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VOL. 52 NUMBER 14,

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

MERGANSER

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER: CITY OF ELY, ISD 696, CITY OF WINTON, MORSE AND FALL LAKE TOWNSHIPS

Photos above by Snotty Moose Photography

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MINNESOTA Governor Tim Walz (D) visits with Ely Head Start students at Washington Elementary on Thursday morning. Photo by Parker Loew.

Walz makes visit to Ely Governor tours school, touts support for child care, K-12 spending by Tom Coombe Gov. Tim Walz spent part of his 59th birthday in Ely, touting his administration’s education and childcare initiatives and looking at a local project that’s in the mix for state bonding dollars. Walz read to children in Ely’s Head Start program during a visit to Washington

Elementary School, where he also visited with school officials, stopped in at a second-grade classroom and looked at aging windows that will be replaced if legislation sought by the district is successful. Later in the day, he visited Vermilion Community College, which is seeking

just over $3 million in the state bonding bill to replace a leaky roof and renovate its half-century old classroom building. Flanked by staff members, IRRRB commissioner Ida Rukavina and State Sen. Grant Hauschild (D), Walz spoke highly of Ely’s education and childcare initiatives

and hinted that help from St. Paul is on its way. “We’re about five weeks away from being able to make some significant investments,” said Walz, noting the end of the legislative session in May. He added “It’s great to be (Continued on Page 2)

On-sale CBD approved

Second reading of city ordinance passes on a 5-2 vote

by Tom Coombe Ely’s edible cannabinoid ordinance was approved Tuesday - after an 11th-hour bid to amend it failed. On a 5-2 vote, with members Al Forsman and Ryan Callen opposed, the city council approved the second reading of an ordinance that sets licensing provisions, and allows for on-sale consumption and sales of CBD products including beverages. The ordinance was recommended last month by an ad-hoc committee that included mayor Heidi Omerza, Jerome Debeltz and Angela

Campbell, but faced some opposition at the council table. That came largely from Forsman, who said he opposed the measure last month and tried, without success, to remove the on-sale provision from the ordinance. “For me, I again say the risk to the community of having the on-sale is too great for us to be considering,” said Forsman. “I think there are unintended consequences.” Forsman said that could include people losing their jobs as a result of drug tests that may come up positive as

a result of consuming CBD beverages. Forsman said he talked to two dozen people in the last two weeks and “not one person outside of this council told me that they were in support,” and voiced the potential for risks to those who hold jobs such as school bus drivers or heavy equipment operators. The council majority, however, went along with both on-sale and off-sale provisions and city officials say they have heard from restaurants interested in selling CBD beverages.

“In my opinion, we should be treating this intoxicant the same as we treat alcohol,” said council member Paul Kess. “It seems to make sense to what we do. I understand there are consequences, but it’s the responsibility of the individual user to make those decisions.” The council has wrestled with the issue, amid some confusion, over the last two months. Earlier discussions yielded some misgivings about on-sale licensing, which would allow someone

Three additional criminal charges, all misdemeanors, have been filed against the man accused of deliberately running down three deer last month near Ely. Casey Meadows, a South Dakota native who was reported to be a student at Vermilion Community College, faces three counts of using a motor vehicle to chase wild animals. Meadows, 20, was already issued tickets totaling $1,800 by a Minnesota Conservation Officer in connection with the March 21 incident on the south side of Ely, where

Central Avenue becomes Highway 21. Ely Police Chief Chad Houde said last week that he was hoping the incident would lead to a felony level charge of animal cruelty, but county prosecutors ultimately settled for misdemeanors which carry a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail. The charges stem from an incident that resulted in widespread social media backlash and outrage. Law enforcement was dispatched around 6:45 p.m. March 21, after receiving reports that a blue Toyota

Tundra had hit three deer and continued driving into Ely. According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement arrived on the scene and the reporting party indicated that he was following behind the truck and observed that it “appeared to speed up before hitting the three deer.” The driver of the Toyota did not stop, but the reporting party and other witnesses did and observed the deer lying injured on the road. The deer were so badly injured they had to be shot and killed. The driver of the Toy-

ota was later identified as Meadows. Law enforcement officers later spoke with Meadows, who said he was driving “mid 40s” speed while entering Ely and that he intentionally hit the deer. According to the criminal complaint, Meadows said he and his friends thought it was funny at the time but felt bad about the situation now. Meadows told law enforcement that he asked friends riding with him if he should try and hit the deer and they said to do so.

(Continued on Page 2)

Misdemeanor charges added in deer incident

No end yet for Ely calendar parking

by Tom Coombe Ely’s calendar parking requirement could remain in effect through May. Given a winter that won’t seem to quit, and snow that still covers much of Ely, it may be several weeks before the city lifts the parking rules that aid in snow removal. Police Chief Chad Houde warned this week that calendar parking could extend all the way until May 31. “We will be having callendar parking until May 31 or until the council lifts it,”

Houde said during Tuesday’s council meeting. In place during the winter season, the calendar parking law requires motorists to park their vehicles on opposite sides of the street on alternating nights. The rules assist city public works crews in their efforts to keep streets and avenues free from snow, and winter has retained its hold on the area, including a storm this week that closed schools (Continued on Page 2)

Ely man fights, threatens police

Felony charge stems from incident

An Ely man faces a series of criminal charges after he allegedly engaged in erratic behavior, fought with and threatened to kill police officers. According to the St. Louis County Jail Roster, Travis Mattila, 31, remained in custody as of Tuesday. He faces a felony charge of threats of violence, as well as misdemeanor counts of obstructing legal process/ interfering with a police of-

ficer, and disorderly conduct. The charges stem from incidents on March 29. Court documents indicate that Ely police were notified that evening that Mattila jumped out in front of a vehicle driven by a teenage girl, and that he was “trying to freak out” the girl. Shortly thereafter, police received additional calls about Mattila jumping out at (Continued on Page 2)

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THE ELY

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on Wednesday. Even after the snow melts, the city generally keeps the restrictions in place for a short time. “The city crews go out and street clean among other things,” said Houde. City ordinance calls for calendar parking to begin Nov. 1 and continue through May, but council members generally lift it earlier. A series of April snowstorms in 2022 helped keep the rules in place last year until mid-May. Ely could be on track for something similar this year.

“Please be patient,” said Houde. “May 31 will be here before you know it.” During a brief meeting Tuesday, council members also heard from fire chief Dave Marshall, who reported that Covid-19 is still lingering in the community. Two recent medical calls involving the department were for people who had been stricken with the virus. Marshall also reported that fire department members completed their annual physicals during March. In other business, the council: • Heard a proclamation from mayor Heidi Omerza

noting that April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. • Got a report from Omerza about the recent high school senior class trip to Washington, D.C. Omerza participated as an adult chaperone. • Heard that the Arbor Day Foundation had named Ely a “Tree City USA.” • Appointed Sean Clark to a vacant seat on the city’s telecommunications advisory board. • Approved various recommendations from the Ely Utilities Commission, including payment of over $670,000 in monthly bills. • Authorized a change

order in the wastewater plant project. • Moved forward with the sale of a Spaulding lot to Sheryl and John Swenson, with a reduction in price from $15,000 to $12,000 because the lot was deemed not buildable. • Declared the April 13 joint powers ambulance meeting, scheduled for Winton, a city council meeting to allow all council members to attend. • Decided to apply for Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board trails funding for more signage along city trails.

Ely man fights, threatens police; Felony charge stems from incident

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to buy a “CBD” product such as a THC beverage and consume it on-site. The ad-hoc group debated and suggested moving forward to permit both on and off-sale provisions, with onsale licensing an option for businesses that also operate as a restaurant. City Attorney Kelly Klun said the restaurant provision is consistent with Sunday liquor sale provisions. After a request from Ely’s Historic State Theater, the ordinance was tweaked this week to allow edible cannabinoids in theaters as well. Forsman found an ally in opposition in Callen, who suggested going with off-sale only for a year. “I’ve given it a lot of

(Continued from Page 1)

in a school like this. It’s great to see this addition. The Senator has talked how there’s a little bit of a gap in some of the funding, which we can take back and advocate for. These are Ely residents’ tax dollars that we are going back to ask for. If it’s time for Ely to get new windows in their school, we’ll all help. Approved Logo

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thought, even spoken to (police) officers and right now I would rather just do the offsale and see how that plays out, and maybe revisit the ordinance at a later date and go from there,” he said. Omerza spoke in support of the ordinance and pointed to the requests for on-sale from existing businesses. “I personally feel that when you are requesting something that you need to know what you are requesting,” said Omerza. “Everybody I’ve talked to or has talked to me about it know. The businesses need to be responsible if they are requesting it.” Klun and other city officials have noted that action by state lawmakers a year ago already makes edible cannabinoids legal in Min-

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nesota, and that the city has little control except licensing sales within the city limits. “It’s already legal in the state,” said Omerza. “This is not new to Ely and it’s already here in some form or fashion.” Some businesses already sell CBD products including “gummies” and beverages, although expansion was limited by a moratorium put in place last year by the council. The ordinance establishes procedures for businesses to be licensed for one year, for a 12-month period from Sept. 1-Aug. 31. Existing vendors will need to obtain licensing through the city and the ordinance includes provisions for compliance as well as fines for violations. A public hearing held pri-

or to the council meeting did not include any citizen input, although council members noted receiving letters from three residents related to the ordinance. Ely’s newest council member, Adam Bisbee, voted in favor of the ordinance but asked that the city revisit it and add language that would require businesses to post signs that consumption of beverages could lead to users showing trace amounts of THC on drug tests. “Beyond that, I’m for it,” said Bisbee. “You have to put your trust in people to make right decisions... Ultimately the decision falls on the consumer just as it does with other products.”

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remarks, and planted his foot at the baseboard of the squad car to resist going inside. While being transported to the Virginia jail, police say that Mattila screamed and spit from the backseat and continued to make various threats. Police say that Mattila resisted entering the jail facility and had to be carried

Second reading of city ordinance passes on a 5-2 vote

orthan

Kevin Hartshorn Andy Seliskar

was in the eastbound lane and turned and swore at the driver and threw an open beer can at his car, hitting the windshield. Officers soon located Mattila and attempted to arrest him. Mattila allegedly resisted and pulled away from officers, and made a series of vulgar and threatening

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“I think here in Minnesota we made it clear that we want it to be the best state in the country for a child to group in and for a family to be able to raise their children,” said Walz. “And that means every corner of the state.” He lauded Ely’s Head Start program, where he spent time Thursday visiting with children and staff and reading “Little Quack Hide and Seek.” “We know those first 1,000 days shape that child for the rest of their lives,” he said. “And we see rooms like we saw at the Head Start in Ely and we saw learners engaged. We saw happy children. We saw fed children. If we do those investments early on, it makes a big difference.” The efforts extend beyond early childhood education to private child care as well. “When I meet with the business community, it’s not taxes that’s the first thing they bring up, it’s workforce and it’s housing and childcare,” said Walz. During a brief press briefing, Hauschild agreed and added “the two things they look at are housing number one, and will employees have child care for their kids and their kids in strong schools.” Hauschild also predicted that the legislature will make “historic” investments in per pupil funding and promised to advocate for the Ely district’s push for $4 million in gap funding for the district’s renovation project, which had several items removed

because of cost overruns. “I know there’s a gap and I’m fighting for that funding,” said Hauschild. “We’re going to try and find an avenue to get the resources we need for this area... Up here we really have a special connection to our schools.” The Ely district is looking for the additional funds to restore items that were included in the initial project budget - including window replacement and some classroom renovations - that were pulled when bids came in far over earlier estimates. Thursday afternoon, Walz was scheduled to tour Vermilion Community College, meeting with staff and students there as lawmakers consider a state bonding bill. If successful, Vermilion would receive $3,019,000 for nearly 7,000 square feet of renovations. The project calls for replacing the roof of the Vermilion Classroom Building, renovation of six classrooms in that facility, bringing two sets of restrooms into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, updates to corridor areas and the creation of an identifiable entry to the building. Thursday marked the first visit to Ely by a sitting governor since former Gov. Mark Dayton was in town in 2017 for a water quality town hall held at the Grand Ely Lodge. Dayton was also here three years earlier for the grand opening of Ely’s public library.

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THE ELY

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Obituaries

JACK HERMAN SCHABELL JR., 74, of Turtle Lake died, March 29, 2023, at his home. He was born January 9, 1949, in Barron, WI to Jack and Eunice (Groehler) Schabell. Jack’s family moved to Ely, MN where his dad was a lumberjack. While there, they lived in a tar paper shack in a logging camp. Later he moved back to Wisconsin and lived with his dad and stepmom. Following graduating from high school, Jack enlisted in the Navy during the Vietnam War. During his time of service, he was a boiler maker on the Navy vessel.

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Please notify your funeral home to place a complete obituary in the Ely Echo ([email protected]) or contact us directly 218-365-3141.

He was married to Jane Foss and from their union, his son Jarett was born. Jack worked as a Millwright for many years while in Eau Claire. He often mentioned how proud he was to being able to work on the dam in Jim Falls. Jack went on to open a little gun shop in his back yard called “Jack’s Custom Guns” where he built and fixed guns. He later worked at the Greater Mercantile in Eau Claire as a gunsmith. He then went to Eau Claire Truck & Trailer where he worked until he retired. Jack was an outdoorsman who

enjoyed pistol shooting, hunting, fishing, bowling, and especially being with family and friends. He was always willing to help out where he could. When it came to deer hunting, his family will tell you he always got a deer or two or three. Jack was an excellent shot and joined a pistol shooting league. He was also a member of VFW Post 8512. Above all, Jack’s favorite thing to do was to go for motorcycle rides. He was known to keep a bike for a year or so and then trade it for a different one. He went to Sturgis numerous

LEIF SELKREGG, age day, April 5, 2023 at home.   be held at a future date. 67, of Ely died on WednesA memorial service will Funeral arrangements LOUIS F. SKUBIC JR., 4, 2023 at Ely-Bloomenson be held at a future date. age 95, a proud Army veteran, Community Hospital.   Funeral arrangements passed away Tuesday, April A memorial service will have been entrusted to Kerntz DONALD EUGEN RE- 4, 1932 went to be with our take place at the Embarrass INHARDT, born in Mt. Car- Lord and Savior on March Evangelical Free Church mel, Illinois on December 29, 2023. The funeral will on April 15th with a noon RODN EY LI NCOLN BILTONEN’s kind and gentle soul passed on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at the Sunrise at Reston Town Center after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. Rod was a beloved father and cherished husband. He was a Professor Emeritus of the Department of Biochemistry at the University Virginia School of Medicine, where he spent the majority of his career until he retired in 2003. Rodney was the son of Frank Emil Biltonen and Frances Biltonen (Castren). He was born on August 24,

1937 in Sudbury, Ontario. His family moved frequently as a child before settling in Ely, MN. He graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1955. With the encouragement of his coach, he declined an ice hockey scholarship to attend Harvard. He received his AB in Chemistry from Harvard University in 1959. He earned his PhD in Physical Chemistry and Mathematics from the University of Minnesota in 1965. In 1972, he accepted a position of Associate Professor in the Departments of Biochem-

istry and Pharmacology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He was promoted to full Professor in both Departments in 1977. But it was love for his family that truly meant the most to him. Rod was a loving husband and father in a way that’s difficult to fully understand unless you know that his own father passed away when he was 14 years old and his mother raised Rodney alone while working tirelessly in the logging camps of Minnesota’s remote Iron Range. After he left northern Minnesota

times. Jack said “a real biker never trailered his bike to get out there, you had to ride it rain or shine.” After his retirement, he had more time to ride his motorcycle, thrift saling, brunching, and causing playful trouble with his family. He is survived by his son, Jarett (Jamie) Schabell; granddaughters: Makala Schabell, and Marley Schabell; brother, Jon (John) Schabell; sister, Glennis (Robert) Lynch; stepmom, Jean Petit; special best friend, Kris; nephews, nieces, and many other family and friends.

Community calendar The next meeting of the Ely Area Ambulance Joint Powers Board will be held on Thursday, April 13 at 4 p.m. at the Winton Community Center. Living With Cancer Support Group will meet on Wednesday, April 12, at 6 p.m. at the Ely Senior Citizen Center. Those living with cancer, caregivers, family and friends are invited to attend this gathering. Questions or comments call Mary Ann at 218 742-7488 or Shirley at 218 354-3422. The Up North Craft & Vendor Extravaganza will be held on Saturday, June 3 from 8 a.m. -2 p.m. at the Babbitt Municipal Center. This event is the same day as the Babbitt City Wide Garage Sales. If you are a crafter or vendor interested in having a table at this event, please send an email to [email protected] or call 218-827-3345.

The Ely Weavers & Fiber Arts group will meet on Monday, April 10 at 11:30 a.m. at Grand Ely Lodge. Bring projects to show, have lunch with us, share your latest ideas with have been entrusted to Kerntz us. For more info, contact Dianne Weinzierl 218-365-4383. Funeral Home. On April 13-14 at Vermilion Community College, researchers, land managers and community members will Funeral Home. gather to discuss what has been learned and what has changed in the decade since the Pagami Creek Fire burned over 92,000 acres in the BWCA east of Ely. Community members are welcome and encouraged to attend, but registration visitation and a 1 p.m. ser- is required. For more information visit z.umn.edu/pagami. vice. Food and fellowship to For Ely Memorial High School juniors and seniors, Prom follow the service. 2023 is nearly here. Juniors and seniors who attend will dance to under “A Sky Full of Stars” on Saturday, April 29. for Harvard, Rod blossomed The evening includes dinner at Insula and dancing at Ely’s academically and eventually Historic State Theater. met Jane while at the University of Minnesota pursuing The Ely-Winton Historical Society will have its annual his PhD. They were wed on meeting on June 7 at Grand Ely Lodge. Members will gather August 6, 1960 in El Dorado, at 5 p.m. Kansas, Jane’s hometown. Dr. Biltonen is survived A non-traditional lenders forum has been rescheduled by his wife of 62 years, to Friday, April 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the BoatMargaret Jane Biltonen; his house Brewhouse & Restaurant. Bankers, lenders, for-profit two sons and their spouses, business owners and entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend. Michael and Debbie of Trumansburg, N.Y. and their son, Date High Low Precip Snow Mathew; and Eric of ResLAST WEEK’S Day Mn 3/20  40 5 0 0 ton, Va. and his daughters, Tu 3/21  28 0 0 0 Brooke and Samantha. Wd 3/22  30 3 0.39 4.8

Weather Report

Becicka named deputy commissioner of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Commissioner Ida Rukavina announced Al Becicka was appointed to serve as the agency’s deputy commissioner. In his new position, Becicka will help carry out the agency’s mission of promoting and investing in business, community and workforce development for the betterment of northeastern Minnesota. Becicka previously served as the agency’s legal counsel for almost 15 years advising on matters regarding the agency’s regional investments and compliance with state laws, rules and regulations. He also worked with the agency as a loan officer for various economic and business development projects. Prior to that Becicka dedicated his expertise to serving the people of Minnesota in his roles at the Attorney General’s Office, the State Auditor’s Office and the Departments of Administration and Human Services. “Al is uniquely suited to serve as deputy commissioner. He is well respected by our staff, by community leaders and throughout the region,” said Rukavina. “He has a history with the agency which gives him thorough knowledge and a deepened perspective of the communities, industries and people we serve.”

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

Observer: International Wolf Center in Ely

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CHURCH DIRECTORY First Presbyterian Church 226 E. Harvey St., 365-5130 Rev. Corey Larsen Pastor Sunday Service: Now worshiping at 11 am in person at the church. Communion on first Sunday of every month. Coffee before and after.

Ely Gospel Church (Evangelical & Pentecostal) 9 E. Allaire St. Pastor Tim Cook, 365-5272 10:00 a.m. Sundays (also livestreamed on Facebook) 6:00 p.m. Sundays 6:00 p.m. Wednesdays -- Bible Study Praise Fellowship Praise Fellowship is now meeting at the Ely Senior Center for Sunday morning services at 10 a.m. 218235-3700 or 218-235-9541. website: praisefellowship0.wixsitecom/ praisefellowship. email address: [email protected] LedgeRock Community Church LedgeRock Community Church 1515 E Camp St 365-4890 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays Men & Woman Bible Study Life Groups Avail. Various days See us on FaceBook for Live Stream 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship LedgeRockchurch.com

Rural Living Environments travels to St. Paul

On March 28, a group from Babbitt representing Rural Living Environments (RLE) went to St. Paul to ask for Legislators to invest in services for persons with disabilities. Over 2,000 people attended and shared their stories with their legislators about programs closing in Minnesota because of the staffing crisis spurred by low compensation of direct support staff. The delegation from Babbitt included Sam Deschampe, Shawn Whithaus, Catherine Edlund, Ta’Shay Williams, Martin Vaughan, Nancy Orcutt, Collin Warnock, Tammie Elliot, Leanne Negley and Don Negley. Minnesota lost more than 200 group homes in 2022. Currently there is a large wait list for persons needing services. Every provider is struggling with a staffing crisis that has become a staffing emergency. Leanne Negley said Ru-

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2023 Precip: 2.80” Snow on ground: 24.0” 2022-23 Snow: 81.70” 2021-22 Snow: 93.4”

Berean Baptist Church (SBC) 2281 Old Hwy. 169, PO Box 149, Ely 365-5413, www.baptistchurchely.com 10:30 a.m. Worship Service Pastor Bob Dahlberg

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Commissioner Ida Rukavina and agency’s deputy commissioner Al Becicka. Becicka earned his Juris Doctor He and his wife Leah, who is an degree from University of Minnesota obstetrician/gynecologist, live in Great and is licensed to practice law in Min- Scott Township near Britt. They share nesota and Maryland. He also received four sons who are now grown and rehis Bachelor of Arts degree in Political side in the Cloquet area, Minneapolis, Science from Augsburg College, and Boston and Ogden, Utah. Becicka he has an inactive Certified Public Ac- was involved for many years with his countants license in Minnesota. sons’ youth athletics, both as a coach “I’m honored to assume this position and volunteer. The Becickas have one and will do everything I can to help the grandchild and two more due to be born commissioner, our board and our staff this spring and summer. succeed in bringing real economic deBecicka enjoys fishing and traveling velopment and growth to the region,” with his growing family. said Becicka. His official start date is April 12.

