The checkpoint is used to provide extra security to the coin, this uses an external checkpoint server, when the dev abandoned this coin that stopped being updated which is why you get that error.
It will still work, but it means we have lost one extra layer of security for the coin.
I'm assuming a new checkpoint server is part of the plan if this coin is going to be saved.
That's TBD.
Checkpoints AFAIK are both a security feature and security flaw as they're meant to protect against POS attacks, but they're also a security flaw because they're centralised (think about setting complex unique passwords for every mining pool, exchange, forum, email supplier etc..... then having them all saved in a txt file in 'My Documents' as 'passwords.txt' and printed out and left on your computer desk).
I would expect we'll keep the checkpoint feature for a while until the coins are further distributed and then remove it when the coin's mature enough.