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.

Josephine Ann “Jo” Erdman

Josephine Ann “Jo” Erdman, 91, of Crookston passed away Thursday afternoon, December 15, 2022, in Benedictine Living Community Crookston with family at her side. Jo had been a resident there since 2020. Jo was born on June 5, 1931, in Winger, the daughter of Jens and Alpha (Vraa) Bolstad. In 1936 she and her family moved to Crookston where she grew up with her five siblings and attended Crookston schools including Central High School. As a teenager she also worked as a waitress at the Crookston Grill Café. On October 22, 1949, Jo was united in marriage to Harold Edward Erdman in a ceremony held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Jo and Harold settled into married life on their farm south of town. In the coming years they would be blessed by the births of their four children: Susan, Kathryn, Douglas, and Candace, who they raised in a very busy and very loving home. As many farm wives did, Jo would bring full noon meals to the men in the fields during harvest and start cooking all over again to put an evening meal on the table for her family. She was famous for her apple pies and cakes with homemade 7-minute frosting. Throughout her life, Jo enjoyed a very social lifestyle. While living on the farm, she attended and hosted birthday celebrations with neighboring farm wives, a birthday club and ritual that lasted many years. Jo and Harold belonged to the Night Owl bowling league at Corral Lanes where they met many lifelong friends. They also enjoyed wintertime traveling with their friends and neighbors from the Crookston area. Highlights included a 25th anniversary trip to Hawaii with Paul and Lois Proulx and many winter months spent with Ted and Kay Burdenie in Naples, Fla. Jo was a devoted member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, WELCA, and several committees of the church. She also held memberships in the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries and served for several years on the Parent Liaison Committee at Central High School. In their younger years, she and Harold fo

LINDA C.BLACK HOROSCOPES

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (12/21/22). Invite fortune into your house this year. Harvest abundant profits with steady action. Winter barriers could redirect romantic plans, before family joys brighten the spring. Social changes alter your summer path, revealing exciting career opportunities next autumn. Fill your home with love and luck follows.

MnDOT asks homeowners and businesses to avoid plowing snow onto sidewalks and roadways

The Minnesota Department of Transportation reminds the public that it is illegal to deposit snow on or next to a public highway or street. “Placing snow on or near a public road creates hazards, including drainage problems, drifting, sight obstruction and unsafe access,” said Paul Konickson, Assistant District Engineer – Operations.

Lake Agassiz Regional Library Announces Holiday Closures

In observance of the upcoming holidays, Lake Agassiz Regional Library announces the following closures at all of its branches. All locations will be closed Saturday, December 24 in observance of Christmas Eve and Monday, December 26 in observance of Christmas Day.

Boy who got new heart inspires tribe to boost organ donation

A boy from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians has inspired his community to try to boost organ donor numbers. Greyson Parisien's journey to correct an irregular heart led the tribe to add the option of organ donation to tribal IDs. And the tribe hopes it will inspire others. The IDs were unveiled during a November ceremony. The rate of organ donations among Native Americans is much lower than other ethnic groups. For some tribes, cultural beliefs are a factor. In rural communities, time, distance and spotty access can hinder the process.

Grants available for organizations to help older Minnesotans, people with disabilities live at home

Organizations looking to expand their capacity to provide services to older adults and people with disabilities have a new opportunity to support or enhance their work. Grants of $100,000$250,000 are available from the Minnesota Department of Human Services to organizations serving, or looking to serve, home and community- based services to rural and under-served communities.

Bigger and Better: MN AG EXPO Returns

MANKATO – MN AG EXPO returns in 2023 with a robust agenda that promises to bring lasting connections and conversations among the agriculture community. “We’ve been working hard over the past year to find new ways to engage with our industry and think differently about how to hold a dynamic trade show in 2023,” said Joe Smentek, executive director of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA).