Page 42 - Keith Vandervort News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

ISABELLA— Firefighters were working this week to get the upper hand on what has become the largest fire yet this summer in northeastern Minnesota. The Greenwood Lake Fire, first reported Aug. …

Keith Vandervort REGIONAL— Wildland fires are continuing to keep officials on the Superior National Forest busy this summer. Just as the Forest Service announced it was lifting closures put in place for the Delta Fire, near the Fernberg Road east of Ely, they began water drops on two new fires while they continue to monitor several other new blazes, reported in the wake of thunderstorms that hit the area last Friday and again on Monday. While rains associated with that storm provided temporary relief from the very high fire danger, last weekend’s hot, dry, and windy weather quickly eleva...

Keith Vandervort ELY – School board members here had few questions Monday night as construction officials provided a building project update during a monthly study session. Representatives from Kraus Anderson and Architectural Resources Inc. are looking to maintain an open dialogue with school officials as the $20 million project proceeds. School administration are meeting regularly with construction officials as the beginning of the 2021-22 school year nears and learning spaces, some temporary, are prepared for students to occupy in just a few weeks. Spaces for band, choir and industrial a...

Keith Vandervort ELY – “The real crusher was that Friday was so much fun,” said Adam Zins as he and his wife, Tanja, tried to untangle a wire shelving unit early Saturday morning from under a mangled tent. All around them, in the middle of Whiteside Park, was what remained of the Blueberry/Art Festival. “It looked like a war zone.” A line of thunderstorms with damaging 70-mph winds driving torrential rains hit Ely at about 6:30 p.m. Friday night, just as the first leg of the three-day Blueberry/Art Festival was wrapping up. The short but severe storm destroyed scores of arts vendors...

Keith Vandervort ELY – An intense thunderstorm with damaging winds and torrential rains didn’t last long when it struck here Friday evening, about 6:30 p.m.  But in a matter of minutes, the storm downed numerous trees and destroyed dozens of artists’ displays assembled in Whiteside Park as the first day of the three-day Blueberry/Art Festival wrapped up.  The storm uprooted trees in the park and blew tents and artwork throughout the park and, in some cases, into neighboring yards.   Festival organizers announced late Friday evening that the remaining two days of the festival will not...