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.

December 2022

Janet Eleanor Armstrong

Janet Eleanor Armstrong, 78, of Crookston passed away Thursday morning, December 15, 2022, in Benedictine Living Community Crookston. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2023, in Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home, Crookston, with The Rev. Ruth Sanders officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will take place in the Oakdale Cemetery, Crookston, next spring.

Read MoreJanet Eleanor Armstrong

CHS student makes signs for visitor’s bureau

CHS senior, Elliot Bartrum shows off the Crookston Visitor’s Bureau logo signs he made to perfectly match the visitors guides brochure holders. One is already at the Valley Technology Park building and the other is headed to the Crookston Sports Center. The visitor’s bureau extends a thank you to Bartrum for his work and appreciates Travis Oliver for allowing the Advanced Woodworking Class to take on this project.

Read MoreCHS student makes signs for visitor’s bureau

Polk County group chosen for program focusing on substance abuse challenges

The U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) announced that a team of professionals representing the criminal justice system, public and behavioral health fields, social services and county commissioners from Polk County was chosen to be part of a select group of fellows in a new rural leadership program. The program is called Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions. Program fellows will learn how to adopt bold solutions to the persistent challenge of substance use in rural communities. They'll work closely with innovators who have established successful programs in other rural communities.

Read MorePolk County group chosen for program focusing on substance abuse challenges

College student finds possible ancient elephant tusk

Jakob O’Brien of Alva, Oklahoma found a possible elephant tusk when he went home for Thanksgiving break last month. It wasn’t until he brought his findings back to Haviland where he is a youth ministry student at Barclay College to get help from the local creation science expert, Dr. Jerry Simmons at the Heart of America Science Museum, that he realized how exciting this find of his might be.

Read MoreCollege student finds possible ancient elephant tusk

USDA Invests 285 Million in Infrastructure to Combat Climate Change Across Rural Minnesota

St. Paul, Minn. -- U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer announced today that the department is investing $250 million in critical infrastructure loans to lower energy costs, expand access to clean energy for people across rural Minnesota, and combat climate change.

Read MoreUSDA Invests 285 Million in Infrastructure to Combat Climate Change Across Rural Minnesota