Hanson family, first responders, share moment with commissioners 

Contributed photo
Otto Hanson, his father Joe, mother Dawn, and sister Keela were in attendance Tuesday, May 19, at a ceremony of recognition for the family, County Commissioners, and first responders in saving Otto’s life after a cardiac arrest. See the April 14 print edition of the Frazee-Vergas Forum or visit our website frazeeforum.com for the full feature. Pictured: Front row: Dawn Hanson, Joe Hanson, Otto Hanson, Keela Hanson. Middle row: Public safety communication officers Taylor Hillukka and Elizabeth Schoon, Sgt. Ryan Aho, Communications Supervisor Jacob Karasch, Deputy Blake Olson, Sgt. Andrew Bachmann, Deputy Adam Winter, Deputy Ethan Wothe, Deputy Derek Hanson. Back row: County Commissioners Barry Nelson, Phil Hansen, David Meyer, Chair Erica Jepson, Richard Vareberg.

By Robert Williams

Editor

On March 19, 2026, the Becker County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call no parent ever wants to make. Otto Hanson, a 10‑year‑old boy found unresponsive and not breathing. Thanks to the calm guidance from the dispatch center, the quick actions of Dawn Hanson and her daughter Keela, and the incredible teamwork of deputies, Carsonville Fire & Rescue, Essentia–St. Mary’s EMS, and Lifelink III, CPR and an automated external defibrillator brought his heartbeat back. 

Otto was airlifted for critical care, and because of these combined efforts, he was given a fighting chance and he survived.

“We are extremely proud of everyone involved,” the Becker County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post. “Their courage, skill, and refusal to give up truly saved a life.”

County commissioners commended everyone involved with a moment of recognition during the latest meeting of the board on Tuesday, May 19.

“Everything had to line up just right for it to happen,” Otto’s mother Dawn Hanson said in an April feature interview with the Forum.

“I commend everyone involved in this incident,” Becker County Sheriff Todd Glander said. “Without their quick actions and response the result could have been much more tragic.”

Appointments

Commissioners approved a reappointment of Rick Michaelson to the Board of Managers of the Pelican River Watershed District.

Michaelson currently serves as the President of the Board and his term was up at the end of May.

“Our board has gone through quite a bit of change in the last couple of years, most notably with a complete review of our rules,” Michaelson said in a written statement to commissioners. “Presently, we will begin another phase of change due to the retirement of our Administrator, Tera Guetter. I believe I can be of help to our board to guide us through this process.”

Administrative Assistant Shanna Bach was appointed to the position of temporary administrator, according to Michaelson.

The Pelican River Watershed District is led by a seven-member Board of Managers that guides the implementation of the goals and objectives set forth in the Otter Tail Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan.  Board Managers are appointed by the Becker County Commissioners and each manager represents a distinct geographical area within the district. Managers serve a 3-year term and can be re-appointed to serve additional terms.

The district’s three full-time employees include the administrator, who oversees daily operations; the water resource coordinator, who assists with project permitting, monitoring, and education/outreach programs; and the office coordinator, who manages payroll, bookkeeping, education/outreach, and assists with day-to-day operations

Vice President Laurie Olson and Secretary Chris Jasken also had expiring terms in May and were reappointed Tuesday.

“We are going through some big changes; I’m excited to see where we’re going to go in the future,” said Olson.

The most recent large project led by the Board was the The Buck’s Mill Dam modification project.

WE Fest

The annual review of the conditional use permit for We Fest was completed.

“No big changes this year,” said Economic Development Specialist Cody Piper. 

Commissioners approved with the conditions that WE Fest enter into the usual contracts with the County Sheriff’s Office, the  Highway Department, MnDOT, State Patrol and the DL Fire Department prior to the event operating.