Inside: COVID rates rising... See /3 North Star Rodeo... See /1B Sampling for invasives...See /4B the Serving the communitiesIMBERJAY of northern St. Louis County since 1989 VOL. 32, ISSUE 30 July 30, 2021 00 T $1 TOWER ANNUAL MEETING Police 40TH BLUEBERRY/ART FESTIVAL Greenwood contract sets levy at talks with GONE WITH Breitung $150,000 Reserves still higher on hold THE WIND! than annual spending by MARSHALL HELMBERGER by ODI UMMIT Managing Editor J S Tower-Soudan Editor TOWER— After GREENWOOD TWP- lengthy discussion, the city Greenwood Township’s levy will council here, on Monday, remain at $150,000 for next year, voted to authorize two rep- following action at the township’s resentatives to continue talks reconvened annual meeting held with Breitung Township July 22. Township voters over- over the future of local law whelming supported the status quo enforcement, but stopped levy by a vote of 46-5. The meeting short of agreeing to discuss was held in-person, with over 50 a possible contract for police in attendance at the town hall, but services from the township. three residents opted to cast their The final motion, by votes by phone. council member Dave Chairman Mike Ralston, at the Setterberg, amended his regular town board meeting in July, initial proposal to discuss had asked the board to increase their a possible police contract levy request to $200,000, and that with the township, but would request was approved by a split have limited expenditures 3-2 vote. He had also requested for the service to 20 percent the township levy an additional of the city’s levy, or about $200,000 for possible broadband $80,000. In the last full year expenses, anotherbut that move under its former Breitung was not supported by other board police contract, the city spent members. approximately $125,000, Mike Indihar, elected as mod- or nearly one-third of the erator back in March when the city’s levy. annual meeting initially convened, Yet the council wasn’t continued his duties, running a ready to approve contract relatively peaceful and productive talks with Breitung, at least meeting. without more information. Treasurer Belinda Fazio “I would like to see more presented the proposed 2022 options that we could vote budget, which showed the township on,” said council member ending this year with a balance of Kevin Norby. $529,443, with anticipated 2022 Council member receipts of $282,500 (assuming Sheldon Majerle urged the a $150,000 levy), and projected council to wait and see what Ely festival called off after a expenses of $359,200. It showed kind of police department the township ending 2022 with a the township establishes. fund balance of $452,743, though The town board recently fierce storm rips through town some of this balance is in restricted approved a motion to recon- funds— $39,008 in the Isle of Pines stitute the police department by KEITH VANDERVORT MORE COVERAGE at about 6:30 p.m. Friday night, bridge fund, and $14,487 in the which it disbanded back in Ely Editor just as the first leg of the three- Greenwood Trail Fund. March, although it appears ‘What do we do with all day Blueberry/Art Festival was it will be a smaller force ELY – “The real crusher was these pies?’ Page 11 wrapping up. See...LEVY pg. 12 than the prior department. that Friday was so much fun,” The short but severe storm Township officials are cur- said Adam Zins as he and his what remained of the Blueberry/ destroyed scores of arts vendors’ rently in the process of hiring wife, Tanja, tried to untangle a Art Festival. “It looked like a displays and tents, and uprooted a police chief, although wire shelving unit early Saturday war zone.” big trees in the park, prompting WILDFIRES Majerle noted that the town- morning from under a mangled A line of thunderstorms Ely Chamber of Commerce offi- ship has only received a tent. All around them, in the with damaging 70-mph winds couple applications for the middle of Whiteside Park, was driving torrential rains hit Ely See...ELY pg. 11 job. In the meantime, Majerle said he was com- fortable continuing to rely on the St. Louis County Sheriff for law enforcement cov- erage. “I’m not displeased with the way the sheriff has been handling calls that I’ve See...TOWER pg. 9 I would like A wildfire near Fourtown to see more Lake grew dramatically from options that we 20 acres to 228 acres late “ Tuesday after U.S. Forest could vote on. Adam and Tonja Zins, of Appleton, Wis., above, salvage their vendor tent Saturday Service firefighters conduct- morning at the Blueberry/Art Festival. A mangled tent frame in Whiteside Park, top, was ed a successful burnout Kevin Norby, piled in front of a busted off spruce tree. More pictures