Breaking News

Virginia Schneider, 90, passed away Friday, May 10, 2019 surrounded by friends and family in Virginia, Minnesota.She was born April 21, 1929 in Wilmette, Illinois as the second of five siblings. Around the age of 20, she met her husband James Schneider to whom she was married for over 60 years.
In her early years, she worked as a switch board operator and a manager at Hackney’s for 23 years before moving to Ely, Minnesota in 1976. She and her skilled siblings built an incredible home on the lake where hundreds of family members visited over the subsequent years, earning many titles including; camp counselor, bottle washer, and pecan roll maker. When not hosting family, she volunteered at the hospital, participated in the sewing club, and developed programs for seniors.

Joseph P. Pryatel, 79, of Babbitt, passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at his residence. Per Joe’s request there will be no services. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Luckiest guy on Mother’s Day? Had to be me. When I asked my wife what she wanted to do, she said, “How about a wheeler ride?”
Evan and Megan joined us and we loaded up the truck with two wheelers and a dirt bike. There will come a day when we can ride trails from Ely and that day is coming soon. We’re hoping to complete construction of the Prospector Loop from Ely to Mattila’s Shelter and beyond by this fall.
For now, however, unless you want to ride blacktop, trailering is your best bet.
We pulled into an old gravel pit and unloaded the machines. The weather was on the iffy side but a few raindrops weren’t going to stop us.
Evan and Megan took the lead and off we went down the trail. The leaves hadn’t filled in the forest yet so the views were just great. Seeing into the woods and out on to lakes, rivers and bogs is a fun part of spring riding.

The Morse town board approved recreation donations and discussed potential future broadband options for township residents.
Isaac Olson addressed the board on a proposed broadband project that would be able to provide access to anyone within sight of the Ely water tower.
Olson said he has approval from Ely to install antennas on the water tower and has talked to Winton. He said the antennas can reach out five miles.
He said a 90-foot tower is going up at Camp Widji and being put up by Frontier to service the YMCA camps.
Olson said he has the contract to run the fiber inside the camps to each building. His treehouse.mn service would cost $200 for the installation fee and $50 per month after. The water tower set up can handle 200 customers.
He said there are 50-60 customers on the north side of Shagawa. The city will charge $240 per month for two antennas on the water tower.

by Tom Coombe -

Donald L. Knutson, 92, of Babbitt, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2019 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely.
Donald was born on November 8, 1926 in Stanhope, Iowa. In 1952 he married Mary Ann Ojala. They lived in Nevis and Buhl, Minnesota before moving to Babbitt in 1955.
Don was a farmer, a milk tester and worked for Oliver Mining and Reserve Mining.
During his retirement, Don became a snowbird, enjoying socializing with new friends at Bluebonnet Park in Mission, Texas.
During the summer, he would return to Babbitt where he enjoyed fishing and hunting with friends and family; attending morning coffee at the Senior Citizens Center; and working in the yard and garden. Also, whenever possible, he willingly helped his family with various home improvement projects.
Don is survived by his wife Mary Ann, son Craig Knutson and daughter Sharon Knutson; grandson Carl Knutson and granddaughter Greta Knutson; sisters Viola Crabb and Lila Wray.

LAKE COUNTY
SEALED BID
TIMBER AUCTION

Bids due Wednesday, June 19, 2019
10:00 a.m.

For information on tracts, bidding procedure,
eligibility, and official bid forms,
contact: Lake County Forestry
601 3rd Ave., Two Harbors, MN 55616
Maps, Info & Bid Forms available
on line at www.co.lake.mn.us/forestry
Two Harbors 218-834-8340

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT # 696
Ely, MN
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

For Annual Audit Services – 3 year agreement beginning with 2018-19 Audit

Notice is hereby given that sealed proposals will be received by the School Board, Independent School District 696, Ely, MN, up to 12:00 p.m. central time on Wednesday May 29, 2019.

Copies of the request for proposal and exhibits may be requested from Spencer Aune, Business Manager, saune@ely.k12.mn.us, and will be sent electronically at no charge.

Requests for proposal are to be submitted to:
Ely Public Schools
Spencer Aune, Business Manager
600 East Harvey Street
Ely, MN 55731

The School Board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive informalities. The School Board reserves the right to select the proposal that it determines to be in the best interest of the District.

POSITION OPENING – ISD No. 696, ELY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Early Childhood Family Education
and School Readiness Coordinator
and Teacher:
Part-time, permanent; teaching hours - 448 School Readiness and 240 ECFE; 55 coordinating hours for the 2019-2020 school year, salary and fringes as per the master agreement between ISD #696 and the Ely Education Association. Application to include: district licensed application form, copy of official transcripts, resume’, current MN teaching license required. Application available at www.ely.k12.mn.us or at the General Office. Return materials to: ISD #696, Attn: Superintendent, 600 E. Harvey St., Ely, MN 55731. Application deadline: Friday, May 31, 2019.

POSITION OPENING – ISD No. 696, ELY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Early Childhood Family Education
Parent Educator:
Part-time; approx. 324 hours for the 2019-2020 school year, salary and fringes as per the master agreement between ISD #696 and the Ely Education Association. Application to include: district licensed application form, three letters of recommendation, copy of official transcripts, resume’, current MN teaching license. Application available at www.ely.k12.mn.us or at the General Office. Return materials to: ISD #696, Attn: Superintendent, 600 E. Harvey St., Ely, MN 55731. Application deadline: Friday, May 31, 2019.