Because it’s Friday and because I’ve been so dang grumpy lately, here are the students and staff of Tower-Soudan Elementary doing a music video for “Happy” by Pharrell Williams: Have you heard this song before? Yes. Has this kind of video been done before? Yes. But I still share and recommend this work of art as anthropological… Read More →
Rukavina, Hujanen face off in marquee local race
August 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment
I was out of town when last week’s Primary Election results came rolling in. I’m back and it’s time to analyze some of the more interesting races. I’ll start with the race for St. Louis County District 6 Commissioner, where longtime Iron Range State Rep. Tom Rukavina of Pike Township seeks a return to elected office…. Read More →
Vermilion Range Old Settlers Picnic this Saturday
July 16, 2014 by Leave a Comment
After talking about the Cuyuna Iron Range yesterday, we have to spend a little time talking about the Vermilion as well. I was just up there last month with my Great Northern Radio Show, and am happy to pass along word that the Vermilion Range Old Settlers Picnic will be held this Saturday, July 19… Read More →
To the Nether and back
June 15, 2014 by 1 Comment
Summer vacation is well underway, and not more than a few days into the annual ritual the boys had trod well-worn digital paths across the pretend universe of the video game Minecraft. They are obsessed with finding virtual ore to make tools, houses and various contraptions. Though the geology of Minecraft is a bit suspect… Read More →
‘Timberjay law’ makes gov’t contracts public
May 29, 2014 by 1 Comment
Gov. Mark Dayton signed into law a bill that would make public all government contracts, applying the Minnesota Data Practices Act to private businesses. They’re calling it the “Timberjay Law.” Here’s why: Recently, the Timberjay newspaper in Cook, Tower and Ely had sued to make public an $80 million public school contract agreement between the… Read More →
Tower seeks to save decaying ‘back door’ bridge
April 22, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The old iron ore bridge that provides a rusty retreat from the Iron Range city of Tower is in poor shape. They’d tear it down, but it’s one of the only ways out of town. The Tower Timberjay reports that the bridge qualifies for federal funding: The city had successfully argued that the bridge serves… Read More →
Court rules against Timberjay information request
November 25, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in a case with wide-reaching public information implications last week, declaring that a private contractor employed by an Iron Range school district did not have to divulge data to the Timberjay newspaper. The Timberjay information request, led by its publisher Marshall Helmberger, sought more information about the multi-million dollar St…. Read More →
Al Roker seeks Iron Range reality show subjects
October 21, 2013 by 1 Comment
Apparently Al Roker’s production company is looking for Iron Range reality show subjects for the NBC weatherman’s new program. Talk comes from the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce in Tower. According to the chamber’s Facebook page, the casting company is looking for independent or family owned businesses, unique siblings and people who are the best at what they… Read More →
Today brings Iron Range Housekeeping Olympics
September 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment
In these modern times hard labor often goes unseen. Network maintenance. The approval of your credit card when you pay at the gas pump. Such is these with hotel housekeeping, a phantom profession where only errors are noticed. But in this service economy, hallmark of the 21st century; these more and more people are doing… Read More →
Owl the King’s Men
April 3, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Crows (Photo: Mary Bailey) Highway 169 runs up the heart of Minnesota, congesting near the cities, pumping trucks up and down the center of the state. But once you get to Grand Rapids, Highway 169 becomes something entirely different. It stains red and becomes the Official Road of the Iron Range, connecting the Mesabi and… Read More →
