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.

Education and American Democracy

As we go forward with our series, dear readers, we have to keep in mind the caution of John Adams that democracies never last long and seem to try so hard to exhaust themselves. I am not saying that has occurred; nor am I eager--perhaps fearful— that it should occur. As card play-ers know well, if you don’t pay very close attention, you could key trumped!

Secretary Steve Simon Awards 2020 Democracy Cup to Winona State University

SAINT PAUL – On Monday, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon awarded Winona State University with the 2020 Democracy Cup. Minnesota's Democracy Cup is the statewide collegiate voter turnout competition. In 2020, Winona State University had the highest voter turnout of participating 4-year public state universities in Minnesota with 73.8% of its students voting.

Public land celebration scheduled Oct. 14

Celebration to be part of tenth annual Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener New public hunting land will be dedicated in Nobles County at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, as part of the Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener. The ceremony celebrates 295 acres added to Ransom Ridge Wildlife Management Area, located three miles south and 1.5 miles east of Rushmore.

Shop and compare plans at MNsure.org

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Minnesotans who need health insurance can now shop and compare medical and dental plans for 2023 through MNsure, Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace. MNsure’s open enrollment period starts November 1 and runs through January 15, 2023, but Minnesotans can use MNsure’s plan comparison tool this month to check out their options and get a cost estimate so they are ready to sign up for coverage when open enrollment begins.

Lucas Miller, Junior, midfielder

Lucas scored the winning goal against East Grand Forks in the Pirates 1-0 win last week. He is a hard worker and always working on getting better at his position! .

Vikings’ offense finding its way in O’Connell’s system

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — As Kirk Cousins opened Sunday with a team-record 18 consecutive completions, star wide receiver Justin Jefferson was the focal point of a Minnesota Vikings offense that scored touchdowns on its first three possessions.

Avian influenza confirmed in Ransom County; events suspended

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial turkey and chicken flock in Ransom County, North Dakota. The detection extends the suspension of poultry/ bird events in Ransom and the adjoining counties of Barnes, Cass and Richland, which were currently under suspension from a late August finding in Cass County. Adjoining counties newly under suspension due to the Ransom County finding are Sargent, Dickey and LaMoure. Additional counties still under suspension from earlier findings include Traill, Steele, Mc-Lean, McHenry, Ward, Mountrail, Renville and Burke.