The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle baseball team takes on the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs in the second round of the NSIC Tournamentin Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at Noon today. It is a loser-out gamewith the winner playing again at 7:00 p.m. UMC is 23-38 on the year while UMD is 25-26 on the year. The teams played three times during the regular season with Duluth winning two games 3-2 and 7-6. UMC won the third game of the series 15-7.
There is no higher compliment at RiverView Health than one from a patient or a patient’sfamily member. Recently, Brenda Ranum, Patient Access coordinator in Admitting, was praised by a patient’s family member for exceptional service. Her co-workers also recognized her for going above and beyond in her daily work. All of those shout-outs make Brenda RiverView’s Employee of the Month for February.
The family member called to thank the many individuals who saved his loved one’s life and specifically acknowledged Brenda for her compassion and patience during an extremely difficult time. Brenda exemplifies how every team member at RiverView makes a difference in the lives of patients and their families and the organization’s mission to provide exceptional care.
“I enjoy my job, love interacting with patients and co-workers,” she shared. “I am very much a people person and enjoy when I can make somebody’s experience a little brighter. It has been a wonderful experience working at RiverView. I feel that the staff is encouraging and friendly. I am very appreciative to be a part of the RiverView family.”
A Crookston-area native, Brenda has worked at RiverView for three years. In her free time, she enjoys all summer outdoor activities with her son and spending time working in her yard.
The Crookston Pirate Softball team committed six errors and the Sacred Heart Eagles held on to win 11-9 in a game played in East Grand Forks.
FIRST INNING- The first two Crookston batters flew out before Rilynn Aubol singled and Kambelle Freije blasted a shot over the left field fence for a two-run home run for a 2-0 lead. Sacred Heart’s Anderson walked before the next batter hit into a double play. Pulkrabek walked, Effhauser singled and Modeen reached on an error that allowed a run to score. The next batter struck out and Crookston had a 2-1 lead after one inning.
SECOND INNING- Crookston’s Peyton Demarais led off the inning with a double and Shyuh Burnette singled to score a run for a 3-1. Brylee Lessard reached on an error and after a strikeout, Bowman reached on a fielder’s choice to score a run for a 4-1 lead. Sacred Heart’s Holthaus reached on an error, Leah Sundby also reached on an error that allowed a run to score. A run scored on a wild pitch. After a ground out, another run scored on another Crookston error. Pulkrabek singled to tie the game at 4-4. Effhauser, Modeen, and Izzy Cwikla singled to drive in two more runs for a 6-4 lead. Mueller singled and knocked in two runs for an 8-4 lead.
THIRD INNING – Crookston was retired in 1-2-3 fashion with two groundouts and one strikeout. Sacred Heart’s first two batters were retired before Weiss reached on an error. The next batter grounded out and the inning was over.
FOURTH INNING- Crookston’s Demarais led off the inning by reaching on an error. The next two batters were retired. Leiah Parkin singled to score a run to get within an 8-5 deficit. Sacred Heart was retired in 1-2-3 fashion with a line out and two ground outs.
FIFTH INNING- Madi Bruggeman started the inning for Crookston with a single. The next three batters were retired. Sacred Heart’s Mueller led off with a single, stole second, and advanced to third on a passed ball. Mueller scored on a ground out to give the Eagles a 9-5 lead.
SIXTH INNING- Crookston’s Demarais got things going again when she led off the inning getting hit by a pitch. After a fielder’s choice got the out at second base, Lessard singled and a run scored when Burnette reached on an error. Another Pirate run scored on another Eagle error to get within a 9-7 deficit. The Pirates added another run on a passed ball to get within a 9-8 deficit. Sacred Heart’s Weiss started the inning by getting hit by a pitch. A run scored on an error. After a pair of ground outs, another run scored to give the Eagles a 11-9 lead.
SEVENTH INNING- Crookston’s Freije singled with one out. After a strikeout, Demarais tripled to score a run and Crookston trailed 11-9. The next batter grounded out and the game was over as Sacred Heart won 11-9.
Crookston drops to 4-11 on the year. Sacred Heart improves to 8-3 on the year.
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OFFENSIVE LEADERS –
Crookston – Kambelle Freije – 2 for 4, 2 rbi, 2 runs, home run Payton Demarais – 2 for 4, rbi
Sacred Heart – Mueller – 2 for 3, 2 rbi, run Bella Effhauser – 2 for 4, run
The University of Minnesota Crookston trap team moved to third in the USA College Clay Target League 1A Conference 6 standings. The Golden Eagles had a score of 503.00 and have 2,318 points. They are just 30 points behind Alfred State College in second. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is in first with 2,751.50 points.
