News

HANDS HELD HIGH IN THE AIR - Washington Elementary third grade students had their hands up while singing on stage last week. Photos by Tara Kay Photography.

ELY GIRL SCOUTS Alison Poppler, Lucy Luthens, Aubrielle Poppler and Eleanor Nyquest were among the girls who carried the wreaths to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Memorial Day services in Ely. Photos by Hailey Worth.

Anticipated Scheduling of Prescribed Fires: The USDA Forest Service plans to implement several
prescribed fire projects on the Superior National Forest this spring. The exact date of ignition is
dependent on several factors including: fuel moisture, relative humidity, temperature, and wind.
Size and Location: Township 63N, Range 13W, Sections 3, 4, and 9 (Federal-679 acres) 16 (State-72 acres).
The North School Section Prescribed Fire Unit is located northwest of Ely, MN along the western side of the
Burntside Lake narrows from School Section Bay to Furganger Bay.
Description: The North School Section Prescribed Fire Unit is a part of the North Arm Fuels Reduction Project
encompassing several fuels treatment areas on and near Burntside Lake. These areas were identified to be
treated to reduce fire risk in the wildland-urban interface in order to protect private property and organization

by Tom Coombe
When it comes to social media, the city of Ely is dipping its toes in the water.
Council members voted 6-0 Tuesday night to adopt a social media policy, which includes the establishment of a city Facebook page.
Public comments, however, won’t be allowed on the page, a provision adopted at the strong suggestion of mayor Chuck Novak.
Novak cited the dangers of a comment area, including the possibility that people could post personal “very salacious” allegations against elected officials.
He also pointed to legal opinions that indicate cities run into free speech issues if comments are removed,
“I would be supportive (of the policy) as long as the council (page) does not have any comments, because you can’t delete them,” said Novak.
While the council went along with Novak’s suggestion, member Heidi Omerza said she was “fine with agreeing to disagree.”

The Memorial Day Program is held at the Ely Cemetery and honors veterans. Ely was well known for the number of volunteers - men and women - who served in war and peacetime. Monday they will be honored at the 10:30 program open to one and all. The speaker will beCommander James Kuehl. In case of rain, the program moves to Vermilion Community College.

This issue of the Ely Echo is filled with photos in color from concerts and dance programs and more. On newsstands now. You are cordially invited to subscribe!

STUDENTS Shane Spangler (left), Abby Rehbein and Zach Robbins present to the Ely school board on Monday.

FOX PUPS went nose to nose in this photo taken by Eric Sherman last week near Ely.

ELY HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR: Back Row: Grace Fedders, Cora Olson, Lauren Olson, Shane Geiger, Matt Janeksela, Jasiah Wigdahl, Caleb Rouse-Littler, Bryce Fairchild, Preston Morgan, Grace Erickson, Madison Hill, Adrianna Bishop. Front Row: Hanna Littler, Amelia Pluth, Nash Hren, Adam Williamson, Logan Mather, Reba Kissell and Caitlin Priebe. Photos by Eric Sherman.

FROM UNDERNEATH the sidewalks and pipes holding Frontier phone lines, Dick Rach lifts a 10,000 fuel oil tank from in front of the Community Center as city workers assist. Photo by Nick Wognum.

The Morse town board approved recreation donations and discussed potential future broadband options for township residents.
Isaac Olson addressed the board on a proposed broadband project that would be able to provide access to anyone within sight of the Ely water tower.
Olson said he has approval from Ely to install antennas on the water tower and has talked to Winton. He said the antennas can reach out five miles.
He said a 90-foot tower is going up at Camp Widji and being put up by Frontier to service the YMCA camps.
Olson said he has the contract to run the fiber inside the camps to each building. His treehouse.mn service would cost $200 for the installation fee and $50 per month after. The water tower set up can handle 200 customers.
He said there are 50-60 customers on the north side of Shagawa. The city will charge $240 per month for two antennas on the water tower.