Postal Service conducted a dedication at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN. New postal stamps, Bald Eagle: Hatchling to adult, were presented on May 14. The bald eagle, recognized by many cultures throughout North America, was adopted by Congress as America’s symbol in 1782.

Bald eagles are present in Northeastern Minnesota throughout the year and, like many other raptors, migrate during the year. Being such a large bird of prey, they are more often seen than many of the other birds of prey, although often confused with golden eagles that only migrate through and spend winter in Minnesota.

Raptor is a general reference that refers to birds with talons and beaks that enable them to catch and feed on animals. Bald eagles have been studied to determine how closely they are related to other “birds of prey”. To one degree or another, the bald eagles are related to osprey, falcons, kites, hawks, and, less closely, owls, among other birds of prey.

Since raptors have returned to this area and the breeding season now occurs all around us, broadwinged hawks and American kestrels are hunting along roadsides. Turkey vultures and bald eagles are seen soaring and feeding on road-killed animals. Ospreys are nesting around lakes like Tofte Lake and visiting Miner’s Lake and catching stocked trout and other fish.

Many people have stopped feeding birds to avoid bear, deer, raccoons, and squirrel visits. Many people have also heard reports of hummingbirds returning and have selected feeders designed for them rather than for bees and wasps. Instead of inviting winter birds over for winter, now on the water, along a trail or around home or town, birds are singing and calling everywhere.

The raptors here are mostly nesting and hunting, where they are seldom seen in our forests. Occasionally, an unfamiliar raptor like the hawk in this photo will land after chasing a songbird into a window. This neighboring accipiter will be nesting nearby and may not be known by name. Summer residents come and go until the fall migration, when places like Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory complete their fall counts in November.

For now, May through Fall migration, it’s time to meet our neighbors.

On Tuesday, May 26, the Ely Field Naturalists will start summer with an Ely Community Resource afterschool group of young naturalists on a field trip to a bald eagle nest and a forest hike to find summer bird residents.

Thursday, May 28, from 3-4 p.m.

Ely Field Naturalists Nature Talks Program: Get Raptor Ready For Summer.

Learn and share the who, what, where and how of raptors in the Northwoods at the Vermilion Campus, Classroom NS111, 1900 East Camp Street.

Second-seeded Silver Bay roughed up the Timberwolves 11-1 on Tuesday, opening the double-elimination phase of the Section 7A tournament.

Ely reached the final-eight and the double-elimination phase with a 14-4 victory over Floodwood earlier in the day, but the loss to the Mariners sent the Wolves into the elimination bracket.

Now 12-9 for the spring, the seventh-seeded Wolves were set to take on number- six Mt. Iron-Buhl Thursday, after deadline, at Silver Bay.

Ely needed two wins Thursday to stay alive and advance to the final four, which is slated for Tuesday, May 26 at Cloquet’s Braun Park.

Silver Bay, which beat the Wolves 4-2 during the regular season, had little trouble in Tuesday’s rematch and pounced early with five runs in the first two innings.

That was more than enough for winning pitcher Berkley Hoff, who scattered six hits and struck out seven.

Hoff also helped her own cause with two hits and three runs batted in including a solo home run in the bottom of the first.

The Mariners collected 14 hits against Ely pitchers Zoe MacKenzie and Naomi Archer.

Ely’s only run came in the third inning, when Julia Zgonc singled in courtesy runner Addison Spanier.

Lindi Zemke and Makenzi Huntington had two hits each for the Wolves.

In the opening game, the Wolves quickly overcame a 4-3 deficit and went on to finish 10th-seeded Floodwood in five innings.

Zgonc had the hot bat, going four-for-four with a two-run triple in the first inning and coming all the way around when the Polar Bears misplayed a double later in the game.

Zemke also had a hot bat, going two-for-two with three runs batted in. Makenzi Huntington added two hits with three runs scored and Ella Perish drove in two runs. MacKenzie got the win in the pitching circle, overcoming a four-run third and allowing five hits with eight strikeouts.

• Ely closed the regular season Saturday with a split doubleheader, downing Floodwood 9-7 and North Woods 8-3.

In the opening game, sophomore Naomi Archer worked five innings to get the pitching win.

She gave up 10 hits with three strikeouts before giving way to MacKenzie, who got the six-out save while recording four strikeouts.

Zemke homered, finished with two hits and had three RBI, and both Zgonc and Peyton Huntington scored twice. Amelia Penke also drove in two runs.

Later in the day, MacKenzie tossed an eight-hitter with five strikeouts as the Wolves cruised.

MacKenzie singled, doubled and drove in four runs, while center fielder Grace Flynn went two-for-three with two runs scored. Zgonc also singled, scored and drove in a run.

• The Wolves were also home for two games on May 15, beating Two Harbors 13-3 and falling 14-4 to Iron Range Conference champion Greenway.

The top of the order helped fuel the win over Two Harbors as Peyton and Makenzi Huntington combined for four hits, five RBI and three runs scored, Zgonc added three hits, Flynn was three-for-three with three runs scored, and Zemke doubled and drove in two runs, MacKenzie gave up seven hits while fanning five.

Greenway scored in every inning and ripped 20 hits against the Wolves.

At the plate, Zemke had two of Ely’s four hits and knocked in two runs,

My bride mentions, maybe bring a Mason jar with this time, put a half dozen into it, then he can have a mini aquarium for a while, and maybe save you from any more minnows strolls. I thought the idea was stellar.

We pulled three traps, chubs, standard pond variety, rainbow chubs, always his favorites, several mud minnows, all to large for the Mason jar, and of course a bunch a crewdads, as he refers to them. He won’t mess with them, it’s my job to handle the pincered ones.

Back to the kitchen counter with his jar of swimming little pals, who he now feels they must be hungry, I give him part of his left-over breakfast waffle, I have him tear it up and chum the jar. It’s a good thing these minnows aren’t piranhas, they gobbled the bread up, I shook his little hand and said you sure know your minnows.

He says he wants to hold a rainbow chub, I grab a tablespoon, if minnow dipping was an Olympic sport, this kid would get the gold, one scoop, objective achieved. Gramma mentions the minnow needs less air, and more water, spulunk, back in it goes, and then out comes a regular chub.

Mom, can we take these home?

Mom says, you know how you got them out of the pond; they have minnow buddies they probably need to get back to, maybe you and pop pop can go put them back. He poured them back in the pond, said goodbye and thanks to each minnow. He says pop pop, I like minnows, I scooped him up, I said, I like you Mr. Minnow Man.

--The trout whisperer

But there’s still one last task remaining for Ely Memorial High School’s graduating class of 2026.

Members will receive their diplomas Friday night, at Washington Auditorium, starting at 7 p.m.

Graduation night in Ely will follow local tradition, although with fewer people on stage than this time a year ago.

This year’s senior class includes 37 graduates, down from 49 in 2025.

The group is high-achieving, with 14 members carrying grade-point averages of 3.5 or above and many contributing to successful school sports teams and fine arts activities.

Before receiving their diplomas Friday night, the Class of 2026 will take part in a commencement that’s similar to those in recent years.

Students generally have selected one of their teachers to give the commencement address, but they’ve veered course slightly this year.

Sheila Angus, a longtime school employee, is set to address the graduates.

Also as part of the ceremony, seniors Cylvia De-Beltz and Alison Poppler will speak on behalf of the class, while both the pop choir and high school band will perform.

Assistant Principal Jeff Carey will present the class to superintendent/principal Anne Oelke and board member Erin Moravitz handing out diplomas.

Those recognized as honor students are: DeBeltz, Poppler, Otto Devine, Manoline Dumensil, Jesse Grant, Tatum Gubrud, Sabrah Hart, Makenzi Huntington, Alyssa Ice, Andrew Johnson, Lyla Kelley, Zoe MacKenzie, Ella Perish, Sadie Rechichi, John Schiltz, Edward Swapinski and Chance Wavrin.

The honor students were part of a group that collected over $180,000 in scholarships earlier this month at the school’s awards day, as dozens of scholarships were distributed during a ceremony at the auditorium.

And in a change from tradition, the all-night graduation party will not take place after better than 30 years in existence.

Instead the graduates took part in the first “Great Grad Getaway,” on Monday, traveling to Duluth by charter bus for a day of fun, activities and prizes.

CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent the week checking anglers and watercraft operators. Officer Ihnen also monitored AIS compliance at area public water accesses. Additional time was spent patrolling for ATV and OHM activity.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) monitored anglers on area lakes. With the consistent high winds, most anglers chose to fish from shore. Wahlstrom assisted in instruction at the Cook County firearm safety field day. TheOfficeralsoconductedcommercial inspections.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent timepatrolling angling and trappingactivities. Ledeen also spent time working road closers at the Stewart Trail forest fire. Black bears are out and about, and people are reminded to put away their bird feeders for the season and keep their trash cans inside.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked road closures for the Stewart Trail Fire. Bermel rescued three canoeists that overturned and lost their canoe and gear on Basswood Lake. They survived because they were wearing their life jackets. It’s a great reminder to wear life jackets and be prepared with waterproof matches and communication devices, especially in cold water. Time was spent on interviews and reports for a large ongoing investigation. A litter investigation was also started. A number of moose were observed over the weekend, which was great to see.

CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring angling activity throughout the area. Warmer weather over the weekend brought better success for anglers, but heavy wind brought rough waters and high fire danger. Time was also spent working security for the Stewart Trail Fire near Two Harbors.

CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling enforcement for the week. Time was spent assisting with forest fire suppression efforts. Approximately 40 students were certified in firearms safety as part of Cook County School’s safety class. Extreme caution is urged with fires due to dry and windy conditions.

CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) Spent time this week checking anglers on area lakes and streams. Block also responded and assisted local agencies with the Stewart Trail fire near the town of Two Harbors. Time was also spent training with K9 Jet.

District 5 - Eveleth area

CO Paul Kennedy (Int’l Falls #1) attended trainingheldatCampRipleyfor a majority of the week. He responded and assisted at several fires reported throughouttheareaalongwithhelping localagenciesonvariouscalls.Kennedy took reports of potential wetland violations, nuisancebeavercomplaints,and illegal dumping.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) Warmer temperatures have brought people outdoors, eager for summer activities. The windshavereducedboatingactivityon area waterways. The spring trapping season has come to a close with beaver activity on the rise. Caution on area roads and trails is advised as washouts have been noted, with significant gullies left in their wake. ATV use has increased as well with contacts made for illegal operation and failing to use equipment properly. Regulation booklets are a good source of information.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports angling and boating was minimal over the week as strong winds kept most off the lake. Fishing success remains poor and activity levels down considerably from previous years. Area forest roads were checked and public access sites visited. Equipment work continues.

CO Sean Cannon (Cook) Spent time this week checking anglers when weather would cooperate, as the strong winds off and on this week kept a number of people from venturing out. Time was also spent responding to wildfires, assisting St Louis County on calls, and responding to wildlife calls.

(ConCtoinnutiendueodn o Pna (Continued from Page 10)

CO reports

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling activity in his station. He also spent time working on an ongoing spruce top theft case. Larson assisted with a busy fire day on Friday with many fires around the area popping up. He primarily helped with the fire near Gilbert. He also spent time assisting other agencies.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV and angling activity. Time was also spent attending the final fur registration date of the trapping seasonandrespondingtothemanyfires across the region last week. Be sure to alwayscheckfireconditionsandrestrictions prior to any amount of burning.

COShaneZavodnik(Virginia)Time was spent at Camp Ripley completing various refresher training exercises over the week. He also attended Friday’s Law EnforcementMemorialas anhonor guard member. Dry conditions around the region made way for nearly a dozen new fires over the week. Luckily, most have been suppressed.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, boating, and ATV activity. Anglers continued to report limited success. Dry weather has created high wildfire conditions. CO Broughten assisted with awildfire near Gilbert.COBroughtenalsofieldedcalls regarding nuisance animals, ATV registration and youth ATV regulations.

District 7 - Grand Rapids area CO Vinny Brown (Northome) took injured wildlife related calls, checked on trapping activity, and patrolled state forests. Questions related to otter trapping and nuisance bears were answered. Follow up with investigations was conducted.

COJaysonHansen(Bigfork)Worked ATV, small game, boating, and fishing activities. He patrolled area trails and campgrounds. Numerous game and fish questions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored OHV activity, assisted with MRT training and responded to nuisance/injured animal complaints this week. Enforcement action was taken for youth without helmets,noheadlightsilluminatingand possession of illegal length fish.

After a brief debate on Tuesday, the council opted against placing $1,700 in the 2027 budget for the Tour Ely brochure and instead decided to have the city’s budget committee consider the matter later this year.

At issue was a request from the city’s heritage preservation committee, which came to the council table this week.

But council members declined to move forward on both financial and procedural grounds.

“I don’t feel this is an appropriate use of our city tax dollars,” said council member Al Forsman. “I think our city tax dollars are meant for infrastructure and providing necessary services for a city of our class.”

Forsman added that “we’re here to provide things that allow our community to develop and do what they do, and I think there are other agencies like the tourism bureau for things like that, or even the chamber of commerce.”

Council member John Lahtonen is the city’s representative on the Ely Area Lodging Tax Board, and he pointed to the recent award of lodging tax funds to VisitEly, also known as the Ely Tourism Bureau.

“I’m recommending this to go the Tourism Bureau,” said Lahtonen. “We just gave them $100,000 yesterday to promote Ely.”

At issue is a document that would be used by the HPC for tours of Ely, highlighting various attractions and historic sites and locations.

Forsman said that even if the council favored the request, the matter should first be taken up by the budget committee.

“Whether you agree with me or not it is something that needs to go through the budget process,” said Forsman.

Later in the meeting, Omerza and Lahtonen both took issue with a parks and recreation board recommendation to approve event permits for the upcoming Blueberry/Art and Harvest Moon festivals, with the provision that adequate trash receptacles be provided.

They moved to remove the wording related to trash receptacles and inferred the festivals were being singled out by the city board.

“To be fair it’s making it look like Blueberry/Art and Harvest Moon are problematic and they are not,” said Lahtonen.

Omerza concurred and noted, “There are people who pick up garbage for these events.”

In other business, the council:

• Accepted Hudson Kingston’s resignation from the library board and agreed to advertise for applicants for the open position.

• Approved special event applications for the Northwoods Summer Fun Run on June 21 and the Four on the Fourth race on July 4,

• Approved residential rehabilitation loans for Adam and Kelsey Borchert, and Louis M. Gerzin, after receiving reassurance that funds are available to make both $10,000 loans.

• Heard that two local businesses failed a compliance check related to underage tobacco purchases.

• Approved the reading of ordinances related to peddlers/mobile food carts/ mobile food vehicles, consumption and display, and permissible/conditional land uses.

• Approved the reading of an ordinance that establishes the state of Minnesota as the new collecting agent for the area’s lodging tax.

• Approved a parks and recreation recommendation to move forward in collaboration with the North Country Trail Association for a walking trail behind the trailhead facility.

• Approved a recommendation to authorize about $4,000 worth of environmental work at the Old Ford Garage, which will be turned into a parking lot.

• Authorized an increase in lease rates for hangars and garages at the Ely Airport.

• Approved the hire of temporary summer workers.

• Passed a resolution establishing an absentee ballot board for the 2026 elections.

The optimist fisherman! 

We start kids out with abundant easier to catch perch, blue gills and crappies and even rock bass. Where to fish for those tasty treats?  If you are new to pan fishing, do as much networking and research as possible to decide what lake to fish before heading out. It is best to fish lakes with a reputation for pan fish. The DNR website lake finder can be a great resource for checking out the local lakes with lake survey results and other information like lake management plan and stocking.  We are blessed with great blue gill lakes in the Ely area like Johnson Lake, One Pine, Little Long, and Miners Lake.   

   There are a variety of sunfish species in MN, but when it comes to DNR fish regulations they consider them to all be blue gills.  

  Bluegills inhabit many different areas of natural lakes, rivers, mine pits, and impoundments, but can commonly be found close to shore inhabiting areas with aquatic vegetation, brush, downed trees with branches, stumps, docks, dead heads, and rock cribs that ice dragged out in the lake. Deadheads are logs that did not make it to the saw mills. This cover is crucial for panfish like bluegills because it gives them sanctuary from predators like muskies, bass, pike, otters, and from birds like eagles and osprey.

    Close-to-the-bank nature of blue gills allows anyone to fish them from shore with minimal and low-cost gear, without the need for a boat. Many anglers do not realize that panfish can also inhabit deeper water. Deeper clear water with deep weed growth can hold large numbers of panfish, especially if there is defining structure with weed growth, like mid-lake humps and ridges. 

   You can also find bluegills suspended in the middle of the basin of a body of water like a lake, flowage, or reservoir. These fish will travel the open lake in large schools, using sheer numbers as a protection against predatory fish.

   Spread your efforts until locating fish by casting to different areas and depth fished with a 1/32oz to 1/16oz jigs tipped with a Berkely Gulp Alive one inch minnow or Waxie or a variety of plastic bugs and creatures just as a jig or as part of a slip bobber rig.  Experiment with colors. Once contact is made, a slip bobber works great to keep bait at the right depth because panfish tend to suspend.

   Experiment with the depth. Always present your offering above the school.  Use a smaller size slip bobber, sinker, and jig for blue gills paired with a light or ultralight rod with a size 10 reel spooled with 4# to 6# monofilament.   A good option is 6# braid with a 4# fluoro leader. Small leeches, panfish minnows, short piece of night crawler, wax worms, and crickets are great slip bobber choices with a jig or plain hook. Panfish hooks have a longer shank to help get the fish unhooked. Fishing forceps work great to unhook panfish.  

   Slip bobbers are used for every species. I started with a book written by Greg Bohn who invented the slip bobber technique to keep his clients from getting snags. 

   Pro Tip: Greg Bohn says to add a red glass faceted bead just above the hook for more bites. Glass beads are heavy, so use small beads for panfish with light bobbers and bigger beads with bigger bobbers for predator fish. Not plastic! 

   I also use white, green, or orange rubber glow bead attractors that can be threaded to the hook shank close to bait.  These also work great when Lindy rigging live bait.

   Pro Tip: When using a jig, be sure to set the knot so the jig sits parallel and not hook hanging down.  Jigs can be used with live bait, power baits, or plastics. Practice threading things on a jig in line and not bent up or down. 

   Pro Tip: Experiment with depth. Do not cut the extra string off close to the slip knot. Leave about ¾” on each end to retighten the knot when it slips and does not hold the depth. 

 Slip bobber fishing has evolved in the last decade with specialized aerodynamic bobbers and sharp shooter rods designed for lobbing the rig accurately. These are not needed to get started. 

   Blue gills prefer water temperatures below 85F with 77F to 79F most liked. When fishing vegetation, start with working the edges looking for indentations or gaps. When the sun is high, work deeper into the vegetation and low light days, work the edge.  Slip bobbers allow hitting the open spots in the vegetation.  Setting the hook in the weeds will require a big rod lift to set the hook to lift the fish out of the weeds and reel out as fast as possible. 

   There are a variety of vegetation (weeds) and I’ve found that coon tail is easier is less snaggy and leafy weeds are more difficult. 

   For dead heads, trees, and docks, a jig can be used as well as a slip bobber.  Jigs can be used when fishing weed edges. Long panfish rods can be used to drop jigs into open spots and swim them side to side.  This is my favorite method with 18’ Korean poles and no reel with just a tag line and jig tipped with something. 

  Do not harvest male blue gills off spawn beds that are protecting eggs and fry from predators. This will have adverse effects on reproduction. Put those ones back in the water. 

   Too many anglers have a misconception about releasing mid-sized and smaller fish and only keep the large ones. This can cause serious damage by keeping limits on a regular basis, particularly from the same body of water. Keeping only the largest panfish from the population removes quality genetics from the population, meaning that smaller sized fish can change the population’s average size and the large specimens will become harder and harder to find.  It may be years before the average size rebounds again. Keep the middle size and release the others.  

  MN DNR is attempting to deal with fish harvest issues with smaller limits and special regulations for some lakes in the Brainerd area where people over harvested the bigger fish.  

Enjoy time on the water and take a kid fishing!

They were understandingly jubilant in the wake of action over the weekend in St. Paul, where legislators passed a bonding bill that included $3.9 million for the city’s drinking water supply intake and water main replacement project.

State approval comes on top of a $2 million federal award secured earlier in the year, and provides more than half of the needed funding for a roughly $9 million project - one that had been identified as a top priority by the city of Ely.

“It’s a big deal,” Mayor Heidi Omerza said of the development.

City officials say replacing the infrastructure is needed to ensure the reliability of water supply to the city of Ely not only for domestic use, but fire protection as well.

Harold Langowski, the city’s clerk-treasurer and operations director, noted that Ely officials worked on several fronts to make the project happen.

“It takes a good team, and we have a good team with city staff, the utilities commission, the council and the consultants that worked with us on this,” he said.

“It took the council having it as a priority project with the assistance with our lobbyists, our engineers, our economic developer telling our story as we presented to the Senate and House bonding committees. It shows that when we are committed to our priorities, we do get results.”

The city’s water pump house, intake structure and intake line were originally constructed in 1932, nearly a century ago, and the line runs about 25,000 linear feet from Burntside Lake to the city’s water plant located in the northwest corner of the city.

Multiple leaks have occurred along the water line due to movement during the winter months because of the lack of insulation and minimal depth at which the line was buried.

When the line leaks, the city must respond as an emergency situation given it’s the only source of water, using anywhere from 600,000 to a million gallons a day.

Langowski and other city officials said the aging infrastructure needed replacement, and found allies in both State Rep. Roger Skraba (R-Ely) and State Sen. Grant Hauschild (D-Hermantown).

The lawmakers secured the state money, which will be leveraged by the $2 million federal allocation gained with the aid of U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (R), U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D) and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D).

Langowski hailed the bipartisan effort, particularly at an otherwise divided Minnesota Legislature.

“If you look at the bonding bill and the overall support, I think they understand, as a whole, the importance of infrastructure,” said Langowski. “At a time when there’s a lot of dissent, when it came to public infrastructure, there was almost unanimous support.”

The state and federal funds will be augmented by a $200,000 Community Development Block Grant and $190,000 from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.

The final piece of the funding puzzle is $2.5 million in low-interest loans.

“We were able to leverage the (federal funds) and low interest loan with bonding money and that was big, and we did make small increases in water rates to cover the debt service anticipated with the loan,” said Langowski.

Plans call for the city to break ground on the project this summer and for work to be done in the fall and winter.

“My hope is everything from Ferrellgas to Central Avenue will be replaced, and then starting at the Tek Road all the way to Burntside Lake,” said Langowski. “That’s about 25,000 feet of water main plus about 3,000 feet on Sheridan Street.”

Key pieces of legislation advanced by area lawmakers, including both State Sen. Grant Hauschild (D-Hermantown) and State Rep. Roger Skraba (R-Ely), made it to the finish line.

Among them were changes in the calculation of school operating levies, which could bring substantially more revenue to the Ely district.

Also significant was the approval of the 2026 Minerals Article, linked to the expected start-up of Mesabi Metallics later this year or in 2027.

Both measures were being followed closely by area officials and are expected to make a major impact in the financial fortunes of the Ely School District, which has faced major budget reductions as a result of declining student enrollment and rising costs.

For the last three years, legislators have pressed for changes related to taxes paid on seasonal-recreational properties.

A replacement aid program was approved, which will seemingly make it easier for districts to approve larger operating levies and spread the tax burden across a larger share of properties.

The change had been sought by school districts such as Ely, where a large portion of the tax base is made up of cabins and other seasonal-recreational parcels.

Meanwhile, the mineral legislation also has major benefits for the Iron Range - all related to by an update to the state’s taconite production tax system in anticipation of the expected startup of Mesabi Metallics in 2026 or 2027. Mesabi Metallics is the state’s newest taconite plant, and the first one constructed in over 50 years.

Minnesota’s taconite production tax is an “in-lieu-of” property tax system. Rather than traditional property taxes, mining operations contribute through a production- based formula, with revenues distributed to support schools, local governments, infrastructure, environmental programs, and regional economic development.

In addition to updating formulas, the bill includes important transitional provisions to provide certainty during the early years of production, when output levels may fluctuate.

While the bill increases school funding for districts on the core Iron Range, it also provides targeted annual allocations of $150,000 to Ely and Grand Rapids school districts, and $100,000 annually to Ely and Chisholm schools under separate provisions.

These amounts to schools and allocations to the cities of Cook, Orr, Two Harbors, and Winton are guaranteed for two years once Mesabi Metallics starts production.

Another provision hikes Taconite Municipal Aid. It would increase by an estimated 13.49 percent, benefiting communities including Ely.

The proposal also creates new guaranteed annual payments for certain communities, including $25,000 for

Winton.

The city of Ely is developing a pickleball area near Semer’s Park, just above the parking area.

Upon recommendation of the city’s parks and recreation board, council members voted Tuesday to proceed with the first phase of the project, which includes minor tree clearing and road construction to the courts.

“What we’re looking at is grubbing that roadway and the parking area,” said clerk-treasurer and operations director Harold Langowski.

As council members discussed what financial impacts, if any, there would be to the city, member John Lahtonen sought some clarification.

“What you’re saying is this is in-kind services to be provided by the city,” said Lahtonen.

Langowski concurred. “Other than this in-kind labor and in-kind materials, this will be covered by the pickleball club or other funding sources that they’re going after,” said Langowski. “They are fundraising and do have money for the development of the site.”

Drawings included in Tuesday’s meeting packet show a fenced-in area of 132by-120 feet, with six separate pickleball courts.