Sydney Huwe (Sr., Carver), Heather Kaup (Sr., Forest Lake), and Lucas Wavra (Fr., East Grand Forks) all connected on 25-straight in week four. Kaup is third among all females in the USA College Clay Target League with an average of 23.63. Jayden Bergerson (Jr., Gully), and Ethan Benedict (Jr., Maple Grove) each rank in a tie for ninth among male shooters in the conference with an average of 23.00. Kaup is second in the conference for female shooters. Gracie Lunsetter (Sr., Gatzke), and Huwe are tied for sixth with a 22.38 average. Ellen Payne (Sr., St. Louis Park) is in eighth with an average of 22.25, while Rebecca Morstad (Fr., Cavalier, N.D.) is tied for ninth with a 21.88 average.
Kaup and Wavra paced the Golden Eagles in week four by hitting 49-of-50 targets. Morstad and Bergerson had great weeks, connecting on 48-of-50. Huwe went 46-of-50 for the Golden Eagles. Lunsetter, and Braxton Qual (So., Mahnomen) hit 45-of-50 targets. Allison Jepson (So., Frazee), Payne, and Kara Wold (So., Belgrade) went 44-of-50. Eli Devore (Fr., Park Rapids,), Ian Larson (Fr.), Kallen Littler (Fr., Bemidji), Mackenzie Ondrush (So., Climax), and Louis Siegel (Jr., Anoka) all connected on 43-of-50. Benedict, Collin Schlomann (Sr., Lake Lillian), and Codey Wolff (Jr., Wadena) went 42-of-50. Hunter Pierson (Jr., Saint Hilaire) hit 41-of-50 targets, while Nathaniel Siemieniewski (Sr., Climax) went 40-of-50.
The Golden Eagles already shot their round for week five, but results will be released at the conclusion of the week.
The Crookston Pirate Boys Tennis team won three singles matches, but Moorhead won fourth singles and swept the doubles matches to win the match 4-3 at the Crookston High School Tennis courts.
Crookston won three of the four singles matches. Reggie Winjum improved from the first time he played Elliot Lien. Reggie won in three sets the first time they played, but this time Reggie won the first set 6-3. The second set was tight, but he won the set 7-5 to win the match. Grant Funk won the second singles match in impressive fashion with a 6-3, 6-4 victory. The third singles match was the only match that went three sets. Gunner Groven lost the first set 6-1. He bounced back to win the second set 6-2. In the third set, it was a back-and-forth battle with Groven outlasting his opponent for an 11-9 victory to win the match. Moorhead won the fourth singles match. The Spuds used a different lineup and it paid off because the Spuds won all three doubles matches again. All three victories were in straight sets and the won the dual 4-3, avenging a 4-3 loss last week.
On Wednesday, May 7 at approximately 6:20 PM, a Grand Forks Police Department (GFPD) officer observed a vehicle driving eastbound on Demers Ave. at a dangerously high rate of speed. The officer activated his emergency lights and siren while attempting to catch up to the vehicle, however the vehicle continued eastbound on Demers Ave. through the intersection with S. Washington Street. The vehicle, a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, turned eastbound on 7th Ave. S. through residential neighborhoods with officers in pursuit.
The pursuit continued with the suspect making his way to Lincoln Park, where officers attempted to use spike strips to stop the vehicle, though it was not successful. The suspect vehicle continued through Lincoln Park and back out into the residential areas again, with officers then attempting a PIT maneuver to end the pursuit. The PIT maneuver was also not successful. The pursuit continued northbound on Cherry St., where another PIT maneuver was attempted, and the suspect vehicle was stopped in the 400 block of 1st Ave. S. Officers then performed a high-risk traffic stop on the individuals inside of the vehicle and detained three subjects.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as 22-year-old Martin Romo of North Carolina. He was arrested and charged with reckless driving, reckless endangerment, fleeing in a motor vehicle, and attempted assault on a law enforcement officer. The passengers of the vehicle were released from custody without charges. No injuries were reported during this incident.
The Grand Forks Police Department would like to thank the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance during this incident.
Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the incident is encouraged to contact the Grand Forks Police Department.
The University of Minnesota Crookston equestrian team wrapped up the 2025-26 season with two student-athletes competing at the 2025 IHSA National Championships at Tryon International in Mill Spring, N.C.