inside. operation. More coverage Council member photos by K. Vandervort on Page 5B. photo by USFS Spring Clothing, New Book Titles, New Gifts Contact The Timberjay plus excellent Canoe Camping Gear. 218-753-2950 Come in today for a New Canoe or Kayak [email protected] Open Every Day 6 am - 9 pm piragis.com 218 - 365 - 6745 boundarywaterscatalog.com 2 July 30, 2021 THE TIMBERJAY Community notices GARDNER TRUST Sons of Norway Lodge 40 to meet Aug. 1 Gardner Humanities Trust celebrates 32 years VIRGINIA- Sons of Norway Haarfager Lodge 40 will meet for their annual potluck picnic at with Breakfast in the Garden noon on Sunday, Aug. 1 in the Lion’s Den at Olcott Park. Beverages and table service will be provid- ELY- The Donald G. ed. Please bring a dish to share and a serving utensil Gardner Humanities Trust for it. Anyone interested in Norwegian heritage and was created in 1989 for the culture is invited to attend. enhancement, growth and improvement of the arts in the City of Ely. The Trust Dream Quilters to meet Aug. 5 will celebrate 32 years TOWER- The Vermilion Dream Quilters will since its creation with a meet Thursday, Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Martin’s Breakfast in the Garden Catholic Church in Tower. Those who are not event at Whiteside Park on COVID vaccinated and/or are vulnerable are encour- Saturday, Aug. 7, from 10 aged to wear masks. There is sufficient space for a.m. to 12 noon. Since 1989, social distancing as preferred. No food or beverage over $750,000 has been will be served, but those attending may bring their given to the community own. Anni Knutson will present the program topic in the form of grants for of “Creating Your Own Original Art Quilts.” Visitors artists, art projects/events, are always welcome. to arts organizations and for scholarships. Mesabi Range open house Aug. 10 Activities to celebrate EVELETH- Mesabi Range Technical College the Trust’s art efforts in the will hold an open house on Tuesday, Aug. 10 at the community may include Eveleth Campus from 4 to 7 p.m. making cards or drawings There will be interactive self-guided tours, time with watercolor or tempura paint. There will be light with the extremely knowledgeable program instruc- Attendees at last year s Breakfast in the Garden worked on crafts together. tors, walk-up meetings with admissions and financial refreshments to make the ’ aid staff, and an opportunity to apply to Mesabi occasion more festive. submitted photo Range College completely FREE. Information about the Trust The arts and artisans aesthetic environment of Campbell. The Executive FREE Duke Skorich barbeque while supplies and its grant programs will of Ely and surrounding area, the City of Ely and its sur- Director for the Trust is last. There will be prizes and drawings. also be available during the to include the performing rounding area. Keiko Williams. Keiko can morning event. arts, the visual arts and The 2021 Board of be contacted at gtrust@ Minnesota State Old Time Fiddle The purpose of the literature, Directors for the Trust gardnertrust.org or 218- Trust shall be for the The creating and are: Beth Ohlhauser, Jill 365-2639, or see the Trust Championships on Aug. 14 enhancement, growth and funding of scholarships, Swanson, David O’Donnell, website at www.gardner- MT. IRON- The Minnesota State Old Time improvement of: educational and artistic Vince O’Connor, Mary trust.org. Fiddle Championships, in their ninth year at The Ely Public grants, Setterholm, Chris Steele, Mountain Iron’s Merritt School Auditorium, will Library, The cultural and Brook Lund and Angela take place on Saturday, Aug. 14 starting at noon. The championships began 40 years ago in Cotton. The contest is open to all U.S. and Canadian fiddlers as well as all other stringed instrumentalists. The cham- pionship division is certified by the National Oldtime Charlemagne’s Attic Sale, Aug. 13 and 14 Fiddlers Association, so the State Champion will qualify to compete at the National Old Time Fiddle Championships in Idaho. There are cash prizes for August event will benefit the fire hall restoration project the top four fiddlers in four different age divisions. TOWER- The Nancy Larson at 218-750- received a $100,000 grant the Range in conjunction The non-fiddle and Twin Fiddle divisions are open to Tower-Soudan Historical 7514 to arrange for your through the Department of with its sister community, all ages and all stringed instruments. Rules, pre-reg- Society is holding an donation to be received Iron Range Resources and Soudan, directly adjoining istration forms, and contact information can be found event, “Charlemagne’s for the sale. The society is Rehabilitation for the Main the Soudan Mine.