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.

SISTER FRANCELLA GUST

Sister Francella Gust, 90, died on February 2, 2023, at Villa Saint Vincent, Crookston. Sister Francella was born at home on October 10, 1932, in Tabor, the tenth of 11 children of John Jacob Gust and Frances Ann (Kotrba) Gust.

RAYMOND ERNEST “RAY” ECKLUND

Raymond Ernest “Ray” Ecklund, 88, of Crookston passed away at his home early Wednesday afternoon, February 1, 2023, with his loving wife, Pam, at his side. A Mass of Christian Burial honoring the life of Ray Ecklund will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston with The Rev. Msgr. David Baumgartner presiding. Visitation with the family will be for one prior to the service. The Mass will be livestreamed by logging on to www.crookstoncathedral.com and clicking on the prompt to view.

RANDY DAVID GOOSEN

Randy David Goosen, 62, of Fisher passed away early Thursday morning, February 2, 2023, in the Benedictine Living Community Crookston. The memorial service for Randy Goosen will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 10, 2023, in Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home, Crookston, with The Rev. Steve Bohler officiating. Visitation with his family will be for one hour prior to the service. To view a livestream of the funeral, go to Randy’s obituary page at www. stenshoelhouske.com and click on the prompt to view.

Lutheran Students celebrate National Lutheran Schools Week

Students at Our Savior’s Lutheran School celebrated National Lutheran Schools Week along with almost 2,000 Lutheran schools nationwide Jan. 23 – 27. This year’s theme was “Making Disciples for Life”. Students participated in team-building activities, online Gospel adventures, servant event projects, a read-athon and much more.

Crookston Rotary Club awards UMN Crookston student scholarships for Fall 2022

Crookston Rotary Club recently awarded their Fall 2022 scholarships to University of Minnesota Crookston Students of the Month Braden Letourneau, Annjelica Moreno- Englebrecht, Samantha Olek, and John LaCoursiere. The students were recognized and awarded on January 27 at halftime of the basketball game in Lysaker Gymnasium.

Feed the Bear fundraiser planned to aid the United Way of Crookston

The community is welcome to help local elementary students make a difference in peoples’ lives. Students from Washington Elementary School are holding a Feed the Bear fundraiser, donating pennies, dimes, nickels and quarters, which will all be donated to The United Way of Crookston.

Voters will decide on Multi-use Complex Project Tuesday

Voters in the Crookston School district will go to the polls Tuesday to decide the fate of a new sports complex for the district. Approval of the question on the ballot would authorize the district to issue up to $4,965,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, construction of a multi-use facility.

LINDA C.BLACK HOROSCOPES

Nancy Black, Tribune Content Agency TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (02/08/23). Connect and network to grow this year.