News

This winter’s relatively low snowfall amounts, combined with single digit temperatures, could lead to potential freezing problems for septic systems.
The St. Louis County Environmental Services Department is reminding property owners with septic systems to take preventative maintenance steps to protect their systems.
• Recommended precautions to take now include:
• Add a layer of mulch (8-12 inches of hay or straw) over the pipes, tank and soil treatment area. Keep the mulch loose to form air pockets, which act as insulation. This is particularly important if a system is new and vegetative cover has not been well established.
• Use normal amounts of water; the warmer the better. Spread out laundry schedules to one warm/hot load per day.
• Don’t leave water running to prevent freezing. A slow trickle could freeze, while a steady stream could overload the system.

by Nick Wognum -

by Tom Coombe
A long-discussed plan to bring high-speed internet broadband service to Ely’s downtown corridor seems a bit closer to reality.
Harold Langowski,the city’s clerk-treasurer and operations director, said Tuesday that he’s optimistic construction could begin in 2019 on a plan to extend a fiber loop along Sheridan Street from Third Avenue West to Seventh Avenue East
“I’m hopeful in the next month to have some more concrete answers,” said Langowski, when council members met as the city’s economic development authority. “I was hoping to have something more concrete right now but I don’t.”
Langowski has been in talks with Brainerd-based Consolidated Telecomunications Company about serving as the provide.

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Joseph Hiller (left) and Nels Pierson (right) presented an $800 check to Cheryl Boyes and Kathy Champa of the Ely Area Food Shelf. “Thank you to all who helped us in donating to The Ely Area Food Shelf!” said Hiller.

by Tom Coombe -

ELY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE sponsored the Dec. 8 Mrs. Claus Party at Amici’s. Santa and Mrs. Claus entertained area children with holiday craft projects, music, dance and treats. Photo by Tara Kay Photography.

CRAFTS for Sally Dunn and Rylan Buschman at the Ely Chamber’s Mrs. Claus party. Photos by Tara Kay.

by Tom Coombe
It’s been a busy and fruitful year at Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, and all signs indicate that things aren’t about to slow down.
The hospital posted operating income of over $568,000 in the fiscal year that ended in September, and new administrator Michael Coyle said Monday that additional services, new branding and marketing and perhaps an overhaul to the hospital campus are on the way.
Coyle, who succeeded longtime chief executive officer John Fossum earlier this year, was brimming with enthusiasm Monday, as hospital shareholders gathered for the annual meeting of Ely-Bloomenson’s umbrella organization- the Ely Health and Hospital Foudation.
A new logo was unveiled and Coyle outlined an array of plans for 2019 that address everything from hospital facilities to enhancements to an already growing surgical department.

by Nancy McReady
There was lengthy discussion about the upcoming St. Louis County Planning meeting scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 13 at 10:30 a.m. at the public works building in Virginia. The meeting will focus on whether or not to give the Will Steger Wilderness Center non-profit status.
Although not in Fall Lake Township, Supervisor Mary Tome said her concern was the increased traffic that would be on the Cloquet Line leading up to Steger’s. Some comments made were that Steger should contribute to the upgrading of the road before given non-profit status.
Fall Lake Township maintains the Cloquet Line to Browns Lake Road. Beyond Browns Lake Road, the road is a Forest Service road that is not maintained.
The DNR did do some road improvements a few years ago as there are DNR landings on Cedar Lake and Low Lake.