The Timberjay

Posted Thursday, September 10, 2026 1:59 pm The Ely Public School District has a unique opportunity before it this November, one that could strengthen our schools by bringing additional state funding back to our community without increasing the property- tax impact for all local taxpayers. This opportunity exists because of bipartisan action taken by the Minnesota Legislature this past May.

Posted Thursday, September 10, 2026 1:58 pm President Trump believes that solar energy is the “scam of the century” and that wind power is “ugly.”  He is using all his various powers to assure that all energy resources are dependent on oil and gas, which are the worst pollutants causing climate change destruction.

Posted Thursday, September 10, 2026 1:57 pm Congress has abdicated its duty on gray wolves, and Minnesota’s DNR has stacked the deck against any hunting season. House Republicans have repeatedly passed bills to delist wolves and return management to the states. Those bills die in the Senate. Courts keep blocking administrative delisting. The result is permanent federal restrictions on a species that recovered decades ago.

Posted Thursday, September 10, 2026 1:56 pm Nearly 250 years ago, our nation signed a promissory note, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Today, some 13 million Americans are members of labor unions. Another 70 million say they would join a labor union if they could. It’s easy to figure out why.

Posted Thursday, September 10, 2026 1:48 pm James “Jim” Eino Alaspa, 91, of Lake Vermilion-Tower, passed away on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Mt. Iron with family by his side. Visitation will be at 10:30 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 18 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Hwy. 169 in Virginia. On March 28, 1935, Jim was born at his grandparents’ farm in Vermilion Lake Township to Eino and Gertrude Alaspa.

Posted Thursday, September 10, 2026 1:47 pm Bonnie Irene Goodman Imberg, 79, of Tower, passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, of cancer. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home of Virginia. She is survived by her daughters, Heather Imberg and Tani (Jim) Reilly; grandchildren, Jared, Austin, Kiera and Teagan; brothers, John Goodman and Rick (Jackie) Goodman; sister in-law, Patricia (Joe) Kovich; and numerous family members and friends. Find us on Facebook

Leonard Jeff Swartz Jr., 77, of Babbitt, passed away on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in Duluth, with his wife of 49 years, Sue, and daughter, Chrissy, by his side. He will be missed by many friends, especially those on Evergreen Lane.

Posted Thursday, September 10, 2026 1:23 pm ELY- Two friends, both with a passion for agate collecting, have turned their hobby into a full-time business and they’re excited to be bringing their creations back to Ely for this weekend’s Harvest Moon Festival. Liz Corrie and Cat Luce, both living in the Twin Cities, sell a variety of unique gift items made from agates and other natural stones. “We go on a lot of “mining” trips to gather the stones we use,” Liz said.

Posted Thursday, September 10, 2026 1:21 pm For most school districts around the state, Tuesday was the formal start of the new school year. With the lateness of Labor Day this year, districts were given an option to start earlier, but only around 40 chose to go that route, while Tower-Soudan Elementary, Vermilion Country School, and North Woods School all followed the longstanding practice of a post-Labor Day start.

Posted Thursday, September 10, 2026 1:20 pm COOK- Warm sunshine, classic boats, and a steady crowd made for a lively afternoon Saturday at the 34th annual Lake Vermilion Antique and Classic Boat Show. Held at the docks of the Lakeside Bar & Grill, formerly The Landing, the show featured a mix of familiar crowd favorites and boats making their first appearance at the event. The Dude’s provided live music, while the Sawmill Saloon served food.