Sports - The Timberjay

The Northern Lights were on display at last year’s Star Party at Voyageurs National Park.

KABETOGAMA — Few places in the United States can match the beauty of the night skies of Voyageurs National Park, and on Aug. 29-30, those skies will be the star attraction. On Saturday, Aug. … more

David Colburn | 8/21/25

Singers around a drum sing a traditional song.

A Night Sky Drum Program at the LVCC on Aug. 28

TOWER- On Thursday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m., “Songs of The Anishinaabeg, A Night Sky Drum Program” will be held in St. Mary’s Hall. It will be a special evening of Anishinaabeg Nagamon … more

8/21/25

Benny and Bode Burgess feed some kid goats at last year’s fair.

Summer’s last hurrah

EMBARRASS — The Embarrass Region Fair calls itself the “last hurrah of summer,” and that may not be a huge exaggeration. With dozens of activities and chances to participate for all … more

Jodi Summit | 8/14/25

Pam Frazee searches for the right yearling during a team penning competition.

Horse events begin this weekend at Timber Hall

EMBARRASS — Team Penning and Ranch Sorting have become very popular events for both riders and spectators, and for good reason. It is fast-paced action, with a lot to cheer for and to laugh at. … more

Jodi Summit | 8/14/25

Fly-in organizer Ross Coyer and his wife, Lara, stand in front of their airplane at Sunday's first-of-its-kind occasion at the Orr Regional Airport. Coyer hopes to turn the Airb’ORR’ne Fly-In into an annual event.

First Airb’ORR’ne Fly-In takes advantage of perfect Sunday skies

ORR- Perfect flying weather and a lineup of visiting aircraft drew a good community turnout Sunday for the inaugural Airb’ORR’ne Fly-In at the Orr Regional Airport. Event organizer Ross … more

David Colburn | 8/14/25

Burgess Marine and Burgess Chevrolet were landmarks in the early days of Tower, up through 1980

Burgess family history focus of upcoming history talk on Aug. 29

TOWER- Explore the rich heritage of the Tower-Soudan-Lake Vermilion area through the stories, places, and people who shaped it. The Tower-Soudan Historical Society’s History Talks on Main … more

8/14/25

Wagoner Trail Club officials (from left) Terry Wagoner, Barb Soderberg, Kathy Siskar, Aaron Kania, Marshall Helmberger, and Bill Campbell.

New motorized and non-motorized trails coming to Tower-Soudan

TOWER-SOUDAN — As Wagoner Trail Club members and friends gathered at McKinley Park Campground for their second annual potluck, club officials were excited to talk about the upcoming $266,666 … more

Jodi Summit | 8/14/25

Finnish architect Marko Huttunen, left, and John Rajala speak inside the cow barn of the historic housebarn in Embarrass.

Finnish architect visits the historic Seitaniemi Housebarn

EMBARRASS — Marko Huttunen was in Minnesota as a featured speaker for last week’s FinnFest in Duluth, but he also had his heart set on visiting the historic Finnish log buildings in … more

Jodi Summit | 8/7/25

The Ely squad lines up along the third base line for pregame activities before Thursday’s contest against Sibley East.

Legion tourney brings star baseball talent to Ely

Seven American Legion baseball teams from around the state, with families and fans in tow, poured into Ely last week for the Division II State Legion Baseball Tournament, and while New London-Spicer … more

David Colburn | 8/7/25

Saddle club, fair association closer to an agreement over the horse arena

EMBARRASS — The Northwoods Saddle Club and Embarrass Region Fair Association came a step closer to finalizing an agreement over the ownership of the arena fencing and gates at their second … more

Jodi Summit | 8/7/25

Harvey St. reconstruction to continue through early October

ELY — The comprehensive reconstruction of Harvey Street is moving forward with several critical milestones approaching as St. Louis County works to complete the infrastructure project by early … more

Robert Monteith | 8/7/25

David Pearsall to speak about local veterans in World War II

TOWER- David Pearsall, author of “Son of Wake Island” and “World War II – Honor and Remembrance,” will be speaking at the LVCC on Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. Pearsall wrote his … more

8/7/25

Maija Peterson of Tower competes in barrel racing

Saddle up and ride

The 70th annual North Star Stampede drew huge crowds to Effie on Firday, Saturday, and Sunday to eee competitors from six years old to over 60 ride in Minnesota's oldest open rodeo. … more

7/31/25

Center-row seating was recently installed at the Comet Theater. The new seats are larger and have cupholders.