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First Lutheran Church, (LCMS) 915 E. Camp St., 365-3348, 10:30 a.m. Sundays Zachariah Burgdorf, Pastor New member classes are available by appointment. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church 715 S. Central Ave. 218-409-6870 9:30 a.m. intergenerational Sunday worship, in-person worship Oasis Int’l 10 W. Pattison St. • 10 a.m. Sunday Check Facebook page for live stream service, worship, and teaching videos. Midweek Services call Pastor Cherish Knudson, 235-1151 oasisintl.org Grace Lutheran Church, ELCA 301 E. Conan St., 365-5605. Open for in person worship (limited seating) also Facebook live services at 9:30am. On Facebook @GraceLutheranEly or online at graceinely.org Ely United Methodist Church 305 E. Camp Street, 365-3355. www.elyumc.org Worship Service 10 a.m. Sundays in person and streaming Facebook Live at Ely United Methodist Church. St. Anthony’s Catholic Church 231 E. Camp St, Ely – 365-4017 www.stanthonysely.org Daily Mass: Tues 5pm; Thurs/Fri 8am First Saturday - 9am Weekend Masses: Sat 5pm; Sun 10am St. Pius X - Babbitt Daily Mass - Wed 8 am. Sun Mass 8 am

email: [email protected] Member of:

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15 E. Chapman St. Ely, MN 55731

Ph: 218/365-3141 1-800-492-3555 FAX: 218/365-3142

PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID IN ELY, MN. Published every Copyrighted ©2023 in its entirety Saturday, 52 weeks. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Ely Echo, 15 Publisher: Nick Wognum E. Chapman St., Ely, MN 55731

Rep. Roger Skraba (R-Ely) met with a group from Babbitt representing Rural Living Environments on March 28. ral Living Environments has been forced to reduce services in recent years due the inability to attract and retain staff. Since 2020, RLE has lost over 45 employees. The Rate Framework the state uses to compensate providers sets the wage for direct support staff. “The framework for 2023 uses wage calculations that are three years old, are

grossly uncompetitive, and do not acknowledge the challenging work staff provide,” said Leanne Negley At the Rally in the Rotunda, Sam Deschampe had the thrill to meet Governor Tim Walz. “Another highlight of the day was meeting with Rep. Roger Skraba and having him appreciate the stories that were shared,” said Le-

anne Negley. “We felt so fortunate to have a Representative from our area committed to supporting services for persons with disabilities.” Senator Grant Hauschild also met with the group and pledged his support to fighting for better compensation for disability services.

Editor: Tom Coombe 1st Officer: Lisa M. Vidal General Mgr.: Cam Weisert Bookkeeper: Ann Johnson Reporters: Parker Loew, Nancy McReady Advertising: Terri Pylka Columnists Pam Roberts, Trout Whisperer, Diana Mavetz-Petrich, David Kess

Vol. 52, No. 14 April 8, 2023 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS 1 YEAR

St. Louis County, MN $48 Other Minnesota $60 Other USA $76 Emailed Echo - pdf $35 Print + Email add $10

SIGN ME UP FOR THE ECHO: Name _______________________________ Address _____________________________ ____________________________________ Check $ ______ Call for credit card payment Mail Subscriptions 1 Year St. Louis County $48 Emailed Echo PDF $35 Other Minnesota $60 Print + Email add $10 Other USA, not MN $76 Sr. Citizens $2 off full yr. Call 218-365-3141 for credit card payment

THE ELY

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SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

Operation Round Up gives more than $54,000 to community programs Through the contributions of Lake Country Power’s participating members, the Operation Round Up Electric Trust Board recently approved $54,300 in assistance to local community programs during its quarterly meeting. The cooperative’s Trust Board reviewed and considered 51 grant applications and distributed funds to 43 projects and programs this past quarter. All funds generated through Operation Round Up are set aside in a trust fund. A voluntary Trust Board of nine co-op members administers the trust. Of the funds collected through the program, 100 percent is distributed to charitable organizations through an application and selection process. The Trust Board uses special guidelines and policies when choosing recipients. • Tower-Soudan Historical Society: $1,000 toward chairs and tables for coach train car #81 • First Lutheran Church

Operation Round Up recipients are pictured at Lake Country Power’s service center in Mountain Iron. Ely/Mission quilts: $500 toward mission quilts • Vermilion Community College: $1,000 toward the Vermilion campus food pantry • Embarrass Region Fair Association: $1,000 toward purchasing items for community events • Project Care Free Clinic: $2,500 toward free basic healthcare for uninsured and underinsured • Well Being Development/Northern Lights Clubhouse: $1,000 toward pro-

grams for people with mental and behavioral health illness Operation Round Up is a charitable program unique to electric co-ops, which is designed to provide financial assistance to worthwhile activities and community projects by “rounding up” members’ electric bills to the nearest dollar. The average donation of each participating Lake Country Power member is less than $6 annually. Among Lake Country Power’s 43,000 members,

67% of all active electric accounts participate in the program through voluntary contributions. Interested members can opt into the Operation Round Up program by calling the cooperative at 800-421-9959 or using an online form at lakecountrypower.coop. Applications are available online at www.lakecountrypower.coop (My Cooperative > Community > Operation Round Up). The next application deadline is May 15.

LINDSEY KEEN AGENCY Open 9-5 Mon.-Fri. 35 E Chapman St., Ely Providing Insurance and Financial Services www.lindseykeen.com

• Home • Auto • Recreation Vehicles • Life & Disablilty Insurance Call for free quote

218.365.5104 America’s

Ely’s DeBeltz named president of United Way of NE MN United Way of Northeastern Minnesota announced Dean DeBeltz of Ely as its new president at the organization’s annual Campaign Celebration March 31. The event marked the end of UWNEMN’s fiscal year, and donors, volunteers, and partner agencies gathered to celebrate the results of the 2022 campaign which raised more than $2 million. UWNEMN fundraises throughout the year primarily via workplace campaigns and events to support nonprofits and its own direct service programs throughout the Iron Range, Koochiching County and Lake of the Woods County. Chrissy Bartovich, Alicia Dick, Jennie Hipple, Jaime Johnson, and Nikki Skifstad joined this year’s UWNEMN board of directors. Returning board members include: Dianne Buhrow, Chad Buus, Eric Clement, DeBeltz, Jennifer Ford, Jack

LUKE RIENDEAU, Sales Manager [email protected]

• •

• • •

Furlong, LaTisha Gietzen, Matt Hiti, Paul Janssen, Breanne Katrin, Ashley Kjenaas, April Klander, Marci Knight, Dan Kotnik, Stacy Kuusinen, Frank LaMusga, Julie Lucas, Jeannie Nobens, Mike Norton, Robb Peterson, Nick Renollet, Laura Rosier, Greg Schulzetenberg, Samantha Silcox and Jim Skalski. DeBeltz said in his tenure he hopes to deepen UWNEMN’s impact in the eastern part of the organization’s service area in communities like Aurora, Biwabik, Bois Forte, Ely, Hoyt La kes and Tower. While UWNEMN has accomplished much in recent years, there is still work to be done this year, he noted. “We’ve muscled through a pandemic, yet financial pressures such as inflation and the high cost of consumer goods will continue to challenge those most in need of our help,” he said.

#1606208 NMLS

Canoe Trip Outfitter

NOW HIRING!

The North American Bear Center has a great job opportunity for individuals looking to work in an exciting environment! We are searching for people with a positive attitude, who have experience working with the public, to fill our Sales Associate Positions for our 2023 season. Hours will include week days and some weekends between 9am6pm. Valid driver’s license is a must, along with the ability to pass a background check. If you are interested in applying for this position, stop by the North American Bear Center (located just 1 mile west of Ely off HWY 169) to pick up an application Mon-Fri between the hours of 9am-2pm or email your resume to [email protected]

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for the summer for our outfitting department, full or part time. Call Dan @ CANADIAN WATERS to schedule an interview or receive an application. 218-365-3202.

218-741-9411 | Virginia, MN toll free: 1-855-WASCHKE

If you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2023 they are eligible to enter Kindergarten next fall. You are invited to attend Parent Information and Registration Night on Wednesday, April 19th from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Washington Auditorium. This informational session is a chance for parents to ask questions and start the registration process. If your child is not enrolled in a pre-school program, please contact the elementary office at 365-6166, ext. 4. We look forward to creating a positive transition to kindergarten for your child! Feel free to contact us if you have any questions – 218-365-6166, ext. 4.

We’re stronger, thanks to Dr. Evans. We’re committed to an outstanding Patient experience. The surest way to deliver that is by partnering with the best people. EBCH is excited to welcome Dr. Katie Evans of Range Foot and Ankle to our Team and add Podiatry to the growing list of Specialty Services offered at EBCH. For more information about the services offered by Dr. Evans call us at 218-365-8793. We’re working to make our community a better, healthier place to live. www.ebch.org

DR. EVANS WILL BE AT EBCH ON APRIL 11 & 25

328 W. Conan St. Ely, MN 55731 218-365-3271

10/17/2019 2:45:05 PM

THE ELY

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SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

Ely Echo Editorial Governor’s visit to Ely a welcome one, but it’s still political in nature Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz made a last minute trip to Ely this past week, visiting both the school district and the community college. And while he pushed for education funding, he did so in a partisan manner. Walz was joined by his IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina and Sen. Grant Hauschild as he made his way around town. Another Democrat, St. Louis County Commissioner Paul McDonald was also on hand. It was obvious who wasn’t on the invite list at the publicly announced school visit, any Republicans. For the first time in decades Ely is home to a state legislator. Roger Skraba was elected as a Republican, beating our Democrat Rob Ecklund. But Skraba wasn’t part of the welcoming party, nor were any other Republicans from the north country. And we shouldn’t be surprised. This is politics pure and simple. You work

with, meet with and have your photos taken with people from your own political party. Reaching across the aisle is nearly extinct these days. We’ve seen this in St. Paul since day one of the current legislative session. With the Democrats controlling the governor’s office, House and by one vote the Senate, it’s been called the trifecta and there’s not much room for anyone else. So while we appreciate Walz taking time out of his schedule for his first trip to Ely (at least publicly), we note he did so politically. But at least now when Ely is being discussed in St. Paul Walz will be able to harken back to his visit here on a snowy day in April of ‘23. Let’s hope that pays off for us in this session. Ely stands to benefit from several bills under consideration. This visit may help them get Walz’s signature.

…MAGA Republicans in office today supported, schemed and lied for him

Dear Editor: As Americans, we deserve leaders who follow the law, act honorably in our interests and govern in our name. A Grand Jury of everyday Americans across race, background and party in New York City has indicted the former MAGA President for bribes and corruption, weighing the evidence and deciding he must stand trial. This was the decision of everyday Americans who did their civic duty and served

on the Grand Jury. Yet the MAGA Republicans in office today supported, schemed and lied for him, and now want to undermine and overturn our entire legal system to keep covering up for him. These MAGA Republicans knowingly back this con-man because they want to take away everything from Social Security and Medicare to our freedom to decide what happens to our own bodies-- in order to help their wealthy donors by low-

ering taxes for them, rather Indivisible than doing what’s right for Betty Firth, Ely everyday Americans. Linda Wiedmann, Ely It’s long past time for Bill Erzar, Ely every Republican in office Nancy Powers, Ely to declare they are with the Lindsay Lang, Ely Frederica Musgrave, Ely American people in demandDeborah Kleese, Ely ing he and his co-conspirDavid Listenberger, Ely ators stand trial. No one is above the law. Lawbreakers Lynn & Erik Evenson, Ely MUST be held accountable. Frank Sherman, Eagle’s And if the MAGA Republi- Nest cans do not commit to standVal Myntti, Eagle’s Nest ing with us, then we will vote Sheryl Casey, Eagle’s Nest them out. Janine Patten, Babbitt Northern Progressives/

…China is filling the void…with 26 countries no longer trading in U.S. dollars

Dear Readers, Here we go again with more ‘get Trump’ mania. Two absurd impeachment attempts, Russia collusion hoax, phony January 6th show trial, FBI Mar-a-Lago raid, and years of injudicious ‘get Trump’ is a distraction from real issues facing this country. What is normal about men in girl’s locker rooms, biological men in women’s sports, nominating biological trans gender men for women’s honors, drag shows for children, trans gendering kids behind parent’s backs, racist CRT indoctrination of children, flying gay pride flag at US embassies, or weaponizing federal agencies against parents and political opponents,

all by Democrats? Biden’s cabinet and appointees have been weeks of distraction as they squirmed and feigned ignorance under Congressional scrutiny for nefarious, immoral, and stupid things they have done. Sec of Interior Haaland was a classic dumb act or is she that ignorant of China’s dominance over the US on critical mineral needs for our security and prosperity? Mayorkas is a phenomenal lair and deflector about his failures. Mayor Pete, VP Harris, Treasury Sec Yellen, Fed Chair Powell, DOD Sec Austin, DOE Sec Granholm, and DOJ Garland are all failing on multiple levels. The Afghan disaster emboldened Putin and Biden’s

sanctions on Russia was a complete failure. China is filling the void worldwide with 26 countries no longer trading in U.S. dollars. Democrat power drunk spending spree caused inflation and has devalued the US dollar with anemic stock market valuation at 4.2% in two years. National debt is now 128% of the GDP and bank failures are Democrat policy driven. Our military is under manned, underfunded, under trained and under equipped. This is a prime presidential responsibility. Newly formed China/Russia/Iran axis of evil collaborating while ISIS is back to strength and ready to attack the U.S. again. China just brokered a truce between Saudi Arabia

and Iran. The Saudi’s decided to cut oil production by another 1MM barrels/ day. Biden already unjustly burned through the National Strategy Oil Reserve to cover inflation and killing energy production, and did not refill while he had the chance, leaving the U.S. vulnerable. Why was the Chinese spy balloon incident mismanaged? Why has that story changed so many times? Probably because they lied in the first place. Biden is selling out U.S. independence and sovereignty to NATO and WHO. Wake up voters, we deserve better than Biden and Democrat rule!! Mike Banovetz Ely MN

…so the county starts out by telling this poor devil he better put in a new system, or else…they don’t help him accomplish this; just figure it out!

Letter to the Editor Everyone wants to be a superstar. The sage advice of one of these was simply, “If you put in as much time and work is as I have, you could be too.” I recalled this last week at a St. Louis County Board hearing where they considered changes to their Septic Ordinance. Several changes pushed by Commissioner Nelson actually made sense, and I commended the Board for them. Replacing just a faulty component instead of the whole system was a no-brainer, and having the Septic Department approve most variances, rather than the expensive and time-consuming rigmarole with the Board of Adjustment, was also an improvement. One change, however, of more requirements for homeowner installations, I raised objections to. Currently, homeowners can install their own system if they have access to the equipment needed. This, of course, can save them a pile of money, over hiring a contractor. With systems running 20 to 30, even $40,000 in some cases, this is no small deal. A designer still has to draw up a plan; the homeowner simply follows this blueprint. The rub with this now is that the sewer squad complains that it takes too much staff time to check on these installations that they are done right, so they want these homeowners to go to sewer school first. I questioned, shouldn’t this be the JOB of the septic department to be checking on this activity? If all they’re going to do is sit in the office, fill out some forms and poke

at their computers, maybe we don’t really need them. Other trades, construction, road jobs, etc. have inspectors on-site continuously, to ensure everything goes smoothly. Yes, there are some technical points to be noted, but this isn’t rocket science. Do you need a diploma from Dunwoody just to build a garden shed? Puzzling too, is the cavalier attitude of officials how everyone is supposed to be able to afford these golden monstrosities. Interestingly, a recent analysis by the Franklin News Foundation identified our town of Aurora as the ‘poorest town in Minnesota,’ with citizens’ mean income of $32,207, and other area communities likely in the same boat. What about families who only make $20,000 or $10,000 … and this is for food, housing, clothes, heat, medical, school, transportation - EVERYTHING! And they want this bedraggled chap to put in a $20 or $30,000 system? Have these jokers lost their marbles? So the county starts out by telling this poor devil he better put in a new system, or else… They don’t help him accomplish this; just figure it out! On any other planet this is called an unfunded mandate. So this guy with four kids, house payments, a 30 year old car he’s limping along and a budget tighter than a fiddle string, now thinks he can save some cash by installing this system himself. Not so fast though, now he has to go to sewer school first. And he gets to pay for that, too. Perfect. Another unfunded mandate! No big deal though, we’re

told…it’s only a couple days and $200 - $300. That is until you start looking into it. One class turns into two classes- five days long- and the $200 - $300 now has grown to $800 - $900; with the homeowner missing five days of work, add another $1,000. If he ends up taking these classes at St. Cloud or Mankato, you can also throw in another $1,000 for hotel, meals and travel. My, how fast $200 - $300 has grown to $2,000 - $3,000! But, heck, the Septic Lieutenants were only off by a factor of 10! It begs the question, I wonder if they would allow YOU that much leeway if your system wasn’t quite up to snuff? I questioned what sense does the ‘hands-off’ policy of these inspectors make? Wouldn’t it be better to share some of their expertise with these homeowners to help them succeed, rather than just condemn them when they fail? Answer; bad idea. Well, maybe only one class could be required, and the other one waived. Commissioner McDonald pressed the point - could the department guarantee that only one class be needed? Answer; mumbling. Why not then, I offered, doesn’t St. Louis County provide this class; after all, they could zero in on problems specific to the geology and soils right here. This would be perfect, and the county could be a partner, working WITH citizens for our common goal of clean water! This idea fizzled too, and the County Board finally passed these changes without any adjustments. It is curious that this county revels in its authority to

mandate, to order and condemn, but completely abdicates its responsibility to participate in this operation. It’s up to the citizens, contractors, designers - anybody but the county - to ensure clean water! Authority without responsibility is a disjointed albatross out of sync with reality. Notice a recent example. Give a fellow a badge and gun and you have a cop with authority. Now add responsibility to this and you have a powerful force for good. Look at the officers - heroes all - who stormed the school in Nashville and took down the deranged shooter. Truly, these are the finest this country has to offer. Subtract responsibility from this equation, and you have a George Floyd fiasco. Quite a difference. After I made my presentation, two members of the audience, on the record, offered their thanks and stated they agreed with all my points. Later, another lady told me the same. It would be enlightening to know how many others think the county should be an active participant and stop shirking their responsibility for clean water, off to the citizens. If you agree with this premise, contact our County Commissioners. Write, call, email them or grab ‘em on the street. Or simply send them this column. They’ll get the picture. They enjoy the power, but vanish when the work begins. If St. Louis County wants the glory, then don’t lay the expense and work on us. Jim Hofsommer Colvin Township

Letters to the Editor …the upcoming drag event in Ely is a grooming event Dear Editor: Are drag shows harmless? The Bible tells us that God made man in His own image. We are told that image involved making man both male and female (Genesis 1:27). The ideology of drag is an assault upon the image of God in man. Drag is an anti-God ideology that is seeking to corrupt the glory of being a female. Womanhood is being mocked by men dressed up like female prostitutes and grotesquely parading themselves in front of children. Drag is an assault upon the glory of womanhood by mocking them with an oversexualized, perverted performance by men. It is really “blackface” for women. We rightly understand that blackface has been used to mock people of color, why do we not see that drag is a similar mocking of women by men? W hat de c ent woma n wears what drag queens wear and struts around in sexually perverted ways in public and in front of children? Who does that? The ultimate end of drag ideology is the sexual grooming of children. You have a man dressed as a freaky prostitute being sexually gross in front of children and even calling them to participate in the event? In what universe is that not sexually grooming children? The final goal of drag is to come for your children in a sexually perverted manner. The upcoming drag event in Ely is a grooming event. Someone has rightly labeled drag queens as “Groomer Clowns.” They are perverted men clowning as women in order to sexually groom children. Why is there no Amish drag? Why do men not dress up like Amish women? The answer is these men are looking to sexualize women and children in a manner that Dear Editor: the modest dress of Amish In conclusion we feel if women would not permit. we abide by visitation limits Also why is there no female version of drag? Why are there not drag kings? Why are women not dressing up as men in some sexually perverted way and in front

of children? Part of the answer is that drag queens are a unique way in which men are seeking to destroy true womanhood. Drag queens are men who hate women and mock the sexuality of women in a way that a woman cannot do in return. The insanity of this is that many women attend drag shows, even with their children. Why do these women hate themselves so much? But thankfully there are many women who are wise to the evil of drag. They understand that if allowed to continue it is the end of womanhood, and they realize that these ideologies are also coming for our children. The end game of it all is to destroy men and women and abuse children. What is the answer? We must acknowledge the creational norms by which God has made us male and female. Both men and women uniquely and gloriously display the image of God. We must see that a rejection of our maleness or femaleness is an assault upon that image. The answer is repentance and faith in Christ to forgive this rebellion. His forgiveness comes by his death for sin. The answer is to acknowledge that these sins can be forgiven in Christ whose death is sufficient for every sin. His mercies are wide, and no one is outside of His power to save. Our nation has embraced its own death in sexually corrupt ideologies, but God yet offers grace and hope to rescue us from our own destruction. The Gospel is the only answer to man’s rebellion. We must look to Christ to pay for our sin with His death and to give to us His perfect righteousness- all by faith alone. Our culture is at a crossroads between life and death. One way is to follow these ideologies and die under the consequences of rejecting which will include hiking, God. The other will be to canoeing and camping in turn in repentance and faith the BWC and look to Christ. Which way western man and woman? Bob Dalberg Ely, MN

…applies to you and the do nothing Republican cowards Letter to Editor: It’s become obvious that Mike Banovetz has a little trouble getting off the blame game and onto something constructive. He finds it ‘hilarious’ to ask Republicans to solve the problems he perceives the Democrats made. That the Democrats must do that themselves. Doesn’t sound like there is any use for Republicans if that’s the case. T here is nothing the Republicans are doing for America and the American people. Their sole purpose

is to sit on their fat collective behinds and snivel, whine, cry, and blame, like Trump, and you, Mike. Nothing but whining and crying. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that you could fill several issues of the Echo with your piffle. Have you ever heard the saying, “if you’re not part of the solution you’re part of the problem?” That applies to you and the do nothing Republican cowards. R. C. Sjolander Cook, MN

Write a letter to the editor, sign your name, include your phone number. Send it to: Ely Echo, 15 East Chapman St., Ely MN 55731 or email to: [email protected]. The Echo reserves the right to edit.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

Edberg speaks emergency preparedness for small organizations

by Parker Loew Jess Edberg from the Dorothy Molter Museum spoke with the Tuesday Group last week about emergency preparedness and why is it so important in Ely. On top of working at the Dorothy Molter Museum, Edberg is a member of a newly formed group called the Minnesota Alliance for Heritage Responders (MN-AHR). The goal of the MN-AHR is to be a statewide network of museums, archives, libraries, performing arts organizations, historic preservation groups, and emergency responders dedicated to preparing for and responding to disasters affecting collections and historic properties. The Dorothy Molter Museum is currently the only organization represented by the MN-AHR. “I am here to spread the word about what this is, what we do, why it’s important, and why you should care or be involved,” Edberg said. Edberg said emergency preparedness is especially important in Ely because of how small of a community we are. “We have very small organizations,” Edberg said. “And I don’t mean small by impact, just physically small compared to others like the St. Louis County Historical Society.” She said they have minimal staffing and a modest budget which they stick close to which can result in a high risk-to-cost ratio if they experience some kind of disaster. “With that, it’s really important for small organizations to look forward and plan,” Edberg said. “In the last 10 years we’ve leaped forward in emergency planning,” Edberg said. “Historically back in the late 90s the amount of small historical organizations that

had an emergency plan was around 10%. Now it’s 42%.” The goal of the MN-AHR is for every small organization to have an emergency plan in place. “In a disaster emergency response, ideally you are working off your emergency plan where you have taken into consideration what the specific things you would need to do if you get fire damage, water damage, mold damage, etc.” An emergency plan includes a few things. “If we have a wildfire creeping up behind us, as we have had recently, we have a list of people who can come and move specific boxes,” Edberg said. “Start taking some time to pencil in your emergency plan.” Edberg said how you want to get the plan in place, then get supplies to implement your plan, and then be vigilant. The goal you should aim for is mitigation and prevention. One important asset in emergencies is having an emergency kit on hand. “In the kit could be things like an N95 mask, a respirator for fires, absorbent pads, soot sponge, and fire blankets,” Edberg said. “The more kits we have in our communities, the more organizations we can help.” Another important asset is an insurance plan covering all the necessary potential losses. “The purpose of me being here today was to get you thinking about what you are going to do and how you’re going to do it if a disaster was to happen,” Edberg said. If you would like more information or resources on how to prepare for potential disasters, visit www. allianceforresponsemn.org.

