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.

Opinion

Crookston Community Pool reopening April 20 after imbalance, leak shut down

Crookston Community Pool will be reopened to the public April 20 after a two-week shut down caused by a chemical imbalance and leaky pipe. The pool's Facebook page stated April 18 that they were working on getting the pool up to its normal temperature after getting the chemicals balanced and that the water was only at 50 degrees which meant it couldn't reopen a day earlier as previously planned.

Read MoreCrookston Community Pool reopening April 20 after imbalance, leak shut down

Thomasson Series – Reflections on Education and American Democracy: Application to Groups and Social Identity

Our “founding fathers” wrote that citizens should be “shielded from the false or vile intrusions of personal power, group identity, monied interests, social position, or religious suppositions.” As important as this would be for the future of our democracy, some of those same fathers were responsible for the first violation.

Read MoreThomasson Series – Reflections on Education and American Democracy: Application to Groups and Social Identity

Polk County Child Protection Unit on Child Abuse Awareness Month

Can you help the children of Polk County? April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and the staff from Polk County’s Child Protection Services and Polk County Attorney’s Office Victim’s Services are once again teaming up to help bring awareness to the volume of children experiencing maltreatment in our community! We’ve been busy with our children and would like to include you, the public, on a glimpse of what our roles play in their lives. Who are we? The Polk County Child Protection Unit (CPS) is responsible for receiving reports of child maltreatment and “screening” these reports to see if the worries match the state laws authorizing workers to intervene with a family.

Read MorePolk County Child Protection Unit on Child Abuse Awareness Month

Klemek Column: Minnesota’s Swans

It has been the winter that keeps on giving. While shoveling snow from my steps and sidewalk for the umpteenth time a few nights ago, I paused to listen to the stillness of the night air (and my labored breath) for a respite from a chore that I’ve grown weary of. Though the chorus of wood frogs seemed far away, almost unimaginable, I was reminded of springtime anyway. Indeed, a large flock of tundra swans flying northward high above my head in the night sky, were vocalizing their sweet calls. Unbeknownst to them, they lightened my mood.

Read MoreKlemek Column: Minnesota’s Swans

Man Versus Golf

You know how sometimes you go to visit your parents but you don’t want to stay with them because, you know, they’re your parents? So you decide to stay nearby, but not that nearby because, well, they’re your parents? But it’s also spring break for the kiddos so you dish out a little more scratch than usual and stay not just at a hotel but a resort with a full-on water park, with lots of pools and water slides galore? And you know how the first few days are good, clean family fun, swimming during the days, seeing the folks in the evening but then you learn that the resort offers something else and that something else is… golf? And you know how halfway through your stay, the PGA walks in like they own the joint? I hate it when that happens.

Read MoreMan Versus Golf