Breaking News

The 2018 16-day firearms deer season will begin Saturday, Nov. 3 and end Sunday, Nov. 18.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Office in Tower is forecasting a deer population that is recovered from the severe winters of 2013 + 2014 in Northern St. Louis and Northern Lake Counties.
Wildlife managers report the deer herd has rebounded nicely and is now within the population “sweet spot” established for our area.
The last four winters have been mild to moderate, as measured by the DNR Winter Severity Index. As a result, fawn production has been excellent with twin fawns the norm in the better areas.
Winter severity, predation and antlerless deer harvest are the most significant mortality factors in northern forest deer management.
The 2018 deer season framework is much more liberal, in response to the growing population.

An Ely man is in jail and faces several charges, including four felonies, in connection with an incident in which he allegedly assaulted, kidnapped and threatened to kill a female acquaintance.
Ryan Savolainen, 40, has been charged with felony kidnapping, second-degree assaults, threats of violence and false imprisonment, as well as two misdemeanors.
As of Thursday, Savolainen remained in the county jail with bail set at $100,000.
A criminal complaint, released by the Ely Police Department, outlines a series of events that occurred earlier this week.
According to the complaint, Savolainen met the female outside Washington Elementary School because she agreed only to meet at a public place. Savolainen then entered her vehicle and told her to drive to his home in Ely or else “he would kill her and dump her body in the woods where no one would find it.”

Helen (Prasnicki) Laitinen, 73, of Princeton, MN, peacefully passed away on October 23rd 2018 with loving family at her side.
Helen was born in Gilman, Wisconsin to John and Helen Prasnicki on February 24th, 1945 and graduated high school in Silver Bay, Mn. Prior to retirement she worked as a receptionist for The University of Minnesota Foundation for 12 years in Minneapolis. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, family, and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure to know her.
Helen is preceded in death by husband Gary Laitinen, parents John and Helen Prasnicki, and brothers Stephen and Frank Prasnicki.
Helen is survived by her children Tim (Lynn) Laitinen, Chris Laitinen, Bill (Cynthia) Laitinen, Steve Laitinen, Nancy (Chris) McCormick. Brothers and sisters Aloys Prasnicki, Rita (Jim) Garni, Liz Hyrkas, Roger (Rosalin) Prasnicki, and Julie (Butch) Ernst, 17 Grandchildren and seven Great-Grandchildren.

Angela F. “Angie” Golobich, 93, of Ely died peacefully on Friday, October 26, 2018 at Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. She was born on May 29, 1925 in Ely to Matthew and Gertrude (Zaverl) Vertnik and graduated from Ely Memorial High School, class of 1943. Following high school, Angie worked in retail at the local J.C. Penney store until she married Anton “Tony” Golobich on September 30, 1947, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. They had three children: Roberta, Gerald and Russell.

Karen Josephine Jiacik, 78, was born June 15, 1940 in Ely. The Lord called her home on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital.
She married the love of her life Richie on October 15, 1960 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Ely. She enjoyed selling Avon 50 plus years to customers who became life-long friends. She loved spending time with her family and one of her favorite times was spending it in R & K patio with Richie admiring her beautiful flowers.
She was an avid Vikings and Gopher hockey fan.
Preceded in death by her parents Charles and Lillian Starkman, in-laws Pete and Ann Jiacik, siblings: Kenneth, Lorraine Schuler, Sandy Starkman and grandson Rustin Richards.

The Ely Echo is the largest area newspaper in circulation and you're part of it! It's the go-to place for school news - from “Zombie Prom” to Science project goes viral. The best sports news from the Timberwolves and Vermilion, and columnists share their thoughts with readers as well. You can receive the complete newspaper every Friday by email as a pdf for just $35 a year. We can send you a sample if you ask for it! 218-365-3141, ask for Anne.

Information brief by the Minnesota House of Representatives Research Department
The following summarizes the history of the major actions occurring in the protection of the BWCA. Relevant Minnesota Statutes are excerpted on pages 4 and 5.

1857
Enabling act of U.S. Congress grants land to support schools (Sections 16 and 36) and University of Minnesota

1858
State of Minnesota admitted to the union; it receives ownership of the beds of navigable waters

1860-1870
Congress grants the state additional swamp and other lands—about five million acres

1902
U.S. Land Office withdraws 500,000 acres in future BWCA wilderness from settlement

A CROWD ESTIMATED at over 500 watched the Jake Forsman Memorial Car Show and Burnout competition. The event had 44 car show entries, 12 morning burnout and 26 afternoon burnout competitors on Oct. 20.

WINNER for the best burnout was Dan Forsman in his 1994 Camaro Z28 at the 2018 Jake Forsman Memorial Car Show and Burnout competition. Photo by Ruthanne Fenske.

Janelle Hakala of Ely is getting close to the end of her assignment at the South Pole. She has three more weeks left at the South Pole, she will fly out to Christchurch, New Zealand where they have a base station. She will return to Ely by the end of December. The MN flag picture was taken (photo by Rob Streeter) shortly after they received full daylight again (24 hour daylight). After being in full darkness for nearly 6 months, it was a time to celebrate. So here is our Ely native, flying the MN flag which she brought to the pole with her. After hearing the news of the Ely school launching a weather balloon last week, Janelle sent the school a picture of her launching a balloon at the Pole in honor of the science club. Janelle launches balloons every day to collect weather data. Anyone wanting to learn more of her adventure, can follow her blog at https://janellesyearonice.blogspot.com/