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Articles from the August 28, 2020 edition


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  • Women discover each other 25 years after China adoptions

    Mike Creger|Aug 28, 2020

    Two 20-something women have matching tattoos using the Latin words attributed to Julius Caesar: "Veni, vidi, vici," which translates to "I came, I saw, I conquered." It seems a fitting phrase for these driven women who came from humble beginnings and are or have marched their way through advanced college degrees in highly analytical fields. But they live 1,400 miles apart and, until this past July, had never met. They hadn't even known of the other's existence until luck - and genetic...

  • School hit with claims of abuse

    Jana Peterson|Aug 28, 2020

    Social media sites started lighting up in Cloquet circles last weekend after a former Cloquet student unleashed a laundry list of allegations against current and former Cloquet school district teachers and staff. The posts came from myriad sources and included claims regarding both past and present employees, with stories of teachers and staff who asked female students to hug them or sit on their laps, to others who allegedly bullied students, played favorites or gave a person "the creeps."...

  • This week in history

    Pine Knot News|Aug 28, 2020

    Historic Minnesota events with anniversaries this week. August 28 1977 Lake City’s Ralph Samuelson, the “father of water-skiing,” dies. In 1922 Samuelson had successfully tested water skis on Lake Pepin, having fashioned the skis by boiling and curving the tips of boards purchased at a local lumberyard. Aug. 31 1929 The Foshay Tower is dedicated in Minneapolis. Hiring John Sousa to write and perform a march for the occasion, Wilbur Foshay throws a splendid grand-opening party, a final display of extravagance before the 1929 crash and subse...

  • Thomson plans to revamp internet connections

    Shannon Genereau|Aug 28, 2020

    Following months of spotty internet connectivity during board meetings during the Covid-19 pandemic, Thomson Township is investing in better broadband. Since the state initially shut down community gatherings due to the pandemic, the board of supervisors has asked community members to attend virtually, either by calling in or using an online stream. The change has drawn attention to the Esko area's poor internet quality. Township clerk and treasurer Rhonda Peleski said meetings have been marked...

  • Democrats get together

    Pine Knot News|Aug 28, 2020

    Democrats from the county and region gathered Aug. 20 at what was billed as a "People First Festival" on the lawn at Carlton's Oldenburg House. It allowed people to see and hear from Democratic candidates running for state and local offices, including Michelle Lee, at right, and Rep. Mike Sundin. Physical distance practices were observed as attendees arrived with face coverings and signs about avoiding virus spread mixed with traditional campaign signs. They came from across Carlton County and...

  • Sites for storm debris still open

    Pine Knot News|Aug 28, 2020

    Carlton County is providing two sites for storm-related brush and tree debris, one on Moorhead Road and another at the Carlton County Wildlife Management Area. The Moorhead Road site is located at 1694 Moorhead Road and will be open 1-4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31 and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2. The entrance to the Carlton County Wildlife Area is approximately 200 feet east of 3159 County Road 10. That site will be open 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31 and 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon. No stumps, please. The city of...

  • Hwy. 23 project detour ending

    Pine Knot News|Aug 28, 2020

    As of Friday, Aug. 28, the Highway 23 detour over Deer Creek in Carlton County will end. Traffic will be brought back on to the single-lane, signal-controlled bypass while work continues. Once work is completed, traffic will switch from the bypass to the bridge. Visit the MnDOT website for project information: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d1/projects/hwy23bridge/index.html....

  • This year, the treats are delivered

    Pine Knot News|Aug 28, 2020

    For 22 years, Gordy's Hi-Hat - and later, the Warming House - has supplied the residents of Sunnyside Health Care Center with free ice cream at least once a summer. Most years, the residents are walked and wheeled down the hill from the nursing home adjacent to the hospital to enjoy their treats and an outing. This year residents could not go to the Warming House because of Covid-19 restrictions, "so the Warming House came to us," said activities director Toni Hubbell. At left and above, Sever...

  • Guidelines set on sharing county pandemic funds

    Dan Reed|Aug 28, 2020

    The county took the next step Monday in disbursing more than $4 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act money. The Carlton County board of commissioners gave preliminary approval for a plan to disburse $4.356 million in CARES Act money to fund emergency needs of Carlton County government, communities, residents, businesses, and nonprofits adversely impacted by and responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. Upon the recommendation of its CARES Act committee, the county board designated four different pots of money: • $...

  • Law enforcement grads announced

    Pine Knot News|Aug 28, 2020

    Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College announced the graduation of 27 students who successfully completed program requirements in the Law Enforcement Skills Training Program during the recent summer session. A ceremony was held at the college Aug. 21 with Covid-19 protocols and no guests in attendance, and a live online feed. This is the 20th group of students to participate in the law enforcement program at the college. Students completed intensive hands-on training Aug. 21. The 600 hours of...

  • Minnesota schools revamp plans

    Elizabeth Shockman|Aug 28, 2020

    Dozens of teachers gathered outside Eisenhower Elementary School and the district offices in Hopkins last week, eliciting some honks of approval from cars passing by on Highway 7. The teachers waved signs reading “Educator lives are more important than child care,” and “Safety first. Distance learning will not kill us, but COVID can.” Keenan Jones, a fourth-grade teacher, said he has been rattled by some of the missteps schools around the country have made as a result of trying to reopen too soon. He doesn’t want his district to make the same...

  • Public assistance deadline nears

    Pine Knot News|Aug 28, 2020

    More than 20,000 Minnesotans who receive food or cash assistance must renew their eligibility by the end of August to ensure they continue receiving benefits in September. Some Minnesotans who receive food or cash benefits received letters in the mail in late July and early August notifying them to renew (or “recertify”) their eligibility for assistance. It includes Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), General Assistance (GA), Housing Support (which used to be called Group Res...

  • Hospital and Sappi form partnership

    Pine Knot News|Aug 28, 2020

    Community Memorial Hospital and Sappi Fine Paper have formed a partnership that allows CMH to provide occupational health services to the Sappi Cloquet mill. The partnership will begin this fall and will include CMH working with Sappi’s safety office to conduct preliminary risk assessments of sick and injured employees, handle workers’ compensation claims, as well as coordinating the Sappi wellness program. “At CMH, we feel privileged to serve one of the best employers in our region in this capacity. This is a great opportunity for CMH to me...

  • Free pet microchipping set for Sept. 19

    Pine Knot News|Aug 28, 2020

    Carlton County and the city of Cloquet are teaming up with Northern Lakes Rescue to offer a free microchipping clinic from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 at Cloquet’s Veterans Park parking lot. The event is free to Carlton County residents and their pets, while supplies last. It is a first-come, first-served event. Proof of residency is required with a valid photo ID. A post by the Cloquet Police Department stressed that microchipping pets makes it far easier to reunite lost pets with their owners. Due to Covid-19 concerns, the event w...

  • Breastfeeding program recognized

    Pine Knot News|Aug 28, 2020

    A local program that provides peer support services to breastfeeding mothers is making a difference and being recognized for it. The Carlton County Peer Breastfeeding Support program received the Loving Support Award of Excellence. Run through the local Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, the Carlton County program provides breastfeeding education and offers peer support services to all pregnant and breastfeeding women. In 2019, 89.6 percent of women who participated in WIC at Carlton County initiated breastf...

  • OUR VIEW: Let chickens roost on our democracy

    Pine Knot News|Aug 28, 2020

    We love civic engagement by citizens, exercising their First Amendment right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. As we’ve stated before, the First Amendment is even more important than the Second. And we’re seeing it in action right here in Cloquet. Recently, a local resident approached the Cloquet City Council about modifying its ordinances to allow chickens on small lots within the city. Currently, farm animals are allowed only in certain zones on lots of 10 acres or more. “Chickens aren’t just pets to us. It’s a way of...

  • Harry's Gang: Tone of political debate lacks respect once known

    Pete Radosevich|Aug 28, 2020

    One of my good friends called another of my good friends a “moron” the other day. In public. He’s not a moron; in fact, he’s quite intelligent and accomplished. His sin? He made some very valid points about a candidate for public office, and my other friend is supporting the other guy. I had reposted a meme about the economy on facebook. The meme said, essentially, that for the past several decades, Republican administrations have left lousy economies for the next administration, but Democra...

  • Notes From a Small Pond: Masks

    Parnell Thill|Aug 28, 2020

    There’s a spot on the walking path along the north side of the river, west of the trestle, directly across from where my brother works on the trains that bump back and forth between there and Sappi, chugging away like determined old ladies, where, on clear days, the late afternoon sun pours through the 93 million miles and dapples coolly through the twinkling leaves, raining down dappled jangles of white light, glinting. Autumn hints. If you pause there, you’ll smell what must be the lea...

  • On The Mark: There are better ways to cut prison costs

    Ann Markusen|Aug 28, 2020

    In early August, the Minnesota Department of Corrections announced the pending closure of two of its prisons due to the state’s budget crisis. Both are among the smallest of our prisons. They are the two sites of the men’s Challenge Incarceration Program, a widely heralded and successful program enabling first-time offenders to do community service while learning new skills. Both are located in relatively small towns where their presence is welcomed, both for the services they provide to loc...

  • Letters to the editor: Sign damage shows disrespect for opinions

    Pine Knot News|Aug 28, 2020

    I just came back from repairing my Trump sign that some Johnny Sneak-up cut up at night. He or she did it in the dark because they are cowards and have no respect for the law. I am a 78-year-old disabled American veteran who worked hard to put this sign up as I believe in the Constitution, the right to life — as does President Trump. Is there that much hate that someone has to tear down signs that promote life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? (That includes those boys and girls aborted.) I am open to having a discussion where we can s...

  • Letters to the editor: School scramble tests the best of us - thank you

    Pine Knot News|Aug 28, 2020

    Like many parents, I recently received information from the Cloquet School District regarding the logistics of the multiple models of education students may participate in this school year. All of them present significant challenges and potential shortcomings and necessitate a lot of sacrifices on the part of students, families, and school staff. The plans are all incredibly complex. It’s clear that we have many dynamics to deal with in the coming months in order to provide our kids the best education we can. As a parent, I want to extend my p...

  • Obituaries: Joshua L. Koski

    Pine Knot News|Aug 28, 2020

    Joshua "Josh" L. Koski, 39, of Laramie, Wyoming, formerly of Cloquet, passed away in his home on Aug. 10, 2020. Josh was born on April 16, 1981 in Cloquet to Scott Koski and Tina Fontaine. He attended schools in Cloquet, Duluth and Grand Forks, North Dakota. In September of 2012, Josh fell in love with the Rocky Mountains while working there. He loved nature, and he enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, and hiking with his best friends Molly and LeRoy. Josh lived a simple life - a free spirit,... Full story

  • Obituaries: Andrew Wayne Kennebeck

    Pine Knot News|Aug 28, 2020

    Andrew W. Kennebeck, veteran of the United States Marine Corps, passed away Aug. 18, 2020; beloved husband of Jenna (Patterson) Kennebeck, and father to son Andrew Levi and daughter Alexis Kaye Kennebeck; beloved son of Barbara Kennebeck and Greg Hallback, brother of Sheila Kennebeck (Joel Reikes) of Phoenix and Jesse (Mandy) Kennebeck of Esko; beloved son-in-law of Joseph and Kaye Patterson, brother-in-law of Tara and Nathan Chaney of St. Louis; uncle to nieces and nephews Nevaeh, Aaliyah,... Full story

  • Obituaries: Beverly Pearl (Zacher) Savage

    Pine Knot News|Aug 28, 2020

    Beverly Pearl (Zacher) Savage, 90, of Cloquet passed away in Sunnyside Health Care Center on Aug. 20, 2020 surrounded by her loving family. Beverly was born on July 10, 1930 in Sawyer to Mike Zacher and Margaret (Ugan) Zacher. Beverly worked in the hospitality industry with employment varying from waitressing to grocery clerk. Beverly was married to Richard Savage of Cloquet for 20 years. She spent her adult life as a homemaker, raising their six wonderful children Jeff (Sandra) Savage, Wendy... Full story

  • Obituaries: John N. Stumpf

    Pine Knot News|Aug 28, 2020

    John N. Stumpf, 95, of Esko passed away Aug. 18, 2020. He was born on May 9, 1925 in Pierz to John T. and Mary (Rauch) Stumpf. Throughout his life, John enjoyed spending time outdoors on his snowmobile, boating, golfing, fishing, and hunting. He shared his skill and love for hunting with his son and grandsons. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. John was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran. He was preceded in death by his... Full story

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