Nathan Bowe
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Articles by Nathan Bowe
Becker County, Detroit Lakes Schools strain to cover for workers out on the state's new paid leave program
DETROIT LAKES — Minnesota’s paid family leave program has been hitting some local governments hard. Minnesota Paid Leave is a state-run insurance program that went into effect on Jan. 1 of this year. It provides partial wage replacement and job protection to eligible workers who need time off for medical issues or to care for family members. Beyond medical issues such as cancer, the program also covers pregnancy, family caregiving, new child bonding, military family support, and safety leave.
Great Plains Natural Gas seeks 12.7% rate increase
Great Plains Natural Gas customers in 18 Minnesota communities, including Danube, Granite Falls, Montevideo and Renville, could see their monthly bills increase under a proposed rate hike filed with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The company filed its request Oct. 30, seeking an additional $4.5 million in annual revenue over current rates, representing an overall increase of approximately 12.7%.
Great Plains Natural Gas seeks 12.7% rate increase, affecting 18 Minnesota communities
Great Plains Natural Gas customers in 18 Minnesota communities, including Vergas, Pelican Rapids, Fergus Falls, and Breckenridge could see their monthly bills increase under a proposed rate hike filed with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The company filed its request Oct. 30, seeking an additional $4.5 million in annual revenue over current rates, representing an overall increase of approximately 12.7%.
MN Commerce Department seeks technical experts to review proposed Great Plains Natural Gas rate increase
ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources (“Department”) seeks proposals from qualified organizations or individuals to assist its review of the Great Plains Natural Gas Company’s rate case proposal. Great Plains Natural Gas serves 18 communities in western Minnesota, including the communities of Vergas, Pelican Rapids and Fergus Falls.
Election results for Frazee, Lake Park, Ogema, Callaway and others Original
DETROIT LAKES — In Frazee, Erik Anderson was elected mayor with a 65% majority. Anderson received 314 votes and challenger Shon Bachleitner received 168 votes. In the Frazee City Council election, James Rader came in first with 326 votes and Andrea Froeber came in second with 178 votes. Those top two vote-getters won seats on the council. The other candidates were Tyler “Mouse” King with 158 votes, Peggy Moltzan with 112 votes and Ryan Majerus with 70 votes. There were six write-in ballots cast.
Here are the election results for the Audubon and Lake Park area
DETROIT LAKES — Here’s how Tuesday’s general election played out in Audubon and Lake Park, according to unofficial results on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website and Becker County’s website. Audubon Mayor Tyler Lende was reelected, defeating challenger Marjorie Hughes 150 votes to 93 votes. In the Audubon City Council race, incumbents David Johnson and Zakery Beckner were reelected, with Johnson receiving 99 votes and Beckner getting 89 votes.
Amy Rosing wins Becker County auditor-treasurer race
DETROIT LAKES — Amy Rosing of Audubon will be the next Becker County auditor-treasurer. She defeated Kim Frederick of rural Callaway by 8,966 votes to 6,425 votes, or 58% to 42%. Rosing did especially well in Cormorant Township, winning 441 votes to 204 votes. She won all three city wards in Detroit Lakes, although all were pretty close, and she dominated in Erie Township, winning 561 votes to 330 votes. In Lake Eunice Township she won 618 votes to 287 votes.
Luke Sweere wins Becker County sheriff's race
DETROIT LAKES — Sheriff’s Lt. Luke Sweere will be the next Becker County sheriff. He defeated Chief Deputy Shane Richard 9,278 votes to 6,405 votes on Tuesday. Sweere dominated in Burlington Township, winning 540 votes to 279 votes, and also did especially well in Erie Township, receiving 580 votes to 340 votes for Richard. In the city of Frazee, Sweere won 322 votes to 152 votes.
Jepson reelected to Becker County Board Original
DETROIT LAKES — With all 19 precincts reporting, Becker County Commissioner Erica Jepson defeated challenger Dan Bergstrom 1,735 votes to 1,364 votes, or 56% to 44%, in unofficial results in the District 1 race for County Board. Dan Bergstrom Jepson, of Green Valley Township, did best in the townships in eastern Becker County. For instance, she won Green Valley Township 106 votes to 70 votes for Bergstrom.
