News - The Timberjay

Impact of auto tariffs will be wide-ranging

REGIONAL- Few, if any, Minnesotans will likely be celebrating President Donald Trump’s self-declared “Liberation Day” on Wednesday, as tariffs he imposed in a bid to bolster … more

David Colburn | 4/3/25

Nathan Thompson and Krystal Rynders smile at the dedication of Krystal’s new home in Tower. Also pictured is Judy Johnson looking on.

Building strong families

TOWER- The legacy of the St. James Presbyterian Church and its generous congregation was further cemented here recently as the former parsonage became the new home of the Rynders family. Krystal … more

Jodi Summit | 4/3/25

One of the counterfeit bills found in the area.

Counterfeit $100 bills circulating locally

TOWER- The Breitung Police Department has received reports of numerous fake $100 bills being circulated and used in various locations in the Tower/Soudan area. “Please be vigilant, the bills do … more

Jodi Summit | 4/3/25

Tim Tomsich’s granddaughter, Tori, made a surprise appearance at the Breitung meeting. Family members brought cake to share after Tim’s final board meeting.

Breitung Community Center to be renamed to honor Tim Tomsich

SOUDAN- After 45 years serving on the town board, most of that as chairman, Tim Tomsich may not be spending as much time in the Breitung Community Center as he once did, but his service to the … more

Jodi Summit | 3/27/25

Another budget gap ahead for ISD 696

ELY- For the second year in a row, ISD 696 is facing a shortfall of almost a half million dollars, which is not small change for a school district with a $9 million budget. Last year, ISD 696 had a … more

Catie Clark | 3/27/25

ISD 2142 will shift to four-day school week

REGIONAL- After a thorough recap of last week’s public hearings at district schools, the ISD 2142 School Board voted 4-3 on Tuesday to switch to a four-day school week for next year. Those … more

David Colburn | 3/27/25

Greenwood set to hire treasurer, applications due April 8

GREENWOOD TWP- The Greenwood Town Board convened their annual reorganization meeting without a treasurer at the table, but quickly addressed that issue by appointing Tammy Mortaloni to the position … more

Jodi Summit | 3/27/25

A haul truck makes its way out of the pit at the Minntac mine near Virginia.

Order puts mining as top priority for federal lands

REGIONAL— A March 20 executive order signed by President Donald Trump establishes mining of minerals as the highest priority use of federal lands, and that could eventually lead to mining … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/27/25

A group of Tower-Soudan first graders take their usual morning walk around the school, with teachers pulling up the rear.

School closure ‘not on the table’

REGIONAL— As St. Louis County School District officials work to address the district’s estimated $1.5 million budget shortfall for next school year, they’ve made one thing … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/27/25

Stakeholders oppose sale of Minnesota Power parent company

REGIONAL— The proposed acquisition of Minnesota Power parent company ALLETE by two massive private venture capital entities is facing stiff opposition from an unusual coalition of stakeholders, … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/27/25

County seeks to arrest Ely man on domestic violence charges

ELY- The district court in Virginia has issued two warrants for an Ely man after an investigation of a domestic altercation on Jan. 4. That’s when Ely Police Sergeant Brad Roy responded to an … more

Catie Clark | 3/27/25

Feds take control of Eichorn child solicitation case

REGIONAL- Former GOP state Senator Justin Eichorn, of Grand Rapids, was in federal custody early this week following new allegations that he attempted to obstruct justice after his March 17 arrest in … more

David Colburn | 3/27/25

Silver Rapids developer sells shares to another project partner

FALL LAKE- The developers whose plan to remake the Silver Rapids Resort hit troubled waters late last year have sold their interest in the property to one of their partners in the project, the Storie … more

Catie Clark | 3/27/25

Cliffs announces layoff of 600 mine workers

REGIONAL— Cleveland Cliffs plans to lay off approximately 600 mine workers on the Iron Range due to slower than expected sales. That’s according to a press statement issued Thursday by … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/20/25

Breitung residents vote to raise 2026 levy to $773,000

SOUDAN- At the Breitung annual meeting, residents approved a 2026 levy of $773,000, a $33,000, or 4.46 percent, increase over last year. The town board recommended the levy increase to pay for higher … more

Stephanie Ukkola | 3/20/25

Ely City council fills gaps in its zoning map

ELY—The Ely City Council approved the first reading of a new ordinance that assigns zoning to 14 unzoned parcels within city limits and scheduled a public hearing on the new zoning assignments … more

Catie Clark | 3/20/25

Rock Ridge High dean arrested in child exploitation case

EVELETH- Rock Ridge High School dean of students Christopher Chad has been arrested in connection with a child exploitation investigation spanning multiple states, according to the St. Louis County … more

David Colburn | 3/20/25

Small business initiative targeted by Trump budget cutting

ELY- President Trump issued an executive order last Friday that put several smaller federal programs on the chopping block. The loss of one of them, the Community Development Financial Institutions … more

Catie Clark | 3/20/25

Board likely violates Open Meeting Law in supervisor appointment

FALL LAKE- The supervisors of Fall Lake Township appointed Adam Masloski as its third supervisor on Tuesday night in a closed session that was likely in violation of the state’s Open Meeting … more

Catie Clark | 3/20/25

Obituaries: March 21, 2025

Charles Richards Charles “Chuck” Richards, 86, of Cook, and previously of Edina, died peacefully on Sunday, March 2, 2025, surrounded by family. A service will be held at 11 a.m. on … more

3/20/25

Parents and North Woods staff discussed the impact of a four-day school week at a meeting held this week.

Four-day week draws mostly positive reviews

REGIONAL- Parents, staff, and community members had the chance to express their opinions and ask questions at public meetings at North Woods School and Tower-Soudan Elementary School on Monday about … more

David Colburn and Jodi Summit | 3/20/25

The commercial/apartment building now planned for Tower’s harbor will entail a design similar to Cove Point Lodge on Lake Superior, which was designed by the same architect. The color may be different.

Deal inked for harbor

TOWER— For more than 20 years, city officials here have worked toward the day when major development would come to Tower’s harbor. It appears that day may finally arrive starting this … more

Jodi Summit | 3/20/25

Pulsar Helium's operation could be a boon for northeastern Minnesota through a tax relief district funded by taxes on helium production.

Hauschild provision would create helium tax relief district

REGIONAL— The state of Minnesota would create a “helium tax relief area” under legislation advancing in St. Paul under the guidance of state Sen. Grant Hauschild. An amendment to … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/20/25

Range lawmaker arrested for seeking sex with a minor resigns

REGIONAL- Republican State Senator Justin Eichorn, of Grand Rapids, was arrested Monday in Bloomington after allegedly attempting to solicit sex from someone he believed was a teenage girl. Eichorn, … more

David Colburn | 3/20/25

The State Theater marquee welcomed everyone to the festival. Attendance at the festival continues to grow, with lots of sold out showings.

Award-winning “Boundary Waters” caps the Ely Film Festival

ELY- Tessa Blake, the director of the indie film “Boundary Waters” has won the Ely Film Festival’s award for Best Director. Her film, which was shot in Ely almost two years ago, … more

Catie Clark | 3/20/25