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

A meditation on water

Coffee by my side, I sit on the dock, overlooking North Arm Bay of Lake Minnetonka. It is 6:02 a.m. Everyone who writes about these sorts of times describes it as quiet and peaceful. They deliberately ignore the Hitchcockian quantities of birds hellbent on their morning song. It’s loud out here. A family of geese paddle somewhere slowly, honking. A loon calls someone, maybe his mother. I face east which means the sunrise is directly in front of me, just above the horizon. Sunrises are a bit like the Minnesota Vikings, best enjoyed with a gaze that I’ll call indirect. I do not wish to be the guy wearing sunglasses at six a.m., but I suppose we all have a cross to bear.

Read MoreA meditation on water

Removal of the temporary clay levee by the fire hall started

Removal of the temporary clay levee, as shown here on South Main Street in front of the Crookston Fire Department, began Monday, June 20 causing a brief road closure. Crews will continue to work on the area and on-and-off closures may occur. Previously, Public Works Director Brandon Carlson said in order for the city to be reimbursed for the temporary levee during the spring flooding of the Red Lake River they would have to remove it but the city may consider re-adding a temporary levee if there are additional high water concerns. (Photo by Jess Bengtson)

Read MoreRemoval of the temporary clay levee by the fire hall started

Ox Cart Days kicks off their summer cookouts at Hugo’s

Crookston Ox Cart Days festival kicked off their summer cookouts at Hugo's Family Marketplace on June 21 by selling brats, chips and a drink for $5 as part of a fundraiser. Pictured are American Federal Bank volunteers Stephanie Overgaard, Dan Erdman (who is also part of the festival executive committee) and Stacy Montalvo. Other cookouts will be held July 19 and August 16. (Photo by Jess Bengtson)

Read MoreOx Cart Days kicks off their summer cookouts at Hugo’s

Otter Tail Power Company: What extreme summer temperatures could mean for you

Summer is here and forecasted higher-than-average temperatures may lead to increased energy demand. “Otter Tail Power has enough resources to serve our customers, though expected summer weather challenges could mean we’ll need to take additional steps to help maintain reliability of the energy grid,” said Otter Tail Power Asset Management Vice President JoAnn Thompson.

Read MoreOtter Tail Power Company: What extreme summer temperatures could mean for you

Lake Agassiz Regional Library to Close July 4 for Independence Day

All Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) branches and LINK sites will be closed on Monday, July 4 in observance of Memorial Day, with regular hours of operation resuming Tuesday, July 5. LARL’s branch libraries are located in Ada, Bagley, Barnesville, Breckenridge, Climax, Crookston, Detroit Lakes, Fertile, Fosston, Hawley, Mahnomen, McIntosh and Moorhead.

Read MoreLake Agassiz Regional Library to Close July 4 for Independence Day