Jess Edberg from the Dorothy Molter Museum spoke with the Tuesday Group last week.

Hook and Bullet Club by Nick Wognum

Earlier this winter (it’s still winter no matter what the calendar says), Dave “Otto” Merhar asked if I would be interested in going to the Minnesota State High School hockey tournaments. The answer was definitely yes. There is something almost mystical about the state tournament in Minnesota. It’s the most watched and best attended due to the high level of talent in the state. NHL scouts are on hand and tickets are tough to come by as the weekend builds to the big championship games. We drove down on Thursday so we could catch the games on Friday and Saturday. Otto kept me entertained the whole way down, reeling off story after story from his past. Merhar is one of the top hockey players to come out of Ely. In 2019, he was honored in his hometown, as “Dave Merhar Night” was celebrated at the Ely Arena. A 1965 Ely High School graduate, Merhar was recruited to West Point and was one of college hockey’s most decorated players in the late-1960s. Merhar set a single-season standard with 57 goals in his senior campaign of 1968-69, and he added 50 assists the same year to become the second by Dorothy Rosby

collegian ever to get 100 points in a season. He also had a fascinating military career from his time in Vietnam to living and raising a family in Germany to becoming a lieutenant colonel and working as an assistant to Alexander Haig. If you ever get the chance, have Dave tell you the story of meeting Margaret Thatcher. We checked in at the Holiday Inn across the street from the Xcel Energy Center. This way we could walk to the games and not have to worry about driving, parking or any of those fun things in a big city. We used Uber to get to Mancini’s for dinner on Friday night. This was a real treat as Otto had invited an old friend who flew in from California for the tournament. He was also celebrating 60 years since he played in the state hockey tournament. The best part of the dinner was the four Ely high school students Dave had invited to join us. Kohner Baltich, Drew Mayolt, Ty Walker and Tommy Homer. The boys were fun to listen to as they talked about the tournament, high school and future plans.

As Dave said afterward, their whole future is in front of them and who knows what lies in store for each one. We were able to get access to a handicapped section at the arena where the views were just great for watching the games. I had been there a few months before when Ely played in the state volleyball tourney, but this was a whole other level as far as atmosphere. For one, the place was packed for the AA games. The big schools filled the seats on all levels and the student cheering sections were fun to listen to. “Daddy’s money,” was one of the chants heard from Minnetonka when they played Edina. Gotta love the shots at the cake eaters. We were able to watch Hermantown try to get back to the championship game as Section 7’s representative in Class A. But Mahtomedi got by them 3-2 and then held off Warroad in the championship game 3-1. We came home on Sunday after a very enjoyable weekend in St. Paul. Thanks to Otto for the memories.

INBETWEEN games at the Xcel Energy Center, Paul McDonald, Dave Merhar and Nick Wognum got a chance to visit and talk hockey with a bit of politics mixed in at the Minnesota State High School hockey tournament.

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This is Your Brain on Fake News

I just finished reading How to Build a Healthy Brain. I’ve always wanted one of those. Not surprisingly, there was a lot of information about the importance of sleep, nutrition and exercise for brain health. The author Kimberley Wilson also discussed the hazards of social media and technology. Excuse me while I take this call. Kidding. I was surprised by the section on the effects of fake news on health though. Wilson quoted a study from Manchester Metropolitan University that found people who had “low information discernment” had a “flawed response to threat.” That causes stress which harms mental and physical health. She didn’t say so, but I think “low information discernment” is a polite way to say you’ll believe almost anything. For example, maybe you heard the urban legend that every year we swallow an average of eight spiders while we sleep. It’s not true but you can see why someone with low information discernment might have a flawed response upon hearing it. They’d probably never sleep again which would definitely be bad for their brain. Someone with high information discernment wouldn’t fall for it and if they had any doubts, they’d do some research before they started taping their mouth shut every night. To test your information discernment, take this quiz which I based

loosely on Wilson’s critical thinking guidelines—very loosely. 1) We’re more likely to believe people we like or think are similar to us—whether they know what they’re talking about or not. With that in mind, who do you believe when it comes to the importance of exercise, your neighbor Oscar who drives across the street when he visits you or Mayo Clinic? A) Mayo what? B) Oscar. I drive across the street to see him too. C) Mayo Clinic. Oscar thinks aliens stole the tomatoes out of his garden last summer. That was me. 2) People with low information discernment sometimes confuse fact and opinion. If someone on your favorite news show says coffee is better with cream and sugar in it, do you think it’s true? A) Who cares? I agree. B) He’s a rich, well-dressed political pundit. Everything he says is fact. C) I’m a tea drinker. 3) The volume and frequency someone speaks on a subject has no correlation with their level of expertise. Would you let your mechanic take out your appendix? A) Sure. I trust him completely. Actually he delivered my baby. B) No. I’d go to my dentist for that. C) My appendix is fine. It stays where it is. 4) Consider the motivation of the person making the claim. With that in mind, why do you think Candidate Carol is spreading the story that her opponent was suspended from

second grade? A) The public has a right to know. B) I don’t care. I love a good scandal. C) She’s trying to draw attention away from the fact that she’s embezzling from her children’s 4-H club. 5) Consider the evidence. Do you believe Celebrity Cecil when he says, without proof, that eating corn chips will make you look 15 years younger? A) That face is the only evidence I need. B) He posted it on Facebook, so it has to be true. C) I don’t even believe everything I say. 6) Movie Star Mavis says pepperoni pizza beats sausage and if you’re smart, honest and good looking, you know it. Which do you prefer? A) I’m smart, honest and good looking so I prefer pepperoni—I guess. B) I’m smart and honest but not good looking. Maybe pepperoni will help. C) I’ll take a slice of each. Now tally your scores. If you answered with C’s, congratulations on your healthy brain—and appendix. But if you answered with A’s and Bs, those who are smart, honest and good looking agree you should read How to Build a Healthy Brain. Dorothy Rosby is the author of ’Tis the Season to Feel Inadequate; Holidays, Special Occasions and Other Times Our Celebrations Get Out of Hand and other books. Contact her at www.dorothyrosby.com/contact.

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ELY ECHO

Section 1

THE ELY

ECHO/Page 8

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

CELEBRATING Easter at the Ely Senior Center were the mother-daughter team EASTER BONNET event participants Rose Wickman, Sue Leino and Candi Herberg of Ann Johnson, Theresa Jamnick and Theresa Harris. at the Ely Senior Center last Saturday.

Ethan and Elyia Perkins hold up some Easter candy they picked up at the Ely Senior Easter Bonnet event emcee Mike Pope with Gianna Dunnom at the Ely Senior Center Easter Bonnet event last Saturday. Photos by Linda Maki. Center last weekend.

SENIOR CENTER Easter Bonnet event was held last Saturday with Mike Pope serving as the emcee. Gift cards were donated to the prizes by Zup’s, Ely Liquor and Crapola.Pictured are Sheryl Siebenborn, Judy Bonderson, Sue Leino, Nancy McReady, Candi Herberg, Linda Maki, Vicki Wagner, Theresa Harris, Theresa Jamnick, Ann Johnson, Nancy Rozman, Terri Muhvich, Virginia Ivancich, Becky Ewinski, Joan Luhta and Rose Wickman.

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THE ELY

Section 1

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SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

Fall Lake board reorganizes for 2023

by Nancy McReady Many reorganizational issues usually addressed at Fall Lake Township annual meetings haven’t been discussed for the past 10 years. New Fall Lake Township clerk, Cheri DeBeltz, learned much in her Minnesota Township Association training and from talking with clerks at other townships. The following was discussed for Fall Lake Township reorganization purposes. • Designated the Ely Echo as the township’s official newspaper and Frandsen Bank as its official depository. • Addressing labor wages has been discussed at various meetings. The wage per hour for office cleaning, transfer site attendant, annual meeting moderator, and deputy clerk remains the same, at $20 per hour. Election judges’ wages will increase from $11 per hour to $15 per hour. All supervisor, treasurer and clerk wages will remain as they have been. • Also discussed was reimbursement for township officers attending extra full board meetings. The three designated posting locations remain at the town hall, fire hall, transfer site and the Ely Echo. • Mileage reimbursement, as regulated by the IRS is $.655 per mile. Positions and commit-

Printing Publishing Faxing Designing Copying

tees for supervisors are as follows: • Eric Hart was named Chair of the board of supervisors. • Rod Gruba and Don Stocks will be on the Ely Area Ambulance Board and the Ely Area Lodging Tax Board. • Gruba will remain on the Ely Area Joint Powers Board. • Hart and Seliskar will be on RAMS, Township Roads Maintenance and transfer site • All supervisors – Hart, Seliskar and Gruba will be on township building and grounds maintenance. There was discussion about changing the meeting day. “When I was hired as clerk,” said DeBeltz. “I was told the board would work around my swimming coaching schedule.” DeBeltz proposed changing the township meeting to Wednesdays for September, October and November as she would miss the Tuesday meetings. Hart added that he also would miss those meetings due to his daughter’s swim meets. Gruba said DeBeltz would still get paid for prepping for meetings and deputy clerk Emily Seliskar could do the meeting. He was opposed to changing the meeting day for the whole year as another option. “Tuesday is government day,” said Gruba. “We can

make changes as needed and post the change of the meeting 10 days before the date.” Hart and Seliskar agreed with Gruba, which ended the reorganizational portion of the meeting. Dean Barrett said the transfer site has been busy and he is running low on small bags. Seliskar will order 10 packages of small bags. There was discussion about payment for SCBA breathing equipment to be purchased by the Morse/Fall Lake Fire Department. Each township will pay $41,009.50 and work out quarterly reimbursements from the fire department to the townships. DeBeltz said there was a need for new handicap parking signs. Stocks will place an order for two signs. Seliskar suggested making the road inspection date May 1. DeBeltz said she would like to join the supervisors to familiarize herself with township roads. Supervisors Hart and Seliskar, along with DeBeltz and deputy clerk Emily Seliskar, will attend the Minnesota Township Association Spring Course in Duluth on Friday, April 7. James Devine asked the board for permission to have a well drilling company on Sunset Road before the road restrictions are lifted. Gruba

Attorney Kelly Klun will walk you through the basics of establishing a Will, Trust, and other legal forms.

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said the road is still frozen. Any damage caused to the road or culvert would be covered by the company. The board approved this request. In correspondence: • Received information from CTC about better internet. • Received a legislative update from Minnesota Township Association for additional transportation funding for townships. • Received information from MPCA for grants for climate change. • Received a thank you from Marlene Skube and her daughter Brenda for flowers. • Received a request for funds for Ely Little League. $250 was approved. • Received a bid from Lakeside Services for lawn service. The township will continue with Lakeside Services for lawn services. Even though no bid was received from Jeff Schulze for snowplowing, the township will continue with Schulze. • Several land use applications were received. • The next Morse/Fall Lake Fire Department meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 19 at 6 p.m. at the Morse Town Hall. • The next meeting will be held on May 2 at 6 p.m. • Local Board of Appeal will be held on May 23 at 1 p.m.

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EOE/Minorities/Female/Vet/Disabled

Section 1

THE ELY

ECHO/Page 10

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

READING to Ely Head Start students were Gov. Tim Walz (D) and Sen. Grant Hauschild (D-Hermantown) on Thursday morning.

CLASSROOM TIME - Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was joined by IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina in visiting Megan Wognum’s second grade class on Thursday. Photos by Parker Loew.

Ely school teacher Gabe Johnson shakes hands with Sen. Grant Hauschild as Gov. Tim Walz looks on Thursday morning at Washington Elementary.

Clarinet musician Kylee Zobitz at Tuesday’s concert.

JUNIOR HIGH band members perform on stage at Washington Auditorium on Tuesday night.

Juliet Stouffer playing the oboe at the Ely high school band concert. Photos by Eric Sherman. Anna Larson and Chambriel Ridings were part of the senior high band at Tuesday’s concert.

Playing the French horn at the high school band concert Silas Solum and Matthew Johnson were part of the band on stage in Washington Auditorium on Tuesday. was Nate LaFond.

THE ELY

Section 1

ECHO/Page 11

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

Carefree Living is honored to both serve and be located within the following northern Minnesota communities:

Aurora, Babbitt, Buhl, Cook, Ely, Orr, Silver Bay, and Virginia.

We are currently accepting referrals to welcome new residents into our assisted living facilities. More information at: www.spectrumhealthcos.com We are now offering a $500 hiring bonus as we seek applicants for all types of positions and shifts at each of our locations. To learn more, connect with our recruitment specialists at: [email protected] OR [email protected]

ELY’S RIFLE AND PISTOL CLUB on April 17, 1948 has been identified. Thanks to everyone who called, emailed or stopped in. Tom Lenich had a framed copy of the photo with the names included. They are in the back row: Tony Godec, John Labernick, Frank Pucel, Joe Klemensich, Art Jerich, Joe Bubach, Louis Benko and in the front: Joe Garni, Tony Klemensich, Mike Klobuchar, Joe Mistek and Steve Paun. Thanks to Seraphine Rolando for bringing in the photo to start with. Mystery solved!

Ely Community Health receives award from St. Louis County Board

Just as the work of Public Health covers a wide variety of health topics, so do the winners of this year’s St. Louis County Public Health Achievement Awards. The St. Louis County Board, during its meeting today in Duluth, recognized three groups and one individual for their work to improve health in our region. Honorees this year include the Ely Community Health Center, Rural AIDS Action Network (RAAN), First Ladies of the Hillside, and Duluth City Councilor Terese Tomanek, T he Ely Com mu n it y Health Center increases access to health care for hundreds of people each year, improving the health of the community. Services include management of chronic illness, treatment for minor injuries, medication management, blood pressure clinics at the Senior Center, a Dental Innovation Program, referrals, and MnSure Navigation Services. The Rural AIDS Action Network (RAAN) works countywide to reduce disease transmission and prevent new HIV and Hepatitis C infections. This is of vital importance as St. Louis County is a declared outbreak area for HIV. RAAN provides syringe services, free and confidential testing, and support and resources related to medical care for those who test positive. The First Ladies of the Hillside provide creative, collaborative, local solutions to a Duluth neighborhood of high need, in line with CDC Social Determinants of Health strategies. Their services include Food Forward, delivering prepared meals to residents at no cost. They connect local food and social service systems together and

Send an email to [email protected] or call/text Jeanne Tomlinson at 218-235-8470 to get the registration/permission form.

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Printing Services for You! Public Health and Human Services Director Linnea Mirsch, Peggy Stolley and Helen Tome from the Ely Community Health Center, and Commissioner Paul McDonald. learning skills that empower future career opportunities. Additional initiatives include Cleaning the Hillside, art displays, an Alloparenting program, Coffee in the Hillside, and various others. Duluth City Councilor Terese Tomanek is a strong advocate for public health. During the pandemic, she led the work to co-sponsor a mask mandate for the city of Duluth and pushing for smart COVID strategies throughout the subsequent waves of the pandemic utilizing strategies available. The resulting mitigation measures helped protect residents, essential workers, visitors and businesses in Duluth and St. Louis County. T he P ublic Health Achievement Awards are given out as part of National Public Health Week, which is the first full week of April each year. St. Louis County presents these annual

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awards as a way to highlight the broad role of its Public Health staff, and the importance of the many partners they work with to improve the health of both individuals and larger groups as they seek to create community- or system-wide change. “Partnership is the fabric of Public Health,” said Linnea Mirsch, director of Public Health and Human Services for St. Louis County. “So it is fitting this week that we honor our staff and our partners.” The role of Public Health is continually changing as they identify needs and work to help both individuals oneon-one, and larger groups to create community- or system-wide change. Many of these efforts focus on the broad goal of ensuring that all people have equal opportunity to be healthy. Likewise, much of the work done by Public Health employees

is in partnership with other community agencies and professionals. St. Louis County Public Health is a division of the Public Health and Human Services Department. Public Health nurses, educators, planners, social workers, nutritionists and other staff work through a variety of programs to help pregnant moms deliver healthy babies, and at-risk families to give young children a better chance at positive development. They also help elderly clients maintain independent living, and work with community partners to address factors - such as environment, income and education level, lifestyle and genetics - that affect health and well being. Public Health also plays a key role in disaster preparedness planning. To learn more, call (218) 7255210 or visit stlouiscounytmn.gov/publichealth.

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Just about everybody reads the Ely Echo

Important Information Regarding Property Assessments This may affect your 2024 property tax payments

Notice is hereby given that the Local Board of Appeal & Equalization for

Morse Township

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Send written appeals to NICK WOGNUM, TOWN OF MORSE CLERK, PO BOX 660, ELY MN 55731. Questions? 218-365-2613 The purpose of this meeting is to determine whether property in the jurisdiction has been properly valued and classified by the assessor. If you believe the value or classification of your property is incorrect, please contact your assessor’s office to discuss your concerns. If you disagree with the valuation or classification after discussing it with your assessor, you may appear before the local Board of Appeal and Equalization. The board will review your assessments and may make corrections as needed. Generally, you must appeal to the local board before appealing to the county board of appeal and equalization. Nick Wognum, Town Clerk Ely Echo 4/8, 4/15, 4/22/22 Morse Township

Section 1

THE ELY

ECHO/Page 12

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

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THE ELY

ECHO

Section 2, Page 1

SPORTS & MORE

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

Kallberg, Perry compete in IRE All-Star game

by Tom Coombe Two Ely high school girls basketball players participated, and even guarded each other, in a regional all-star game held last weekend. Ely seniors Madeline Kallberg and Madeline Perry were on opposing sides in the Iron Range Engineering All-Star event, held Sunday at Mesabi Community College’s William Wirtanen Gymnasium. Tea m W h ite downed Team Dark 78-70 in a game that featured top seniors TEAMMATES in the regular season but competitors from Rock Ridge, Ely, South in an All-Star game, Madeline Kallberg and Madeline Ridge, Duluth East, FloodPerry were on the court at Mesabi Community College. wood and Cherry, among

others. Perry scored seven points for the White team, which built a 37-32 team by halftime and led 57-47 through three quarters. Kallberg poured in eight points for the Dark team, and at times, the two Ely teammates guarded each other on the court. Perry and Kallberg both played key roles on an Ely team that won a program-record 23 games and reached the Section 7A semifinals for a second straight season. Perry plans to play collegiate basketball next season ELY SENIOR Madeline Kallberg goes up for a basket at St. Scholastica. on April 2 in the Iron Range Engineering All-Star game.

Bianco, Davies honored

Timberwolves’ potent backcourt duo named to All-Arrowhead

by Tom Coombe Joey Bianco and Jack Davies formed one of the most potent backcourt combinations in northeastern Minnesota small-school basketball this winter. Their work was noticed by opposing coaches, who named the Ely boys basketball duo to the All-ArUSING HEIGHT to her advantage, Madeline Kallberg rowhead Conference Boys goes up for a rebound on April 2. Basketball Team. Bianco, who amassed nearly 1,800 points in his prep basketball career, was an All-Arrowhead honoree for a third straight season while Davies, only a freshman, was a first-time selection. The 10-member squad was picked by league coaches. Bianco’s senior season may have been his best in an Ely uniform. The guard not only averaged a team-best 24.4 points per game, but he also dished out 8.4 assists per game and averaged 6.5 rebounds and

3.4 steals. “Joey had an exceptional year on both ends of the floor,” said Ely Head Coach Tom McDonald. “He led the team in many categories and also was the floor leader of this year.” Bianco closed out his senior year with 1,790 points, fourth-most in Ely boys basketball history, and had a knack for taking the ball to the basket and carving up opposing defenses. “I haven’t had anyone as good as getting to the rim in all my years of coaching,” said McDonald, who has led Ely’s program since 1990. When opposing teams focused their attention on Bianco, it was Davies who often made them pay. The freshman lefty was one of the area’s deadliest three-point shooters. He nailed 141 three-point baskets this season, the second-best single season total in school history and second to Pat Vanderbeek’s 152 tri-

ples five years ago. D av i e s ave r a g e d 19 points per game and broke the freshman scoring record with 532 points, shattering the previous mark of 443 held by Tim Scott in 2002. “Jack had some huge games for us and was a great complement to Joey’s getting to the basket,” said McDonald. Bianco and Davies contributed to an Ely team that went 20-8 this season. League champion Cherry, which won the Section 7A title and finished fourth in last month’s State Class A tournament, was well represented on the All-Arrowhead squad with junior Isaac Asuma leading the way. Asuma, who is bound for the University of Minnesota in another year, was joined by teammate Noah Sundquist, a transfer from Chisholm, on the All-Arrowhead Unit. Section semifinalist Mt. Iron-Buhl put both Asher Zubich and Nik Jesch on the

The Vermilion Ironhawks played 17 innings of competitive baseball on Sunday but came up empty - at least WITH the ball was Ely’s Madeline Perry at the Iron when it came to victories. Twice in a span of sevRange Engineering All Star game on April 2. eral hours, the community

college baseball team lost in extra innings to fellow Minnesota schools on artificial turf in Mauston, Wisc. Northern Division rival Rainy River eked out a 6-5, eight-inning win in the opening contest while Vermilion and Central Lakes played to a one-all standoff through regulation, only to see the Raiders pull it out 4-3 in nine innings. Vermilion needed to travel roughly six hours to find a clear field, as a late spring snow blanketed diamonds

across the state. The Ironhawks, who are hoping to play at Aurora Saturday in advance of an April 14 Northern Division opener there, fell to 4-8 for the season. Vermilion had its opportunities in both games at Mauston, located about 50 miles east of LaCrosse, but couldn’t come up with a game-winning hit. The Ironhawks had the winning run at third in the bottom of the seventh against Rainy River but didn’t capi-

ARROWHEAD ELITE Members of the AllArrowhead Conference Boys Basketball Team

Joey Bianco, Ely Jack Davies, Ely Isaac Asuma, Cherry Asher Zubich, Mt, IronBuhl Noah Sundquist, Cherry Jonah Burnett, North Woods Brenden Chiaboitti,North Woods Jared Chiabotti, North Woods Nik Jesch, Mt. Iron-Buhl Tommy Larson, LittleforkBig Falls

team while North Woods had three selections - Jonah Burnett, Brenden Chiabotti and Jared Chiabotti. Tommy Larson of Littlefor-Big Falls also made the team while gaining honorable mention were Cherry’s Carson Brown, Mesabi East’s Hayden Sampson and Mt. Iron-Buhl’s Josh Holmes.

Ironhawks fall twice in extras

talize, and twice in extra innings Vermilion led against Central Lakes. It was 2-1 going into the bottom of the eighth and 3-2 in the ninth, but both times Central Lakes rallied. “Really it was an excellent day of baseball,” said head coach Tom Coombe. “There weren’t any wins to show for it but I thought we made a lot of progress as a team, especially on the mound and on defense.” (Continued on Page 4)

Announces the

84th Annual Membership Meeting All members are encouraged to attend th

Tuesday, April 18 , 2023

Ely Senior Center 6:00 p.m. Registration, 6:30 p.m. Business Meeting Reports - Election of Officers - Refreshments Prize drawings will be held for members in attendance.

Each member account insured to $250,000 by Administrator, National Credit Union Adm.

GENERAL SURGERY • • • • • • • • • • •

Abdominal surgeries Hernia repair Gallbladder Stomach Liver Spleen Small bowel Colon Removal of skin lesions Removal of soft tissue tumors Breast surgery

Dr. John Bollins is an accomplished surgeon who specializes in advanced techniques that result in minimal pain, faster recovery and an overall better patient experience. Dr. Bollins will see patients at EBCH:

• Appts. available April 19 & 21

Section 2

THE ELY

ECHO/Page 2

The 3 o’clock hour, Monday, March 3:00 HOUR MARCH 27, 27, 20232023

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023 Interview & photos by Pam Roberts

Eava Smitherman: “I’m walking home from school. School was good. I liked math because the teacher taught us a new way of how to do math. Also lunch and recess were good. Nothing else really going on. I’m probably going to play outside a little bit. I play in the snow and stuff. No homework tonight.”

