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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Election judges reported a steady stream of voters all day Tuesday, with many expressing surprise at such a good turnout for the midterm elections. Thomson Township clerk Rhonda Peleski said they had a line that wrapped through the community room for much of the day, reporting that 2,134 residents voted in person at Thomson Town Hall, the polling place for Carlton County's largest precinct. "It was a long day. Really busy," Peleski said. In Cloquet, Ward 2 residents voted at the public library....
Prior to Tuesday night, the only real talk of "trifectas" in Minnesota state government had been from the GOP side - that Republican Scott Jensen could knock off incumbent DFL Gov. Tim Walz while the GOP also pulled off full control of the Legislature. As the sleep-deprived fog of the 2022 Minnesota state election evaporates, it's clear few had "DFL trifecta" in their office pool. But that's what happened, despite an election where historical trends, most of the main issues and polling were... 
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Three of five candidates were going to be elected to the Cloquet School Board on Tuesday. Sarah Plante Buhs didn’t have the faintest idea she’d be the top vote-getter. “I’m very appreciative, and I was very surprised with what the outcome was,” she told the Pine Knot the next day. “I was not expecting that much support. It’s nice to see; we have a great community.” Plante Buhs won 3,196 votes (25.9%) followed by incumbents David Battaglia, with 2,706 votes (21.9%), and Gary “Hawk” Huard at 2,367 (19.2%). Battaglia was “appreciative” of the four...
There will be no new faces on the Thomson Township Board of Supervisors following the 2022 midterm election, as all three incumbent candidates were re-elected to their spots on the board. The board’s current chairperson, Ruth Janke, defeated Parrish Silbernagel to maintain her seat on the board. Janke brought in 1,810 votes (78.56%), with Silbernagel garnering 482 (20%). Former chairperson and long-time board member Terry Hill also handily defeated a challenger. Amna Hanson fell short of unseating Hill, with 766 votes (33%) to Hill’s 1,549 vot...
Incumbent State Senator Jason Rarick (R-Pine City) won easily in the District 11 race, with 22,111 votes (61%) to 14,152 (39%) for challenger Michelle Boyechko (DFL-Tamarack). He praised Boyechko for running a passionate and positive campaign, like previous opponents. "I see so many negatives in other races, that hasn't happened in our district," he said, noting that they both stuck to the issues during candidate forums rather than attacking one another. "That's something I really appreciate. It...
The long months of campaigning are peaking now, with Election Day on Tuesday and both local and national candidates trying to reach people who have yet to vote. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8. There are polling locations in the cities of Cloquet, Carlton, Moose Lake, Scanlon, Wrenshall and Wright. Townships with polls include Atkinson, Automba, Barnum, Blackhoof, Eagle, Lakeview, Mahtowa, Moose Lake, Perch Lake, Silver, Silver Brook, Skelton, Thomson and Twin Lakes. Voters in Cloquet’s Ward 2 should head to the C...
There was little back-and-forth between the two candidates for the state House of Representatives District 11A seat at the Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce candidate forum Oct. 25. Incumbent Democrat Mike Sundin of Esko chose not to seek another term, so now perennial Republican challenger Jeff Dotseth of Kettle River will face DFL-backed Pete Radosevich of Cloquet. The two spent about 30 minutes answering questions from moderator Tony Sertich. It was the final portion of an evening that...
Candidates for Minnesota Senate District 11A worked overtime last week, facing off in two candidate forums in three days. Tuesday's event was sponsored by the Cloquet Chamber of Commerce, while the forum in Moose Lake on Thursday was organized by the Land Stewardship Action Fund. In both instances, incumbent Jason Rarick, R-Pine City, and challenger Michelle Boyechko, DFL-Tamarack, established their differing viewpoints from the start. Rarick stressed his eight years of experience at the state...
Four of five candidates for school board weighed in at the Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce candidate forum Oct. 25. In the wake of two lockdowns within the past year, the topic of school safety drew provocative responses from an incumbent and newcomer alike. Both advocated for a stronger security presence in Cloquet’s public schools. “I would support having professionals in the building, some of our professionals, carefully screened and carefully trained and able to use special tactics and tools to stop a threat,” incumbent Ted Lammi said....
The Cloquet city council chambers was a revolving door Tuesday, as candidates for six races answered questions in the Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce candidate forum, an election year tradition. All of the forums ran smoothly, with a quiet and polite Minnesota audience made up mostly of other candidates, their supporters and a handful of interested citizens. It was a far cry from most national or even statewide televised debates, with no rudeness or verbal fireworks, and zero rebuttals until th...
In a subdivision in suburban Medina, Republican state auditor candidate Ryan Wilson went door to door to make his pitch to voters. The attorney and former CEO of a medical auditing company knocked, readied his hand-outs and then launched into his spiel about why he’s vying to unseat first-term DFL Auditor Julie Blaha. “I started to run for state auditor, because people had a lot of questions, they want to understand what's happening in their government,” Wilson told a voter last Thursday. “They want to understand where the money was going.... Website
STATE SENATE District 11 Republican: Jason Rarick (Incumbent) Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. (limit 50 words) I am a lifelong resident of Pine County, a union electrician, and self-employed electrical contractor. I have served in the legislature for eight years now, primarily focused on issues related to jobs, energy, higher education. Please describe where you stand on the following issues in 25 words or fewer (each): • The unspent $7.2 billion budget surplus? I...
