To The Crookston Times readers,

It is with regret that CherryRoad Media announces the closing of The Crookston Times

Our company is dedicated to the preservation of community journalism. Since the purchase of our 1st paper in late-2020 to today, we have prided ourselves on our ability to fight the difficult battle that newspapers face in today’s digital society. Unfortunately, that battle cannot always be won.

The Crookston Times has struggled in recent years to find its footing in this community. Since purchasing The Crookston Times, CherryRoad Media has been unable to avoid financial losses every month. The paper was losing money when we bought it, and it continued to do so. We must now come to terms with the fact that we do not have a path forward to sustainability.

And we thank those who have supported us.

January 2022

Braxton Volker Earns 100th Career Win in Home Dual

January 31, 2022

The Crookston Pirates wrestling team may have lost both matches against Detroit Lakes and West Central Area, but they had reason to celebrate as Braxton Volker picked up his 100th career win. “That’s a huge milestone,” head coach Wes Hanson said.

Highland School displays new Pirate decals on the office windows

January 31, 2022

Highland Elementary School has a new way to show their "Pirate Pride" and maintain a little privacy in their office all thanks to Pirate decals installed along the office windows. The decals were approved by the Crookston School Board in November 2021 and "spice up" the main commons area. School Board member Mike Theis told the board in November he liked the aspect of privacy for students who are in the office as the open windows before allowed others to see right inside. Highland Principal Chris Trostad told the board in November that the decals were just another way to "brand" the school as Pirate country.

Hesby Records Double-Double in Win over Fisher-Climax

January 31, 2022

The Crookston Pirates boys’ basketball team picked up its third win of the season over Fisher-Climax behind senior Jacob Hesby’s double-double performance. Hesby gave the Pirates their first points going 1-3 from the line after being fouled shooting a three.

Kick and Jazz Compete

January 31, 2022

The Crookston Pirates dance team competed in Bemidji and at Conference on Thursday, January 27 and Friday, January 28. Conference, which was originally scheduled for January 21 but postponed due to weather, was held in Detroit Lakes.

Girls’ Hockey Finishes Busy Week 3-1

January 31, 2022

After defeating Detroit Lakes and Bemidji, the Crookston Pirates girls’ hockey team finished their busy week 3-1, defeating East Grand Forks (EGF) 3-1 but losing to Fergus Falls 3-4 in OT. The Green Wave lost to Thief River and Bemidji going into Friday’s game, giving the Pirates an extra incentive to win.

Boys’ Hockey Earns Season Sweep of Park Rapids

January 31, 2022

After a 6-0 loss to Hibbing on Friday, the Crookston Pirates boys’ hockey team responded with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Park Rapids for the season sweep on Saturday. The Pirates got off to a slow start, however, putting just six shots on goal in the first period without a goal.

Men’s Basketball Starting to Click

January 31, 2022

The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball team split results this weekend against Wayne State and Augustana, going 3-2 in their last five games. “It took us a while to figure out our chemistry,” head coach Dan Weisse said.

Golden Eagle Hockey Third in Division After Weekend Split

January 31, 2022

The University of Minnesota Crookston men's hockey team split with St. Cloud State on the road this weekend, moving them into third place in the WCCHA Northwest Division.

Deer Mouse at Lake Superior

January 31, 2022

I recently enjoyed a weekend in Duluth with a couple of friends I’ve known for many years. We snowshoed along and on the Sucker River up the North Shore and we hiked the sprawling beach of Lake Superior on Minnesota Point.

Don’t burn a bridge and then look for a lifeboat

January 31, 2022

Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on farms separated by a creek fell into conflict. It began with a small misunderstanding and grew into a major difference and finally exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.