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The Ely Echo is Ely’s ONLY legal newspaper with offices at 15 East Chapman Street. There you’ll find a full range of news services, great advertising and business designs, printing on advanced equipment, plus photo services that are quick!

When you want to know about the Ely area and the people who live here, you need the Ely Echo. Call 218-365-3141 or 1-800-492-3555. As the largest circulation Ely newspaper we welcome new subscribers from anywhere in the world!

TOURING - U.S. Representative-Elect Pete Stauber toured the Razor Edge production facility in Ely on Monday. Joe Juranitch (right) explained how the company was able to purchase an $80,000 piece of equipment as a result of tax breaks passed by the federal government. Photo by Nick Wognum.

by Tom Coombe -

AT MINERS DRY during the Holiday Fantasy event held last weekend were Donna Blanchfield and her family. Photos by Ruthanne Fenske.

APPLAUSE as switches were flipped and the Christmas trees were lit during the Northwoods Partners Festival of Trees fundraising event at Grand Ely Lodge. Photo by Nick Wognum.

WHO IS DRIVING? Along for the ride along the Trezona Trail was Santa Claus at the Holiday Fantasy event at Miners Dry sponsored by Ely Arts & Heritage Center and Stone Soup Events. Photo by Ruthanne Fenske.

by Tom Coombe -

Charles Russell Johnson, age 77, a lifetime resident of Ely, passed away on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
He was born on April 13, 1941 to Russell and Vera Johnson.
Chas was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, four-wheeling and spending time at the shack with his family and friends. Chas also loved to go camping, painting, drawing, collecting many things and gardening.
He really enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He always had some goofy antics going on to make people laugh.
He will be greatly missed by many people who loved him dearly.
Chas is survived by his wife Cindy, sons Chris Johnson, Chad (Kristy) Johnson, daughter Tracy (Daniel) Timm, stepdaughter Amanda (Paul) Jiacik, grandchildren: Cory, Kelsey, Hunter, Kyle, Madelene, Kasey and Savannah; and great-grandchild Nolen Johnson.
He was preceded in death by his parents Russell and Vera Johnson, his first wife Trudell Johnson and daughter Jamie Johnson.

Mildred Cooley, 102, of Ely passed away on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at the Boundary Waters Care Center. Family arrangements entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

LeRoy A. Hartleben, 87, of Ely, MN passed away Sunday, November 25, 2018 at Carefree Living in Ely.
LeRoy was born in Hankinson, ND on August 14, 1931 to Arthur and Cecelia Hartleben. He married the love of his life, Shirley, in 1953 and moved to Ely the following year. They were married 65 years.
He was employed by Reserve Mining Company for 26 years, and also owned a carpentry and furnace installation business.
LeRoy was active in his church, where he often played guitar and sang for the congregation. He and Shirley loved music, dancing, Minnesota Twins baseball and playing cards. They were active in the Antique Car Club for many years.

The board of the Donald G. Gardner Humanities Trust voted to award $18,084 to local art organizations and fine arts events at its November 14, 2018 board meeting.
“This was a super competitive grant round due to a strict grants budget this fall,” stated Keiko Williams, executive director for the Trust. “Artists and organizations requested over $27,500 this past month but we had only $18,084 allotted for our fall grant round. Normally the Trust might use some of its operational reserve for grant awards but this summer our Community Giving Grant installed outdoor musical sculptures in Whiteside Park.”
The Trust’s project grant program supports activities in the fine arts and is intended to make possible presentations or productions. Three project grants were awarded this year to the following organizations: