Local Archives - Page 2 of 3 - The Tower News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 […]

14th annual Take A Vet Fishing event creates lasting memories

By Brian C. Anderson TOWER—As a youngster growing up in Tower, Todd Beihoffer spent countless lazy summer days enjoying Lake Vermilion. Fast forward some 50 years, and the Navy Veteran was once again reconnecting to the lake that had brought him so much joy over the years. “It’s awesome to be back,” said Beihoffer as he grabbed his fishing gear from his boat prior to the start of the 14th annual Take A Vet Fishing event. “I had to miss […]

Babbitt man goes through ice in ATV accident

Early Saturday morning, a 64-year-old man from the Babbitt area went through the ice on the North Bay of Birch Lake when his ATV slid into open water created by a pressure ridge. He was pulled, uninjured, from the water with help from Babbitt firefighters and the person reporting the accident. The ATV was later recovered. Sheriff’s Office authorities, Babbitt police, and the St. Louis County Volunteer Rescue squad helped with the rescue.

Spring road restrictions announced for more St. Louis County roads

Spring load restrictions have now been announced for the North Zone of Minnesota, which includes the majority of St. Louis County, from north of US Highway 2 and east of State Highway 33. Restrictions will go into effect on Monday, March 11, at 12:01 a.m. Restrictions have already been announced for the North Central Zone which includes the far southwest corner of the County south of U.S. Highway 2 and west of State Highway 33. These restrictions will go into […]

Friday’s crash in Greenwood Township sparks renewed focus on ATV safety protocols

GREENWOOD TWP — On a quiet evening in Greenwood, an all-terrain vehicle adventure took a perilous turn, resulting in serious injuries for a visiting Faribault resident. The incident has cast a spotlight on the inherent risks associated with ATV riding, especially in challenging terrains without proper safety gear. One person suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in the Duluth area after the ATV crashed Friday evening. St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call at 8:45 […]

Northland K-9 Foundation expands to support Virginia Police Department K-9 program

(PHOTO) Officer Nick Grivna and K-9 Teddy Thanks to the continued generous donations of businesses and individuals throughout the region, the AMSOIL Northland Law Enforcement K-9 Foundation has been able to expand to support another police K-9 program. The Virginia Police Department is now the sixth law enforcement agency to be part of the K-9 Foundation, and Deputy Chief Chad Nickila has joined the Board of Directors. The Virginia Police Department currently has one K-9 team—a nine-year-old German Shepherd who […]

Firearms safety training classes

VIRGINIA — The spring DNR firearms safety classes for area youth, sponsored by the Virginia Rifle and Pistol Club and I.S.D. 2909 Community Education, will begin on Tuesday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m. at Rock Ridge High School in the Bezek Career Center and Community Room. Classes will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays, and will be two hours long with nine sessions of lectures, demonstrations and hands on exercises. Class size is limited. To pre-register, call 218-744-1772 or 218- […]

Conservation Officers' Reports - March 8

Conservation Officers’ Reports – March 8

District 5 CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring area lakes and checking angling activities. Ice conditions have rapidly deteriorated as rapid melting has begun. Area forest roads were checked. Equipment was worked on along with various administrative tasks completed. CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time this week checking ice anglers, with some finding good numbers of panfish and crappies. Some area lakes have become impassable with poor ice conditions, while others remain good for ATV travel. Time was also spent […]

Area News & Notes - March 8

Area News & Notes – March 8

TSHS Board meeting BREITUNG— The Tower-Soudan Historical Society Board of Directors will be having their monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 13, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Breitung Community Center in Soudan. The meeting is open to the public, and guests are welcome. Next Ruby’s ‘Pop-Up’ Pantry is Thursday, March 14 COOK—The next Pop-Up Pantry is Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 302 E. Vermilion Blvd. in Cook. This is for anyone looking to extend their monthly grocery budget. There […]

This Week In History (March 1, 2024-March 7)

March 1, 1781 – Formal ratification of the Articles of Confederation was announced by Congress. Under the Articles, Congress was the sole governing body of the new American national government, consisting of the 13 original states. The Articles remained in effect through the Revolutionary War until 1789, when the current U.S. Constitution was adopted. March 1, 1904 – “America’s No. 1 Bandleader,” Glenn Miller, was born in Carilinda, IA. His name became synonymous with the “big band era” of the […]