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Articles by Jodi Summit
Olympic spirit, junior style
Posted Thursday, February 26, 2026 9:33 am TOWER — Tower-Soudan Elementary students celebrated the Winter Olympics on Friday with a full day of both indoor and outdoor activities. The day started with an all-school assembly for the lighting of the Olympic torch. Students have been studying the Winter Olympics, and the main school corridor was lined with posters students had created, illustrating Olympic events and traditions. Flags from around the world hung overhead.
One big gift - The Timberjay
Posted Thursday, February 19, 2026 9:14 am REGIONAL — Life can change in an instant, as Dena Suihkonen learned last summer when she became paralyzed after a freak accident. But just this week, she learned in an instant that things were about to change for the better. Suihkonen has been chosen to receive a 2019 GMC 2019 4x4 with low mileage that has already been retrofitted with a wheelchair lift and hand controls.
Board to ask residents to approve $600,000 levy
Posted Thursday, February 19, 2026 9:40 am GREENWOOD TWP- Residents at the Greenwood Annual Meeting in March 2025 surprised town board members by voting to double the requested levy amount from $300,000 to $600,000, citing the need to be building up reserves to replace aging fire department equipment. This year, the board seeks to continue working towards that goal, and will again ask residents to approve the larger levy.
Hauschild meets with local officials in Tower, other cities
Posted Thursday, February 12, 2026 8:38 am TOWER — State Sen. Grant Hauschild met with officials from Tower and Soudan on Feb. 10 to discuss the upcoming legislative session. He also asked about any concerns the city might want to have him address once the legislative session is underway. This was part of a tour to visit northern mayors, including the cities of Babbitt, Hoyt Lakes, and Ely.
Bois Forte member testifies before State Senate over ICE
Posted Thursday, February 5, 2026 9:28 am REGIONAL — Bois Forte tribal member Nikki Love (Pieratos) had no idea when she was asked to testify in front of a Minnesota State Senate committee about ICE operations in Minneapolis late last week that her testimony would be televised and that she would also be speaking in front of officials from other states.
Learning to lawfully observe ICE
SOUDAN — What would you do if you saw ICE or border patrol agents in your neighborhood? A training recently held in Soudan — a similar one slated for Jan. 29 in Nett Lake — gave area residents the information and tools they need to help their neighbors. About 75 people gathered on Jan. 21, for a session on “Constitutional Observer Training,” put on by the Twin Ports Response and Northern Civil Defense Network.
Eagles Nest adopts trail ordinance for OHVs
Posted Thursday, January 29, 2026 9:28 am EAGLES NEST TWP — The Eagles Nest Town Board adopted a new ordinance that creates specific zones for any new off-highway vehicle trails in the township. The new ordinance basically limits OHV trails and expansion to existing trail locations in the township. “Nothing will change for the Prospectors Trail No. 4,” said Bob Streetar, a consultant hired by the town board to work on the new ordinance.
Sprint Medics to offer advanced lifesaving care in area
Posted Thursday, January 22, 2026 10:55 am TOWER — Tower Ambulance Service staff were on hand Monday to welcome the first shift of a new emergency services program, which is being funded by a one-time $2.7 million state grant. The program will provide advanced life support. Advanced care is requested for serious medical injuries, cardiac events, strokes, and pediatric emergencies.
Big plans ahead for the Embarrass horse arena
Posted Thursday, January 22, 2026 12:54 pm EMBARRASS — With the decision to have the Embarrass Region Community Association (fair board) take ownership of the horse arena on the fairgrounds last year, planning is now underway to improve the arena. The horse arena is used by the Northwoods Saddle Club as well as for Embarrass-Fair-sponsored events, and it is available to be rented for other horse- and farm-related events.
Board sets timetable for clerk hiring, new treasurer now working - The Timberjay
Posted Thursday, January 15, 2026 10:02 am GREENWOOD TWP — Newly hired treasurer Jill Clark took her seat at the table at Tuesday’s meeting, and at the same time, the Greenwood Town Board set the process for hiring a new township clerk, who will take over the job duties of the elected clerk in mid-March, basically a week after the township election on March 10.
