Sports - The Timberjay

Senior Mya Kinsey goes for a block against an MIB hitter.

Grizzlies roar

FIELD TWP- The only thing hotter than the North Woods School gym on Monday night was the Grizzlies volleyball team, which kicked off the 2024 season by thrashing the visiting Mt. Iron-Buhl Rangers … more

David Colburn | 8/29/24

Audrey Kallberg and Charlotte Hegman combine for a block during Monday’s contest with Deer River.

Wolves go 2-0 in opening week

GREENWAY—Last year, the Timberwolves volleyball squad dominated Section 7. This year, it appears they’re picking up where they left off with back-to-back straight set victories this week … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/29/24

Ely seventh-grader Beck Sponholz finished third among seventh grade girls.

Mountain bikers kick off the fall race season

REGIONAL—Local youth mountain bikers from Team BOREALIS kicked off the fall race season Aug. 24-25 in Alexandria. Eight high schoolers and middle schoolers from Ely made the trip to race the … more

8/29/24

Rodeo clown Maija Peterson urges the sheep to keep moving, but the rider is unable to hang on.

Mutton busting rodeo kids take a turn in the arena

EMBARRASS- Think of bull riding, but with kids just about old enough for kindergarten. Oh, and sheep instead of bulls. No saddles, no special equipment except for a full-coverage helmet, plus at … more

Jodi Summit | 8/29/24

Kelayna Vittori, of Hibbing, was dressed for the celebration as she started in on her corndog.

Fair featured new events, old favorites, and lots of fun

EMBARRASS- As a reporter, I’ve never had to worry that my notes might be eaten, but this year at the Embarrass Region Fair, a baby kid goat did just that as I was down on my knees trying to … more

Jodi Summit | 8/29/24

Pat Wettering pauses for a selfie with one of the dozens of waterfalls and rapids she encountered while traversing the entire 310 miles of the Superior Hiking Trail.

One piece at a time

TOWER- No one would ever accuse Pam Wettering of shying away from an outdoor challenge. She kayaks and camps frequently. She winter-camps in remote places. She skis into remote lakes to fish through … more

Jodi Summit | 8/22/24

Cow-handling fun at team penning and ranch sorting

EMBARRASS- Yearling calves kept wannabe cowpokes busy as the annual team penning and ranch sorting competition got underway in Embarrass last weekend. The event drew riders from across the area who … more

Jodi Summit | 8/22/24

History Talk to focus on the Vermilion Lake Indian School

TOWER- Linda LeGarde Grover, professor emeritus of American Indian studies at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, will be the featured speaker at the Tower-Soudan Historical Society annual dinner on … more

8/22/24

Ely climate speaker talks impact of Chevron decision

ELY- One of the lawyers who worked on the case that became known as the foundation for the so-called “Chevron doctrine” spoke in Ely last week about its recent demise at the hands of the … more

Catie Clark | 8/22/24

The barn in a 2005 photo, left, showing the extensive roof damage and also the basketball hoop used by local youths for pickup games. Right: The restored loft has cedar panels on the ceiling and white pine flooring with railing balusters handmade in Yemen.

Metamorphosis

COOK- A stunning remodel that has converted a near-century-old Sears kit-barn into a showplace residence with distinctive Middle Eastern accents is now nearing completion amidst the forest and old … more

David Colburn | 8/15/24

See all the variety of exhibits at the fair.

Lots of new events at this year’s Embarrass Region Fair

EMBARRASS- While the Embarrass Fair officially kicks off on Friday, Aug. 23, the fairground horse arena will be full of action starting Friday, Aug. 16, when the 16th Annual Danny Theel Memorial Team … more

8/15/24

Mesabi Trail facing many challenges finding route to Tower

TOWER—For years, city officials and local volunteers invested significantly in the creation of a welcoming service and information hub near the train depot in anticipation of the eventual … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/15/24

Jeff Hislop of Evergreen Geophysical walking in front of the 62,000-pound NodalSeismic vibroseis truck hired by Pulsar Helium to conduct a seismic survey along the Dunka River Road

More testing underway at Pulsar Helium site

BABBITT- Pulsar Helium continues its exploration of the helium in the Precambrian Duluth Complex rocks southeast of Babbitt, seeking to extend its understanding of the resource. The firm started a … more

Catie Clark | 8/15/24

Some of the Eagles Nest ENCEP, ENFD and SLC EM that helped out Saturday. Standing: Alex Jaye (St. Louis County EM), Dick Flesvig, Eric Jokela, Terry Mattson, Josh Brinkman (St. Louis County EM Director), JoAnn Bird, Lisa Hutchinson, Mary Beth Monte, Matt Olson (St. Louis County EM), John Kappenman, Sarah Willis (Morse-Fall Lake FD), Ria Leonard, Austin VanScoy, Mark Pratt.  Kneeling:  Steve Voiles, Cliff Koski, Mike Ostlund (Eagles Nest EM Director), Anna Krueger (Morse-Fall Lake FD), Keely Drange.