Kayla Schneider and Kristian Nelson from the Twin Cities: Kristian: “We just moved up here. We just purchased a house. We’re going to the Community College right there. Yeah, we purchased a home right on Madison Street. We love it so far. We are both in the Natural Resource Technology Program up there at school. Yeah, just enjoying the weather today. Walking around. Love being in a small town and being able to walk everywhere.” Kayla: “I’m from a small town originally and then I moved to the city and now I’m back to a small town and I love it. So we walked to the town hall/city hall. And then we walked to the Ely Flower and Seed Store and now we are on our way back.” (Are you preparing for a garden?) Kristian: “Yeah, we have a nice back yard, a good fenced in area. We’ll be doing some gardening this summer for sure.” Kayla: “And we have to get dog food.” Kristian: “Yeah we’ve got a dog and have to get some dog food for him as well. Right now we’re heading back home and probably going to get some food. Probably head out to Tower and check that out. We used to be in an Air B&B right over by Tower.” Kayla: “ We lived there for a couple months before we found a house while we were going to school in January. We moved from there and so I have to go pick up some packages because they were sent after we moved. And Tower has fresh eggs.” Kristian: “A nice little organic shop over there.” Kayla: “It’s the Little Green Pantry. And Tower has those antique shops we like to get used things for the house.”

Erik Johnson with his dog Walter: “I’m just running around town. I’ve had a few errands to run so I was down in Virginia to get a few things I couldn’t get up here. Now I’m just going to spend the afternoon with some family who is up here visiting from Chicago. It’s been a while since I’ve had family up here. Starting since last November, I am the new sales account representative for Upper Lakes Food. They are based out of Cloquet. So I’m the new sales rep for the Ely /Babbitt/Tower region. Prior to that I used to be the Food Service Manager at one of the YMCA Camps on Burntside. Widjiwagan. I made the change in the fall when they had a full time position here based out of Ely and it was perfect for me. It was right in the same line of work that I have been enjoying for the last eight years now. It’s going well. I have only been kind of out on my own for like the last month or so. So I’m gradually getting to stop at all the different businesses in town and see who we already have accounts with and see if I can help any of the other businesses with getting some new products and new items on their menus. Leading into the mud season here it’s about to pick up a little and its about to get a lot busier. Trying to stay ahead of the game by going out and visiting everyone that I can. Once the outfitters get opened up they’re not really going to be too keen on changing anything they already haven’t. I grew up here. I moved away when I was about 10 but I moved back up here in 2015. I started working with my brother. We were doing taxidermy work. He had hired me to work with him full time when he contracted out to do the North American Bear Center Northwoods Ecology Hall. So they have that big display in there that covers all the four seasons. He couldn’t do it himself and I was looking for a job so that’s kind of what brought me here. I’ve been back up here since then and I don’t really plan on leaving. I’ve seen all the articles in the paper and it’s nice to be considered for a future post.” (And here you are...)

Joe Burger with Minnesota EKA Mini: “I’m a Minnesota transplant. I live here about one third of the year. My wife lives here the whole year. We run Five Pine Candle Company. Just out enjoying the day today with the dog. We’ve been here two years exactly on April 1st. We had the opportunity with remote work and we wanted to be in a place that kids still go outside to play and we have the freedom to walk and be around good people and enjoy the small town community.”

THE ELY

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SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

Hauschild opposes outdoor fee hikes proposed by DNR

by Lee Bloomquist Mesabi Tribune Sen. Grant Hauschild is taking a stand against a series of proposed outdoor fee increases. Hauschild, who represents Senate District 3, a large swath of northeastern Minnesota, says he’s opposing a half dozen proposed outdoor fee increases as a means to protect outdoor heritage and access to the state’s parks, lakes, hunting, and fishing. “An increase in fees for recreation is not the right time,” Hauschild, a Democrat from Hermantown, told the Mesabi Tribune. “We have this surplus and it’s going to a lot of needs. But there’s no reason we should put those needs on the back of northlanders. I’m not going to vote for them.” Individual resident fishing license fees would increase to $35 from $25; resident couple fishing licenses to $48 from $40; non-resident individual fishing licenses to

$67 from $51, and three-year watercraft licensing fees would increase from 78 percent to 143 percent, depending on boat size. An aquatic invasive species boat surcharge would increase to $20 from $10.60 and an annual state parks pass would be $45, up from $35. With a 34-33 Democratic-Farmer-Labor majority in the Minnesota Senate, every Senator’s vote could be decisive. Estimates are the DFL has proposed an additional $2 billion in taxes and fees over the next twoyear state budget cycle. A motor vehicle sales tax increase, motor vehicle registration fee hike, 75-cent fee on retail deliveries from online retailers, and a 0.7 percent payroll tax to fund a family and medical leave program, are among proposed DFL tax and fee increases. However, on the outdoors fees, Hauschild said he has prevented the

fee increases from being included in the final Senate Environment Omnibus budget bill. Until the 2023 Minnesota legislative ends, there’s always a chance that one or more of the fees could still be slipped into legislation. But with a $17.5 billion budget surplus, Hauschild said it’s not the time to hit residents in the pocketbook for recreation. “To me, let’s address fees when they’re needed,” Hauschild said. Sen. Rob Farnsworth, a Republican from Hibbing, said the state should not be raising any fees. The Republican caucus estimates the proposed DFL tax and fee increases are in the billions, Farnsworth said. “We have a $17 billion surplus,” Farnsworth said. “Now is not the time to be raising any fees or taxes.” Farnsworth said the DFL wants to spend the entire state budget surplus. “The surplus will be gone and

down the road they will want to increase taxes,” Farnsworth said. “In addition to not having any new taxes, we need to reduce taxes, especially on Social Security benefits.” As proposed, water fee increases and utility license fees for crossing public land and water would also increase. Hauschild said some groups support increased outdoor fees because it means more funding. But Hauschild said he’s heard from citizens opposed to fee increases. “I met with a veterans group and they said, “Don’t vote for those fee increases’,” Hauschild said. Meanwhile, Hauschild is supporting legislation to upgrade fish hatcheries without raising fees and is authoring bills for outdoor projects at the Silver Bay Trailhead, Redhead Mountain Bike Park in Chisholm, Crane Lake boat access, and all-terrain vehicle trails.

“Minnesotans should be able to enjoy the great outdoors without facing financial barriers, which is why I opposed any and all fee increases to DNR recreation fees this session,” Hauschild said in a statement. “Folks in the northland cherish our hunting, fishing, and parks, and we need to protect these opportunities. Public access to these natural resources is the key to preserving our outdoor heritage across northern Minnesota. Everyone has the right to enjoy the abundance of nature the northland provides, but fee increases would get in the way.” Watercraft registration fees have not increased since 2006, according to the DNR. State park vehicle permits increased in 2018, the first increase in a decade, according to the DNR. Select fishing license fees were raised in 2017.

by Teri Cadeau Duluth News-Tribune DULUTH — Three Northland teams, the Iron Mosquitos, the Hermantown Talons and the Denfeld Nation Automation are busily preparing to travel to Houston for the FIRST Robotics World Championships on April 19-22. For some of the teams, it’s their second trip, for others it’s a chance to win after pandemic disappointments. But all of them are facing the financial constraints of last-minute trip planning and are looking to their communities for support. This is the first time the Northeast Range Iron Mosquitos have earned a place at worlds. The team has been around since 2015 and consists of students from Northeast Range, Ely and Mesabi East, as well as one student from Virginia. Together, their team’s school districts’ area covers 1 million acres. The team earned their spot at worlds during the Lake Superior

Regional at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center by winning the Impact Award — the “most prestigious award” through FIRST, according to the robotics organization’s website . It goes to teams that “best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the mission of FIRST.” “We were so excited,” said team build captain Greyson Reichensperger. “We were sitting up on the top row of the DECC and they expect the teams to walk down and it took a bit to walk down single file down there. There was a lot of tears, a lot of hugging and a lot of highfives and congratulations.” The team made it to state in robotics the previous year, so Reichensperger said that was their “practice run” for going to worlds. The team is working on preparing for worlds by making slight improvements to their robot, BMO (named after a teammate’s cat, which was named after a charac-

ter on the TV show “Adventure Time”), and designing T-shirts and buttons they plan to trade with other teams at worlds. “That’s what I’m most looking forward to,” said rookie member Eva Morgan. “I think seeing all the top-tier robots in one place com-

peting is going to be really fun to watch and fun to play with.” To support the Iron Mosquitos journey to worlds, visit their GoFundMe campaign at gofundme.com/f/iron-mosquitos-trip-toworlds. They are hoping to raise $15,000

and as of Wednesday the total raised was $12,258. Sponsors include Bois Forte Band, Aises, Apple, Ely Marathon, Pebble Spa and the Gene Haas Foundation.

Iron Mosquitos robotics team fundraising for trip to worlds

Final entries in for 2023 Ely Echo/Grand Ely Lodge Shagawa Lake Ice Out Contest The final entries have arrived and are listed below for the Ely Echo/Grand Ely Lodge Shagawa Lake Ice Out Contest. This year we had 226 entries. When will ice out actually happen? Based on the weather recently, it’s likely going to be awhile. Here’s a list of ice out dates for Shagawa Lake from both Ely Echo archives and the DNR. 2022.......... May 10 2021.......... April 13 2020.......... May 1 2019.......... April 29 2018.......... May 6 2017.......... April 14 2015.......... April 18 2014 ......... May 10 2012.......... March 27 2011.......... April 29 2010 ......... April 3 2009.......... April 28

2008.......... May 8 2007.......... April 26 2006.......... April 16 2005.......... April 17 2004.......... April 28 2003.......... April 27 2002.......... April 24 2001.......... April 30 2000.......... April 17 1999.......... April 25 1998.......... April 14 1997.......... April 29 1996.......... May 16 1995.......... April 29 1994.......... April 24 1993.......... April 28 1992.......... May 4 1991.......... April 22 1990.......... April 25 1989.......... May 4 1988.......... April 28 1987.......... April 15 1986.......... April 20 1985.......... April 25 1984.......... April 24 1983.......... April 29

April 28 - Sarah Jonas at 5 p.m. April 29 - Lindi Zemke at 3:30 p.m.; Madison Jonas at 3:33 p.m. April 30 - Connie Thompson at 1 p.m. as well as Greg Jonas who also picked 1 p.m. We’re not sure where he’s from but Michael A picked April 30 at 10:30 a.m. He was joined by Mary Garbutt of Plymouth, MN who went with 11:30 a.m. and Patty Carlson of Minnetonka, MN who selected 4:03 p.m. There was a pair of May 1 guessers, Mary Ross of Savage MN at 1:59 p.m. along with Frank and Pat Decker of Glendora, CA who picked 3 p.m. Going with 11:45 a.m. on May 2 was Tom Grahek. Annie Sunderman of LeSueur, MN sent in May 3 at

4 p.m. All the way from the west coast was Joseph Lamers of East Wenatchee, WA who guessed 2:32 p.m., on May 4 There were two May 5 entries, Nancy Johnson of Roseville, MN at 11:59 a.m. and Justin Zemke of Ely at 2 p.m. Looking at May 6 at 11:47 a.m. was Jerry Heinrich of Woodridge, IL. May 7 is a great day according to Jayden Zemke of Ely, who went with 12:30 p.m. A trio of entries chose May 8: Deb Sunderman of Savage, MN at 10:54 a.m., Ely’s Dolly Lindroos at 12:15 p.m. Dale Sunderman of LeSueur, MN at 6 p.m. The right day is May 9 according to Tiffany Zemke of Ely at 1:07 p.m.

Another Ely entry, this one from Daniel Hernesmaa who predicts May 10 at 12:54 p.m. Minnetonka, MN resident Tim Carlson told us 4 p.m. on May 11. And the latest entry in this batch was for May 18 at 2 p.m. from John Carlson of Minnetonka, MN. The Ely Echo Shagawa Lake Ice Out Contest is official when a boat could leave Grand Ely Lodge’s dock and cross to the north side of the lake, chunks of ice notwithstanding. Earliest cor rect entr y wins. 1st Prize: $100 Grand Ely Lodge Guest Bucks. Second prize is $50 Ely Echo gift certificate, 3rd prize: $25 Grand Ely Lodge Bucks.

Representatives, it now faces the Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate and President Joe Biden. Stauber is hopeful the bill will be considered by Senate Democrats and Biden. Whether the Senate will move the bill to Biden’s desk and whether Biden would veto the bill, remain to be seen. “We feel the Senate is going to take it up,” Stauber said. “It could be taken up by the Senate as soon as they get back from Easter recess. And quite frankly, it could be taken up by one of our (Minnesota’s) two U.S. senators.” As the bill passed the House Thursday, the state’s first proposed copper, nickel and platinum group minerals project was in a contested case hearing. NewRange Copper Nickel LLC (PolyMet Mining and Teck Resources) were providing testimony on the use While the legislation has of bentonite (a clay) at its now cleared the House of proposed tailings basin.

Opponents were expected to wrap-up testimony today. PolyMet in 2000 gained rights to its NorthMet mineral deposit and in 2004 began its environmental review process. PolyMet and Teck Resources, seeking to develop its Mesaba project in northeastern Minnesota, in February finalized a joint venture to become NewRange Copper Nickel LLC. A decision by an Administrative Law Judge on the tailings basin issue matter isn’t expected until late August. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources would then have 90 days to make its decision. In January, the U.S. Department of Interior withdrew about 225,000 acres of federal land in the Superior National Forest outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from mineral development. The administration has

also banned mining projects in Arizona, Colorado, Utah, South Dakota, Montana, West Virginia, Montana, and Wyoming, Stauber said. “We see what’s happening,” Stauber said. “I say the Biden administration in their view is politics over production.” China al ready m ines about 60 percent of the world’s critical minerals needs, Stauber said. The green energy push by the Biden administration is making America even more reliant on communist China, Stauber said. “If they stopped selling critical minerals to the United States, it would be a disaster for our country,” Stauber said. “We cannot rely on them any longer.” Democrats who voted in favor of H.R. 1 were Rep.’s Henry Cuellar and Vincente Gonzalez of Texas, Jared Golden of Maine, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington.

1982.......... May 2 1981.......... April 18 1980.......... April 24 1979.......... May 15 1978.......... May 4 1977.......... April 23 1976.......... April 18 1975.......... May 7 1974.......... May 2 1973.......... April 19 1972.......... May 19 1971.......... May 6 1970.......... May 2 1969.......... April 27 1968.......... April 29 1967.......... April 17 1966.......... May 15 1965.......... May 6 The final guessers were: April 14 for Philip Lamers of East Wenatchee, WA at 12:25 p.m. Angela Hull picked April 16 at 2:10 p.m. We had a bunch of Ely guessers, here’s their picks:

Stauber mine permitting bill clears U.S. House

by Lee Bloomquist Mesabi Tribune Legislation that would update federal mine permitting processes has cleared a major body. The U.S. House of Representatives on a 225-204 vote Thursday passed House Resolution 1, the “Lower Energy Costs Act.” The act includes a Permitting for Mining Needs Act (PERMIT-MN), authored by Minnesota U.S. Eighth District Congressman Pete Stauber of Hermantown. “It passed in bipartisan fashion,” Stauber said Thursday of H.R 1. “We’re really excited to have the Senate take it up.” Four Democrats voted for the Republican-authored bill. The Lower Energy Costs Act, along with Stauber’s legislation, is an effort to unleash the full potential of America’s energy and mineral resources. The Lower Energy Costs Act is aimed at lowering

domestic energy costs by increasing American energy production, exports, infrastructure, and critical minerals processing by promoting transparency, accountability, permitting, production of American resources, and improving water quality certification and energy projects.” Stauber’s legislation, H.R. 209, would update permitting processes, limit frivolous litigation, secure domestic energy and mineral supply chains, create certainty for domestic energy projects, create jobs and lower energy costs for Americans, Stauber said. “It’s a very, very good piece of legislation,” Stauber said. “What it’s going to do for northeastern Minnesota is reduce the permitting process from 20 years to three, maybe four years. If the country of Canada 40 miles north of Twin (Metals) can permit and open a gold mine in three years, we should certainly have the ability to

do the same thing.” Julie Lucas, MiningMinnesota executive director said the legislation is key to America’s energy future. “Investments in America’s infrastructure and energy future must be coupled with permitting reforms that allow all projects, not only mining ones, to be properly and fairly evaluated,” Lucas said. “H.R. 1 brings our current challenges to light so that we can bring investments to life.” H.R. 1 also supports the development of additional transmission lines to allow more wind and solar power to be added to the electrical grid, Stauber said. “What it does is unleash the full potential of American energy resources,” Stauber said. “It’s a piece of legislation that puts the American energy worker and the American miner first.”

THE ELY

Section 2

ECHO/Page 4

First wins for Vermilion softball by Tom Coombe After a journey to Arizona and a pair of trips south to domed facilities, the Vermilion Ironhawks have finally enjoyed the sweet taste of victory. The community college softball team beat Minnesota West 14-8 and Ridgewater 4-3 on Saturday, salvaging a split for the four-game MCAC Crossover Series at Rochester and snapping a season-long 13-game losing skid. “Getting the first win, was great for everyone involved in this program,” said head coach Aaron Bender. “We have fought a lot of adversity, injuries, and lack of commitment. As a coach, you are giving everything so that your players get that win. Picking up two this weekend was great, and we had to do it as an entire team, everyone contributed.” Vermilion struggled at the plate in a pair of defeats the day before, but came out firing Saturday in a rematch with Minnesota West. Lily Kostka swung the hottest bat, going three-for-three, with two doubles, a triple, four runs scored and three runs batted in. OR DI NA NCE NO. 367, 2nd Series A N OR DI NA NCE OF T H E CITY OF ELY, MINNESOTA, ADDING TO THE ELY CITY CODE, CHAPTER 6, SECTION 6 . 4 0, E N T I T L E D E DI BL E CANNABINOID PRODUCTS DEALERS. THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELY DOES HEREBY ORDAIN: SECTION 1. A new Section shall be added to Chapter 6 as Section 6.40, of the Ely City Code to read as follows: SEC. 6.40. EDIBLE CANNABINOID PRODUCTS DEALERS. Subd. 1. Defined. “Club” means an incor porated organization organized under the laws of the State for civic, fraternal, social, or business purposes, for intellectual improvement, or for the promotion of sports, or a congressionally chartered veterans’ organization, which: (1) has more than fifty members; (2) has owned or rented a building or space in a building for more than one year that is suitable and adequate for the accommodation of its members; (3) is di rected by a boa rd of directors, executive committee, or other similar body chosen by the members at a meeting held for that purpose. No member, officer, agent, or employee shall receive any profit from the distribution or sale of beverages to the members of the club, or their guests, beyond a reasonable sala r y or wages fixed and voted each year by the governing body. Such club or congressionally chartered veterans’ organization must have been in existence for at least three years. “Compliance Checks” means the system the City uses to investigate and ensure that those authorized to sell Edible Cannabinoid Products are following and complying with the requirements of this ordinance. Compliance checks shall involve the use of decoys as authorized by this ordinance. Compliance checks shall also mean the use of decoys who attempt to purchase Edible Cannabinoid Products for educational, research and training purposes as authorized by State and Federal laws. Compliance checks may also be conducted by other units of government for the purpose of enforcing appropriate Federal, State or local laws and regulations relating to Edible Cannabinoid Products. “Decoy” means a natural person between the ages of seventeen (17) and twenty (20) who assist law enforcement in compliance checks. “Edible Cannabinoid Products Dealer” means a person engaging in the business of selling Edible Cannabinoid Products of any kind. “Edible Cannabinoid Products” means goods which contain a product or substance defined as an “Edible Cannabinoid Product” under Minnesota Statutes § 151.72. “Employee” means any person having the authority or claiming to have the authority to make sales of an Edible Cannabinoid Product on behalf of an Edible Cannabinoid Products Dealer. “Hotel” means an establishment where fo o d a nd lo dg i ng a re regularly furnished to transients, and which has: (1) a resident proprietor or manager; (2) a dining room serving the general public at tables and having facilities for seating at least thirty guests at one time; and (3) at least ten guest rooms. “Off-Sale” means the sale of Edible Cannabinoid Products in original packages for consumption off the licensed premises only. “On-Sale” means the sale of Edible Cannabinoid P roducts for consumption on the licensed premises only. “ Person” mea ns a ny nat u ra l p e r s o n , f i r m , p a r t n e r s h i p, association, corporation, company, organization, or any other legal or commercial entity of any kind. “ Package” and “Original Package” mean any container

Teammate Chloe Sullivan added three hits including a tworun double, while Thea Baier and Josie Anderson both had doubles and two-hit days. Vermilion’s 14-hit attack backed up winning pitcher Aubrea Smieja, who went the distance and struck out seven. Saturday’s second game had plenty of drama as Vermilion rallied and won in extra innings. Kostka’s single in the top of the eighth drove in Riley Roden with what would prove to be the winning run. Smieja fanned two batters and coaxed a line drive out to preserve the win. Vermilion trailed 2-0 early on but came back to take a 3-2 lead in the fourth as Kostka, Nicole Draheim and Sullivan had consecutive hits. Kostka would go two-forfour to finish off a weekend in which she had seven RBI, while Emma Hughes added two hits for Vermilion. The first day of the series wasn’t as strong for Vermilion, which dropped the opener 13-4 despite extra base hits by Kostka and Roden. Minnesota West exploded for

or recept acle holdi ng E dible Cannabinoid Products, which container or receptacle is corked, capped or sealed by a manufacturer or wholesaler. “Restaurant” means an establishment, other than a hotel, under the control of a single proprietor or manager, where meals are regularly served to tables and to the general public, and having seating capacity for at least thirty guests and not less than sixty percent (60%) of its gross sales attributable to the sale of food. “Sale”, “Sell” and “Sold” mean all barters and all manners or means of furnishing Edible Cannabinoid Products to persons, including such furnishing in violation or evasion of law. “Theater” shall mean an establishment a building containing an auditorium in which live movies, d ra matic, musica l, da nce, or literary performances are regularly presented to holders of tickets for those performances and whose capacity for seating is greater than 30 seats. Subd. 2. License Required. It is unlawful for any person to engage in the business of, or operate as, an edible cannabinoid products dealer without a license from the City. (A) Off-Sale Edible Cannabinoid Products Dealer License Required. It is unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, on any pretense or by any device, to sell, barter, keep for sale, or otherwise dispose of Edible Cannabinoid Products off-sale, as part of a commercial transaction, without a license therefor from the City. The City may issue annual offsale Edible Cannabinoid Products Dealer licenses to an applicant who meets the criteria set forth below. (B) On-Sale Edible Cannabinoid Products Dealer License Required. It is unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, on any pretense or by any device, to sell, barter, keep for sale, or otherwise dispose of Edible Cannabinoid Products on-sale, as part of a commercial transaction, without a license therefor from the City. The City may issue annual onsale Edible Cannabinoid Products D e a le r l ic en s e s on ly t o t h e following: (1) hotels; (2) restaurants; (3) bowling centers; (4) clubs or congressionally chartered veterans’ organizations, provided that Edible Cannabinoid Products sales will be made only to members and bona fide guests; and (5) theaters (C) Application. An application fo r a l ic e n s e t o s el l e d ibl e ca n nabi noid pro duct s. T he application sha ll cont a in the full name of the applicant, the applicant’s residential and business addresses and telephone numbers, the name of the business for which the license is sought, and any additional information the City deems necessary. Upon receipt of a completed application and proper backgrounding, the City Clerk shall forward the application to the Council for action at its next regularly scheduled Council Me et i ng. I f t h e C le r k sh a l l determine that an application is incomplete, he or she shall return the application to the applicant with notice of the information necessary to make the application complete. False Statements. It is unlawful for any applicant to intentionally make a false statement or omission upon any application form. Any false statement in such application, or any willful omission to state any information called for on such application form shall, upon discovery of such falsehood, work as an automatic refusal of license, or if already issued, shall render any license issued pursuant thereto void and of no effect to protect the applicant from prosecution for violation of this Chapter, or any part thereof. Application and Investigation Fees. At the time the initial application is made, an applicant for a license under this Chapter shall accompany such application with payment of a fee to be considered an application and investigation fee, not refundable to the applicant, to cover the cost of the City in processing the application and the investigation of the applicant.

five runs in the second inning and seven more in the third to take control. “We continue to give up too many walks, and then add in errors,” said Bender. “We try to work with one simple philosophy as pitchers, throw strikes, I am willing to have teams beat us with hits, we do not want to lose by walking too many.” Riverland beat Vermilion 10-2 in the first day finale. Again it was one big inning of walks and errors that hurt Vermilion. The Blue Devils would score eight runs in the second, and only two more runs the rest of the game. Vermilion would get runs on the board in the third Roden led off with a single, stole second and scored on an Anderson single. Draheim later knocked in Anderson. Northern Division play began over the weekend, and again under the cover of a dome given field conditions across the state. Vermilion was set to take on both Mesabi and Rainy River in separate twinbills at Blaine, starting a 24-game conference season.

