With this year’s mild winter, there seems to be more decorative wood product harvesting in Minnesota forests. People harvesting decoratives and edibles from any private or public land must contact the owner of that land and get permission or a permit to forage those woodlands or forests. People do not need a permit to collect small… Read More

The application deadline for Class XIII of the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) program is March 31 and program Executive Director Brad Schloesser is anticipating another outstanding group of ag leaders when the class kicks off its 23-month cohort in November 2024. “As an alumnus of the MARL Program myself, I can attest to the… Read More

Board invests in return of choir program  By Robert Williams Editor Frazee-Vergas Superintendent Terry Karger encouraged school board members to concentrate on retaining staff this year and find other cuts in the capital budget to help build on what has been a consistently improving year at both schools. “Our enrollment continues to trickle up,” Karger said. “This… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor Plans are being finalized for the first Vergas event of the spring, the Maple Syrup Festival, which will be held on Saturday, April 13. The event gets an early kickoff this year with the Maple Leaf Scavenger Hunt starting Monday, April 1. Search participating businesses for the maple leaf and be entered to… Read More

Maplewood segment construction of HOTL Regional Trail to begin By Robert Williams Editor Otter Tail County’s commitment to supporting Guard and Reserve members was recognized by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) with the prestigious Patriot Award on Tuesday, March 12 in Fergus Falls.  This accolade highlights the county leadership’s dedication to fostering a… Read More

Public hearing on sanitary sewer upgrade By Robert Williams Editor For the second time in one year, a proposed dental office in Frazee is no longer on the books. Apple Tree Dental was considering a tour of the downtown retail space next to Seip Drug, however, an agreement between Apple Tree and Essentia Health in Detroit Lakes… Read More

Kenneth James Carrabou, 56, died as a result of a garage fire on Tuesday, March 12, in Detroit Township. On Tuesday, at approximately 5:01 p.m., emergency personnel were dispatched to a report of a garage on fire at 25508 Brandy Lake Road, according to the Becker County Sheriff’s Office. Upon arrival, the garage was found to be… Read More

Feedback will aid projects like Wannigan Park The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), a 17-member state commission made up of legislators and citizens, is seeking the public’s help in determining priorities for future spending from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). The public’s input will help the LCCMR develop a new strategic… Read More

Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach invites high school students from Minnesota’s Seventh District to participate in the annual Congressional Art Competition. “The art competition gives high school students an amazing opportunity to showcase their art. It is a longstanding U.S. Capitol tradition and I am looking forward to once again having my office participate in the Congressional Art… Read More

New Community Responsive Funds available West Central Initiative has been selected by the Otto Bremer Trust as a philanthropic intermediary partner to administer and distribute funds through its new Community Responsive Fund. Under the new partnership, West Central Initiative will work closely with Otto Bremer Trust to administer $350,000 in funds for grants up to $75,000… Read More