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.

June 2022

Crookston High School announces second semester honor rolls

Crookston High School has announced its second semester honor rolls for the 2021-22 school year: “A” HONOR ROLL: Grade 12: Emily Balboa, Ainsley Boucher, Erik Coauette, Cade DeLeon, Jazmine Doyea, George French, Haden Michaelson Grade 11: Zara Baig, Halle Bruggeman, Jack Doda, Stella Duden, Anna Funk, Lily Groven, Thor Harbott, Megan Haugen, Nathan Kelly, Hunter Knutson, Xander Kuchan, Tatum Lubinski, Libby Salentine Grade 10: Caden Boike, Emily Boucher, Amelia Cordova, Emma Gunderson, Nathan Johanneck, Ny Nguyen, Isaac Ramirez, Isabelle Smith, Brannon Tangquist, Nashalie Tellez, Isaac Thomforde, Brekken Tull, Halle Winjum Grade 9: Paige Abrahamson, Emily Bowman, Kaylie Clauson, Brandon Colborn, Chase Cormican, Michael Deng, Ava Edwards, Jack Everett, Addison Fee, Mackenzie Funk, Conner Hanson, Madeline Harbott, Carley Knutson, Tyler Michaelson, Joey Nesseth, Naomi Olson, Georgia Sanders, Elizabeth Smith, Tessa Weber Grade 8: Madelyn Anderson, Chloe Boll, Garrett Fischer, Ashton Hoffman, Ava Martin, Lucy Smith, Samuel Widseth, Taylor Wieland, Reggie Winjum Grade 7: Rylee Anderson, Madilyn Bruggeman, Benjamin Capistran, Adalyn Hanson, Leah Johanneck, Ethan Lanctot, Xavier Mason, Avery Mathews, Emilee Smith, Gunner Stewart “B” HONOR ROLL: Grade 12: Morgen Arguelles, Kendall Bergquist, Joseph Brule, Brooks Butt, Austin Crawford, Jackson Garmen, Gunnar Gunderson, Ashton Larson, Justin Lindgren, Christina Lisov, Logan Melvie, Gage Nelson, Grant Nelson, Claire Oman, Mason Owens, Angelica Perala, Samuel Stewart, Austin Trinkle, Dillynn Wallace, Isaac Wandrie, Brady Wisk Grade 11: Ryan Abeld, Morgan Aguilar, Jack Anderson, Kaylee Archambeau, Jaren Bailey, Elliot Bartrum, Ethan Boll, Kayla Brekken, Hannah Brouse, Carly Brown, Brianna Colborn, Dalton Delude, Jackson Demarais, Ethan Erdman, Dokken Erdmann, Tanner Giese, Ella Kiel, Hannah Leckie, Alexander Longoria, Alejandra Luna, Ariana Narvaez, Amber Olslund, Samantha Rezac, Timothy Sanchez Jr., Emilee Tate, Jayden Taylor, George Widman V, Gavin Winger Grade 10: Hope Alexander, Leila Bautista, Kristine Bernd, Coral Brekken, Katelyn Christensen, Koda Donarski, Calleigh Fanfulik, Jia Gaber, Clay Hanson, Marissa Haugen, Edward Luckow, Blake Melsa, Lucas Miller, Natalie Narvaez, Morgan Nelson, Gabriel Noah, Johnna Porter, Chase Proulx, Madisyn Sanders, Ashton Shockman, Emily Soberon, Cassie Solheim, Reese Swanson, David Threatt, Frankie Torvinen, Evin Trudeau, Brandon Wandrie, Wyatt Wilkens Grade 9: Shayla Azure, Michael Bochow, Jack Buhler, Matthew Contreras, Evan Cuno, Miryah Epema, Breanna George, Naomi Johnson, Alvin Killough II, Makenna Kopecky, Ella Lanctot, Chase Larson, Rylan Lubarski, Teagen Lubinski, Meliyah Moore, Jayden Mulvey, Addison Pal, Bradyn Pederson, Ryan Street, Lincoln Waldal, Joslyn Wallace, Hattie Weiland Grade 8: Marisavel Aceves, Mercedes Aceves, Ashlyn Bailey, Jasmine Blow, Mya Bower, Logan Brekken, Jace Bruggeman, Nolan Cassavant, Cody Demarais, Gunnar Groven, Kahnen Hansen, Gavin Hluchny, Emelia Hoerner, Dexter Janek, Andrew Johnson, Bailee Klinnert, Emma LaPlante, Morgyn Larson, Hayley Leckie, Ella Lerum, Zander Luckow, Connor Maruska, Ciaran Mulvey, Halle Nicholas, Zachariah Plante, Autumn Rowan, Memengwaa Sam, Jazemend Schehr, Taylor Schulz, Evan Shockman, Zachary Simpson-Gibson, Kaley Smith, Lucas Smith, Aaron Stroot, Tristan Sundquist, Makayla Tahran, Nashelle Tellez Vasquez, Avery Trudeau, Makoti Weber, Adelia Weiland, Peter Wiersma, Cade Wisk Grade 7: Sawyer Anderson, Aubrey Bartrum, Kendra Brekken, Paisley Crawford, Brylee Darco, Teagan Fanfulik, Grant Funk, Mykayla Garcia, Alaina Goelzer, Juliana Goodyke, Aaron Gosse, Evelyn Gunderson, Kyra Helm, Jocelyn Johnson, Brea Lessard, Kevin Nielsen, Abigail Olson, Colton Osborn, Isabel Pahlen, Elle Pierson, Hailey Richardt, Hudson Rick, Addisyn Schiller, Katie Seaver, Austin Thode, Lexis Van Dyk, Allysen Wagner, Alex Zammert .

