A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
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Charges were filed Thursday, in the case of a hit-and-run crash nearly four weeks ago in Cloquet that police previously described as a case of “road rage.” A 38-year-old Cloquet woman was charged via summons Thursday, Feb. 3, by the Carlton County Attorney’s Office. Rebecca Lee Glader faces seven charges, including three counts of felony criminal vehicular operation with substantial bodily harm and leaving the scene of an accident, along with gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor traffic violations including failure to stop, failure to notif...
After taking a pandemic pause last year, the Blue Jean Ball returned Saturday to rave reviews. The annual Community Educational Foundation fundraiser was modified for the times, of course. People wore masks walking around, but didn't have to wear masks when eating and drinking at the table. And the elaborately decorated tables were a little more spread out. But the spirit of the event was the same. "We didn't want anyone to think we weren't taking the virus seriously, and we were ready to turn o...
In a room packed full with nearly 40 parents and teachers, the Esko school board chose to not alter the district’s current Covid-19 mitigation strategies despite tense discussion between board members at their meeting Monday, Feb. 7. As of Monday, students in the district are not required to wear masks to class or school events, regardless of vaccination status. It’s a new policy for students in elementary school, and the same policy that’s been in place for more highly vaccinated secondary students since the start of the school year. Accor...
A break in the arctic weather pattern last weekend meant it was quite comfortable to go sledding at the hill in Pinehurst Park in Cloquet. The temperatures remained mild throughout this week and forecasters are hinting that the worst of the cold may be behind us for the winter. Temperatures in the 30s on Tuesday and Wednesday were the highest readings since late last year. Temperatures were expected to cool into the weekend. Yes, it's been a cold winter, and that groundhog saw his shadow last...
Cloquet city councilors and mayor Roger Maki voted unanimously to fire Cloquet police officer Laci Silgjord Wednesday night, Feb. 2, after closing the virtual council meeting for more than 45 minutes as they discussed the recommendation. Silgjord, who had been on paid administrative leave since May 12, 2021, was also the department's K-9 officer. No details were available on the reason for terminating Silgjord's position during the vote. City officials said copies of the complaint or...
The Cloquet Area Home, Business & Sports Show originally set for March has been canceled by the Cloquet Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. The affiliated craft show will go on as scheduled, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 11-12 at Black Bear Casino Resort. This is the third year in a row the home, sport and business show has been scheduled but not held. The 2020 show was only days away when news that Covid-19 was affecting Minnesotans forced its cancellation. In 2021, despite efforts to reschedule more than once, the...
The “boo-hiss” melodrama, “The Villain Wore A Dirty Shirt, or, Always Wash Your Long Johns ’Cause It Makes a Lotta Cents,” opens tonight. “It’s a good old-fashioned melodrama that will have audiences of young and old laughing throughout the entire production,” said director Joel Soukkala. Performances are at 7 p.m. Feb. 11-12 and Feb. 17-18. There will be 2 p.m. shows on Feb. 13 and Feb. 19-20 at the Encore Performing Arts Center in Cloquet. On-demand performances will be available for online viewing Feb. 18-20. Tickets for live or virtual...
Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com courtesy of the federal government. Go to https://special.usps.com/testkits to order. • Limit of one order per residential address; • One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests; • Orders will ship free....
The Minnesota State Patrol reported at least two crashes in Carlton County during Saturday’s windy and snowy weather. A Ford Escape driven by Superior’s Benjamin Norbie, 26, ran into a plow truck on Interstate 35 near mile marker 230 in Atkinson Township at 1:27 p.m. Saturday. The Sterling plow truck, driven by Jedediah Ninefeldt, was traveling southbound I-35 in the left lane when the Ford Escape collided with the plow truck. Norbie was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the MSP report. Ninef...
Springboard for the Arts and Racing Magpie announced that applications for the 2022 Creative Community Leadership Institute (CCLI) are open through Feb. 27 for applicants from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 23 Native Nations that share that geography. CCLI is an intensive and cohort-based training program with real-world practice for artists, culture bearers, community organizers, community development practitioners, and other leaders seeking to deepen their impact in creative community building. CCLI will have three regionally...
Carlton County commissioners are hoping the state will come through with close to 10 times the amount of bonding money previously allocated for the new justice center/jail during the new legislative session, as lawmakers decide what to do with a $7.7 billion surplus. Carlton County will ask the state for $22.5 million for the new justice center/jail, with the county promising to match the request. The cost of the construction is now estimated at $60 to $70 million. With many of the plans made, the county is now trying to put together a funding...
Nearly two years after a mother, toddler and unborn child were murdered in Cloquet, the trial of her then-boyfriend is slowly comng into focus. Sheldon James Thompson, 34, is accused of killing Jackie Defoe, her unborn child, and her 20-month-old son in March 2020. Thompson faces two charges of murder in the first degree each for the deaths of Jackie Ann Defoe and her son Kevin Lee Shabaiash Jr., and one charge of murder in the first degree of an unborn child, premeditated. He also faces two charges of murder in the second degree-intent and mur...
More testimony was offered Tuesday in the child custody case that led to protests in January outside the homes of two women accused of abuse. Sixth District Carlton County judge Rebekka Stumme split the custody cases involving 10 children, five in each home, on Tuesday to avoid confusion in what has become a complicated case involving families in Cloquet and on the Fond du Lac reservation. There have been sharp disagreements among child welfare professionals about the safety of the children after videos and photos showing alleged abuse...
