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.

University of North Dakota offers e sports bachelor’s degree

The University of North Dakota says it will be the first among the state's postsecondary schools to offer a bachelor's degree in competitive gaming. The State Board of Higher Education recently approved the Bachelor of Science degree in e-sports at UND.

NORTHWEST REGIONAL CORRECTIONS CENTER REPORT

Bradley Andrew Anderson, 36, East Grand Forks, was arrested February 21 by the East Grand Forks Police Department for felony first-degree burglary. He remains incarcerated.

Gardening author, expert Eric Bergeson to present virtually on March 8

Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) will host a virtual Q&A session with gardening expert and author Eric Bergeson on Tuesday, March 8 at 7 p.m. Eric is the author of “Let’s Grow on the Northern Prairie,” which is a pictorial companion to his popular book “Successful Gardening on the Northern Plains.” He will share from his books as well as some of the gardening wisdom he’s collected from friends and family over the years.

UMC alum Roeschlein learned values that set up career in watershed

While working in an industry with an ever changing environment and constant technological developments, University of Minnesota Crookston alumni Jon Roeschlein resorts back to the “core values” he learned as a student. Roeschlein was recently hired as District Administrator for the Sauk River Watershed District and has been in the watershed industry for over thirty years as well as the Bois de Sioux district. In the beginning of his career in Sauk River, he was also the ditch and permit manager. For a better understanding, Roeschlein had a detailed description of his role.

CHS Speech team places at Bemidji meet

Crookston High School Speech Team competed in their third invitational tournament over the weekend at Bemidji and had members who placed. George French took 1st place in Honors Finals in the category of Humorous Interpretation, and Samantha Rezac and Zara Baig took 1st place in Honors Finals in the category of Duo Interpretation.

Man arrested in Mentor arson investigation

On the evening of February 26 at approximately 8:40 p.m., the Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of an individual who was attempting start a residence on fire in Mentor. Upon arriving on scene at 101 Harrison Ave North, deputies detained 37-year-old Roger Passa of Crookston. The homeowner, 38-year-old Samantha Skibicki, was not present at the time of the incident and there were no reported injuries.

DEE, Inc. acquired by Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry

Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry (WAF), a leader in aluminum and copper–based alloy castings, recently announced they have acquired the assets of castings manufacturer DEE, Inc. in Crookston. Small Business Development Center consultant Christine Anderson and Crookston Housing & Economic Development Authority director Robert Barnes, along with WAF CEO Sachin Shivaram and DEE, Inc. Vice President/ General Manager Paul Cwikla, shared the news with the City Council at their February 28 meeting.

City Council consensus on city attorney as interim city administrator

Crookston City Council members came to a consensus at their February 28 meeting to appoint City Attorney Corky Reynolds as the interim City Administrator following Amy Finch's departure. Reynolds said it would be an honor to serve and mentioned he met with city department heads individually to see if they would be comfortable with the situation to which they agreed.

CHS teacher Travis Oliver shows School Board metals class work

Crookston School Board members were treated to a plasma cutting demonstration by Industrial Technology teacher Travis Oliver in the Crookston High School metals classroom during their February 28 meeting. They also went home with a souvenir charcuterie board engraved with the Pirate logo made by students in honor of School Board Appreciation Week.