“We have just seen such an increase in traffic, we felt an earlier start would give patrons more time to shop all of our talented vendors,” said Karen Hamilton, market president. “More and more people see us starting to set up and pull over to see what everyone has to offer!”

Merriam Webster defines a farmers market as a physical, recurring retail marketplace where agricultural producers sell food and farm products directly to consumers. These markets typically feature local growers selling fresh produce, meats, dairy, baked goods, and plants, cutting out middlemen to emphasize community connection and fresh, seasonal food.

“Our market welcomes any vendor who grows, makes, bakes, cans or creates their own goods. It’s been our longest standing ‘rule’ of the market, although we are always wanting more produce!” Hamilton said. “We have had more creatives reach out over the winter and look forward to even more vendors and food trucks!”

The market is located in Whiteside Park, along Sheridan Street and 7th Avenue.

If you are interested in joining the market, stop by to chat with Hamilton at the Beyond Nuts trailer during or before the market, or email elymnfarmersmarket@ gmail.com Follow @elymnfarmersmarket on Facebook.

At the Ely Public Library on Tuesday, May 26 at 10:30 a.m. the program will be Move and Groove - for preschoolers with an adult. Get some of those wiggles out to the dance beat as Jessie leads kids in simple dances and stretches. This program is sponsored by Friends of the Library.

The Ely Chapter of Braver Angels will meet on May 27 at the Ely Community Center to discuss: What is patriotism? In the Revolutionary War, were the Tories patriots or the American rebels? Were the Confederate or Union soldiers patriots?

At the Ely Public Library on Wednesday, May 27 at 5 p.m. the program will be Estate Planning with attorney Kelly Klun who will lead you through key factors to drafting and personalizing wills and trusts, preparing probate documents, creating documents for long term health care, drafting durable power of attorney, and preparing health care directives. They will also discuss tips and strategies to minimize taxes and allow your loved one receive your gifts, stress free.

A travelogue and potluck dinners at the Vermilion Park Inn at 30 Center St. in Soudan hosted by the Lake Vermilion Cultural Center between 5 and 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 will have Patty Phillips and Sharon Legg bringing pictures in tales of their adventure in Thailand.

Ely Indivisible will host voter registration tables (non-partisan as required by law) at the Ely Farmers Market from June 2 every Tuesday at Whiteside Park through Sept. 29 from 4-7 p.m.

On June 5 and 6, the Mesabi Symphony Orchestra presents Orchestra Meets Funk & Soul, A Funk-Forward Fundraiser to benefit the Mesabi Symphony Orchestra. The Mesabi Pops Orchestra joins the band Jumpsuit, known as the funkiest outfit in Duluth, for a night of funk, soul and dancing. A cash bar and reception with appetizers are included in the price of a ticket. Information and tickets available at www.mesabisymphonyorchestra.org.

The “ Open Doors for a Cause” event is a tour of unique and historic properties in Ely, Minnesota. Over 15 places are included, with inside tours of special places. This event is a joint fundraiser for the Vermilion Campus and Well Being Development. Tickets cost $25, and a historic, homemade lunch is $10. You can read more here: https://opendoorsforacause. com/ Everyone is welcome to play MahJong at the Ely Community Center on Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m.

Wearing a National Guard sash at graduation is a meaningful way to recognize military service, commitment and sacrifice. It symbolizes honor, leadership and dedication not only to education, but also to service to country and community.

Perhaps the Fertile-Beltrami School District leaders are unaware of Minnesota Statute 190.001, which encourages the state — and school governments are children of the state — to honor military service “in recognition of the necessity of maintaining a strong military force for the protection and survival of this state and nation and of free and democratic allied societies throughout the world.”

In Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, the U.S. Supreme Court in 1969 held that the First Amendment protects a public-school student’s speech so long as the speech does not “materially and substantially” disrupt the school’s operation and discipline and does not collide with the rights of other students.

In that case, students wore black armbands in class to protest the Vietnam War. If the law allows students to protest wars in school, surely it can allow students to show support for the military. These graduates entering the military made a brave and honorable decision to put their young lives on the line.

The U.S. armed forces have done such an amazing job of national defense — one of the pillars of The American Legion — that it is sad when we see cases like this, when the civilian population no longer realizes the dangers of the world we live in and takes that protection for granted.

Legionnaires unequivocally support Durand wearing the sash during graduation. This is America, not a police state. Wearing it will not disrupt graduation. We argue that the school district’s denial has done more to disrupt school proceedings than simply allowing it would have done.

At graduation ceremonies nationwide, it has become commonplace to see some students wearing sashes or stoles or putting messages on their mortarboards. It hasn’t been the end of the world. The school districts allowing individualism at their commencement ceremonies are doing fine. We hope Fertile-Beltrami comes around.

by Linda Dvorak, commander of The American Legion Department of Minnesota

Curious about what’s inside some of the most historic and unique buildings and homes in Ely? Please join the Vermilion Campus Foundation to discover some of the city’s rich history and oh, the stories.

Explore a curated collection of unique and iconic buildings including exclusive and newly remodeled properties.

Tour begins at the Vermilion Campus at the Ely-Winton History Museum.

Tickets include a tour of over a dozen unique and historic homes or buildings. Lunch is homemade and only $10 at the Historic Oliver Mine Superintendent’s House. Tickets can be purchased at www.opendoorsforacause. com, and are $25 for the tour and $10 for lunch per person.

Incorporated in 1979, the Vermilion Campus Foundation supports the college in providing exceptional, affordable education to Vermilion students.

The Foundation works closely with Vermilion staff and faculty to support academic excellence, professional success, and community involvement.

The Foundation awards academic scholarships and facilitates programs that are designed to help students and keep them on course for degree completion.

Learn more at www.vermilion. givenorth.org

When I got it, it was already a rescue canoe and had many of its ribs broken and several stress holes. It needed a lot of work and was cheap and it gained some weight as a result of the process. Since repairing it years ago, it has survived several storms and big branches falling on it and ripping through the Kevlar.

It has been repaired twice again, at least. Ironically, it survived the tree that nearly destroyed it. That maple was cut down when our street and drainage system was redone last year.

It deserves to go on some more adventures because it has been through a lot. I’m okay with it looking like it has seen better days. It is functional and I don’t worry about it getting scratched.

It is old and I love old things.

By the time the three of us got on the water, the sun was warm on the back of my neck. The water in Miner’s Lake was cold but not as cold as I expected. We took our fishing rods along to try and find rainbows at the end of the rainbow. We didn’t catch dinner. We caught something else.

It was one of those evenings that was in sharp contrast to the wind and waves that were prevalent during the Minnesota walleye fishing opener.

The surface was glass. Drips of cold water ran down off of my paddle.

Looking down under the surface of the lake, I could see the old shadows of the ghost forest underneath.

Algae covered trees that were quiet memories of what this space used to be. Later they would grab at our old canoe like they wanted to hold us there; like they were trying to keep us on the lake.

We weren’t in a hurry. I was fishing for a little bit of early summer.

My favorite part of the paddle was the way the sunlight pushing through the blue skies contrasted against the dried blond grasses and cattails where the noisy red-winged blackbirds were tossing their echoing cries across the lake. The point that they were on had a pine silhouetted against the setting sun. I would have been happy just climbing out of the canoe and lying down in that tall dried grass.

It was after six and we could hear song sparrows; starlings and I even heard my first loon call of the year.

There were fish rising and splashing, striking at the surface. I noticed bobbers floating near the opposite shore belonging to a couple of kids who were throwing laughter out across the water.

As we stopped to wet a line, three huge double-crested cormorants dove down from a tall pine and banked in air in front of our canoe before speeding down the lake like a formation of black jets.

They will often sit and fish from the protruding stumps of broken trees at the eastern end of the lake. Their size, all-black color (besides their beaks), large black feet and snakelike necks distinguish them from everything else.

Under water they dive deep and are sometimes mistaken while swimming for a loon, but they look rather pre-historic above water.

Later they returned to spar over the highest branch in the tallest tree around. A small cloud of blackbirds flew up to harass them. They didn’t seem to notice. They looked as out of place as I suppose that we did sitting on the surface of the lake in our old, patched and yellow faded to brownish tan canoe.

It is weird to float on the water after not being able to all winter long.

It is odd to feel the tug of that first fish and then miss setting the hook or set it on a slimy stick instead. It is strange to have fingers cold again from the water and dirty from the bait and have the fishing line bite into them as you try to release a snag. I feel a bit like a migratory bird, returning to my home, navigating the first sensations of summer to come.

