News - The Timberjay

An excavator hauls rock across the east parking lot on the Ely school campus Tuesday morning as work continues on $21.5 million building and renovation project.

Ely school construction project finish line looms

ELY – The $21.5 million building and renovation project on the ISD 696 campus here is quickly headed for the Labor Day completion finish line, and with about a month to go, just seven percent … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/28/22

Ely artist Leah Reusch is drawn to the natural world for her artistic inspiration.

Ely artist uses light and space in her oversized works

ELY – A local artist visited the North Country for the first time when she was a 15-year-old camper at YMCA’s Camp Widjiwagen, and she never really left. Leah Reusch worked at Widji off … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/27/22

A black bear was recently spotted foraging for berries and other treats in a ditch a little over a mile from the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary.

Bear visits raise concerns

NETT LAKE- After last summer’s severe drought, there are likely no creatures happier to see this year’s bumper crop of berries than the black bears who count them among their favorite … more

David Colburn | 7/27/22 | 2 comments

Employee faces assault allegations

ELY – A city of Ely employee was placed on paid leave last week while an investigation continues into an alleged physical assault at the Ely City Hall that put a local construction worker in … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/27/22

Midco crews in Ely installed high-speed internet lines in Ely this week.

High-speed internet finally reaching the North Country

REGIONAL— After years of frustration over the lack of high-speed internet at the end of the road, the evidence of a solution is everywhere these days. And it’s all coming to nearby Tower … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/27/22

Chippewa Tribe votes to end blood quantum requirements

REGIONAL- Since the 1800s, federal and state laws have legally defined Native Americans in fractions of “Indian blood” – one-half, one-quarter, one-eighth, and so on – to … more

David Colburn | 7/27/22

PolyMet, Teck Resources launch joint venture

REGIONAL—Canadian-based PolyMet Mining and Teck Resources have launched a joint venture to bring two of the largest known deposits of copper-nickel and precious metals on the Duluth Complex … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/27/22

Northshore shutdown extended to next April

REGIONAL- The uncertainty surrounding the future of Northshore Mining taconite mining and processing operations in Babbitt and Silver Bay was magnified last week when parent company Cleveland Cliffs … more

David Colburn | 7/27/22

Former Ontario cop gets 10 years for Bois Forte child sex abuse case

REGIONAL- A former Ontario Provincial Police officer was sentenced to 10 years in prison last week in federal district court in Minnesota for sexually abusing two young girls while he was a guest at … more

David Colburn | 7/27/22

MCEA: ‘Jobs’ mantra transitioning to ‘renewable energy’ argument

ELY – Sulfide mining companies are subtly shifting their rhetoric and messaging about the proposed projects in northern Minnesota.“No one is probably more familiar with this rhetoric over … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/27/22

Obituaries: July 29, 2022

Carrie Cazares Carrie Henrika Folz Cazares, 59, passed away on Thursday, June 30, 2022, surrounded by family at her home in Hillsboro, Ore. A memorial service will be held on what would have been her … more

7/27/22

Babbitt mine, Northshore to remain closed through next April

REGIONAL- Northshore Mining taconite mining and processing operations in Babbitt and Silver will stay closed until at least April 2023, as owner Cleveland-Cliffs says they’re “not … more

David Colburn | 7/22/22

Ely native to UM Board of Regents

REGIONAL - Tadd Johnson, from Ely, was appointed to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents last week. He is the first Native American to be appointed to the Board since it was established more … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/22/22

Town board updated on summer projects

SOUDAN- The Breitung Town Board got an update on summer projects, along with some preliminary discussion of projects needed in 2023, at a special meeting on July 14.Chairman Tim Tomsich talked about … more

Jodi Summit | 7/22/22

District 3A Republicans share views as primary approaches

REGIONAL- A pair of Republicans are squaring off in the Aug. 9 state primary for the chance to unseat Minnesota House District 3A incumbent Representative Rob Ecklund in November, and while the two … more

David Colburn | 7/20/22 | 1 comment

Commerce: Cut electric rate hike by 55 percent

REGIONAL— Financial analysts with the state’s Department of Commerce (DOC) are recommending a sharp reduction in Minnesota Power’s request for higher electrical rates for its … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/20/22

Odin Picard turns his pot into a helmet while waiting in line.

Old Settlers is booyah fun!

Old settlers, ranging in age from infants to 96-years old, gathered last Saturday at McKinley Park in Breitung Township for the annual community get-together which has been continuing for over 100 … more

Jodi Summit | 7/20/22

Council facing difficult budget work for 2023

ELY – The city’s budget committee released a proposed 2023 budget calendar Tuesday night and council members here were warned that difficult monetary decisions lay ahead in the coming … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/20/22

LTD’s winning bid for providing broadband coverage in northern St. Louis County includes the areas shadded in blue.

Troubled telecom faces state review

REGIONAL- The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) last week ordered an investigation of embattled telecom company LTD Broadband over concerns the small company may not be able to deliver on … more

David Colburn | 7/20/22

Chisholm man nailed in highway drug bust

REGIONAL- Law enforcement officials seized more than a pound of what was believed to be the dangerous synthetic opioid fentanyl in a highway drug bust Monday morning in central St. Louis County.The … more

David Colburn | 7/20/22

Greenwood debates merits of state fire fighter training

GREENWOOD TWP- The Greenwood Town Board has yet to approve a monthly treasurer’s report since the resignations of both the elected treasurer and clerk. “We’ve been working on the … more

Jodi Summit | 7/20/22

ISD 696 considers active-shooter training for school staff

ELY – As school shootings continue to increase across the country, the risk of such a tragedy has not been lost on ISD 696 officials, and discussions have ramped up on conducting active shooter … more

Keith Vandervort | 7/20/22

Football coach named at Vermilion

ELY – A change in leadership is coming this fall for the Minnesota North College, Vermilion Campus football program, as Richard Brooks was recently named head coach. Coach Brooks returns to … more

7/20/22

Scholarship programs would slash cost of attending Minnesota North College

HIBBING - We have heard it all too often, finances and time are the two biggest impediments to students enrolling and being successful in college. In addition, the North Country is in the midst of a … more

7/20/22

Obituaries: July 22, 2022

Lon E. Lamppa Lon Ernest Lamppa, 73, of Virginia, and formerly of Tower, Lake Vermilion and Embarrass, left this life after ‘the long goodbye’ on Saturday, July 16, 2022. A celebration of … more

7/20/22