Week of October 18, 2024
Week of October 18, 2024
This week’s Pine Knot News and the local election guide inside are being delivered to almost every home and business in Carlton County for free. Please don’t throw it into the recycling bin before exploring what’s inside. You will find stories and photos about local government, events, business, crime, local sports, many local candidates, even our first-ever survey. There are ads too, for local businesses that you love. As the only independent and locally owned newspaper in Carlton...
A 26-year-old Duluth man was arrested Sunday after a report of someone breaking windows of Burger's Shoes, located at 1609 Carlton Ave., Cloquet. Matthew William Johnson was arrested shortly after the incident was reported at 8:55 p.m. Sunday. Johnson was charged Tuesday with first-degree felony damage to property and remained in Carlton County Jail into the week on $15,000 bail. According to the criminal complaint filed in Sixth District Court in Carlton, a witness called Cloquet police to say...
Like clockwork, trucks roll in and trucks roll out, making the newest facility in the Cloquet Business Park function like a model of efficiency. C&L Distributing began operations here just before Memorial Day. The first few months in its new building have gone well, company representatives said, as staff settled into a daily pattern and workflow. When presented to the city of Cloquet, the center cost was $3.4 million with more than 20 employees expected to work there. Today there are 22 full-...
This is a story about elections and their consequences. About victims and justice. About hope for a safer, brighter future for the children in our midst. On Aug. 9, this newspaper covered two sentencings in Sixth District Court in Carlton, both criminal sexual conduct cases involving juvenile female victims. The cases were the latest in a series of similar cases being prosecuted locally since Carlton County Attorney Lauri Ketola took elected office in 2019. The emotional afternoon saw the...
Nathan Barta Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. My name is Nathan Barta, and I am a lifelong Esko resident. I graduated from Esko high school, and I am currently a Junior studying Social Studies Education and Political Science at UMD. I have been heavily involved in local politics since high school and have made great connections. What made you decide to run for Thomson Township supervisor this year? I love my community, and this open seat on the Board is a great opportunity for me to step up and serve my...
DISTRICT 1: Sarah Buhs Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. As a lifelong Carlton County resident working in public safety, healthcare, and community service, I'm dedicated to community well-being. Leadership, resilience, and passion for public service drives my commitment to positively impacting Carlton County. Learn why I am determined to be a Carlton County District 1 Commissioner at sarahplantebuhs.com. What made you decide to run for Carlton County commissioner this year? I'm concerned about rising taxes and...
By Jenny Sherren SWCD News This year, the Carlton Soil and Water Conservation District has three supervisor positions up for election. Candidates are elected county-wide but must reside in one of the supervisor districts up for election. The supervisor districts and candidates running for election this year include: District 1: Barbara M. Dahl and Michelle Boyechko District 4: Gary E. Peterson District 5: Bruce Heikes and Roger Hurd SWCDs are special-purpose units of government that manage and...
Doug Juntunen Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. I have extensive community service experience, including roles as Barnum's mayor, assistant fire chief and chair of the Carlton County EDA. My background as a St. Paul police officer and deputy sheriff enhanced my problem-solving skills. Since joining the Moose Lake City Council in 2014, I advocate for local businesses and public safety. What made you decide to run for mayor this year? My commitment to the communities I've served drives my dedication to local...
Gary Butala (I) Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. My name is Gary Butala. I have lived in Wrenshall for 25 years. I've been involved with city politics since 2006. I have held the positions of City Councilor and Mayor. I know how city government works. What made you decide to run for mayor this year? I decided to run again (as incumbent) because the city has projects that need to be finished – things that will benefit all residents of the city. What do you think are the top two issues facing your city and how...
Ann Gustafson Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. I have lived in Carlton and worked in Cloquet for 20 years. I am a parent, spouse, educator, farmer, and nature enthusiast. I served first on the Thomson then Carlton City Councils for 14 years. Next, I served the Carlton School Board for one term. Then, I needed a break... What made you decide to run for mayor this year? First and foremost, to make a positive difference in my community. But also, a friend pestered me, and my husband misses the fire department steak...
Louis Bonneville Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. My family and I have been in ISD 91 for 70-plus years, I have a child in the elementary school and grandchildren who will attend. As a member of the board the last 3.5 years, I’ve served on the negotiating and facilities committees. I volunteer helping students learn the trades. What made you decide to run for Barnum School Board this year? Our children. Also I see education changing and would like to be part of the solution to keep ISD 91 as a front runner....
