Breaking News

Ely’s Jayne Dusich holds numerous track and field records at Bemidji State University.
It took almost 30 years, and one of her former students, for one of those records to fall.
Last weekend, freshman Ryne Prigge of Ely not only won the 1,000-meter run at an indoor event in North Dakota, but she also shattered a school record set by Dusich in 1991.
Prigge, who was coached by Dusich in both cross country and track at Ely, won Saturday’s race in 3:00.57, breaking Dusich’s school-best mark when she was a standout for the Beavers in the early-1990s.
Last year’s Arrowhead Conference Female Athlete of the Year, Prigge was a standout in track, cross country and Nordic skiing at Ely and signed with Bemidji State, an NCAA Division II school, to compete in both track and cross country.
Dusich followed a similar path and earned spot in both the BSU and Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Hall of Fame.

Jack Lindgren, 92, of Oklahoma City OK, passed away on Jan. 25. He was born in Ely Minnesota in 1926 and served in the U.S. Navy.

Patricia Jean (Palmer) Wickett, 87, of Virginia, formerly of Babbitt, passed away Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Patricia was born December 18, 1931, in Lanesboro, MN to Orrie and Alice (Palmer). In 1946, the family moved to Harmony, MN, where she graduated from high school in 1946. She then attended the Harding Beauty School in Winona and received her cosmetology license in 1950. She worked in shops in Austin and Preston and later was assistant cashier at a bank in Harmony. She was united in marriage to Richard E. Wickett on August 5, 1951. The lived in Harmony and Canton before moving to Babbitt in 1956.
She was a member of the Woodland Presbyterian Church, American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, Babbitt Golf Association, Women’s bowling Association for over 35 years, Dance Club, Babbitt Knight Riders, Snowmobile Club, and was active in Cub Scouting for a number of years.

Paying commercial taxes, employing people who live here, shop here and raise their chldren here. Show your support by subscribing, please!

WINTER FROLIC Queen Jessica Anderson and King Alex Motes were crowned at Tuesday’s pep rally.

Adam Turner, Jaymie Stocks and Heather Friedli stand in front of their winning sculpture Saturday, Feb. 2.

By Deanna Weniger, Pioneer Press -

HONORED - Dave Merhar’s number 7 now hangs in not one but two arenas. Tuesday, the Ely native and college hockey legend was honored in his hometown, as “Dave Merhar Night” was celebrated at the Ely Arena. A 1965 Ely High School graduate, Merhar was recruited to West Point and was one of college hockey’s most decorated players in the late-1960s. Merhar, still known in some Ely circles by his boyhood nickname “Otto,” set a single-season standard with 57 goals in his senior campaign of 1968-69, and he added 50 assists the same year to become the first collegian ever to get 100 points in a season. He is pictured with his wife Jan and Ely athletic director Tom Coombe. Photo by Eric Sherman.

POETRY AND MUSIC at the Tuesday group courtesy of Tim Stouffer and Joe Kenig. The Raven Loonaticks gave a sneak preview of (Sebstian Project II - the Second Comming) a multi-media event consisting of poetry, music and more to be performed at the Vermilion Community College Performing Arts Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 9 from 2-4 p.m. Photo by Tom Coombe.

by Tom Coombe
The Ely City Council will reconsider its decision to name a Tower-based publication as its official newspaper.
Members decided that Tuesday on a 5-1 vote, with mayor Chuck Novak opposed and Heidi Omerza absent.
The move came amid controversy, and protests from officials of the Ely Echo, over the council’s Jan. 15 decision to name the Timberjay as the city’s official publication.
The issue dominated this week’s regular council session, with Novak, council members and city attorney Kelly Klun weighing in, as well as local residents and the general manager of the Ely Echo - Nick Wognum.
Wognum said he was seeking “a level playing field” for his business, noting the Echo pays commercial real estate taxes and utility rates and challenging the Timberjay’s claim that the home of its Ely editor serves as the publication’s “office of issue.”

Carl Thomas Mistek, September 26, 1943 – February 2, 2019. It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Carl Thomas Mistek of San Jose. Carl peacefully entered into rest with his soulmate and loving wife, Gina, by his side. A strong man, fierce patriot and generous person, he believed in giving back and was frequently seen with a big smile and heard with a deep laugh. He greatly enjoyed visiting with too many friends to mention, spending time with his cherished and precious dog Brandi, working on a crossword puzzle or enjoying a quick-witted joke.
Carl leaves behind his adoring sister, Mary “Missy” Davis and brother, Jerome (Aneta) Mistek; cohort and brother-in-law, Philip (Marlene) Chantri; loving parents-in-law, Bruno (Gloria) Galli; cherished nephews, Joseph Mistek, Jonathan (Mary) Davis and Philip “Mickey” Chantri; adoring niece Jodi (Steve) Moore and precious great-nieces Jamie and Kristen Moore.