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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Hey, it’s the 100th annual Labor Day celebration in Cloquet coming up this weekend. As your newspaper of record on such milestone events, we thought we’d check in on some history about what has become one of Cloquet’s signature yearly events — and a unique one at that, as few cities celebrate the holiday in grand style any more. So we went back to 1919. Sure enough, there was a big celebration. Fun was had by all, the old Pine Knot reported. The weather was perfect. Everything went off “withou...
More hard numbers are coming in regarding how much Carlton County and other taxing authorities within it will need to repay utility companies for overcharging in tax assessments. County assessor Kyle Holmes reported this week that a recent ruling in Minnesota Tax Court, that property for Northern Natural Gas across the state was overvalued, means that entities in Carlton County will need to repay the utility $517,092. If divided equally among all Carlton County residents, the amount refunded would equate to just under $40 per household. But...
Historic Minnesota events that took place Aug. 30-Sept. 5. Aug. 31 1929 The Foshay Tower is dedicated in Minneapolis. Hiring John Sousa to write and perform a march for the occasion, Wilbur Foshay throws a splendid grand-opening party, a final display of extravagance before the 1929 crash and subsequent economic depression that ruins him. Sept. 1 1894 A forest fire kills 413 people and burns 160,000 acres of timberland around Hinckley, including parts of southern Carlton County. Railroad engineer James Root saves more than 100 people by loading...
A stroke and the beginning of Parkinson’s disease had left my father a small fraction of the man he had once been. After church on a rather nice Sunday morning, I casually asked Dad, “How about if we go to the White Pine steam show at McGrath this afternoon? I’ll come pick you up about 1 o’clock or so.” Mother looked at Dad and said, “He can’t go.” Dad and I let that lay; Dad said, “I’ll call.” I said, “You do that.” My wife and I arrived home. The phone rang; it was Dad saying, “I am going.” Arriving at the White Pine show, we parked as direc...
When the school year is done and the seniors' final year comes to a close, Carlton County grads are released into the world to travel far and wide to educate themselves, explore new opportunities, and make the world a better place. One 2003 Cloquet graduate took the opportunity to help the world and now stands on the congressional battleground to tackle climate change and our own human behaviors. Alexander Maki left Cloquet to acquire an undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota...
Cloquet police are still cautioning residents to lock their cars when they leave them, as there have been reports of lots of vehicle prowls in town lately. In fact, while you’re at it, make sure to lock your house and garage too. “Please do not make it easier for people to steal from you,” the latest police newsletter reads. “We kindly ask you to make sure you are securing all your doors and do not leave valuables in your vehicle. If you have a key fob that allows for keyless entry; make sure it is far enough away from your vehicle when in...
As recommended by members of the Cloquet planning commission, the Cloquet city council approved plans for the proposed Essentia health care clinic Aug. 20. The new clinic will be 10,000 square feet and located at 1413 Highway 33, currently the site of the vacant Driftwood Motel across Highway 33 from Walmart. City planner/zoning administrator Al Cottingham said now only the building permit needs to be approved. “We haven’t seen detailed construction plans, but I understand the architects are working on them,” he said, explaining that the appro...
A field of sunflowers turns the world bright yellow as the flowers follow the sun across the sky. Mickayla Talberg said she drives by the field of flowers near Wrenshall every day on her mail route, and decided to bring a chair and her five children for a photo shoot on Aug. 23. Above, Mackenzie Kosloski, 7, and Kylie Kosloski, 9, pose in the midst of the flowers somewhat uncomfortably, as the bees and an enthusiastic reporter watch them. The boys were going to take their turn posing next,...
Starting Oct. 1, Family Pathways will replace WINDOW Victim Services in providing domestic violence and sexual assault services such as advocacy, education, outreach and crisis line, as well as parenting time centers for supervised visitation in Carlton, Pine and Kanabec counties. The Minnesota Office of Justice Programs (OJP) awarded Family Pathways the contract for two years. WINDOW will cover the three counties with a skeleton crew through Sept. 30. Two staff at the moment are handling the Carlton County needs. Sue Wojciehowski, a former...
Carlton native Eric Bergman will talk about writing his book “Addie Braver,” a young adult-adult crossover novel about growing up in a town, based on his own experience growing up in Carlton. A slide show and readings from the book will be featured in this hour-long program starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 at the Carlton County Historical Society in Cloquet. Copies of “Addie Braver” will be available....
Don’t forget to hit the Cloquet Labor Day car show Monday, Sept. 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the NorthEastern Hotel, Saloon & Grille in Cloquet. Wander around and feast your eyes on a range of cars. No entry fee, no classes, and voting by participants and spectators will be followed by the awarding of trophies and plaques at 2:30 p.m. There will be burgers and brats on the grill and beer outside; the bar will be open. American Legion Post 262 will hold a 50/50 drawing. Free coffee, toast and rolls for entrants during setup 8-10 a.m. Contact B...
The Cloquet city council is holding a public hearing on its intention to issue library expansion project bonds in the amount of roughly $1,275,000 during its Sept. 3 meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. Citizens are encouraged to speak at the public hearing. The library received a $784,000 library construction grant from the Minnesota Department of Education, and the Cloquet Shaw Memorial Public Library Foundation also committed $275,000 toward the more than $2 million project. If citizens disagree with the council decision Sept. 3, they can take...
