By Robert Williams Editor ommissioner Phil Hansen reported some progress on the improvements needed on the Heartland Trail running from the County Road 10 bridge to Frazee at the Becker County Commissioners meeting Tuesday morning.  “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will not accept that trail because it’s sloped just a little bit off,”… Read More

The next time you arrive at Wannigan, something new may be waiting to welcome you. Andie Hetland is entering the final stretch toward earning the rank of Eagle Scout, and he has chosen Wannigan Regional Park for his Eagle Scout Service Project. In partnership with the North Country Trail Association, Andie is working to construct… Read More

Do you use bicycles or similar modes of transportation, or would you like to use them more often? The Minnesota Department of Transportation would like to hear from you. MnDOT recently opened a public comment period for its draft Statewide Bicycle+ System Plan. The public comment period closes on Friday, Oct. 23. Once final, the… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor Hawley residents Darlene and Jeffrey Hanson, applicants for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to operate a wedding venue and event center at Whiskey Creek in Richwood Township, spoke to the Becker County Board of Commissioners Tuesday, Oct. 6, after appearing before the Planning and Zoning committee on Sept. 30. The CUP… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor Becker County Commissioners agreed to terminate the county’s partnership with the F5 Project, which supports justice-involved individuals through opioid and substance use recovery, during the bimonthly meeting of commissioners on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The partnership began in September of 2025 and Detroit Lakes was the first and only Minnesota office. F5… Read More

Sergeant Major (ret.) James “Jim” Bakkila served his country for 33 years. Today, he still serves the people he once led. Bakkila is an assistant veteran’s service officer for Otter Tail County. Bakkila was inducted into the 2026 Minnesota Army National Guard Court of Honor at Camp Ripley on Oct. 4, 2026. The honor recognizes… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor The Freedom Rock at the Vergas Veterans Memorial was one of two winners recently named at the West Central Initiative Empowering Good Conference pitch competition in August at the Bigwood Event Center in Fergus Falls. Component Fund advisors from across the region put their storytelling skills to work, sharing the people,… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners signed a 2026 proclamation noting October as Manufacturing Month. The manufacturing industry is a critically important part of Minnesota’s and Otter Tail County’s diverse economy. “It continues to be a very large part of the economy, almost $250 million in wages are paid in… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor With Mayor Mike Sharp deciding to not run for reelection, Frazee will have a new mayor in 2027. Shon Bachleitner and Erik Anderson are the two candidates running for this two-year term. Bachleitner has been the Quick Lane Manager at Webber Ford in Detroit Lakes for the past 15 years. Anderson… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor repare for a night of terror at the fifth annual CornerStone Haunted Forest and Farm Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16-17 from 6:30-10:30 p.m.  ¶  The farm is located at 35646 154th Street, in rural Frazee.  ¶  A special daytime session with no live scares, meant for children and those who want… Read More