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Articles from the October 9, 2020 edition


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  • Cloquet grad reaches new heights

    Steve Korby|Oct 9, 2020

    Pete Tomhave was on a lunch break at the Cloquet Country Club in the maintenance building, looking at an aerial view of Cloquet Country Club. He asked his boss, superintendent Jud Crist, if the picture was taken from a plane or a drone. It was a plane, Crist said. That's when Tomhave mentioned that he had a drone and might be able to take some new pictures of the golf course. When he showed Crist how the drone could perform, the boss got board approval to make a "virtual tour" of the course...

  • Esko fans have screen option

    Shannon Genereau|Oct 9, 2020

    High school sports may not look exactly like normal this year, but at least athletes are back on the fields and courts. With family members and friends allowed a limited number of tickets to attend events, where does this leave loyal fans? The Esko school board has a solution — use a streaming service to bring athletics and the arts into the homes of their numerous fans and community members. This plan to stream events is just one of the many things that the Esko school district has done this year to handle the issues presented by the C...

  • Here, you choose the spooky level

    Jana Peterson|Oct 9, 2020

    As the nights grow longer and Halloween approaches, there are some who gravitate toward the frightening and the macabre. Others don't. There's a farm between Carlton and Wrenshall that can satisfy both ... they call it Haunted Ridge. (Cue the scary music.) In daylight, it is Ru-Ridge Corn Maze, a place where children and adults can find their way through a uniquely designed corn maze, ride horses, commune with animals at a petting zoo, go on a hayride and tackle the kids' Ninja course. When the... Full story

  • History Mysteries

    Pine Knot News|Oct 9, 2020

    We know there are many fans of the history column who may be wondering where it went. After running “This Week In History” for about 18 months, we have decided to retool our history feature rather than repeat items that have previously run. We have always tried to localize the items listed by the Minnesota Historical Society. Now we are attempting to hyper-localize our history. We’d like readers to send us their History Mysteries. This could be a simple query about any facet of local history. It could be a call for help in identifying an old p...

  • Cloquet's holiday parade is canceled

    Jana Peterson|Oct 9, 2020

    The Santa's Home for the Holidays parade will not be happening this year. Cloquet city councilors said "no" in an informal vote Tuesday after discussing the pros and cons of holding the annual holiday parade during a pandemic. Positives included the fact that the parade and fireworks are both outside in the cold - transmission is less likely outdoors and people would probably be masked up to stay warm anyway - and the desire to have some kind of community celebration. Negatives also centered...

  • Grant infusion expected to boost airport

    Jana Peterson|Oct 9, 2020

    An investment by the federal government at the Cloquet Carlton County Airport is helping a local business. As a result, that business will be making its own investments with increased staffing and offerings at the local airport. That's exactly how the "opportunity zone" grants are supposed to work, said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, after announcing last month that the department's Economic Development Administration was awarding a $1.2 million grant to establish an aeronautics workforce...

  • County board sets preliminary levy

    Pine Knot News|Oct 9, 2020

    The Carlton County board of commissioners last week approved a preliminary 2-percent levy increase for the budget year 2021. This is set to raise $28,790,977 from taxable property in Carlton County. The final levy amount will be approved sometime in December with a Truth in Taxation hearing Dec. 8 at the transportation building. Several areas of the budget could reduce the increase. The final figure for health insurance has not been finalized. The gas tax revenues are expected to be down just 11 percent instead of the projected 15 percent....

  • VFW announces competitions

    Pine Knot News|Oct 9, 2020

    Students can apply now for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy contest for grades 9-12 and Patriot’s Pen contest for grades 6-8. The deadline to apply is Oct. 31. The Voice of Democracy program for students in grades 9-12 offers more than $1.9 million in educational scholarships. This year’s audio-essay theme is “Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned?” The national winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. Other national scholarsh...

  • Schools continue dance with Covid

    Jana Peterson|Oct 9, 2020

    Some local schools are reacting to a rise in local Covid-19 cases with a change in learning styles, while others are holding steady, largely because they started the school year doing something other than in-person learning for all grades. The trigger for the change is a "county health number" put out by the Minnesota Department of Health every Thursday morning that shows a two-week average of Covid cases per 10,000 people. Last Thursday, that number came in at 11.24, crossing the benchmark of...