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved the Enbridge Energy Line 4 project on Aug. 22, a move the pipeline company applauded as its Line 3 pipeline continues to move at a snail’s pace through the state approval process and the courts. As part of the agreement between the pipeline company and the Band regarding the Line 3 oil pipeline replacement project, Enbridge plans to relocate a portion of the Line 4 pipeline that currently crosses the reservation. Enbridge’s Line 4 oil pipeline ...
If the opening of Gordy's Hi-Hat is a sign of spring, then the annual Sunnyside trip to the Warming House for ice cream is an indication that summer is winding down. Sunnyside Health Care Center staff, along with volunteers and resident family members mostly wheeled 26 residents down the hill from the nursing home at Community Memorial Hospital to the beloved coffee shop and ice cream joint. Sunnyside director of engagement Toni Hubbell said the group made it door-to-door in a record time of...
Carlton school board members took another step toward consolidating with Wrenshall last week by forming a committee to work on a two-site solution, but the district is also working to come up with costs for other possible future configurations that don’t include consolidation with Wrenshall. On Wednesday, Carlton superintendent Gwen Carman confirmed that three representatives each from the Carlton and Wrenshall school boards will meet Sept. 9 for a working session, to explore exactly what a t...
New beaver control provisions were enacted by the Minnesota Legislature this past session but the final bill provided no money to guarantee alleviating the financial burden on local governments for handling nuisance beavers. Still, it was a step in the right direction, said Rep. Mike Sundin (District 11A), who authored the initial bill with input from Wayne Thom, a member of the Minnesota Trappers Association. The largest member of the rodent family, the beaver is an active woodcutter and dam...
The following are excerpts from a piece done by Ryan Reft, a historian at the Library of Congress. It provides a taste of what Labor Day meant to Americans during World War I. In 1917, as detailed on Page 1 of today’s Pine Knot News, Cloquet workers first took to the streets to celebrate the power of unions. But things were far from cheery when it came to organizing. Labor still had a long way to go, as reflected here and across the country: Amid war, Labor Day in 1918 took on increased importance. Mobilization had presented unprecedented o...
I’m fascinated at how political the immigration issue has become in America. The fact is, the issue is much too complicated to be solved easily, and all sides are not too far apart. But it’s just too easy to pin blame and stand your ground, rather than work out a reasonable solution. And that shouldn’t surprise anyone, either: a reasonable solution has been elusive for at least 30 years. Immigration is so highly charged politically, that no one will dare to address it rationally. If a Repub...
To say I’m p.o.’d is an understatement. Carlton County didn’t plan very well. I see no benefits for the taxpayers. No more street parking, streets too narrow, sidewalks too wide, and losing lawn and driveways. Where are people supposed to park for family events, or garage sales? I am wondering who determines what the county owns, and what the homeowner owns from the center of the street. Seems they are taking more than their share! Don’t see taxes going down any. Negative issues include: no communication between workers and homeowners, people...
With school just a few days away, schedules are suddenly becoming packed with both school and extracurriculars. While a seven-hour school day is a necessary part of every student’s day, extracurriculars become just that: extra. For some families, the stress of extracurriculars is simply too much — the cost of participation, the scheduling, the threats of burning out their students — all cultivate a weariness of extracurriculars. Extracurriculars offer things the school can’t always teach....
We wish to thank Timothy Soden-Groves and The Pine Knot for sharing the story of “Harold” Ankrum with us and other Pine Knot News readers. We moved to the Carlton area in 2017 and knew no one. So, when our vehicles needed servicing, we asked at a couple local businesses and were directed to Harold’s Service. Meeting Harold for the first time is like greeting an old friend, no pretenses, no false fronts, just human warmth and goodness meet you at the door. Maybe we should not have been surprised to learn that Harold also spends a good deal...
David “Toivo” Roy Alaspa, 65, of Cloquet, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, at University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis. He was born June 16, 1954, in Cloquet to Toivo and Helen (Kolehmainen) Alaspa. David’s mother always called him “lovable Davey” but he was nicknamed “Toivo,” after his father. He was a very good hockey player, was popular in school and was liked by all his classmates. David was a 1972 graduate of Cloquet High School. Throughout his life he worked various jobs...
Robert “Bob” H. Brander, 72, of Cloquet, passed away Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, at his home. He was born April 28, 1947 in Duluth to Walter and Sylvia (Ollila) Brander. He graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1965. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army. Bob retired as a pipefitter from the Potlatch Corp. after working for 35 years. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, hunting and fishing, along with other outdoor activities. Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Syl...
Robert Theodore Giblin, 81, of Cloquet, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, in St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. He was born on Dec. 18, 1937, in Brookston to Theodore and Jennie (Widstrom) Giblin. He graduated from Brookston High School in 1955. Bob worked on the railroad for six years before going to work for Conwed. He retired from USG in 1997. He married Madeline Vnuk on July 25, 1959, in Brookston. Bob loved the outdoors, spending time at the cabin on Little Grand Lake a...
Kenneth Roy Tamillo, 87, of Cloquet, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 22, 2019 at the VA hospital in St. Cloud. Memorial service: 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Cloquet VFW, 210 Arch Street in Cloquet. A light lunch will be served....
