Local

St. Louis County encourages people to turn on a green light in support of veterans

St. Louis County encourages people to turn on a green light in support of veterans

With Veterans Day coming up, the St. Louis County Board and Veterans Service Office are encouraging residents and businesses to shine a green light as a show of support for people who serve or have served in our nation’s military. Whether it be a single green light bulb or a string of green lights, people are asked to display them November 4-11, the week leading up to Veterans Day.

Frosty reception for Walz in hometown: ‘Don’t care for the man’

Frosty reception for Walz in hometown: ‘Don’t care for the man’

By Liz Collin, Alpha News – October 30, 2024 Alpha News paid a visit to Blue Earth County, Minn., this week to talk to voters in Mankato, the one-time home of Minnesota governor and vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz, who’s originally from Nebraska. For 10 years, Walz worked as a social studies teacher and football coach at Mankato West High School until he left to make his successful run for Congress. Still, he kept his home in Mankato during his time […]

Where were you during the Halloween Blizzard of 1991?

Where were you during the Halloween Blizzard of 1991?

Photo from Dan Toel ~ Tower’s Main Street, Lake Vermilion Chamber of Commerce The 1991 Halloween blizzard was a powerful storm that caused a period of heavy snowfall and ice accumulation  from October 31 to November 4, 1991. The first 12 inches were wet and heavy—with thundersnow—the remainder turned dry and drifted with 50 mph winds and temperatures dropping from 55 degrees to 10 degrees. By the time the snowfall ended on November 4, the storm had dropped up 36.9 […]

Three-person legislative race in northeastern Minnesota could determine who controls House

Three-person legislative race in northeastern Minnesota could determine who controls House

Republican Roger Skraba is running for reelection in what could once again be one of the closest legislative elections of the year. By Luke Sprinkel, Alpha News – October 23, 2024 In 2022, just 15 votes separated Republican Roger Skraba from DFL incumbent Rob Ecklund in what was the closest Minnesota House of Representatives race that year. Skraba, a carpenter, former mayor, and Army veteran, prevailed in that election and has represented House District 3A for the last two years. […]

New helipad enhances emergency services in the Lake Vermilion area

New helipad enhances emergency services in the Lake Vermilion area

The Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade (LVFB) added a new helispot landing site for emergency flight evacuation and a direct access dock for boat deployment. IRRR supported the project with a $165,000 Community Infrastructure grant to LVFB. Total project investment including grants from St. Louis County and other private supporters is $274,593. Prior to the improvements, the LVFB Fire Hall was surrounded by a gravel parking lot that was used as a pad during medical emergencies. During emergency transports, the gravel […]

Mesabi Metallics employees volunteer in Highway 169 cleanup

Mesabi Metallics employees volunteer in Highway 169 cleanup

On Wednesday, Mesabi employees picked up trash and debris along Highway 169 from Nashwauk to Keewatin as part of the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Wednesday, October 16, 2024 NASHWAUK—Employees of Mesabi Metallics Company, LLC dedicated their day to picking up trash and debris along Highway 169 on Wednesday from Nashwauk to Keewatin. Mesabi Metallics sponsors this portion of the highway through the State’s Adopt a Highway volunteer program. “When it comes to taking care of our community, Mesabi Metallics employees […]

Youth deer and early antlerless-only deer hunting seasons now thru Oct. 20

Youth deer and early antlerless-only deer hunting seasons now thru Oct. 20

October 17, 2024 Minnesota’s youth deer season will take place statewide Thursday, Oct. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 20. The season coincides with statewide teacher workshops, so many Minnesota students don’t have school during the youth season. There’s also the early antlerless-only deer season Oct. 17-20. The season increases opportunities for hunters in deer permit areas where deer populations are above population goals or where there is an increased risk of chronic wasting disease. Permit areas open during the hunt are […]

City discusses 2025 budget and future projects

City discusses 2025 budget and future projects

City of Tower By Steve Altenburg – October 16, 2025 TOWER—The monthly meeting of the Tower council was held on October 15th and was mostly informative as the city has no major projects going on due to seasonal change. Although no actual budget for 2025 has been set details that of spending and income were shared. Currently 80% of the city’s property tax is used just to pay city employees, not including ambulance salaries. The city is now saying it […]

Yet more bickering dominates Greenwood's three-hour town marathon meeting

Yet more bickering dominates Greenwood’s three-hour town marathon meeting

By Terry Carlson – October 8, 2025 GREENWOOD TWP.—The gloves came off again in Greenwood as Preponderance Past triggered a back-and-forth volley with Preponderance Present at last Thursday’s town meeting in Greenwood. The fuse was lit when previous board member Sue Drobac questioned various payments made by the township and went on to level criticisms against town clerk Debby Spicer. This has actually been a monthly pattern since the people of Greenwood decisively ousted the previous board’s majority in March, […]

Potentially larger helium deposit than first thought near Babbitt.

