News
FINN-Toberfest at Lake Vermilion Cultural Center on September 23
The Lake Vermilion Cultural Center will be hosting their second FINN-Toberfest on September 23, 2025 beginning at 5 pm with food and beverages followed by a musical and comedy performance by Steve Solkela and The Solkela Polkela Band. Steve says, “The Solkela Polkela Band was forged in the fires of necessity! In response to the relentless request by the masses for more Polka Bands.” Steve Solkela put together this wacky batch of misfit Iron Rangers and Twin Portsians. The band players are Steve Solkela on accordion and voice, Gena DeVaney on accordion, Dennis Jerrold on tuba, and Joe Anderson on percussion and sax. This four piece ensemble plays Classic Old Time music, as well as Polka Fusions of every genre. Get ready for endless comedy and fun while you dance along with their tunes. They will knock your socks off! Dancing is encouraged and all are welcome!
Rescue in the BWCA
On Sept. 7, at 1:15 p.m., the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received notice of a distress signal from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, via a Garmin safety device. The GPS coordinates placed the spot of the distress west of Contest Lake, in the area of Stuart River portage. This area is northwest of Ely. Garmin informed the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office they had updated information and that the injured party had a possible broken leg.
UWNEMN recognized for disaster recovery work
CHISHOLM – In the wake of this spring’s wildfires, people from across the region, state, and even nation reached out to United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) to help however they could.
Virginia, Minnesota Accident
A crash occurred on Friday, September 5, 2025, at approximately 2:48 p.m., on the 600 block of 2nd Avenue North (State Highway 135) in Virginia, Minnesota
The Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op facility in Middlefield, OH Recall
Middlefield Original Cheese Company is recalling one lot of Sunrise Creamery Dilly Pickle Monterey Jack Cheese with Dill Pickles in 6 oz. and 1.25 lb. packages, one lot of Organic Gouda Cheese in 8 oz. packages, and specific lots of Mozzarella/Provolone Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Pepper Jack Cheese, Swiss Cheese, and Monterey Jack Cheese packaged as 5 lb. loaves or 5 lb. shredded bags because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Winner chosen for waterfowl stamp contest
A painting of a duck in flight
State of the Range 2025
Please join us for the 2nd Annual State of the Range. We look forward to welcoming you for an evening of insightful regional updates from special guest speakers, light refreshments and a cash bar. Together, we’ll reflect on the progress, milestones and challenges that have shaped our region over the past year and explore the opportunities that lie ahead.
Minnesota Releases Draft Proposed Federal Broadband Funding Package
St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today released the state’s draft final proposal for using federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funds to expand broadband availability.
La Serva Padrona to be Performed at LVCC
By popular demand and for those who may have missed it in April, the LVCC will once again be hosting the comic opera, La Serva Padrona on September 14 beginning at 2 pm. This presentation of La Serva Padrona is a Modern English version of the comic opera by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, revised by Steve Solkela.
Bridge to Health Survey seeks to find out “How healthy are we in the Northland?”
The 2025 Bridge to Health Survey is arriving in thousands of mailboxes across the Northland this month. This survey, which has been conducted every five years since 1995, seeks to answer the all-important question “How Healthy is the Northland?” The comprehensive survey includes questions related to physical and mental health, nutrition, exercise, tobacco and alcohol use, dental care, insurance coverage, access to care, access to internet, and social connection and belonging.