Applications available through December 17 The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is pleased to announce another phase of the No Child Left Inside grants. These grants help more children cast a line, study animal tracks, hike or bike, or engage in other activities to learn more about nature. “This has been a successful outreach grant program… Read More

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is offering grants to lake associations and other groups for projects to manage invasive aquatic plants. Applications will be accepted starting at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 18. The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18. Entities receiving a grant will apply for an invasive aquatic plant management permit after receiving… Read More

Due to excellent results in the fall netting assessment of walleye on Upper Red Lake, the winter season walleye limit on Upper Red will continue to be a four fish possession limit, with only one walleye longer than 17 inches allowed. “Our fall assessment placed us in a surplus condition, which allows us to set a… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor Most, if not all, area residents have noticed a significant increase in the cost of insurance over the past few years. There are many reasons for those increases: inflation, the pandemic, inclement weather, doubled costs on labor and materials, and other events combined with artificially low rates have created a perfect storm… Read More

Daycare shortage becoming an urgent priority in the village By Robert Williams Editor The City of Vergas has a new commercial rehabilitation program, which consists of $50,000 in funds available for businesses in town to use for exterior and facade updates. Usage for interior changes is potentially available on a case-by-case basis, according to Community and Economic Development… Read More

Board returns donation, votes against master park planning By Robert Williams Editor Representatives from the Toad Mountain area and Toad Lake township returned to the Becker County Board of Commissioners to put an end to the Toad Mountain Park project, again. The project was voted down and dismissed in September only to be brought back to life… Read More

Frazee grad another addition to the growing business sector By Robert Williams Editor When Jena (Rader) Seim’s children started school the mother of two figured it was time for a third occupation.  Seim currently works for Sanford Health doing medical coding and insurance from home. She is also a Personal Care Assistant for her brother John.  Last year, her daughter… Read More

Lundgren takes Vergas mayoral race by 10 votes By Robert Williams Editor Mike Sharp can ditch the interim tag from his Frazee mayoral title after a decisive victory over former mayor Ken Miosek during the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Sharp captured 66 percent of the vote and 386 votes to 200 votes for Miosek… Read More

County commissioners ratify elected official’s pay By Robert Williams Editor New County Coroner Dr. Nicole Strand was introduced to the Becker County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Strand is a family physician who began coroner duties back in August.  “It was a pretty big learning curve, but it is going well,” Strand said. “It’s been a good experience.”… Read More

The Positive Community Norms (PCN) Survey story in the Nov. 5 issue of the Forum contained some incorrect information. There are no PCN student surveys being done this year. Only the Teacher/Staff and the Parent/Guardian surveys are being conducted. The State of Minnesota will ask all school districts to participate in the Minnesota Student Survey sometime… Read More