Becker County Board may drop county planning commission and do the job itself
DETROIT LAKES — Becker County is considering dropping its planning commission and just letting the Becker County Board do the job itself. The 11-member planning commission, appointed by the county board, holds monthly public meetings and makes recommendations to the Becker County Board about whether conditional use permits should be granted and whether other land use and development applications should be approved.
Large and Simison get civil fines in Fair Campaign Practices complaint over sailboat logo
DETROIT LAKES — A Detroit Lakes School Board candidate and a Detroit Lakes business owner have been ordered to pay civil penalties after a panel of three administrative law judges ruled Friday, Oct. 30 on a Fair Campaign Practices complaint. The panel of administrative law judges Portia Hampton-Flowers (presiding judge), Suzanne Todnem, and Kimberly Middendorf held an evidentiary hearing on Oct. 27. Also present were attorneys for both sides.
Masons donate devices that can knock back a house fire and save lives
DETROIT LAKES — Hoping to help save lives and knock down fires early, the Masonic lodge in Detroit Lakes has donated two portable Fire Suppression Tools to the Becker County Sheriff's Office. With a distinctive orange metal casing, the portable, non-pressurized fire suppression devices are designed for fast, simple deployment during the early stages of a fire. A look at one of the Fire Suppression Tools donated by the local Masons to the Becker County Sheriff's Office.
Minnesota Senate District 4 candidate injured in rollover on Hwy 32 Original
DETROIT LAKES — Austin David Peterson, 40, of Hawley — the Republican candidate for the Minnesota Senate District 4 seat — was injured in a one-car rollover on Highway 32 on Tuesday, according to the State Patrol. Peterson suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Sanford Health hospital in Fargo. Austin Peterson of Hawley, Minnesota, is running for Minnesota Senate District 4 as a Republican.
Tiffany Voigt took an unconventional path to newspaper leadership Original
DETROIT LAKES — Tiffany Voigt took an unusual career path on the way to becoming the general manager of three Forum Communications Co. newspapers – the Detroit Lakes Tribune, Perham Focus and Wadena Pioneer Journal. When she arrived in February of 2025, she brought with her more than a decade as a speech-language pathologist, years of experience in virtual education and health care, and a knack for building and managing teams through rapid change.
Erica Jepson makes case for reelection to county board
In the Becker County Commissioner District 1 race for Becker County Board, incumbent Erica Jepson of Evergreen Township is facing challenger Daniel Bergstrom, who lives on the 40000 block of County Road 26, in the Island Lake-Shell Lake area. Erica Jepson The district covers roughly the eastern half of Becker County, including 18 townships and the city of Wolf Lake.
Detroit Lakes campaign signs spray-painted after school board election complaint Original
DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — Campaign yard signs around Detroit Lakes have been spray painted in an effort to remedy an election complaint. The spray paint is covering up a sailboat image that closely resembles the sailboat logo used by Detroit Lakes Public Schools. That image on yard signs and billboards led some people to mistakenly believe that the school district had endorsed “common sense candidates" Tim Grzybowski, Katie Large and Micky Okeson for school board in the Nov. 3 election. On Oct.
Erica Jepson makes case for reelection to county board
In the Becker County Commissioner District 1 race for Becker County Board, incumbent Erica Jepson of Evergreen Township is facing challenger Daniel Bergstrom, who lives on the 40000 block of County Road 26, in the Island Lake-Shell Lake area. Erica Jepson The district covers roughly the eastern half of Becker County, including 18 townships and the city of Wolf Lake.
Kim Frederick, Amy Rosing make final pitch for Becker County auditor-treasurer position
DETROIT LAKES — With longtime Becker County Treasurer Mary Hendrickson retiring at the end of this year, the top two vote-getters in the primary election — Amy Rosing of Audubon and Kim Frederick of Callaway — will be on the general election ballot Nov. 3. The county auditor-treasurer serves as the county's chief financial officer, property tax administrator and supervisor of elections.
Shane Richard and Luke Sweere make final case for Becker County sheriff job
DETROIT LAKES — With longtime sheriff Todd Glander retiring at the end of the year, two experienced officers in the Becker County Sheriff’s Office are vying to replace him — Shane Richard and Luke Sweere. Glander's successor is likely to face a growing workload, more complex cases and greater accountability. Becker County’s sworn law enforcement staff has grown from 21 to 27 since 2019, while deputies increasingly respond to opioid overdoses, fentanyl-related cases and mental health crises.