Hailey Hanson (Fr., Inver Grove Heights) competed in Individual Open Horsemanship on Friday, May 2 and finished in 10th place. In order to qualify for Nationals, the Golden Eagle riders had to finish in the top two at the IHSA Regional Championships, and in the top four of their division at Semifinals. Hailey rode “Boston” provided by the University of Findlay.
Madison Wojcek (So., Bremerton, Wash.) had the opportunity to compete in the Back on Track Hi-Point Rider phase at the IHSA Nationals. Wojcek competed in both a Horsemanship and Reining phase of the competition. She had the opportunity to take part in the Back on Track competition after winning the High Point Rider award for her region. She accomplished this by amassing the most points as an Open rider in the region during the regular season. Wojcek then competed in the Back on Track competition at IHSA Semifinals, where they had to be in the top five in order to advance to IHSA Nationals.
Wojcek competed at IHSA Nationals against the top five riders from each of the three sections, making it a 15-person field. She placed ninth overall after riding “Archie” in the Horsemanship phase, provided by Black Hawk College, and “Venus” in Reining, provided by the University of Findlay.
The University of Minnesota Crookston athletics department and volleyball program announced the hiring of Mikia Kriener as the top assistant coach for the Golden Eagles.
Kriener, who played volleyball at Augustana University, will be the lead assistant under head coach Nick Meseck, who heads into his fourth season at the helm of the Golden Eagles and fifth overall at Minnesota Crookston.
Kriener will transition to the bench for the maroon and gold, following a stellar collegiate career as a Viking. As a senior in 2023, Kriener totaled 407 points, 44 blocks and finished with a career-high 380 kills on the year, including a double-double against Minnesota Crookston, finishing with 18 kills and 10 digs in the match. Kriener was named to the All-NSIC First Team and was also a CSC Academic All-District honor.
In her five year career as a Viking, Kriener was named to the NSIC Fall Academic Team of Excellence in four straight seasons.
Head coach Nick Meseck is thrilled to add the pedigree of Kriener to his staff. “We are extremely excited to add Mikia Kriener to our coaching staff. Mikia brings a high level of playing experience from playing at Augustana University where she was NSIC First Team All-Conference,” Meseck said. “She has a great coaching foundation from the Kairos Volleyball club, an exceptional ability to connect with players, and will serve as a tremendous role model for the team. We couldn’t be happier to have Mikia join our Golden Eagle family!”
Kriener, a native of Okoboji, Iowa, is equally as excited to transition to the bench and bring her volleyball IQ and playing pedigree to the Golden Eagle volleyball program. “I am excited to be joining the Golden Eagle volleyball program,” mentioned Kriener. “As a former NSIC player, I know how competitive and challenging the conference can be and I can’t wait to be back. I am looking forward to working with the athletes and to continue to build the program.”
The Golden Eagles are coming off of a season where they won seven matches, the most they’ve had since 2017, when they also won seven matches. Their four NSIC wins were the most they’ve had since 2022.
The Golden Eagles have a number of returners that contributed to last year’s squad that should make an impact this season. Madison Carsten (Jr., OH, Wadena), Kailee Waasdorp (Jr., DS, West Fargo, N.D.), Emma Malek (Jr., MH/RS, Plainfield, Ill.) and Megan Schoenfelder (Jr., MH, Zumbrota) are all juniors, having combined to play in more than 100 matches in their career. Sophomore’s Lexi Scharold (So., MH, Alexandria, Kent.) and Carizma Muth (So., OH, Randolph, Wis.) are offensive contributors that are back for their second season.
Motown music legend Smokey Robinson broke his silence following a civil lawsuit filed by four former employees who have accused him of sexual misconduct. Speaking briefly to the Daily Mail by phone on Wednesday, May 7, Robinson, 85, expressed his shock over the accusations: “I’m in disbelief … I can’t comment on this right now.”
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 6, alleges a series of serious offenses against Robinson, including sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender-based violence, and the creation of a hostile work environment. The claims come from four women, identified as Jane Does, who say they worked for Robinson and his wife, Frances Glandney, over nearly two decades. Glandney, whom Robinson married in 2002, is also named as a defendant, with claims that she was aware of Robinson’s past behavior and failed to take action, even after reportedly settling prior cases involving similar accusations. All four plaintiffs, who were employed as housekeepers, also allege they were denied proper wages and overtime compensation.