Name: Gunnar Johnson Age: 56 Residence: Gnesen Township Current job: Attorney for Cloquet Area Fire District, City of Hermantown, numerous townships, and Overom Law. Education I received a BS in biology at UMD in 1990. I was on the Dean’s List and received service awards including the Sieur du Luth Award. I went to law school at the American University in Washington, DC. I graduated cum laude in the top 25 percent of my class in 1994. As an attorney, I attend at least 15 hours of Continuing Legal Education each year to maintain my Minnesota...
Carlton County is experiencing a steady flow of early voters and absentee ballots in advance of the Nov. 5 general election. “Since early voting started Sept. 20, we’ve been getting 50 to 100 voters each day,” said county auditor/treasurer Kevin DeVriendt. “The mail-in ballots are rolling in, too — 150 to 200 by mail every day.” Early voting is taking place at the auditor/treasurer’s office on the second floor of the Carlton County Historic Courthouse (Room 205). Also called “in-person absentee voting,” early voting is...
Steven Studniski Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. I am currently employed at Sappi Paper in Cloquet as a Maintenance Superintendent. I have been in a leadership role for the last 16 years. What made you decide to run for Wrenshall mayor/city council this year? My wife and I have attended several city council meetings and we often find ourselves frustrated with how our tax dollars are being spent. What do you think are the top two issues facing the city of Wrenshall and how do you think you would go about tackling...
Marcia Sarvela Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. I have lived in Kettle River since 1988 and have been active in city activities for many years. I have been attending the council meetings monthly for many years so I am familiar with the current issues. What made you decide to run for mayor/city council this year? There was no one filing to run except the incumbent, and I felt we needed someone to run against her. What do you think are the top two issues facing your city and how would you go about tackling them?...
Jeff Dotseth (I) Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. I am a husband, father, grandfather, farmer, realtor and small business owner who, as a state representative, has delivered for the people of District 11A during my first term in the Minnesota House of Representatives. What made you decide to run for state representative? I represent a district that previously lacked a strong voice. Local residents deserve better so I ran to solve local problems and get things done. Please describe where you stand on the following...
STATE REPRESENTATIVE District 11A (elect 1) Jeff A. Dotseth Republican Pete Radosevich Democratic- Farmer-Labor JUDICIAL CANDIDATES 6th District (elect 1) Gunnar B. Johnson, Shawn Reed, Duluth COUNTY COMMISSIONER District 1 (elect 1) Sarah Buhs Caleb Dunlap District 5 (elect 1) Dan Reed Alex French SOIL AND WATER SUPERVISOR District 1 (elect 1) Michelle Boyechko Barbara Dahl District 4 (elect 1) Gary Peterson District 5 (elect 1) Bruce Heikes Roger Hurd CITY CANDIDATES BARNUM City Council (elect 2) Darrel Berry James Calhoun CARLTON Mayor...
Julianne Emerson Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. I have a personal background as an attorney with over a decade of experience in public and community service, to include advocating for students’ rights and school policies. My legal expertise, combined with my commitment to community service, supports my ability to navigate complex educational challenges effectively. What made you decide to run for Carlton School Board this year? I decided to run for the Carlton School Board to advocate for innovative...
David Lucas (I) Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. I have spent four years in the Marine Corps, five years in the Minnesota National Guard. I've lived and worked in the community for the last 24 yrs and the past 6 yrs as Mayor of Kettle River. What made you decide to run for mayor this year? Because I care for the wellbeing of the community and so I can continue to serve and keep moving the city in a positive direction. What do you think are the top two issues facing your city and how would you go about tackling...
It was a battle. After a full game and two 10-minute overtimes, the Cloquet/Carlton vs. Hermantown Section 7AA championship girls' soccer game hinged on goaltending and penalty shots. Fortunately for the Lumberjacks, they have one of the best goalies in the state in Rylee Senich. Between Senich and shooters who had ice in their veins, Cloquet/Carlton pulled out a dramatic 1-1 tie and 4-2 shootout to beat the Hawks and earn a trip to State. "It was very scary going into the shootout," Senich...
