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
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 45
On March 17, witnesses estimated nearly two dozen squad cars, ambulances and firetrucks from multiple jurisdictions responded to the school campus in the heart of Esko. Someone - in Africa, it later turned out - had called in a bomb threat. There was no bomb, but that didn't change the fact that emergency responders and law enforcement waited for hours before the scene was cleared. At least two ambulances and staff responded from the Cloquet Area Fire District (CAFD). Nobody was billed for those... Full story
An investigation into employee misconduct figures to end soon, but not before disrupting the start of the school year within the Wrenshall School District. At a time when Chromebooks and computers need to come online for teachers and roughly 350 students, the district’s information technology director is on administrative leave. Jaime Hopp is under investigation for profanely alluding to “killing” the superintendent in the staff lounge in June. Another district employee overheard the threat, which superintendent Kim Belcastro later repor...
When Carlton throws a party, expect big things. And there’s nothing bigger than the annual Carlton Daze celebration, which kicks off Friday and runs through Sunday, July 29-31. Carlton Daze offers something for everyone: a pretty big small-town parade, loads of live music, all kinds of food, a classic car show, sales galore and lots of tournaments, from softball and volleyball, to bean bags, poker and golf. There are gun raffles and meat raffles, community church services, fun at the fire department and a bubble dance party at the bike shelter.... Full story
Esko is adding a whole new layer to its annual Esko Fun Days celebration, by inviting every single graduate of the 102-year-old school to come back next week for an all-school reunion. Work toward organizing the reunion and school centennial actually began a few years ago, because the school opened in 1920. “Then Covid struck,” said Maggie Sunnarborg, a retired teacher and school board member who is one of the reunion organizers. So they decided that celebrating the centennial a couple years lat... Full story
There's only one place a person can see a 40-foot tall bear promoting a famous brand of beer, and it's in Cloquet. The Hamm's Bear is an iconic advertising creation, and Northeastern Saloon proprietor Bert Whittington owns the largest version of the well-known bear. With the help from a few friends, Whittington inflates his giant bear on the Northeastern's lawn on Dunlap Island once each year during the Nordlager breweriana show. Breweriana shows are like a traveling museum of beer advertising...
Cloquet police and emergency personnel responded to a report of “an apparent drug overdose” Wednesday, July 27, at a residence on Loop Drive within the boundaries of the city and Fond du Lac Reservation, according to a news release from the Cloquet Police Department issued Wednesday afternoon. Efforts to revive the 16-year-old male were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The exact cause of death is not known at this time. The investigation is still open. If anyone has any information that could assist in this inv...
The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party is hosting “coffee with the candidates” in Moose Lake, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 30 at the Soo Line Event Center, 900 Folz Blvd. The DFL True Blue Gathering will provide voters the opportunity to speak with and learn more about the candidates and their stand on critical issues facing local families. Confirmed candidates include Jen Schultz, John Peura, Pete Radosevich and Eric Olson, plus special guests. The event is timed to offer voters an int... Full story
Get your fix of classic cars with a side of fries at Gordy’s Curbside Classic Car Show 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, with a trophy ceremony at 7:30 p.m. All cars are welcome at this annual event, hosted by Gordy’s Hi-Hat. Gordy’s owner Dan Lundquist said they present five “best of show” trophies each year, which go to the most popular, as determined by customer and car show participant votes, plus three special awards. There is no charge for spectators and the restaurant is open for business...
Amateur and master gardeners made the rounds during a grand tour filled with amazing flower and vegetable gardens, orchards, and a few unexpected surprises along the way. The much-anticipated Carlton County Garden Tour 2022 featured five properties in the Blackhoof-Mahtowa area Tuesday evening, July 19. Curious garden enthusiasts were treated to pleasant weather and diverse gardens during the annual tour. According to one tour stop host, well over 100 visitors stopped by to peek and take longer... Full story
The time is now for folks who want to make an impact in local politics. The filing period for local school boards, most city councils and many township supervisor positions will be open Tuesday, Aug. 2 through Tuesday, Aug. 16. Filing fees are minimal, mostly between $2 and $5. According to the Minnesota Secretary of State website, all candidates: • must be eligible to vote in Minnesota • must have not filed for another office at the upcoming primary or general election • must be 21 years of age or more upon assuming office. A candidate must al... Full story
The emergency sewer repairs that caused a detour on Highway 61 in Thomson Township throughout July have wrapped up, but more sewer problems have been uncovered in another area of the township, leaving some residents upset and concerned. Thomson resident Joe Davidson brought his concerns to the Thomson township board of supervisors at their meeting July 21, 2022. According to Davidson, he received a letter from the township informing him that his property was in violation of the township's sewer...
The Carlton County board of commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to accept the guaranteed maximum price for the construction of the new justice center at just over $66.8 million, nearly double early estimates. County coordinator Dennis Genereau said the county passed the point of no return with this particular vote. “This was a significant decision,” Genereau told the Pine Knot News. “There is no turning back now. After eight years of planning and answering countless questions and concerns, the county board has made the decision to proceed....
The Carlton County Historical Society is celebrating 100 years since construction began on the Carlton County Courthouse during Carlton Daze, 1-3 p.m. Sunday, July 30, inside the courthouse at 301 Walnut Ave. in Carlton. There will be a display showcasing a century of historic and memorable moments in the courthouse‘s history, and tours and refreshments will be available.... Full story
In addition to community celebrations of National Night Out in Esko, Carlton, Kettle River and more, the Cloquet Police Department wants to drop by any neighborhood gathering in the city for NNO. It’s not too late to get something organized, neighbors. Send a message to the Cloquet Police Department Facebook page or call 218-879-1247 with an address and times. The nationwide community-building event was first introduced in 1984. According to the NNO official website, the gatherings provide a space for neighbors and public safety personnel to c...