At 7:30 p.m. we paddled for the shore and the very short portage to our Jeep. It was time for dinner and to sit at home at ease with the peace we had discovered. I already missed the sounds and sights of being on the water. We had caught the paddling bug after months of walking on water. Very far from our limit.

Action Monday by the board gave VisitEly, also known as the Ely Tourism Bureau, the final third of the $315,000 the organization had sought to market the region in 2026.

Members also indicated they’d grant the Ely Chamber of Commerce and the city of Ely the funds those entities had requested to respectively staff and maintain the new trailhead facility on the city’s west end.

The developments were just the latest chapter in a saga that has played out in public, often messily, for several months.

In late-2025, the board had voted to provide each entity two-thirds of what they had requested, a decision that has sparked pushback from VisitEly and has resulted in several contentious lodging tax board meetings.

The board’s newest member, Cindy Smyka of Fall Lake, pressed this week to make VisitEly whole, making the case the organization needed its full allotment to continue its marketing efforts and drive visitor traffic to the area.

“I do think it’s imperative that marketing keeps moving,” said Smyka. “Ely has to be open for the summer. Let’s keep the tourism bureau doing what they do best.”

Board chairperson Terry Soderberg of Morse, who had come under fire from Smyka earlier this year, endorsed the plan under the condition that an earlier funding error related to the Chamber be corrected.

Soderberg also added that “at some point in time we have to pay the remainder to the city and the Chamber and we have enough money at this point in time to make those payments.”

The funding for both the city and Chamber were points of contention for months, given previous practice of funneling the bulk of the proceeds generated by the area’s three percent lodging tax to VisitEly.

Former Ely representative Paul Kess had pushed for a “more balanced approach” in the use of lodging tax proceeds and the board opted to use divert some of the funds to both the city and Chamber for the new trailhead facility.

That decision and the delay in providing the full $315,000 to VisitEly, has led to months of public discourse, questions related to legality, dueling legal opinions and a public divide aired out at lodging tax board meetings, Fall Lake board and Ely city council sessions, and via letters to the editor and social media.

Smyka this week continued to push for changes in lodging tax board governnance. She has called for listening sessions, improved public relations and transpacency and “healing.”

Smyka said that the board should “approach it head on and create something better with transparency and sustainability in mind. I don’t think we can heal all of these issues on our own and I don’t think anyone expects us to. Let’s make a plan on how to embrace some strategic planning and better oversight so we retain stewardship of our lodging tax.”

Last month, VisitEly’s Whitney Woods addressed the board and lamented that the group “missed a substantial amount of marketing time,” amid the controversy over funding for their group, which resulted in declines in website traffic.

The joint powers board, which includes Soderberg, Smyka, Ely’s John Lahtonen and St. Louis County Commissioner Paul McDonald, has learned that all decisions by the group require unanimous consent.

Attorney Steve Overom was asked if the unanimous vote requirement nullified an earlier, 3-1 vote (with Smyka opposed) to elect Soderberg chair.

Overom responded that “the bylaws say your chair continues until a successor is appointed,” allowing Soderberg to retain the chair position he held leading up to last month’s vote.

On Monday, Woods updated the group about ongoing marketing efforts which include a push to attract families to the Ely area to camp this summer.

Woods noted that Ely was featured prominently in Lavender magazine and that VisitEly has upcoming advertisements both in Minnesota Monthly and Minneapolis- St. Paul magazine as part of a push to attract visitors from other parts of the state.

Soderberg asked about previous advertisements at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport and on billboards in the Twin Cities, but Virginia Nelson, a tourism bureau board member, said “those are very expensive” and currently not within the group’s budget resource.

“It’s nice but the return on investment is not as great as a lot of other stuff we’re doing,” said Nelson.

Lodging tax proceeds jumped in 2025, climbing from $211,909 to $223,858 from establishments in St. Louis County. Lake County proceeds are provided separately.

Given inflation and room rates, the lodging tax numbers have often stirred debate, with some local government officials questioning if increases in tax receipts actually equate to an increase in visitor traffic.

Some have pushed for a more detailed count of “heads in beds” that - at least to date - appears all but impossible to gauge.

Also muddying the waters is the impact of vacation rentals utilizing platforms such as AirBnB and VRBO.

Local officials are trying to get an accurate measure of the impact of those properties, and are seeking better compliance with the lodging tax requirements that also apply to those rentals.

“As I’m looking at this, the lodging tax has gone up consistently,” said Smyka. “Not only is it going up, but we’re not capitalizing on our short term rental market.”

As 2026 nears the midway point, the lodging tax board must soon begin the decision-making process related to spending for 2027.

After dealing with several scheduling conflicts among the members, they agreed to meet again July 27.

Smyka unsuccessfully pushed Monday for expanding the board to include more members.

“Our community doesn’t rest while we travel,” said Smyka, citing the pending absences of board members. “We need to be making strides.”

“That’s what we have the tourism bureau for, and the Chamber,” Soderberg responded.

When I pulled up to the house, I looked up and saw something still sitting in the window: the old sticker from the Ely Fire Department. They gave them out when I was little so firefighters would know which bedroom window belonged to a child in case of a fire.

My mom had placed it in my bedroom window.

All these years later, there it was. I remember the number of chimney fires we had growing up in that house and how grateful my mom always was for that sticker in the window. It was such a small thing, but to her it meant reassurance — a little square promise that if the worst ever happened, firefighters would know where I was sleeping.

The owner of the house was kind enough to let me come inside and look around, and when I mentioned the sticker, he smiled and told me that if he ever replaces that old window during a remodel, he’ll save it for me.

Strangely enough, that nearly made me cry.

Before I left, he offered me grapes from the grapevines my dad had started when I was little. I stood there in the yard eating them, decades later, from vines my father once tended with his own hands.

They tasted like home. As I wandered around the property, I found myself thinking about another hidden place from childhood — an old basement foundation tucked back in the woods where we used to play. As kids, we were convinced it was ancient and mysterious. We spray-painted what we dramatically referred to as “hieroglyphics” onto the cement walls, certain we were creating something profound and important.

The markings are still there. I stood there laughing to myself, imagining some poor future explorer stumbling across our crooked spray-painted symbols and wondering what ancient civilization had once occupied the forests of Ely.

I even brought home a small piece of cement and wood from the frame of that old basement, a tiny fragment of a childhood that somehow still exists out there in the trees.

That house used to be home. But it isn’t anymore. After my divorce, I left the place that had been my home for 16 years. I eventually reestablished myself in Meadowlands, Minnesota, in a building that used to be an old feed mill and co-op. When I was first married, I bought groceries here.

Now, every day, I walk across the same hardwood floors where my little boys once ran while I shopped. I can still picture them weaving through aisles, their bare feet thumping against the old wood, laughter echoing behind me while I tried to focus on a grocery list.

Somehow, those memories sit beside another one entirely: me as a little girl walking through Zup’s or IGA in Ely with my own mom. Getting TV dinners with my dad when my mom was out of town.

And if I reach back even further in memory, I can still see the old meat market that used to sit across from where Mealey’s is now. Those memories have a smell attached to them, too. And if you frequented that little meat market in Ely back in the day, you probably know exactly the smell I mean.

Funny how memory works like that.

Sometimes we remember life through photographs.

Sometimes through sounds. And sometimes through smells that somehow stay tucked away for decades, only to come rushing back the moment we think of a certain place.

Different floors. Different town. Different generation. But the same feeling. The same small hands reaching for things on shelves.

The same mother trying to hurry children along.

The same ordinary moments that never feel important while they’re happening, but later become sacred in memory.

Back then, when my boys were running these floors, I never imagined I would one day live above them.

And when I was a child running through Zup’s with my mother, I never imagined how deeply I would one day miss those simple moments.

Technically, this is home now. But I think home is something deeper than an address.

We are living beings, creatures of the earth, no different in that way from the deer, the bear, the eagle, or the snake. We belong to the same world as the trees, the plants, the rivers, the rocks, and the water. Maybe home is not just the place we sleep at night. Maybe home is the place where our bodies remember they belong.

Growing up in Ely, nature was offered to us daily. The woods were not a destination. They were part of life. The lake, the trails, the smell of pine, the sound of birds in the morning — all of it was just there.

And maybe we took it for granted. But how often do we return to that kind of home now? How often do we step outside with intention, not just to get somewhere, but to remember where we come from? How often do we let ourselves be surrounded by our earth family — the trees, the plants, the water, the wind?

It makes a difference. Sometimes home is the house where your mother placed a sticker in the window to protect you.

Sometimes home is the memory of children’s feet running across old wooden floors.

And sometimes home is the woods themselves, waiting quietly for us to come back.

