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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This is a tale of a nearly 80-year-old gent who grew up in Barnum on a farm in the 1950s, enlisted in the Army and traveled the world, and managed a working career which included teaching children and building partnerships among various interests and groups. His name is Alan Finifrock. He is back in the area now, living in Cloquet as a retiree and world-class Carlton County tree farmer. Oddly enough, when he taught school in rural Alaska, the nearest tree was 100 miles away. Since Al knew that...
It has been a life-changing week in northern Minnesota. Less than a month ago, COVID-19 was thought to be a disease in countries on the other side of the world. We were warned, but didn’t really believe, that it would make its way to the United States. Suddenly it’s here and our lives have changed dramatically overnight — schools and restaurants are closed, events are canceled, and everyone is urged to keep a 6-foot social distance from each other. Many are wondering what this means for their four-legged companions. At this time, we don’t...
Minnesota’s state parks and trails remain open to the public, but the Department of Natural Resources is making changes to adapt to the challenges of the public health emergency. Getting outdoors is one of the activities being encouraged as social distancing continues. Users need to respect space between other users and avoid touching what would normally be shared surfaces. As of now, all 75 state parks and recreation areas: • Moved to a 100 percent self-pay system. All state parks and recreation areas have the ability to collect permit fees an...
What a week. News of the coronavirus has altered our pathways, habits, spending and sociability. Just last Thursday evening, we were hosting visitors to The Knot Gallery, serving food and drink and trying to remember to bump elbows rather than shake hands or hug. By Tuesday, everyone was madly imagining living without K-12 schools, restaurants, bars, sports and church services. Some of us worried about food and medical supplies - would the shelves be empty? Celebrating St. Patrick's Day at a...
With the advent of the coronavirus, there will be, and already have been, many cancellations in our area. The worst one, at least for our girls basketball team, was the sudden cancellation of the state tournament after just one game (which they won). The whole team, coaches, parents and fans were devastated by this news, but the players held their heads high and will carry on the best that they can. We can be so proud of all the effort put into such a successful season and we can only hope that...
Our farm got panicked emails Sunday morning from the stores we supply, wondering if we could do a special delivery because they were all out of carrots and potatoes. Enticed by a lunch in our 85-degree greenhouse, we were able to gather a crew of parents and neighbors together to pack about a thousand pounds of produce that afternoon to restock the shelves. At times like this when normal routines and work are disrupted, it’s nice to feel like you have a purpose. It’s important for us all to be able to maintain and develop a sense of con...
The Cromwell-Wright girls basketball team started off fast at last week's Minnesota girls state basketball tournament, but then they hit a wall - one not of their own making. After winning a quarterfinal game March 12, much of the sports world across the country went dark, including high school sports in Minnesota. "The state tournament weekend right now in my mind stays in the category of 'very deflating,'" head coach Jeff Gronner said. "We were hoping for a second chance at Minneota and a...
It took extra time, but Esko knocked off the Hilltoppers 67-64 Wednesday, March 11 to advance to the Section 7AA title game. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Eskomos did not get the chance to play for the championship against Pierz, which defeated Virginia in the other semifinal match up. Things did not come easy for the Eskomos, who fell behind 32-25 at halftime and had to scratch back in the second half. "In the locker room we talked about keeping our composure and battling...
After losing by 34 points to Nashwauk-Keewatin just three weeks ago, things looked bleak for the Fond du Lac boys basketball team when they took on the Spartans in the Section 7A boys basketball semifinals Wednesday, March 11 in Hibbing. “I really thought they would overlook us because of that win,” said Earl Otis, head coach of the Ogichidaa. “We played without a couple of starters in that game and I thought we had a good shot at winning if everything fell our way.” Unfortunately for FDL, th...
For those who are at high risk if infected or homebound, you don’t have to risk it. A number of local pharmacies and grocery stores offer home delivery. Following is a list compiled by the Pine Knot News staff. Please call 218-878-9332 to be added to the list, and leave a message. GROCERIES Age Well Arrowhead/SuperOne Age Well Arrowhead offers a grocery shopping and delivery service for older adults and those who can’t go out to shop for themselves in the Cloquet area. Age Well Arrowhead par...
Local closures or cancellations due to coronavirus/COVID-19 concerns are listed below and updated on a continual basis, with listings starting with the most recent cancellations, plus recommendations to slow the spread of the virus. Please email [email protected] to share information about your event or organization. Find a broader collection of listings on other regional television, radio and newspaper websites: Community Memorial Hospital During the COVID-19 pandemic, CMH patients will be restricted to one visitor at a time unless the...
On Tuesday, the Cloquet school district announced its plan to distributed free bagged lunches Wednesday-Friday to children ages 18 and younger and any persons with disabilities who are enrolled students and participate in school programs. The email essentially outlines pickup at the schools for walkers, and pickup at bus stops for children who ride the bus to school, that list is located online at https://www.isd94.org/Page/1338. The text of the entire email from the Cloquet School District is below: During the school closure March 18th – M...
