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Articles from the December 31, 2021 edition


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  • Hospital celebrates Covid win

    Mike Creger|Dec 31, 2021

    It was as much for themselves as it was for him. Last week, just before Christmas, Steve Jarve got a clamorous escort out of Community Memorial Hospital after an emotional 40-day odyssey dealing with Covid-19 and its complications. He almost died, but the staff at Cloquet's hospital wouldn't let him. After a while, he would motivate himself and the staff in a recovery few expected to see as another grim pandemic year comes to a close. "He just refused," said social worker Jennifer Potocnik. "He... Full story

  • Obituary: Roland Bromberg

    Pine Knot News|Dec 31, 2021

    Roland Bromberg, 88, of Northfield and formerly of Cloquet, passed away Dec. 22, 2021, at Benedictine Living Community in Northfield. Roland was born Sept. 4, 1933, the son of Olof and Emma (Knuti) Bromberg, on the family farm in Aurora. His father worked for Red Owl and the family moved throughout northern Minnesota before settling in Fergus Falls. In 1951, Roland graduated from Fergus Falls High School,where he was a standout athlete, lettering in football, basketball and track, and was named... Full story

  • Snow, cold mark end of 2021

    Jana Peterson|Dec 31, 2021

    Santa came through for winter sports fans. After back-to-back storms starting the night after Christmas - once he and the reindeer were safely back in the North Pole - there is now plenty of snow for cross country skiing, sledding and even snowmobiling. The National Weather Service in Duluth estimated Carlton County got between 12 and 14 inches of snow this week, depending on where in the county. The folks at the Cloquet Forestry Center measured a total of closer to 10 inches, with a base of...

  • History Mystery

    Pine Knot News|Dec 31, 2021

    We have found some more clues in the curious case of a plaque honoring Sigfred Johnson, a World War II veteran from Cloquet who died in 1948. As reported in the Dec. 17 issue of the Pine Knot, the plaque was discovered hanging on a wall at a salvage yard in the area. Bonnie Edin called after reading the story and insisted that she found the plaque among her father's things when he passed away and gave it to Ken Johnson, Sigfred's nephew. We found Ken after John Prouty showed us a picture of the...

  • New life sought for former hotel

    Jana Peterson|Dec 31, 2021

    The goal of declaring the former Mexico Lindo restaurant building a "vacant and hazardous substandard building" is not to demolish the historic structure, community development director Holly Hansen told the Cloquet city council. Rather, it is to attract responsible ownership to repair and revitalize the building in the heart of downtown. When Cloquet city councilors voted unanimously to declare the building hazardous last week, they also set a public hearing for Feb. 1, as the next step toward...

  • No injuries in train/semi crash

    Pine Knot News|Dec 31, 2021

    An empty semi-truck that was stuck on the railroad tracks near the Sappi guardhouse was hit by a Burlington Northern train Monday. According to Cloquet Area Fire District battalion chief Jeremy Hutchison there were no injuries: the driver had gotten out of the truck before it was struck by the train. The call came in at 12:18 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27. CAFD, the Cloquet police department and the Minnesota state patrol responded. "There were no injuries, no spills or fire or hazardous chemicals,"...

  • Lighting contest winners named

    Pine Knot News|Dec 31, 2021

    The 2021 Christmas Lighting Challenge results are in and the winners were announced Dec. 22 at Bentleyville. More than 2,700 votes were submitted and more than 20,000 views of the online map and entries proves the community loves Christmas lights. Carlton County winners included: Home, Steve Torgeson, 5164 Canosia Road. Business, Reliable Insurance Agency, Carlton Avenue, Cloquet. The Masters Home Winner was Luke Gages of 7249 Industrial Road, Saginaw. Duluth got the most votes for Christmas City....

  • Recycle old holiday light

    Pine Knot News|Dec 31, 2021

    If you have unwanted or no longer working holiday lights, please recycle them at the Carlton County Transfer Station located at 1950 Highway 210. The program provides free holiday lights recycling. Electric cords are also accepted. The year-round hours for the Carlton County Transfer Station are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For efficient recycling, remove all decorations from your string lights. Remove them from any type of plastic spool, cardboard packaging, or plastic bags. Place the clean...

  • United Way apps open for use

    Pine Knot News|Dec 31, 2021

    Applications for 2022-23 funding from United Way of Carlton County are available through the United Way of Carlton County website, www.unitedwaycarltoncounty.org. Funding is available for all eligible nonprofits working in Carlton County. Applications will be accepted until February 11. Final funding decisions will be made in the spring of 2022. Last year, UWCC granted more than $175,000 to local nonprofits. For more information or to check eligibility, please contact Ali Bilden Camps at 218-879-8404....

