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.

Farmland experiencing real estate boom

DES MOINES, Iowa – Fourth-generation corn and soybean farmer Jeff Frank doesn’t feel rich, but simply based on the skyrocketing value of his land in northwest Iowa, it’s an apt way to describe him, even if he laughs at the idea.

Polk County DFL announces move to contactless precinct caucuses

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Polk County Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party has made the decision to move to contactless precinct caucuses to protect the health of caucus participants and their communities. The caucus is scheduled for Tuesday, February 1, 2022 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

MCIA presents Achievement in Crop Improvement Award to Wayne Capistran

Wayne Capistran of Crookston was recently presented with the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association's (MCIA) highest honor - the Achievement in Crop Improvement Award. Since 1972, the annual award recognizes exemplary service to the seed industry as well as outstanding leadership in agriculture and the local community. The award was presented during the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association’s 119th Annual Meeting which was a virtual event hosted at MCIA’s office in St. Paul on January 12, 2022.

CORRECTION

A Happy Joe's coupon that appeared in print in the Crookston Times on January 19 on page 11A had incorrect information and should have read, "Any Large Single Topping Pizza for $15.99 +tax - Must present coupon - Expires 2/2/22." Please disregard the description on January 19's Happy Joe's coupon in the Times. Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience.

Jan. 21 crash at Highways 2 and 9 sends Fertile woman to hospital

A Friday morning crash at Highways 2 and 9 outside Crookston sent a Fertile woman to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The accident occurred on January 21 at approximately 8:09 a.m. after two vehicles, a 2019 Chevy Equinox driven by Melody Lynn Berhow, 45, Fertile, and a 2014 Chevy Traverse driven by Caillie Vanessa Boucher, 33, Crookston, collided.

Kathy Duffy

CROOKSTON - Kathy Duffy of Crookston, MN formerly of Red Lake Falls, MN passed away on Monday, January 17, 2022 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, at 10:00 AM at Johnson Funeral Service in Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Bob Schreiner officiating. Burial will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery in Red Lake Falls later in the spring. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Linda Sharon Hay

MINNEAPOLIS - Linda Sharon Hay born June 2, 1945 died peacefully January 5 in Minneapolis after nearly 50 years living with Multiple Sclerosis. Formerly of Crookston, Linda lived in the Minneapolis area for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents Sidney and Elizabeth Hay. She is survived by her children Michelle McCormick (Dan) of Denver and Marc Laurent of Burnsville, her brother Richard Haman (Ginger) of Minot ND and sister Lenora Hay (Bruce Duncan) of Jeffersonville IN and Indian Shores, FL. Linda was grandmother to Danielle, Dylan, Ella, McKenna, Emmett, Maren, Spencer, Kate, Megan, and Owen. She was aunt to Judy, Cameron and Tyler. A memorial will be held at a later date with burial in Crookston, MN. Remembrances of Linda’s life may be made by donating to the National MS Society or to a local humane society.

Sarah Marie (Paul) Gatica

CROOKSTON - Sarah Marie (Paul) Gatica, 40, a Crookston native, passed away in Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, after a brief, yet valiant, struggle with injuries sustained in an accidental fire early Saturday morning, January 15, 2022, at her residence in Grand Forks.

Northern Great Plains Youth Institute slated for May 9, 2022 at UMC

This spring, the Northern Great Plains Youth Institute returns to the University of Minnesota Crookston to present high school students a fantastic opportunity to put their talents and knowledge towards global crises. Presented by the World Food Prize Foundation, students from all over the midwest come together to address food security and agricultural issues, partake in hands-on scientific activities and discover new ways to make a difference in Minnesota and around the world. What better location to host other than a university with a legacy in education and agriculture, enter UMN Crookston.

CHEDA looking to connect with Chickadee Coffee over loans

New Crookston Housing & Economic Development Authority (CHEDA) director Robert Barnes said one of the first items he was asked to address when he arrived was the former coffee shop on University Avenue and the loan(s) that Chickadee Coffee had through CHEDA, he told the board at their January meeting. Barnes mentioned that the board never took action to forgive the loans or collect proceeds from the loans, and some of the collateral (property) from the former business may or may not still be in the building they were using to store it so he needed some direction.