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.

Christmas brings on competing traditions

Dear Amy: My late first wife has a sister who hosts a Christmas Eve dinner. I remarried after my wife’s death, and three of the five boys in our blended family, ages 18 to 27, attend their aunt’s dinner.

State invests $61 million to boost dental reimbursement rates

This January, Minnesota is taking a major step toward addressing significant and longstanding gaps in dental care by raising state payment rates for dentists. The rate increase is part of a $61 million dental package aimed at removing barriers that keep dentists from taking patients covered by Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare.

Minnesota State announces Fall 2021 academic honors

Minnesota State Community and Technical College has named 555 students to its President's List and 539 students to its Dean's List for the 2021 Fall Semester. Local student Nicholas Schulz of Euclid was named to the Dean's List.

Libraries offering Winter Reading Challenge through Feb. 28

Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) is welcoming 2022 by bringing back Book Blizzard, a reading contest that challenges adults to keep their reading resolutions. To enter the contest, simply read or listen to four books – you can enter as many times as you wish.

Summit senior apartments feature resident and ‘golf pro’ Ray Palcisko

Ask any Summit associate who comes to mind when they think of any local golf pros and Father Ray is first to be named. “He must have the perfect long put because we often find him sinking them from one end of his apartment to the other! He has like a gazillion golf balls in there!” notes Valerie O’Connell, TMA/Caregiver and friend.

Fisher ag instructor receives MREA ‘Educators of Excellence’ award

One would be especially challenged to find a teacher with a more wide-ranging courseload than Kristen Schwarz, who carries the title of "ag instructor" at Fisher Public School. She teaches Food Science, along with Veterinary Science. She leads a class teaching students what it takes to earn a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License), a class on managing a greenhouse, a small-engines course, a Family and Consumer Science class, and an ag exploration course. Through a collaboration with Northland Community and Technical College in East Grand Forks, she also offers a course preparing Fisher School students to become Certified Nurses’ Aides. In addition, Schwarz, after beginning years ago as a part-time volunteer, oversees the FFA program at the small school tucked between Crookston and East Grand Forks along U.S. Highway 2.

Local Agri-Women attend 2021 National Convention in Phoenix

Minnesota American Agri-Women members Kathy Goodyke of Crookston, Barb Overlie of Lake Crystal, Karolyn Zurn of Calloway, and Deb Whalen of Oklee recently joined women in agriculture from around the country in Phoenix, Arizona for the 46th annual AAW convention.

CHEDA approves 2022 budget, gets Epitome Energy update

The Crookston Housing & Economic Development Authority board passed its 2022 budget at their recently rescheduled meeting in January at Valley Technology Park after their December meeting was postponed due to weather. CHEDA Executive Director Robert Barnes told the Times there were some changes to the budget per board direction and the updated copy will soon be available.

Keona Arnold lends artistic talents at B&E Meats

Art can pop up at even the most unique places and it just so happens B&E Meats has a resident artist. B&E employee Keona Arnold, who is a sophomore in high school, has been sketching on their display board for months and it's drawing the attention of customers.

In Progress wins at 2021 MY HERO film festival

In Progress filmmakers from Minnesota and Wisconsin had films that placed in the 17th Annual MY HERO International Film Festival including three filmmakers from Crookston. Congratulations to '8 Minutes and 46 Seconds' by Angel "Miracle" Espericueta which won the Dan Eldon Youth Activist Award; '5400 Children' by Morgen Arguelles which received 1st place in the High School Experimental category, and 'Love Can Heal Us All' by Azomali Obisakin which received 1st place in the Elementary category.