Clark | 4/24/25

The character Serpina moves in to plant a kiss on a confused Uberto.

A night at the opera

TOWER- Steve Solkela’s production of the 1733 comic opera “La Serva Padona” was a bit unconventional, which hardly came as a surprise to anyone familiar with Solkela’s unique … more

Jodi Summit | 4/24/25

Scorched remains of the garage and vehicles owned by Dave Wanless and Laura Garofalo after a suspicious fire last January.

Council resignation cites threats from troubled neighbor

TOWER— A recently resigned member of the Tower City Council is raising questions about the safety of the community in a scathing resignation letter he provided to city officials last month. The … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/24/25

Protestors in Ely picket against Trump administration policies.

Snow and wind doesn’t deter protesters in Ely

ELY— Freezing temperatures, a brisk breeze, and some light snow didn’t seem to discourage the 120 people who turned out on Saturday for what has become an ongoing protest against the … more

Catie Clark | 4/24/25

Greenwood hires Mortaloni as township treasurer

GREENWOOD TWP- Interim treasurer Tammy Mortaloni got an upgrade at Tuesday’s town board meeting here, when the board voted to hire her as the township’s new treasurer. The board decision … more

Jodi Summit | 4/17/25

Bois Forte primary narrows field for new chairperson

NETT LAKE- The race to replace former Bois Forte Chairperson Cathy Chavers is down to two, as former tribal council member Travis Morrison and political newcomer Carlos Hernandez were the top … more

David Colburn | 4/17/25

Board slashes $450,000 from next year’s budget

ELY- Like many other school districts on the Iron Range, ISD 696 has been faced with the triple budget whammy of increasing expenses, the loss of federal COVID-19 funding, and declining enrollment. … more

Catie Clark | 4/17/25

Wanless resigns from Tower City Council

TOWER— The city council here, on Monday, authorized soliciting bids for a sewer and water extension from Pine Street to the Marjo RE property to serve up to six new homes currently being built … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/17/25

Tribal council member on leave after incident at Fortune Bay

TOWER- Bois Forte Tribal Council District 1 Representative Perry Drift has taken a leave of absence following an incident at Fortune Bay Resort Casino on Friday, April 11, that is under internal and … more

4/17/25

Obituaries: April 18, 2025

Justin Grotberg Justin Grotberg, 35, of Vermilion Lake Township, succumbed in the evening of Thursday, April 3, 2025, from injuries acquired in his battle with brain cancer. There will be a … more

4/17/25

An artist’s sketch of the planned harbor development apartment complex.

City harbor development clears hurdle

TOWER— A proposal for a planned mixed-use development at the city’s harbor here drew no public comment during a public hearing on Tuesday held by the Tower Planning and Zoning Commission. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/17/25

Residents of Unorganized 63-17 turned out last Thursday to learn more about the push to form their own township.

Residents weigh local control in push for new township

LAKE VERMILION – More than three dozen residents gathered at the Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade station last Thursday to consider a question that could reshape local governance on the western end … more

David Colburn | 4/17/25

Moxie eyes the photographer during her recent photo opportunity.

Moxie lives up to her name

GREENWOOD TWP- Laura Williams is relieved that her beloved bearded collie, Moxie, is back home after she went missing for three days and apparently survived a serious attack by a large predator. … more

Jodi Summit | 4/17/25

Skraba gives Ely council legislative assessment

ELY- Former Ely mayor and current House District 3A Rep. Roger Skraba was in familiar territory on Tuesday, dropping in on the Ely City Council meeting to give an update on the current session of the … more

Catie Clark | 4/17/25

Mining's potential impact on the economy and environment was a bit topic at the town hall meeting.

Huge turnout for Hauschild’s Ely town hall

ELY- It was standing room only at Vermilion Fine Arts Theater here on Tuesday as Sen. Grant Hauschild hosted his fifth town hall event, this time accompanied by Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy. … more

Catie Clark | 4/17/25

Jen McDonough was the evening’s keynote speaker.

Ely Chamber hosts annual awards night

ELY- Pirates, scavenger hunts, rubber duckies, and “Iron Jen” McDonough combined for a memorable evening here as the Ely Chamber of Commerce held its annual Celebrate Ely dinner and … more

Catie Clark | 4/10/25

Sen. Smith bill would prohibit sulfide mining upstream of BWCAW

REGIONAL— U.S. Sen. Tina Smith has introduced a measure in the U.S. Senate that would make permanent the current prohibition on mineral leasing on 225,000 acres of the Superior National Forest, … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/10/25

Hauschild and Skraba advance bill to provide aid to rural fire, EMS districts

REGIONAL- A bill moving through the Minnesota Legislature could bring long-term relief to rural fire and emergency services by sending state aid to special taxing districts created to support them. … more

David Colburn | 4/10/25

Real ID deadline takes flight May 7

REGIONAL- If you have a domestic flight booked for any time after May 6, you’ll be turned away from airport security if you don’t have a Real ID or another acceptable form of … more

David Colburn | 4/10/25

Orr repeat offender back in court; charged with driving without a license

REGIONAL- Tate Jordan Cly, 21, of Orr, was scheduled to be arraigned in St. Louis County District Court on Friday on a charge of driving while his license was revoked, the third such offense in a … more

David Colburn | 4/10/25

Obituaries: April 11, 2025

Robert Tekautz Robert “Bob” Tekautz, 78, of Virginia, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 28, 2025, at home, with his wife and family by his side, after a lengthy illness with several … more

4/10/25

Protesters gather with signs along Sheridan Street, garnering mostly positive responses from passersby.

Nationwide outpouring

ELY— More than 200 area residents brought a wide range of concerns over the Trump administration’s recent actions to Whiteside Park on Saturday, part of a national day of protest … more

Catie Clark | 4/10/25

Acclaimed photographer Jim Brandenburg dies at age 79

REGIONAL—Jim Brandenburg, one of the world’s most celebrated nature photographers, has died at the age of 79. That shocking news was shared by members of his family, who were with him … more

Marshall Helmberger | 4/10/25

Low income heating aid may be lost

REGIONAL- The abrupt termination of the entire national staff overseeing a $4.1 billion federal energy assistance program last week left more than 10,000 Minnesota households uncertain about whether … more

David Colburn | 4/10/25

Lawmakers focusing on healthy aging

REGIONAL- At a time when there are more Minnesotans aged 65 or older than there are school-aged children, lawmakers in St. Paul are taking a serious look at how to position state government to best … more

David Colburn | 4/10/25