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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As I sit in my warm home drinking a hot cup of coffee, my mind drifts to the last 44 hours without power. No lights, heat, internet or television. As enlightening as it was to realize how much most of us depend on necessities like lights and heat, I was grateful when three men from Minnesota Power drove into our yard on a cold, snowy evening to remove branches that had fallen on a power line. Losing power was an act of nature that no one initiated. I applaud the employees of the power company as they know what they are doing and do it well....
Students in Audra Richardson’s 11th-grade English class in Barnum have been studying the current political divide in the country and how to find common ground. “Throughout the lesson, it crossed my mind that this topic would be both timely and interesting for our community, especially from students who will be voting in the next presidential election,” Richardson said. “Maybe we could learn something from our younger generation about the need for common ground. Wouldn’t that be something if we could get people to think about respectin...
The state’s advisory opinion this month that Thomson Township supervisors violated the Open Meeting Law should be a reminder to all elected officials that closing meetings should be done sparingly and always with strict attention to the law. In the case of Thomson Township, supervisors closed a September meeting to discuss candidates for the seat vacated by Jason Paulson in August. In private discussion, they whittled the number of candidates from six to three finalists. Several mistakes were made, including the initial assumption that the b...
This year marked the 50th anniversary of my high school graduation, a milestone that has brought back many memories. Good God, Eisenhower was president when we were born and Nixon was president when we graduated. Long live the Class of 1972. And thanks to all classmates who planned all the details for the recent reunion party at the Lost Tavern and the River Inn. Committee members included chair Wendy Wolf Yrjanson, Bill Sobeleski, Howard Simula, and Steve Jankowski. Here is one of my favorite...
After reading the latest articles regarding the process utilized to fill my board seat, I am deeply saddened by the actions of the Thomson Township board. It’s obvious mistakes were made. It appears some of the mistakes were theirs, some the township attorney’s. Regardless, I ask that both parties own these mistakes so the community may move on with them. I served in this seat for six years with the same veracity and passion that characterized my decade of service in the Marine Corps. I believed in openness. Even if they thought a closed ses...
Unlike the popular holiday movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” there are few happy endings in the current housing market. The film, most often remembered for a guardian angel, Clarence, was filmed in 1946. It portrays the life of George Bailey (played by Jimmy Stewart), who gives up his dreams in order to run his father’s savings and loan – which helped lower-income citizens of the fictional Bedford Falls buy affordable homes. In the movie, George, unhappily tied down at the “building and loan,” is miserable. In anger, he lashes out at his family...
The many huddled paradegoers along Cloquet Avenue last Saturday evening came for the annual Santa’s Home for the Holidays finale of fireworks. But they also collectively told a story about Cloquet. It’s one of a community rich in its expressions of kindness and good cheer. Consider Bob and Julie Noffsinger, who years ago rescued a wooden sleigh from a junkheap, then used it to become fixtures in the parade as Santa and Mrs. Claus. When they couldn’t pull up the tail-end of the parade this year, fellow veteran John Prouty and his wife, LoraLee,...
On Nov. 16, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement claiming “the House Democratic Caucus will continue to explore a path toward welcoming a delegate from the Cherokee Nation into the People’s House,” which could finally address one of many broken promises made to the Cherokee people in the 1835 Treaty of New Echota. This treaty, which led to the horrific events known as the Trail of Tears, was one of hundreds of treaties made between Native American nations and the United States government that remain unfulfilled or broken nearly two c...
Now that winter has brought its icy, snowy grip on the Carlton County landscape — with doses of snow and cold throughout this week — it’s time to review some survival tips when traveling about. These things need to be said in an age when drivers might just think their cell phone will get them out of trouble. Phones die, especially in the cold, lose signal, and are useless if you are hurt and can’t navigate it. So refresh yourself with these tips compiled from AAA, the motoring experts. Driving tips • Keep a bundle of cold-weather gear in y...
It’s that time of year, when Christmas trees with all of the beautiful lights and decorations show up in our homes. The traditional use of evergreen trees during the Christmas season brings to many Americans the fragrance and freshness of the forest. Christmas trees probably do more to bring joy to families at this time and to dramatize the message of “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men” than any other thing. Indoors or outdoors, Christmas trees, whether natural or artificial, have become almost an essential holiday decoration in homes, churc...
The title "Fairness for Farmers" captures the spirit of a movement that is gathering momentum in rural Minnesota and beyond. Small and medium farms, which characterize the agricultural landscape of Carlton County, can be found across the state. Families that farm for a living benefit from cooperating with each other, educating the public, and lobbying for reform. That is the mission of the Minnesota Farmers Union. With roots in the early 20th century, MFU today is making the state a leader in...
So, what is Advent anyway, and why would you or I want to celebrate it? The Latin “advenīre” means “to come to,” and long ago the early Christians adopted the first weeks of December to acknowledge the season in which they prepared to celebrate the Nativity, or birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas. In my family of origin, we celebrated Advent in the traditional and prescribed Catholic manner, with an Advent wreath on our dinner table and additional prayers before each meal. Each Sunday of Advent we would light one more candle, so during the firs...
