5 years ago

Frazee-Vergas Forum

July 7, 2020

Sophia Strand was presented a national award for her community service, a journey she began several years ago. The 13-year-old received The Prudential Spirit of Community Award on June 4. She explained that typically the award is presented in front of the student body at one’s school before the spring semester concludes, but the pandemic made the affair a private one.

The Frazee Economic Development Authority agreed it was time to focus on marketing the retail spaces that will be available in a downtown building that is being planned for construction. During the regular monthly meeting on Thursday, June 30, the EDA heard there is one tenant (Seip Drug), signed on for the proposed 8,000-square-foot building. However, lenders prefer to have a half of the building rented, or with other commitments, said Frazee City Administrator Denise Anderson.

Paul Lakin was recently named the new commander of the Frazee-Vergas VFW. After taking minutes and notes from meetings the past year, Lakin was nominated for the leadership position. He accepted the nomination of the position with the stipulation that the previous commander, Darby Nundahl, and other longtime leaders in the club remain active to provide their experience, knowledge and insight.

25 years ago

Frazee Forum

July 6, 2000

A 26-year-old Menahga man died after his car rolled into the Otter Tail River Friday near Frazee. Killed in the accident was Troy Allen Kimball, who was driving a 1987 Dodge Shadow and wearing a seat belt. Kimball was traveling westbound when his vehicle went off the roadway, hit the bridge, rolled into the river and came to rest on its top, the State Patrol said. The vehicle was discovered by Russell Vikesland, who lives near the accident site, said Frazee City Clerk Teri Osterman. At 1:45 p.m., rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene, located at the box culvert on Highway 87 in Frazee. Preliminary investigation showed the accident could have occurred much earlier in the day.

An estimated 2,500 people know how to swim, thanks to the efforts of Nancy Jacobson. Jacobson of rural Frazee is beginning her 29th year as Red Cross certified water safety instructor (WSI). She’s the longest WSI serving in Becker or Otter Tail counties. She’s taught in Pickerel, Star, Tenter and Otter Tail lakes, but lately, she’s concentrated her efforts at Long Lake in Vergas. Assisted by her daughter, Ashley Savary, she’ll be giving lessons there this year from July 10-21.


50 years ago

Frazee Forum

July 10, 1975

A 37-year-old Bismarck, N.D. man, Burton L. Niemi, was killed early Sunday morning in a collision involving a car and a farm tractor pulling a trailer. The accident happened about 1:30 a.m. on Minnesota Highway 34 east of Detroit Lakes. Niemi was a passenger in a car driven by David Mai, 22, also of Bismarck, which ran into the rear of the farm machine driven by David Wendt, 14, of rural Detroit Lakes. Following the first collision, another car driven by Scott Fiegum, 20, of Fargo, slid sideways into the trailer. All three vehicle were traveling west on the highway. Mai was injured and taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes where he was reported in good condition Sunday evening. Neither Wendt nor Fiegum were injured in the mishap.

Mr. Orville C. Johnson has been appointed Assistant District Engineer Construction for Minnesota Highway Department District 4 at Detroit Lakes. The appointment was effective June 25, 1975.