STATE REPRESENTATIVE District 11A Republican: Jeff Dotseth Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. (limit 50 words) I am a husband, father, grandfather, farmer, realtor, small business owner and former township board supervisor who is looking to bring common sense to our state government and make sure the people of District 11A once again are heard. Please describe where you stand on the following issues in 25 words or fewer (each): • The unspent $7.2 billion budget s...
CARLTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER Mark Thell (Incumbent) Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. (Limit 50 words) Lifelong resident of County, Enlisted United States Air Force, Retired Potlatch Machine operator. Family farmer direct marketing grass fed beef, pork and chicken. Served as elected supervisor for the Carlton County Soil and Water District before being elected County Commissioner in 2018. Married with four adult children and seven grandchildren. What made you decide...
CARLTON COUNTY SHERIFF Kelly Lake (Incumbent) Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. (limit 50 words) Lifelong resident of Carlton County, graduate Cloquet schools and FDLTCC/ Hibbing Law Enforcement. Married to Rick; children ages 24, 22, 15, 13. Live in rural Barnum; raise beef cattle and have horses. Worked for the Sheriff's Office for 33 years as Corrections Officer, Deputy, Patrol Sergeant, and as your Sheriff since 2005. Past president of MN Sheriff's Association....
CITY OF CARLTON COUNCIL Brent Bodie Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. (limit 50 words) My wife and I moved to Carlton in 2015 where we are currently raising our two young boys. I enjoy being active in the community, I have volunteered on the fire and ambulance department since 2012 and I have been on the City Council since May of 2018. What made you decide to run for city council this year? (limit 35 words) I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve as a council member...
CLOQUET MAYOR Roger Maki (Incumbent) Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. (limit 50 words) I was born in Cloquet, raised in Esko and my wife, Peggy, and I moved to Cloquet in 1971. I have a B.S. degree in social science, political science from UMD. I served as Ward 3 councilor for eight years and mayor since 2019. I'm also a Realtor Emeritus and still work in real estate. What made you decide to run for mayor this year? (limit 35 words) I decided to run for reelection...
CLOQUET CITY COUNCIL, WARD 1 Warren 'Bun' Carlson (Incumbent) Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. I am currently the city councilor for Ward 1. I also serve on the Cloquet Area Fire District board. In addition, I was a salesman for 31 years. I also have coached youth hockey and softball. What made you decide to run for city council this year? I enjoy serving on the city council. I feel my experience and the cohesion of the city council gives me an opportunity to contin...
There are a total of seven candidates vying for three seats on the Esko School Board, and there are profiles of all seven of them within this file. So please read all the way to the bottom before you make your decision. Todd Rengo (incumbent) 1. Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. (limit 50 words) My wife Sandra and I are lifelong Eskomos who raised four kids in this community. I have a Biology/Ed degree from CSS and I'm a financial advisor with Thrivent Financial....
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Republican challenger Scott Jensen on Tuesday faced off during a wide-ranging television debate. It was the second of three debates planned ahead of Election Day and the only one to be televised. TV reporters from Rochester, Duluth, Mankato and Fargo moderated the conversation that aired live on Gray Television stations outside the Twin Cities and was streamed online. Walz and Jensen traded digs over abortion, education, health care and public safety as they tried to get their campaign platforms through to viewers.... Website
CLOQUET CITY COUNCIL, WARD 3 Iris Keller (Write-in*) Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. I have 4 daughters and 3 grandchildren, with another expected in December. I've lived in Cloquet since 1988 and I've been working in the Cloquet school district for 23 years. I have taken on many large projects with many people involved. I know how to work with other people. What made you decide to run for city council this year? I've always been involved with this community and...
CITY OF KETTLE RIVER MAYOR Monique Doward Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. I am a public health analyst previously working with the Minnesota Department of Health. I have a Bachelors of Science degree in public health from the University of the Cumberlands, working towards a Master's of Science degree in Biology. I was elected to the city council here in 2021. What made you decide to run for city council or mayor this year? The city desperately lacks leadership...
KETTLE RIVER CITY COUNCIL Miya Kohmetsche (Incumbent) Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. (limit 50 words) I am a lifelong resident of Kettle River, former mayor and active member of the community. I truly care about the City and want to continue to be the voice of our citizens to make the best decisions for our future. What made you decide to run for city council this year? I am running for the City Council position to use my skills and experience to serve the citizens of Kettle River. The Kettle River city council...
MOOSE LAKE MAYOR Jim Michalski Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. I have lived in the City of Moose Lake for the past 30-plus years. I am currently on my 32nd year as an active member of the Moose Lake Fire Department. I have been appointed to numerous officer positions including chief for over 20 years. I currently work for the Department of Corrections-Moose Lake. What made you decide to run for city council or mayor this year? I was previously on the ML City...
SCANLON MAYOR Joshua Kolodge Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. I am 24 years old and have lived in Scanlon for 13 years. I work in the maintenance field. I am not a politician. I am running to try to make a difference in our small city. What made you decide to run for city council or mayor this year? I want to bring a fresh perspective to a city where there hasn't been much of any change in years. I am tired of the same old, same old when it comes to our city's...