Cloquet mayor Roger Maki cited several interesting numbers in his recent proclamation of Small Business Saturday. In short, small business makes up a significant part of the economy. So we need to support local business not only this Saturday, but all year-round. For the holiday season, “thoughtful” is the way to go when gift giving. There is nothing more thoughtful than something that supports our friends and neighbors in a direct way. The pandemic was extremely difficult on area businesses; now is a good time to make them feel whole aga...
Election 2022 has come and gone. When members of Congress and the Minnesota State Legislature take their seats in January, they will officially be representing the new districts drawn in the 2021-22 redistricting cycle. These boundaries were drawn based on the results of the 2020 census to ensure that each district contains roughly the same number of people. On average, Minnesota state House districts now contain 42,586 people, state Senate districts contain 85,172 people, and each of Minnesota'...
Corey was standing a few feet from the sled run when she spoke — one hand on her hip, her other mittened hand trying to wisp away the strands of hair run renegade from under her cap. “Are you the announcer, or something?” She was 8. She often cut to the heart of matters with me, her nattering uncle — curt queries snapping her into adult demeanor, leaving me bemused and suddenly self-conscious. “I’m just trying to make this more exciting, like we did when I was a kid.” Corey only half-listened and then bellyflopped onto her plastic glide...
Last spring, after months of following Covid-19 guidelines, we completed a road trip to South Carolina. Many activities were outdoors or in buildings that required masks. No Covid symptoms upon our return. I flew to Florida for a week in May. Safe again. Maybe we were too careless, over-confident that the Covid pandemic had missed us. We relaxed our defenses. After a cautious return to attending church services, birthday parties and family gatherings — mask-free, hugs all around — life felt nor...
I'll be honest, I'm too young to have had Mister Rogers on my television growing up. Some of you may be in the same boat as me. Just because he is long gone from our screens, though, doesn't mean we have to forget the wisdom he passed along. In an age defined by division and discord, we would do well to heed one of his many lessons: that neighbors are not just the people you live next door to. I don't have to tell you that political division in our country has deepened in the last decade. I'm...
I want to thank the Pine Knot News for your strong commitment to the democratic process. Your coverage of events and candidates leading up to election day was thorough and unbiased. Your voter guide was the most informative publication on candidate positions I saw this season, from any news source. I appreciated that the questions for prospective candidates weren’t generic softballs but were timely and specific to the most important issues candidates will be dealing with if elected. From state senate to school board, you left no candidate u...
In civics classes, individuals are taught the separation of powers in government. However, separation of powers expands beyond the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches. Let’s explore other areas where there is separation of powers occurs. Remember, in Minnesota there are 87 county attorney offices that are staffed at various levels. The county attorney and law enforcement are part of the executive branch. With unique responsibilities, the county attorney prosecutes crimes based on the evidence collected and submitted by law e...
I’m not sure if even Fran Tarkenton could have consoled me as I hid in the closet. Of course, he was at that time on a plane returning from a Vikings loss in Washington. It was in the early evening on Nov. 30, 1975 — a gloomy, wet gloaming outside — and I still had chores to do. But I needed some time. I was incapable of doing anything just then, least of all my rotten watering and feeding job down in the barn. Offensive coordinator Jerry Burns said Tarkenton had the best performance he’d ever seen from a quarterback that day at RFK Stadium...
I don’t know about you, but I [wasn’t] inclined to make many predictions about the outcome of the midterm elections this year. There’s one prediction, though, that I think is safe: After the dust has cleared, Congress will be narrowly divided and President Biden will have to work hard to govern effectively. Whether he can do so will depend on plenty of different factors, but none will be more important than his relationship with members of both parties in Congress. To the extent that Ameri...
If you’ve been driving through Cromwell on Minnesota highways 210 or 73 these past few months, you’ll have seen the remarkable infrastructure redo taking place. The Minnesota Department of Transportation project to update storm sewers, redirect sewer and water mains, install city sidewalks and resurface the highway is nearing completion. Area residents and business owners are looking forward to direct access to commercial enterprises including the city’s Muni, post office, Northview Bank, medic...
I was born and raised in Carton County. Though I now live far away, I would like to be buried in the area where most of my family members are buried. However, most township cemeteries are open only to residents. And, many township cemeteries are nearly full, with little opportunity for expansion. Thus, I am pleased to learn that a green cemetery is being planned in the Blackhoof area. I do sympathize with those neighboring residents who feel uncomfortable about this project, but in the long run, it will be an asset to the community and the...
When Carlton County residents go to the polls on Tuesday, they will find one or more questions requiring a “yes” or “no” vote. All voters will see the simple “County Question” asking voters to weigh in on paying for the new Justice Center, estimated at $66 million. Know this, voters. The question isn’t asking whether or not to build the Justice Center — that’s a done deal. It’s been approved at multiple meetings, contracts have been let, lots of bonds have been sold. Rather, the question is how to pay for the $66 million project. A “yes” vo...
The Costume and Candy holiday is over and we’ve turned the calendar to November. Our thoughts naturally turn to deer hunting, furnace repair and gratitude. Some years ago, during a dark time in my mind, I read about the practice of gratitude. What did that mean, anyway — practicing gratitude? Isn’t gratitude simply knowing to say “thank you” at the culturally appropriate times? The book I was reading — I’ve forgotten what it was called, but I am grateful for its existence — suggested keeping a “gratitude journal.” There is nothing to buy or a...
