News

by Tom Coombe -

Babbitt mayor Andrea Zupancich, Ely mayor Chuck Novak, YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities chief operating officer Greg Waibel, YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities vice president of camping Tom Kranz, YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities general board member Tony Bassett cut the ribbon to open the new new YMCA Camp Northern Lights grand opening celebration on May 25. Previously the facility was known as Northern Lights Lodge and Timber Wolf Lodge Camp Northern Lights is located on Bear Island Lake. Photo by Hailey Worth.

by Tom Coombe -

The Pitcha Pine Prescribed Fire is planned for Saturday, June 1, 2019. This unit is located on Highway 1 southeast of Ely, MN. Residents and visitors may see or smell smoke along Highway 1.

The North School Section Prescribed Fire is planned for Sunday, June 2, 2019 depending on fuels and weather conditions. This unit is located on the west/northwest side of Burntside Lake. Residents and visitors on Burntside Lake may see or smell smoke in the area.The Pitcha Pine Units (556 acres) are located on both sides of Highway 1
between the Chub Lake boat access and County Highway 2 in T60N, R10W, Sections 20 and 21.

Lots happening in the Ely area! Good fishing! Peter Mitchell Days in Babbitt! Track & Field Day! Graduation! And photos galore!

If you're not a subscriber of Ely's favorite Hometown Newspaper - The Ely Echo, Please consider subscribing t the print or email version.

by Tom Coombe -

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.”