  • County, Cloquet office closures

    Pine Knot News|Dec 31, 2021

    Cloquet City Hall is closed Friday, Dec. 31, along with all Carlton County offices in observance of New Year’s Day. This includes courthouse, human services as well as transportation department offices and more. The Minnesota Highway 210 Transfer Station will be open on Friday and closed Saturday....

  • New jail efforts come to fruition

    Lois E. Johnson|Dec 31, 2021

    Carlton County will break ground on the new justice center/jail this summer, a massive undertaking. "This is the largest project Carlton County has ever undertaken since the courthouse was built," said jail administrator Paul Coughlin. "We are putting all of our efforts towards making sure that it will be the best." The new jail/justice center will be located next to the Carlton County Transportation Building on Highway 61 west of the city of Carlton, which annexed the property from Twin Lakes...

  • Our View: Resolve to take care in the cold

    Pine Knot News|Dec 31, 2021

    With New Year’s Eve and severe cold colliding in northern Minnesota this weekend, we encourage an abundance of care and caution. Temperatures this weekend will be 15 to 20 degrees below zero at night, with windchill at 35 below zero. If you bring someone to their home — perhaps someone who has had too much to drink — please either walk them to the door or stay there long enough to make sure they make it safely inside. For those who don’t remember, there is a former University of Minnesota Duluth student who doesn’t have any fingers or toes b... Full story

  • Harry's Gang: I am boldly predicting where others fear to tread

    Pete Radosevich|Dec 31, 2021

    Last year’s predictions were so eerily accurate that some people thought I had cheated, like maybe I had looked up the answers before making my predictions, which is, of course, impossible. My 12-year-old son, Patrick, suggested that maybe I had invented a time machine, as he thinks I am both brilliant and handy. But, alas, there is no time machine; I am just that good at predicting the future. So, I again share my talents with you and make my remarkably accurate predictions for 2022: • Tar... Full story

  • Obituary: Stephanie Victoria Rankila

    Pine Knot News|Dec 31, 2021

    Stephanie Victoria Rankila, 82, of Cloquet, passed away Nov. 11, 2021, at Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton. She was born in Fort Frances, Ontario, on Jan. 9, 1939, the daughter of John and Veronica (Krawchuck) Fichuc. Stephanie will be remembered as being a generous person and an excellent cook and baker. She loved to have family and friends over for meals. Stephanie was preceded in death by her husband, Marcus Rankila; son, Kevin Rankila; and numerous relatives. She is survived by her... Full story

  • Obituary: Adeline F. Hanson

    Pine Knot News|Dec 31, 2021

    Adeline F. Hanson, 92, of Carlton, passed away Dec. 22, 2021, at Inter-Faith Care Center. She was born Feb. 10, 1929, in Erskine, Minnesota, the daughter of Carl and Julia Anderson. Adeline was married to Oris G. Hanson on April 24, 1952, in Erskine. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, family dinners, and especially spending time with her family. Adeline was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Oris Hanson; son Kenneth Hanson; daughter JoAnn Wargin; brothers, Melvin and Julian Hanson; and... Full story

  • Obituary: Kenneth D. Schmitz

    Pine Knot News|Dec 31, 2021

    Kenneth D. Schmitz, 70 of St. Paul, passed away Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, in Carlton. He was born May 26, 1951, in Duluth, the son of Clarence and Patricia (Dugal) Schmitz. Ken graduated from Carlton High School in 1970. He worked in the hospitality industry at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and was a member of the Hospitality Union 3517, Local 17. Ken was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Darlene Short. He is survived by his brother, Michael (Patty) Schmitz; and his... Full story

  • Obituary: Char Trettel

    Pine Knot News|Dec 31, 2021

    Charlene "Char" Anne Trettel, 82, Cloquet, passed away at Benedictine Health Center in Duluth on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021. She was born Oct. 1, 1939, in Cloquet to Charles and Anne (Monson) Erkkila. She graduated from Esko High School in 1956. Char married Cyril Trettel on June 3, 1961, and was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church. She worked as a seamstress for many years at Wear-A-Knit. Char's passion was crafting, sewing, knitting baby sweaters and making cakes. She loved gardening and... Full story