According to the filing, Jane Doe 1 worked for the couple from January 2023 until she left in February 2024; during that time, she claims Robinson assaulted her on at least seven occasions. Jane Doe 2 was employed between May 2014 and February 2020; she claims Robinson sexually assaulted her 23 times. Jane Doe 3 worked as a housekeeper for Robinson from February 2012 through April 2024; with claims she endured at least 20 rapes during her employment. Jane Doe 4 says she began working for the couple in October 2006 and resigned in April 2024; serving as a housekeeper, cook, hairstylist, and personal assistant to Glandney. The lawsuit states that in 2007, Robinson sexually assaulted her, and those assaults continued until her resignation.
The women stated in the complaint they chose not to come forward sooner out of fear of losing their jobs, and also due to concerns about retaliation. They are jointly seeking a minimum of $50 million in damages for the physical, emotional, and psychological harm they claim to have suffered.
Attorney John Harris said during a press conference Robinson’s alleged actions were “despicable and reprehensible misconduct. These courageous four women have collectively decided to come forward and share their experiences of being sexually assaulted by Mr. Smokey Robinson and stand up for their rights as well as the rights of other women, particularly those that may be victimized by him in the future.”
Robinson’s attorney Christopher Frost said the complaint as “an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon,” adding that his team would be “addressing the numerous aspects of the complaint that defy credulity as well as issues relating to purported timelines, inconsistencies, and relationships between the plaintiffs and others.”
Frost — who is also representing Glandney — said Robinson will “respond in his own words” in time, and “we ask anyone following this case to reserve judgment as the evidence comes to light and all the actual facts of the case unfold We will be asking the Court to dismiss the lawsuit. We will also be asking the Court to address that in their statements to the press about Mr. Robinson, the plaintiff’s attorneys have reached beyond the bounds of liberties that even lawyers are typically allowed in this context.”
Motown music legend Smokey Robinson broke his silence following a civil lawsuit filed by four former employees who have accused him of sexual misconduct. Speaking briefly to the Daily Mail by phone on Wednesday, May 7, Robinson, 85, expressed his shock over the accusations: “I’m in disbelief … I can’t comment on this right now.”
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 6, alleges a series of serious offenses against Robinson, including sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender-based violence, and the creation of a hostile work environment. The claims come from four women, identified as Jane Does, who say they worked for Robinson and his wife, Frances Glandney, over nearly two decades. Glandney, whom Robinson married in 2002, is also named as a defendant, with claims that she was aware of Robinson’s past behavior and failed to take action, even after reportedly settling prior cases involving similar accusations. All four plaintiffs, who were employed as housekeepers, also allege they were denied proper wages and overtime compensation.
According to the filing, Jane Doe 1 worked for the couple from January 2023 until she left in February 2024; during that time, she claims Robinson assaulted her on at least seven occasions. Jane Doe 2 was employed between May 2014 and February 2020; she claims Robinson sexually assaulted her 23 times. Jane Doe 3 worked as a housekeeper for Robinson from February 2012 through April 2024; with claims she endured at least 20 rapes during her employment. Jane Doe 4 says she began working for the couple in October 2006 and resigned in April 2024; serving as a housekeeper, cook, hairstylist, and personal assistant to Glandney. The lawsuit states that in 2007, Robinson sexually assaulted her, and those assaults continued until her resignation.
The women stated in the complaint they chose not to come forward sooner out of fear of losing their jobs, and also due to concerns about retaliation. They are jointly seeking a minimum of $50 million in damages for the physical, emotional, and psychological harm they claim to have suffered.
Attorney John Harris said during a press conference Robinson’s alleged actions were “despicable and reprehensible misconduct. These courageous four women have collectively decided to come forward and share their experiences of being sexually assaulted by Mr. Smokey Robinson and stand up for their rights as well as the rights of other women, particularly those that may be victimized by him in the future.”
Robinson’s attorney Christopher Frost said the complaint as “an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon,” adding that his team would be “addressing the numerous aspects of the complaint that defy credulity as well as issues relating to purported timelines, inconsistencies, and relationships between the plaintiffs and others.”
Frost — who is also representing Glandney — said Robinson will “respond in his own words” in time, and “we ask anyone following this case to reserve judgment as the evidence comes to light and all the actual facts of the case unfold We will be asking the Court to dismiss the lawsuit. We will also be asking the Court to address that in their statements to the press about Mr. Robinson, the plaintiff’s attorneys have reached beyond the bounds of liberties that even lawyers are typically allowed in this context.”
