News

by Tom Coombe
The Ely City Council’s decision to send its legal publishing business came with a price - one of nearly $4,000.
Earlier this week, council members approved payment of $3,855 to the Klun Law Firm, for legal fees associated with the dispute over the January decision to name the Tower-based Timberjay as the city’s officials newspaper.
The decision prompted legal and ethical challenges, was revisited at a pair of subsequent council meetings and led to the formation of a task force, which held a secret meeting to discuss the issue.
It also resulted in hours of work for city attorney Kelly Klun, who was directed by council members to look into the matter and prepared extensive packets of information as the controversy erupted.

Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) made the following statement applauding the Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to issue its Section 404 wetlands permit and Record of Decision for the NorthMet Project, the final permit needed to begin development of northeastern Minnesota’s valuable natural resources.

“This decision is excellent news as PolyMet now holds all necessary permits to construct and operate a project bringing prosperity to our region for decades,” said Stauber. “Families in northeastern Minnesota have been waiting fourteen years, throughout the longest environmental review in our state’s history, for PolyMet to begin mining the NorthMet ore body. This project will create hundreds of jobs and generate millions of dollars in revenue for improvement of our infrastructure and schools.”

St. Paul, Minn., March 22, 2019 – Poly Met Mining, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of PolyMet Mining Corp. (together “PolyMet” or the “company”) TSX: POM; NYSE American: PLM, announced today that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued its Record of Decision and Section 404 wetlands permit for the NorthMet Project. Along with recently issued state permits, PolyMet now holds all necessary permits to construct and operate the NorthMet copper-nickel-precious metals mine and processing plant located near Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota.

by Tom Coombe -

New recycling locations eyed, looking for public land;

Seniors’ annual Washington D.C. trip turns 25

Shopko to shutter all of its stores by mid-June

New recycling locations eyed, looking for public land

Piragis makes state list - Ely business named one of Minnesota’s “essential outdoor stores”

Paper dispute costs city $4K

Cabaret starts its two week run at VCC on Thursday, March 28

AND PHOTOS GALORE!
Isn't it time YOU subscribed to Ely's HOMETOWN newspaper? Locally owned with offices on Chapman Street

The Ely Cub Scouts’ spring service project is Scouting for Food. The scouts made boxes for food donations that will be at each grocery store in Ely through the end of March and they will have popcorn sales at both stores today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Half of the money from popcorn sales will be donated to the Ely Area Food Shelf for their March campaign. Pictured are top row: Blake Stalboerger, Brooks Brenny, Ella Rue, Tracy Thibadeaux, Brennan Rue Middle Row: Tommy Kerntz, Talan Hart, Ayden Scharber, Luke Stalboerger Front Row: Brady Forsberg, Laydan Hart, Myles Scharber.

Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital staff educator/infection prevention coordinator Tiffany Zemke taught the Ely Girl Scout Brownies about what an emergency/first aid is, how to call 9-1-1, basic first aid treatment, what you should have in a first aid kit, and how to prevent/treat outdoor injuries. Ely Brownies (left to right): Payson Kundinger, Kayla Larsen, Ryann Schlosser, Lindi Zemke, Lena Flom, Addison Seibert and Jazmyne Akins.

JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY READS THE ELY ECHO, including the Vermilion Ironmen baseball team on their recent spring trip to Florida. Pictured are Brendan Schwichtenberg, Erik Hakamaki, Kaleb Beane, Robert Studivent, Dawson Linkert, Casey Holman, Cody Leslie, Jordan Kaczrowski, Kyle Hintz, Lukas Adelman, Connor Knettel, Caleb Berg, Ben Zeidler, Chase Bottin, Brady Meyer. Missing is head coach Tom Coombe. Photo submitted by first mound visit coach Mike Turnbull.

AT THE EADA offices in the Frandsen Building was Jeanette Palcher who volunteers her time to help people find jobs. Photo by Tom Coombe.

by Tom Coombe -

by Tom Coombe -

ShopKo announced Monday afternoon that it will close all of its stores later this year - including one that occupies a massive 38,000 square foot building on Ely's east end.

The announcement came as the Wisconsin-based retailer navigates rocky financial waters, including a move to seek bankruptcy protection and plans for corporate restructuring.

ShopKo closed its pharmacy operation in Ely last month amid reports that the company owed $67 million to a pharmaceutical supplier.

At the time, it appeared the Ely store would continue to operate but the retailer indicated Monday that all of its remaining stores would close by June 16.

Ely's is one of several ShopKo locations in northeastern Minnesota to close, joining stores in Duluth, Aitkin, Moose Lake and Two Harbors. ShopKo has 134 stores and another 176 ShopKo Hometown outlets across the Midwest.