Breaking News

NEW ELECTION JUDGES: Charles Dammann, Ely veteran Chuck Novak, Nic Jordan, Ely veteran Steve Saari, Collen Seliskar, U.S. Army Recruiter Sergeant Dawn Mellesmoen, Shane Spangler, Ely veteran Tony Colarich, Haley Hopkins, Lucy Stouffer, Madelene Johnson, Luke Olson, Jeremiah Kaercher, Ely veteran Dave Streit, Raif Olson, Nate Nettifee, James Schwinghamer, Kjetil Midttun, Ely veteran Bob Niskala. Photo by Cole Kleitsch.

Ely Echo Report -

Our children are our future and Echo is loaded with photos and news about the Ely Schools. You'll also find interviews with City Council candidates, the state of broadband in the area, newcomers to Ely, the ever popular “Three O’clock Hour” photos and interviews, columnists and much more! Check it out on newsstands now.

HIGH FIVES ALL AROUND - Members of Ely’s volleyball team celebrated after winning a point against Nashwauk-Keewatin earlier this season. Pictured are Erika Mattson, McKenna Coughlin, Rachel Coughlin, Brielle Kallberg and Jenna Merhar. Photo by Eric Sherman.

TWIN METALS - Dean Debeltz listens to a question from the audience.

by Tom Coombe -

The Echo presents a 26 page booklet with color photos and illustrations of the columns by Dave Krikorian, just in time for holiday giving. See the special offer in this week’s Ely Echo!

Jazmyne Akins had the word peaceful at the Vocabulary Parade on Wednesday. oto by Nick Wognum

ALL SMILES for Ely’s high school vollyeball team after an Oct. 25 playoff win at Cherry, a victory that sent the Wolves into the Section 7A semfinals for the first time in program history. Pictured are (front, l-r) Lida Dodge, McCartney Kaercher, Erika Mattson, Rachel Coughlin, Lauren Porthan; (back. l-r) assistant coach Megan Wognum, Holly Dirks, Kenzie Peterson, Apolonia Homer, Jenna Merhar, Brielle Kallberg, Winter Sainio, McKenna Coughlin, head coach Andrea Thomas.

by Tom Coombe -

Paul Eugene Kyllonen, age 57, passed away at Palmer Station, Antarctica on October 23, 2018. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely. Memorial service to be held at a later date.

Mary Theresa (Rom) Ferderber, 98, of Ely, passed away on Monday, October 29, 2018 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely.
She was born December 13, 1919 in Maverlen, Slovenia, Jugoslavia to John Rom and Mary (Schager) Rom. Mary arrived in the U.S.A. with her mother on October 1, 1922. She lived in Ely, Minnesota all of her life.
Mary married Peter A. Ferderber on May 16, 1938. They had three children: Patrick Ferderber; Diane (Alfred “Butch”) Smisek, Kenneth Ferderber married to Diana Kelly.
She is also survived by grandchildren Mara Ferderber, married to David Sireks; Brielle Ferderber, married to Patrick Loe; Garret Ferderber, married to Jenn Wilna; Kenneth Ferderber Jr., married to Alice; Carmen Ferderber, married to Patrick Skulzace; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 11 a.m. with visitation occurring one hour prior at the church.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced today that it has issued permits for Poly Met Mining, Inc.’s (PolyMet’s) proposed NorthMet mining project in northeast Minnesota.

The DNR has issued the permit to mine, six water appropriation permits, two dam safety permits, a public waters work permit, and an endangered species takings permit for the NorthMet project.

The permit to mine includes a financial assurance plan and wetland replacement plan.

Today’s action completes the DNR’s consideration of the major permits that the project needs from the DNR in order to proceed. However, the NorthMet project still requires water and air quality permits from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and a wetlands permit from the Army Corps of Engineers, in addition to other local permits and approvals.

“No project in the history of Minnesota has been more thoroughly evaluated,” said DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr.