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.

Fournet Building update

The Fournet Building's renovations on the second and third floors are nearing completion and owner Jeff Evers tells the Times the elevator will be installed in April which gives Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. the green light to start moving in.

Girls’ basketball wins third game in four days

The Crookston Pirates girls’ basketball team got off to a slow start but picked it up in the second half for a 47-30 win over Thief River Falls on Monday, January 17. The Pirates have had—and won— three games in a span of just four days, which impacted their first half play, head coach Darin Zimmerman said.

Ice Buster Daze returns to Crookston February 11-12

Ice Buster Daze is back and better than ever in 2022 with two days of events including the 19th annual ice fishing tournament on the Red Lake River. Festivities start Friday, February 11 with two events at the Crookston Inn and three events Saturday, February 12 at multiple locations.

Klemek Outdoors: Black-capped Chickadee

In roughly two months it’ll be springtime once again in the Northland. Looking outside now, however, it’s hard to imagine. Ice on the lakes continue to get thicker, snow continues to build, and just as sure as you’re reading these words, bitter cold will come before it’s all done.

HAZMAT endorsement

Question: I’m thinking about getting a commercial driver’s license with a HAZMAT endorsement. Do I need to have a background or some education in basic chemistry? Answer: No but there are many responsibilities and requirements in dealing with hazardous materials.

This is a dangerous time in the pandemic for people like me

In the fall of 2002, I slipped on the ice when I was leaving work one night and twisted my hip. The pain never fully went away, but I imagined it was just a pulled muscle or torn cartilage. I was 37 years old and healthy. What else would it be? An MRI later showed a tumor on my hip that turned out to be the presenting symptom of multiple myeloma, a rare bone-marrow cancer. At the time, the average life expectancy for people newly diagnosed with the condition was a year and a half.

Boys’ basketball suffers 38-80 loss to BGMR

The Crookston Pirates boys’ basketball team was on the wrong end of a historic night, as they fell to Badger Greenbush Middle River (BGMR) 38-80 on Monday, January 17. The Gators’ Kobey Dallager totaled 24 points on the night, scoring his 1,000th career point.

Craig Marvin Reierson

CROOKSTON - Craig Marvin Reierson, age 60, of Crookston, MN, passed away in Sanford Broadway Medical Center, Fargo, ND, Wednesday morning, December 22, 2021, with family by his side. Craig was born on December 6, 1961 in St.

Patricia “Pat” Johannson

FARGO - Patricia “Pat” Johannson, age 85, of Fargo, ND, and a former longtime Crookston, MN resident, passed away Friday morning, January 14, 2022, in the Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, ND, while comforted by her family at her side. A memorial service celebrating the lives of Pat and her late husband, Ken, will be held at a later date as yet to be determined.