Photo by Chad Koenen The annual Hairyman Festival was held in Vergas on Saturday. The event featured a large craft and vendor fair, a life-sized Jenga game which was played by Lexi, Avery and Carter Matter, food trucks including the Spanky’s food truck and live music throughout the afternoon. The day also included a chainsaw artist,… Read More

Pickleball court improvements approved and funded By Robert Williams Editor Widseth and Vergas City Engineer Blaine Green updated the Vergas City Council on the parking lot and stormwater construction currently underway between Main and Linden Streets at the latest council meeting Tuesday, Sept. 19.  ¶  Much of the stormwater system was installed last week with one… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor Becker County set a preliminary property tax levy increase of nine percent on Tuesday for payable taxes in 2026, according to Auditor-Treasurer Mary Hendrickson. “Well, I don’t think anyone is excited about a nine percent increase; that’s for sure,” Commissioner Barry Nelson said. “I truly believe we will be a little bit lower,… Read More

Elementary showing increases in math, reading and science By Robert Williams Editor The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) released 2025 statewide assessment and accountability results in late August.  Overall, student performance on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) remained steady in reading and mathematics, while consistent attendance rates continued to improve across student groups.  The MCAs are state tests in… Read More

Goodbye DL Pavilion Celebration on October 11 By Robert Williams Editor District 1 Commissioner Erica Jepson reported on the latest meeting of the Housing Subcommittee regarding the future upgrades of the Maple Avenue Apartments in Frazee during the Becker County Commissioners’ board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, in Detroit Lakes. County Economic Development Specialist Cody Piper will be… Read More

The Minnesota 4-H State Shooting Sports & Wildlife Invitational was held in Alexandria September 5-7. A total of 755 youth from 58 counties participated in the following events with 2,009 entries: Archery, 3-D Archery, BB gun, Standard Air Rifle, 3 Position Air Rifle, Air Pistol, .22 Rifle, Muzzleloading, Trap, Silhouette, Wildlife Calling, Skillathon, and Cast… Read More

A Dent man was arrested after recklessly firing multiple gunshots outside his apartment building on Sunday, Sept. 14. According to court records, deputies responded to the scene after receiving multiple reports of shots fired outside his apartment. Ethan Goodspeed, 33, was located by officers inside his apartment and initially denied any involvement. Later, he admitted to firing… Read More

Free e-waste recycling Oct. 1-4 for county residents By Robert Williams Editor Becker County is starting an organics recycling program with funding assistance of a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency grant, which began on Thursday, Sept. 18. Organics recycling is separating organic waste (food waste, paper napkins, etc.) from the trash and keeping it out of the landfill…. Read More

In observance of Family History Month, genealogy expert Rick Crume will offer a series of Genealogy 101 presentations at locations around Lake Agassiz Regional Library’s (LARL) seven-county region. The presentations will focus on how to access and utilize the genealogy databases available free-of-charge through the library. Crume will be available after to answer questions. Attendees will… Read More

If you drive with child passengers, job one is making certain they are properly buckled in. It’s not only Minnesota law—used correctly every time, every ride, car seats save children’s lives. From Sept. 21-27, as part of 2025 National Child Passenger Safety Week, parents, grandparents and others who transport kids have special opportunities to ensure… Read More