Potentially larger helium deposit than first thought near Babbitt.

By Lee Bloomquist for Mesabi Tribune BABBITT, Mn—Seismic testing is showing promise of a larger helium deposit near Babbitt. Pulsar Helium Inc., said it has received information from a seismic reflection survey revealing potential for additional helium wells to be drilled at the company’s project site. The seismic survey looked at 20.4 kilometers at Pulsar Helium’s Topaz project near Babbitt, according to Pulsar Helium. Results show a continuous reflective package at a helium-bearing interval about 1.5 kilometers to the west […]

Pulsar doubles land for helium exploration, prepares for more drilling

Pulsar doubles land for helium exploration, prepares for more drilling

BABBITT, Mn—Pulsar Helium now has twice as much land to explore following an agreement for leasing private land east of Babbitt. The increase in land position expands the company’s interest in the Topaz Project from 2,089 to 4,181 net acres. The terms state that after the initial five-year lease extension, any developed tract can be extended further as long as Topaz continues producing gas. Pulsar is also pursuing additional acreage through the newly legislated state leasing process. Pulsar also announced […]

3rd annual ‘Tacos with Cops’ more popular than ever

3rd annual ‘Tacos with Cops’ more popular than ever

By Terry Carlson Okay, picture this: while doing my best John Wayne impression, I stroll up to the food table and, in a misguided attempt to speak French, I drawl to the lady, “Mad-a-moysel, I’d like some take-ohs and tor-tillahs.” – she dishes it up – “Mer-cee. Oh reservoiree!” and John Wayne strolls away to a table. … Thankfully, this did NOT happen. Instead, a steady stream of people allowed the servers little time to take a breather as they […]

Community Get-Together and Big Truck Night

Community Get-Together and Big Truck Night

Events galore in 2024-2025’s first month at Tower-Soudan Elementary School On September 26, the Tower-Soudan school and Breitung Township teamed up to host the Tower-Soudan Community Get-Together and Big Truck Night. The day began at the T-S school. Mr. Jirik opened up the ceremony with a speech in the newly renovated gym. Community members were given a chance to see the renovations (a big thank you to Lake Country Power for the grant) and look at the new tables in […]

NER students dive into trout rearing program

NER students dive into trout rearing program

Paul Zollinger, science teacher at Northeast Range (NER) School, has been working alongside Minnesota’s Trout in the classroom program to introduce students to trout rearing. Northeast Range is one of 72 schools in the state participating in this program. During the spring of 2024, Zollinger applied for a grant through the Northeast Service Cooperative, focusing on Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities. Thanks to this grant, the science classroom now has an aquarium and specialized equipment to rear trout. The […]

Greenwood board lauded for road repair, pickleball courts

Greenwood board lauded for road repair, pickleball courts

Two ‘cabal’ board members, treasurer walk out based on a perceived technicality in a failed effort to disrupt meeting. By Terry Carlson – September 12, 2024 In one of the shortest regular monthly meetings in memory—just 1 hour—the board moved smoothly through the agenda last Thursday evening. Well, sort of. This is Greenwood, after all. The evening began with two of the supervisors, John Bassing and Rick Stoehr, citing a policy which they misinterpreted to mean that the meeting—as a […]

First Finntoberfest at Lake Vermilion Cultural Center on September 19 with the Solkela Polkela Band

First Finntoberfest at Lake Vermilion Cultural Center on September 19 with the Solkela Polkela Band

The Lake Vermilion Cultural Center in Tower will be hosting its first Finntoberfest on September 19, beginning at 6:00 pm. From 6:00 to 7:00 food will be served during a social time in the lobby with background music from the Solkela/Polkela Band. Brats, hotdogs, chips and beverages will be offered. Dessert will be pies donated by Shelby the Tower Pie Lady. A donation will be suggested for the food. A musical and comedy performance by The Solkela Polkela Band will […]

A Heck of a New Deal: Minnesota stories from the WPA’s federal art project (1935-1943)

A Heck of a New Deal: Minnesota stories from the WPA’s federal art project (1935-1943)