Here's the story behind those spray-painted campaign signs around Detroit Lakes
DETROIT LAKES — Despite what it may look like, it's not vandalism. Those campaign yard signs around Detroit Lakes that have been hit with spray paint are actually an effort to remedy a campaign complaint.
With too many uninsured and insurance costs soaring, DFLers say healthcare system is coming apart
DETROIT LAKES — Ever feel like the American health care system is being systematically dismantled? Becker County Commissioner Erica Jepson talks health insurance costs with state lawmakers in Detroit Lakes on Oct. 13, 2026. Health insurance premiums are going up — Becker County will pay 24% higher premiums for its employees next year, and it would have been closer to 50% if the county hadn’t gone with a new plan last year that capped premium increases, said Commissioner Erica Jepson.
Becker County Board leaves proposed wedding venue at the altar
DETROIT LAKES — A controversial wedding venue proposed for Whiskey Creek Drive in Richwood Township was shot down on a 3-2 vote by the Becker County Board on Tuesday, after a half-dozen neighbors voiced their opposition to the plan. Among them was Tammy Baden, who lives on the 24000 block of Whiskey Creek Drive, which she said is right across the road from the proposed 28-acre venue.
Becker County cuts ties to F5 Project after ND Attorney General’s Office issues findings Original
DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — Becker County is ending its contract with the F5 Project, following a report by the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office that details self-serving action taken by key F5 officers. The F5 Project, which started in North Dakota and still has government contracts there, has been widely praised for the peer support it gives to people coming home from prison or jail.
Becker County cuts ties to F5 Project after ND Attorney General’s Office issues findings
DETROIT LAKES — Becker County is ending its contract with the F5 Project, following a report by the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office that details self-serving action taken by key F5 officers. The F5 Project, which started in North Dakota and still has government contracts there, has been widely praised for the peer support it gives to people coming home from prison or jail.
Multiple guns had been removed from rural Battle Lake man who died in police standoff Original
BATTLE LAKE, Minn. — A man killed by a police officer during a Sept. 26 standoff in rural Battle Lake had been on law enforcement radar as a risk to himself or others, and a district judge had ordered that firearms be temporarily removed from his possession — including an AR-15-style assault rifle and a half-dozen other guns in the home. Christopher Olson, 39, of rural Battle Lake, was shot and killed in the incident, according to a Minnesota Department of Public Safety news release.
Jepson talks funding pressures, wakeboats and data centers at candidate forum
DETROIT LAKES — Becker County Commissioner Erica Jepson answered a wide range of questions at a candidate forum Thursday before a full house at the M State auditorium in Detroit Lakes. She is being challenged for the District 1 seat on the Becker County Board by Daniel Bergstrom of Shell Lake Township, who did not show up for the forum. “It’s been a great honor – one of the great honors of my life, actually, to represent District 1,” Jepson said.
Jepson talks funding pressures, wakeboats and data centers at candidate forum
DETROIT LAKES — Becker County Commissioner Erica Jepson answered a wide range of questions at a candidate forum Thursday before a full house at the M State auditorium in Detroit Lakes. She is being challenged for the District 1 seat on the Becker County Board by Daniel Bergstrom of Shell Lake Township, who did not show up for the forum. “It’s been a great honor – one of the great honors of my life, actually, to represent District 1,” Jepson said.
Luxury meets comfort when family gathers at this home on Altavista Drive
Note: This story originally appeared in the Fall Home magazine, which is a joint publication of the Detroit Lakes Tribune, Perham Focus and Wadena Pioneer Journal. DETROIT LAKES — The two-story, custom-built twin home on Altavista Drive on the south side of Detroit Lake is a thing of beauty – inside and out.
Rosing and Frederick square off at Becker County Auditor-Treasurer forum
DETROIT LAKES — Becker County Auditor-treasurer candidates Kim Frederick and Amy Rosing squared off in a candidate forum Thursday before a full house at the M State auditorium in Detroit Lakes. Rosing, of Audubon, is married with two children. She has worked for 15 years as office manager for Ace Electric and Lighting, a multi-million-dollar company. Her responsibilities include payroll, taxes, accounts receivable and payable, employee benefits and overseeing day-to-day office operations.
