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.

New full-time firefighter

New full-time firefighter Garett Bengtson took his oath to serve and protect the community during this week's City Council meeting. He's congratulated by Fire Chief Tim Froeber.

Some personal testimony in the matter of NPR v. the Supreme Court

Friends of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch spent recent days in high dudgeon (is there another kind of dudgeon?) over the wording of an NPR report concerning the jurist's masklessness. I found this highly amusing - self-righteous Washington hypocrisy can be funny - due to my personal experience on the receiving end of Gorsuch's own journalism. As I will explain, he is not a man who believes in correcting mistakes.

Steering wheel cover?

Question: It’s so cold in the winter, I am thinking about getting one of those fuzzy steering wheel covers. I think they will help keep my hands warm while driving. But my question is, are they legal?

My college stopped relying heavily on the SAT

I'm a college admissions officer, and I'm as eager as everyone else to see the end of the covid-19 pandemic. The coronavirus has thrown campus life into chaos, and the college experience for many students has been bleak. And yet, for people in my line of work, the pandemic has come with one silver lining: the near decimation of the SAT and ACT.

Barnesville uses second half to defeat Crookston

The Crookston Pirates boys’ basketball team played a strong first half but fell a part in the second, as Barnesville went on to win 80-51. Jacob Hesby and Jack Garmen, the Pirates’ leading scorers, gave Crookston a 4-0 lead.

Bearcats score 2 in third for win

The Crookston Pirates boys’ hockey team couldn’t muster a goal in the third period on its way to a 2-4 loss to Kittson Central on Tuesday, January 25. As if on script, Jack Doda scored the first goal for the Pirates eight minutes into the first period.

Girls’ hockey records third straight shutout

The Crookston Pirates girls’ hockey team recorded its fourth consecutive win and third straight shutout with wins over Detroit Lakes and Bemidji on Monday, January 24 and Tuesday, January 25. In the game against section rival Bemidji, the Pirates avenged their tie from earlier in the season with a 2-0 victory.

Karen Marie Audette

CROOKSTON - Karen Marie Audette, 67, of Crookston, MN, passed of health complications on January 19, 2022, at RiverView Health surrounded by her favorite Dr.’s and Nurses who had taken such amazing care of her over the last few years.

Extra cash for low-income mothers may influence baby brains

New research suggests giving extra cash to low-income mothers can change their infants’ brain development. Brain measurements at age 1 showed faster activity in key brain regions in infants whose low-income families received $300-plus monthly for a year, compared with those who got $20 each month, U.S.

Friend’s abusive ex remains in contact

Dear Amy: One of my friends, “Charles,” has just gotten out of a three-year relationship with his emotionally abusive partner, “Anthony.” Before I understood how abusive Anthony had been, I considered us friends, but I’m no longer comfortable associating with Anthony at all. Normally in this kind of situation where someone’s primary friendship is with one person, the friendship just sort of naturally dissolves when they break up, but Anthony thinks of me as his best friend and is likely to continue, unless I say otherwise.