  • Obituary: Dorothy Sivia (Aho) Alanen Green

    Pine Knot News|Dec 31, 2021

    Dorothy Sivia (Aho) Alanen Green, 90, of Cloquet, passed away Monday Dec. 27, 2021, at Plainview Estates in Cloquet. She was born Jan. 7, 1931, in Menahga, Minnesota, in her grandmother's summer kitchen, to Hans and Aune (Kinnunen) Aho. She graduated from Frazee High School in 1949 and moved to Cloquet around 1950. Dorothy married Arthur Donald Alanen on July 28, 1952, in Wolf Lake. She owned and operated Art's Bike Shop and Alanen Concrete along with Art for many years in Cloquet. He died in... Full story

  • Obituary: Sheila Anita Gieske

    Pine Knot News|Dec 31, 2021

    Sheila A. Gieske, 71, of Cloquet, passed away Dec. 25, 2021, at home. She was born Oct. 4, 1950, in White Bear Lake, the daughter of William and Gladys Wright. Sheila graduated from White Bear Lake High School. She was married to Jerome "Jerry" Gieske on Nov. 13, 1978, in Cloquet. Sheila loved different kinds of music and enjoyed playing video games. Sheila was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Sid and Kenny Wright; and stepbrother, Billy Wright. She is survived by her husband, Jerry;... Full story

  • Omicron inspires CDC change in quarantine duration

    Pine Knot News|Dec 31, 2021

    With the more highly transmissible Omicron variant now the dominant Covid-19 strain across the state and much of the country and world, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new quarantine guidelines Monday. According to a media statement, the CDC is shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others. The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of transmission occurs early in the course... Full story

  • County levy increase stays at 4.9 percent

    Dan Reed|Dec 31, 2021

    The Carlton County board of commissioners gave final approval for a property tax levy increase of 4.9 percent for the 2022 budget year. The new county budget was set for $69,772,168 in expenditures, revenues of $37,966,520, use of fund balances of $1,603,123, and an actual levy sum of $30,202,525. The vote was unanimous at this last meeting for the year of 2021 held Tuesday, Dec. 28. Of interest in the budget for next year, fund balances of $837,942 for Road and Bridge and $950,474 for Human Services were used in those departmental budgets for...

  • A merry little Christmas bite

    Jana Peterson|Dec 31, 2021

    Volunteers threw a massive dinner party on Christmas Day in Cloquet, for anyone who wanted to attend. In total, more than 450 people enjoyed ham and meatballs, mashed potatoes, green beans, a roll and dessert Saturday, courtesy of the Carlton County Disabled American Veterans chapter, which organized and cooked the annual community meal this year. Most of those diners ate at home after picking up meals to go. Volunteers delivered to the Cloquet senior high-rise apartments, workers at Community...

  • Cloquet girls can't close on Mesabi East

    Kerry Rodd|Dec 31, 2021

    Mesabi East used a furious second-half comeback to defeat the Lumberjacks 51-49 in the opening round of the Wood City Classic girls basketball tournament Tuesday night. The Lumberjacks had a strong first half as they built a 29-17 lead behind 14 first-half points by Maddie Young. "I thought Maddie had a good first half and played well for us," Cloquet coach Heather Young said. "In the second half she started to try and do perhaps too much and altered her shot. As a team, we need to learn... Full story

  • Boys teams cruise

    Kerry Rodd|Dec 31, 2021

    The Wood City Classic boys basketball tournament returned to Cloquet Middle School Tuesday afternoon with Cloquet and Pine City capturing first-round wins. The Dragons opened the tournament with a 99-56 win over Proctor, followed by the Lumberjacks, who took a 67-30 victory over Cromwell-Wright. The 'Jacks broke open a 7-7 game early in the first half and eventually made two strong runs that added up to a 35-15 halftime lead. "We just couldn't match up with them athletically," said Cardinals... Full story

  • The Ticker: A quick look at area teams in action

    Pine Knot News|Dec 31, 2021

    Thursday, Dec. 23 Girls Basketball Esko-54 Pine City-38 Virginia-70 ML/WR-55 Cloquet-60 St. Francis-45 Girls Hockey CEC-5 Pine City Area-1 Boys Hockey CEC-3 Holy Angels-3 Monday, Dec. 27 Girls Hockey Moose Lake Area-2 Buffalo/Maple Lake-1 Boys Basketball Chisholm Tournament Wrenshall-2 (Forfeit) Silver Bay-0 Chisholm-101 Carlton-44 Tuesday, Dec. 28 Girls Basketball Greenway-56 ML/WR-20 South Ridge-111 Wrenshall-11 Wood City Classic Crosby-Ironton-71 Virginia-58 Mesabi East-51 Cloquet-49 Esko Coaches Classic Hermantown-68 Cherry-50 Esko-89... Full story

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