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.

NDSU announces fall 2021 graduates

Local Minnesota students were among the students to graduate from North Dakota State University in fall 2021. Crookston area graduates included: • Jessica Danelle Nystad of Crookston, who graduated with honors, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Care • Desiree Kassandra Ramirez of Crookston, who graduated with honors, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Science A student must earn a 3.50 grade point average or higher to graduate with honors.

American Crystal awards Benedictine Crookston $5K for GHD

Benedictine Living Community – Crookston (formally known as Villa St. Vincent/The SUMMIT) participated in Giving Hearts Day on February 10, 2022 and to show their support of the care and services that BLC – Crookston provides to the population of our community and region, American Crystal Sugar proudly awarded Benedictine Living Community – Crookston Foundation a check for $5,000.

Local libraries offering public access laptops

Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) is introducing a new option for people to access a laptop computer with freedom and flexibility at their public library. Cardholders can visit their nearest LARL library to check out a laptop computer to use inside the library's building for the day, offering them endless options, including using the computer's webcam to conduct virtual meetings and interviews in privacy, browsing the Internet, accessing email, conducting genealogy research and much more.

Hoffman among finalists for BSU, NW Tech presidency

University of Minnesota Crookston Vice Chancellor John Hoffman is among four finalists named in the search for the next president of Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College. Other candidates include Allen Bedford, Darrell Kruger and Karla Leeper.

Sundquist advances to Multi-Region Spelling Bee

Crookston High School eighth grader Tristan Sundquist has advanced from the Regional Spelling Bee to the Multi-Region Spelling Bee. He made the top four at the Regional in Thief River Falls and will move on to the Multi-Region State Spelling Bee in Fergus Falls on February 22.

Blastomycosis – A danger to dogs that has hit close to home

Crookston locals, Karen Danielson and Nick Sanders, recently lost their seven-month-old golden doodle, Stella, due to Blastomycosis. Stella had a habit of digging up flower beds, like many dogs do. They brought her to the vet who concluded that she contracted Blasto this last fall from digging.

Crookston area National Guard members return after 11-month deployment

Minnesota National Guard members from the Crookston area returned home February 9 after an 11-month deployment to the Middle East, also serving in Afghanistan during the Kabul Airport chaos. Parents, spouses, children, siblings, friends, family and well-wishers packed the Crookston National Guard Armory to greet the 2nd Combined Arms Battalion 136th Infantry Bravo Company soldiers as they arrived.

Breanna Kressin continues figure skating career at U of M

Senior Breanna Kressin signed her letter of intent to continue her figure skating career at the University of Minnesota on Monday, February 7 at Crookston High School. Breanna, a double gold medalist in moves in the field and solo free dance, desires to reach the pinnacle of figure skating, which includes continuing her career in college.

Youth wrestling stays busy

The Crookston Pirate youth wrestling program hit the mats on again on Saturday, February 5 and Sunday February 6. Eleven wrestlers traveled to Detroit Lakes on Saturday.

New Crookston business PetsPro+ focuses on pet health and well-being

It all started with a mission to cure their dog and blossomed into a business focused on pet's health. PetsPro+ launched in Crookston in January 2022 and has hit the ground running with a variety of products for dogs and cats. Owner Kristi Nelson and her sons, Nick and Josh, along with their dog and mascot, Ryn, have teamed up to provide all-natural, grain-free, fresh, holistic products that are available locally and can be shipped nationally. They even have a storefront on Main Street.