By Eleanor Steffen Report for Minnesota The Minnesota House will vote on a bill to establish a centralized electronic payroll reporting portal and database for contractors working on state-funded projects. While electronic payroll reporting is already required in Minnesota for projects fully or partially funded by tax dollars, the bill by Rep. Dave Pinto, DFL-St. Paul, aims to… Read More

By Abbey Mulcahy Report for Minnesota As Minnesota school districts face increasing financial challenges, the Legislature has passed a proposed constitutional amendment to increase funding for schools without raising taxes or dipping into the state’s general fund.  The proposal, passed on May 4 in the House and May 7 in the Senate, would increase the amount of money… Read More

Contributed photos The Class of 2026 appeared in their caps and gowns to do a walk-thru at Frazee-Vergas Elementary School Tuesday, May 6. The seniors joined up for an annual photo with this year’s kindergarten students from the Class of 2039.

The Frazee-Vergas High School Local Scholarship Awards Night for the Class of 2026 was held Thursday, April 30, in the FHS Gymnasium. This event honors graduating seniors and awards local scholarships. The following scholarships were awarded: Joseph Bachleitner- Frazee Lions Club $1,000, Frazee-Vergas School Board and Superintendent Karger $250, Steve Daggett ~ Class of 1987 $2,500 Madison… Read More

Contributed photos Always celebrated the first Thursday in May at noon, the 2026 National Day of Prayer was held in Frazee. Representatives from each Frazee church, Mayor Mike Sharp, and the Frazee-Vergas VFW Post 7702. The high school band played the national anthem. Prayers were offered in gratitude to God for His hand of blessing… Read More

Allen Michael Alberts, 33, has been charged with manslaughter after a motor vehicle crash in which he was driving resulted in the death of a Dent woman. The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a motor vehicle crash involving injuries at approximately 6 a.m., on Saturday, May 2, near 460th Street, southwest of Perham…. Read More

A Frazee man faces potential charges after crashing his vehicle in Hobart Township on Sunday, May 3. According to the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, a vehicle driven by 28-year-old Spencer Jacobs, of Frazee, crashed and rolled near a slough on the east side of East Wymer Lake Road at approximately 7:41 p.m., Arriving deputies found an… Read More

As the United States begins preparations for its 250th anniversary, four thinkers will travel to the small, rural Minnesota town of New York Mills this June to debate the 2026 question posed by the Great American Think-Off:  “Has the Pursuit of Happiness Made Americans Unhappy?” The right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” was enshrined… Read More

The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners has proclaimed May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month. Recognized each May since 1949, this month is a reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health and that no one must face their struggles alone.  The numbers close to home  Mental health challenges are growing in Otter… Read More

All event coordinators and volunteers are encouraged to attend the 2026 Turkey Days Event Coordinators’ meeting Tuesday, May 19 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in the blue building downtown, 305 Main Avenue West, with Turkey Days co-chairs Jane Anderson and Jody Davidson. Direct questions to either co-chair 218-8493083 or 303-514-6611.