Cook’s Comet Theater is back – with upgrades

COOK — The first film shown at the newly reopened Comet Theater in Cook this past week was “F1,” a high-octane tribute to speed and precision. But getting to that moment? That was a … more

David Colburn | 7/31/25

People line up at a food truck during the Lake Vermilion Bash.

Lake Vermilion Bash celebrates generations of island residents

Lots of folks boated in for the Lake Vermilion Bash set up lakeside behind Gruben’s Marina on July 19. The event boasted wine tasting, trivia games, a silent auction, a raffle, historical … more

Karen Bartunek | 7/31/25

U.S. Steel to sponsor world curling event coming to the Range

REGIONAL— U.S. Steel has announced it will serve as the title sponsor for the 2025 Pan Continental Curling Championships, coming to Virginia and Eveleth in October. Their announcement of the … more

7/31/25

Zoe Lampman working on a felted bird ornament.

Ely’s Felted Whimsy creator Zoe Lampman creates magic out of simple wool

ELY — Take a large handful of clean, naturally colored wool and start poking it with a barbed needle, and something magical happens. The barbs in the needle start “felting” the wool … more

Jodi Summit | 7/24/25

Ready, set, blueberry!

Festival Hours Friday, July 25: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m ELY- Ely’s biggest weekend of the year kicks off today … more

7/24/25

A beaming Stella Pliml shows off the medal she was awarded for her exemplary execution of a spin during the Excel skating finals in Colorado Springs.

Don’t stop her now: Stella Pliml rides undefeated season to nationals

COOK — Twelve-year-old skater Stella Pliml already knew she was good at her sport after becoming the youngest ice skater ever at the Virginia Figure Skating Club to pass the U.S. Figure Skating … more

David Colburn | 7/24/25

Volunteers peeled and chopped hundreds of pounds of vegetables the night before.

Old Settlers celebrates 111 years of booyah, family, and fun

BREITUNG TWP — With ages ranging from one month to nearly 100 years old, area families and friends convened at McKinley Park Campground for the 111th annual Old Settlers Reunion and Picnic. … more

Jodi Summit | 7/24/25

Breitung: Last chance to sign up for fiber internet

SOUDAN — At their July 15 meeting, the Breitung Town Board emphasized the importance for residents to sign up for broadband internet service where it will soon be available, including the areas … more

Stephanie Ukkola | 7/24/25

Frank Kaml inspects his beehive, which has been struggling to produce honey.

A garden of quiet devotion

COOK — It’s a well-worn question that never grows old: Why did the chicken cross the road? If you ask the chickens on Frank Kaml’s farm north of Cook, you’ll probably get the … more

David Colburn | 7/17/25

Mickey Bloom brought some of the Cream of Wheat memorabilia from her mother’s collection, as she spoke about the history of the Clifford family and the Cream of Wheat Company of Minneapolis.

Cream of Wheat, a breakfast from times gone by

TOWER – The Tower-Soudan Historical Society granted a look at some history, and a chance to taste that history, during a presentation on the history of Cream of Wheat. Cream of Wheat was a … more

Jodi Summit | 7/17/25

Angora’s Charlie Lokken is a regular local favorite in the North Star Stampede’s calf roping events. The open rodeo gives North Country riders the chance to compete a bit closer to their hometown fans.

Effie readies for 70th North Star Stampede

EFFIE — If you’re someone who prefers living history to reading about it, then load up your car and head to Effie the weekend of July 25–27 for the 70th edition of the North Star … more

David Colburn | 7/17/25

Blueberry/Art Festival set for July 25 - 27 in Ely

ELY- Get ready for Ely’s biggest weekend of the year with the upcoming Blueberry/Art Festival, July 25 –27. “Operation Blueberry,” the popular storefront shopping event, kicks … more

7/17/25