Breaking News

About author Pat Magie
Editor’s Note: Magie came to Ely in 1935 at the age of 5 and lived up the Echo Trail on Big Lake at what would become Whispering Pines Lodge. He operated seaplane businesses in Ely for 23 years, in Alaska for 20 year and in Hawaii for 23 years. He is now retired and lives in the state of Washington.

Robert E. “Bob” Springer, age 81, passed away peacefully with family by his side at his home in Pequot Lakes, MN, on Friday, October 23, 2020. He was born to Edwin and Nora Springer on October 26, 1938, in Pequot Lakes. Bob and Eileen met in Kelly Lake, MN, and were married in Hibbing, MN, moving to Ely, MN to live and raise their family. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Eileen; children: Wayne (Cheryl) Springer, Vicki Springer, Randy (Suzanne) Springer, Julie Tangen; grandchildren: Megan, Matthew and Aaron Springer, April (Cody) Hoisington, Angela (Patrick) Shea, Cody and Nicole Springer, Logan, Desirea and McKenzie Tangen; sister, Darlene Jarvis; and great grandchildren: Colton, Sage, Parker, Cam, Nora and Haley.

Irene Bergeron Grahek was granted her angels wings on October 20th 2020. She was 90 years old. Irene was born to Eugenie (Jane) and Peter Bergeron in Oklee Minnesota on August 20th 1930. Irene was the youngest of 6 six children and came into this world as a surprise! As a child she loved to roller skate with her brother Ernie. They were so good people nicknamed them Fred and Ginger!

by Nick Wognum
Ely’s newest police officer shouldn’t have to adjust much to living in a small town.
Maxwell Brewer came to Ely from Morristown, MN which is about 15 minutes from Faribault.
“I’m used to small towns…my graduating class at Waterville was 60 students,” said Brewer. “I grew up in farm lands hunting, fishing and enjoying parks as I was growing up. I got into sports and played basketball throughout high school. Otherwise people find me hiking or in parks or swimming if the water’s not freezing.”
Brewer said he would like to get back into duck hunting after missing out on several seasons during college.
He attended Riverland Community College in Austin, MN, graduating with a degree in law enforcement and corrections. He then went to Rochester Community College for the skills portion of his training.
Brewer’s first job is with the Ely police department.

by Tom Coombe
The most recent update confirms a continuing trend of minimal growth in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Ely area.
Among residents of the 55731 zip code, two new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the last seven days and six new cases have been added overall since Sept. 24.
St. Louis County updated its COVID dashboard Thursday, providing the new information.
The additional cases brought Ely’s cumulative total up to 40, up from 38 last week, and 36 the previous two weeks.
The number was at 34 on Sept. 24, after a period of more rapid growth that included 25 new cases in roughly a month, many associated with an Ely assisted living facility.
The plateau comes despite an Oct 6 testing event in Ely, put on by St. Louis County, in which 495 people were tested. One person tested positive.
It was not immediately clear if the positive test was attributed to an Ely area resident or someone from a neighboring community.

Saturday started with small snow drops pelting the trees. It hardly covered any part of the driveway and woods.
Now at 3 p.m. the snow is heavier and only a small bit of grass remains showing under the towering trees. Bare branches are now snow laden as are the feathery fronds on pines.
The barn roof may have two inches of snow and road traffic has slowed to a standstill.
If only the emails received from the various politcal parties and individuals would also stop. All are now filed under Junk and tossed away. They makeup about 80 percent of the daily email.
After November 3 will they cease and desist? Is it just me or does this election seem different from others? Truthfully I voted by mail some weeks ago. However, that didn’t stop the political messages nor the plethora of television statements.

by Tom Silvestri
The Relevance Project
Newspapers face another big election.
It’s about them.
While the United States is riveted by a most unusual presidential election, the newspaper industry is running to win the hearts, minds and souls of “voters.”
These voters are readers, residents, subscribers, students, advertisers, marketers, sponsors and newspaper employees.
Vote by subscribing to support your local newspaper. (If you already do, a big thanks.)
Vote by advertising -- cheers to current ad buyers. Patronize those who do.
Vote by engaging your newspaper. Write a letter to the editor, tweet appreciation to an enterprising reporter, send a suggestion to the publisher with a request to speak to him or her for a personal exchange.
Vote by learning more about your newspaper, its history, its mission, its staff and its ownership.
Vote by frequently checking the newspaper’s web site or news alerts.

by Tom Coombe
An unconventional season will end in unconventional fashion for Northeast Range/Ely.
While the Nighthawks compete Saturday in the Section 7A high school girls swimming meet, they’ll face only rivals Eveleth-Gilbert and Mesabi East in person at the pool in Aurora.
At the same time, eight other teams will participate in the section event at pools in Duluth and Hibbing.
Times in each event will be compiled at each site and at the end of the day, individual and team standings will be determined.
The split section event is one of the numerous changes put in place this fall because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has made for a season full of adjustments for high school athletes across the state, including the NRE swimmers.
“It has been such a challenging year, both mentally and physically,” said head coach Cheri DeBeltz. “Especially once the school went to hybrid. It’s taken its toll.”

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has set dates for recreational netting for whitefish and tullibee (cisco) on seven lakes in the Tower DNR fisheries work area.
These lakes are Schedule I Lakes, which are more susceptible to sudden changes in water temperatures. They are opened and closed on a 48-hour notice posted at lake accesses, other public places, and the DNR website.
Schedule I Lakes (48-hour notice)
• Vermilion, Basswood, Fall and Newton lakes will be open to netting Friday, Oct. 23 through Wednesday, Nov. 11. (Minimum 3.5 inch mesh size for Vermilion and Newton Lakes. Minimum 1.75 inch mesh size for Basswood and Fall lakes.)
• Shagawa Lake will be open to netting Friday, Nov. 6 through Saturday, Nov. 28. (Minimum 3.5 inch mesh size)
• Bear Island & Ojibway lakes will be open to netting Friday, Nov. 20 through Sunday, Dec. 20. (Minimum 1.75 inch mesh size)

NOTICE TO TOWN OF MORSE RESIDENTS

Notice is hereby given to the voters of the Town of Morse, that a State General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, at the Morse Town Hall, 911 South Central Avenue, Ely, MN 55731. Polling place hours will be from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., The following offices will appear on the ballot: