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
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 49
Cloquet High School seniors were met with well-wishers from the school staff Saturday as they picked up graduation gowns and other materials. The raucous event was part of ongoing efforts to bring some specialness, if not normalcy, to the end of the graduates' high school days. The staff at Cloquet High School made the best of fun in a difficult time Saturday afternoon by holding a senior class drive-thru event for the Class of 2020. The event was a chance for seniors to receive graduation caps...
Historic Minnesota events with anniversaries this week. May 16 1898 Three regiments of the Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, with nearly 1,000 men in each, depart for training to fight in the Spanish-American War. Only the 13th Regiment would see combat, in the Philippines. The other two were stationed in Georgia, where dozens died from disease. The 13th saw six officers and 68 men wounded. More than 40 men died. Four were killed in action, three died from wounds and 34 died from disease. One man dr...
The May 7 full moon was the final supermoon of 2020. Cloquet photographer and retired doctor Dana Malkovich shared this photo he took of a 98.5 percent full moon at 5:14 a.m. May 6, looking east as it ascended above the trees lining the St. Louis River in Jay Cooke State Park. "Supermoon" is not a scientific word, Malkovich said. "It is an astrological term applying to the full moon when it nears its perigee, the point when the moon is closest to earth in its elliptical orbit. At that point the...
As the number of tests given increases across the state, so do the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19. The Minnesota Department of Health reported 65 positive cases in Carlton County as of Wednesday, May 13, an increase of four from a week ago. Of those 65 cases, at least 36 are from the Moose Lake prison, an increase of one confirmed case since last week. Testing at the local Department of Corrections facilities is up, with 111 inmates tested in Moose Lake. Of those 36 were confirmed positive, 73 confirmed negative. Another 31 are presumed...
The filing period opens Tuesday, May 19 for three Cloquet city council positions: Ward 4, Ward 5 and At-Large. Because Cloquet City Hall is currently closed to the public, affidavits of candidacy will be accepted by appointment and curbside, Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Make an appointment by either calling 218-655-1501 or emailing [email protected] or [email protected]. The filing period ends at 5 p.m. June 2. The filing period for county and state offices also runs May 19-June 2. Candidates for D...
The school boards from Carlton and Wrenshall earlier this week approved in separate online meetings a consolidation plan to be sent to the Minnesota Department of Education. It’s a formal step in a process with many parts as the districts edge closer to pairing up and forming an elementary school in Carlton and a middle and high school in Wrenshall. The plan sent to the state describes how a combined district would spend $39.7 million to shore up the schools and grounds in each city to accommodate the influx of students in a consolidation. The...
Democratic-Farmer- Labor candidates and supporters gathered outside the Premiere Center on a brisk Friday morning to celebrate the party's endorsement of State Representative District 11A incumbent Mike Sundin and State Senate District 11 challenger Michelle Lee. The endorsement convention was held online over 10 days, versus the usual one-day convention in Barnum. More than 130 delegates voted, Lee said. A limited number of supporters were invited to attend, and both the candidates and their...
There was a long line of cars waiting to order and pick up brats, burgers and more last Thursday and Friday afternoon as both local residents and folks heading to cabins and lakes north of here diverted from Highway 33 for some tasty grilled food. The drive-thru ordering was implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions. DAV volunteers also wore masks (many embroidered with "DAV 18") and gloves. The Vet Center was also parked and open for any veterans who...
Cloquet's Thomas Proulx announced this week that he is seeking re-election for the Carlton County commissioner seat he has held since 2010. "It has been a pleasure and honor to serve the residents of District 3 on the county board," said Proulx. District 3 includes much of Cloquet. Proulx, who is a probation officer and assistant tennis coach at Cloquet High School, sits on a number of committees and boards, including the Tribal Relations and Health and Human Policy committees for the...
The 2020 Carlton County Farmers Market opens in Cloquet Saturday, June 6 in front of Premiere Theatres, 904 Hwy 33 South. From 9 a.m. to noon, vendors will offer locally grown transplants and fresh-picked produce, delicious breads and baked goods, honey and maple syrup, eggs and meat, artisan preserves and pickles, body care products and fine crafts. The Carlton site opens Tuesday, June 16 at the Four Seasons Sports Complex and Event Center, 90 W. Chestnut Ave. Hours are 4-6 p.m. COVID-19 safety measures required by the State of Minnesota and...
In line with many school districts across the state and region, Cloquet school board members voted unanimously Monday to pay all spring coaches and activity advisors their full pay — despite the fact that there will be no spring sports season or plays or academic competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the switch to distance learning by all Minnesota schools. Cloquet activities director Paul Riess submitted a thorough report to the board during the work session Monday, noting that 79 p...
The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation will offer $1000 scholarships to students in rural northeastern Minnesota who plan to pursue music in college. The foundation was created in 2010 to honor the memory of Bradley Edward Rozman, a percussionist and native of Virginia, Minnesota, who passed away in 2009. The foundation honors Rozman through its programs that seek to cultivate and celebrate young Minnesota musicians. The Friends of Brad scholarship is open to high school seniors graduating from rural school districts in St. Louis (excluding...
The Minnesota Department of Transportation began construction on the northbound Interstate 35 Carlton weigh station May 11. The existing weigh station ramp and lot will close until work is completed in August. Project work includes construction of scale pit and approaches, bituminous mill and overlay of existing lot and ramps, and building installation....
Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea issued another order earlier this month that extends the limited physical access to courthouses until May 18 in order to reduce and slow the spread of COVID-19. Remote, or virtual, technology may be used to conduct hearings in pending cases when possible. The order also suspends all jury trials, authorizing them to begin June 1. The order continues the previous authorization for the use of remote technology, when possible, to conduct district court hearings in any pending cases, except...
With the recently thawed lakes and rivers, and fishing season beginning, Cloquet Area Fire District Captain Mike Garbers and firefighter/paramedic Joe Pikul took some time to train with the new rigid-hull inflatable boat that is new to the district's arsenal of response vehicles. Carlton County Emergency Management Director Steve VanKekerix secured a grant that covered the purchase of the $17,000 13-foot AB Inflatables boat, 25-horsepower four-stroke Mercury motor and trailer. While the boat is...
In response to the COVID-19 impact on the local economy and health, the Carlton County board of commissioners approved a limited freeze on hiring, with the board pledging to make a step-by-step study of each position before a new person is hired. There was lengthy discussion on budget and personnel matters during the regular board meeting Tuesday, May 12. Acting auditor/treasurer Kathy Korteum reported that spring property tax payments are about 5 percent below other years and the final figure will not be known until after May 15 when payments...
Last week, we pointed out that elections are right around the corner. With social distancing affecting traditional campaigning, and also becoming an issue in itself — should our representatives have such power to quarantine us for so long? — our need for “normalcy” affects how we’ll all vote this fall. So we were interested to see the endorsements made by the two major parties for Minnesota State House District 11A, which is essentially all of Carlton County. The incumbent received the DFL party’s endorsement: Rep. Mike Sundin, from Esko,...
Property taxes are just too high. It’s pretty easy to start a conversation with any landowner by saying, “My property taxes are crazy high.” No one ever really argues with you about it. They’ll sympathize; they’ll commiserate; they’ll share their own “high taxes” story. But they won’t argue with you about it. (Sometimes, though, especially on “Harry’s Gang,” I’ll say that I don’t mind paying my taxes because of all the goods and services we get in exchange for them. That usually gets a pretty go...
Throughout all the turmoil on all levels of life nationwide, I’ve become disgusted with the response from our government. Do they respond in unity? No. It’s simply a great opportunity to bash Trump or Biden, depending on whose side you’re on. The division within our government cannot last very long before the house collapses, and the cracks have never been so evidently wide as they are now with the new circumstances. Are they self aware at all, those who lounge in D.C. while their citizens suffer from their policies? Do they care about our c...
Hands. From the time I was a young girl I’ve noticed them. First, with my mother as she deftly kneaded and twisted dough into bread or caramel rolls. She covered a plywood slab, which my Papa Al had cut for her, with flour sack towels, pinning the overlapping edges to the back with thumbtacks. Flour was sprinkled and baked goodies — the stuff of childhood dreams and aromas — magically formed under her practiced hands as I watched nearby, perched upon the high stool. Push and pull. Push and p...
While growing up, listening to radio was one of my favorite pastimes. It was not just the music I enjoyed, I also love the sound of the disembodied voices booming through the speakers. It was as if they were talking directly to me. One of the voices I especially appreciated was that of Paul Harvey. What a man. What a voice. His "The Rest of the Story" broadcasts brought history to life while regaling his audience with an unexpected conclusion. While I could never compare to the legendary P...
We have heard several disheartening stories from staff members at the Moose Lake and Willow River prisons about the fear and stigma they face after doing their day’s work since the COVID-19 outbreaks. We are writing to thank the men and women in the Department of Corrections for their work each day. A crisis has the unique ability to focus our hearts and minds on what is most important — family, friends, shelter, safety. During the workday, dedicated corrections officers often find themselves in dangerous situations ensuring safety and sec...
Vicki Lee Ross, 61, of Cloquet passed away on May 13, 2020, at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth. She was born on Jan. 26, 1959 to Donald and Janith (Carlson) Wadman in Cloquet. Vicki was employed as a registered nurse at St. Luke's Hospital from 1982 until retiring in 2016. She was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Cloquet. Vicki married Gary Ross on July 31, 1982. Vicki enjoyed many things in life, including gardening, craft shows, fishing, and her dogs. She loved a good road trip,...
Howard “Howie” Wayne Wilkes, 78, of Kettle River passed away April 25, 2020 in Essentia Health in Duluth. He was born Sept. 10, 1941 in Wahkon, Minnesota. A gathering of family and friends is pending. Arrangements by Atkins Northland Funeral Home. Nancy Carol (Korby) Brady, 72, of Cloquet passed away with her loving family by her side on May 9, 2020 at Solvay Hospice House after a short battle with lung cancer. Drive-by visitation: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16 in the Atkins Northland Funeral Home parking lot. A private family ser...
On May 5, Gov. Tim Walz signed an Executive Order allowing elective surgeries, and Community Memorial Hospital is already back in business. The order allowed hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and medical, dental and veterinary clinics to resume many procedures previously on hold, upon establishing criteria determining which procedures should proceed during the COVID-19 pandemic and providing a plan to maintain a safe environment for facility staff, patients, and visitors. “Minnesota has ma...
