OUR NEIGHBORS

Mr. Thudin is retiring

Staff, students and parents at Washington School will host a retirement open house for Principal Randy Thudin from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, May 16 in the Washington School media center (aka library).

By Jana Peterson , May 10, 2012

Learning life lessons through lacrosse

Local man is honored in D.C. for camp that teaches fitness, healthy choices

By Jana Peterson , April 09, 2012

Rural Carlton couple has a heart for healing

Doug and Roxanne Sharratt believe in second chances.

By Wendy Johnson , March 22, 2012

What will Dena Rothman paint next?

Wrenshall's Dena Rothman has left a trail of art behind her in her five decades, much of it in numerous bars and restaurants across the Northland.

By Jana Peterson , March 09, 2012

Kris Rhodes finds her calling in public health

Cloquet native Kristine Rhodes was on the fast track to becoming a family practice doctor when she discovered something that turned her world around.

By Wendy Johnson , February 17, 2012

Barnum’s Lori Lind found her calling during the worst year of her life

"When we send them a package, it’s not what’s inside, it’s the fact that it comes from their community, that their community remembers that soldier who’s gone … It just tells them that their community appreciates them, what they’re doing." ~ Lori Lind

By Jana Peterson , January 24, 2012

Moose Lake Police Chief Bryce Bogenholm comes home again

Moose Lake Police Chief Bryce Bogenholm is part law enforcement officer, part public relations director, part fund raiser and part office support staff.

By Wendy Johnson , January 08, 2012

Spiess finds vocation, healing working in mental health field

It’s Tuesday night and Ginger Spiess can’t stop smiling when she talks about the upcoming holiday party at the Outreach Center. It’s the community’s response that makes her so happy.

By Jana Peterson , January 03, 2012

Kettle River man breathes new life into old barn

Today, the 89-year-old Kaspszak barn just outside Kettle Riverbarn still stands – with a new lease on life - thanks to the amazing restoration efforts of third-generation owner Harry Kaspszak.

By Wendy Johnson , December 11, 2011

Turner looks for the 'teachable moments'

Keith Turner is the head football coach, athletic director and Director of Student Preparedness at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. “The one phrase we always go back to is that a mistake is a teachable moment," he said. "Are we going to let it slip away, or get those kids the right information?”

By Jeff Papas , December 01, 2011

Cloquet native studies ‘coming of age’

When Dr. Nathan LeBrasseur was a student at Cloquet High School, he was interested in both medicine and law – but he wasn’t certain just where he was headed with either. “I think if anyone had asked me when I was 17 what I was going to do with my life, I probably wouldn’t have had the answer back then. I would have been pulling at straws,” he admitted. “But things just kind of worked out. During my life I have been fortunate to have good mentors, but I’ve also sought out good mentors and that’s been fundamental to my success.”

By Wendy Johnson , November 14, 2011

A year on the job made Miss Cloquet love her hometown even more

The remarkably together college freshman Laura Bakken looks back on a year of being Miss Cloquet and what she learned (and enjoyed the most).

By Jana Peterson , October 29, 2011

Cloquet man takes flight of honor

When last week’s Honor Flight Northland was flying over Cleveland on the way to Washington, D.C., “mail call” was held on the plane. The 98 veterans on board all received packets of letters containing thanks and congratulations from school children as well as from their own family members.

By Wendy Johnson , October 15, 2011

Blackhoof couple honored for making the world a safer place

Mike Neault knows it’s his name on the plaque recognizing him as Minnesota’s 2010 Firearms Safety Instructor of the Year. But he thinks someone else’s name should be on it, too. His wife’s.

By Jana Peterson , October 01, 2011

Mackenzie Carlson dives into new worlds

Esko High School junior Mackenzie Carlson spent five weeks in paradise this summer – and worked harder than she’s ever worked before. Carlson spent a summer school term at The Island School in Cape Eleuthera, Bahamas, an educational program that fully immerses high school students in a sustainable environment where they work with visiting researchers and learn to apply the knowledge they gain to solve real world problems.

By Wendy Johnson , September 16, 2011