Breaking News

by Tom Coombe
Ely’s high school girls basketball team will bear little resemblance to the squad that took the court last winter.
Graduation took a heavy toll on the Timberwolves’ roster, with multi-year starters and 1,000-point scorers Erika Mattson and Brielle Kallberg among those moving on.
The Wolves, who reached the Section 7A quarterfinals last year and lost a heartbreaker to Chisholm, will also have a new look on the sidelines.
Max Gantt is the Wolves’ new head coach. The physical education teacher and Ely graduate steps in for Darren Visser, who stepped aside after the 2019-20 campaign.
Gantt and assistant coach Tom Omerza are in a rebuilding mode in a season that’s starting late, and is abbreviated, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But the first-year head coach said Wednesday, after three practices, that he likes what he has seen from what figures to be both a young and athletic team.

Snowmobile oval ice racing returns to the area on Jan. 9 with races being held on Fall Lake at the Ely-Winton Rod and Gun Club’s Longbranch hosting.
The Kids Championship Power Racing Organization. races for kids ages four to 14. will start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9.
The event is free for spectators with 11 different classes of races starting at 10 a.m.
Registrations begin at 8 a.m. with hot laps at 9 a.m. and racing action set to begin at 10 a.m.
KCPRO East is a non- profit organization established in 1991. For more information check out kcproeast.com.

POSITION OPENINGS
Ely Public Schools
Head Girls’ Track Coach
Head Softball Coach
Head Volleyball Coach

Ely Public Schools is looking for a Head Girls’ Track Coach and Head Softball Coach for the 2021 spring season and a Head Volleyball Coach for the 2021 fall season. Background check required.

Qualifications include:
• Bachelor’s Degree;
• Coaching licensure or ability to obtain (certification required to be an MSHSL head coach prior to the start of the 2020-2021 season);
• Previous coaching experience preferred.
• Must be available for several practices/games per week from mid-March through early June for track and softball and mid-August through early November for volleyball, including some weekends and during school break periods.

POSITION OPENING
Ely Public Schools
Assistant Boys’
Basketball Coach

Ely Public Schools is looking for an Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach for the 2021 winter season. Background check required.

Qualifications include:
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred;
• Previous coaching experience preferred;
• Must be available for several practices/games per week from January through March, including some weekends and during school break periods.

NOTICE OF FILING FOR THE 2021
SPECIAL ELECTION FOR MAYOR OF THE
CITY OF ELY, MINNESOTA

Notice is hereby given that the City of Ely will have a Special Election on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 for the position of Mayor. The filing period for the position of Mayor begins at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 19, 2021, and ends at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 2, 2021.

REQUEST FOR QUOTES

The City of Ely is requesting quotes for the demolition of a residential structure located at 274 N. 5th Ave E. on behalf of the property owner. A copy of the plans and specifications can be reviewed at Ely City Hall starting the week of January 11th. The City of Ely reserves the right to reject any and all quotes and to award the project in the best interest of the City of Ely. We will be accepting bids until 3 pm on Monday January 25th. This project is anticipated to be funded by the Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation.

Submit quotes to the Ely City Clerk’s Office, 209 E Chapman St., Ely, MN 55731. Questions, please call Harold R. Langowski at 218-235-3083.

Ely Echo
January 9, 2021
January 16, 2021

CITY OF ELY
NOTICE FOR LEGAL PRINTING BIDS

Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received by the Council of the City of Ely, St. Louis County, Minnesota, until Wednesday, January 27, 2021, 2:00 P.M. for doing legal printing and display advertising for the City of Ely, Minnesota for the year 2021.

Bids shall be securely sealed and endorsed upon the outside wrapper: “Bids for City of Ely Printing for 2021”.

The City Council reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any informalities therein.

Specifications, instructions and bid forms for interested bidders are available at the office of the Clerk/Treasurer, 209 E Chapman St, Ely, Minnesota 55731.

BY THE ORDER OF THE ELY CITY COUNCIL
Harold R Langowski, City Clerk/Treasurer

Ely Echo
January 9, 2021
January 16, 2021

Council Minutes – December 15, 2020
Regular Meeting Ely City Council – City Hall, Council Chambers

1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular City Council Meeting on December 15, 2020 was called to order by Mayor Novak at 5:30pm.

2. PRESENT: Council members A.Forsman, Kess, Debeltz, Omerza, Callen, Campbell, and Mayor Novak
ABSENT: None

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Campbell/Debeltz moved to approve the minutes from the December 1, 2020 Public Hearing, the December 1, 2020 Regular Council Meeting and the December 8, 2020 Truth in Taxation Meeting. Motion Carried Unanimously.

Lorraine “Toni” Phelps passed away at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely, Minn., on Jan. 1, 2021.
She was born Aug. 20, 1934, and was a lifelong resident of Ely. She graduated from Ely Memorial High School and attended Vermilion Community College.
She married her soulmate, Lavern “Flip” Phelps in 1954. Toni worked at Pamida and later managed the Ely Steelworker’s Credit Union. She was passionate about helping her members and so enjoyed the social aspect of her position that she continued to work until the age of 79.
Toni was quick to share a laugh and enjoyed visiting with family and friends. She also enjoyed going to the casino, baking and bowling. Toni was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and for many years served as chairwoman of her church circle. She was the treasurer of the local American Cancer Society and was also a member of the Ladies VFW.

Delores Marie Pucel, age 88 of Plymouth, MN passed away on Sunday, January 3rd, 2021. She was born in Keewatin, MN on March 22, 1932 and was the third child of Matthew and Angela Drobnick. Delores lost her father in a mining accident just before her second birthday. She moved to Ely, MN in 1940 with her mother and stepfather, Frank Marolt (also known as her “second dad”).
Delores graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1950 and later moved to Minneapolis in 1952. On July 31, 1954, Delores Drobnick and Joseph Pucel were united in Holy Matrimony at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely, MN. They moved to LaCrosse, WI where Joe started his teaching career. After six years, they moved to Crystal, MN where they raised their three daughters, Marie, Peggy and Terri.