Don’t trust every phone call from an unfamiliar number. That was the message Carlton County Sheriff’s Office deputy Randy Roberts had for Thomson Township residents and the board of supervisors at the board meeting Thursday, Feb 3. According to Roberts, phone scams were a “big issue” in Thomson Township last month. He said one instance in January had him stopping some residents from withdrawing money at the bank for a business they had never heard of that called and asked for money. “Legitimate businesses don’t ask for money over the phone....
When Leona Johnson spoke out at the Esko school board meeting Monday, it wasn’t the first time a local school board member worried aloud about “discrimination” against children who choose to not be vaccinated or masked missing more school because of those choices. Discrimination is absolutely the wrong word choice here. Yes, people are free to choose whether or not to be vaccinated themselves, or have their children vaccinated against Covid. In some districts — not all — they are also free to decide whether or not to wear masks. But if those ch...
I’ve taught my kids that cops are the “good guys.” That cops can be trusted. If my kids find themselves in trouble, I’ve told them that the police will help them. Of course, most cops look a bit intimidating to little kids. They’re in uniform, wear belts full of tools, including guns, handcuffs and stun guns, and sport shiny badges. They have the ability to arrest you and put you in jail. I’ve taught my kids they have to show respect to the police. If an officer asks you to step aside, you...
You may have heard that some school boards and communities in our state are fighting over the oddly named “critical race theory.” Oddly, because if you read what some of the theory’s protagonists are writing and saying, I wouldn’t call it a theory. Rather, it’s a respectable commitment to considering, probing, understanding and debating the origins of racial inequality in our country and its persistence over many decades, even centuries. I’ve been reading widely about racism in our nation’s hi...
With a $7 billion-plus surplus, perhaps it is time to eliminate the Social Security income tax on retired Minnesota seniors. As a Retired Fire Service member I receive minimal Social Security due to the pension offset. Eliminating this tax is the right thing to do. Jim Langenbrunner, Sturgeon Lake...
When we moved to Cloquet about 30 years ago, we felt we were moving to a nice town. We were wrong. It’s a great town. I recently injured my foot and have found it difficult to get around. A lady who was traveling by when I fell jumped out of her car to try and help me up. People have tried to help in so many ways. I cannot count the number of people who have tried to help when they see me struggle with my cane. People have reached for items at the store for me. They have taken my packages and put them in our truck. They have opened doors and t...
There are many clichés, quotes, and rhetoric to last us a lifetime. Of the multitude, some can provide us inspiration and others can leave a sour taste in the mouth; yet I find one that is laced with such potency. This, brought about by the taboo created at our dinner tables, or just in the company of friends, family or acquaintances: “All politics are local.” Deny a conversation on the subject all you want, but eventually you will meet a neighbor who has participated — in some capacity — in a decision that had an effect on how much in prope...
Eleanore J. Huisinger, 89, of Cloquet, passed away Feb. 2, 2022, at Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton. She was born June 20, 1932, in Gary, South Dakota, the daughter of Nels and Anna (Hanson) Engeseth. Eleanore graduated from Gary High School and worked at her parents' café and at the South Dakota School for the Blind. She married William Huisinger on June 22, 1950, during Buckaroo Days. They moved to Cloquet. Eleanore was employed at Diamond Brands, and the Carlton nursing home, from which...
Roy LaVern Martin, 89, of Carlton passed away Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, in St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth. He was born on May 18, 1932 in Nelson to Elvin and Arvella Martin. Roy married Shirley Coen on Oct. 12, 1951, in Dakota County. He worked at Potlatch until 1979 and then was a carpenter with Boldt Construction until his retirement. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and putzing around the house. Roy was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; brothers, Roland Coller, Gary Coller and David...
Ronald Edward Peterson, 90, of Carlton, passed away peacefully Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in his home. He was born May 9, 1931, in Glenwood, Minnesota to Harold and Valera Peterson. In 1938 the family moved to Moose Lake, where Ron attended elementary and high school, graduating in 1949. He attended Gustavus Adolphus College, served in the National Guard in Cloquet, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951, and served in Korea 1952 to 1953. In 1953, Ron married Mildred Emerson in Orlando. They moved...
Burton J. Shotley, 90, of Cloquet, passed away Feb. 1, 2022, at Evergreen Knoll. He was born Sept. 9, 1931, in Cloquet, the son of Peter and Josephine (Jesse) Shotley. Burt was married to Claudette Schoen on Aug. 1, 1953. He served in the Army National Guard and worked as a firefighter for the fire department in Cloquet. Burt was also a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Burt was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Claudette; son, David Shotley; brother, Leon...
Connie Marie Illikainen, 44, of Esko, passed away peacefully Feb. 5, 2022, surrounded by loved ones at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis. Connie was born Jan. 19, 1978, in Duluth to Gerald Schwoch and Laura (Bruneau) Dahms. She graduated from Barnum High School in 1996 and went on to marry Jon Illikainen on May 16, 2008, in Carlton. Connie was very passionate about family. Some could say she was born to be a mother, and her three children were her absolute world. She was...
