Breaking News

Members of the Ely girls cross country team jump for joy in this photo by Joe Bianco.

TAKING SHAPE - Construction on the new college housing units continues at Vermilion Community College. Photo by Hailey Worth.

ZUPANCICH MEN gathered for an annual corporation meeting. Since the photo was taken, some men have retired or passed away. Shown here are, front. l-r): John Mike, Bernard, Jimmy, Patrick Sr., Joseph II, Edward. Back row: Brian, Eddie John, James, Robert, Paul, Steve, Joey IV and Patrick. This month Zup’s Food Markets celebrated 100 years. Grandpa John Zupancich opened the first Zup’s grocery store in Ely in 1916.

CLIP & SAVE!
City of Ely Public Works
Policy Regarding, SNOW REMOVAL

Northwoods Partners’ annual Festival of Trees will take place at the Grand Ely Lodge from Nov. 24 through Dec. 4.
“This festival is made possible through the generous contributions from many local businesses and community members,” said Lisa Porthan Executive Director.
“Many talented individuals help transform the Grand Ely Lodge lobby into a winter wonderland filled with decorated trees and wreaths. We are so grateful to all the individuals who help make the Festival of Trees a wonderful fundraising event to support services for our area seniors and caregivers.”
The community is invited to the opening and lighting ceremony on Thanksgiving evening at 5 p.m.
Come join family and friends for refreshments and entertainment by Bernie Palcher from 5-6 p.m.
The lighting of the trees is an occasion you won’t want to miss!
Begin your holiday shopping at the Northwoods Partners Christmas Boutique.

John Alden Hendrickson, 35, of Chisholm died unexpectedly Monday, Nov. 14, 2016.
He was born April 13, 1981 in Ely. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis and earned his registered nursing degree from Hibbing Community College. John was a traveling RN throughout the country, and more recently was employed at the Delta Airlines Reservation Center in Chisholm. John was known for his quick wit, his generous heart and his infectious smile.
John is survived by his parents, Jayne (Keith) Peterson of Cotton and Marty (Jean) Hendrickson of Embarrass; siblings, Amy, Allison, Joseph, Benjamin and Isaac; grandmothers, Jean Suomi of Babbitt and Geraldine Koski of Ely; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Alyssa Hendrickson; his nephew, Tracker; aunt, Janelle Poderzay; and grandfathers, John Suomi, Alden Hendrickson and Howard Koski.

For a community of 3,500 people, Ely sure knows how to make news.
We seriously doubt there’s another community our size anywhere in Minnesota that attracts as much state or even nationwide attention as we do.
Some of the reasons are obvious. Ely’s proximity to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, nationally-known attractions such as the International Wolf Center and North American Bear Center, the vast recognition and acclaim as a tourism destination and outdoor hub, and certainly the ongoing and never-ending debate over copper-nickel mining are among the bevy of reasons Ely makes it into The New York Times, on the TODAY Show, or any of numerous other major media outlets.
Small towns across the state, from Eveleth to East Grand Forks, Barnum to Breckenridge, don’t get this type of publicity.

The Tower area, which includes Ely, saw a major jump from last year’s deer harvest numbers.
The DNR reports an increase of 44 percent through Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Eight out of nine permit areas showed registration increases ranging from 25% to 59%. One permit area (BWCA) showed a decline of 51%.
Buck harvest, the best indicator of population change, was up 23% overall. Buck harvest was up consistently across the area ranging from 25-59% in 8 of 9 permit areas
The entire 2016 season has benefited from extremely mild November weather, no storms and light to moderate winds.
Three factors are driving increased hunter success: a growing deer population, antlerless deer permit availability (most permit areas were bucks only in 2015) and October-like weather conducive to stand hunting success
Record warm temperatures have increased hunter effort and success, especially on weekends.

Amelia “Molly” Grahek, 96, of Ely, passed away on Friday, November 18, 2016. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely at 11:00 A.M. with visitation taking place one hour prior to the service at the church. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
Amelia “Molly” Grahek, 96, of Ely, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 18, 2016. Molly was born on June 26, 1920 in Ely to Frank and Ursula Tratnik. She married Stanley Grahek on January 17, 1949.
Molly worked as a bank teller for Norwest Bank until her retirement. Molly was a lifelong member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, the Council of Catholic Women, she also was a member of the KSKJ Lodge and the VFW Auxillary.

PUBLIC HEARING November 1, 2016 - City Hall, Council Chambers

Call to Order:
Mayor Novak called the public hearing to order at 5pm.

Roll Call:
PRESENT: Council members Debeltz, Omerza, Polyner, D.Forsman and Mayor Novak
ABSENT: Council members A.Forsman, and Kess