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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The Carlton County forecast for Monday includes a military flyover and parades in the morning, followed by family-friendly fun all afternoon and a movie and fireworks at night. As of Wednesday morning, it also included a 40-percent chance of rain, but Cloquet July Fourth organizers are optimistic ... and determined. "We haven't had to cancel in the past 10 years, maybe ever, so we are hopeful Mother Nature will work around our activities," said co-coordinator Jana Peterson. Both the communities... Full story
This week's photo isn't a mystery. It's just a look at Cloquet's Kiddie parade for children in 1970. It comes from Billy Anderson, the boy dressed as a woman at left, with brother, Blake, dressed similarly. Hidden behind Billy is Ricky, a sister. Billy says their mom was a "women's libber," and thus the motif for their parade entry. In the background are Mike Kortie, at left with dark hair, and Kerry Kolodge....
A girl was struck by a car in Cloquet Tuesday afternoon and suffered “substantial injuries,” the Cloquet Police Department reported. The accident happened on the 30 block of Third Street, a few blocks from the intersection of Third and Carlton Avenue. “It is believed the young girl was crossing the street and was struck by an oncoming vehicle,” police said. Officers responded just before 1:30 p.m. The girl was transported by ambulance to Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. She was listed as stable later in the day. Police sa... Full story
Now that the Centers for Disease Control and prevention have authorized Covid-19 vaccinations by Moderna and Pfizer for children ages six months and older, the vaccines are available. Carlton County Public Health officials encourage caregivers to contact their health care provider to get any child scheduled for a Covid vaccination or look on the MDH website under Vaccine Finder to find another community provider. Carlton County Public Health and Human Services does not have any clinics scheduled. CMH Raiter Family Clinic is offering the shots.... Full story
Boating under the influence is a problem, and one the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and its local, county, state and federal law enforcement partners will target July 2-4 during Operation Dry Water, a national campaign aimed at deterring boating under the influence of drugs and alcohol. During this time, public safety agencies across the state will increase patrols for people operating boats while under the influence of alcohol or drugs....
In a world where veteran organizations are shrinking, this group is growing faster than similar organizations across the country. In a time when volunteers are often hard to find, this group has stepped up for the community too, taking over the Christmas and Thanksgiving community meals. This year's July Fourth grand marshal is not one, but many: the nearly 650 members of the Carlton County Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Chapter 18. "It was an easy choice to make," said Ivan Hohnstadt, Cloque... Full story
The Wrenshall school board was scheduled to have another meeting to discuss an investigation of “allegations of misconduct” on Thursday, June 30. It wasn’t determined before this issue of the Pine Knot News went to press whether the meeting was open or not. It also wasn’t clear if the board intended to discuss the charges or merely its plans to hire an outside investigator. Earlier in June, the board had two closed meetings to discuss complaints about two employees. Board chairwoman Misty Bergman later said the district employees involve...
A Cloquet man facing manslaughter charges after an alleged fight gone wrong is working toward a plea deal with the Carlton County Attorney’s Office. Joel Jay Ammesmaki, age 59, was charged with first-degree manslaughter in September for “causing the death of another while committing assault in the fifth degree with such force and violence” that death or great harm was “reasonably foreseeable.” Ammesmaki was scheduled for a contested omnibus hearing to argue probable cause for the charges on Monday. The hearing was delayed by nearly an hour a...
The Cloquet Police Department responded to the 1500 block of Carlton Avenue West Tuesday afternoon, near First Lake, for a report of an attempted sexual assault. According to a police report, a driver reported being flagged down by a 69-year-old woman who said a man approached her while walking, “brandished some type of weapon, a handgun or replica gun, pulled down his pants, and demanded a sexual act.” The man fled on foot from the scene into a nearby woods and swamp area, leaving behind a bicycle, the report said. Officers from multiple age...
In preparation for the Esko All School Reunion set for August, organizers are seeking people who graduated between 1940 and 1966, who may not be regular users of social media. Call Joyce Houtz at 218-591-7099 to get on the list and/or to get involved with tracking down other graduates....
A public meeting Monday regarding captive deer, elk and moose farms yielded two surprises: news of a new elk farm in the county and a state agency’s refusal to give county officials any information regarding the new business. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health denied a request by Carlton County for any information on a new elk farm in Moose Lake Township. The reason for the denial was that the site location is considered proprietary information and protected. Neither the county or township was consulted on the new venture. County land c...
Memorial Blood Centers recognized Community Memorial Hospital's Volunteer Services Organization as being a top sponsor of blood donations in 2021 and for its diligence in getting individuals to sign up and donate blood. The award was presented to CMH Volunteer Services coordinator Deanna Johnson and volunteers Linda Newlon and Mary Saarela at the Northland Appreciation luncheon held in Duluth.... Full story
In its fourth year, the annual Cloquet microchip clinic Saturday saw no decrease in the number of dogs and cats (and their owners) lining up for pet services, including free microchips for up to three pets, $10 nail trims and low-cost vaccinations. Sheriff Kelly Lake and her daughter, Taylor, helped wrangle a couple of excitable dogs to give their owner a moment to fill out paperwork Saturday afternoon at Veterans Park. Sponsored by the city of Cloquet and Carlton County and held in conjunction...
