The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Leek Lake and Trowbridge Lake. The two connected lakes are both located near Vergas in Otter Tail County. A lake property owner contacted the DNR after finding two suspected zebra mussels on irrigation equipment being removed for the season. A DNR… Read More

Minnesota Department of Commerce has over $130 million for the program More Minnesotans than ever qualify for the Energy Assistance Program.  In 2021, the Minnesota Department of Commerce, which operates the Energy Assistance Program, has over $130 million in federal funding, with more expected this fall, to help more Minnesota households. The Energy Assistance Program helps Minnesota… Read More

USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for very low- and low-income individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area. The Direct Home Loan program offers financing to qualified  applicants in rural communities of generally 35,000 people or less. The maximum loan amount is $20,000 at a 1 percent interest rate, repayable… Read More

Following unanimous approval from its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officially authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11-year-olds. Children are now eligible to be immunized against the coronavirus, another important step in ending a pandemic that has lasted nearly two years. Appointments at Essentia Health are required for 5-11-year-olds… Read More

Mr. Jensen’s Class Dear Veteran, Thank you for keeping us safe. You protect our country and rescuing us when we need you. Also than you for fighting for us. Sincerely, Finn Dear Veteran, Thank you for working as, hard for our country. Also thank you for fighting for us. Thank you for keeping us safe. thank you… Read More

The Frazee-Vergas Public School District received a Positive Community Norms (PCN) grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services-Behavioral Health Division in July. The five-year prevention grant was awarded because of the community support, readiness and capacity already available to prevent youth alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and misuse. Positive Community Norms cultivate true lasting… Read More

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is offering funds through the No Child Left Inside Grant Program. The grants help more children cast a line, study animal tracks, hike or bike or simply learn more about nature. “We’ve had a great response to the first couple phases of the grant program and we’re excited to be… Read More

Otter Tail Power completes rate review The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) approved changes to Otter Tail Power Company’s rates to reflect major shifts in the company’s generation fleet. The approval also marks changes to operating costs and revenues that occurred since the company’s last Minnesota rate review, filed in 2016.  The MPUC set Otter Tail Power’s… Read More

Local hunters share story of first, biggest buck captured this year By Barbie Porter Editor  As the trees undress their leaves and cover the ground in the colors of autumn, legends are made. The stories are as old as man and those participating in hunting deer are often gifted with at least two such tales­—the first… Read More