Breaking News

1.0 The study session of the School Board of Independent School District No. 696 was called to order by Chairman Marsnik at 6:00 p.m. in the school board meeting room.
2.0 On roll call the following directors were present: Colarich, Mann, Marsnik, Omerza, Pointer, Sjoberg.
3.0 Gym ceiling update.
4.0 School Perceptions survey update.
4.0 Moved by Pointer, seconded by Sjoberg to adjourn at 6:23 p.m. Motion carried. Vote: (6-0)

Rochelle Sjoberg, Clerk

Dear Editor
So, I have been hearing lately so much about the environment and how folks are so worried about our children and grand children not having a clean, beautiful world to grow up in.
Well, I hate to break it to those people, there is so much hate in our world today that our kids don’t have a chance on this planet. What they have to look forward to is hate, crime, high anxiety, and wanting everything given to them. They have the internet to teach them (and that’s not a good thing) and young teachers who are coming out of colleges to teach them their views to the kids and not how to think for themselves, be independent and have values, faith, self worth and not be judged and called names for having those values and opinions.

by Tom Coombe
Area residents and visitors will soon be able to check out the restoration of Ely’s Historic State Theater.
But the success of a massive fundraising campaign, launched earlier this week, will determine when the venue will be open for movies.
The non-profit group set up to operate the classic Sheridan Street theater will hold an open house on Thansksgiving night, offering tours and showing off the results of a five-year effort to renovate the facility.
At the same time, the group is hoping to raise nearly $200,000 to purchase a projector, screen, audio and lighting systems for the main theater as well as a screen for a second screening room.
“We wanted to list a few of the major things we are looking to acquire,” said David Wigdahl, chairperson of the Ely Historic State Theater non-profit. “We’re just hopeful we’ll find a couple of major donors to step forward.”

The St. Louis County Planning Commission has extended the public comment period on proposed changes to the county’s zoning ordinance to allow for short term vacation home rentals.
Following a public hearing on Oct. 10, some new language was proposed regarding standards that allow short term rentals in areas zoned for residential use.
The new deadline to comment is Dec. 10.
The ordinance amendments with the proposed changes highlighted, is available online at stlouiscountymn.gov.
The proposed revisions to St. Louis County Zoning Ordinance 62 would allow for short term rental of properties through the issuance of permits.
The goal is to ensure minimal disruption to neighbors and the environment by setting requirements for septic, parking and posting of rules; while also requiring appropriate licensing to ensure a safe experience for guests.

Lake Vermilion catch has special meaning for angler at his family cabin
An angler on Lake Vermilion caught and released Minnesota’s new state record muskellunge, a 57 1/4 inch fish that he called a “true giant.”
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources certified the state catch-and-release record fish on Oct. 11. The 57 1/4 inch fish had a 25 1/2 inch girth with an estimated weight of about 47 pounds. The previous record was a 56 7/8 inch fish caught on Pelican Lake in Otter Tail County in 2016.
The record catch took on special meaning for new record-holder Corey Kitzmann of Davenport, Iowa. While alone on Aug. 6 at his family cabin on Lake Vermilion, Kitzmann was sitting at the table tying a homemade bucktail lure. Then he received a phone call relaying bad news – one of his best friends had passed away from a medical condition at age 40.
With nobody around to grieve with, Kitzmann went fishing.

Dates have been set for recreational netting for whitefish and tullibee (cisco) on seven lakes in the Tower fisheries work area.
These lakes are Schedule I Lakes, which are more susceptible to sudden changes that impact water temperatures, and are opened and closed on a 48-hour notice posted at lake accesses, other public places, and the DNR website.
Schedule I Lakes (48 hour notice)
• Vermilion, Basswood, Fall and Newton lakes, open to netting Friday, Oct. 25 through Wednesday, Nov. 13. (Minimum 3.5 inch mesh size for Vermilion and Newton lakes. Minimum 1.75 inch mesh size for Basswood and Fall lakes.)
• Shagawa, open to netting Friday, Nov. 1 through Monday, Nov. 25, 2018 (Minimum 3.5 inch mesh size)
• Bear Island & Ojibway lakes, open to netting Friday, Nov. 22 through Monday, Dec. 23, 2018 (Minimum 1.75 inch mesh size)

by Tom Coombe
Luke Olson was the Ely Timberwolves’ only participant in last year’s state boys cross country meet.
This year, he’ll have plenty of company.
Led by Olson, who took third overall in his final Section 7A meet, the Ely boys finished second as a team and punched their own ticket to next weekend’s state competition at Northfield.
Olson, an all-stater in his junior year, set a strong pace on a blustery Thursday in Cloquet as the Wolves went toe-to-toe with 7A champion Greenway but came up three points shy of the section title.
Junior Emmett Faltesek took eighth while junior Jasper Johnson and sophomore Gabriel Pointer also cracked the top-20 to help spur Ely’s second-place team finish.
Nobody will advance from the Ely girls team, which was eighth in 7A, but ninth-grader Zoe Devine was in the mix for a state berth and settled for 17th overall.

by Tom Coombe
The newest team at Vermilion Community College nearly won another state title.
After finishing first in 2018, Vermilion settled for an oh-so-close third at the second annual Minnesota Community Athletic Conference state clay target championship, held earlier in the month at Grand Rapids.
Vermilion won the MCAC’s inaugural state title in clay target, also known as trapshooting, last fall.
It was nearly a repeat performance as VCC’s t op five shooters nailed 473 out of 500 targets, just five behind champion Alexandria Tech and one shot away from runner-up Pine County Tech.
Vermilion also had the state’s JV champion, with Brandon Quern of Gonvick nailing 96 out of 100 targets to take first place.
Kendra Fink, who hails from Apple Valley, won the novice division with a score of 79.
Vermilion’s overall top five included both Quern and Carter Smith of Hibbing, who tied for sixth overall at 96.

If a person is walking down the halls of the Washington Elementary school any afternoon or evening, they will likely hear students singing one of the heartwarming songs of The Sound of Music, this year’s high school musical.

Dear Forest Supervisor Cummings:
Three years ago the United States Forest Service initiated a study required under a settlement with Wilderness Watch and stopped issuing commercial permits on the Superior National Forest.
Consequently, the Forest Service recently held an open house in Ely at the Vermilion Community College to talk to the public about recreational commercial services provided on the Superior National Forest.
Attendees were asked to provide information about which types of recreational commercial services they use, where they use those services on the Forest, and which additional recreational services they believe the Forest Service should encourage and permit. Attendees were also encouraged to provide the Forest Service with written and oral comments.