The Cloquet School District sent out an update regarding childcare, both for the children of medical and emergency responders mandated by the governor and already enrolled children. Find a copy of that communication below: Due to the school closure ordered by the governor from March 18th thru March 27th the following actions will be taken by the Cloquet School District and Kids’ Corner in regards to the care of children during this time. Kids’ Corner will remain open from 6 am to 6 pm March 18th-20th, March 23rd-27th, and March 30th to pro...
The Cloquet Police Department announced the following changes in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic and the decision to close city buildings in Cloquet to members of the public for now, including the joint city hall and police building at 101 14th Street. Calls for service Calls for service requests will continue to be routed through the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center. • For emergencies, call 911 • The non-emergency number is 218-384-4185 A phone to contact dispatch will remain available in the southwest lobby at the polic...
Normally, March and April mean the spring sports seasons are here and high schools are buzzing with activity. All that activity came to a screeching halt the past week when schools were closed after spring sports were put on indefinite hold due to the COVID-19 virus. Activity and athletic directors across the state are in the same state as the schools — limbo — until further notice. “I am sure there is some disappointment by the kids, coaches and parents, but hopefully we will still be able...
DNR COVID-19 response: What you need to know In accordance with guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health, we have adjusted our services, events and operations to protect Minnesotans and prevent further spread of COVID-19. Our public lands remain open but we have closed some buildings. We have canceled or postponed many public events and meetings. You will find the latest details below. What’s open State parks, state forests, recreation areas, and other public lands remain open. The f...
The world has been flipped upside down by the quick spread of COVID-19. Over the last week, it has had a great impact on the United States and here in Minnesota, especially with high school students who don't have a school to go. Concerts, sports, and other major events are being postponed or canceled due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus. Schools are closed for almost two weeks, maybe more, and teachers are making plans in case schools don't reopen and classes have to be offered online....
Out of every extracurricular activity, Knowledge Bowl may be the least known. Only five U.S. states have Knowledge Bowl at the high school level. What most people know is that it is a school activity and, like others, its season was curtailed last week when all winter seasons were canceled. So, what exactly is Knowledge Bowl? Knowledge Bowl is all about knowledge - as implied in the name - and being able to remember those facts and produce them on the spot, plus it's fun, challenging, and you...
Father James B. Bissonette, diocesan administrator for the Diocese of Duluth, announced additional temporary measures to help stem the spread of Covid-19 on Tuesday. In the new directive, all public Masses are suspended through April 20, effective Friday, March 20. (Priests may celebrate a private Mass without a congregation.) In addition, the diocese has cancelled all gatherings of more than 10 people and said that even in smaller gatherings, those vulnerable or showing any signs of illness should stay home, and all present should practice...
Mamie Katherine Seppanen, 86, died Thursday, March 19, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital Hospice in Duluth. She was born on May 7, 1933 in Kettle River to Peter and Alma (Wimpari) Wiitanen. She married Robert “Bob” Seppanen on Oct. 15, 1955, and they resided in Kettle River, Proctor, Cromwell and Esko over their 58 years of marriage. Mamie was employed as a secretary for the Air Base in Duluth until it closed. Mamie was a member of the Cromwell Young Old timers and the Minnesota Finnish American Histo...
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has confirmed a presumptive case of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in St. Louis County. The individual is a woman in her late 60s who is currently recovering at home. Her infection is linked to domestic travel, and not the result of community transmission, according to the following St. Louis County press release issued Saturday morning, March 21. “At this point, there has been no request for the County to provide any essential services," said Amy Westbrook, St. Louis County Public Health Division Director, “and...
Ellen Delores Larsen, 92, of Esko passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2020 in Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet. She was born March 10, 1928 in Cloquet to Waino and Impi Johnson. Ellen grew up in Esko and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1946. She married Clarence Larsen on September 4, 1948 in Esko and together they raised five children. Ellen worked at Diamond Match for several years before attending cosmetology school in the mid-1960s. She had her own beauty salon, Ellen’s Beauty S...
Western Lake Superior Sanitary District officials warn residents and businesses about the hazards of flushing any products except toilet paper. Wipes, paper towel, facial tissue and other paper products are not flushable and must be disposed of in the trash. “Toilet tissue has been in limited supply in local stores and we’ve heard some folks have substituted paper towel, facial tissue, wipes, napkins, and more,” said Al Parrella, WLSSD’s Manager of Operations and Maintenance. “Wipes bind with...
On Saturday, March 21, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported the first confirmed death of a Minnesota resident due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The death occurred Thursday, March 19 in a Ramsey County resident in their 80s who recently tested positive for COVID-19 and was the contact of an earlier confirmed case. “Gwen and I extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones during this time of loss,” said Governor Tim Walz. “As COVID-19 continues to spread in Minnesota, we must all do what we can to keep e...
On Saturday, March 21, Governor Tim Walz enacted a new Executive Order, which authorizes the Minnesota National Guard to provide assistance during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency. According to a press release from the Governor’s office, the Minnesota National Guard’s initial mission is to transport personal protective equipment (PPE), such as protective face masks, from storage at Camp Ripley to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The press release notes that activation of the Minnesota National Guard has already begun and is active thr...