This June, the Mesabi Symphony Orchestra is getting funky. Bringing aunique experience to the Northland, the orchestra will be joining forces and partnering with Jumpsuit – a funky, soulful rock band from Duluth – at their annual fundraiser concerts on June 5 in Ely and June 6 in Duluth.

In recent years at these annual fundraisers, the orchestra has performed Broadway classics with local singers, but they’re bringing something new to the community this year.

While it’s nothing new for symphony orchestras to collaborate and perform with rock and pop artists as part of a music series, collaborations like this are still somewhat rare in northern Minnesota. The MSO is excited to join the stage with Jumpsuit and to be able to offer these special concerts to audiences.

From MSO artistic director Benjamin Nilles, “Orchestras are far more versatile than people often realize. In addition to watching orchestras perform classic symphonic works, people love watching a movie or video game on the big screen with a live orchestra playing the soundtrack, listening to the pit orchestra at a Broadway or opera production, listening to jazz singers and crooners with their orchestras, listening to pure symphonic arrangements of classic rock and pop songs, and much more.”

This collaboration aims to provide community members with a distinguished and memorable concert experience, as well as to highlight the exceptional musical talent present in the region.

Doors will open at 6 p.m., accompanied by a cash bar, and the concert beginning at 7 p.m.

Following the performance, guests are invited to attend a reception offering a selection of appetizers and desserts. Additionally, a silent auction will be held during the Ely event.

“You’ll hear music from legends like Stevie Wonder, the Bee Gees, Hall and Oates, Aretha Franklin, Tracy Chapman, and Gnarls Barkley, as well as original songs by Jumpsuit,” said Nilles.

“With the orchestra adding its distinctive sound and Jumpsuit’s unique style, these songs take on a new character. Both MSO and Jumpsuit musicians will join forces for something memorable. Expect the stage to be filled with outstanding musicians having a great time, and hopefully, the crowd will be up and dancing!”

From Jumpsuit, “Holy smokes, we are so excited for this! We are teaming up with the Mesabi Symphony Orchestra for an incredible fundraiser event in Ely and Duluth. The mission of the MSO is to keep orchestral music alive and thriving in the Arrowhead region. This is an incredible opportunity to support the work of the MSO and we really hope you join us on this orchestra meets funk and soul adventure!”

The MSO pops, jazz, and Broadway events have attracted substantial audiences, occasionally reaching full capacity. Advance tickets are priced at $35, with tickets also available at the door for $40.

For further information and ticket purchases, please visit www.mesabisymphonyorchestra. org.

Tickets may additionally be obtained from Schmitt Music in Virginia, Carmen’s Bar and Restaurant in Cloquet, Boundary Waters Kitchen and Market, and Brainstorm Bakery, both located in Ely.

Junior Owen Marolt had three hits, including a home run, and recorded the last four outs on the mound to lift the Timberwolves to a 5-3 victory at Cherry.

Ely improved to 11-7 and put some distance between itself and the Tigers in advance of playoff seeding, which will be completed over the weekend.

The Timberwolves are assured of a 7A playoff home game Tuesday at 4:30 p.m., and the win at Cherry essentially ensured that the second round of 7A action will take place at Ely’s Veterans Memorial Field on Thursday, starting at 2 p.m.

Senior Hunter Halbakken, who has a perfect 7-0 record on the mound, worked into and out of trouble at Cherry and was backed by strong defense.

The Tigers came up empty in the bottom of the second despite loading the bases with no outs, and they finally got to Halbakken with a twoout rally in the sixth that led to three runs.

But by then, Ely had built a 5-0 lead and Marolt came on in the sixth to slam the door, and he retired the Tigers in order in the seventh.

Marolt’s fifth-inning home run helped cement the win and was one of his three hits on the day.

Halbakken doubled and singled in a run for the Wolves, and Marolt also finished with two runs batted in. Both Sean Merriman and Drew Johnson singled and scored.

Defending 7A champion South Ridge will have the top seed for the playoffs, while Ely is in line to be number two, and Cherry third.

The Wolves and Tigers could have a 7A playoff rematch on Thursday in Ely, and the final four teams in the tournament advance to semifinal action slated for Tuesday, June 2, at Hibbing.

South Ridge beat Ely in last year’s 7A finals and the Wolves have reached the final four in the 7A playoffs in 11 of the last 15 seasons, winning section championships in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017 and finishing as 7A runners-up in 2019, 2022 and 2025.

• The Wolves went 2-1 in last weekend’s Veterans Memorial Showcase in Ely.

In the opening game, Halbakken and the Wolves blanked Class AA Pine City.

On the mound, the Ely senior dominated, tossing a one-hitter, striking out eight and walking only two.

He was also backed by stellar defense as infielders Johnson, Marolt and Evan Leeson all made key plays to take away Dragon hits.

Halbakken also singled in the Wolves’ first run in the bottom of the fourth, and junior Stig Majerus followed with a two-run double.

Junior Tyde Brecke added two hits.

In Saturday’s first game, Brecke went four-for-four and Marolt got the win on the mound as the Wolves downed West Marshall 8-2.

Brecke also scored three runs, Majerus had two hits and three runs batted in, and Marolt ripped three hits.

Marolt also tossed a complete- game six-hitter with seven strikeouts.

Esko scored seven first-inning runs in the Saturday night finale but had to hold off a late Wolves charge in a 9-8 decision.

Ely stranded both the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the seventh and left the bases loaded in the sixth.

Johnson went two-forfour for the Wolves, and Majerus added two hits, while both Leeson and Merriman scored two runs.

Senior Jack Davies settled in after a rough first inning and worked six and twothirds innings.

Ely placed second as a team, behind only host Rock Ridge, and the Wolves gathered more steam in advance of Thursday’s Section 7A North Subsection meet, held in Aurora after deadline.

It was a big day overall for the Wolves, who got first-place finishes from sophomore standout Violet Udovich in both the 100 and 200 dashes, and Kaylin Visser in the discus.

The standout performances were all over the board for the Wolves last weekend.

Shultz had a personal-best 5-4 on the way to winning the long jump, and she joined Isabella Macho, Mattie Lindsay and Molly Brophy to take first in the four-by-400 relay in 4:23.19.

She also had a personal best of 1:01.62 while taking second in the 400, and her leap of 14-11 in the long jump was good enough for third.

Udovich also continued her winning ways, taking the 100 (12.12) and 200 (24.88) and adding more first-place medals to her collection.

Visser had a season-best throw of 117-6 while winning the discus, and the Wolves got a win in the four-by-800, with Lindsay, Elsa Ellerbroek, Isabella Macho and Brophy forming the winning combination in 10:41.43.

Macho added a second- place finish in the 300 hurdles (50.88) and Annika Eastham placed third in the 100 hurdles (17.96).

Macho (high jump, 4-8) Lindsay (300 hurdles, 53.45) and Addison Forsman (discus, 98-9) all collected fourth-place finishes.

Ely finished with 134 points, behind the winning Wolverines and three-points ahead of third-place Hibbing.

The Wolves also outdistanced Hermantown, Chisholm, Greenway/Nashwauk- Keewatin and Duluth Marshall.

Ely also placed as follows:

• 100 dash - 25. Chantel Ridings, 16.81;

• 200 dash - 10. Miriam Messerschmidt, 28.94; 18, Kaija Shultz, 31.47; 20. Lizzy Merriman, 32.62;

• 800 run - 8. Katy Brophy, 6:15.56; 12. Maddie Johnson, 6:44.72;

• 100 hurdles - 10. Lillie O’Neill, 19.87;

• 300 hurdles - 8. O’Neill, 59.63; 11. Eastham, 1:02.93;

• Four-by-100 relay- 6. O’Neill, Chantel Ridings, Sydney Cooley, Stella Koivisto, 1:00.52;

• Four-by-200 relay - 4. Koivisto, Merriman, Kaija Shultz, Messerschmidt, 2:03.58;

• Four-by-800 relay - 2. Addison Kannas, Ivy Ohlhauser, Lucy Dunn, Katy Brophy, 11:56.34;

• Shot Put - 6. Kylie Mosher, 27-0; 11. Maddie Tome, 24-11; 17. Kira Boes, 22-6;

• Discus - 8. Alyssa Ice, 83-2; 21. Ellerbroek, 57-6;

• Long Jump - 9. Forsman, 14-2; 12 Mattie Linddsay;

• Triple Jump - 9. Forsman, 29-4.5; 10. Eastham, 28-4; 12. Ice, 26-6.5.

The meet came four days before the Section 7A North Subsection event and the Timberwolves were fourth among seven teams.

Once again, the boys showed strength in relays in advance of the postseason.

The Wolves’ four-by-800 quartet of brothers Otto and Wyatt Devine, along with Oliver Hohenstein and Blake Houde, finished first in 8:37.23.

The Devines and Hohenstein also teamed up with Brooks Brenny to form a third-place four-by-400 relay (3:49.33).

Hohenstein was Ely’s highest individual finisher at an event dominated by larger schools.

The junior took fourth in the 800 in personal-best time of 2:10.90 and teammate Summit Smith was fourth in the 3,200 (13:22.64).

The Wolves were gearing up for the subsection competition, which took place Thursday after deadline.

Ely hopes to move both individuals and relays on to the Section 7A meet, slated for Wednesday, May 27, at Duluth.

The Wolves collected 56 points at the Kerzie, well behind Hermantown, Hibbing and host Rock Ridge but ahead of Greenway/Nashwauk- Keewatin, Chisholm and Duluth Marshall.

Ely also placed as follows:

• 100 dash - 30. Jack Rintala, 13.86; 31. Brady Strange, 14.1; 33. Frank Udovich, 14.29;

• 200 dash - 24. Strange, 28.8; 25. Avery Ellerbroek, 29.29; 27. Chase Kvistad, 29.99; 30. Jackson Ridings, 31.26;

• 400 dash - 6. Brenny, 57.2; 19. John Schiltz, 1:04.99; 20. Ridings, 1:09.88;

• 800 run - 11. Alden Harding, 2:35.15; 14. Liam Kurnava, 2:39.48;

•1,600 run - 5. Houde, 4:58.2; 8. Grady Anderson, 5:20.3;

• 110 hurdles - 6. Toivo Forsman, 19.44; 10. Elliot Eastham, 20.64;

• 300 hurdles - 9. Forsman, 50.51; 14. Eastham, 56.66;

• Four-by-100 relay - 8. Rintala, Emory Hohenstein, Smith, Strange, 54.13;

• Four-by-200 relay - 7. Smith, Ellerbroek, Schiltz, Kvistad, 1:49.42;

• Four-by-400 relay - 6. Anderson, Houde, Schiltz, Harding, 4:17.82;

• Four-by-800 relay - 2. Anderson, Harding, Kurnava, Brenny, 9:36.78;

• Shot Put - 15. Emmett Boes, 29-8.5; 16. Emory Hohenstein, 29-1; 17. Jackson Johnes, 28-4; 20. Trynn Weisinger, 26-8;

• Discus - 15. Boes, 93-6; 16. Emory Hohenstein, 89-4; 19. Oscar Shock, 85-10; 20. Weisinger, 85-7

• Long Jump - 18. Udovich, 16-2; 21. Ellerbroek, 14-7; 25. Ridings, 13-0; 26. Kvistad, 10-8;

• Triple Jump - 13. Eastham, 33-3.5; 18. Forsman, 31-11.5.

Both the girls and boys golf teams from Northeast Range/Ely will take part in the Section 7A meet, a twoday event that starts Tuesday at McGregor.

The teams’ best chance for advancement may come in the girls event, as senior Cylvia DeBeltz of Ely guns for another state tournament berth.

DeBeltz enters the section meet on the heels of placing second in the Iron Range Conference meet, and she has regularly been the top Class A golfer in a series of regular season events. She has also already earned All-Iron Range Conference recognition.

As the regular season winds down, the NRE boys took part in a nine-hole event Tuesday at Hoyt Lakes.

The top NRE finisher was Ely senior Rhett Johnson, who placed 30th overall with a 49.

In 40th place and 12 strokes back of Johnson with a 61 was senior Tyler Fritz.

Rounding out a limited NRE lineup was junior Mason Spate-Kurnava, who took 41st with a 66.

NRE did not have enough golfers to post a team score, and Greenway/ Nashwauk-Keewatin beat International Falls by six strokes to win the team title. Paxton Sivonen of International Falls and GNK’s Jedd Benson tied for medalist honors with a 38.

• At the May 14 Rock Ridge Invitational, NRE placed 14th as a team.

Johnson paced NRE and took 19th with an 18-hole 82.

Next up was senior Jayden Zemke, who fired a 91 and placed 54th.

Following for NRE were Ethan Nickolson (84th, 119), Tyler Fritz (87th, 126) and James McCarter (88th, 156).

Paddlers will be able to enter Quetico Provincial Park at the Prairie Portage and Cache Bay ranger stations using the new telephone reporting sites starting next month.  

Paddle & Portage media spoke to officials from Quetico and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) this week, with both agencies confirming June 8 as the expected start date for the new program.

The telephone reporting site rollout for June 8 applies only to Quetico Park, according to officials from CBSA. When other sites are officially designated, CBSA officials told Paddle & Portage media May 21, travelers will be able to report their entry by phone at these locations. As of June 8, the only active telephone reporting sites will be at Cache Bay and Prairie Portage. Anyone else entering Canada from a border lake needs an active Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permit.

The RABC Program will continue to operate through Sept. 13.

After that time, telephone reporting sites will be available outside of Quetico.

Paddlers with a valid RABC permit may continue to enter Canada at Cache Bay and Prairie Portage without having to report their entry if they have an active permit, CBSA officials said.

For towboat operators who’ve had to tell paddlers for more than a year that they can’t access Quetico at the two south entrances to the park unless they had a valid RABC permit, the June 8 rollout of the telephone reporting sites is welcome news. The same applies for paddlers who’ve essentially been shut out from access to Cache Bay or Prairie Portage unless they had a valid RABC permit. That said, there are still questions to be answered, including if paddlers hoping to enter the park can find out in advance if they’re eligible to enter Canada. Click here to read a list of reasons people can be denied entry to Canada, including DUI arrests within the past decade. Other questions include: How long the process to check in via the telephone reporting system will take; where telephone reporting will take place on the island at Cache Bay; and how cellphones will be utilized in the process.

Paddle & Portage media is planning to spend several days at Cache Bay near the June 8 start date to learn more about the process.

Meanwhile, CBSA officials continue to “identify and designate additional reporting sites,” the agency said May 21.

“Several site owners have expressed interest in designation and the process is underway,” CBSA officials said.

The incumbent mayor will seek a third term in office, deciding this week to file for re-election.

Omerza was the first to jump into the mayoral race as a two-week filing period started Tuesday and goes until June 2.

Three Ely city council positions are also up for grabs, and after two days of filing only former member Mark Zupec had put his hat in the ring.

The council positions held by Al Forsman, Angela Campbell and Adam Bisbee are up for grabs and all carry four-year terms.

Omerza, who served 16 years as a council member before winning the mayor’s seat in 2022, said this week that she still enjoys local politics and government.

“I like the challenge of it,” said Omerza. “It’s like melding six or seven voices and moving Ely forward. It’s a fun challenge and I want to keep doing it for a little longer.” A teacher at Washington Elementary School, Omerza has represented Ely beyond its borders, leading groups including the League of Minnesota Cities and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. She has also taken an active role in advocating for city causes in St. Paul.

As she looks toward a potential third term as mayor, Omerza said “We have a lot of things on the horizon. We now have money for a water project that we have to get done, and the goal is to keep taxes down, keep working to get more LGA and to continue making Ely a livable community which means jobs.”

As for possible priorities, Omerza said the city needs “to keep what we have and grow that. To make sure we have a viable school district, and hospital and community college, all those things that we need to be a regional center.”

Omerza beat Paul Kess in 2022 to mayoral election and ran unopposed in 2024.

The filing period is open until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, and candidates for mayor or the city council election are able to file at City Hall, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Affidavits of candidacy may also be found online at www.ely.mn.us/elections. Filing fee is $5 and candidates must be Ely residents.

If three or more candidates enter the mayoral race, it would trigger an August primary. At least seven city council candidates are needed to hold a council primary, also in August.

The general election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Jim Kramar, President and CEO of EVFCU since 2011, addressed the small gathering: “Today is more than just a construction project, it’s the continuation of a story that began over 80 years ago. In 1941, Embarrass-Vermillion Federal Credit Union was founded by just seven individuals who believed in something simple but powerful; that people in this community deserved access to fair, affordable financial services.

“Each of them contributed just $5 but what they built was opportunity. Over the decades, that small beginning grew, expanding our membership, expanding our reach across northern St. Louis County, and serving generation after generation of families, businesses, and neighbors.

“Today we serve thousands of members, but our purpose hasn’t changed. We are still here to build relationships, strengthen our communities, and provide trusted financial guidance close to home. That’s what makes today so meaningful.

“This ground-breaking represents an investment in our future, ensuring that we continue to meet our members where they are, with modern facilities, enhanced services, and a space that reflects the strength of this community. I also want to recognize the outstanding partners helping to bring this vision to life: Kraus-Anderson and DSGW Architecture, whose expertise and commitment to community- centered design will help us create something we can all be proud of. To our members, our board, our team, and our community: thank you. This building may be new, but the mission behind it remains the same: people helping people today and for generations to come. This is where it all started… this is where it all started, and we’re happy to start new.”