Becker County sheriff candidates face off at forum
DETROIT LAKES — Becker County sheriff candidates Luke Sweere and Shane Richard squared off in a candidate forum Thursday, Sept. 17, at a packed M State conference room. Richard said he has spent more than 26 years of his law enforcement career with the Becker County Sheriff’s Office, including the past 11 years as chief deputy under Sheriff Todd Glander. He and his wife, Kristina, have been married for 25 years and have four children.
Emergency planning pays off in Floyd Lake tornado response
DETROIT LAKES — On July 6 multiple severe storms hit portions of northwest and west central Minnesota, producing severe hail, severe wind gusts, multiple funnel clouds and at least three tornadoes. The Floyd Lake area north of Detroit Lakes was hit with an EF2 tornado , with winds up to 115 mph, that carved a path nearly 7 miles long and 800 yards wide, left three people injured and caused extensive property damage.
Becker County sets preliminary 7.2% levy hike for next year
DETROIT LAKES — The Becker County Board on Tuesday approved a preliminary property tax levy of just over $32.7 million for next year — an increase of 7.26% over this year’s levy. That amount can be lowered but not increased when the final 2027 levy and budget are approved in December. “In the past, when we set this preliminary budget, it has (already) been pretty much worked through,” said Commissioner Barry Nelson.
Here's our newspaper policy in Detroit Lakes, Perham and Wadena for paid political letters Original
Here's our corprate newspaper policy in Detroit Lakes, Perham and Wadena for election-related letters to the editor: Letters that advocate for or against a candidate, ballot measure or political party will be considered ads and are subject to a charge of $32 for the first 7 column inches and $13.46 for each inch thereafter. A 7-inch letter generally includes about 150 words. These rates do not include a processing fee.
Fischbach, Osberg spar over fraud, green energy, how to help rural economy
WADENA, Minn. — Seven legislative candidates and two congressional candidates gathered for a candidate's forum Aug. 27 in Wadena, hosted by the Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative. Republican Michelle Fischbach of Regal has served in Congress since defeating DFLer Collin Peterson in 2020. “We do it for our children and our grandchildren," she said. “I’m striving to be a strong voice for rural Minnesota, to make sure they know about Minnesota values at the federal level.
Fischbach, Osberg spar over fraud, green energy, how to help rural economy
WADENA, Minn. — Seven legislative candidates and two congressional candidates gathered for a candidate's forum Aug. 27 in Wadena, hosted by the Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative. Republican Michelle Fischbach of Regal has served in Congress since defeating DFLer Collin Peterson in 2020. “We do it for our children and our grandchildren," she said. “I’m striving to be a strong voice for rural Minnesota, to make sure they know about Minnesota values at the federal level.
Highly-concentrated kratom has become a problem drug in Becker County
DETROIT LAKES — Kratom addiction is becoming a problem for an unlikely group of people — regular parents who don’t otherwise use drugs, according to Jason McCoy, a public health prevention specialist with PartnerSHIP 4 Health and Clay County Public Health. He spoke online to commissioners from Becker and Clay counties on Tuesday. McCoy works in youth substance use prevention, targeting things like vaping and cannabis. “Kratom is not in the schools, most kids do not use kratom,” he said.
Detroit Lakes Holiday Inn has been a landmark hotel on the beach since 1976
DETROIT LAKES — A lot of things have changed since the Holiday Inn was built on Big Detroit Lake 50 years ago, but a few big ones haven’t — it still has a great location on the beach, a popular bar and restaurant, the biggest wedding and convention venue in town, and it’s a well-regarded landmark hotel in Detroit Lakes. The Holiday Inn is celebrating its 50th birthday with three days of “peace, fun and good vibes,” on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 4-6. A flyer for the Holiday Inn celebration.
House 9B candidate Owen Werner talks green energy, fraud and farming at candidate forum in Wadena
WADENA — Seven legislative candidates and two congressional candidates gathered for a candidate's forum Thursday in Wadena, hosted by the Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative. Owen Werner of Perham is the DFL candidate for District 9B. In the Nov. 3 general election, he will face Republican Rep. Tom Murphy , who did not participate in the forum. Werner criticized Murphy for not showing up for this forum and other candidate forums.