(D) Action. The Council may either approve or deny the license, or it may delay action for such reasonable period of time as necessary to complete any investigation of the application or the applicant it deems necessary. If the Council shall approve the license, the Clerk shall issue the license to the applicant. If the Council denies the license, notice of the denial shall be given to the applicant along with notice of the applicant’s right to appeal the Council’s decision. (E) Term. All licenses issued under this ordinance shall be valid for one (1) year, except licenses issued mid-year. For purposes of this ordinance, the license term shall be September 1 to August 31. (F) Revocation or Suspension. Any license issued under this ordinance may be revoked or suspended as provided in the Violations and Penalties Section of this ordinance. (G) Transfers. All licenses issued under this ordinance shall be valid only on the premises for which the license was issued and only for the person to whom the license was issued. No transfer of any license to another location or person shall be valid without the prior approval of the Council. (H) Moveable Place of Business. No licenses shall be issued to a moveable place of business. Only businesses with a fixed location shall be eligible to be licensed under this ordinance. (I) Display. All licenses shall be posted and displayed in plain view of the general public on the licensed premises. (J) Renewals. The City shall notify the Edible Cannabinoid Products license applicants of their renewal in August of each year. Subd. 3. Basis for Denial of License. (A) Grounds for denying the issuance or renewal of a license under this chapter include but are not limited to the following: 1. The applicant is under the age of 21 years. 2. The applicant has been convicted within the past five years of any violation of a federal, state, or local law, ordinance provision, or other regulation relating to any commerce of licensed products. 3. The applicant has had a license to sell Edible Cannabinoid Products revoked within the preceding twenty four (24) months of the date of application. 4. The applicant fails to provide any information required on the application or provides false or misleading information. 5. The applicant is prohibited by federal, state, or other local law, ordinance, or other regulation from holding a license. (B) However, except as may otherwise be provided by law, the existence of any particular ground for denial does not mean that the city must deny the license. (C) If a license is mistakenly issued or renewed to a person, it shall be revoked upon the discovery that the person was ineligible for the license under this chapter. Subd. 4. Issuance as a Privilege and Not a Right. The issuance of an Edible Cannabinoid Product Dealer license under this section to any person shall be considered a privilege and not an absolute right and shall not entitle the person who holds a license to an automatic renewal of such license. Subd. 5. School And Church Restrictions. No license shall be granted for any building located on a lot immediately adjacent to a lot upon which there is any public school or church structure. For purposes of this Section, a lot located across a street or alley from a public school or church structure is not immediately adjacent. The erection, location, or relocation of a school or church within the prohibited area after the original license application has been granted shall not, in and of itself, cause the existing license to be in violation

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

Ironhawks fall twice, both in extra innings (Continued from Page 1)

Starter Crespin Herrera-Kult was knocked out of the opener by injury in the top of the third, after blanking Rainy River in the first two frames. The sophomore from Alexandria took a hard shot off the shin and left the game in the third. Rainy River built a 5-1 lead, but Vermilion rallied with four runs on five hits in the seventh, with Chase Snyder’s sacrifice fly tying the game. The Voyaguers escaped to force extra innings and took the lead on Ethan Bergen’s two-out single in the eighth. Vermilion, which had 13 hits, stranded the tying and winning runs. Michael Feralio, Charlie Wonser, Jesus Trejo and Mason Kostka all had two hits for Vermilion, and losing pitcher Franklin Wildes struck out five in six innings of work. Vermilion gave regional power

Central Lakes a battle in the nightcap, outhitting the Raiders 6-4 but coming up short. Starting pitcher Jake Palomo gave up just a run on two hits through five innings. He fanned five batters. Kelbee Woodham came on in relief and yielded just two hits. Special rules applied in extra innings, with both teams starting each frame with a runner at second base. Both teams got a run in the eighth, with Nick Berglund singling in a run for Vermilion. In the ninth, Feralio singled in a run to put Vermilion ahead 3-2, but Central Lakes won with the help of a hit batter and a misplayed bunt in the bottom of the ninth. Charlie Spahn had two hits and a run batted in for Vermilion, which is set to take on Rainy River in a four-game set April 14 and 16, at Aurora, to open division play.

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of this Section, nor shall it render such premises ineligible for renewal of the license. Subd. 6. Prohibited Sales. (A) Generally. It shall be a violation of this section for any person to sell or offer to sell any Edible Cannabinoid product: a. to any person under the age of 21 years. 1. Licensees must verify by means of government-issued photographic identification that the purchaser is at least 21 years of age. That the person appeared to be 30 years of age or older does not constitute a defense to a violation of this subsection. 2. Notice of the legal sales age and age verification requirement must be posted prominently and in plain view at all times at each location where licensed products are offered for sale. The required signage must be posted in a manner that is clearly visible to anyone who is or is considering making a purchase. 3. It shall be a violation of this section for any person under the age of 21 to attempt to disguise his or her true age by the use of a false form of identification, whether the identification is that of another person or one on which the age of the person has been modified or tampered with to represent an age older than the actual age of the person. b. By means of a vending machine. c. Containing alcohol, opium, mor phine, jimson weed, bella donna, strychnos, or cocaine. (B) Off-Sale. It shall be a violation of this section for any person to sell or offer to sell any Edible Cannabinoid product for offpremises consumption: a. By any means whereby the customer may have access to such items without having to request the item from the licensee or the licensee’s employee and whereby there is not a physical exchange of the Edible Cannabinoid Products between the licensee or his or her employee and the customer. All Edible Cannabinoid Products shall either be stored behind a counter or within six feet of an unobstructed view of an attended checkout counter, or in a locked case or other storage unit not left open and accessible to the general public, or b. In a package or container that is labelled or packaged in a manner i nconsist ent wit h M i n nesot a Statutes § 151.72, or c. On Sundays, except between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., or before 8:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. on Monday through Saturday, or on Thanksgiving Day, or on Christmas Day (December 25), or after 8:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve (December 24). (C) On-Sale. It shall be a violation of this section for any person to sell or offer to sell any Edible Ca n nabi noid product for onpremises consumption: a. By any means whereby the customer may have access to such items without having to request the item from the licensee or the licensee’s employee and whereby there is not a physical exchange of the Edible Cannabinoid Products between the licensee or his or her employee and the customer, or b. After 2:00 a.m. By 2:30 a.m., all Edible Cannabinoid Products beverage bottles, cans, glasses or other receptacles in which Edible Cannabinoid Products have been served shall be remove from all tables, counters, or any other locations in the customer areas of the establishment. Further, said establishment shall not permit consumption of Edible Cannabinoid Products by anyone on the premises after 2:30 a.m Subd. 7. Employees. All licensees under this ordinance shall be responsible for the actions of their employees in regard to the sale of Edible Cannabinoid Products on the licensed premises, and the sale of such an item by an employee shall be considered a sale by the license holder. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting

the City from also subjecting the employee to whatever penalties are appropriate under this ordinance, State or Federal law, or other applicable law or regulation.

violation occurred or finds grounds for not imposing any penalty, such findings shall be recorded and a copy provided to the acquitted accused violator.

(A) Minimum Age. Individuals employed by a person licensed under this ordinance must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to sell Edible Cannabinoid Products.

(E) Appeals. Appeals of any decision made by the Hearing Officer shall be filed in the District Court for the City in which the alleged violation occurred.

Subd. 8. Compliance Checks and Inspections. All licensed premises shall be open to inspection by the City Police or other authorized city official during regular business hours.

Subd. 11. Penalties.

(A) Use of Decoys. From timeto-time, but at least once per year, the City shall conduct compliance checks by engaging, with the written consent of their parents or guardians, decoys who are seventeen (17) years old but less than twenty-one (21) years old, to enter the licensed premises to attempt to purchase Edible Cannabinoid Products when such items are obtained as a part of the compliance check. No decoy used in compliance checks shall be supervised by City designated law enforcement officers or other designated City personnel. Decoys used for compliance checks shall not be guilty of unlawful possession of Edible Cannabinoid Products when such items are obtained as a part of the compliance check. No decoy used in compliance checks shall attempt to use a false identification misrepresenting the minor’s age, and all minors lawfully engaged in a compliance check shall answer all questions about the decoy’s age asked by the licensee or his or her employee and shall produce any identification, if any exists, for which he or she is asked. Nothing in this Section shall prohibit compliance checks authorized by State or Federal laws for educational, research, or training purposes, or required for the enforcement of a particular State or Federal law. R i g ht t o I n s p e c t L i c e n s e d Premises. At any time, any police officer who has reason to suspect that the licensee, their agent or employee, is preparing to sell, in the act of selling, or recently concluded a sale of Edible Cannabinoid Products outside of business hours as defined by this section, has a right to inspect the premises. It is unlawful for any licensee, or agent or employee of a licensee, to hinder or prevent a police officer from making an inspection. All licensees, or agents or employees of a licensee within the licensed premises or on the surrounding property owned or leased by the licensee, as a condition to being issued the license, consent to the inspection by such officers and without a warrant for searches and seizures. S u b d . 9. O p e n P a c k a g e Prohibition (A) Public Consumption. It is a violation of this ordinance for a person to drink or consume Edible Cannabinoid Products on public property, including in city parks and in a motor vehicle when the vehicle is upon a street or highway. Subd. 10. Violations. (A) Notice. Upon discovery of a suspected violation, the alleged violator shall be issued, either personally or by mail, a citation that sets forth the alleged violation and which shall inform the alleged violator of his or her right to be heard on the accusation. (B) Hearings. If a person accused of violating this ordinance so requests, a hearing shall be scheduled, the time and place of which shall be published and provided to the accused violator. (C) Hearing Officer. A designee of the Ely City Council shall be appointed as the Hearing Officer. (D) Decision. If the Hearing Officer determines that a violation of this ordinance did occur, that decision, along with the Hearing Officer’s reasons for finding a violation and the penalty to be imposed under Subdivision 9 of this ordinance, shall be recorded in writing, a copy of which shall be provided to the accused violator. Likewise, if the Hearing Officer finds that no

(A) Licensees.. a. Fines. Any licensee found to have violated this ordinance, or whose employee shall have violated this ordinance, shall be charged an administrative fine according to the following schedule: First violation $300 Second violation within a twentyfour (24) month period $500 Third violation within a twenty-four (24) month period $1,000 Fourth violation within a twentyfour (24) month period $2,000 b. Suspension or Revocation. Any licensee found to have violated this ordinance, or whose employee shall have violated this ordinance, shall be liable for a suspension or revocation of their license issued under this ordinance, in accordance with the following schedule: First Violation 3 days Second Violation within a twentyfour (24) month period 6 days Third Violation within a twentyfour (24) month period 12 days Fourth Violation within a twenty -four (24) month period Revocation of License Fourth Violation within a twen The Council reserves the right to revoke the license of a licensee who or whose employee has violated this ordinance by committing a felony or other grave violation on their premises or in the course of their business. Any Council action concerning suspension or revocation shall occur as soon as practicable following the adjudication of a criminal violation in State or Federal Criminal Courts. No suspension or revocation shall take effect until the licensee has been afforded an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with this chapter. (B) Employees. Any employee of an Edible Cannabinoid Products Dealer found to be in violation of this ordinance shall be charged an administrative fee of $500. (C) Misdemeanor. Nothing in this Subdivision shall prohibit the City from seeking prosecution as a misdemeanor for any violation of this ordinance. S u b d . 1 2 . E xc e p t i o n s a n d Defenses. Nothing in this ordinance shall prevent the providing of Edible Cannabinoid P roducts to a minor a part of a lawfully recognized religious, spiritual, or cultural ceremony. It shall be an affirmative defense to the violation of this ordinance for a person or have reasonably relied on proof of age as described by State law. Sub d. 13. S everabi l it y a nd Savings Clause. If any section or portion of this ordinance shall be found unconstit utiona l or otherwise invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that finding shall not serve as a n i nva l idation or effect t he validity and enforceability of any other section or provision of this ordinance. SECTION 2. Effective Date: P u r su a nt t o Se ct ion 3. 08 of the Charter of the City of Ely, Minnesota, the adoption of this Ordinance is effective 30 days after final adoption and publication. First Reading: March 21, 2023 Second Reading: April 4, 2023 Adopted this 4th day of April, 2023. Heidi Omerza - Mayor Harold R Langowski – Clerk/Treasurer Publication Date: March 25, 2023 & April 8, 2023 Public Hearing: April 4, 2023 Newspaper: Ely Echo Ely Echo April 8, 2023

THE ELY

Section 2

ECHO/Page 5

Trout Whisperer - I’m still getting there, just slower Destination, a glade beside water, the vestibule to which on the north corridor of the stream for a quarter mile east or west of my standing is a fence of spruce, size, all kinds. Behind me, the darndest alder brush stand one could ever hope not to incur. It’s one tarnation after another because you tarnation over alder, tarnation under alder, through alder around alder that quagmires my snowshoes. Each spring, to get back here in late July, I slip off the road far enough not to announce my machete’s abilities in clearing the path I need to get through this horrendous maze. So I go back in my mind to being 18 years old in a three on the tree six cylinder pickup, and the sense that somewhere over there, was a creek,

crick, stream, or river that would hold a massive brook trout. I didn’t have a map, I was just driving along the not to well used road. I just felt out there, somewhere, would be some flowing water. Took me one trip, legs powering me through underbrush, until I almost stepped in the water without realizing it. Flowed like the darkest oil I’d ever seen, just wished I would have brought my flyrod along as I caught my breath. I followed its flow south, came to a riffle with all the orange stones, yellows, whites, browns, soft tans, polished blacks, all uniformly the size of my thumbnail each shimmering under the now translucent clear flow. I scooped with my hands the coldness.

Weeks later, I came back, it was silly the ease of the fishing, like I happened upon the possible nursery of where many brook trout must get their start, and a few fat plump paternal trout made it all the more tantalizing. Before the season closed one autumn day I hooked, landed and released all but three of 11 brookies, each over one and half pounds. It’s my brook trout mecca. My legs of younger years can’t do what they once did, so I hack my way in over snow, clearing my path, easing my eventual way. And now being three feet above the earth below, the trail even in summer is rough, but not so rough I won’t make it back in there again. - The Trout Whisperer

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

This Week’s Sports Schedule COMMUNITY COLLEGE BASEBALL Wednesday Vermilion vs. Itasca (2), at Aurora, 10 a.m.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE SOFTBALL Saturday Mesabi vs. Vermilion (2), 12 noon, at Blaine

Friday Vermilion vs. Rainy River (2), at Aurora, 10 a.m.

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL Friday Ely at Mesabi East, 4:30 p.m.

ELY POOL LEAGUE Round 7 Kwazy Wabbit I - 128 vs. Kwazy Wabbit Billiards - 117

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SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING The Ely City Council will hold a Special Council Meeting, at the Winton Community Center, on Thursday, April 13th 2023 at 4:00pm for the Joint Powers Ambulance Meeting.

SUNLIGHT PEAKS between the pine trees in this late winter/early spring photo by Ken Hupila of Snotty Moose Photography.

DNR accepting comments on environmental assessment for proposed Prospectors Loop ATV Trail segments

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting comments through May 4, on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposal to add four new ATV trail segments and a connecting spur on the greater Prospectors Loop Trail. The segments would provide new connections to existing off-highway vehicle trails and amenities in northern St. Louis County. The proposal from the Prospectors Trail Alliance (Club) is part of Phase 2 (also called “Connect Four” segments) of the greater

Prospectors Loop Trail. The proposed project includes approximately 59 miles of trail, including some existing segments that would have new uses and some new segments. A copy of the EAW is available on the project page of the DNR website (mndnr. gov/input/environmentalreview/prospectors-loop.html). A hard copy may be requested by calling 651-2595122. The EAW is also available for public review at Hoyt Lakes Public Library, 206 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Hoyt Lakes, MN 55750.

The EAW was published in the April 4 Environmental Quality Board Monitor (eqb. state.mn.us/eqb-monitor-volume-47-number-14). Comments must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. May 4. Mailed comments should be sent to the attention of Becky Horton, EAW project manager, Environmental Review Unit, Ecological and Water Resources Division, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road N, St. Paul, MN 55155. Email comments should be sent to environmental-

[email protected] with “Prospectors Loop” in the subject line. Anyone providing a mailing address or submitting comments via email will receive a copy of the decision document, which includes responses to comments. Because all comments and related information are part of the public record for this environmental review, commenters’ names and email or postal addresses will be published and publicly available as they appear in the materials they submit.

Prospective bear hunters have until May 5, to apply for a bear hunting license from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Applications for the 2023 season can be submitted online, at any license agent or by telephone at 888-665-4236. A total of 4,035 licenses are available in 14 permit areas for the season, which opens Friday, Sept. 1, and closes Sunday, Oct. 15. The number of permits available each year in the quota zone is based on Min-

nesota’s bear population, which has stabilized and started to increase during the past 10 years, in part because of recent conservative permit quotas. Populations in most bear permit areas are stable to increasing, and the total number of permits has increased by 430 from last season. The exceptions are in several permit areas in northern Minnesota, which will see permit reductions in efforts to stabilize populations in those areas. Lottery winners will be

notified by June 1. The deadline to purchase bear hunting licenses awarded by lottery is Aug. 1. Any remaining unpurchased licenses will be available over the counter starting at noon Aug. 4. An unlimited number of bear licenses also will be sold over the counter for the no-quota area that includes east-central and far northwestern Minnesota. No-quota licenses are valid only in the no-quota area. Hunters with either a quota or no-quota license who

are interested in taking a problem bear should contact the area DNR wildlife manager (mndnr.gov/areas/ wildlife) to be added to the Block Lot hunter contact listTotal forPrice any 2 8 $15,000.00 opportunities that may arise. 2Instructions 9 $18,000.00 about how to 2 apply for a10 license,$18,000.00 maps of 2 11 and a listing $18,000.00 of permit areas 2 12 $20,000.00 permit availability for each 2 area are 13 available$18,000.00 on the 2 14 $18,000.00 DNR website.

Harold R Langowski City Clerk/Treasurer Ely Echo April 8th 2023

SUMMER LABORERS NEEDED The City of Ely is looking for part-time summer general laborer to work from May – Early September. Applicant’s must be at least 16 years of age and have a valid driver’s license. If interested, please pick up an employment application at the ClerkTreasurer’s Office, 209 E Chapman Street, Ely, MN 5573 or online at www.ely.mn.us. Applications will be accepted until May 5, 2021 by 4:30pm. Questions, please call 218-235-3083. Harold R Langowski Clerk/Treasurer Ely Echo April 8, 2023 April 15, 2023

Bear hunt lottery applications available

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PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Ely will hold a Public Hearing on April 18, 2023 at 5:15pm at Ely City Hall, Council Chambers at 209 E Chapman St, Ely, Minnesota to hear public comment regarding, Ordinance 368, regarding Sale of Land Located Deleted: ! ORDINANCE NO. 368, 2 Series¶ ¶ in the East Spaulding Lot. !¶ nd

! AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ELY, MINNESOTA, AMENDING THE ELY CITY CODE, CHAPTER 20,

20.2.33, SALE OF LAND LOCATED THEClerk’s EAST All interested parties maySECTION submit communication toINthe Office, SPAULDING PLAT¶ ¶ 209 E Chapman St, Ely, MN, 55731, 218-365-3224 Ext 1, deputyclerk@ THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELY DOES HEREBY ely.mn.us, or in person atORDAIN: the public hearing. ¶

Ely Echo April 8, 2023 April 15, 2023

$15,000.00 $12,000.00

¶ ! SECTION 1. Chapter 20 as Section 20.2.33, of the Ely City Code shall be amended to read as follows:¶ ¶ ! SEC. 20.2.33.! SALE OF LAND LOCATED IN THE EAST SPAULDING PLAT. The Council of the City of Ely is hereby authorized to sell land located in the East Spaulding Plat, on terms and conditions acceptable to the City Council and the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to execute all documents and do all things necessary to effect the sale of that certain real estate described as follows, to wit:¶

