Page 25 - Keith Vandervort News Today

Keith Vandervort ELY- Back-to-back wins in the past week advanced the Timberwolves softball team’s ranking to fifth-place in the Section 7A North subsection, success that could impact seedings in the upcoming playoffs. And with Monday’s 7-6 win over Mt. Iron-Buhl, which improved the team’s record to 5-5, Ely has a good chance to move up a spot. Ely is currently ranked fifth out of nine teams, right behind fourth-ranked Littlefork-Big Falls and third-ranked Mt. Iron-Buhl. “The victory M...

Keith Vandervort ELY - The North American Bear Center here, the only black bear and wildlife educational facility of its kind, re-opened for the season this month and is once again welcoming visitors after a year of COVID-19 restrictions “We are dedicated to replacing old myths with facts. People learn from the bears themselves about bear behavior, ecology, and their relations with humans,” said Senior Operations Director Scott Edgett. “We work closely with our partners at the Wildlife Re...

Posted Keith Vandervort ELY – One of the clear and present roadblocks to economic growth in the greater Ely area is the severe shortage of daycare services. Former mayor Ross Petersen was recently empowered by the Ely Economic Development Authority to spearhead a wide-ranging exploration of potential solutions to the continuing dilemma of attracting a younger, vibrant workforce to the area while a dearth of childcare services here continues. The move to form a working subcommittee by city c...

David Marshall is a 17-year veteran of the volunteer force Posted Keith Vandervort ELY – New Ely Fire Chief David Marshall took the oath of office this week, administered by Interim Mayor Chuck Novak Tuesday night at the City Council meeting, and began his duties as both department leader and secretary. The council’s negotiating committee met with Marshall late last month to review the position’s pay and job description. As recommended, the council agreed to pay Marshall a flat $700 biw...

Keith Vandervort ELY – The city of Ely received approval late last week for three community and development infrastructure grants from the Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR). Two development infrastructure grants include an expansion project at the Boathouse Brewpub and Restaurant and renovation of the former Shopko building by Zup’s Market, and the third grant is a match for funds dedicated to the first phase of the Prospector Loop ATV Trail. In all more...

ELY – Heading into Monday’s game at International Falls, Ely’s 3-3 record included high-scoring games with both wins and losses. They held true to form against the Broncos as they …

Keith Vandervort ELY – As the ISD 696 school community plans for the completion of a major construction project on the school campus over the next 18 months or so, disruptions and dust will likely be the new normal as builders demolish unused structures, work to link two existing school buildings, and renovate landmark facilities. The $20 million project should be completed in time for the start of the 2022-23 school year, but staff and students are already getting a taste of the temporary re...

Print subscribers If youre a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one. Non-subscribers Ely library set to reopen with limited hours Annual report shows drop in usage during COVID precautions Posted Keith Vandervort ELY – After more than a year of being closed to the public because of COVID-19, the Ely Public Library is set to reopen next month on a limited basis. Library Director Rachel Heinrich described the “express browsing model” to city co...

Print subscribers If youre a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one. Non-subscribers Council eyes private partnership for housing development 10-acre parcel available on north end of Miners Lake Posted Keith Vandervort ELY – The city council here is moving forward with a potential private-public partnership to develop a housing project on Miners Lake. Council members liked what they heard last week from a pair of developers who said they are expl...

Keith Vandervort ELY – Area artists are working at Miner’s Dry this spring to complete an extensive stained glass art project for the Public Library here. As much as $12,000 in funding for the project comes in part from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund in conjunction with the Arrowhead Library System, according to Library Director Rachel Heinrich. “And through a Community Giving Grant from the Donald G. Gardner Humanities Trust, a specialized ring saw tool was purchased for t...