Mitchell crowned as Princess Altona as past royalty passes on crowns By Robert Williams Editor Reactions from the Event Center crowd and organizers combined Thursday, July 31, to remind pageant fans what they were missing in Vergas since 2019. While pageants for kids had continued, Miss Vergas 2019 Kaylee Baumgart had been designated Miss Vergas Forever with… Read More

Organizers need late push to complete construction this year By Robert Williams Editor The four Pickleball courts in Vergas were built by fundraising and the donations of both businesses and individuals. A new and much smaller fundraiser is currently underway with players and people who enjoy the courts being asked to pull most of the load… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor Regardless of who was mayor or on city council, there has been one axiom in governing Vergas that has been unanimously agreed upon. That being, when Clerk/Treasurer Julie Lammers takes a rare vacation, or is out sick, most city government operations come to a halt. Due to that being true, the council… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor Smokie Abrahamson, a three-year-old Dachsund, outran 82 other wieners en route to his first racing championship in Vergas in his third attempt.  Despite making the trip from up north, Smokie is a Vergas native. His owners Thain and Katie Abrahamson found Smokie at Skal three years ago during Looney Days and they have… Read More

Skoyles announced as Thomas Winters’ replacement By Robert Williams Editor The law firm of Ramstad, Skoyles & Bakken will remain the legal representatives for the City of Vergas after former firm member and City Attorney Thomas Winters announced he was venturing out and opening his own firm. Karen Skoyles will take over duties in Vergas. The firm announced… Read More

A Frazee man has died following a single-vehicle crash four miles east of Reva, South Dakota on Friday, July 25. According to preliminary reports, Brian Keith Huber, 58, was driving a 2017 Ford F150 while pulling an enclosed trailer south on South Dakota Highway 79 around 6:37 a.m. The vehicle crossed the center line and entered the… Read More

The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) voted on July 18, 2025, to recommend funding for 109 proposals totaling approximately $103 million to the Minnesota Legislature. The agreement is the result of a competitive, multi-stage process for recommending spending from the Minnesota Lottery-supported Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). LCCMR co-chairs Sen. Foung Hawj, Rep…. Read More

United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties and United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties have officially merged and will now operate as Lakes and Prairie United Way. This new identity reflects the organization’s expanded reach and unified commitment to serve a five-county region in Minnesota, including Douglas, Otter Tail, Pope, Todd and Wadena counties. “This… Read More

Minnesotans are invited to celebrate the bounty of the harvest season during Farmers’ Market Week, taking place August 3 – 9. This annual celebration highlights the vital role farmers’ markets play in strengthening local economies, supporting small and emerging farmers, and expanding access to fresh, locally grown food. With fun events, programming, contests, and activities, the… Read More

Photos by Robert Williams Above: Downtown Vergas was a sea of customers Saturday with options galore as the popular Looney Days festival attracted 90 street vendors. Right: Dog owners in charge of catching at the finish line brought all kinds of enticing items to get their wiener across the line first from squeaker and favorite toys… Read More