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.

Karl Odegaard named RiverView’s June Employee of the Month

Who do you call when you’re locked out of your RiverView office, need someone to help you figure out how to turn on the outside spigots, or a long list of other issues? Karl. If you’ve got his “digits’’, who will always come to help you out in a pinch? Karl. Chances are you know Karl Odegaard, almost everybody does. Karl’s known for his helpful demeanor and ability to put a smile on just about anyone’s face. Now, he’s also known as River-View’s Employee of the Month (EOM) of June.

Polk County Fair Chocolate Contest winners announced

Polk County Fair's chocolate contest was quite a success with some amazing desserts being made. Their adult winners starting from the left are Sheila Benesh, 1st place made salted carmel turtle cake; Brenda Langved, 2nd place made german chocolate cheesecake; and Jasmine Benesh, 3rd place made oreo cookie cake. Submitted photo)

Crookston Area Chamber of Commerce announces return of Leadership Crookston

The Crookston Area Chamber of Commerce is bringing the Leadership Crookston program back to the community in 2022. The series gives participants a chance to learn about Crookston by taking a closer look at organizations in a variety of segments of the Crookston economy. Participants also learn about leadership from people involved with those organizations.

Golden Link Senior Center hosting four-week art series

Golden Link Senior Center will be hosting a four-week series of free art classes on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at the senior center. The classes are open to the public and sponsored by a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council.

UMN Crookston announces hiring of Jess Bengtson as Communications Specialist

The University of Minnesota Crookston announced the hiring of Jess Bengtson as communications specialist. Bengtson will be a member of the University and Alumni Relations team under Director of University and Alumni Relations Brandy Chaffee. Bengtson joins UMN Crookston from the Crookston Times where she served as the managing editor for the newspaper.

DNR: Apply through Aug. 19 for special youth deer hunts

Hunters can apply for special youth deer hunt permits through Friday, Aug. 19. These hunts are for youth ages 12-15 at the time of the hunt. Youth archery hunters in Sand Prairie Wildlife Management Area in Sherburne County can be ages 10-17. There is a limited number of permits for each hunt. Individual hunts will be held in several state parks, and in the Rydell National Wildlife Refuge, on various dates in the fall. Adults must accompany youth during these hunts. More information is available in on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/Hunting/Deer/Youth-Deer-Hunts.html). Special youth deer hunts are different from the statewide youth deer season, which takes place Oct. 20-23 and does not require an application.

Crookston Seventh-Day Church to host gospel concert July 20

Dawn of Hope Ministry, Inc. will present a concert of gospel music and testimony featuring singer/speaker Stephanie Dawn and pianist/ arranger Dann Thornton on Wednesday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Crookston Seventh-Day Church. The church is located at 707 4th Avenue NE in Crookston.

Rosalie Simmons

Rosalie LaRae “Rose” Simmons, 63, of Crookston, MN, passed away Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at Sanford on Broadway Hospital in Fargo, ND with family members at her side. Rose was born in Duluth, MN on January 6, 1959, the daughter of Miland “Bud” and Gilma (Johnson) Simmons.

Heather Aileen Beiswenger

Heather Aileen Beiswenger, 50, of Grand Forks, ND, and a Fisher, MN native, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at her residence Thursday, July 7th, 2022. Heather was born on May 23, 1972 to Roger and Carol (Hegge) Beiswenger of Fisher, MN.