Park Rapids Enterprise

The Park Rapids City Council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 8 lasted less than five minutes, but its work session before the meeting included a lengthy discussion on the city’s preliminary budget and levy for 2027. The levy amount presented to the council is $3,019,907. “That would be a balanced budget,” City Administrator Angel Weasner said.

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. — People walking into Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls will notice a meaningful piece of art in an effort to mark Suicide Prevention Month. "The Threads of Hope Project" comes after a survey in lakes country revealed a significant number of families have been impacted by mental health issues and suicide. "And this has been translated into this art piece," artist Lyndi Hudson said as the art installation was unveiled.

Fred Nordstrom, beloved family patriarch and valued friend, passed away on August 18 with the serene confidence of joining his cherished wife Marjorie in heaven. Many of us are sure they are together now singing with the angels. Longtime summer residents of the Park Rapids area and active for decades in the music program at Hubbard United Methodist Church, Fred and Marj planned to be interred side-by-side in the Hubbard Pines Memorial Garden.

Five people sustained minor injuries in a two-vehicle crash on Monday, Aug. 31, near Laporte. The Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office reported the incident occurred at approximately 6:16 p.m. at the intersection of County hwys. 39 and 45 in Hart Lake Twp. According to the report, the driver of a Subaru Outback came to a stop at the intersection, but did not see an oncoming Kia Sorento and pulled out in front of it, causing the crash.

A driver sustained a right leg injury in a three-vehicle crash on Saturday, Aug. 28, north of Park Rapids. The Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office reported the incident occurred at approximately 2:23 p.m. at the intersection of County Hwy. 48 and U.S. Hwy. 71. According to the report, the injured driver was southbound on U.S. 71 when a silver Ford F-150 crossed the highway directly in front of her. The collision pushed the Ford into another vehicle parked at the intersection. The Ford’s driver – Emmett D.

Despite more rainfall in recent weeks, the U.S. Drought Monitor still lists Hubbard County as experiencing severe drought conditions. In those conditions, residents may want to consider watering trees in their yards, and foresters with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourage homeowners to “get familiar” with the tree species that may need it the most.

ST. PAUL — Minnesota fairgoers say they’re in favor of banning semiautomatic assault weapons, regulating driverless vehicles like Waymo, and pausing data center development. The Minnesota House and Senate polled fairgoers over 12 days on numerous issues the Legislature has taken up in recent sessions and could take up in the coming session. The House polled 9,605 people on 12 questions. The Senate polled 7,326 people on 11 questions.

Nevis Public Schools continues its communication efforts as residents prepare to consider a three-question building bond referendum on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The proposal is the result of several years of facility assessments, community engagement and school board discussions aimed at addressing the district's most significant facility needs.

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota State Fair opened strong, with the first two days setting new attendance records. From there, however, the crowds dwindled. Anecdotally, a major culprit was school start dates. Numerous school districts in the region held the first day of classes Monday, Aug. 31, instead of the traditional after-Labor Day start, which created conflicts for overall fair attendance and individual vendor employment, several booth owners said.

WADENA – Led by a 1-2 finish by Jack Mitteness and Christian Thorson, the Park Rapids boys cross country team captured the title at the Johanna Olson Invitational at the Whitetail Run Golf Course on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Mitteness covered the 5K course in 16:53 and Thorson followed in 19:34 to set the pace among the 83 runners. Cesar Quixan Gutierrez was 11th in 18:59, Leo Kueber clocked a 19:28 for 16th place and Mihai Jeppesen placed 19th in 19:54 to round out the Panthers’ team score of 43 points.