School bus carrying hockey team hits car on highway near Y Store
Posted Thursday, January 8, 2026 10:13 am VERMILION LAKE TWP — A school bus with a trailer carrying high school hockey players collided with a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by 28-year-old Jessie Hinkel, of Soudan, on Jan. 3 in the early evening hours. Hinkel suffered non-life-threatening injuries from the impact. She is mostly sore from bruising from her seat belt and has missed a few days of work. She expected to return to her job at MinnTac soon.
Bar patrons respond after snowmobiles mired near pressure ridge
Posted Thursday, January 8, 2026 10:16 am GREENWOOD TWP — A family group of four adults and two children snowmobiling on Lake Vermilion ended up partially submerged in icy water after their sleds broke through skim ice that had formed along an unmarked inverted pressure ridge. The family was driving along a marked snowmobile route just off the shore from Tavern in the Bay, a popular area bar/restaurant when the incident occurred, a little after 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 28.
New clerk- treasurer on the job at city hall - The Timberjay
Posted Tuesday, December 23, 2025 1:44 pm TOWER — Tammy Mortaloni has been on the job at Tower City Hall for less than a week, but she has jumped into her new duties with confidence, a willingness to learn, and previous job experience that should insure a smooth transition. “I like the variety,” she said as she was settling into her first week on the job. “It’s always busy, a little bit of everything.” Though she did acknowledge there is a lot to learn.
Santa’s visit fresh vision to holiday classic - The Timberjay
Santa’s visit fresh vision to holiday classic Santa visits with pre-schoolers at Tower-Soudan Elementary. Pictured with Santa are: Ada Gornick, Laine Lenci, and Jonah and Jay Vogh. J. Summit Members of Tower-Soudan’s first grade were all smiles when Santa paid a visit on Tuesday. J. Summit Previous Next Posted Thursday, December 18, 2025 7:38 am
Township to replace aging tires on four fire trucks
Posted Thursday, December 11, 2025 10:19 am GREENWOOD TWP — As the town board worked on finalizing the budget for 2026 and planning for the future, Greenwood Fire Chief Brian Trancheff spoke about some upcoming maintenance costs for fire trucks. Township residents voted to double the levy for 2026, in part to start setting aside money to replace aging fire trucks.
New treasurer hired, new clerk to be hired in March
Posted Thursday, December 11, 2025 10:20 am GREENWOOD TWP — Greenwood residents will not be voting for a clerk in the upcoming March township election. The vote last year by Greenwood residents to replace the elected clerk and treasurer with hired, hourly employees went into effect partially last year. Tammy Mortaloni was hired and started at the end of the elected treasurer’s term last March. Clerk Debby Spicer will maintain her position until the end of her elected term, which is March 2026.
Council to determine Suihkonen’s job status
Posted Thursday, December 4, 2025 6:34 am TOWER — Dena Suihkonen, who has served as Tower’s ambulance supervisor for the past five years, has been in limbo for weeks as the city decides whether to allow her to return to work part-time. Suihkonen was paralyzed in a freak accident last July while volunteering in the dunk tank at the Breitung Community Picnic.
Four injured in garage fire in Soudan on Nov. 28
Posted Thursday, December 4, 2025 7:05 am SOUDAN — Five fire departments battled a garage fire on Friday, Nov. 28 at the property of Luke and Trisha Poderzay. The blaze was reported around 1:45 p.m. near Jasper Street. The garage was engulfed in flames when crews arrived. “The homeowner and a tech person were working on the fuel oil furnace in the garage,” said Breitung Fire Department Assistant Chief Matt Tuchel. “Something happened and the furnace caught on fire.
Community needs a focus at Ely-Bloomenson
Posted Wednesday, November 26, 2025 9:11 am TOWER — The challenges facing small rural hospitals in the current medical environment are myriad: staffing, finances, regulations, and more. And while the financial piece of this picture is important, Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital CEO Patti Banks said the hospital’s mission, to take care of their community, is truly their central focus.
Community turns out to support former ambulance supervisor
Posted Wednesday, November 26, 2025 11:48 am TOWER — They lost count of how many people were coming through the doors at the Lamppa Civic Center on Saturday, as the community turned out to support Dena Suihkonen, longtime EMT and ambulance supervisor. And luckily, they were able to get more food from Zup’s Grocery when the spaghetti started running out.
Nelimark Homestead invites holiday shoppers to fair
Posted Wednesday, November 26, 2025 11:47 am EMBARRASS — The Nelimark Homestead and Farmstead Artisans invites everyone to Yuletide Treasures on Dec. 11, 12, and 13 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. If you missed the Nelimark in November, this is your last chance of the year to visit this unique and welcoming shop. This weekend will feature a nice selection of holiday cookies and treats in addition to the home-baked breads. Dec.
Organizer: Ely Marathon paused for next year
Posted Thursday, November 20, 2025 9:18 am ELY — After the surprise announcement that Pebble Spa was shutting its doors as of Nov. 25, it appears another Ely tradition is in trouble. “We are deeply saddened to share that, due to unforeseen circumstances, the 2026 Ely Marathon is on pause until further notice,” announced Wendy Lindsay.
Fire chief explains accidental damage to engine during training
Posted Thursday, November 20, 2025 10:40 am GREENWOOD TWP — Greenwood Fire Chief Brian Trancheff took to the lectern at Greenwood’s Nov. 12 meeting to describe the incident in Angora on Oct. 25 that damaged the department’s main fire engine. The truck suffered mainly cosmetic damage and is still in service. The department does plan to have the electrical systems on the truck checked out.
Fundraiser for Dena Suihkonen set for Nov. 22
Posted Thursday, November 13, 2025 10:05 am TOWER — A spaghetti feed and silent auction fundraiser for Dena Suihkonen will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 2-6 p.m. at the Lamppa Civic Center in Tower. Dena was paralyzed on July 6 when the seat on a dunk tank at the Breitung Fourth of July Community Picnic malfunctioned and she fell backward. Dena was the Tower Ambulance director and had been an EMT in Tower for 15 years.
Legal dispute forces Pebble Spa owners into bankruptcy
Posted Thursday, November 13, 2025 9:39 am ELY — It was a message that took both customers and staff by surprise. On Oct. 29, the Pebble Spa Facebook account posted a notice that the business would soon be closing all of their locations. “This isn’t how we imagined our story ending, and we truly hope this is not goodbye forever,” wrote business owner Wendy Lindsay, of Ely.
Gunderson Fund awards first grants
Posted Thursday, November 13, 2025 10:03 am TOWER— The Gunder-sen Endowment Fund awarded its first set of grants Tuesday, dividing $13,675 among the five grant applications received. This is the first time money has been awarded from the fund, which was created when the city decided to move the money in the original Gundersen Trust to a fund overseen by the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, now named the Boreal Waters Community Foundation.
Wagoner Trails Club readies for busy upcoming year
Posted Thursday, November 6, 2025 11:03 am TOWER — The Howard Wagoner Trails Club is gearing up for a busy year. The club held its fall meeting earlier this fall. The main focus of the meeting was a discussion of the upcoming trail projects, funded by a $200,000 federal recreation grant with matching funds of $56,000 from the Prospector’s ATV Trail group. The project will include rerouting of the Prospector ATV trail where it used to share a route with the Wagoner Ski Trails.
City finalizing process for hiring new clerk-treasurer
Posted Thursday, October 30, 2025 10:01 am TOWER- The city council here was set to hold a special meeting on Oct. 30, in part to establish a hiring committee to select the city’s new clerk-treasurer. Current clerk-treasurer Michael Schultz’s last day on the job is Friday, Oct. 31. The city has advertised the position online and has already received a handful of applications, according to Schultz, who noted that several who applied had just read about the vacancy in the Timberjay.
Live burn training leaves Greenwood engine damaged
Posted Thursday, October 30, 2025 10:03 am GREENWOOD TWP — Two Greenwood firefighters got a little more training than expected on Oct. 25, when a planned fire at a vacant house in Angora, used as part of firefighter training overseen by Minnesota North-Hibbing, got briefly out of control and scorched the exterior of Greenwood’s No. 1 engine. It also caused damage to some onboard equipment, the extent of which was not available as of press time.
