By Tyler Trieglaff Notes from the Chief I had sort of a mini vacation last week. I spent a couple days in Duluth attending ALICE training.  Mr. Nagel from the elementary school was there also. ALICE stands for Alert Lockdown Inform Counter Evacuate. This training is meant to coincide with a Violent Critical Incident (VCI) that can… Read More

24-hour Fitness Center exceeding expectations By Robert Williams Editor Lakes Fit 24-hour Fitness Center in Vergas was a dream of owner Heather Schmid, one she is now living thanks to a level of customer support that blew her initial goals away.  ¶  “The community support has been overwhelming. I knew they’d be supportive but it’s been… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor Colleen Hoffman, managing partner at Hoffman, Philipp, & Knutson accounting firm in Thief River Falls, Minn., presented the 2022 audit of the City of Frazee to the city council Monday, Aug. 15. “This is a really, vibrant, active city,” said Hoffman. “As far as the audit goes, your utility funds, water, sewer and… Read More

Football field likely ready for first home game Sept. 29 By Robert Williams Editor Superintendent Terry Karger nominated Technology Coordinator Gretchen Norby and Technology Specialist April Wurst for the school’s 2023 Above and Beyond Team award during the monthly meeting of the school board on Monday, Aug. 14. “As you think back to where technology was for… Read More

Local officials pitch $1.85 million bonding request By Robert Williams Editor Capital Investment Committee Members and regional senators were in Frazee Tuesday, Aug. 15, as part of a 25-site visit around northwest Minnesota as part of the 2023 Bonding Tour. Senate Capital Investment Committee Chair Senator Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul) and Vice Chair Senator Susan Pha (DFL-Brooklyn Park)… Read More

State organization contends J-turn would reduce conflict at Hwy. 10, CR 60 intersection By Robert Williams Editor A Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) open house in Frazee garnered consistent foot traffic from area residents looking for more information on the 2024 Highway 10 and County Road 60 project. “There are a lot of crashes that happen at… Read More

Okeson appointed to the National Steering Committee By Robert Williams Editor The Becker County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a county-wide cannabis-use ordinance which restricts the use of cannabis products to private property and residences Tuesday, Aug. 15. The ordinance also restricts smoking and vaping of cannabis products in any location where the smoke or vapor could be inhaled… Read More

Preliminary plans to use additional space for offices By Robert Williams Editor The Vergas City Council called an emergency council meeting on Thursday, Aug. 17, at 9 a.m., to discuss the purchase of the property at 131 East Main Street. Mayor Julie Bruhn and Councilmembers Bruce Albright, Paul Pinke, Natalie Fischer and Dean Haarstick met in a… Read More

Father-son farming duo, Tom and Tyler Trieglaff join the rising number of producers becoming water quality certified under the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP)—a voluntary opportunity that certifies farmers taking the lead in implementing conservation-minded practices to protect water quality. The Trieglaff’s combination of rented and owned pasture and cropland, totaling over 2,000… Read More

OT County based bank to expand to DL area The First National Bank of Henning (“FNB”), with offices in Ottertail, Battle Lake and Henning, has announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase the Evansville and Detroit Lakes branches of First Security Bank – Sleepy Eye (“First Security”), which is headquartered in Sleepy… Read More