Formatted: Strikethrough Formatted: Not Strikethrough

3

1

$15,000.00

STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF ST. LOUIS

volve real property. NOTICE OF TEMPORARY RESTRAINING PROVISIONS 3 4 $15,000.00 DISTRICT COURT Under Minnesota law, service of ORDINANCE NO. 368, 2nd Series SIXTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT 4 1 $10,000.00 this summons makes the following Court File No. 69VI-FA-23-66 requirements apply to both parties 4 2 $19,800.00 to the action, unless they are modi4 3 $19,800.00 A N O R D I NA N C E O F T H E In Re the Marriage of: fied by the court or the proceeding CITY OF ELY, MINNESOTA, 4 4 $19,800.00 Ryan Richard Stern is dismissed: A M E N D I N G T H E E LY Petitioner (1) Neither party may dispose of 4 5 $19,700.00 CI T Y CODE, CH A P T ER 20, and any assets except (a) for the neces4 6 $19,700.00 SECTION 20.2.33, SA LE OF Demitri Anthony Stern sities of life or for the necessary LAND LOCATED IN THE EAST 4 7 $19,700.00 Respondent generation of income or preservaSPAULDING PLAT 4 8 $15,000.00 tion of assets, (b) by an agreement Summons Without Real Estate of the parties in writing, or (c) for 4 9 $19,700.00 THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF retaining counsel to carry on or to ELY DOES HEREBY ORDAIN: Fol lowi ng a re t he ter ms a nd THE parcels: STATE OF MINNESOTA contest this proceeding. Following are the terms and conditions of the sales of the above-referenced conditions of the sales of the above- TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RE(2) Neither party may harass the SECTION 1. Chapter 20 as Section referenced 1. There will be no accessparcels: from Pioneer Road. SPONDENT: other party. 20.2.33, of the Ely City Code2. shall There will be three years from installation of utilities to build. WARNING: Your spouse has (3) All currently available insur3. Buyer is1.to There pay all legal fees,be permits water and sewer access fees. be amended to read as follows: will no and access from filed a lawsuit against you for ance coverage must be maintained 4. EarnestPioneer Money of $500.00 the buyers. Road. will be required to hold the lot fordissolution of isyour marriage. AUnderlineand continued without change in Formatted: 5. One residential unit per lot, except for Lot 1, Block 4 and Lot 15, Block 2 which SEC. 20.2.33. SALE OF deemed LAND 2. There will be three years from copy of the paperwork regarding unbuildable as single residential lot. coverage or beneficiary designaL O C AT E D I N T H E E A S T installation of utilities to build. the lawsuit is served on you with tion. SPAULDING PLAT. The Council 3. Buyer is to pay all legal fees, this summons. This summons is an (4) Parties to a marriage dissoof t he Cit y of Ely is hereby permits and water and sewer access official document from the court lution proceeding are encouraged authorized to sell land located in fees. that affects your rights. Read this to attempt alternative dispute resthe East Spaulding Plat, on terms 4. Earnest Money of $500.00 will summons carefully. If you do not olution pursuant to Minnesota law. and conditions acceptable to the be required to hold the lot for the understand it, contact an attorney Alternative dispute resolution inCity Council and the Mayor and buyers. for legal advice. cludes mediation, arbitration and Clerk are hereby authorized to 5. One residential unit per lot, except other processes as set forth in the execute all documents and do all for Lot 1, Block 4 and Lot 15, Block 1. The Petitioner (your spouse) district court rules. You may conthings necessary to effect the sale 2 which is deemed unbuildable as has filed a lawsuit against you tact the court administrator about of that certain real estate described single residential lot. asking for dissolution of your mar- resources in your area. If you as follows, to wit: 6. All developed lots shallDeleted: connect riage A copy of the Peticannot pay for mediation or alter! ORDINANCE NO. 368,(divorce). 2 Series¶ to the City electrical grid.¶ tion for Dissolution of Marriage is native dispute resolution, in some !¶ Block Lot Total Price ! AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ELY, attached to MINNESOTA, this Summons. counties, assistance may be availAMENDING THE ELY CITY CODE, CHAPTER 20, 2 8 $15,000.00 SECTION 20.2.33, SALE OF2. LAND LOCATED EAST upon PetitionYou mustIN THE serve able to you through a nonprofit SPAULDING PLAT¶ SECT ION 2. Ef fect ive Date: er and file with the court a written ¶ 2 9 $18,000.00 provider or a court program. If you OF THE CITY OF ELY DOES HEREBY P u r su a nt t o Se ct ion THE 3.COUNCIL 0 8 of Answer to the Petition for Disso- are a victim of domestic abuse or ¶ 2 10 $18,000.00 the Charter of the CityORDAIN: of Ely, ¶ lution of marriage, and you must threats as defined in Minnesota ! SECTION 1. Chapter 20 as Section 20.2.33, of the Ely City Code Minnesota, the adoption thisto read aspay 2 11 $18,000.00 shall of be amended follows:¶ the required filing fee. Answer Statues, Chapter 518B, you are not ¶ Ordinance is effective immediately ! SEC. 20.2.33.! SALE OF LAND LOCATED IN THE EAST from the court forms are available 2 12 $20,000.00 required to try mediation and you SPAULDING PLAT. The Council of the City of Ely is hereby after final adoption and publication. administrator’s You must will not be penalized by the court authorized to sell land located in the East Spaulding Plat, on office. terms 2 13 $18,000.00 and conditions acceptable to the City Council and the Mayor and Answer upon Petition- in later proceedings. Clerk are hereby authorizedserve to execute your all documents and do all First Reading: April 4, 2023 2 14 $18,000.00 things necessary to effect the of that certain thirty real estate described ersalewithin (30) days of the IF YOU VIOLATE ANY OF as follows, to wit:¶ date you were served with this THESE PROVISIONS, YOU 2 15 $15,000.00 $12,000.00 Publication Date: April 8,Formatted: 2023 Strikethrough Summons, not counting the day WILL BE SUBJECT TO SANCFormatted: Not Strikethrough of service. If you do not serve and TIONS BY THE COURT. Public Hearing: April 18, 2023 file your Answer, the court may Dated 3-10-23 3 1 $15,000.00 Newspaper: Ely Echo give your spouse everything he or Ryan Richard Stern 3 2 $15,000.00 she is asking for in the Petition for St. Louis Co., MN 3 3 $15,000.00 Dissolution of Marriage. Ely Echo April 8, 2023 This proceeding does not in3 4 $15,000.00 EE 4/1, 8, 15 3

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THE ELY

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Minnesota DNR Conservation Officers weekly report District 5 - Eveleth area CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working the Rainy River this past week. The open water and warm weather had many people out in boats this past weekend. Fishing reports were average, with anglers reporting catching some fish. Simonson would like to remind people to double-check registration and safety equipment in boats before hitting the water for the first time this year. Violations encountered this past week consisted of expired registration, no life jackets, no fire extinguishers and angling with extra lines. CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports that although snowmobiling conditions continue to be excellent, there has been a drastic reduction in participation. Angling activity has picked up both on interior waterways along with the popular Rainy River catch-and-release walleye season. Ice has slowed down in its recession toward Lake of the Woods but the accesses continue to become usable as the river gains ground in an eastward progression. Watercraft registration was a common violation as boats come out of storage. Be mindful of the spring road and trail closures and know what vehicles are or are not allowed. CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring spring road/trail closures, dealing with an otter turned in by Council Minutes - March 21, 2023 Regular Meeting Ely City Council – City Hall, Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Ely City Council was called to order by Mayor Omerza at 5:30pm in the Council Chambers. PR ESEN T: Council members A. Forsma n, D ebelt z, Ca l len, Campbell, Bisbee, and Mayor Omerza ABSENT: Council member Kess APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Debeltz /Campbell moved to approve minutes from the March 7, 2023 Regular Council Meeting. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent. ADDITIONS OR OMISSIONS TO AGENDA: A. Additions 6.B. Approve Council and Staff to attend the 32nd Annual Celebrate Ely Banquet put on by the Chamber of Commerce on April 13, 2023 at the Grand Ely Lodge B. Omit 9.E.i. Purchase Agreement for East Spaulding First Addition Lot 7, Block 1 to David Streif and Michelle Beltrand C. Additions 10.A Ely Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting – Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 5:30pm at Grand Ely Lodge. D. Additions 10.B. Athens – Feature Film to be filmed in Ely A. Forsman /Callen moved to approve the Add it ion s a nd Omissions A-D. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent. MAYOR’S REPORT: Proclamation for Disney’s Frozen: A Broadway Musical – Mayor Omerza indicated that Billie Rouse came to one of our first council meeting of the year, and talked to us about the Disney’s Frozen: A Broadway Musical and how Ely was one of the 50 communities in the United States to have Frozen be performed in Ely High School. We have a couple students here and an American Sign Language Interpreter here for the Proclamation for Disney’s Frozen: A Broadway Musical to proclaim that this be The Year of Frozen here in Ely. Mayor Omerza indicated that there has been a film scouting crew in Ely, more details will be following. Some of us have been working with them to see if Ely is the right fit to film their film, more information to come on this. Moment of Silence was had for John Braun a City of Ely Employee who worked for the City for 20 years, he is greatly missed. CONSENT AGENDA: A. Motion to waive readings in entirety of all ordinances and resolutions on tonight’s agenda. B. Approve Council and Staff to attend the 32nd Annual Celebrate Ely Banquet put on by the Chamber of Commerce on April 13, 2023 at the Grand Ely Lodge Debeltz/Bisbee moved to approve the consent agenda items A and B. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent. REQUESTS TO APPEAR: None COMMITTEE REPORTS: Standing/Special Library Board: Minutes included in the Council Packet Park & Recreation Board Bisbee/Callen moved to approve the recommendation from Park and Recreation Board to form a three member panel to perform a feasibility analysis for a Multi-use Recreation and Event Facility. Debeltz asked what it would

beaver trappers, and completing equipment work. Other time was devoted to various administrative tasks. Deer are showing the effects of winter, with no end in sight. More than a foot of snow remains on the ground. Another winter storm takes aim at the Northland this week, further adding to the snow depth.

CO Du ke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring ice fishing and snowmobile activity. Recent warm weather started to deteriorate snowmobile trails. Ice anglers reported poor success. Broughten also attended training at Camp Ripley.

District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports angling activity was good over the weekend as anglers got out to enjoy the spring weather that finally arrived. Several complaints were taken of snowmobile use on local grant-in-aid CO Marc Johnson (Hib- trails. Snowmobilers are bing) primarily worked an- reminded these trails are gling, ATV, and snowmobile closed as of April 1. enforcement. Recreational activity was severely limited CO John Velsvaag (Ely throughout the week as many #2) checked anglers this past people prepare for spring. A week. Snowmobiling was reminder that all grant-in-aid slow at the end of the week. snowmobile trails that run Ice conditions are still good through private property are but there are some areas of now closed for the season. slush. Snowmobile trails that run through state property will C O Hu d s o n L e d e e n remain open as long as con- (Grand Marais #2) reports ditions allow. the winter trout-fishing season came to an anticlimactic CO Shane Zavodnik (Vir- end. Winter weather continginia) spent time following ues to linger and the tribuup on a birch-pole-theft case tary waters to Lake Superior over the week. Zavodnik con- remain pretty locked up with tacted the suspect, who was in snow and ice. Equipment possession of approximately maintenance was conducted. 120 birch poles. Enforcement action was taken and CO A nt hony Ber mel contraband was also seized (Babbitt) primarily checked at the scene. Administrative anglers. Some snowmobile tasks were also completed traffic was still observed, throughout the week. and trail conditions were CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling, snowmobile, and trapping enforcement. Larson spent time checking some of the few crappie anglers in his station. He also spent time on equipment maintenance.

contain. Bisbee indicated that as of now we are just looking to do research on the costs for construction costs, operating costs and the feasibility of the project to allow for a year round green space for activities, shows, concerts, etc. Omerza asked if the members would be from park and recreation board. Bisbee indicated that the members would be f rom t he Pa rk a nd Recreation and will be reporting back to Park and Recreation Board in June. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent. Projects Committee Callen/Debeltz moved to approve the recommendation from Projects Committee to proceed with the sale of East Spaulding, Lot Block 2, Lot 15 for $12,000 since the lot is not buildable and will be used for green space, ordinance lists the lot for $15,000. A.Forsman asked to have a realtor look at the lot to confirm the price. Langowski indicated that back in 2002 it was listed, but it was realized it was not a buildable due to powerlines and wet lands. Langowski indicated that we will have someone look at it to confirm the price. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent. Callen /A. Forsman moved to approve the recommendation from Projects Committee to award the East End Development Project to Low Impact Excavators pending the completion of the environmental review by St. Louis County. Langowski indicated that we are receiving $75,000 from CDBG from the county for the water main portion. The county is working on the environmental review process with the state on this, and it should be cleared rather quickly. We have also applied to the IRRR for portions of this for the business aspects of this project mainly for Zup’s access and parking lot improvements and Spirit of the Wilderness and Voyageur North water and sewer developments in that area. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent. C a l le n /C a mpb e l l move d t o approve the recommendation f r o m P r oj e c t s C o m m i t t e e t o a p p r ove t h e r e qu e s t o f $4,513,000 to be submitted for (CDS) Congressionally Directed Spending for the Ely Water Supply Improvements Project. La ngowsk i indicated that we s u b m it t e d r e q u e s t s t h r o u g h our Congressman Pete Stauber and Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar and on Friday submitted for the Congressional Appropriation Committee, an additional application for Rural Development Funding. We also submitted this project to the State of Minnesota Department of Health for the Public Facilities Authority to get it on their intended use plan for as early as this fall. A lot of applications have been submitted and hopefully those appropriations continue to be funded, obviously this is a very important project and it would benefit everyone in Ely. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent. Airport Commission Bisbee/Debeltz moved to approve the recommendation from the Airport Commission to approve TKDA to update the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. La ngowsk i i nd icated t hat he c on f i r m e d w it h t he A i r p or t Engineer that this will be around $3000. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent.

Bisbee/Campbell moved to approve the A irport Memorandum of Agreement ( MOA) between the Un ited States of America Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration and the City of Ely for a 5 year lease on the Radio Equipment at the Airport. Langowski indicated that this is for FAA equipment on our property. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent.

pretty good throughout the week. Enforcement action was taken for no state park vehicle permit.

(Brainerd) reports attending in-service training this week and attending a Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame event to honor two conservation CO Matt Miller (Silver officer pilots who were inBay) took complaints of ducted to the hall of fame. snowmobiles operating offtrail and with loud, modified N R Pilot Brad Ma as mufflers. Snow and ice have (Brainerd) did helicopter held with the increase in flight training with another sun, but with grant-in-aid pilot. He also did administrails closing and grooming trative tasks, as more winter ceasing, trails will begin to weather postponed some deteriorate quickly. Lakes training flights. He attended remain covered with snow the ceremony for the inducand slush. Several com- tion of two former CO pilots, mercial items were handled Robert Hodge, and John for the Fisheries office. En- Parker, into the Minnesota forcement action was taken Aviation Hall of Fame. There for angling and snowmobile were six new inductees and violations. 435 people in attendance at this prestigious ceremony. CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports attending training at CO Pilot Charles Scott Camp Ripley all week. (Grand Rapids) completed spring in-service training. CO Don Murray (Two He worked on aircraft mainHarbors) worked snowmo- tenance items for upcoming bile and angling activity photo missions. He attended during the week. Some area the Minnesota Aviation Hall grant-in-aid snowmobile of Fame induction ceremony, trails are now closed, so honoring six aviation procheck area conditions to fessionals. Two were former know what trails are still DNR Enforcement pilots. open before you ride. Murray also attended a Division Standby CO Pilot Jake training session at Camp Willis (Grand Rapids) atRipley. tended training and instructed at Division in-service this Aviation Section week. CO Pilot Tim Gray (Bemidji) attended in-service NR Pilot Gracie Zeller training at Camp Ripley. He (Brainerd) did many training also flew a flight over Lake flights and began preparing of the Woods for shelters left equipment for fire season. unattended on the ice. She also attended to administrative tasks. CO Pilot Jason Jensen see him progress. Motion Carried 6-0-1-1 with Kess Absent and Callen Abstaining. Chief Marshall indicated that they will post for the Captain position, which is an existing position and will bring the recommendation forward to the council. Library Director Library Director Heinrich discussed the current programming at the Library which can be found on the Library website.

Planning & Zoning Commission C a mpb e l l /C a l le n move d t o approve the recommendation from Planning and Zoning to task PZ Admin and Building Official to confirm the number of Short Term Rental units operating within the city and certify that all Short Term Rentals are properly licensed. Langowski indicated that this is already being done by our Building Official and they are working with the Ely Tourism Bureau also. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent.

Police Chief

H o u s i n g & R e d e ve l o p m e n t Authority Campbell indicated that she would like to commend Director Joe Hiller and his staff, the Ely HRA has earned the designation of High Performer from Standard Performer from the last inspection in 2019. As a high performer our PHA gets perks out of this, we will not see another inspection in 3 years and we could see the increase to our Capital Improvement Subsidy. The score is great, but we have a lot of work to do to improve the housing we have.

Ordinance 367 An Ordinance of the City of Ely, Minnesota, Adding to the Ely City Code, Chapter 6, Section 6.40, Entitled Edible Cannabinoid Product Dealers. CBD Ad Hoc Meeting Minutes Article on Cannabinoids in Ely Attorney Klun indicated that the council tasked an Ad Hoc group to review these proposed ordinances. We r ev iewe d t h r e e s epa r at e ordinances: A) Off Sale Exclusive – Sales could only be in a store that only sells CBD/THC Products, B) Off Sale Only – Sales could be from a business in town and then take the product and consume off site, and C) Off and On Sale – sales could be off sale and on sale at restaurants, where you could consume on site. The committee determined that Off Sale Exclusive was too restrictive especially in light of current sales throughout the community. The committee supports the Off Sale Only Ordinance in light of where the products are currently being sold in gas stations and grocery stores. The On and Off Sale Ordinance brought a lot of discussion in the committee. The committee is aware of existing restaurants requesting to sell on sale CBD beverages; the committee is supportive of this request so long as the establishment meets the requirements of a “restaurant,” similar to Sunday liquor sale laws. Attorney Klun indicated that the committee has proposed the On and Off Sale Ordinance for the Council’s Review. Bisbee asked in regards to the On Sale is it beverage exclusive or are they allowed to sell gummies or other edibles in the bar/restaurant. Attorney Klun indicated that they could sell gummies as long as they are considered a restaurant. The thought was more towards beverages. Bisbee asked for the on sale usage to potentially define it as beverage consumption only. Campbell asked that once the new laws come out regarding marijuana we can update the ordinance. Attorney Klun indicated that yes we can and will; the only thing we are looking at right now is the Cannabinoid products. Omerza indicated that was one of the challenges as we were looking at this, we are looking at a short portion of this, and we don’t know what is going to come out of the legislature in the near future. We are just looking at the cannabinoids right now. Bisbee indicated that on sale license requirements are listed in Subd. 2 in the ordinance, but no off sale requirements were listed. Attorney Klun indicated that we can look at that more.

Langowski shared information on the Housing Project; he has been work ing with Campbell and Hiller on a housing project for behind Sibley and Grahek Apartments. We have spoken with Minnesota Housing and Finance, as far as what funds will become available, those funds will not be available until about a year from now. They recommended that we look at our Housing Study and have it updated, we last updated it in 2019 and obviously a lot of things have changed since 2019. They are well aware of the high cost of construction right now, a lot of projects that are being done successfully right now are apartment style building with a little different amenities than we would typically have in our current apartments. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: Clerk-Treasurer Langowsk i indicated that the Outdoor Ice Skating Rink at the Rec Center is closed for the Season, but we had probably one of the longest seasons in a long time. Langowski thanked the Rink Attendants for keeping the ice in great shape this year. Fire Chief Fire Department Minutes from January and February Chief Marshall stated that Safety Officer Zgonc, Captain Callen, and Fire Fighter Josh Ojala, attended the Fire Officer Training School in Duluth. All three of those members took a 12 hour National Fire Academy Course entitled decision making for initial company operations. Chief Marshall discussed the recent calls for the fire department. Chief Marshall indicated that they had interviews for the 2nd Assistant Chief position and the recommendation is for Ryan Callen. Debeltz/A.Forsman moved to accept the recommendation for Ryan Callen to be the next 2nd Assistant Chief for the Ely Fire Department. A.Forsman stated that he is proud of Captain Callen and would like to

City Attorney OMITTED Purchase Agreement for East Spaulding First Addition Lot 7, Block 1 to David Streif and Michelle Beltrand Debeltz/A.Forsman moved to approve the Mortgage Satisfaction for Timmothy Leeson and Jessica Leeson Document No. 01320084 recorded on October 17, 2017 for their Storefront Rehab Loan. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent.

Callen/Debeltz moved to approve

the 1st reading of Ordinance of the City of Ely, Minnesota, Adding to the Ely City Code, Chapter 6, Section 6.40, Entitled Edible Cannabinoid Product Dealers. A.Forsman indicated that it is important to pass this ordinance; we need to get this out there as it is exemplified th rough the Timberjay article that it is already being sold in locations in Ely. A.Forsman reiterated his concern that he doesn’t feel that on sale is not appropriate. He will vote for this, but will also move to have the on sale removed from this ordinance. A.Forsman indicated he will vote for the 1st reading as it stands, but will not vote in favor of the 2nd reading as it stand unless on sale is taken out. Debeltz asked if the cannabinoid products can be sold in liquor stores. Attorney Klun indicated that they cannot, liquor stores have strict things they can sell that is listed in the MN State Statutes. La ngowsk i st at e d t hat ever y existing vendor in the community that is selling it right now, after this ordinance is approved they all have to come and get a license. When they do get the license they will have to meet the requirements and then the police department will be able to inspect the business just like they do for underage liquor sales and tobacco licensing. Roll Called: Council Members A.Forsman – Yes, Kess- Absent, Debeltz – Yes, Callen – Yes, Campbell – Yes, Bisbee – Yes, and Mayor Omerza – Yes. Motion Carried 6-0-1. A.Forsman moved to remove on sale from ordinance 367 – No support for the motion, the motion failed. Callen/Debeltz moved to schedule a public hearing for April 4th at 5pm regarding Ordinance 367. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent. Attorney Klun discussed the fees for the license that the committee recommended. Off sale $100 per year, On Sale $1000 per year, except if combined with an existing on sale liquor license, the cost would be an additional $300 per year for on sale Cannabinoid license. Bisbee/Debeltz moved to support the fees recommended by the committee as follows: Off sale $100 per year, On Sale $1000 per year, except if combined with an existing on sale liquor license, the cost would be an additional $300 per year for on sale Cannabinoid license. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent. City Engineer COMMUNICATIONS: Matter of Information Ely Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting – Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 5:30pm at Grand Ely Lodge. Athens – Feature Film to be filmed in Ely CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT: A. City and EUC claims for March 21, 2023 for $997,007.04 B. Pay Est i mat e #11 for t he WWTF Improvements Project for $272,738.35 to Rice Lake Construction Group C. Invoice #85930 to AE2S for the WWTF Improvements Project for $29,488.58 D. Invoice #443333 to SEH for the Prospector EAW Project for $2,524.50 E. Invoice #442967 to SEH for the Prospector ATV Phase 2 for $650.00 Debeltz/Callen moved to approve the Claims for Payment items A-E. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent.

Enforcement Education Please check the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov for a current class listing of all DNR Enforcement Education Courses and instructor training sessions. If you missed a fall class and are over 18, check online for the online course information. (It’s also at www. mndnr.gov.) Please check the DNR website www.mndnr.gov for a current class listing of all DNR Enforcement Youth and Adult Snowmobile Safety Courses and instructor training sessions. Pl e a s e d i r e c t q u e s tions to 1-800-366-8917 or 1-888-MINNDNR. Reminder: Anyone born after December 31, 1979 cannot purchase a license to hunt in Minnesota without first taking a DNR Safety Training Course and receiving a certificate. In addition, many states have even more stringent mandatory Hunter Education requirements. Check before you go! Reminder: Any resident born after December 31, 1976, who operates a snowmobile in Minnesota must possess a snowmobile certificate. Two options are available to complete certification. Ages 11 and older can take the online course and hands-on day or attend the traditional youth course. Those 16 or older can take the online course.

