Breaking News

Spruce grouse hunters in northern Minnesota’s boreal forests can voluntarily submit samples for the final year of a genetics research project being conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in partnership with the University of Minnesota.
Spruce grouse are a climate-sensitive species that rely on boreal forest habitats containing black spruce, jack pine and tamarack – all of which are expected to shift northward on the landscape as temperatures increase. This study will use grouse genetics to form a baseline of data to establish how spruce grouse currently use the landscape and identify changes in habitat connectivity over time. When habitat becomes fragmented and a species loses connectivity to its former range, the species can form smaller distinct genetic groups over time.

James V. Pinckney, 85, of Ely, a U.S. Veteran, passed away at his residence on Thursday, September 30, 2021. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Last Thursday I spent a few hours at the home of Bernie and Kathy Barich on beautiful Bear Island Lake. This wasn’t exactly a social visit even though I felt like I was with old friends as the laughs came easy and often.

I initiated our meeting after I found a bunch of polka music on albums, cassette tapes and CDs that were left in the house I purchased in Ely. I ran across a CD from the Ely polka band, “The Barich Brothers.” This homegrown band played during our wedding reception in 1981 in the lower level of the Ely Community Center. I instantly knew the subject of my next column.

Growing up in a Slovenian family, polka music was regularly played at home. The Ely radio station (WELY) hosted (and still hosts) a Saturday morning polka show. At the Mavetz house, WELY was always on the transistor radio that sat on the kitchen counter right next to the jar of orange Tang.

Not often seen, especially in this area, are oranges growing in a pine tree. However Jim Maki has this phenomenon of nature growing in his yard in Winton, Minnesota. He explains this rare occurrence as thus: “These are Finnish Oranges. The Finns in Northern Finland, they love fresh fruit, especially oranges. They were spitting the seeds out in the coral where the reindeer are kept and with all the reindeer fertilizer and the midnight sun, they had these plants coming up and they weren’t quite sure what they were looking at. So they just kept an eye on them and lo and behold the vines start running and they started climbing up the Norway trees and as you can see we got Finnish oranges climbing up the Norway trees. So I ordered a catalogue from Northern Finland. It was called Crapandgrow. It’s a novelty thing. So people drive by and do a double take and ask what is growing up there? I tell them Finnish Oranges. (Also known as squash.) .....

Notice to the Public
Equipment Operator II Position

The City of Ely is currently accepting applications for the Equipment Operator II Position. This is a full time position that includes a benefits package. For more information, please pick up an application and supplemental application in the Clerk’s Office at Ely City Hall or on the City of Ely website. Deadline for accepting applications is Friday, October 8, 2021 at 4:30 pm. The City of Ely is an equal opportunity employer.
City Clerk, Harold R Langowski

Ely Echo
September 25, 2021
October 2, 2021

The Ely Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of a full-time Patrol Officer and Assistant Police Chief. Applicants must be P.O.S.T. licensed or eligible for licensing by application deadline. Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen, possess a valid MN driver’s license, pass a background check, physical fitness exam, and psychologic examination prior to appointment. To be considered, you must submit a City of Ely application and resume by Monday, October 8th, 2021. Active licensed peace officers are encouraged to apply. Contact the Ely Police Department at (218)226-5477 to obtain an application or go to the City of Ely website at www.ely.mn.us for more information, job descriptions and applications.

Ely Echo
September 18, 2021
September 25, 2021
October 2, 2021

ORDINANCE NO. 347,
2nd Series

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ELY, MINNESOTA, AMENDING ELY CITY CODE, CHAPTER 8, SECTION 8.09, REGULATING THE USE OF ATVS

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELY DOES HEREBY ORDAIN:

SECTION 1. Chapter 8 as Section 8.09, of the Ely City Code shall be amended to read as follows:

SEC. 8.09. REGULATING THE USE OF ATVS

Subd. 1. Definitions.

A. “All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)”. Defined in Minn. Stat. § 84.92, Subd.8

B. “ATV Trail”. ATV trails mean the property designated and posted for use by ATV’s which approximately surrounds the platted portion of the City of Ely. Specific boundaries and a map of such trails are available for inspection at the Ely City Clerk’s Office.

C. “Boulevard”. The area of the public roadway lying between the sidewalks and that portion of the right of way of any public street or road used for motor vehicle traffic.

Public Hearing Minutes
September 7, 2021
City Hall, Council Chambers

Call To Order:
Mayor Skraba called the Public Hearing to order at 5:02pm.

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

Purpose:
Ely City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the installation of two bronze sculptures in Whiteside Park. One Voyageur Sculpture will be a full scale 14 foot Canoe and will be placed in the middle of the green space in the northwest corner of the park. The second sculpture will be a 4 foot canoe of Bill Mason will be placed to the north of the band shell.

Regular Meeting
Ely City Council – City Hall,
Council Chambers
September 7, 2021

1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Ely City Council was called to order by Mayor Skraba at 5:30pm in the Council Chambers.

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

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Campbell/Callen moved to approve minutes from the August 17, 2021 Public Hearing, the August 17, 2021 Special Council Meeting, the August 17, 2021 Regular Council Meeting, and the August 31, 2021 Study Session. Motion Carried Unanimously.

by Tom Coombe
The Vermilion Ironwomen shook off a second-game hiccup and picked up a key Northern Division win on Wednesday night.
And for good measure, they knocked off a tradtitional rival in the process.
Before a vocal home crowd, Vermilion dominated the fourth set and closed out a community college volleyball victory over Mesabi..
Scores were 25-16, 23-25, 25-19, 25-15 as the Ironwomen climbed over the .500 mark and improved to 3-2 in the division, and 4-3 overall.
Vermilion also moved into third place in the seven-team division and bolstered its postseason stock.
The Ironwomen are living up to their nickname, suiting up only six players on Wednesday, but they outlasted a Mesabi team that entered the contest with three wins in its first four division encounter
The Norse featured Ely graduate Winter Sainio, who recorded three kills, 10 digs and five ace serves.