New excavator purchased for transfer station By Robert Williams Editor Twin Spruce Farm North owner Arnold Gruenes spoke to the Otter Tail Board of County Commissioners Tuesday, May 14, stating his farm meets the requirements to house additional livestock and is hopeful a permit allowing the expansion will be approved by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The… Read More

FFA prompts school board for additional ag teacher By Robert Williams Editor Frazee High School principal interviews were conducted with five candidates by committee March 7-8 to fill the future opening upon the resignation of current principal Anna Potvin this coming June. The candidates include: Hannah M. Frink-Levenhagen, Student Success Coordinator at Perham Public Schools; Jason… Read More

Alicia Lizzett Alaniz, 32, of Frazee was sentenced in Becker County Court to 18 months for simple robbery for her role in a felony assault case for her involvement in a crime along with Patrick Charles Bonga, 40, and Brooke Kathleen Saunders, 24, of Detroit Lakes. According to court records, Detroit Lakes police were dispatched to… Read More

Ashley Mohn, a licensed independent clinical social worker specializing in behavioral health, is excited to join Essentia Health St. Mary’s-Detroit Lakes and return to her hometown. “This is where my heart and soul thrive,” said Mohn, who has returned to the area after seven years. “I was lucky to hear about the positive culture of Essentia Health… Read More

Plumbing & Heating celebrates 90th year in business By Robert Williams Editor Robin Hanson Whether known by its original name H.J. Hanson and Sons, Vergas Hardware, The Home of Hardware Hank or its current moniker Hanson’s Plumbing & Heating, Inc, the service-based company is as much a part of Vergas as the town is a part of the business…. Read More

Perham and DL academy gymnasts form a team of three By Robert Williams Editor Gymnasts in Frazee are finding success in both the high school ranks and the more individually-focused USA Gymnastics programs. Following up three Hornets—Elsie Ratz, Addy and Kaija Aschnewitz—who made the trip to state with the Detroit Lakes-Frazee co-op team in late February,… Read More

Group interviews consultant to potentially help achieve goals By Robert Williams Editor The Vergas Economic Development and Housing and Redevelopment Authority met with Otter Tail County Community Development Director Amy Baldwin on Tuesday, March 7, to discuss the future of the 11-lot Sunny Oaks subdivision and Ron Ziegler CEO and President of Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA)… Read More

County Board cites comp plan changes as solution By Robert Williams Editor Residents of Little Floyd Lake spoke during the open forum relating multiple complaints about a rundown, occupied house known colloquially as the House of Agape or Agape Schoolhouse near the intersection of Husby Road and Little Floyd Lake Road. “It’s been neglected for a period of… Read More

Emerging Leadership banquet set for March 25 Neil and Amanda Aho of Menahga are Becker County’s participants in the 2023 Red River Valley Emerging Leadership Program. They, along with individuals from 15 other counties in northwestern and west central Minnesota, have taken part in educational sessions since October 2022.  Neil works as a technician at a local… Read More

Contributed photo Max Walberg took first place at the annual Frazee-Vergas Elementary Spelling Bee last week. Participants included: Dalton Espe, Nolan Prellwitz, Max Walberg, Paige Baumgart Shelby Baumgart and Kiana Moon.