OLD BUSINESS: Committee Seat Applications Callen/Debeltz moved to approve Mauro Caruso to the Police Commission with Term expiring 1/31/2026. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent. NEW BUSINESS: A. Forsman /Callen moved to approve the Request to Appear and Open Forum Policy Forms. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent. Callen/Bisbee moved to approve Change orders No. 6 and 7 for the Ely WWTF Improvements Project. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent. Consider the Purchase Agreement for East Spaulding Lot Block 2, Lot 15 for $12,000 to Sheryl and John Swenson – Discussed under projects committee. Debeltz/Campbell move to direct Attorney Klun to update City Code Sec 20.2.33 Sale of Land Located in the East Spaulding Block 2, Lot 15 purchase price from $15,000 to $12,000. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent. Ca llen / Bisbee moved to approve Amendment No 1 to the Agreement for Professional Services between City of Ely and Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc which was effective October 5, 2021. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Kess Absent. Bisbee/Campbell moved to approve Resolution 2023 0 07 Resolution Authorizing to Execute Minnesota Department of Transportation Grant Agreement for Airport Improvement Excluding Land Acquisition for the AWOS Phase 1 Site Selection Environmental. Roll Called: Council Members A.Forsman – Yes, Kess- Absent, Debeltz – Yes, Callen – Yes, Campbell – Yes, Bisbee – Yes, and Mayor Omerza – Yes. Motion Carried 6-0-1. OPEN FORUM: Freder ica Musg rave at 30 W Shagawa Rd Mu sg r ave e n c o u r a g e d m o r e citizenship participation in the committee meetings. Musgrave indicated she would like the City to look over the mission statements on the commissions and post the information on the website. What is the purpose of the committees and is the City looking for someone with specific attributes for the specific committee. Musgrave asked what the process is to apply and are the applicants screened. Todd Crego gave the rebroadcasting days and times. Ely City Council – Monday, Friday, and Saturday Ely Utilities Commission – Sunday and Wednesday E ly E c o n o m ic D evelo p m e nt A s s o c i a t i o n – Tu e s d ay a n d Thursday Channel 11 – 8am and 5:30pm – Unless an otherwise scheduled live meeting Channel 98 – 9am and 7pm – Unless an otherwise scheduled live meeting ADJOURN: Mayor Omerza adjour ned the meeting without objection at 6:41pm. Casey Velcheff Deputy Clerk Ely Echo April 8, 2023

THE SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023 comes you Film SATURDAY, Festival 7 Section 2 to the End of the Road ELY ECHO/Page APRIL 8, 2023 ELY ECHO’S NORTH COUNTRY SAVER PAGE 3

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On the fighters discov 9, the Ely morn ing of Jan. ered gas leak responded Fire Depar tment was cominthat the a furnace. g from employees to a call from the furnace offThey turned the Northern of Wintergreen and opene Wear, callin the d all cause their g be- untilwindows in the buildi no more carbo ng alarms had carbon monoxide n monoxide remai gone ned. Upon arriva off. The firefig used a multi- l, firefighters Wintergreen hters informed detected heighgas meter and that the furna Northern Wear carbon mono tened levels of ce needed fixed xide just the main inside returnbefore employees to be entran could . by Tom Coom Before enteri ce. Marshall be ing to locate ng the buildEly’s longe $ Omer za, employees commended the school board st-se r ving firefighter the leak, each who was because of Northern of Wintergreen absen t memb continue Self-C ontai suited up in a Wear. to lead the er will ties with his coaching du- as chair for Marsn “The emplo this year. Appa ratus ned Breat hing ik during severa meeti group baske the high schoo yees did eryth ing because of l girls whenonl Dec. 23 last ngs tball team, evigate expos(SCBA) to mitLongtime inflati year, he was theTHE ARENA approved they heard perfe ctly! Once chairman Max recov ering $223 per month on rose to monoxide, ure to carbo L GYM Mars nik, severaAND board from games. the (carbo RaySCHOO alumni injuries sustai n oxide plus $64 HIGH ing itemsall andl house whoTHE accor hockey study sessio n monkeepAT joine was one ned in board in 2002 automobile d the basketb during a briefat the school, n, with the per chief Dave Marshding to fire vacate) alarm go off, girlsorgan an perso ALUMNI ACTION accide coach reand was all, ald)nt. they chairizingand d the buildi n receiv ed chairboys basketb (McDon sessio teacher When insid all. Omer n thatwhile currentpart for the annual in the mid-2 za andelectstipend plus ing the same was re-ele game, of alumni was Megan e, the fire- 911, and waite ng, called the regula graduate graduate was treasu all 2022 000s, 2014 a re-ele cted an d for us arena, rer basketb r Gantt, meeti arrive.” cted while boys At the The board ng. in the to his squad. newly-elect $64 per month additional to contest. nts by his peers red post ’s office Jen Westl alumni during the girls of the participa for theed r slate Mond Sainio in goal Once again . ns intact Winter ay, at the remai played boards first in her first und took part on and , with , the back Dotts guarded nik Ely pads will Marsmeeti meeti continuing Echo ng of the new year. g put the as chair and holdovers Holle ng, joining officiaserve as the distri Chase Sandber Roch elle ct’s e Coombe l public Sjobe rg, and Tony M i nu s secon who Colar me mb e r Ely’s only ation Tom ing d in seniority, contin is Among the ich. locall as clerk. Sjobe uother orga- publication subm y-owned VOL. 51 rg filled in nizing tasks includ itted NUMBER 3, ed setting of $6.78 per colum a bid board comp ensation, n inch SATURDAY, which (Continued on Page JANUARY 15, 2) 2022 finances and have to do with protecting Grant ct emwe’re create State Sen.-ele on will ensure taxes, county provements and RUSTY BLACKBIRD es can ld will serve Photography ployment. Business includ- Hauschi ees in our taconite and IRRRB by Snotty Moose Photos above four senate committ and city funding obtain up to $50,000, PS the form of a TOWNSHI JANUARY ing $25,000 in under the St. Paul. his as- funds.” tax committ ee asAND FALL LAKE worked In addition to The OF WINTON, MORSE • The city of Ely for the forgivable loan, ISD 696, CITY Senate Tax key one for lots place. ER: CITY OF ELY, signment to the signment is a to develop 11 program put in OFFICIAL NEWSPAP of Ely which was an- Hauschild. Both of his prenew homes • Beck Sponholza youth Committee, construction of State this month, in year. Council nounce earlier Democrat decessor s, outgoingthe late as soon as this took first place Cook. and to extend The owne contest at the Hermantown on three Sen. Tom Bakk members agreed lots, loarchery boys were part of to the Bregler-Pors of KJ’s True Value will also get seats Doug Johnson, the com• Ely’s high school infrastructure es. scored a described as store someshak, plan on open, Jay Poshak and had chaired cated in what’s basketba ll team at home other committe of a slim and Jackie the Spauldwin every thing time in the next ing the new Hauschild, part mittee. Sibley Court in dedramatic 58-56 goes well. will be vicetwo to three hardware Marshall. Hauschild narrowly an DFL majority, See story ing area. against Duluth Labor weeks if five in local Republic Senate two time on page the in of Babbitt first ors chair feated • For the • Supervis nine. Norun unopee. of Covid-19 Zupancich in weeks, cases township s will Incumbent Committ was appointe d Andrea Ely area. in a close contest the also in He d March. vember, in increase posed the only to the Senate Environment to see who would succeed by the highly MORSE Len Cersine was Perhaps fueled variant, BOARD e to file in Morse and Legacy, and Education Bakk, who retired after 20 Tower, chair from at contagious Omicron cases the candidat and Terry Lake Morse town and new Ely, Alex Seaton the State Senate committees. p,hall. FallSode rberg Policy there were 20 the 55731 Patrick Knudson from were getting blocks set up Townshi greet committee assign- years in Photo . Seliskar of members by Parke “Theed ium. supervis or Craig 28 as a legislator Ely Mayor the and Paul Sires from Ely among residents week r Loew. are exactly ofwhat from that Carving Sympos r. the St. d and Louis in the Festival Snow Hauschil remain not get a challenge ments I got codeisolated County zip Hauschild g to for the Ely Winter cancelled also did Ely Echo was who unseated The Ely Echo by Tom Coombe campus.Jan. 4, accordin peI was hoping for,” Roger Skraba, Board to a meet ington, D.C., was year for a • T he District ended ing Tuesd has Department policy shorter newspap er said this week. “They touch incumbe nt Democrat Rob ta five-day The Ely School lead of theThe third straight ay ed its news staff with expandMinneso named official by the of the District the members for a of reporter the hire was endorsed factors including has followed riod • School board all the top prioritiesland and Ecklund in House Health. and photo for the city of Ely. new number of health of- of to Ely faces Ely area’s new from our faceDisease Parker Loew Centers for grapher agreement with concerns and vacfederal and state federal • A familiar • An Ely woman than Northland to our schools 3A, are the . the reached ndent John Klarich Covid-19 in the reduced the in St. Paul. leadyear, earlierwill . by of more Star ting ficials and has Control environment residents representatives Parke a prison term e period area in superinteover on Jan. 31. He cine mandatese Ely ta Departt h i s we r Loew Chamber pleaded and labor rights. Taxes will office Tuesday, Loew’s name she take the Minneso County Board after about ek, Both required quarantin positive St. andLouis take Longtim • to years Marle on in seven al details position additionLinda ne Zorm test passed she legislative portage and t committee. Fryerupdates. articles and is attached to Health signed sioner Paul took the part-time an as mayfor those who ment ofCommis or continues be an importan most ma- when the new to charges that Wintaon inspir 2022. guilty countdownon leg-City of Erik Director and Covid-19 ed in The two 12. elected to events leaving by ing in the photos appearbehindthat Jan. sistersand the begins. involved daughter was trafficked cele- away, the resignati be ld was her for Covid-19. support Coun swore I’ll session after winter who will Erie McDona In release that public cil major n in on Mond the winte worked to-of legislatio staff gethe In a news greplac ember and Ely’s ndent Erik ation and the start-up online. be rsexually orr of 2021, to seven-m Students and Superinte in the Fores ay, Jan.her jor pieces here. took acy includin ing Festhe 9 for years. is nearly with local Erie. this week, festival to return to lead hethe t Service city water tower tank Kathyallowed y/Art bration issued Joy Buley, Zoe Devine In additi A native Brand au.. Daisy Winter now be allowed said consulted • Ely’s2022 Also are ready Ely’s Blueberr and then Ely of “We froze, group. nals, in on showof assaulted sworn said the to work after skiers deThe of professio mains froze, the Twin muni ty rs braved fourth out of 130 Feb. 3-13 ganizers After in- to her to first firefighte school five days or testing health term and decades swea ring time-hon ing the city almo st losin com- ies suburbs and a gradu Cit• Elycare fromthe Jan. 8 tival first guilty some leav36, pleaded runs in support. s new tourism to battle Festival traffickalsoures to bring you asina office was Zorm races at mayo to promotin g its the University ate of ed sex g Ely sister ing symptom who were r, the city in the water. The without running water supply in temperat the classic activities events: an’s proce Michelethe gree aggravat one students action by cold of al, numerou favorite the Minn rental from allows counc a of with Loew ored city following Invitation middl Richa stem move winter, anoth esota, eded with n.won ag Sympo-- ing. il only full-ti Thethat damaged campus Mesabi East of Winto positive, e rds who work ed The charges destinatio counc n’s issue Sculptin at an emer- a firestaff er pressi as a photo month your schedules. skiing from their biMinneso me emplo return journ il seat 300toblock of fill Metals ly meeti ar period vemb the school board Tuesday. home and ontothe the largestrsNordic the board Snow • Twin say ta. No- the er. , snowng in which the one who takes yee, and was at the council meeti ng Wyomalist for the state ickel ainthree-ye Ely ArtWalk on are symptom of Organize sium, most as they a copper-n her daughter the seatin Street. in Minneso been ta’s ng care of the of gency meeting as long ing’s Game press plans for plowi Listening Camp Miche the le rs haveproject cut East 2014-16, when g with a fever, dealt voluntee have in local events was the city’s and and• Ely’s and Fish were shoe hikes old. ing matte r and ng, streetlights, trailhead One of the arrangement. Depar tment Marlene 11-to-13 Ely ion a spike de- mine and do not the The board’s decision wellnear and the final ons sewer water know in wasare The years in half, free• Despite period has busy Foundat putting all renovati Point blown when in recirc has won supply. Ruff,all other needs, Austi , bers was givencouncil memHe also has 2020. ingtry. cases, Ely school t.” the North proposedand Coun the isolation period down Covid-19 and the five-day are excited devastat • The Ely Echo ulatin Beardfes onset g pump had nity aGreat was at the experience no and n was signi a chair that a freela Miche days Nordic together Commu tration were awards tailsVermilio le is the for-statefailed , anderone there the meeting symsaid amid merAdminis as going from 10 gained favor newspap nce Biden at the eventnto begin.cut in the fican tly 30 officials sculpture of the two to than snowowne n mains address the counc r of the leases starte d leaki the The Sister distance has comp photographer and for short circulatio made of 2) the Chainboth twosmineral trout to five, and it allowed January, to return toPage the largest sculpting College canceled sawin durin ng end Saloo some time that day, he had il. Earlier quent rest and was conseer al photo leted some perso includes legisla(Continued on day of the winter By the bonding n which across return to school plans posiumwith project. g the week ly much for the nta, the-shedivision will be needed resolv for weeklies both the proposed - On the secondcaught a nice rainbow students to day rather than learning. ran comm Minneso prior. husba fromher on EWF brochure broken recirc ed peers. Ruff lower than her the Boungraphy projects in Parke Snowmo by Gov. Tim NICE TROUT nd Mark , . unitypublicati Ely the following ta. The r Loew was worrie The ing pump dary • TheMidwest TheIgloo School board members the Germany businesses. teams tion advanced Leeson of Ely 2) • , once ulatlocal Minneso Evan Hupila. Page at Water fabled way on again the Ken ed catenew to by and the d that season, a saloo tanks a proposed available the rescu came Area in the (Continu ion upperlocate Wilderness. s Canoe (D).festival informat Clubd has place and leaking fishing. Photo linesaswere Loew said a. the aftern was in Ely approved require all Walz e and won first near con- biling a at main before the risk of freeziPage Argentin More trout while ice andgroom meetings Mudro Lake “I love the he likes area trails water had the council memb offere d Virtual event’s to a chance small town of Editorial ng, and on theofficials policy that would vaccinated can• be 2) “the gorygood wilde found Page John er on to he newsLoew 2022 ed for a a rness freez didn’t reason chair federal of be a relief (Continu ,” right near feel” and “bein said. “I e, to the . want any vened by www.ely winteremployees to Whole, for non-daily of the divide the purchase g work 000 publicinclude or be tested website aatfierce the Boun Gator. community. coun cil and she was willing to more if Gunflint Lodge for ed at Waters” with 3,000-7, against Covid-19 but only showed dary om. Ittowill in Ely, and help him of summ get the chair ban mining Deere city of Ely has fol- papers n. Echo editor Tom festival.c ers and I a couple ground runni he hit the • The over proposals outta! for the virus weekly, in need to be Ely, Minneso on a program circulatio measure was on national forest land d church of the city- in the wilderness. from owne at the Echo ng this week lowed through days after the Page 2) building. Happy New Year I plan to do another proposal business es Minnesota. , repor (Continued on tern help similar a can severa northeas photo that passed l news items ting on imschool series this summer.” by the U.S. • The annual high Wash- access money to make . was thrown out (Continued Court. The school senior class trip to on Page Supreme by Grassy Parker Loew 2) dropped the Page 2) Sletten, East Twin, subsequ ently The End of (Continued on the Road by Nick Wognum Ely Ig- and Everett lakes. Festiv trator Film the al will Igloo Trail Adminis club Every year of independenhost hundreds Club puts t filmmakers loo Snowmobile area lakes Roger Skraba estimates in Ely next over 400 on month. wooden stakes ilers safely members installedincluding The festiv stakes and signs Loop. to guide snowmob citizens in al aims to bring on their travels. final holes 116 on the Grassy painted round ing Ely and the surThe stakes are be seen This year the with the area in conta ct weekend to film comm were drilled last signs are brown on the top and allow unity with plastic and easier along and the posts showcase filmm akers to material, the winter. their work. now in place for easy one pipe with reflective run and The festival was noe trips The task isn’t an white for the main for the boy by Jacob White founded shore. multiple lakes of Amer scouts red for closer to since there are ica While going , an Ely local. e,” Having Igloos, this durintg his in the BWCA “It’s highly reflectiv to stake. For the in New York, to film aschoo summers film festiv attend ed a few the trail acciden , Little fell in off and als he in dcar l Tower. said Skraba. “Where open includes Shagawa seeing how in Duluth and were injured Mondayguide and later love with the area. there’s e, Bass, Low, Ely caclose it broug moved to TWO PEOPLE He goes by where Long, Burntsid Hwy. 169 between before MnDOT Ely in 2018. Cedar, Fall, ht Page 2) on a very slippery Range River, (Continued (Continued on went in the ditch Birch, Mud, than 10 vehicles the road conditio ns. Photo on Page More White Iron, If you don’t 2) Little improve ent. think was able to Fenske, Tee, Sletten, Jacob White all Lake Fire Departm are important algebra, geom courtesy Morse-F (Continued …try navig etry and phys on Page ics Minnesota ating a north 2) sidew

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to the 55731 Zip or St. LouisLoewCo., MN join Echo new s Ely s staff ChYear ai ns $48 One or $86 Two Years aw l Sisters M Winter Festiva no ichele an cew both

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Out-of-State Addresses $76 One Year or $142 Two Years Views from

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Senior Citizens 62 or orlder may deduct roads lead1 or 2 year subscription $2 off Slipperyyour idents on 169 alk this winte ern r

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after ed to the hospitalhitting were transport Two Ely people ice and went between two trees, black their vehicle hit the car around. traveling one and spinning reports a Honda CRV was Road when The State Patrol and Wolf Lake a tree at Highway 169 southbound on a bend going off the road into in control lost it ite Chavarria, 12:24 p.m. 21, and Lucia Marguermenson ComHannah Elise Jonas, ed to Ely-Bloo seatbelts were transport 22, both of Ely, Both occupants were wearing ng. munity Hospital. were classified as non-life threateni accident on Sheriand their injuries from a head on Names were released r Lumber Jan. 12. Voyageu 2008 Honda dan Street near Smith, 86, was driving a the hit a truck in Paul Frederic center line and g the includin driving a 2008 rs crossed was group of voluntee Coombe. CRV thatd lane. Eric Stephen Mase, 63, bilers were a and Brian westboun a 2008 z, Dan Perko the way for snowmo driving Banovet guide to was Ranger. Mike 37, Ford Townsend, to put in stakes Johnson, Craig Seydel, the crash. Elizabet h Marie also received damage from , Kurt DRILLING HOLES , Rico Mondati that Subaru Forester Warren Johnson

posal ing probillio n plan ts in bond ’s $2.7 Ely projec ations make Walz ing, VCC renov

North Views from the

have Ely city officials passed the pitched the trailhead “In 2020, we for both in state his- already to local legislators major step forward n begins largest jobs bill projects initiative g State Sen. Tom as discussio investing in the by Tom Coombe are projects Rep. a bonding tory, local communities told includin (I) and State Two Ely area projects in St. Paul on that them. Now BakkEcklund (D), as well as $2.7 billion will include matter most to included in a introduced package that across the us ta’s strong Rob committ ee membonding package by Gov. projects from with Minneso we have bonding both the State outlook, c from earlier this week state. even bers who issued economi A news release capital an opportunity to makeWalz. Senate and State House, e Tim Walz. rs pass on respectiv If state lawmake Jobs by Walz called the ndation more progress,” said came to town Local nt recomme a focus on projects last fall. the governor’s the city investme fire sta- tours officials then ap“in critical “With Ely and Projects Plan, an investment like roads, bridges, homes, ex$1.5 another receive preserve veterans directly for of Ely would projects that and tions, and funds and re- pealed next phase of infrastru cture plan will repair cture $1.5 million in state million for the project, isting address our trailhead project. the city’s trailhead million historica l assets, commu- place critical infrastru lives of for the $3 needs in improve the while just over to Ver- currentacross the state, and and Page 2) every corner on in funneled ed tans be (Continu would nities future for Minneso ity College milion Commun build a stronger of the state.” n project. ta.” for a renovatio is a Minneso The announcement

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ADDICTION COUNSELING: For families in need of drug or alcohol addiction counseling, Narconon Arrowhead can help. Narconon offers free counseling, assessments and referrals to centers nationwide. Call 1-800-468-6933 or log onto www.stopaddiction. com for answers today. 12/1 RTC

Tower A.A. Meeting: Vermilion 12X12 (open). Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Immanual Lutheran Church, 304 Spruce St. Tower. FOR SALE: 2008 Arctic Cat 400. $2,400. Pole Saw. $100. Several deer rifles. Two pair binoculars. $80 each. Call 218-7502918. 4/1,8

FREE CWCS Bumpersticker with new & renewing memberships! SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023 ELY ECHO’S NORTH COUNTRY SAVER PAGE 7

MDAN ads to run ONE TIME, the we

Week of April 9, 2023 Central South North

Metro

833-326-1710 833-326-1710

CALLCellular CONSUMER CELLULAR © 2023 Consumer Inc. Terms and Conditions subject to change. New service activation on approved credit.

Cellular service is not available in all areas and is subject to system limitations. Savings calculation is based on a comparison of Consumer average customersubject invoicetotochange. the average of single-line plans © 2023 Consumer CellularCellular’s Inc. Terms and Conditions New cost service activation entry-level on approved credit. offered service by the major wireless as ofisMay 2022. Cellular is not U.S. available in allcarriers areas and subject to system limitations. Savings calculation is based on a comparison of Consumer Cellular’s average customer invoice to the average cost of single-line entry-level plans offered by the major U.S. wireless carriers as of May 2022.

WEEKLY SPECIAL: XPS E-TECH OIL 1 GALLON CASES ON SALE NOW AT LOSSINGS POWERSPORTS IN BABBITT 218-827-2635. 3/25

WANTED TO BUY

EMPLOYMENT

MISCELLANEOUS

WANTED:

DISH NETWORK:

DONATING YOUR VEHICLE?

Your newspaper has agreed to MOTORCYCLES participate in the Minnesota Display Ad Network program bytowing. running ALL 1970S Only from Dish, 3-year TV price guarGet more! Free Tax deductRunning or not. Titled or not. Will pick antee! 99% signal reliability, backed by ible. Plus, a $200 restaurant voucher and Your agreed participate in the Minnesota Display Ad Network program by running thesenewspaper ads in the has main newstosection of your newspaper (not the classified section of your newspaup. Cash in exchange. Sell now before a 2-night/3-day hotel stay at one of 50 The guarantee. Includes Multi-Sport with Minnesota prices news fall. may Call Dan at of 612/720-2142 these ads in the main section your newspaper (not the classified section of your newspalocations. Call Heritage for the Blind toThe NFL Redzone. Switch and get a FREE per). At times, advertisers request a specific section. However, the decision is ultimately up to FOR SALE: 110+ acre gift card. Call today! 855/562-4309 donate your vehicle today 844/220-9501Minnesota hobby farm, 5times, miles outadvertisers may request a specific$100 per). At section. However, the decision is ultimately to each newspaper. Ads may need to be decreased/increased slightly in size to fit your column up sizes. of Ely, farm house and INFLATION ISslightly AT 40 YEAR large barn and other Ads may need to be decreased/increased each newspaper. in HIGHS size to fitAdvertise your column here sizes. statewide Please do not bill for these ads. If you have questions, MNA 800/279-2979. Thank you. Interest please rates are call way up. Creditat Cards. outbuildings. $395,000. in 230+ newspapers for 612-741-4303. Medicalplease Bills. Car Loans. Do you have Please doJJRTC not bill for these ads. If you have questions, call MNA at 800/279-2979. Thank you. only $279 per week!

Display Ad Network

Ely Women’s Open AA Meeting. Meets every Monday at 12:00 pm at Ledgerock Community Church, 1515 E. Camp St., Ely. BACK TO BASICS KEEP IT SIMPLE OPEN AA MEETING. in Babbitt across from Blomberg’s at the Presbyterian Church, 7 p.m. Thursdays.

