Haarstick brings wealth of knowledge to council By Robert Williams Editor With all the success that Vergas has seen in the past few years, it is hard to think that city government might need a ringer to come back on board, but after meeting former mayor Dean Haarstick, it’s easy to see why many people prompted… Read More

Annual fundraiser during Frazee basketball games By Robert Williams Editor Frazee-Vergas High School sophomore Sophia Strand’s annual fundraiser Hornets Hoops and Hope will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 3, during the basketball doubleheader with Breckenridge. All funds are donated to support the Stand by Me Foundation, a local charity that provides financial aid through grants to parents and… Read More

D&K Design Center to open, Solberg Insurance to move By Robert Williams Editor City officials, the Economic Development Authority and the local Chamber of Commerce will celebrate a new business and a move in late January. D&K Designs will be a new business owned by Dan and Karen Pifher located on West Main Avenue. “A few years ago when… Read More

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