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.

News

NWMAC: Annual Art Exhibit in TRF through April 27

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce the NW Annual Art Exhibit is in Thief River Falls until April 27. Adult artists from our 7 county-service region (Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Roseau, and Red Lake Falls) have entered 60 pieces of art, including photography, sculpture, drawings, and paintings, into this exhibit and are competing for $2,300.00 in cash awards.

Read MoreNWMAC: Annual Art Exhibit in TRF through April 27

Planning Commission hears from neighbors on parcel purchase, gets update on RRV Shows campsites

While the City of Crookston considers the purchase of two parcels and its land use determination, two residents from that area spoke to the Planning Commission at their March 8 meeting and shared concerns of snow removal in the middle of the night and debris left over from snow that blows into their yard when the area is later mowed. The parcels in question are up for sale by Polk County and the county asked to know the city's intentions on purchasing them by March 28, 2022.

Read MorePlanning Commission hears from neighbors on parcel purchase, gets update on RRV Shows campsites

TERF scholarships awarded, four UMN Crookston students get $1,000 each

University of Minnesota Crookston Four UMN Crookston Equine Science students receive one-thousand dollar scholarships. The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation (TERF) awarded, Sophomore Abby Olsen (Chisago City, Minn.), sophomore Jenna Pedrow (Blaine, Minn.), junior Kendra Putzke (Esko, Minn.), sophomore Ashleigh Lueder (Rochester, Minn.) Morgan Pyles, PhD, and Assistant Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources, says the scholarships were awarded to students studying equine science or equine business management , and pursuing a career in the equine industry.

Read MoreTERF scholarships awarded, four UMN Crookston students get $1,000 each

Indoor Ice Fishing Tournament

Kids enjoy roasting marshmallows outside the Crookston Inn with local firefighters and Marshall the Paw Patrol fire dog during the Indoor Ice Fishing event. (Photo by Jess Bengtson) Payton won the Skee-Ball arcade game at the United Way Indoor Ice Fishing event at the Crookston Inn.

Read MoreIndoor Ice Fishing Tournament

Crookston High School Math Counts state send-off

Crookston High School Math Counts students got a proper send-off Friday, March 11 before heading to the state competition. Advancing to state for individuals were Sam Widseth and Leah Johanneck; advancing to state for team were Sam Widseth, Ashton Hoffman, Peter Wiersma and Jace Bruggeman. The State Math-Counts competition took place on March 11 and 12 in Plymouth, MN. See the Math Counts state send-off video with the high school band playing on the Times' Facebook page. (Photo by Jess Bengtson)

Read MoreCrookston High School Math Counts state send-off

Diocese of Crookston Bishop Cozzens gives statement on Msgr. Grundhaus and Bishop Hoeppner

In a statement released by the Diocese of Crookston on March 7, The Most Rev. Andrew H. Cozzens, Bishop of Crookston, it was noted that the status of Monsignor Roger Grundhaus of Crookston would remain as it had been since May 2017 in that he would not be permitted to engage in public ministry. The statement also said that the Diocese's Ministerial Review Board concluded that Msgr. Grundhaus had engaged in "inappropriate activity" that showed "poor judgment" and "some level of impropriety with a young man", but did not find sufficient evidence that Grundhaus engaged in behavior that constituted sexual abuse under canon law or a crime under civil law.

Read MoreDiocese of Crookston Bishop Cozzens gives statement on Msgr. Grundhaus and Bishop Hoeppner