Many years ago, I was in the audience when the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the legendary civil rights activist and election mobilizer, gave a speech. He often used the catchphrase, “Keep hope alive!” when he spoke, and he did so that time. The audience picked it up as a chant. “Keep hope alive!” they called. “Keep hope alive!” It was a memorable bit of political showmanship. A few years later, I gave a speech at a small college in Iowa. I used it to analyze all the challenges our country faced, domestic and foreign, and finished thinking I’d done a pre... Full story
I owe my career to Patty Murto, and now that she's no longer around to thank, Jana is letting me do it through this column. Not that I haven't thanked her before. Over the years, I told Patty plenty of times that she's responsible for getting me started in my own law practice, and she always pretty much responded in the same way - "nonchalantly" is the best way to put it. Patty was one of the rare do-gooders in this world who were not in it for the glory. Nor was she in it for the power. I don't... Full story
For the last few months we have been attending our Silver Township meetings to find out why we do not have fire coverage in our area. The saga continues and we still do not have coverage due to confusion and rewriting of the contract, as I understand. A lifetime resident shared after our latest meeting, “It’s like pulling hens’ teeth to get anything done here the last couple of years.” Each meeting we’ve been to has been rather tense, but it has also been a clarion call to residents to band together against an apparently purposeful disruption i... Full story
This year's winners of Grandma's Marathon were Dominic Ondoro and Dakotah Lindwurm, but Carlton County's Brent Smith quietly set his own record, becoming the fastest men's marathon runner in the state for his age group. Smith actually set two records on June 18. The Cloquet Class of 1974 alumnus - who also set a Grandma's Marathon record in the 65-to-69 age group last year - beat his own Grandma's record and ran the fastest time ever recorded by a Minnesotan age 65 and older. The now... Full story
Last weekend marked the second annual Wood City Classic girls fastpitch softball tournament at Braun Park in Cloquet. In all, 36 teams competed in three age divisions, U-10, U-12 and U-14. "After the Ashley Abrahamson tournament ended, we didn't want to lose that weekend for our softball players," said tournament director Adam Maslowski. "The Cloquet Youth Baseball/Softball Association decided to hold our own tournament, and it is continuing to grow." After the Covid year of 2020 when there was... Full story
One of the top scorers in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League was the top pick for the Minnesota Wilderness in the June 15 NAHL draft. The Wilderness selected Elliot Dutil from the Notre Dame Hounds as the 30th overall pick in the draft. Dutil, a native of Montreal, had an impressive rookie season, piling up 37 goals, 30 assists and 67 points in 58 games for the Hounds. His totals were good enough for second in the SJHL in goals and fourth in the league in points. The Wilderness selections also included former Grand Rapids High School... Full story
The Ma & Pa Kettle Days committee met Wednesday, June 21 to plan for this year’s Ma & Pa Kettle Days, which will be held Aug. 13. Some activities include a pie social at the senior center 12-2 p.m. and bingo at the Veterans Building 1-4 p.m. Look for Tony Tracy and friends to perform at the Tower Tap 7 p.m. to midnight. We are still trying to confirm other events and will need volunteers to help. If you are willing to lend a hand this year, contact Dan Reed at 218-273-6103 or Marcia Sarvela at 218-273-4045, or send a note to Ma & Pa Kettle D...
Last Monday around 10:30 a.m., I noticed my birdfeeders were moved and knocked to the ground. A few minutes later, I noticed they had moved again. I couldn’t figure out what was happening until I looked out around 11 a.m. and saw a beautiful cinnamon-colored black bear eating out of the feeders. It even tore one apart while I was watching. The bear hung around for about a half-hour, enough time for me to get some great photographs from my sliding glass door in the kitchen. Then in the evening w...
The weather was kind, and so were the movie reviewers. Three directors attended the festival Saturday, including Cy Dodson, who felt compelled to film the aftermath of George Floyd's murder in 2020 because it was his neighborhood. "Say His Name: Five Days for George Floyd" offered an intimate look at the days that followed Floyd's death - the struggles, the dark and the light times that followed - punctuated by the guilty verdict for the police officer who killed him. Dodson said he recently...
Five area students were awarded $800 health care scholarships by the Community Memorial Hospital Volunteer Services Organization. Pictured in the back row, from left, are scholarship committee chair Rosemary Tobin and graduates Ally Spradau of Hermantown, Cloquet's Amanda Paul, Wrenshall's Samantha Nyberg, and VSO coordinator Deanna Johnson. Pictured in front, from left, are Cloquet grads Amelia Allen and Dana Jones. Paul is planning to major in genetics and cellular development at the...
David Hendrickson, 80, of Tamarack passed away Monday, June 27, 2022 in his home. David was born in Shell Lake Township on July 30, 1941, to John and Elma (Yoki) Hendrickson. He graduated from Frazee High School in Frazee, and the University of Minnesota Duluth. He then met and married Lennae Norha. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lennae, and two brothers, Westley and Lowell. David is survived by his daughter LeeAnn Hendrickson; son Darren (Alison) Hendrickson; grandson Hunter (Andie)... Full story
Esko resident Patricia “Patty” Lila Murto spent an outspoken, colorful life dedicated to her passions: family, community, politics and justice. A woman who strove to give voice to the voiceless, who could not for the life of her pass up a spirited debate, and whose good humor and infectious laughter delighted many, died of cancer Saturday, June 25, 2022, at St. Luke’s Hospice after a 15-month fight. She was 72. Patty was born June 7, 1950, in Duluth to Ruby and LeRoy (Red) Hollingsworth. She a... Full story
