News

by Tom Coombe
Daniel Bliss once covered the news of Ely and has since kept close track of the community in his work as a college professor.
Among his most notable findings, which he shared this week in a presentation to the Tuesday Group, was that when adjusted for inflation, Ely’s sales tax receipts peaked in 2000.
The most recent totals, Bliss said, are approximately 28 percent down in comparison once inflation is factored into the equation.
“We’re still short (of the peak),” said Bliss, a professor of political science at the Illinois University of Technology.
Bliss recently authored a book that explores economic development governance in small town America, which is based in part on case studies he conducted comparing Ely and Hibbing on the Iron Range to communities in Illinois.

From rock and roll connection in Ely to visitors from London to Winds of Change on the Range, the Ely Echo delivers 52 weeks a year. New subscribers welcomed, old subscribers cherished!

FUNDRAISER for the new playground equipment at Washington Elementary was held on May 11 with over $7,000 raised. Ely police officer Adam Borchert walked with Jorden Borchert, Kylee Zobitz, Talan Hart, Lydia Johnson and Lucy Dunn. Photo by Cam Weisert.

PROJECT and city officials participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Rural Living Environment project .

by Tom Coombe -

by Nick Wognum -

EYE ON THE BALL for Ely Little League catcher Frank Udovich of the Twin Metals Rockies. With summer on the way and school days almost over, future Timberwolves players begin their season

Highway 1 single lane closures and flagging operation begin Monday, May 21 in Lake County

Motorists traveling on Highway 1 will encounter single lane closures and flagging operations beginning Monday, May 21 in Lake County. Short duration closures for rock blasting may also occur.

Work will take place from just south of the Kawishiwi River to just west of T-273 and from just southeast of County Road 2 to Isabella. Drivers should use caution and be prepared to stop.

The finished project will result in improved drainage, safety, and driving surface.

For more information visit: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d1/projects/hwy1isabella/index.html

For updated road condition information, call 511 or visit www.511mn.org.

The US Forest Service plans to implement two prescribed fire projects in the Norwegian Bay area of Lake Vermilion this spring, summer, or fall. The actual date of ignition is dependent on many factors including: fuel moisture, relative humidity, temperature, wind, etc.
Size and Location: These prescribed fire projects are located on the west end of Norwegian Bay of Lake Vermilion on the LaCroix Ranger District on the Superior National Forest. The project names, legal location, and acreage include:
 Norwegian Island T63N, R18W S13 (9 acres)
 Norwegian Point T63N, R18W S24 (30 acres)

by Nick Wognum -

Most of the north half of Minnesota is under very high fire danger today, including a Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service for the following counties:

Polk (west), Kittson, Roseau, Lake Of The Woods, Marshall (west), Marshall (east), Beltrami (north), Pennington, Red Lake, Polk (east), Clearwater (north), and Koochiching.

A Red Flag Warning means the area is experiencing extreme weather conditions that are ideal for wildfire, including dry vegetation and gusty winds. Do not burn while the Red Flag Warning remains in effect and check any burning done recently to ensure the fire is out. Any spark could become a wildfire under Red Flag conditions.

The Red Flag Warning expires at 8 p.m.

Monitor mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions, and follow @mnforestry on Twitter, for up-to-date information about the fire conditions statewide.