Marshall Helmberger

TOWER — The city council here has given the green light to exploring the creation of a joint powers board to operate the Tower Area Ambulance Service. At a special meeting last Thursday, the council authorized council member Bob Anderson to spend up to $2,000 to consult with an attorney familiar with the process for establishing a jointly run ambulance service.

Stu Osthoff hoists a nice walleye hauled from a Boundary Waters lake. (Contributed photo)

TOWER— The city council here gave approval Monday night to a $1.23 million bid from Valint Construction to build a new rental hangar at the city’s airport. The big question still hanging over that decision, however, is who approved seeking bids for the project and when. At the council’s meeting in March, council member Bob Anderson had suggested pausing the hangar project given the large number of city projects already slated for the coming construction season. At the time, Mayor Dave Setterberg suggested waiting for the design documents and engineer’s estimate on the project before deciding whether to proceed — and that’s how the meeting adjourned.

REGIONAL— With just over three months until Canada completes its phase-out of its Remote Area Border Crossing Program, final details on how paddlers will gain access to the Quetico Provincial Park from the U.S. side remain uncertain.

REGIONAL — As America nears its 250th birthday next month, a bipartisan group of scholars from across the political spectrum have produced a detailed assessment of the 50 U.S. states—and have given Minnesota its highest rating.

REGIONAL— Despite some recent rains, the North Country continues to flirt with drought conditions. The region has experienced on-again, off-again drought for nearly the past year, which has resulted in lower water levels and periods of higher fire danger.

FALL LAKE TWP— Neighbors to Silver Rapids Lodge are raising concerns about a major proposed redevelopment at the site that would significantly increase the intensity of use at the long-time resort property, located at a narrows between Farm and White Iron lakes.

TWO HARBORS— The Lake County Planning Commission, as expected, won’t require a full environmental impact statement, or EIS, for the proposed redevelopment of the Silver Rapids Lodge, near Ely. …

Flock should have cameras removed “in the coming days." Concern locally was consistent with growing nationwide opposition to use of the devices.

TOWER— Steve Freshour is now the city’s fire chief and interim ambulance supervisor. The city council here approved those changes last Wednesday, Sept. 2, in a special meeting to, among other …