By Robert Williams Editor The Becker County Board of Commissioners approved the new Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the Cannabis and Animal Feedlot zoning ordinances at a special meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 31. The animal feedlot ordinance dominated conversation between the public and the board. During the open forum, Bill Henke, of the Isaak Walton League, requested two studies… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor Economic development consultant Karen Pifher’s monthly report to the Frazee Economic Development Authority (EDA) Tuesday, Dec. 31, highlighted that Fuller House will be taking applications this spring to build a new house in town. Millard Fuller founded Habitat for Humanity with his wife Linda in 1976, but both departed from the board in… Read More

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Rural Water Association (MRWA) have recognized the City of Vergas for its exceptional efforts to protect community drinking water sources. Vergas received a 2024 Source Water Protection Award from MDH and MRWA.  Vergas undertook several notable projects to protect the drinking water source from contamination and ensure… Read More

Deer Creek child dies from accidental gunshot on Dec. 29 Bodi Ray Engebretson, 19, of Vergas made his first court appearance in Otter Tail County District Court on Monday, Dec. 30 regarding an incident in which a dog was shot. Engebretson is charged with felony mistreatment of an animal. According to the complaint, a sergeant from the Otter… Read More

Essentia Health is pleased to announce seven new additions to our Board of Directors. The following members will join us at the beginning of 2025. Sister Therese Carson Growing up in Michigan, Sister Therese Carson earned a bachelor’s degree in medical technology from Mercy College of Detroit and a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University… Read More

A large shed and several vehicles were destroyed in a morning fire in rural Vergas on Friday, Dec. 27. A neighbor alerted owner Wesley Sorenson, 70, of a shop fire at 1:30 a.m., according to a news release from the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s office. The 32×56-foot shed was unoccupied at the time and fully engulfed… Read More

Radon tests are available at OTC Public Health locations Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths in the United States and the primary cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.  Each year, more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. are attributed to radon exposure. Alarmingly, about 2 in… Read More

By Rick Schara West Central Initiative Kim Konikow was looking for a new home. In Bismarck, she truly enjoyed her job with the state arts council but was looking to semi-retire and wanted a new forever place, a change of scene.  Minnesota was among the handful of states that offered that retirement intrigue. Konikow had grown up in Detroit, and… Read More

Entering the final week of the year, 2,780 babies were born at Essentia’s five hospitals in Minnesota that perform deliveries. That includes 1,673 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth; 476 at Essentia Health St. Mary’s-Detroit Lakes; 390 at Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd; 165 at Essentia Health-Virginia; and 76 at Essentia Health-Moose Lake…. Read More

The Executive Board of Boots on the Ground recently donated a check to the Veteran Residents, following their successful 2024 summer and fall motorcycle fun run events. The activities generated significant funds aimed at supporting resident events, recreational activities, and other essential needs.  Established in 2014, Boots on the Ground was created to honor the Veterans… Read More