Mountain Iron, MN, September 5, 2024 ─ The Arrowhead Library System is pleased to host A Heck of a New Deal: Minnesota Stories from the WPA’s Federal Art Project (1935-1943), a free program being offered at the following locations: Monday, September 30, 10:00 a.m. Two Harbors Public Library Monday, September 30, 3:30 p.m. Mt Royal Branch Library, Duluth Tuesday, October 1, 5:00 p.m. Silver Bay Public Library Wednesday, October 2, 1:00 p.m. Coleraine Public Library Wednesday, October 2, 4:00 p.m. […]

Mesabi Metallics accelerates employee recruitment efforts, aiming to triple employee count heading into Fall

Mesabi Metallics accelerates employee recruitment efforts, aiming to triple employee count heading into Fall

NASHWAUK – Mesabi Metallics Company LLC announces an ambitious expansion of its recruitment efforts this fall, as the company eyes completion of its state-of-the-art, 7-million metric ton per year taconite mining and Direct Reduction grade pellet plant, which is on track to start commercial operations in the first quarter of 2026. As of this summer, Mesabi Metallics has just over 30 employees. By the end of 2024, Mesabi’s goal is to have 75 to 100 employees, effectively tripling its employee […]

Looking forward to Fall colors at Lake Vermilion

Looking forward to Fall colors at Lake Vermilion

Sizzling scarlet and zesty yellows or earthy oranges and rusty reds mirrored by the Lake—what hues will paint our landscape this year? We can only guess, but some recent weather factors could give us clues! Dull or earthy fall colors can be caused by drought or leaf disease. When there is a mild summer drought, it can enhance fall colors, but severe drought usually dulls them considerably. In some cases, drought can cause foliage to die early and turn straw-colored […]

UPDATE: Bus driver charged after driving students while intoxicated

UPDATE: Bus driver charged after driving students while intoxicated

By Hayley Raatsi, Northern News Now – September 9, 2024 CULVER—The bus driver who was arrested last week for driving students while intoxicated has been formally charged. Anthony Israelson, 44, of Culver is charged with a DWI while driving a school bus and a DWI while driving under the influence. According to the criminal complaint, on Sept. 4 just after midnight, a reporting party called 911 saying Israelson was drinking and intoxicated at Houle’igans Bar in Brookston, Minn. The caller […]

Area News & Notes - New to Medicare virtual class on September 19

Area News & Notes – New to Medicare virtual class on September 19

Learning what to do when you become eligible for Medicare can seem overwhelming. This class is for people who will be new to Medicare and would like to learn about Medicare Parts A, B, C and D. Topics will include a comprehensive introduction to Medicare including what Medicare covers, supplemental insurance and Part D prescription coverage. During the class you will learn the Medicare enrollment details, how to get the most from your benefits and how to research your Medicare […]

Highway 1 culvert replacement near Tower began Sept. 4

Highway 1 culvert replacement near Tower began Sept. 4

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has temporarily closed Highway 1 near Tower for a culvert replacement project starting on Sept. 4. The culvert is located at milepost 256.418, and the nearest cross street is County Road 476/Holter Road. There will be no through access between Highway 53 and Highway 169 on Highway 1 during construction. The detour route is Highway 53 to County Road 115 to County Road 77/Angus Road. Work is expected to last through Sept. 11.

Breitung Township Annual Meeting Part 2 highlights levy, matching grants

Breitung Township Annual Meeting Part 2 highlights levy, matching grants

Preceding board meeting discusses proposed ambulance merger. By Jennifer Schuster-Dahlin SOUDAN—Breitung Township held two board meetings on August 15, one regular and one agenda-annual continuance, to discuss the new tax levy and donation requests. The 2025 levy was discussed at the continuance meeting. A 7.5% increase will add $5,000 to the budget for medical insurance, benefits, and wages, $5,000 for liability worker’s compensation and insurance, and $40,000 for road maintenance and snow removal. The last figure will help offset costs […]

PERA, pickleball, processes, and projects prevail in special Greenwood meeting

PERA, pickleball, processes, and projects prevail in special Greenwood meeting

By Terry Carlson – August 21, 2024 TOWER—Greenwood Township held a special meeting last Wednesday, August 21, which had been rescheduled from August 14 due to election/post-election activities during that week. Because it was slated as a special meeting, public comment was not on the agenda, which had the effect of shortening the meeting—by about an hour—compared to Greenwood’s signature monthly marathon. The brevity was also enhanced by a more streamlined agenda which, after the board approved the July 9th […]