  • Meeting set for ped crossing

    Pine Knot News|Oct 9, 2020

    The Minnesota Department of Transportation is hosting an online public meeting at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 to describe pedestrian crossing safety improvements at Minnesota Highway 210 and Mission Road in Sawyer. There will be time for questions after the presentation. To access the meeting, visit https://bit.ly/3jiKeOm. Those without internet access can also call 855-282-6330 to join the meeting. The meeting access code is 146 565 2596. A recording of the meeting will also be posted on social media, and available by contacting...

  • Teacher receives big scholarship

    Pine Knot News|Oct 9, 2020

    Cromwell resident Courtney Kruse was recently awarded a $2,500 Teacher Appreciation Scholarship to Western Governors University. The scholarship is designed to help current teachers improve skill sets in the classroom or to assist aspiring teachers in obtaining the required credentials for educators. Kruse, a special education teacher at Cromwell-Wright, is pursuing a master of science degree in curriculum and instruction from WGU. She was virtually presented with the scholarship Aug. 27 by WGU Strategic Partnerships manager Lauran...

  • DNR accepting coastal grants

    Pine Knot News|Oct 9, 2020

    The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting grant applications through Nov. 13 for project funding through Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program. About $500,000 will be available for projects to begin fall 2021. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office for Coastal Management provides the funding for these grants. The priorities for 2021 are projects that improve or protect the water quality of Lake Superior and coastal area streams; reduce future damage from coastal hazards such as climate change, flo...

  • 14th Street hearing goes quietly

    Jana Peterson|Oct 9, 2020

    A public hearing regarding the 14th Street improvement project got only one public comment during Tuesday's Cloquet City Council meeting, despite the fact that some residents don't like county plans for a roundabout at the intersection of Washington Avenue and 14th Street. Those folks were in the minority, said SEH project engineer Dan Hinzmann during a presentation Tuesday. Because the project uses state aid funding, he said the state would have required an intersection improvement there over...

  • Covid cases up in Carlton County

    Pine Knot News|Oct 9, 2020

    Positive Covid-19 cases are on the rise statewide and in Carlton County, with 320 cumulative positive cases reported Wednesday, up from 286 the week before. Carlton County has still reported only one death from the virus since March. Anyone who has symptoms of Covid-19 or who has been exposed to someone they think may have the disease is encouraged to seek testing. Symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, fatigue, congestion, or loss of taste or smell. Other less common symptoms...

  • Living history walk Saturday

    Pine Knot News|Oct 9, 2020

    Learn about the 1918 fires by walking through history starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. The Moose Lake Area Historical Society is sponsoring a Living History Walk at Riverside Cemetery east of Highway 61 in Moose Lake. Actors will play citizens from that time, including Albin Odberg, a prominent Kettle River resident; the Eckman family, early settlers in the area; and Frank Blomquist, who started the first sawmill in Moose Lake. Tickets are $10. A 1918 Fire Commemoration will follow at the Soo Line Event Center. Physical distancing and...

  • Pop-up COVID-19 clinic comes and goes

    Jana Peterson|Oct 9, 2020

    Fond du Lac Human Services nurses Caitlan Rodgers, Ashley Anderson and Samantha Martin greet people as they arrive at the free pop-up Covid-19 testing clinic Tuesday, providing everyone with a fresh mask to put on before heading inside to the gym where the testing stations were set up. Public health educator Ali Mueller said they had up to 1,600 tests available for the three-day clinic Tuesday through Thursday (Oct. 6-8). The testing clinic was a joint project of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake... Full story

  • Our View: No excuse for raft of litter these days

    Pine Knot News|Oct 9, 2020

    Years ago, litter became a noticeable problem with the advent of fast food, cars, a shift to urban living, and more disposable (no pun intended) income. Roadways became clogged with bottles, cans and other trash. People took action: advertising campaigns, cooperation between businesses and government, and public education curbed the problem and soon the roads and public spaces were clean again. In short, the problem was solved when littering became socially unacceptable. Recently, we’ve noticed litter creeping back into our community. It s...

