By Robert Williams Editor Becker County Commissioners held a public hearing on cannabis licensing fees on Wednesday, Dec. 3. The license is for retail businesses only. Becker County Planning and Zoning Administrator Kyle Vareberg also addressed the difference betweencannabis products and low potency hemp. A provision in a recent federal funding bill could effectively make most low-potency… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor Tyler Trieglaff and Char Putnam were in attendance to accept the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD) Outstanding Conservationists award on Wednesday, Dec. 3, in Bloomington. Blue Line Farm of Frazee was named one of eight finalists in the award program in October. Tom and Margaret Trieglaff were also recognized at… Read More

Visitors will notice real progress on the newly paved two-mile trail inside Wannigan Regional Park. New solar lights are now in place, which was funded through remaining dollars from the trail grant. Ten feet on both sides of the trail have been seeded with a mix of native pollinators and grasses to enrich the corridor… Read More

Perham seniors start Christmas lighting business in OTC By Tucker Henderson Reporter Two Perham High School seniors decided to start a local Christmas light business to help fill their wallets during the holiday season. Trystan Larson and Logan Guck recently started Northern Light Co. and what started as a paycheck has quickly evolved into a fulfilling service… Read More

Try out a new hobby and create a beautiful reading keepsake for your tree with a craft event at the Detroit Lakes Public Library. Join library staff on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. to learn how to create a globe ornament filled with miniature books to represent the titles people have read this year…. Read More

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is seeking public comments through Wednesday, Dec. 31 on its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program in Greater Minnesota. The MS4 program’s purpose is to reduce the amount of sediment and other pollution (e.g., oil, grease, nutrients, salt and pet waste) entering Minnesota waterbodies through storm sewer systems. Agency staff… Read More

Legislators, community leaders tour Lunds, transitional youth housing facility in Perham On Thursday, Nov. 13, Sen. Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls), a member of the Minnesota Senate Capital Investment Committee, hosted the committee in Senate District 9 to hear directly from communities about priorities. Members learned about water projects, public water access, and youth and community… Read More

Winning FFA teams, individuals will advance to nationals Nearly 250 FFA members from across Minnesota will converge on St. Cloud State University Monday, December 15, to vie for spots in national competition in Leadership Development Events (LDEs). Team and individual winners in the areas of Prepared and Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Parliamentary Procedure, Ag Issues, Conduct… Read More

New program is geared to people seeking public office, leadership positions The Rural Advocacy and Public Leadership Program is a free six-month leadership and advocacy course designed for people interested in strengthening democracy and supporting the development of good governance in their local rural community. Participants will meet for four hours one Saturday a month from… Read More

WCI is partnering with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to distribute approximately $1.15 million in PROMISE Act Grants to businesses and nonprofits in west central Minnesota. This program was created by the Minnesota Legislature to support businesses and nonprofits that face ongoing economic challenges. Grants will range from $10,000 to $50,000. Eligibility This is… Read More