Quilts of Valor awarded to 15 local veterans By Robert Williams Editor United States Marine veteran Allyn Stoltz stole the show at the annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner and Quilts of Valor ceremony held at the Frazee Event Center Wednesday, Nov. 19.   ¶  After being awarded the first Quilt of Valor of the night, Stoltz grabbed… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor Preliminary talks have begun to determine what will happen to available space at M State Detroit Lakes if dropping enrollment numbers do not make a quick turnaround in the next two years. Becker County Administrator Carrie Smith met with officials at M State to discuss future planning due to a significant drop in… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor Members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Frazee have begun a program to use meals as a way to get closer to members of the congregation and share their cooking talents as a way to help people. The “Love Kitchen” is a program that provides meals for pick-up to bring to someone who is… Read More

West Lake Street to be reconstructed By Robert Williams Editor A local sales tax is being considered to fund the proposed $1.2 million Vergas Park Improvement Master Plan for Long Lake Park, which includes upgrades to playgrounds, trails, a restroom facility, and accessibility features within the city’s primary park and recreation area. The council passed a resolution… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor Public Health Director Jody Lien announced changes to the Prairie Lakes Community Health Board (CHB) Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) at the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Nov. 18. Proxy language was found within the agreement that was removed due to legality issues after conferring with Michelle Eldien,… Read More

The Becker County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a drive-by shooting on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at approximately 6:09 p.m. No injuries were reported.  The incident occurred near the intersection of State Highway 34 and County Highway 39, approximately one mile west of Snellman in Shell Lake Township—later identified as the family farm of activist Winona LaDuke…. Read More

Sheriffs advise stay off local lakes Two teenagers, ages 13 and 14, were rescued after falling through the ice on Straight Lake in Osage Wednesday, Nov. 18. The Becker County Sheriff’s Office received a report of two juvenile males that had fallen through the ice on Straight Lake at 2:51 p.m. Emergency personnel from the Becker County… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher Vergas will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland on Saturday afternoon as the community gears up for its annual Small Town Christmas.  The annual Small Town Christmas celebration will be held in downtown Vergas from 2-5:30 p.m. and feature everything from a Live Nativity to fire pits on Main Street that will provide… Read More

Miss Megan Melander’s Discovery Zone completed a 1,000-hours outside challenge reaching their yearlong goal with six weeks to spare.  As of Monday, Nov. 17, Megan and her 13 very young daycare kids have spent 1,000 hours playing outside. This is a tough goal for most to meet, especially in Minnesota.  Megan is with her daycare kids only… Read More

Residents had the opportunity to connect with county leaders and staff during Otter Tail County’s Community Open House on Nov. 17 at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls. The event provided a casual, informative setting for residents to learn about county initiatives, ask questions, and share ideas. County departments highlighted ongoing projects and services. County… Read More