$10k or more in debt? Call Nati�nal Debt Relief and nd out how to pay off your debt for signicantly less than what you owe! FREE quote: Call 844/205-5439

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FREE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET for those that qualify. Government program for recipients of select programs include Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benets, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet service. Bonus offer: Android tablet FREE with one-time $20 copay. Free shipping & handling. Call Maxsip Telecom today! 866/433-5324

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THE ELY

Section 2

ECHO/Page 9

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

PAGE 4 SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023 ELY ECHO’S NORTH COUNTRY SAVER

No tree is too big or too tall for the Dutchman!

Meats, Homemade Sausages & Groceries Famous for Quality! Ph: 365-3188 • 1500 E. Sheridan St, Ely

DELI SPECIAL!

Now offering large scale land clearing and fire mitigation.

PRIME RIB DINNER

(218) 929-2502

SATURDAY & SUNDAY!

Licensed and Insured

Includes Potato, Veggie & Dinner Roll

$

1099

R&R TRANSFER

Fusion American Dining

Open M-Sat 8-10pm. Sun. 11-6 pm. 1406 E Sheridan St, Ely • 365-4011

FREE DELIVERY! LARGEST SELECTION!

Local & Long Distance Movers Warehouse Storage Available for Furniture, Boats, etc. 420 N. 15th Ave. E. Ely, MN

LOCALLY SOURCED, RESPONSIBLY CONSUMED

Tuesday-Thursday 11am-8pm Friday- Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday & Monday - CLOSED

EASY CAR, TRUCK OR TRAILER PARKING!

This could be your spot! Call 218-365-3141 to sign up!

365-3196

218.365.4855 • 145 E. Sheridan St. Ely

Minnesota Permit #22086

Located in Zenith Mine Building FOR SALE: Grizzly metal lathe taper attachment. New in box. $300. Thermal lathe tool post grinder. Model J-35. $1,000. 218365-3578. 3/11,18

FOR SALE: Floor truss enough to build a 26x32 building. 26 feet long, 20 inches high. $2,500. Call 218-343-4278. 4/1, 8

Concrete & Masonry Services - SERVING THE BABBITT, ELY, TOWER AREA -

Cement slabs • Block work • Stone work

CALL 218-750-7325 License & Insured

Mike Nielsen Logging Inc.

Spring is coming! Call now to get on the list for cut/split orders.

Off First Month of New Service! USE PROMO CODE: GZ59O

If you would like to place an order, please call or text (218) 365-3037 or email:

[email protected] CALL CONSUMER CELLULAR

As always, we are still delivering 8 ft. (100”) logs all year round.

855-901-4564

© 2023 Consumer Cellular Inc. Terms and Conditions subject to change. New service activation on approved credit. Cellular service is not available in all areas and is subject to system limitations. Enjoy $25 off your first month! Customers who sign up before April 15, 2023 get up to $25 off their first invoice. This offer is for new and existing customers, and can be redeemed only at an account level, line levels excluded. This offer is good for $25 off the first invoice, and any remaining credit from offer is forfeited if not used during this period. If account becomes inactive for any reason prior to receiving the full amount, any remaining credits will be forfeited. Customer must use a printed promo code to redeem offer. This offer is not stackable with other promotions, see website or store associate for details. Offer not redeemable for cash, has no cash value and is not transferable or refundable.

FOR SALE: Smokercraft boat with 25hp Mercury motor. Rack for 2 canoes, two cushioned swivel seats, electric anchor & bilge pump. Serviced in Fall 22. $14,599. 651-3805038. 4/1,8 FOR SALE: JIFFY POWER ICE AUGER - Brand New, Never Used! Model 30, 8 in. $250 or Best Offer. Call/Text Albert @ 218235-3102. Start catching crappies today! 4/1, 8 FOR SALE: NEW toaster oven $40. Tubbs Snowshoes, like new paid $160 now $80. Green box depth finder, nice condition $40. Two hand augers $30 each. Propane furnace needs work but runs $20. Electric dryer $50. Washing machine might need new seal $20. Otter sled 44 x 16 $40. Ice saw $30. Call 218-365-4780. 3/25,4/1 FOR SALE: Nikon FM with 4 accessory lenses. $200. 218-827-2225. 3/25, 4/1 WANTED: 33 1/3 LPS and Old stereo systems. Text 218-235-7101. RTC

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023 ELY ECHO’S NORTH COUNTRY SAVER PAGE 5

CALL FOR SCHEDULING

CUSTOM MADE

Graduation A n n o u n c e m e n ts open house invitations

5x7 FULL Color CRISP DIGITAL COLOR! Choose from one, two or three photos to be placed on your announcements! Qty 50 75 100 125 150 200 250

1 sided $58.00 $60.00 $62.00 $68.00 $74.00 $78.00 $84.00

2 sided $72.00 $74.00 $76.00 $82.00 $88.00 $92.00

Add Blank Envelopes $17.00 $19.50 $22.00 of $24.50 $27.00 $32.00

CLASS

2023

UV COATING ON FRONT - ADD $23

Place your order today! Call or stop by - Ask for Lisa (218) 365-3141 ext. 16

RANGE JEWELRY & Gifts Same Day Ring Sizing Instore Jewelry Batteries Installed and Watch Repair Cash for Gold Cash for Gold & Silver andinSilver Located the Babbitt

Babbitt Shopping Center Shopping Center 218-827-2515 Open Tues.-Sat. 10-5 (218) 827-2515

EMAIL your classified ads to [email protected]. Ads will run for 2 weeks for FREE! Please, 15 words or less. FOR SALE: 97 Polaris Classic. 500 cubic. Good shape with electric start. $1500. 218-235-8710. 3/25,4/1

WE HAVE THE SOLUTION TO YOUR ICE DAM PROBLEMS! Call today to schedule your free, no-obligation estimate!

218-489-5383 DBSnorthcountry.com

FOR SALE: XPS E-Tech Oil. One gallon cases on sale now at Lossings Powersports in Babbitt. 218-827-2635. 3/25,4/1 FOR SALE: RESTORED 1980 Lund Tyee 5.3 Boat with 75hp Johnson. Marine vinyl flooring with new seats in great condition. Brand new bimini top with EZ loader trailer. $4,200. Call or text 218-235-7561. AA MEETING: 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights in the multi-purpose room at the First Lutheran Church. Anyone with the desire to stop drinking is welcome. RTC

FIN AN C AV AIL ING AB LE!

$250 OFF Attic Insulation* OFFER EXPIRES 5/15/23.

PUBLIC FAX SERVICEOur fax receives 24 hours every day for anyone at a small fee. Fax # is 218/365-3142. Send fax anytime and pick up during business hours at the Ely Echo, 15 East Chapman St.

*Cannot be combined with other offers. Must be presented at the time of the appointment. Not valid for prior work.

SATURDAY NIGHT AA MEETING 7:30 p.m. now at First Lutheran Church, 915 E. Camp St., Ely. FOR SALE: Cut and split firewood. Call for pricing. Curt Bialik 218-343-6198. 3/11-4/22

THE

Section 2 APRIL 8, 2023 SATURDAY,

The Ely Echo’s North Country

SAVER

ECHO/Page 10

Advertising 100% delivered ELY by U.S. MAIL in Ely, Babbitt, Winton, Tower, Soudan & Isabella

A publication of The Ely Echo 15 E. Chapman St., Ely, MN 55731 Ph: 218-365-3141

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ELY, MN 55731 Permit No. 46

$5 Tickets - Popcorn - Beer - Candy - Wine - $10 Combos

1 / 4 / 7pm

12:30:/ 3:30/ 6:30PM

Coming Soon

April 22

Super Mario Bros.

Dungeons & Dragons

Moving On

Duluth Transit Authority

PG-13 | 1:38 Adventure

PG | 1:33 Animated

R | 1:25 Comedy

Live Music

Junction Easter Buffet

(tickets available in-person or online: elystatetheater.org)

DTA Tickets

DINE-IN from 11AM to 4PM Reservations Recommended ALL MEALS INCLUDE: Glazed Ham, Oven Roasted Turkey, Swedish Meatballs and Deep Fried Shrimp ACCOMPANIED BY: Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Glazed Carrots, Assorted Pasta Salads, Fresh Fruit, Dinner Roll AND Carrot Cake.

Now On Sale ElyStateTheater.org

From Outhouses to Castles... and everything in between. We can do it all with the finest quality & affordability!

PH: (218) 365-5311

www.elywoodwizardsllc.com

MN Lic. #20270430

Blomberg Oil

B A R

Babbitt (218)827-2499 Ely (218)365-6765

Virginia (218)741-1481 Hibbing (218)263-3276

SIGN UP AT: ELYCLASSES.COM You and your dog will develop the basic skills for your dog to become a well-behaved dog. Paula’s class will focus on positive reinforcement for participants and their dogs. Starts Monday, May 8, 6:00 - 7:00, Ely High School Ice Arena, Fee: $120, Sessions: 7

PAULA MCKENZIE’S ADVANCED DOG OBEDIENCE CLASS

This class works on improving your dog’s response to commands, moving the dog and handler to the next level of skill and understanding. In this class, you will reinforce learned commands and learn new commands. Starts Monday, May 8, 7:10-8:10, Ely High School Ice Arena, $120, Sessions: 7 ELY COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Independent School District #696 600 E. Harvey St., Ely • Call: 235-1811

11.99

&

G R I L L

218-827-3666 • 2667 Cty Rd. 70, Babbitt

PAGE 8 SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023 ELY ECHO’S NORTH COUNTRY SAVER

PAULA MCKENZIE’S BEGINNING DOG OBEDIENCE CLASS

Kids 6-12

$

“ W h e r e t h e f o o d i s wo r t h t h e d r i ve”

Range Funeral Homes

Babbitt (218)827-3618

Seniors

17.99

$

unction

Range Cenex Stores

Virginia (218)741-7393 Ely (218)365-8888

19.99

No open menu - closing at 5 p.m Kids 5 & Under Free

Transforming Dreams into Reality! Specializing in transformations.

Range LP Gas

Only

$

2022-2023 WOMEN’S WEDNESDAY NIGHT BASKETBALL Women can play basketball every Wednesday night! All levels of players are welcome. Wednesday Nights, Must Register! 7:00-8:30, High School Large Gym. Free

SUNDAY AFTERNOON COMPETITIVE COED VOLLEYBALL

~NEW SPRING CLOTHING~

~RENTAL CANOES PRE-SALE~ ~New Bookstore Titles Daily~

Remember to stop in for all the book lovers on your list 105 North Central Avenue

Ely, Minnesota

Call us at 218 - 365 - 6745 boundarywaterscatalog.com

GRAND

RE-OPENING Thursday, April 13th

Ribbon Cutting: 11:30 am BBQ - Brats, Hot Dogs & Burgers

Join in the fun and quick play in this weekly volleyball game. Experienced volleyball players are welcome to join. These games are for competitive players with skills and knowledge of USVBA rules. Sunday Afternoons, 4:00-6:00, Free, Ely Public School Campus New Gym CJHARTMAN@ ELY.K12.MN.US Chris Hartman

CLASSIFIED ADS

Got something to sell?

Place your FREE classified ad in the box at the Ely Zup’s front entryway. We’ll run it two weeks for FREE! Or email to:

SPRING CLEARANCE CLOTHING

TO

USED CANOES

[email protected] TO

TO

ESKIMO ESKAPE 2400 FISH HOUSE

ION ICE AUGERS

15 E. Chapman St., Ely (218) 365-3141 VOYAGUER NORTH OUTFITTERS: 1829 E. Sheridan, Ely • 218-365-3251 • www.vnorth.com

BABBITT

•

827-3561

SILVER BAY

•

226-4161

ELY

•

365-3188

TOWER

•

753-2725

COOK

•

666-0205

WE WELCOME EBT SHOPPERS.

We reserve the right to limit quantities.

Visit Zup’s website to order meat specialties!

WWW.ZUPS.COM

ourfamilyfoods.com product information,

recipes

Prices Effective: Monday, April 10 thru Sunday, April 16, 2023 Not all items available at all stores. We reserve the right to limit quantities and make substitutions. Not responsible for printer or typographical errors.

and more!

2.99

lb.

Sold in a 10 lb. Tube

80% Lean Ground Beef

Family Pack .............................. 3.49/lb.

2.39

3.99

lb.

Chairman’s Reserve Premium Family Pack

lb.

USDA Choice AngusPride 7-9 lb. Avg.

Bone-In Pork Rib Chops

Whole Sirloin Tip

Sirloin Tip Roast, 3-5 lb. Avg. .. 4.99/lb.

1.49

1.99

Red Seedless Grapes

Honeycrisp Apples

lb.

Extra Large

Sale Price.............. 2/$6 Coupon Savings ....... -$1

2/ 5 $

11.7 oz. Golden Grahams, 12 oz. Cinnamon Toast Crunch, 10.8 oz. Honey Nut Cheerios, 10.6 oz. Cookie Crisp or 10.7 oz. Trix

General Mills Cereal

PLU 39698

lb.

Washington

EXPIRES: 4/18/23

STORE COUPON

RV0100

Good only at a participating SpartanNash Store.

Save 1.00 $

when you buy ANY TWO (2) participating* General Mills Cereal products in a single transaction with coupon.

SUPER ZUPER SAVINGS

3.99

lb.

Boneless Skinless Bacon & Cheese Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breast

*Participating Products: General Mills Cereal: Honey Nut Cheerios (10.8 oz.), Cinnamon Toast Crunch (12 oz.), Cookie Crisp (10.6 oz.), Trix (10.7 oz.) or Golden Grahams (11.7 oz.)

CONSUMER: LIMIT ONE COUPON PER CUSTOMER. LIMIT ONE OFFER PER COUPON. COUPON MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED OR TRANSFERRED. GOOD ONLY AT SPARTANNASH SUPPLIED STORES. RETAILER: REDEEM TO SPARTANNASH ON DC SCAN RECAP FORM.

3.99

lb.

Pork or Beef Chop Suey Mixture

3.99

lb.

3.49 2.29 8-16 oz. Select Varieties

24 oz. Select Varieties

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter or Country Crock Spread

Our Family Vegetables

2/ 4 $

23.9-24 oz. Select Varieties

Ragu Pasta Sauce

Zups Famous Ham Loaf Mixture

99¢ 6 ct., No Limit

North Star Banana Blast Bars STI 04-09 ZUPS P1

FARM FRESH PRODUCE

3/$10

3.99

1.29

Taylor Farms Chopped Salad Kits

Full Circle Organic Salad Blends

Large Navel Oranges or Minneola Tangelos

10.35-13.35 oz., Select Varieties

5 oz., Select Varieties

Litehouse Dressing, 12-13 oz. . . . 3.99

3/$2

2.99

Ears for

24 oz. Baby Dutch, Ruby Gold, Baby Purple, Fingerling or Gemstone

Angel Sweet Tomatoes

Bi-Color Corn

Mangoes...1.29/ea.

3.99

10 oz. Pkg.

Fresh

lb.

19.99

2/$5

56 oz.

8 oz. Whole or Sliced

Fresh & Finest Luau Blend Bowl

Open Acres Potatoes

Mini Bella Mushrooms

DAIRY & FROZEN 4/$5

2.79

3.79

7 oz. Select Varieties

6 ct. Select Varieties

48 oz. Select Varieties

Banquet Pot Pies

Pillsbury Toaster Strudel

2/$8

Our Family Ice Cream

13.3-14.25 oz. Select Varieties

2/$5

6-14.4 oz. Select Premium Varieties

8.79

Banquet Mega Meals

Birds Eye Vegetables

Our Family Fruit

3.99

8.99

2/$8

Our Family Pasta

Stouffer’s Family Size Meals

Jack’s Pizza

19-25 oz. Select Varieties

40 oz. Select Varieties

28-38 oz. Select Varieties

11-12” Select Varieties

3.99

2.69

3/$5

52 oz. Select Varieties

20 oz. Select Varieties

59 oz. Select Varieties

Tropicana Trop 50 or Pure Premium Orange Juice

Simply Potatoes

4.29 45 oz.

5.49

32 oz. Select Bliss Varieties

Coffee-mate Creamer

2/$3

4/$5

5.29

Yoplait Oui Yogurt

Dannon Greek Yogurt

Our Family Greek Yogurt

5 oz. Select Varieties

Blue Bonnet Spread

Minute Maid Lemonade or Punch

5.3 oz. Select Varieties

32 oz. Select Varieties

7.49

1.39

3.39

5.79

Our Family Shredded Cheese

Our Family Bagels

Full Circle Almond or Oat Milk

Our Family Chunk Cheese

32 oz., Select Varieties

5 ct. Select Varieties

64 oz. Select Varieties

24 oz. Select Varieties

HOME & PET 10.99

10.99

3.29

Purex Laundry Detergent

Snuggle Fabric Softener

Ajax Dish Soap

3.49

1.39 120 ct.

100 ct. Resealable

Our Family Paper Towels

Our Family Napkins

Our Family Sandwich Bags

4.59

4.49

3.99 6.5-7 oz. Select Varieties

10 lb. Lightweight or 20 lb., Select Varieties

Paws Cat Food

Busy Bone Dog Treats

Paws Cat Litter

128-150 oz. or 56 ct. Select Varieties

2 Big Rolls

4.4 lb.

Paws Dog Food STI 04-09 ZUPS P2

96 oz. Select Varieties

3.15 lb. Select Varieties

28 oz. Select Varieties

3.49

7.49

6 Mega Rolls Cottonelle

Bath Tissue or 6 Big Rolls

Viva Paper Towels

3.79

24-42 ct. Qt or Gal. Select Varieties

Our Family Storage or Freezer Bags

8.49

GROCERY

3.89

2.99

2 /$5

Kellogg’s Cereal

Mrs. Butterworth’s Pancake & Waffle Mix

Jif Peanut Butter

12 oz. Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies, 13.2 oz. Apple Jacks or Foot Loops, 13.1 oz. Corn Pops, 17.3 oz. Frosted Flakes

Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts, 8 ct. . . . . . . 2/$5

32 oz., Select Varieties

Mrs. Butterworth’s or Log Cabin Syrup, 24 oz.. . . .3.69

15.5-16 oz. Select Varieties

Smuckers Strawberry or Orange Spread, 18 oz. oz.. . .3.69

2/$4

2/$4

4/$5

15.25 oz. Select Varieties

18-18.3 oz. Select Varieties

7.25 oz.

Duncan Hines Cake Mix

Kraft Macaroni & Cheese

Duncan Hines Brownie Mix

Duncan Hines Frosting, 14-16 oz. . . 2/$4

Kraft Premium Shapes Macaroni, 5.5-7.3 oz.. . . . .1.49

4/$5

12-16 oz., Select Varieties

2.29

2/$7

No Yolks Noodles

Frito Lay Cheetos or Fritos

2.49

4.29

12 oz. Select Varieties

Creamette Pasta

2/$5 20 ct. Select Varieties

6.5-10 oz. Select Varieties

12-14 oz. Select Varieties

Hostess Mini Muffins

Minute Rice

4.49

2.99

11.5 oz.

40 oz.

Bisquick Baking Mix

2/$5

6-8 ct. Select Varieties

Maxwell House Coffee

2/$5

11.3-13 oz., Select Varieties

Quaker Chewy Bars

Crav’n Flavor Chocolate Chip or Pecan Cookies

2/$7

4.89

Cheez-It or Town House Crackers

Nabisco Family Size Cookies or Crackers

5.75-13.8 oz. Select Varieties

11-13 oz., Select Varieties

Crav’n Flavor Vanilla Wafer or Animal Cookies

11.5-25.6 oz. Select Varieties

4/$9

3.99 10 ct. Select Varieties

3.24 oz. Big Bottle Select Varieties

24 Pk./.5 Liter Btls. 12 Pk./700ml. Btls.

Pringles Crisps

Capri Sun Drinks

Mio Drink Enhancer

Ice Mountain Water

4.8-5.57 oz. Select Varieties

5.99

5.99

OUR FAMILY HERE FOR YOURS

3.79

8.99

1.49

64 oz. Select Varieties

22.6-29.2 oz. Select Varieties

28 oz. Select Varieties

Our Family 100% Juice

Our Family Coffee

Our Family Coffee, 12 ct. or 10-12 oz. ...... 5.99

3/$10

Our Family Baked Beans

Our Family Variety Beans, 15 oz. ......... 5/$4

3.99

28-32 oz. Bag Select Varieties

12 oz.

Our Family Honey Bear

Our Family Cereal

4/$5 2 Liter Select Varieties

Our Family Soda

HOME ESSENTIALS 2.7-3 oz. Select Varieties

Axe Deodorant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . STI 04-09 ZUPS P3

699

11.25 oz. Select Varieties

Soft Soap Hand Soap. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

299

FRESH MEAT

3.49

4.99

lb.

Gold’n Plump Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

lb.

USDA Choice AngusPride, Family Pack

12.99

lb.

USDA Choice AngusPride

Sirloin Tip Steak

Boneless Beef New York Strip Steak

2.59

19.99

4.99

Chairman’s Reserve Premium Family Pack

48 oz. Pkg. Select Varieties

19 oz. Pkg. Select Varieties

lb.

Cloverdale Bacon

Boneless or Bone-In Pork Loin Chops

Johnsonville Fresh Bratwurst

3.99

3.99

10-14 oz. Pkg. Select Varieties

9.6-16 oz. Pkg. Select Varieties

Johnsonville or Gilbert’s Smoked Brats or Rope Sausage

Johnsonville Breakfast Patties, Links or Ground Sausage

2/$6

1.69

3.99

8.8-10.7 oz. Pkg. Select Varieties

12 oz. Pkg. Select Varieties

7-8 oz. Pkg. Select Varieties

Oscar Mayer Fun Pack Lunchables

John Morrell Franks

Smithfield Prime Fresh Deli Meats

3.99

2/$6

11.99

14 oz. Pkg. Select Varieties

8 oz. Pkg. Select Varieties

32 oz. Pkg. Select Varieties

Cloverdale Smoked Bratwurst

John Morrell Ham Cuts

Schweigert Chicken Wings

5.99

3.99

7.99

20-25 oz. Pkg. Select Varieties

9 oz. Pkg. Select Varieties

Armour Meatballs

Schweigert Summer Sausage

7.99

9.99

8.99

16 oz. Pkg., 31-40 ct. Peeled & Deveined

16 oz. Pkg., 41-50 ct.

Northern Fisheries Haddock or Cod Loins

20 oz. Pkg.

Open Acres BBQ Cooked Pork Back Ribs

Open Acres Cooked Shrimp

Open Acres Raw Shrimp

lb.

SUPER ZUPER SAVINGS! 3.49

3.49

3.99

Country Hearth Kids Choice White Bread

Village Hearth Cottage White Bread

Sara Lee Artesano Bread

3.29

3.49

1.19

Sara Lee Classic White Bread

Little Debbie Big Pack Snacks

Prairie Farms Cottage Cheese

2.99

4.99

6.99

Mid America Top the Tator

North Star Lotta Pops

Prairie Farms Ice Cream

24 oz.

24 oz.

20 oz.

16.1-31.78 oz.

12 oz.

5 oz.

20 ct.

48 oz.

5.99

3.99

3.99

4.99

Bellatoria Pizza

Frito Lay Lay’s Potato Chips

Old Dutch Family Pack Potato Chips

Old Dutch Gourmet Pretzels

12”

STI 04-09 ZUPS P4

20 oz.

Selected

9.5-10 oz.

13-14 oz.