Ely

Outfitters Preparing for Winter Camping

The business' manager says there's nothing quite like winter camping at the BWCA.

ELY, Minn. — Camping became more popular as people changed up their hobbies and habits during the pandemic, and that includes even camping in the cold. The Piragis Northwoods Company in Ely is one of the few outfitting companies in the area which continues to draw in campers during the winter time. The shelves are stocked with everything they need…

Zup’s Opens In New Location

Store owners say they have added 30 employees giving them 90 total. 

ELY, Minn. — Folks in one part of the Northland have a brand new option for buying groceries. After closing their old location in mid-October, Zup’s has now officially opened a new store in Ely formerly occupied by Shopko. “They needed to expand, and they did. It’s a wonderful location,” Ely Resident James Stone says. While it’s still on the…

Ely Businesses Impacted by BWCA Closure

The recent closure of the boundary waters is bad news for some of the outfitters in Ely who equip campers with everything they need for the BWCA. 

ELY, Minn. — “We’re at a point right now where it’s just incendiary so we had to take this drastic action for the first time in almost 50 years,” Piragis Northwoods Company Owner, Steve Piragis says. The recent closure of the boundary waters is bad news for some of the outfitters in Ely who equip campers with everything they need…

40th Blueberry/Art Festival Canceled After Storms Rip Through Ely, Destroy Vendor Booths

Around 6 p.m. Friday evening, high winds snapped some trees and uprooted others which crashed down onto many tents and booths in Whiteside Park. There were no injuries reported. 

  ELY, Minn.- The 40th Blueberry Arts Festival in Ely was forced to cancel for the rest of the weekend Friday night, after severe thunderstorms with 60 to 70 mile per hour winds ripped through the town including the park where festivities were already set up. “There wouldn’t have been a whole lot of show left for people to see…

Superior National Forest to Start Prescribed Fires

Officials say residents around Virginia, Ely and Grand Marais may notice some smoke and see flames.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Superior National Forest is set to start a series of prescribed fires across the forest as soon as this week. Officials say residents around Virginia, Ely and Grand Marais may notice some smoke and see flames. The planned fires protect not only plant and wildlife, but also nearby homes and buildings from hazardous fuels and even wildfires….

Ely Business Owners Optimistic for Brighter Days Ahead

From Taprooms to Outfitters, Ely Businesses Remain Optimistic as Summer Tourism Season Inches Closer

ELY, Minn. – As the pandemic continues, there’s no doubt about it, many of us are counting down the days until summer finally sets in, allowing for more time outdoors, and the perfect setting to safely visit with friends and family. “All the campsites are at least 1/8 mile apart, so I guess social distancing is just perfect. You can’t…

BWCA Trip Brings Peace, Tranquility to Local Veterans

Click Below if You'd Like to Donate to the 2020 Veterans to the BWCA Trip

LAKE ISABELLA, Minn. – More than a dozen area veterans recently returned home after experiencing a life changing getaway. The annual Veterans to the BWCA excursion started in 2018 after Hayes Scriven, Executive Director of the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center in Superior, wanted to come up with a way to give back while also helping disabled veterans and…

Man Dies of Natural Causes in Lake Vermillion

St. Louis County is investigating the incident.

ELY, Minn.- A man is pronounced dead Tuesday after trying to get back on his watercraft on Lake Vermillion, about 30 miles west of Ely. A resident saw 58-year-old Darrell Pfannenstein of St. Joseph struggling to get back on his jet ski in shallow water. The resident offered help but Pfannenstein declined. Later he was seen walking towards shore and…

Northland Trail Joins Elite Company

Duluth now has a national scenic trail running right through it

DULUTH, Minn.- It has been a process for over 25 years, but now Duluth has a national scenic trail running right through it. Congress passed a massive public lands package earlier this year making Duluth part of just 11 national scenic trails in the country. What is known as the Arrowhead Re-Route, it makes the Superior hiking trail part of…

Ely Resort Impacts Veterans, People Living with Disabilities

Veterans on the Lake Resort is Located at 161 Fernberg Road; The Resort is Open Year-Round

ELY, Minn. – Recent studies show up to 20 percent of military veterans will experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after returning home from war. While these numbers may seem small, the grim reality shows nearly 20 veterans commit suicide every day. One secluded resort in Northeastern Minnesota is looking to shed positive light on the reality, one visit at…

Tweet Along to Ride Along with Minnesota Police

State's First Virtual Ride Along Takes Place

WEST DULUTH, Minn.- Minnesota took ride alongs to a different level Friday, as anyone who wished to accompany officers could do so, via Twitter. The idea started at the West Duluth Police Department, but agencies participated from Ely to New Ulm, and many in between, using the #MNCopsVRA. Officers say it’s the perfect way to shed light on police activity, which…

St. Scholastica’s First Class of Physician Assistants

White Coat Ceremony Held In Mitchell Auditorium

DULUTH, Minn.- The College of St. Scholastica has cloaked its first ever class of physician assistants in their white coats. The white coat ceremony included each student reading an oath to the profession, which they struggled, together, through some of the harder parts, giggling all the way. The students say they’re dedicated to the nation’s push for improving healthcare in rural…

Getting Groovy with Ely’s Spiritwood “Forget Me Not” Foundation

The Spiritwood Foundation is set to Host Their Next Performance, "Remember When, A Musical Happening," August 17, 18

ELY, Minn. – The Spiritwood ‘Forget Me Not’ Foundation is committed to supporting organizations that enhance the quality of life of those afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. Their efforts are aimed at the many concerns and worries of family members and caregivers, and their focus is on the dignity of each individual. From their popular “Remember…

Bunches Out for Blueberries and Baubles

Ely Hosts Blueberry Art Festival

Ely, Minn- Ely was ripe for the picking as the 38th Annual Blueberry Arts Festival took place. The small town became a bustling metropolis as the Blueberry Festival brought bunches of Minnesotans, other Americans, and even foreigners to Whiteside Park. “Ely is a huge destination for people from all over the world. So we do have people from other countries at…

Nearly 5,000 Gallons of Gas Leak Out of Ely Holiday

More Updates Coming This Afternoon

Courtesy Nick Wognum, Ely EchoELY, Minn.-Nearly 5,000 gallons of gasoline have leaked out of a Holiday gas station in Ely, according to the city’s top official. Mayor Chuck Novak told Fox 21 that gasoline permeated the ground and made it into their storm water system. He said it’s still not clear on what kind of environmental impact the leak will…

Ely Winter Festival Looks for Talented Sculptors

The Ely Winter Festival is Celebrating a 25th Anniversary This Year

ELY, Minn. – Those of you looking to brave the cold and create a stunning piece of art have a few more hours to apply if you’d like to do so in this year’s Ely Winter Festival. The search for sculptors ends Friday evening at 11:45 p.m. The festival is a chance for artists to make snow sculptures from large…