Breaking News

Donald Leroy Beseman, 94, of Bemidji, Minnesota, died on March 23, 2020, in Bellevue, Iowa at Mill Valley Care Center.

Memorial Services will be 11:00 am, Saturday, August 1, 2020 at Immanuel Lutheran Church 349 3rd Street N.E. in Case Lake, Minnesota, conducted by Pastor James Sorenson. Family will greet friends 10:00 am until service time at the church prior to services. Inurnment will be in Argo Cemetery in Babbitt, Minnesota.

by Tom Coombe
For the second time this month, an Ely home went up in flames and was destroyed by fire.
Tuesday afternoon, fire crews arrived at 131 East Conan Street to find the structure completely ablaze.
Nobody was injured in a home that belonged to Scott Matschiner, according to Ely Fire Chief Tom Erchull.
One dog inside the home was able to escape while another is believed to have perished in the blaze.
The home was damaged extensively and is considered a total loss, while two adjacent homes had moderate damage and another had damage to its siding.
The devastation could have been even worse, according to Erchull.
“That’s why we had Morse (Fire Department) go down to Central Avenue,” said Erchull. “That easily could have been the whole block when the houses are three feet apart. I thought it was going to be the whole block.”

Margaret A. Haasl, 89, of Ely, passed away on Monday, June 22, 2020 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral of Ely.

Sandra L. Mackie, age 74, of Spooner, WI passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2020 at her home.

Polaris Inc. announced it donated more than $110,000 to off-road and all-terrain vehicles (ATV) organizations across the United States as part of its ongoing T.R.A.I.L.S Grant Program.
The 12 nonprofit organizations that were awarded a spring 2020 T.R.A.I.L.S grant received awards ranging from $3,500 to $10,000. The grants will support the development, improvement and expansion of trails, and help educate riders on safe and responsible riding practices.
“These local organizations and clubs are made up of passionate volunteers and riders who love our sport – they are truly the life blood of the off-roading community with a genuine desire to help create a safe and enjoyable experience for all those looking to get out and ride,” said Steve Menneto, president of Off Road at Polaris.
“The T.R.A.I.L.S Grants Program is our way to help support their efforts and show our appreciation for their passion and dedication.”

by Tom Coombe
It may not be an official parade, but a Fourth of July event in Ely is shaping up to be perhaps the next-best thing.
Using the traditional parade route as well as an additional five blocks to allow people to spread out, Ely will have a “Patriotic March” on Saturday, July 4.
Starting at 1 p.m., the march figures to look much like traditional Independence Day parades in Ely, complete with the Ely Honor Guard, fire trucks, floats, bikes and a plethora of groceries and goodies distributed by Zup’s Food Market.
“We thought it was important for Ely to have this,” said Nick Wognum, one of several members of the Ely Patriotic Club, which formed this month and is organizing the event. “Whether or not you call it a parade doesn’t matter. It’s the chance to express our First Amendment rights and gather on the Fourth of July in a patriotic way, like we always have in Ely.”

by Tom Coombe
A virtual ghost town for nearly three months, Vermilion Community College will come back to life later this summer.
The 2020-21 school year is set to begin on time in late-August, with classes being held in-person and students residing in on-campus housing.
School leaders made that official this week with a letter to incoming students indicating a return to “business as usual” - with some new safety enhancements - amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our current plan is to be open,” provost Shawn Bina said Wednesday. “The governor can change it on us if something happens further with the pandemic, but we do plan to be open while following CDC and Department of Health guidelines.”
Student housing will operate at reduced capacity because of the pandemic, and buffets will go by the wayside in the cafeteria in favor of entirely plated meals.

by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
As people across the country stay at home to keep themselves and their families safe in the midst of this pandemic, being connected to the outside world is especially important. With schools and businesses closed, kids are learning from home, parents are working and searching for jobs from home, and families are accessing telehealth services from home. But those things aren’t possible without access to high speed internet.
In rural communities throughout Minnesota, roughly 16 percent of households lack access to high speed internet. That means 144,000 households are missing out on the benefits that come with broadband. And that’s simply unacceptable. I’ve heard from school superintendents across our state who are partnering with small broadband providers directly in order to help their students without internet access. These are innovative partnerships that will help our kids during this difficult time.

Regular Meeting Ely City Council – City Hall, Council Chambers
Meeting will be held via Zoom-video/teleconference

1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Novak called the Ely City Council Meeting to order at 5:30pm.

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

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Callen/Campbell moved to approve the minutes from the May 19, 2020 Regular Council Meeting, and the May 26, 2020 Study Session. Roll Called: Council Member A.Forsman-Yes, Kess-Yes, Debeltz-Yes, Omerza-Yes, Callen-Yes, Campbell – Yes, and Mayor Novak-Yes. Motion Carried Unanimously.

4. ADDITIONS OR OMISSIONS TO AGENDA: None

5. MAYOR’S REPORT: None

The City of Ely is requesting quotes for the demolition of a residential property located at 15 S Central Avenue on behalf of the property owner. A copy of the plans and specifications can be reviewed at Ely City Hall starting the week of June 19th. The City of Ely reserves the right to refuse 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, June 29th.

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
June 20, 2020
June 27, 2020