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.

Priscilla Amiot Waslaski

Priscilla Amiot Waslaski, 78, of Crookston passed away at her home early Monday morning, August 29, 2022, surrounded by members of her loving family. Mass of Christian Burial for Priscilla will be celebrated at 2 p.m., Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston. The service will be livestreamed by going to www. crookstoncathedral.com and clicking on the funeral prompt to view. Visitation will be at the Stenshoel- Houske Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5-7 p.m., with a prayer service and memory sharing at 7 p.m. That service will be livestreamed on the funeral home website at www.stenshoelhouske.com and going to Priscilla’s obituary page to view. Visitation will also be for one hour prior to the Mass at church. Burial will be in the Oakdale Cemetery, Crookston, at a later date.

Connie L. Rasmussen

Connie L. Rasmussen, 72, of East Grand Forks passed away at her home on Monday, August 29, 2022. Connie LuVerne Rasmussen was born on May 9, 1950, in Crookston, the daughter of Leonard and Judy (Jacobson) Nelson. Connie grew up in Fertile and graduated from Fertile High School with the Class of 1968. On May 4, 1973, she was united in marriage to Vernon Rasmussen in Sisston, S.D. and they made their home in East Grand Forks and were blessed with six children. They were members of Our Saviors Lutheran Church and she worked for Avon, JCPenny, and Sofro Fabrics. She was employed with the East Grand Forks School District #595 where she drove school bus for 35 years. Connie was a selfless person, who always put others needs before her own and was always willing to help. Her greatest joy was watching and supporting her kids and grandkids in all their activities and rarely missed an event. People knew Connie by her bright smile. She loved to talk with people and could strike up a conversation with anybody and those conversations could last for hours. Family members who survive Connie include her husband, Vernon Rasmussen of East Grand Forks; children, Patrick (Tami) of East Grand Forks, Derrick (Nicci) of Fisher, Jarod of East Gand Forks, Jody (Nicholas) Mattson of Duxbury, Neal of East Grand Forks, and Paul (Sarah) of East Grand Forks; 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; siblings, Ray (Sylvia) Nelson of Fertile and Nancy Vaughn of Fargo, N.D. She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, David and Tom; sister, Sandra. Funeral Service: 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1515 5th Ave. NW, East Gand Forks Visitation: 1 hour prior Funeral Service on Tuesday in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Interment: Concordia Cemetery ~ Fertile Arrangements Bb: Dahl Funeral Home, East Grand Forks.

Ruben Mendez

Ruben Mendez, 73, of Cannon Falls passed away peacefully August 28, 2022, surrounded by family. Survived by his wife of 45 years, Gail; children: Miguel, Sara (John), Yolanda (Mike); siblings: Alice, Rachel, Vince, Ray, Kenny, Paul, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Michael Joseph Fenno

Michael Joseph Fenno passed away on April 14, 2022 in Surprise, Arizona. He was born on August 14, 1943 in Olivia, Minnesota, the 9th in a family of 11 children.

M State to offer free CNA classes this fall

Submitted Minnesota State Community and Technical College will again be hosting free Certified Nursing Assistant courses as part of Gov. Tim Walz’s Next Generation Nursing Assistant initiative.

Starry stonewort confirmed in Lake Bemidji in Beltrami County

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the invasive algae starry stonewort in Lake Bemidji, adjacent to the city of Bemidji in Beltrami County. Lake Bemidji is close to other lakes where starry stonewort was previously confirmed.

Free family-focused webinars September through December

Morris, Minn., (8/26/22) The University of Minnesota Extension Center for Family Development educators and partners are facilitating webinars, providing information and resources for families and those who serve families to make informed decisions leading to greater health, resilience, and well-being.

RiverView Auxiliary Blood Drive

Submitted Crookston, MN--Wow, what another wonderful blood drive! Thanks to the dedicated donors and volunteers, many lives will be touched in the days ahead. A total of 39 folks were able to donate and a total of 44 blood products were collected.