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.

School Board approves elective instructor, music trip to Valley Fair

After approving consent agenda items including two elementary teacher resignations from Highland Elementary and approving employment for a new Ag Instructor for Crookston High School and two Administrative Assistant contracts for CHS, Crookston School Board approved the addition of a Special Education instructor and Elementary Counselor position for 2022-23 plus the addition of a high school elective instructor and music trip request to Valley Fair that will take place on May 21, 2022. Orchestra Director Haley Ellis told the board she wanted to reward the music students with the trip to Valley Fair as they weren't able to go on the trip to Disney World like they planned for last year. She added that the marching band, choir and orchestra would all get a chance to perform and spend the whole day at the park "having some fun."

Pursuit crosses state lines into Crookston, suspect flees on foot

In the early morning hours of April 19, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Grand Forks County Dispatch who advised the Grand Forks Police Department was in pursuit of a vehicle that was coming into Polk County. Grand Forks units terminated their pursuit at the state line and the vehicle and continued west on Polk County Rd 9.

Three CHS Speech team members advance to state tournament

Crookston High School's Speech Team competed at the Section 8A Tournament on April 12 and three students earned their spot in the upcoming state tournament. Samantha Rezac and Zara Baig took 1st place in Duo Interpretation at sections and advanced to state, plus George French took 3rd place in Humorous Interpretation and advanced to state.

Polk County Child Protection Unit on Child Abuse Awareness Month

Can you help the children of Polk County? April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and the staff from Polk County’s Child Protection Services and Polk County Attorney’s Office Victim’s Services are once again teaming up to help bring awareness to the volume of children experiencing maltreatment in our community! We’ve been busy with our children and would like to include you, the public, on a glimpse of what our roles play in their lives. Who are we? The Polk County Child Protection Unit (CPS) is responsible for receiving reports of child maltreatment and “screening” these reports to see if the worries match the state laws authorizing workers to intervene with a family.