A scary good time
Posted Thursday, October 30, 2025 9:35 am EMBARRASS- If you were looking for something scary just in time for Halloween, the Klatt family in Embarrass was ready to help. Tom and Morgan Klatt host a travelling petting zoo, sell their homegrown produce, and plant food plots. Morgan is also a kindergarten teacher at Northeast Range in Babbitt. This year, they decided to share their love of Halloween by creating a “haunted trail” event on six weekend nights in October leading up to Halloween.
Neighbors oppose plan for 30,000-gallon propane tank
Posted Thursday, October 23, 2025 3:06 pm TOWER— City officials had more questions than answers here on a proposal by Superior Fuel to install a 30,000-gallon propane storage tank in a portion of the city currently zoned residential. Among the questions was whether the application submitted by the company, which appears to seek only a change in use, would be subject to the 60-day time limit for review of conditional use permits established in state law for approval or rejection.
Lights, camera, action on the set at Soudan Mine
Posted Friday, October 17, 2025 10:00 am SOUDAN — You never know what can happen when you are out shooting an event for the Timberjay.
Fire department history still causing friction in Greenwood
Posted Thursday, October 16, 2025 9:59 am GREENWOOD TWP — The Greenwood Town Board had a look forward, and a look back, at its fire department during Tuesday’s regular township meeting. Newly installed Greenwood Fire Department EMS Captain Tammy Dowden spoke to the board about concerns expressed by Supervisor John Bassing of missed responses to 911 calls in the township.
Clerk-treasurer Schultz resigns for new job in Biwabik
Posted Thursday, October 9, 2025 9:57 am TOWER— At a special meeting on Monday, the city council here formally accepted, with regret, the resignation of clerk-treasurer Michael Schultz. Schultz, who has been with the city for the past four years, will remain in his position until the end of October, when he will begin his new job as city administrator in Biwabik. “I want to thank the city of Tower,” Schultz told the council.
Night Sky Singers share traditions, music, and stories
TOWER — The acoustics in the Lake Vermilion Cultural Center brought the drumming of the Night Sky Singers alive, as the drum group led by Jordan Gawboy gave a concert in late August to an … This item is available in full to subscribers. Username or Email address Password Print and web subscribers If you're a print and web subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one. Non-subscribers Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
ABATE makes another donation of teddy bears to emergency responders
Posted Friday, September 19, 2025 9:00 am TOWER — Buddy Bears have become an important tool for first responders in our area, thanks to the ABATE motorcycle group from central Minnesota. American Bikers for Awareness, Training, and Education of Minnesota is a nonprofit, grassroots organization that is committed to educating motorcyclists and the general public about motorcycling.
Joint rescue effort brings rural Tower man safely home
Posted Thursday, September 18, 2025 9:27 am KUGLER TWP — In the time it took to make lunch, Nancy Kotzian realized that her 76-year-old husband, Tim, who has been suffering from some serious health issues, had wandered out of their yard at their home in rural Tower. It was a little after 2 p.m. on Sept. 14, and she estimated that Tim had been gone about half an hour.
Ely Marathon activities set for Friday and Saturday
Posted Thursday, September 18, 2025 9:00 am ELY- The Ely Marathon is celebrating its 10th year, and the unique series of races has been growing in popularity. This year is no exception. It’s the only marathon in the world where you are allowed to run while portaging a canoe the entire length of the race, either solo or with a team.
Games provide teaching about culture and community
Posted Thursday, September 18, 2025 9:24 am TOWER — Area students learned some new games, stories, and Indigenous culture this past week when retired phy ed teacher Dan Ninham visited area schools, spreading his knowledge of Indigenous games from Minnesota and around the country. Ninham was always an athlete, but this member of the Oneida Tribe, from Wisconsin, found his calling when he began teaching Indigenous games to children across the country.
Kitchen or no kitchen? That might be a $100,000 question
Posted Thursday, September 11, 2025 10:50 am GREENWOOD TWP — It was quite an impressive binder of information that the Greenwood Ad-Hoc Kitchen Committee presented to the town board Tuesday at their regular board meeting. Committee member Catherine Farley gave a brief review of the information gathered but started with a discussion of why the board should care about the kitchen facility at the town hall, which currently cannot be used as a commercial kitchen.
