Breaking News

by Tom Coombe
Not much went right for the Ely Timberwolves on Tuesday night, but Erika Mattson’s clutch shot three days earlier had already given her team quite a highlight.
The senior nailed a free throw after time expired to give Ely a 50-49 high school girls basketball victory Saturday over Cook County.
It was the Wolves 10th win of the season, but Cherry made them wait for victory number 11 with a dominant 63-30 triumph Tuesday in Ely.
The Tigers forced 26 Ely turnovers and held the Wolves to an eight-for-47 shooting performance while improving to 10-3.
Ely, which has an identical 10-3 mark, never really got on track.
That made Saturday’s performance against the Vikings, in Grand Marais, all the more important.
Ely erased a 16-point deficit and won while playing without a full complement of players.

January 22-26 the 32nd annual Northland 300 will hold its annual snowmobile ride in Ely and hosted by Grand Ely Lodge. This Special Olympics signature event has included staying in Ely for 15 years. To date, over $4.8 million has been raised for the athletes of Special Olympics throughout the state of Minnesota.
The Opening Ceremony will be held on Thursday at 9 a.m. at Grand Ely Lodge. The Vintage Ride for snowmobiles 1999 and older will be held on Friday starting at 9 a.m. The cost is $25. Both events are open to the public.
Next year the event shifts to Grand Rapids.
Northland 300 snowmobilers hit the trails to ride over 300 miles in two days to show their support of the athletes of Special Olympics. Two athletes from the Roseville Flames, Steven Eull and Ashlea Karkula, will be carrying in the torch to light the flame of hope at the opening ceremony. The national anthem will be sung by a choir from Ely High School.

School Board Study Session December 16, 2019 (Board approved 1/13/2020)

1.0 The study session of the School Board of Independent School District No. 696 was called to order by Chairman Marsnik at 6:00 p.m. in the school board meeting room.
2.0 On roll call the following directors were present: Colarich, Mann, Marsnik, Pointer, Sjoberg. Absent: Omerza
4.0 ARI President Scott Sosalla presented proposed courtyard addition plans and cost projections.
5.0 Project discussion was held with Gary Cerkvenik and Jeff Anderson with the Costin Group along with Roy Smith and Chris Ismil from IRRR.
6.0 Moved by Pointer, seconded by Sjoberg to adjourn at 7:18 p.m. Motion carried. Vote: (5-0)

Rochelle Sjoberg, Clerk

Ely Echo 1/18/20

School Board Meeting Minutes
December 9, 2019 (Board approved 1/13/2020)

It’s an extremely pastoral setting. Snow is falling outside, the big floaty flake kind. We have nowhere to go because we‘re there. The fire inside is glowing red orange warm coals. A very snoozy golden retriever is lying prone in front of the hearth.
He is at one side of the bench, I’m on the other, we’re not racing, but it’s a competition to see who can tie up the most flies before the other guy.
We started out with a really easy one, muddler minnows, with whitetail deer hair, a blob of deer hair, wind, wind, wind, tie-off, a drop of glue, trim, and on to the next one. I stomped him on the muddlers.
Next up, we did one of my personal favorites the “Mcginty.” When you’re done it looks just like a bumblebee and the dual lacing of the black and yellow chenille is fun to me, and having done them many years now, I just don’t think he stood a chance. Round two went solidly to me.

To the Editor,
The Ely Area Senior Citizens Center is a 40 year old 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to provide help and services to Ely Area Citizens young and old.
We own the building which was built in the 1930s. We remodeled it in 1989 and it now needs upgrading. We are focusing on our kitchen and dining area first.
We need new appliances, stainless steel counters and lighting. Many organizations and groups use the building. AEOA serves meals here Monday through Friday and they also prepare meals on wheels delivered by the AEOA bus. Our building serves as the area voting place.
We would like to begin the remodeling as soon as we can raise enough money. We are applying for grants asking for donations and will have other fundraising activities. We do have matching funds lined up.
We would deeply appreciate any help with any amount you can give us.
Thank you for your consideration.
Theresa Jamnick, President

by Tom Coombe
While neighboring Iowa will formally kick off the race for president next month with its first-in-the-nation caucuses, Ely area voters also already have a chance to vote for president.
Early voting has already begun for the Mar. 3 Minnesota presidential primary.
Minnesota’s primary is part of “Super Tuesday,” when numerous states will hold primary elections that could help decide who Democrats choose to put up against President Trump in November.
Friday was the first day of early voting at Ely City Hall and will continue, during business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
City Hall will also be open for early voting on Saturday, Feb. 29 from 10 a.m, to 3 p.m. and on Monday, Mar. 2 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., before regular balloting begins Mar. 3, at the Ely Senior Center, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

by Nick Wognum
While more Minnesotans are REAL ID ready, most still need to decide if they need a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification before the federal deadline of Oct. 1, 2020.
After the deadline of Oct. 1, 2020 Minnesotans will not be able to use their standard driver’s license or ID card to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities.
“If you don’t have a REAL ID you won’t be able to board a plane unless you have a passport,” said Penny Reedy of the Ely License Bureau.
People will need a REAL ID, enhanced driver’s license or ID card, passport or passport card or another acceptable form of identification for federal purposes.
But to get the new cards, you’ll need to make sure you have your paperwork in order. Reedy said plenty of people do not have the right paperwork when they come into her office on Chapman Street.
Her advice? Start by going to the state website drive.mn.gov.

by Dan Kraker
MPR News 101.7 FM
Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum introduced legislation Wednesday to permanently ban copper, nickel and precious metals mining across more than 200,000 acres of the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota.
The bill would forbid new mining operations within the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, including a project proposed by Twin Metals Minnesota, which last month submitted plans to state and federal regulators to open an underground copper-nickel mine outside Ely, and just a couple miles from the southern edge of the BWCA.
“This bill establishes federal, permanent protections for this vulnerable and fragile ecosystem to ensure it is not damaged and polluted from sulfide-ore copper mining,” McCollum, DFL-St. Paul, said in introducing the legislation.
Twin Metals Minnesota issued a statement opposing the bill:

Boundary Waters Canoe Area quota permit reservations for the 2020 season will be available beginning at 9 a.m. CST on Jan. 29.
Reservations for May 1 through Sept. 30 can be booked using Recreation.gov, the online reservation and trip planning service for all federal recreation opportunities, or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
The BWCAW contains over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and over 2,000 designated campsites.
Visitors taking an overnight paddle, motor or hiking trip, or a motorized day trip into the BWCAW between May 1 and September 30 are required to obtain a quota permit.
Group sizes are limited to nine people and these smaller group sizes enhance the wilderness experience, chances of seeing wildlife and decrease resource impacts.
Here are a few tips to assist those interested in reserving these popular permits:

Carol Ann Kronfuss passed away on January 8, 2020 in her as of late, hometown of Aurora, Minnesota.
Born in Town of Deer Creek, Taylor County, Wisconsin, on June 3, 1928, to Adam and Mary (Brunner) Schneider, Carol grew up on the family farm in Stetsonville as the youngest of ten children. Here she learned many valuable life lessons from both her immediate and extended families, let alone many treasured memories. Upon completion of secondary school Carol ventured to the city of Milwaukee where she completed nursing studies.