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End of an era: Pep’s up for sale
VIRGINIA—Ring the number at Pep’s Bake Shop before 5 a.m. five days a week, and owner Laura Collins answers in a cheery voice, “Pepelnjak’s.” Her 12-hours-plus days begin early. That’s how it is in the bakery business. Collins, born into the bakery profession, is looking at retirement, and the Virginia business started by the Pepelnjak family nearly 80 years ago is up for sale. She has operated Pep’s 29 years....
Virginia's preliminary levy set at 5.5%
VIRGINIA—The city of Virginia has set its preliminary 2025 property tax levy at 5.5%, which is down significantly from 21.5% in 2024. Mayor Larry Cuffe Jr. said the City Council continues to try and trim that figure down in ongoing budget sessions. Once the preliminary levy is set in September, it can only go down prior to the final levy being approved in December. The preliminary total property tax levy...
Giants alum Mattson returns to Taconite Invite
AURORA—As the Mesabi East swimming program continues to grow and find success, the influence of its longtime coaches continues to be felt. Swimming for the Giants throughout her elementary and high school days, Ashlynn Mattson graduated from Mesabi East in 2017 and took all the knowledge she had gained from head coach Jon Isaacson and brought it with her to college. After swimming for four years at the College of...
Wolverine volleyball sweeps Giants, 3-0
VIRGINIA—The Rock Ridge Volleyball team took care of business on Thursday night, hosting Mesabi East. The Wolverines took advantage of their height and closed it out for a 3-0 win, by scores 25-14, 25-21, and 25-17 in US Steel Gymnasium at Rock Ridge High School. “I like how we played tonight and everybody got in there and got their chance to play,” Wolverines Coach Amy Kvaternik said. “When Mesabi East...
Mountain Iron sets modest 3% levy increase
MOUNTAIN IRON—The Mountain Iron City Council passed a modest 3% preliminary levy increase in September. During its Sept. 16 regular meeting, the council voted 4-1 to pass a proposed 2024 tax levy, collectable in 2025, of $1,483,760—a $43,217 increase over the 2023 levy passed in December of last year. Cities in Minnesota are required to pass a preliminary levy by the end of September each year and a final levy...
Agates spoil Rock Ridge homecoming, 30-6
VIRGINIA — The Rock Ridge football team has been plagued by injuries and inconsistency at the quarterback position since week three and that inconsistency continued on Friday night as the Wolverines welcomed in Two Harbors for a homecoming contest. Rock Ridge’s offensive shortcomings, combined with an effective and consistent Agates running game meant a long night for the Wolverines as they fell 30-6 on their home field, dropping to 2-4 on the season. ...
IRC swiomming team is named
IRC swimming team is named HIBBING — Mesabi East High School girls swimmers were named to the 2024 IRC All-Conference team. Those Giants selected were Ella Larson, Ashley Fossell, Mae Layman, Summer Cullen, Lily Larson, Kyra Skelton, Aubree Skelton, Kerbie Olmstead, Dallas Layman, Micah Layman and Adeline Butzke. Chisholm had two swimmers, Magie Nelson and Josie Baumgard. Joining them on the team are Brooklyn Dowty, Sylvia Valenzuela, Kieren Ford, Mary Versteeg and Kendra Kalstad of International Falls; Bella Imholte, Lucy Lane, Harper Smith, Lucy Nelson, Ella Aebly, Brynn von Goertz and MJ Wharton of Two Harbors; and Anna Larson of Northeast Range/Ely.
Hilltoppers down Bluejacket boys soccer, 6-0
HIBBING—All the Hibbing/Chisholm High School boys soccer team can do is say, ‘What if?’ With Duluth Marshall leading 1-0, the Bluejackets had a chance to tie the game on a penalty kick, but Hilltoppers’ goalkeeper Thomas Falgier made a diving stop to keep the Bluejackets off the board. Marshall scored its second goal just a few minutes later en route to a 6-0 victory over Hibbing/Chisholm Thursday on Cheever Field...
Paul Bunyan Communication expansion completed in Taconite, Keewatin, and Greenway township
Paul Bunyan Communications has completed expanding its all-fiber optic network, the GigaZone® to the city of Taconite, Keewatin, and areas of Greenway Township east of Calumet. Those who have signed up for service are being contacted to set up service installation. “Our commitment to expanding all-fiber optic gigabit broadband in underserved areas of our region remains unwavering. In today’s world, Internet access is essential, and we’re excited to offer our services to over 700 homes and businesses in Taconite, Keewatin and areas of Greenway Township.”...
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