Read MoreCrookston High School announces second semester honor rolls

Update from Hannesson: Ukraine boy still coming to Minnesota

Crookston resident Connie Hannesson, who had begun planning for a teenage house guest from Ukraine, has informed the Times that while Max will still be coming to Minnesota he will not be staying in Crookston. Hannesson shared that Max's mother, Dina, had connected with a high school friend that had moved to Minnesota and her friend has offered to take in Max.

Read MoreUpdate from Hannesson: Ukraine boy still coming to Minnesota

USDA Celebrates National Homeownership Month

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Minnesota Colleen Landkamer recently kicked off National Homeownership Month. As part of the nationwide celebration, USDA is highlighting programs that help people in rural, Tribal, and underserved areas buy, build and repair affordable homes and to pay their rent in America’s smallest towns and communities.

Read MoreUSDA Celebrates National Homeownership Month

Governor Walz signs Hometown Heroes Act firefighter health bill, Crookston fire chief shares comments to Council

Minnesota fire service leaders and legislators joined Governor Tim Walz for a ceremonial bill signing of the Hometown Heroes Act on June 13 in the reception room of the Capitol. Minnesota Legislature passed the legislation on June 30, 2021, which created the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program by providing $8 million through 2023 to bolster Minnesota firefighter health.

Read MoreGovernor Walz signs Hometown Heroes Act firefighter health bill, Crookston fire chief shares comments to Council

Raymond Sidney “Ray” Neil

Raymond Sidney “Ray” Neil, 86, of Grand Forks, N.D., and formerly of Mentor, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, June 12, 2022, at the Wheatland Terrace Assisted Living Center. The Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Ray will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 18, 2022, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gentilly with The Rev. Joe Richards presiding. Visitation with the family will be for one hour prior to the service. The Mass will be livestreamed by going to Ray’s obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com and clicking on the prompt to view. Burial will take place in St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Read MoreRaymond Sidney “Ray” Neil

City Council discusses current and proposed transient merchant ordinance

While it was for discussion only, the current transient merchant ordinance specifically regarding food trucks and the proposed ordinance changes took up most of the June 13 City Council meeting with multiple stakeholders and a food truck owner coming to the podium to ask questions, offer information or share their opinions on future amendments. Ultimately, interim City Administrator Corky Reynolds and City Clerk Ashley Rystad were tasked by the council to make requested changes to the draft proposed ordinance and to bring the proposed ordinance back to a future meeting.

Read MoreCity Council discusses current and proposed transient merchant ordinance

Golden Link, Boy Scouts host flag retirement ceremony

Crookston Boy Scouts hosted a flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day Tuesday, June 14 in the Golden Link Senior Center parking lot where they retired flags that were no longer serviceable. The United States Flag Code states, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." Pie and coffee was served inside the senior center after the flag retirement event. (Photo by Garett Bengtson)

Read MoreGolden Link, Boy Scouts host flag retirement ceremony