By Lois E. Johnson

Moose Lake Star Gazette

The Arrowhead Leader has ceased publication of its weekly newspaper after more than 30 years of serving Moose Lake.

The Arrowhead Leader was created by Ruth Hanson in 1982, who had been a longtime editor of the Star Gazette. Her position had been terminated at the Star Gazette by a new owner from out of state.

Shortly after the fledgling business was up and running, Ruth was joined by her son, Robert “Skip” Hanson in the business, and the mother and son duo published the newspaper together, with the help of their staff, until her death in 1993.

Skip had a severe injury from a fall in 1992 and became a quadriplegic. He spent the next 10 years in a wheelchair, and with the help of his father, Carl, continued to spend each day at the office and continue publishing the weekly editions, along with the help of his staff.

The newspaper was owned in cooperation with other family members, who carried on the business after the death of Skip, as was Carl’s wish.

The family continued ownership in the newspaper after Carl’s death several years ago.

Denise Blake, who had been the office manager for several years, purchased the business in January 2012, and moved the office next door to the former H.E.A.T. Inc. building in March.

Over the months increasing costs and declining revenue forced Blake to make a decision about the future of the Arrowhead Leader late in October.

In a letter dated Nov. 1, she wrote about the difficult decision that had to be made and her regret about having to cease the publication of the weekly publication. She thanked everyone for their business and support.

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