  • Harry's Gang: Covid comes to Esko, testing a beloved pastor

    Pete Radosevich|Oct 9, 2020

    News that Jeff Walther, pastor at Esko's St. Matthews Lutheran Church, had tested positive for the coronavirus spread pretty quickly, in part because his daughter lives in my house with her husband, and in part because Esko is a small town. I can now say I know someone with Covid-19. I wish I didn't. It's been terrible. Pastor Jeff is a pretty popular guy around Esko. In a community where many people look out for each other, the outpouring of support has been impressive. Normal and natural for... Full story

  • Editor's Note: Your political thoughts are welcome, with some rules

    Jana Peterson|Oct 9, 2020

    In an election season that is even more divisive than usual, the Pine Knot News welcomes your thoughts on the politics of the day, along with endorsement letters. Letters must be truthful, civil and original to the writer. We hold our columnists to the same standards. But the paper itself will not endorse any candidates. That’s not because I don’t believe in endorsements. Done correctly, they play an important role in our democracy. But it takes a lot for a newspaper to go through the end... Full story

  • Letter: Lee has passion for needs in the region

    Pine Knot News|Oct 9, 2020

    I am writing in support of Michelle Lee for Minnesota District 11 State Senator. She is an ardent advocate for the people of Minnesota, and especially knows the needs and concerns of District 11. Her passion for health care and education for everyone is especially important in thisCovid-19 era. As a well-respected journalist for many years, her reporting and interaction with state and local governments and schools makes her well aware of taxpayers’ concerns as well. She puts people first, and one would do well to vote for Michelle Lee. Marla A...

  • Notes From a Small Pond: Terror is in the interpretation

    Parnell Thill|Oct 9, 2020

    If things were normal, the acrid aftertaste of pumpkin spice lattes and commentary about busting out the flannel and lamenting the coming of snow would suffice for things to scan (as opposed to read) while listening to the clock ticking away the seconds of your life, and maybe a sigh or two about the Once Again Lame Vikings and their Glee-Club Quarterback demonstrating about as much competitive angst as Snow White - but, what the hell can one expect for $86 million - if things were normal, all t...

  • Obituaries: Gerald J. Joseph

    Pine Knot News|Oct 9, 2020

    Gerald J. Joseph, 85, of Corcoran passed away from mesothelioma Oct. 2, 2020. Jerry was born to Sylvia P. and Mervin J. Joseph on Oct. 2, 1935. Jerry grew up in Cloquet, where he excelled at track and field and played for several fastpitch softball teams. He served in the Minnesota Air National Guard in Duluth and was stationed at Hulman Field in Terre Haute, Indiana during the Berlin crisis. Jerry was a skilled draftsman and worked at Conwed Corporation in Cloquet during high school and went... Full story

  • Obituaries: Donald Herman Terwey

    Pine Knot News|Oct 9, 2020

    Donald H. Terwey, 84, of Cloquet passed away Sept. 30, 2020, at Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet. He was born March 29, 1936, in Saint Rosa, the son of Clemens and Elizabeth (Klosner) Terwey. Don graduated from Esko High School in 1955 and played on the Esko state basketball tournament team. He was united in marriage to Yvonne Hennum in 1955. Don worked at Northwest Paper Company for 13 years and as an electrician from 1960 to 2015. Don owned several businesses throughout his life. He was... Full story

  • Obituaries: Bette Eknes

    Pine Knot News|Oct 9, 2020

    Bette Eknes, 87, of Moose Lake died Oct. 2, 2020, in St. Cloud, surrounded by her family. She was born in Superior, Wisconsin to Ernest and Beth Kreitlow on June 9, 1933. As a child, she moved to Moose Lake, where she attended Moose Lake High School. Bette was very proud to have been a cheerleader and majorette, keeping her baton twirling skills into adulthood. On Nov. 22, 1952, Bette married William "Bill" Eknes in Moose Lake. They lived in Cloquet, where Bette worked as a telephone operator.... Full story

  • Death Notices

    Pine Knot News|Oct 9, 2020

    Tracy Ann Meneses, 50, of Cloquet passed away Oct. 3, 2020, in the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison. She grew up in Cloquet and graduated from Cloquet High School in 1989. Services were scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 8 in the Atkins Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet. Burial will follow in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Duluth. Military honors will be accorded by the Duluth Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com. Ronald... Full story

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