The Burgess family story: automobiles, planes, and boats
Posted Thursday, September 11, 2025 10:47 am TOWER — The Burgess family settled in Tower in 1894, shortly after Tower and Soudan were founded. And the family’s many businesses over the years tell a story of the history of Tower and Soudan. “There were so many things they were involved in,” said Steve Burgess, who told the story of his parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents to a full house at the Lamppa Civic Center on Aug. 29 during a talk sponsored by the Tower-Soudan Historcal Society.
Bringing the Northwoods into your home and life
Posted Thursday, September 4, 2025 1:10 pm ELY — A “little dream about a pottery shop” has turned into a reality for Steffi and Zac Huberty. Three Jewels Pottery opened its doors on Sheridan Street last December after the couple spent the last three years renovating the older house that is located across the street from the Ely Folk School. Three Jewels Pottery will have a booth for the first time at Harvest Moon Festival this weekend.
Fair board and saddle club getting closer to final agreement
Posted Thursday, August 28, 2025 9:06 am EMBARRRASS — The Embarrass Region Fair Association gave a revised proposal to the North Woods Saddle Club at a meeting on Aug. 18, and the two groups are getting closer to an agreement. While the fair association owns the land the horse arena sits on, the saddle club owns the arena fencing, panels, and gates.
Crystal Poppler takes the lead at Tower-Soudan Elementary
Posted Thursday, August 28, 2025 9:03 am TOWER — There will be a new face in the principal’s office at Tower-Soudan Elementary this year. Crystal Poppler is moving into the role formerly held by John Jirik, who is now the assistant principal and activities director at North Woods. Poppler has over 20 years of experience in education, starting out as an elementary teacher. She taught fifth grade at Northeast Range starting in 2014 for eight years, before transitioning into school leadership.
Rollout of revamped WELY FM now set for fall
Posted Thursday, August 21, 2025 8:19 am ELY — The excitement surrounding the rollout of WELY radio was hard to miss as station manager Terri Pylka spoke to the Tuesday Group on Aug. 12. But the return of the longtime local radio station to the airwaves hasn’t been without its hiccups. WELY was pretty much required listening in the Ely area but had gone off the air in 2022.
Learning a new way to live
Posted Thursday, August 21, 2025 8:18 am TOWER- It was a fraction of a second that changed her life, and Dena Suihkonen said she honestly can’t even remember it. What she does remember is trying to grab onto something as she fell backwards off a dunk tank whose seat had malfunctioned, throwing her backwards onto the ground. “I knew right away that my legs didn’t work,” she said. Suihkonen, the Tower Ambulance Supervisor, was volunteering at the Breitung Community Picnic on July 6.
Team penning, ranch sorting proving more popular each year
EMBARRASS — The Embarrass Fair horse events continue to grow each year. Several years ago, team penning got moved to the week before the fair, and a day of ranch sorting competition was also added. Recently, barrel racing has become a fair weekend event, along with the annual horse show. This is the 17th year team penning has been held, and it is now named in memory of Danny Theel. This year, 66 three-person teams competed in team penning on Friday, and 119 teams on Saturday.
Summer’s last hurrah
Posted Thursday, August 14, 2025 9:42 am 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 ages, if you’ve never spent a day there, you might want to check it out. Admission to the fair is $5 for adults ($12 for the weekend), and kids 10 and under are free with a paid adult. Fair hours are Friday, Aug 22, from 2-8 p.m., Saturday, Aug.
Horse events begin this weekend at Timber Hall
Posted Thursday, August 14, 2025 9:41 am 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. Participants need good control of their horses, a keen sense of how the yearling cows will react, and quick communication between team members. The young cattle, of course, have pretty much no idea what is going on, let alone the rules. And so, the chaos begins.
Preparing for wildfire: this township takes the task seriously
Posted Thursday, August 14, 2025 8:17 am EAGLES NEST TWP — With 23 narrow, dead-end roads and no public warning system, folks in Eagles Nest Township take fire preparedness seriously. The township has fewer than 250 year-round residents, but the population swells in the summer with seasonal cabin owners and visitors to the nearby state parks. The township was one of the first in the state to become a “Firewise Community USA,” and has received $100,000 in grants to help implement programs.
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