The Bemidji Pioneer · Grand Rapids, MN
GRAND RAPIDS — After winning a section title last week against Blackduck, the Clearbrook-Gonvick High School football team faced its toughest test yet in the 9-player state quarterfinal: undefeated Cromwell-Wright. The Cardinals were the No. 2 seed in the North, but Clearbrook-Gonvick could smell an upset. The Bears kept the game within reach, but in the end, the Cardinals walked away with a 24-20 victory on Thursday night in Grand Rapids. C-W didn't have a successful 2-point conversion all night, but it scored just enough touchdowns to hold off the Bears. After falling down 6-0 in the first quarter, the Bears responded with a 7-yard touchdown by Avery Ostenaa. He was the star of the Section 6 Championship last week, scoring five touchdowns. C-G took its first lead of the night thanks to a 23-yard touchdown run by Ostenaa, who also punched in a 2-point conversion to go ahead 14-6. C-W tacked on a pair of touchdowns — one in the second quarter and one in the third.
Duluth News Tribune · Jacobson, MN
Nearby: Jacobson, MNDULUTH — Holiday cheer filled the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center during the 38th annual Festival of Trees. The two-day arts, crafts, and gift show serves as a fundraiser for the Junior League of Duluth. Opening Saturday, the event featured over 170 vendors. Attendees also had the opportunity to visit with Santa Claus, including 10-month-old Emily Lou Tuncel of Jacobson, Minnesota. “Yep, first time meeting Santa,” said Alexandra Tuncel, Emily Lou’s mother. “This will be her second Christmas because she was born Dec. 23.” Emily Lou even had a new hat from one of the vendors for the occasion. Among the featured vendors was Shari Smith of Marquette, Michigan, owner of Shari’s Crafty Creations, which showcases handcrafted snowmen and animal figures. Smith has already seen actual snow this fall. “We drove through some on the way here,” said Smith. For attendees like Kristi Hanson of Esko and Shelley Michalicek of Duluth, visiting the festival has been an on-and-off tradition.
Duluth News Tribune · Eveleth, MN
Nearby: Eveleth, MNHOYT LAKES — After an extensive rescue effort, an Eveleth man was in critical condition after falling from a tree stand while hunting, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said. The incident happened Friday. According to the sheriff's office, at approximately 8:08 p.m., deputies responded to a call of an overdue hunter near Whiteface Reservoir Road in unorganized Township 56-14. A 74-year-old man from Eveleth went out hunting around 8:30 a.m., but as of Friday afternoon, had not checked in with family members. The sheriff’s office asked for help from the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, which used multiple personnel and special equipment. Just after 10 p.m., the man was located by a rescue squad drone in a heavily-wooded area, approximately a mile from Whiteface Reservoir Road. When responders arrived, the man was semi-conscious, severely hypothermic and had visible injuries to his abdomen, the sheriff’s office said.