Eagles Nest Township wants to be ready in case of a wildfire

EAGLES NEST TWP- Eagles Nest Township once again held an evacuation drill, this time on Saturday, Aug. 10. The drills, which have become an annual event in Eagles Nest, provide training to facilitate … more

8/15/24

Members of the public turned out by the hundreds last Wednesday to check out the new Community Hub, which held a ribbon cutting, party, and shakedown cruise for the new multi- service center located in the former Revenue Department building in Ely.

Celebrating “The Hub”

ELY- The Ely Area Community Foundation celebrated the opening of its 16,000-square-foot Community Hub last week, with free food and live music. Hundreds came to tour the new facility at 760 Miners … more

Catie Clark | 8/8/24

Mustafa Ali will be making a return appearance at this year's festival.

Festival of Skalds set for this weekend

ANGORA- As the fifth-annual Festival of Skalds approaches this coming Saturday and Sunday, the homegrown event is now an established part of the North Country festival scene— but that … more

David Colburn | 8/8/24

New mystery sets murder on Lake Vermilion

LAKE VERMILION- Cary Griffith’s first trip to Lake Vermilion was in 1969, when his friend’s family bought a cabin on Pine Island and brought Griffith along on a visit. “I’m … more

Jodi Summit | 8/8/24

Bralyn Lislegard, of Embarrass, breaks out of the chute on a bull during Friday night’s opening session. Lislegard won the bull riding competition with a score of 73, taking home a trophy buckle and $1,260 for his effort.

Kickin’ up dust

The 69th annual North Star Stampede in Effie played to capcity crowds this past weekend who saw seasoned performers and some of the best up-and-comer in rodeo strut their stuff on a warm and windy … more

David Colburn | 8/1/24

Shoppers check out the wares on display by hundreds of artists and crafters.

Ely’s biggest party draws a crowd

ELY- Despite heat, humidity, some stiff wind, and the threat of thunderstorms, the 2024 Blueberry/Art Festival proved a success. “Our vendors are telling us that sales are as good as last year, … more

Catie Clark | 8/1/24

Tasty Tuesday program leader Kathleen Miller (left) and award-winning Minneapolis TV chef Stephanie Hansen (right) at the July Tasty Tuesday cooking class in Ely.

TV chef cooks for Ely’s Tasty Tuesday program

ELY- Award-winning TV personality Stephanie Hansen was the guest at the Northwoods Partners’ Tasty Tuesday program on Tuesday, July 16. Hansen packed the west room at the Ely Folk School for … more

Catie Clark | 8/1/24

FEMA expands flood funding to individuals

REGIONAL- The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has approved individual disaster assistance for residents in 19 Minnesota counties, including St. Louis, Itasca, Lake, and Cook, that were … more

David Colburn | 8/1/24

Blueberry/Art Festival artist Cindy Bina, shown here in her studio. Bina creates silver jewelry using a precious metal clay developed in Japan.

Jewelry maker takes inspiration from the natural world around her

ELY- The North Country’s natural environment has long fueled Cindy Bina’s artistic creativity and she’s used that inspiration in the designs that she’ll be featuring at this … more

Catie Clark | 7/24/24

Blueberry/Art Festival: three days of fun

ELY- The area’s biggest summer event officially kicks off at 9 a.m. this Friday at Whiteside Park, marking three days of music and food, along with hundreds of artists and crafters displaying … more

Catie Clark | 7/24/24

Old Settlers Reunion brings families together

SOUDAN— Over 200 “old settlers” and friends showed up to picnic and enjoy music, booyah, and fun at the 110th annual Old Settlers picnic held here last Saturday. McKinley Park was … more

Jodi Summit | 7/24/24

Happy Days staff member Desiree Smith in one of the daycare facility’s classrooms.

Open house set for Ely’s new Community Hub

ELY- A dream many years in the making is about to come true for the Ely Area Community Foundation. On Aug. 1, the EACF will officially open the Community Hub, a 16,000-square-foot facility at 760 … more

C. Clark | 7/24/24