It came down to the goalies and just which one could make the key save in a thrilling shootout Tuesday night in the Section 7A championship between Esko and Marshall. A berth in the state tournament was on the line on the Esko pitch. Esko and Marshall are two teams that look like mirror images of each other. They have speed and scoring and solid goaltending and defensive back lines. On Tuesday night the goalies and defense stood strong as a scoreless match went to 100 minutes with double...
A once-in-a-lifetime astrological event, a streaking comet called Tsuchinshan-Atlas, was witnessed in Tuesday night's sky, just after sunset. At that same time a more frequent event was occurring; the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys soccer team won a fourth-consecutive Section 7AA title in a shootout against Hermantown. The Lumberjacks 7AA win was decided in penalty kicks after 100 minutes of intense soccer, highlighted by long throws, equalizing goals and stout defense. CEC's Collin Young scored...
In her first season as head coach of the Lumberjacks girls tennis team, Emily Hallgren coached the team to a 12-7 regular season record. Although they fell in playoffs last week, Cloquet-Esko-Carlton had a solid first season under Hallgren. "This was a very cohesive group of girls," Hallgren said. "They had a great sense of team and you don't always get that as a coach." In team play last week, the 'Jacks fell 6-1 to No. 8 seed North Branch. The only win for the No. 9 seeded 'Jacks came from...
Wednesday, Oct. 9 Girls Soccer Esko 6 Legacy Christian Academy 0 Thursday, Oct. 10 Section 7AA Girls Soccer Cloquet/Carlton 2 Duluth Denfeld 0 Boys Soccer CEC 2 Duluth Denfeld 1 Volleyball Barnum 3 Cook County 1 Carlton/Wrenshall 3 Silver Bay 1 Proctor 3 ML/WR 0 Duluth East 3 Esko 1 Grand Rapids 3 Cloquet 0 Football Hermantown 56 Esko 12 South Ridge 42 Chisholm 40 Rush City 24 ML/WR 22 Friday, Oct. 11 Football Cromwell-Wright 60 Sebeka 22 McGregor 58 Carlton/Wrenshall 0 Grand Rapids 42 Cloquet...
When we started the Pine Knot News six years ago, people in the newspaper industry noticed. Admittedly, it was mostly shock — Who was crazy enough to start a brand-new paper? — mixed in with a flicker of hope. It all started after my previous employer, the Pine Journal, closed its office here and moved operations to Duluth. A group of us felt strongly that Cloquet and Carlton County needed a solidly local newspaper that actually cared enough to have an office here and a paper producing...
Back on Oct. 7, the Carlton school board itself went to school. Members met for three hours with a representative of the Minnesota School Board Association to receive instruction on Minnesota law, school board rights and responsibilities, Robert's Rules of Order, and several other subjects pertaining to the proper function of a school board. Carlton schools are facing significant challenges, but all six of the people governing the schools still found time to work on making themselves better...
Fall has arrived and with it, Halloween fun. The Haunted Shack outside Carlton opened last weekend. The smaller but spectacular Haunted Hawthorne is alive and well, with frights every weekend behind a family home in Cloquet. There's even an option for those who prefer to be terrified while driving their cars, courtesy of the County Seat Theater. Following is a list of area amusements, some tame and some spine-tingling and downright spooky: The County Seat's drive-in Halloween Spooktacular will...
FRIDAY, OCT. 11 Peterson Westerberg American Legion and Auxiliary spaghetti supper 4:30-7 pm., Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 3756 Fair Street in Barnum. Proceeds support Boys and Girls State candidates and Barnum High School scholarships. Carlton VFW Post 2962 hosts a meat raffle at 6 p.m. SATURDAY, OCT. 12 Fall bazaar 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., River of Life Church, 1002 Carlton Ave., Cloquet. Crafts, art, food. Proceeds support ministry in Haiti. Carlton County Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Oct. 19, in front of Premiere Theatres in...
Arrowhead Senior Nutrition menu Friday, Oct. 11 Meatloaf, baked potato, green beans, orange slices Sat.-Sun., Oct. 12-13 Frozen meals available Monday, Oct. 14 California burger, french fries, gingersnap cookie Tuesday, Oct. 15 BBQ pork riblet, butter and parsley potatoes, dill carrots, Scotcharoo bar Wednesday, Oct. 16 Fish, baked beans, apple, gelatin Thursday, Oct. 17 Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, pumpkin bar Friday, Oct. 18 Goulash, coleslaw and fruit Call the Senior Center, 218-879-5870, from your car for curbside meal...
