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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Better walking, biking, trail access is goal of plan The future of the state highway bisecting Cloquet isn't expected to be as vehicle-centric as it is today. A report due this month from Duluth-based Arrowhead Regional Development Commission and the Minnesota Department of Transportation figures to position the four-lane Minnesota Highway 33 as a more pedestrian and bicycle-safe environment, one that also accommodates greater snowmobile and ATV trail frontage alongside the highway. "We're...
By 10:36 a.m. Thursday, some 300 Thanksgiving meals had been delivered across Carlton County, all of them free, all of them cooked, packaged and driven to their destination by volunteers. Then the power went out. "Luckily the ovens at the VFW are gas, so they just kept cooking in the dark," said Raffy Johnson, noting that the lights were out for about two hours. It was just another challenge to conquer, Johnson said. He has led the annual community meal for the past six years as a member of the...
A multimillion-dollar athletic facilities project got another step closer to reality Monday, when Cloquet school board members voted unanimously in favor of using the state government bid process for contracts and purchasing and hired Kraus-Anderson Construction to act as construction manager for the district. What started in the spring as a group of community members wanting to raise $1 million dollars for turf has turned into a larger school project, estimated to cost $4.5 to $5 million. The vote also fast-tracked the project. If things go...
We were doing a little research on historical markers in Carlton County, and plan to offer some background on them, when we came upon a mystery in our beloved Jay Cooke State Park. Near the picnic area on Oldenburg Point, off the Ogantz Trail loop, is a plaque honoring the first superintendent of the park: Frederick Rodney Paine, who was generally known as F. Rodney Paine. As you can see in this photo of the plaque, installed around 1980, that first initial was cast as a "J." "It's on our radar,...
Although time did not roll back to the 1980s when shoppers could get everything from hats and dresses to men's suits at multiple department stores on Cloquet Avenue, there were definitely pockets of local activity on Small Business Saturday. Numerous shops and restaurants ran specials on a day which highlights the locally owned and operated side of commerce each year. Mainstream Boutique, on Cloquet Avenue, saw a steady stream of customers. As they entered, each shopper was invited to choose a...
Santa's Home for the Holidays festivities have always been something that comes together thanks to the efforts of many, with many organizations each doing their part, and ending with the parade and fireworks Saturday evening. Several downtown business owners instigated the annual event, recalled John Buskala of Buskala Jewelry, downtown's oldest business. The city had reconstructed Cloquet Avenue that year - digging up and replacing the pavement, water and sewer - and businesses were...
Authorities are expected to cite a former renter with a kennel violation following a garage fire in Scanlon responsible for the loss of seven dogs Nov. 18. The former renter at 1208 28th Ave. will face a misdemeanor charge and fine for disobeying Scanlon ordinance requiring a license for private or commercial kennels. The Pine Knot does not generally name a person until they've been charged. "Through her own admission she knows she needed a permit," Cloquet police chief Derek Randall said. "She...
Carlton County voters approved it, but paperwork and state bureaucracy means collecting the voter-approved half-cent sales tax money to support the construction of the Justice Center won’t begin until spring. In November, Carlton County voters overwhelmingly accepted a half-percent sales tax to pay for the $66 million jail and courts facility being constructed in Carlton. But purchases and services of goods in the county will not see the added tax until April 1. Auditor/treasurer Kevin DeVriendt received approval to proceed with the n...
Dave Perry curled his hand in front of his face, forming a small circle. "What I like to see is a kid with that hood, and all you see is about this much of him or her," he said. "And all of a sudden that hood comes off. It might take a week, it might take five months. But all of a sudden we see who that person is above the neckline. ... If I had a hand in that, that's awesome." Perry was describing his work as a teacher for the Cloquet Area Alternative Education Program in a nomination video...
Now that winter has brought its icy, snowy grip on the Carlton County landscape — with doses of snow and cold throughout this week — it’s time to review some survival tips when traveling about. These things need to be said in an age when drivers might just think their cell phone will get them out of trouble. Phones die, especially in the cold, lose signal, and are useless if you are hurt and can’t navigate it. So refresh yourself with these tips compiled from AAA, the motoring experts. Driving tips • Keep a bundle of cold-weather gear in y...
It’s that time of year, when Christmas trees with all of the beautiful lights and decorations show up in our homes. The traditional use of evergreen trees during the Christmas season brings to many Americans the fragrance and freshness of the forest. Christmas trees probably do more to bring joy to families at this time and to dramatize the message of “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men” than any other thing. Indoors or outdoors, Christmas trees, whether natural or artificial, have become almost an essential holiday decoration in homes, churc...
The title "Fairness for Farmers" captures the spirit of a movement that is gathering momentum in rural Minnesota and beyond. Small and medium farms, which characterize the agricultural landscape of Carlton County, can be found across the state. Families that farm for a living benefit from cooperating with each other, educating the public, and lobbying for reform. That is the mission of the Minnesota Farmers Union. With roots in the early 20th century, MFU today is making the state a leader in...
So, what is Advent anyway, and why would you or I want to celebrate it? The Latin “advenīre” means “to come to,” and long ago the early Christians adopted the first weeks of December to acknowledge the season in which they prepared to celebrate the Nativity, or birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas. In my family of origin, we celebrated Advent in the traditional and prescribed Catholic manner, with an Advent wreath on our dinner table and additional prayers before each meal. Each Sunday of Advent we would light one more candle, so during the firs...
