Fundraising has begun on a $1.2 million upgrade By Robert Williams Editor The Vergas Park Board Committee held its Loon Art for the Park fundraiser for future Long Lake Park Renovations on Monday, Aug. 7, at the Event Center. There were loon baskets designed by local businesses that were up for a silent auction, along with a… Read More

Cannabis ordinance to follow county’s lead By Robert Williams Editor Colleen Hoffman, managing partner at Hoffman, Philipp, & Knutson accounting firm in Thief River Falls, Minn., presented the 2022 audit of the city of Vergas to the city council on Tuesday, Aug. 8. “You have very little debt relative to other cities I audit,” Hoffman said.  Hoffman highlighted Vergas’… Read More

OTC Public Health honored for work during COVID-19 Otter Tail County Public Health was recently honored with a national award for its creative work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) presented the Promising Practices Award for the “Return to Normal? COVID Diaries from Local Youth” collaborative art exhibit. … Read More

Becker County discusses new cannabis ordinance By Robert Williams Editor The Becker County Board approved a modification to an existing feedlot permit for Jennie-O to construct a building at 12255 Frazee Road two weeks ago. The building will replace a barn that burned down five years ago, but it will not be built on the exact footprint… Read More

The Frazee Area Community Club is hosting its annual Corn Feed Tuesday, Aug. 15, at the Event Center. The free will offering event will showcase locally grown corn on the cob, which will also be available for purchase. The Corn Feed will be held from 5-7 p.m.

Harvest Festival Pageant set for Friday, parade and mud run to highlight Saturday By Chad Koenen Publisher Wolf Lake may not be the biggest town in Becker County, but it can put on a celebration that is the envy of the eye of communities 10 times its size. This year’s celebration will be no different as Wolf… Read More

Plan will guide local food development in west central Minnesota Residents of Becker, Clay, Otter Tail, and Wilkin counties are invited to comment on the first draft of a plan that will guide local food development in their region. People can view the plan and share their comments via an online form on the PartnerSHIP… Read More

Alcohol may have been a factor in a rollover crash that injured a Missouri woman early Sunday morning in Toad Lake Township. Kylie Elizabeth Stepp of Springfield, Missouri, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Essentia Health-St. Mary’s hospital in Detroit Lakes. Stepp, 26, was southbound on Becker County Road 37, at Highway 34, when her 2018… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen Despite rainy conditions being predicted for most of the weekend, Looney Days events stayed mostly dry over the weekend in Vergas. Sunday’s parade once again featured everything from candy being caught by guests from floats and parade entrants by the Vergas Lions Club and Hansons Plumbing and Heating. Hansons also hosted an… Read More

Grand champion edges son in loon calling finals By Chad Koenen Publisher As a handful of loons swam in the water within earshot of the annual loon call contest, Rebecca Wieben was crowned as the loon calling grand champion on Saturday afternoon in Vergas. In what proved to be a family affair, Rebecca edged her son Arnold… Read More