Fischbach, Osberg spar over fraud, green energy, how to help rural economy Original
WADENA — Seven legislative candidates and two congressional candidates gathered for a candidate's forum Thursday in Wadena, hosted by the Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative. Republican Michelle Fischbach of Regal has served in Congress since defeating DFLer Collin Peterson in 2020. “We do it for our children and our grandchildren," she said. “I’m striving to be a strong voice for rural Minnesota, to make sure they know about Minnesota values at the federal level.
Wiener and Fynboh talk fraud, family farms and renewable energy at candidate forum Original
WADENA — Minnesota Senate District 5 candidates went head to head In a candidate's forum Thursday, Aug. 27, in Wadena, hosted by the Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative. Skylar Fynboh lives in White Oak Township in Hubbard County, south of Akeley. He is the DFL candidate for Senate District 5 and will face Republican candidate Mike Wiener of Long Prairie on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot.
Knudsen and Mitchell talk fraud, renewable energy and other issues at candidate forum in Wadena Original
WADENA — House District 5A candidates made their case to voters at a candidate's forum Thursday, Aug. 27, in Wadena, hosted by the Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative. Dan Mitchell of rural Pequot Lakes is the DFL candidate for Minnesota House District 5A. He is running against Republican incumbent Krista Knudsen of Lake Shore. Mitchell, a cybersecurity engineer, is married with two boys — the youngest in the Air Force.
Jonathan Claussen and Maggie Evers make pitch to voters in House 5B race Original
WADENA — Seven legislative candidates and two congressional candidates gathered for a candidate's forum Thursday, Aug. 27, in Wadena, hosted by the Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative. Maggie Evers of Long Prairie is running on the DFL ticket for the Minnesota House 5B seat. A mental health professional, she will face off against Republican candidate and family practice doctor Jonathan Claussen of Browerville in the Nov. 3 general election.
Shouldering in: Road easement requests on tax-forfeited land are a growing issue in Becker County
DETROIT LAKES — With about 75,000 acres of tax-forfeited land managed by Becker County, much of it in the northern part of the county that is also part of the White Earth Reservation, county commissioners are struggling with an influx of requests for road easement rights across public lands.
Klobuchar plan would help small businesses provide health insurance to employees
DETROIT LAKES — It can be hard for a small business to attract and keep employees when it can’t afford to offer health insurance benefits. Mary Metelak, co-owner of B&T Meats in Waubun, knows first-hand what that’s like. “We have 25 employees, and we’re putting money back into the community,” she said. “We want to take care of our employees. They’re like family. A lot of them are friends and family.
Road easement requests on tax-forfeited land are a growing issue in Becker County
DETROIT LAKES — With about 75,000 acres of tax-forfeited land managed by Becker County, much of it in the northern part of the county that is also part of the White Earth Reservation, county commissioners are struggling with an influx of requests for road easement rights across public lands.
State certifies Wiener victory over Utke in Senate District 5 Republican primary Original
DETROIT LAKES — It’s official — Rep. Mike Wiener of Long Prairie defeated sitting Sen. Paul Utke of Park Rapids in the Aug. 11 Republican Primary Election race for Senate District 5. Wiener will now face DFL-endorsed candidate Skylar Fynboh of Hubbard County on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot. The Minnesota State Canvassing Board met Tuesday and approved the results of the Primary Election, including Senate District 5, which showed 5,803 votes for Wiener to 5,611 votes for Utke.
Minnesota state senator went to bed thinking he won; now he wants to know how he lost
A Minnesota state senator is asking for an explanation after his apparent primary election win turned into a loss early Wednesday morning, due to what he called a 1,400 to 1,500 vote “ballot dump.” Both incumbent Sen. Paul Utke, R-Park Rapids, and challenger Rep. Mike Wiener, R-Long Prairie, reported being among those who relied on early reports Tuesday that Utke had won the Senate race with 100% of precincts reporting, only to find out on Wednesday morning that Wiener had pulled ahead.
State senator went to bed Tuesday thinking he won; now he wants to know how he lost Original
DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — A Minnesota state senator is asking for an explanation after his apparent primary election win turned into a loss early Wednesday morning, Aug. 12, due to what he called a 1,400 to 1,500 vote “ballot dump.” Both incumbent Sen. Paul Utke, R-Park Rapids, and challenger Rep. Mike Wiener, R-Long Prairie, reported being among those who relied on early reports Tuesday, Aug.
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