In a game that featured massive momentum swings, the Cloquet and Esko girls basketball teams kicked off thier seasons with a real nailbiter that ended in a 55-52 win for the 'Jacks. Both teams had 20-8 records a year ago and are looking for similar success this season. Early in the game it was the Eskomos with the upper hand as they built a 24-14 lead by late in the first half. A 10-2 Cloquet run pulled them to just a 29-28 deficit at intermission. "It was a great opening game," Esko coach Sue...
Neighborhood rivals Moose Lake Area and Cloquet-Esko-Carlton met up Nov. 22 in a girls hockey clash in Moose Lake. The spirited contest delivered, ending with a 3-2 MLA overtime victory. The Rebels jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the Lumberjacks mounted a third-period comeback to tie the game at 2-2. Things were not decided until the 2-minute, 32-second mark of overtime when Hallie Klavu netted the game winner to give MLA its fourth win of the season. "This is such a special group of kids,"...
The Minnesota Wilderness needed to fight back both nights last weekend, and they completed a home sweep of the Janesville Jets and solidified their spot near the top of the North American Hockey League Midwest Division standings. The Wilderness (15-7-1) won by twin scores of 4-3, converting six power play goals in 11 chances over the weekend, while the team's penalty kill held Janesville to 1 of 8 on the power play. On Friday night, the Wilderness struggled in the first period with a ferocious...
Santa Claus is coming to town, and will be visiting from 5 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. The visit is part of the Ma & Pa Kettle Days Christmas event and tree lighting, which will be held 4-7 p.m. at the Kettle River Veterans Building. There will be juice and cookies available. So, come and visit with neighbors and see the tree lighting. Thank you to the crew who got the tree stand in position for the tree this year. Thank you to the Lions and all the volunteers who made the Thanksgiving dinner a success. Winter snow parking rules began Nov....
Christmas Day will be here soon. Many of us have family traditions that we have celebrated for many generations. How many of you remember the tinsel icicles that Grandma put on the tree every year? I remember my Grandma Kemi putting tinsel on every branch of a real Christmas tree. Every year the tinsel would be carefully removed and saved for the next year. The tree decorations were small glass bulbs scattered throughout the tree. It always amazed me that the decorated tree appeared just before Christmas Eve in time for the family...
The Young Old Timers Christmas dinner and gathering will be at noon Tuesday, Dec. 13 at the Cromwell Pavilion. There will be a special program by Don and Candy. Current and new Young Old Timers are welcome to come and maybe join them. You can also renew your membership at this time. Dues are $5 a year. Gift donations are requested for the residents of the Villa Vista/Cardinal Court this year. Suggestions for gifts are books, magazines, goodie baskets, popcorn tins, word games, 300-to-500-piece puzzles, small radio or CD players, satin night...
Diane Mary Calhoun, 74, of Barnum died Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, at Essentia Health in Duluth. She was born in Duluth on Oct. 9, 1948, to Edward and Melba Stevens. Diane grew up in Barnum, graduating from Barnum High School in 1966. She attended St. Cloud Teachers College, earning her teaching degree. Diane worked for the U.S. Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey's office in Washington, D.C., and was very proud to also have worked alongside astronaut Michael Collins during her time at the capitol. She taught...
Karen Ann (Hallback) Main, 79, died peacefully on Nov. 21, 2022, at St. Mary's Hospital after a brief illness, surrounded by her sister Joan Morrison, brother Jeff Hallback and his wife Patti, and brother Greg Hallback and fiancée Lynn Milberger. Karen graduated from Cloquet High School in 1961, and received bachelor of arts degrees in English and history from the University of Minnesota Duluth, followed by a master of arts in history from Macalester College. After teaching history at Hopkins...
Neal Edward Lahti, 60, of Cloquet passed away Nov. 14, 2022, peacefully in his home. Neal was born on Dec. 28, 1961, in Cloquet to Edward and Floretta Lahti. He worked as a custodian at many companies, and really enjoyed delivering newspapers for the Duluth News Tribune for many years. Neal was a member of Journey Christian Church. He loved football, attending parades and watching the news. Neal was very kind, compassionate and caring. Everyone he talked to enjoyed his company. He will be...
Toni Ramsey, 32, of Cromwell and formerly of Pine City, passed away at home surrounded by her family on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. She was born on April 25, 1990, to Terrie Roe and Jeffrey Ramsey. Toni grew up in Cloquet and graduated from Cloquet High School in 2008. During her schooling she participated in cross country. Toni had a passion for the culinary industry, and following graduation attended college at the Art Institute International in St. Paul, where she studied culinary arts. She was...
Charles M. Strand, 80, of Cloquet passed away Nov. 25, 2022, in St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth with his family by his side. He was born July 14, 1942, in Cloquet to Vivian and Wilfred "Bill" Strand, and was a lifelong resident. Chuck graduated from Cloquet High School in the class of 1960. He married Sandra Anderson in 1965. Chuck enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard and retired at the rank of staff sergeant. He was a proud Gulf War veteran, serving in Saudi Arabia. Chuck worked for the...
Mary H. Waller, 89, of Cloquet passed away Nov. 28, 2022, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. Memorial services are pending January 2023. Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Care....
