News

Operation Round Up recipients are pictured receiving their program funding at Lake Country Power’s service center in Mountain Iron. Front, left to right: Kristi Sopoci, Cook Library; Norma Thomas and Patty Carlson, Trinity Quilters; Katie Fredeen, Hibbing Dylan Project; Bobbi Maish, Operation Round Up Trust Board; Kristine Wagner, Twelfth Step House, Inc.; and Teresa Brecto, Salvation Army of Hibbing. Back, left to right: Mike Sterk, Iron Range Historical Society; Larry Furlong; Hibbing Dylan Project; Ann-Marie Vito, Summer Work Outreach Program; Robbie Peterson and Tom Martin, Embarrass Fire Dept.; and Steve Burgess, Breitung Fire Dept; and April Larson, Hibbing Public Library.

Wolf Photo by Snotty Moose Photographer

by Tom Coombe -

by Tom Coombe -

by Tom Coombe
Twin Metals Minnesota has regained its leases to explore for minerals in its bid to open a copper-nickel mine near Ely, but federal officials have added several terms and conditions to those leases.
According to a news release issued late Thursday, the federal Bureau of Land Management released an environmental assessment “that analyzes the potential effects of renewing hardrock mineral leases, which include updated stipulations to protect natural resources, in the Superior National Forest. ”
The federal government added stipulations related to occupancy and use of national forest land in the lease area, technical investigation, general protections for forest resources,water uses, water quality, surface protection, bonding, and Forest Service consent for renewal.
The action opened a 30-day public comment period that will run through Jan. 22, 2019.

Over 200 faces will greet readers in this week’s Ely Echo - all seen at the children’s Christmas Concert held Wednesday at Washington Auditorium. And all in full color! A special Christmas Greetings section too!
Lots of news to herald the new year and each week the Ely Echo will be there for you - We publish 52 issues a year!

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THIRD GRADE with their hands up on Wednesday. Top row: Henry Fetterer, Jace Myers, Cooper Mayranen, Grant Chittum, Myles Scharber, Dawson Murphy; Middle Row: Sova Meyers, Kylee Zobitz, Saylor Sandberg, Lucy Dunn; Front: Brenna Hegfors, Selam Houle, Charlee Nielsen, Addison Myers.

JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY READS THE ELY ECHO including Santa and Mrs. Claus during a recent stop in Ely. Photo by Ruthanne Fenske.

At the final Ely Rotary meeting for 2018, exchange student Finn Liesching shared candies and cookies sent from Germany by his mother, thanking the club for supporting her son. Photo by Sue Savereide.

by Sara Skelton
Each year, the Ely Music and Drama Club recognizes someone from the community who has dedicated him or herself to promoting the arts in the Ely area. This year, the Club is pleased to announce that Ray Thielbar is the 2018 “Community Service to the Arts” recipient.
Having met as junior high school sweethearts, Ray and Rose Thielbar began their lives together in Illinois where Ray worked for Caterpillar, Inc., and they raised their three children: sons Bruce and Chris and daughter Becky. But they always found time for adventuring, including canoe trips to the Ely area with their family.
In January of 1980, Caterpillar moved them to San Paulo, Brazil, to open a manufacturing plant. With his rich bass voice, Ray has always enjoyed singing, and it was in Brazil that he helped found a quartet called “Calvary Four” with three missionaries who were also serving in Brazil.