Construction on a new reduced-conflict intersection where Gillette Road meets Highway 33 north of the roundabout will begin Monday, Aug. 1. The work will close access from Gillette Road to Highway 33, with access to Gillette Road and Frontage Road via the traffic signal in front of Walmart. Expect delays during peak travel times. Motorists can expect daytime lane and shoulder closures during the project, which is expected to last until October....
Although August is just around the corner, the summer festival season is abuzz with activity, with Carlton Daze this weekend, followed by Esko Fun Days, the Honey Bee Festival, Wrenshall Brickyard Days, and Ma & Pa Kettle Days over the first two weeks of August. Esko Fun Days runs Aug. 2-9 and will be combined with an all-school reunion in celebration of the school's 100th (actually 102nd, thanks to Covid) anniversary. The fun kicks off Tuesday night with a National Night Out gathering... Full story
People who shop regularly at farmers markets know there is a seasonal rhythm to local produce. Rhubarb and spring radishes are best in June. Cucumbers, garlic scapes, peas and strawberries arrive in July. And so does Darla Van Heerde's elderflower lemonade and non-alcoholic cordial. Darla Van Heerde is also known as "Pants Mary," in honor of the Esko woman who once owned her land and apparently decided that 19th-century dresses were not convenient for logging and farm work. Darla continued...
Minnesota is home to 14,000 lakes, 12,000 loons, 135,000 seasonal lake cabins and 3.9 million newspaper readers. Really? Really. Every month, 86 percent of Minnesota adults read newspapers’ print and online issues, according to a new Minnesota Market Study conducted by Coda Ventures. The study measures media usage and purchase behavior of Minnesota adults across urban and rural zip codes (see full-page ad in this issue). The 3.9 million Minnesota newspaper readers number might not come as a surprise to you. After all, you are reading a newspape... Full story
The Fond du Lac Tribal College Board of Directors (FDLTCBOD) finds the comments made by a sitting Wrenshall school board member regarding our American Indian ancestors disrespectful and degrading. The comments made by the school board member were in reaction to redoing a school parking lot and a question: “What if they dig up bones?” The board member responded that “I have a plan for that. Fence it off and bring in all the dogs from the dog pound. There won’t be any bones left.” The reference to finding bones was made in connection to the Fo... Full story
Cloquet City Council Mayor Roger Maki [email protected] 218-879-4976 Warren “Bun” Carlson Councilor Ward 1 [email protected] 218-879-3347 Sheila Lamb Councilor Ward 2 [email protected] 218-590-5308 Chris Swanson Councilor Ward 3 [email protected] 218-390-2010 Kerry Kolodge Councilor Ward 4 [email protected] 218-481-3862 Lyz Jaakola Councilor Ward 5 [email protected] 218-393-3528 Lara Wilkinson Councilor At-Large [email protected] 218-451-2188 Cloquet School Board Board chair Ted Lammi [email protected] 218... Full story
The Cloquet Northland Baseball Classic wrapped up Sunday by crowning champions in six age divisions. The tournament featured 53 teams playing a combined 118 games at three locations starting Friday afternoon and wrapping up Sunday evening. "It was a great tournament," said tournament director Nate Knutson. "We had rain on Thursday night prior to the tournament, which made the fields a little soft on Friday morning, but by the time we started playing games, everything was in great shape and the... Full story
The Esko Junior Legion team stayed in the undefeated bracket of the Division II Northeast Substate baseball tournament Tuesday night by trouncing Cook County 13-0. Esko opened play on Sunday, July 24 by posting a 13-2 win over Taconite and a 16-6 victory over Deer River. The win pushed Esko into the championship game Wednesday night in Ely. Esko would have to be beaten twice in order to be eliminated. Should Esko lose on Wednesday evening, the final game would be played on Thursday in Ely.... Full story
The Esko Legion team struggled to solve the Wadena Legion team, and eventually that was enough to end their season. “We opened with a win over Aurora, then lost to Wadena,” said Esko coach Nick LeGarde. “We came back and beat International Falls, but then lost to Wadena in the finals.” Esko downed a good Aurora team, 4-1, in their opener and followed that with a 4-1 loss to Wadena. In their third game Esko 10-run ruled International Falls and that set up another showdown with Wadena. “Wadena had a nice ball club,” said LeGarde. “They beat... Full story
The Cloquet American Legion baseball team bowed out of the playoffs last Wednesday after dropping back-to-back games against Grand Rapids and Thunder Bay, Ontario. “Against Grand Rapids we got beat 7-1, but we played a clean game defensively,” said Cloquet coach Tyler Olin. “We had a chance to get out of the one big inning they had, but just couldn’t make the play. Other than that, the guys played a good ball game.” The second inning was the downfall for Cloquet, as they gave up five runs to f... Full story
After a miracle comeback in the opening round, the Cloquet VFW boys baseball team was knocked out of the playoffs with losses to Hermantown and Hibbing last weekend. Cloquet trailed 9-0 after two innings in their opening game with West Duluth Thursday and things looked bleak. Coach Nate Knutson decided to make a couple of changes and the squad responded — coming from behind to edge West Duluth 11-10. “It was a great way to start the tournament,” said Knutson. “We cut the lead in half in the fou...
