Grants to expand broadband coverage in greater Minnesota A pair of Otter Tail County internet providers together have gained more than $4.5 million in grants to expand broadband coverage. Otter Tail Telcom/Park Region is receiving nearly $3.4 million and Arvig is gaining more than $1.1 million from the Border-to-Border Broadband program administered by the Department of… Read More

Twenty local fire departments receive $1,000 grants West Central Initiative awarded grants totaling more than $20,000 from The Funders Network’s Community Foundation Disaster Response Fund to 20 fire departments in west central Minnesota.   “We received a grant from The Funders Network for emergency preparedness activities,” said West Central Initiative’s Director of Development, Rebecca Lynn Petersen. “We’re… Read More

Star Award recognizes excellence in nursing industry Sonda Tolle, DNP, RN, Vice President of Patient Services for Perham Health, has been awarded the Minnesota Nurse Leader Star Award by the Minnesota Organization of Leaders in Nursing (MOLN).  The Star Award was established in 1984 in honor of Connie Moline, a leader in nursing and founding member of… Read More

Sharing stories helps support parent after loss By Lori Fischer Thorp Correspondent Since her 28-year-old son, Tyler Elliott of Rolla, Missouri, suffered a medical crisis this past August, “The whole situation has totally rocked my world,” said his mother, Sammye (Jager) Elliott.  ¶  “It’s hard, daily,” said Elliott, a Rochert native and 1984 Frazee High School… Read More

Olson was always teaching about conservation By Benjamin Velani  West Central Initiative Richard “Rick” Paul Olson, born December 31, 1950, devoted his life to helping others farm sustainably and organically. His deep connection with nature began early, living and working on his family’s century farm and continued until his passing on November 10, 2022. Rick worked alongside at least… Read More

Photo by Lori Fischer Thorp The cross-country ski trails east of Frazee are beautifully groomed and ready. Accesses are on County Roads 150 and 118 and have large signage. Volunteer team members did a lot of extra work this year on trimming and removal of branches following the recent storms.

Contributed photo Brikker Ware presented a check to Frazee Elementary principal Travis Nagel on behalf of Northern Lights Dance Academy. NDLA donated $800 to Heart of the Lakes Elementary in Perham, $100 to the Frazee PTO, and $700 to Frazee-Vergas Elementary from funds raised during their 2022 Christmas Show “Frozen.” “We love to give back… Read More

Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) is welcoming 2023 by bringing back Book Blizzard, a reading contest that challenges adults to keep their reading resolutions. To enter the contest, simply read or listen to four books – you can enter as many times as you wish. To participate, visit a library near you to pick up a… Read More

Minnesota FFA plays active role in lives of local youth As the new year officially kicks off this week, the Minnesota FFA Foundation continues the vital role of supporting the development of young people through Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) programs and the FFA.  Minnesota FFA is experiencing unprecedented growth in the number of schools… Read More

5 years ago Frazee-Vergas Forum January 4, 2018 There is a unique physical education class being offered at Frazee High School that integrates special education students with those in general studies. The class began shortly after Thanksgiving and is scheduled to continue for the remainder of the year. Each Thursday, special education students in grades 7-12 join… Read More