Kramar started as a teller at EVFCU, and said, “I love my job- I don’t know everything about everything, but it’s the people you have in the right places.” Refreshments were served in what is soon to be the old building, which is destined for demolition. Foundation issues, lack of insulated windows, and the additions made to the building over the years contributed to a need for a new building.

Construction officially started on Monday, and is projected to be finished by October. The new building is 1,200 square feet and replaces a building that is over 50 years old and will be demolished.

The seniors receiving the scholarships are: Chloe Adkisson, Avery Buschman, Ezra Chamberlin, Lilliana Fonseca, Dani Kilic, Tuuli Koivisto, Jadin Nilsson, and Ryland Sandy.

The scholarships are made possible through the Scholarship Scramble Golf Tournament held annually on Labor Day weekend.

According to Scholarship _chairman, Jim Lassi, this is the 28th year that the BGA has been awarding scholarships.

This year’s scholarships bring the total amount of scholarship awards to over a quarter of a million dollars given out to 146 graduates.

Flora spent most of her early life in Arkansas before settling in Minnesota, bringing many Southern recipes with her. Her potato salad features a creamy, cooked dressing in place of mayonnaise, and is unlike any other I’ve seen. The creamy, tangy, slightly sweet combination might convert you from the standard mayonnaise-based salads.

Flora’s Potato Salad

Ingredients:

2 pounds russet or Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon celery seeds

1/4 teaspoon pepper

3 large egg yolks

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

1/2 cup diced yellow onion

1/2 cup diced celery

1/3 cup diced dill pickles

3 hard-boiled eggs, diced

Sweet paprika, for garnishing

Instructions:

Add the potatoes to a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook the potatoes for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain well and spread out on a sheet pan to cool. In a saucepan, stir together the flour, sugar, salt, mustard, celery seeds, and pepper. Whisk in the egg yolks. Stir in the cream and vinegar. Turn the heat to medium. Whisking constantly, bring the mixture to a simmer. Lower the heat to medium-low, and continue cooking, whisking occasionally, until thickened like custard. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl. Fold in the potatoes, onion, celery, pickles, and diced eggs. Sprinkle the top lightly with paprika. Chill until serving.

Yield: 8 servings.

Mail sent from Babbitt will now leave by 7 a.m., instead of 9:45 a.m. as before. This means anything brought into the Post Office or dropped off there will not leave until the next day.

Blue collection boxes around town will retain the current pickup time.

U.S. Post Offices nationwide have implemented changes to mail truck departure (dispatch) times as part of the U.S. Postal Service’s ongoing network modernization under the “Delivering for America” plan.

Previously, mail in Babbitt was dropped off around 7:30 a.m. and then left town by 9:45 a.m.

The change to dropping off and picking up at the same time went into effect on May 8.

“For us this is unfortunately another example of the U.S. Postal Service taking longer to deliver,” said Babbitt Weekly News publisher Nick Wognum.

“We had heard this was coming, but now that it’s here, we’re going to have to see what we can do so people don’t have to wait an extra day to get their paper if they live outside of Babbitt,” said Wognum.

Northeast Range will celebrate the elementary awards program on May 27 starting at 1 p.m. in the auditorium. There will be a short intermission after that and the spring concert will then begin at 2 p.m. The public is invited and encouraged to support these young students as they get closer to complete a successful school year.

Woodland Presbyterian Church in Babbitt would like to introduce Seth Anderson-Matz and will be visiting both him and his wife on Sunday, May 31 at the regular Sunday service at 10 a.m. and will be doing a “coffee and” after. Seth is a community minister and public theologian based in Southern Minneapolis, with over 20 years of work, activism and the arts, Seth partners with congregations, and other groups nationwide to support justice ministries, spiritual care work, and community deepening efforts. He holds a master of arts in religion and theology from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and has served in a variety of ministry roles. Both Seth and his wife have been to the Boundary Waters and this area before, and enjoy visiting.

The first annual Friends of the Babbitt Public Library Quilt Show will be held on Saturday, June 6 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Babbitt Public Library. Participants may submit: Up to two quilts or one small, quilted item, such as: pillow, table runner, wall hanging other quilted creations.Crowd favorite contest: Visitors to the quilt show will vote for their favorite quilt. Drop-off information: Please bring your entries to the Babbitt Public Library between: Monday, June 1 and Friday, June 5. The Friends of the Babbitt Public Library are seeking bakers to donate homemade treats for the upcoming Up North Craft & Vendor Extravaganza. If you are interested in baking, please drop off your items at one of the following times: Friday, June 5, at the Babbitt Public Library by 6 p.m.; Saturday, June 6, at the Municipal Gym by 8 a.m. Donations will help support the Friends of the Babbitt Public Library and the programs they provide for the community.

Join Sisu Heritage to celebrate the Finnish tradition of sauna on National Sauna Day, Saturday, June 6. The free, family-friendly event is outdoors, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Nelimark Homestead and Museum on Hwy. 21 in Embarrass.

“Our season will run weekly every Thursday from June 4 through Sept. 24. Our hours will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and set up can begin as early as 2 p.m. If you grow produce, you need to be registered with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. If you make food products, you will need to have a cottage license registration through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture,” said Israel.

The council had some discussion about extra parking for attendees, liability and insurance for vendors and attendees, and whether peddler’s permits are necessary.

“I think there’s some administrative work that needs to happen between us and you… just some of the details, we’ll work through it; it’s a great idea,” said city clerk Nancy Sanford.

The council passed a motion to approve Central Park usage on Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. If interested in becoming a vendor, reach out to Israel at 218-994-1156.

The council created a Police Department Committee to figure out a direction for the Babbitt Police Department.

The committee will consist of two council members, and up to seven members of the public. Committee applications are available online at or available for pickup directly from City Hall. Applicants must turn in the form by May 28 in order to be approved for committee membership at the June 2 city council meeting.

The council applied for a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission, which was discussed in a meeting on May 15. The CUP would be for digging a gravel pit, in order to sell the material to Rachel Construction, for use in the West Babbitt Development.

In that meeting, members of the planning commission heard from Chris Koivisto, the city zoning officer. Koivisto expressed concerns from multiple fronts, including maintenance of the pond after excavation and managing flood potential.

“I don’t think that doing it in this rushed manner is the best business,” said Koivisto. The planning commission decided not to hand down a recommendation to city council, and city council decided to let the CUP die.

“KnowingwhatIknownow,thatI did not know then, I would not have approved the CUP,” said council member Jim Lassi, also a member of the planning commission. “They (Rachel Construction) can get the gravel at other nearby sources.”

Council member Joseph White spoke directly to the public regarding the harassment and cyber-bullying the city council and city hall staff is facing on the Facebook site What’s Up Babbitt.

“Freedom of speech does have a price: you have a right to say whatever you want, and I will never impede you to do that. But understand there’s a consequence for the things you say. Whether you see it or not, it’s impacting our community in a very negative way.”

Sanford elected to open up a portion of her closed session regarding clerk-treasurer performance and wages, to the public and addressed the allegations of fraud against her and her husband.

“We were cleared 100 percent. 100 percent. I have never paid restitution to somebody…I have never stolen somebody’s salary.”

In other business the council:

• Accepted Logan Meskill’s resignation from the recreation department effective August 7.

• Hired Troy Bissonette as a seasonal part-time patrolman for the police department

• Approved a resolution authorizing sponsorship of the ATV, snowmobile, and cross-country ski trail operated by Babbitt ATV & Snowmobile Club.

• Passed the CUP for 25 Hemlock short-term rental

• Denied the hiring of a police department applicant.

• Approved the purchase of police department software/technology replacement for $30,006.12.

•TabledthePDRadioEquipment and Squad Car Purchase for the PD Committee

• Approved to post the Assistant Recreation Coordinator Position Opening

• Hired Leo McKrahl, Arturo Cameron, Landyn Saltzman, and Cyle Merhar for Recreation Summer Help

• Hired Danica Sunblad, Lucas Stalboerger, and Collin Walker as StreetDepartmentCasualLaborers

• Waived Gym, Kitchen, Tables and Chair fees for Friends of Library October 9 & 10

• Approved Firemen’s Relief Association Temporary Liquor License June 13, 19, 20, & 21

• Directed Public Utilities Commission to make a decision about the Brownfield Grant for 39 Garden

• Directed administration to set up a meeting between the Recreation Department and various groups that utilize the Senior Center

• Took no action on Resolution No. 2026• 09 Regarding the 2011 Comprehensive Plan