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.

Dreams on Ice 2022: Holidazzle On Ice

Crookston Figure Skating Club, in cooperation of the Crookston Parks & Recreation Department, hosted their annual skating show Dreams on Ice with this year's theme "Holidazzle On Ice" March 12 and 13 at the Crookston Sports Center. Senior skaters honored for 2022 included Isabelle Herberg, Ava Lopez and Breanna Kressin.

Indoor Ice Fishing Tournament

Kids enjoy roasting marshmallows outside the Crookston Inn with local firefighters and Marshall the Paw Patrol fire dog during the Indoor Ice Fishing event. (Photo by Jess Bengtson) Payton won the Skee-Ball arcade game at the United Way Indoor Ice Fishing event at the Crookston Inn.

TERF scholarships awarded, four UMN Crookston students get $1,000 each

University of Minnesota Crookston Four UMN Crookston Equine Science students receive one-thousand dollar scholarships. The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation (TERF) awarded, Sophomore Abby Olsen (Chisago City, Minn.), sophomore Jenna Pedrow (Blaine, Minn.), junior Kendra Putzke (Esko, Minn.), sophomore Ashleigh Lueder (Rochester, Minn.) Morgan Pyles, PhD, and Assistant Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources, says the scholarships were awarded to students studying equine science or equine business management , and pursuing a career in the equine industry.

2022 IDEA Competition names three finalists

Northwest Minnesota Foundation Three finalists have been named for the 14th season of the IDEA Competition, which aims to grow the economy of Northwest Minnesota by supporting and rewarding local innovators. The finalists are: - Cook Family Farm, LLC.

Planning Commission hears from neighbors on parcel purchase, gets update on RRV Shows campsites

While the City of Crookston considers the purchase of two parcels and its land use determination, two residents from that area spoke to the Planning Commission at their March 8 meeting and shared concerns of snow removal in the middle of the night and debris left over from snow that blows into their yard when the area is later mowed. The parcels in question are up for sale by Polk County and the county asked to know the city's intentions on purchasing them by March 28, 2022.

NWMAC: Annual Art Exhibit in TRF through April 27

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce the NW Annual Art Exhibit is in Thief River Falls until April 27. Adult artists from our 7 county-service region (Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Roseau, and Red Lake Falls) have entered 60 pieces of art, including photography, sculpture, drawings, and paintings, into this exhibit and are competing for $2,300.00 in cash awards.

Polk County Public Health, City of Crookston debut breastfeeding room at CSC

Representatives of Polk County Public Health, Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP), Polk County Wellness Coalition, City of Crookston and local healthcare facilities, plus members of the community gathered at the Crookston Sports Center March 10 for the grand opening of the new breastfeeding room near the press box and concessions stand. The designated lactation room is a private, comfortable space that has a rocking chair, table, electrical outlets, changing table and is near the facility's bathrooms. Mothers are welcome to nurse anywhere and anytime at the CSC, protected by the Anytime, Anywhere Minnesota Breastfeeding statute. See more photos from the event at www.crookstontimes.com (Photo by Jess Bengtson)