Great Plains Natural Gas Company is conducting its annual quality control survey of the natural gas system to ensure public safety and the proper operation of the gas lines and meters.
Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program Inc. (RMCEP), is moving their offices from downtown Fergus Falls to the Minnesota State Community and Technical College Fergus Falls campus this June. RMCEP is a private nonprofit corporation that offers workforce development services in north-…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Steve Kelley is recommending that consumers take advantage of the opportunity to check their credit rating during these trying financial times. The three major credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and Transunion, are offering free weekly …
After Gov. Tim Walz loosened restrictions set in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which allowed golf courses to reopen in April, granted they comply with state guidelines, Pebble Lake Golf Course in Fergus Falls has seen an eruption of customers hitting the links.
Matthew Holding Eagle
Sports Reporter/Photographer
The Welcome House Thrift Store will be opening its doors to customers on Thursday, May 28 from 3-6 pm.
With so many things changed by the coronavirus pandemic, many community members are wondering when things will get back to normal. Many have expressed how much they miss doing the things that they were able to do before any stay-at-home order or closure. Some miss those that they interacted …
Zach Stich
Editor
featured
With an opening delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and emergency orders by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Greg Smedsrud has found time to put more atmosphere into the new ABC Brewery in Battle Lake.
After Wednesday’s announcement by Gov. Tim Walz about what is allowed to open June 1 and how several state businesses were supposed to operate, many community members were shocked and upset on the restrictions that were still in place. Several state officials and organization leaders were al…
The Fergus Falls Public Works Department is coming to the rescue of local restaurants and bars.
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) and West Central Initiative (WCI) are co-hosting a live Q&A session to answer questions from within the business community about available funding programs for the region. Watch the live event from the GFF Facebook page on Tuesday, May 26 at 7:30 a.m.
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) and West Central Initiative (WCI) are co-hosting a live Q&A session to answer questions from within the business community about available funding programs for the region. Watch the live event from the GFF Facebook page on Tuesday, May 26 at 7:30 a.m.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded nine workforce development grants totaling nearly $1.3 million under the Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership (MJSP) to assist businesses and educational institutions in training workers to keep high-quality jobs in …
Rural businesses are now facing permanent closure while waiting for the governor's decision to fully reopen the state.
Plant workers employed before 1981 diagnosed with various cancers are entitled to special benefits. Lung cancer, esophageal cancer, laryngeal cancer, pharyngeal cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, and mesothelioma are frequently caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos-laced pr…
Christopher Swanson, BFA, APMA, CRPC, CLTC, a financial advisor with Legacy Financial Partners a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services LLC, in Fergus Falls has been awarded a professional designation in the field of long-term care, certified in long-term care (CLT…
Some stores were able to reopen to foot traffic on Monday as Gov. Tim Walz relaxed his stay-at-home order, allowing retail shops to operate at 50% capacity. For some places, like Rusty Anchor Trading Company in Ottertail, this is the first day they’ll be open as the shutdown put plans for gr…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Restrictions on daily life in Minnesota begin to ease Monday as Gov. Tim Walz’s “stay safe” order takes effect, allowing retailers to reopen with limited capacity. Group gatherings of 10 or fewer people, including at places of worship, will be permitted once again.
Downtown Fergus Falls retailers are gearing up for the “new normal.”
Brian Hansel
Reporter
If you are hungry Carol and Pete Bertram want you to go to “Ruby’s Pantry.”
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The YMCA and Lake Region Healthcare have launched a new online program called the Together We Thrive Initiative aimed at helping the community get and grow through troubles of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Kent Mattson is now the permanent CEO of the Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) enterprise after recent action by the organization’s board of trustees. Mattson had been appointed interim CEO last December.
It isn’t uncommon to see Jesse Thorstad working with technology. The Fergus Falls Public School’s technology specialist has been working on the cutting edge of educational tech for a long time. But while his day job finds him working with teachers and staff to modernize ways of teaching stud…
Zach Stich
Editor
National Economic Development Week is May 4-8 and Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) is celebrating by helping businesses boost their online presence. While many industries like salons and bars are still restricted due to COVID-19, GFF is taking the opportunity to boost local business profiles, remotely.
The Fergus Falls Farmers Market is set to reopen next month in a new and changed world. Lynn Brand, manager of the farmers market, has just opened registration for vendors and already has plans in place to make the farmers market a safe and welcoming place for both their vendors and their cu…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Prairie Ridge Hospital and Health Services (PRHHS) of Elbow Lake was recently named one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for patient satisfaction in the country.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz threw a lot of confusion into the dentistry profession March 27 when he used Executive Order 20-20 to declare a state of emergency in order to slow the threat of COVID-19.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The Leapfrog Group, a Washington D.C, based organization aiming to improve health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers, recently released new Leapfrog Hospital safety grades, which assign A, B, C, D and F letter grades to hospitals nationwide. Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) was…
As the state continues to make progress in preparing for the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Tim Walz today extended the Stay Home Order in Minnesota until Monday, May 18. In an effort to get more Minnesotans back safely to work while the order remains in effect, the Governor announc…
Now through May 26, West Central Initiative’s 2020 Resiliency Fund is participating in #GivingTuesdayNow, a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) and the city of Fergus Falls are co-hosting a live Q&A session to support its business community and public health as businesses prepare to reopen.
Emma Thompson, BFA, APMA, a financial advisor with Legacy Financial Partners, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services LLC, in Fergus Falls recently obtained the behavioral financial advisor professional designation from Kaplan University and think2perform®.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the U.S. and add pressure to the nation’s hospitals, health care workers and first responders, COUNTRY Financial is stepping in to provide funds for much-needed equipment and supplies. Through its Operation Helping Heroes program, the comp…
When families are faced with financial uncertainty or sudden income loss, addressing the situation takes more than just thinking about dollars and cents, says Lori Hendrickson, Extension educator and an accredited financial counselor with University of Minnesota Extension.
The decision to allow some nonessential Minnesota businesses to bring back employees this week caught Dan Siskind, owner of Brickmania, by surprise. Siskind had been planning to reopen his Minneapolis company in early May, when Gov. Tim Walz’s stay-at-home order is set to expire.
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) has teamed up with the Fergus Falls Downtown Riverfront Council to kick off Project 2 Fold, an initiative aimed at supporting local businesses and families in need. Donations to the project go toward providing students in need in ISD 544 with a back-to-school hairc…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Auto sales took a hit from state-wide stay at home orders in late March and early April with most manufacturers reporting a first-quarter sales dip of 7-10%. Some U.S. states, like New York, reported drops of as high as 80%. Luckily, things seem to be improving as automakers put out incentiv…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
The good news for Minnesota’s resorts this summer is that they will be able to operate. At this point, it will not be the COVID-19 virus shutting them down.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
One of the most hard-hit groups during the coronavirus pandemic and stay-at-home order is local small businesses. Without community members to peruse, dine or purchase items from their stores, many businesses had to change their mode of operation including laying off stay and reducing hours.…
Zach Stich
Editor
The West Otter Tail County USDA Service Center will continue to be open for business by phone appointment only and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. While our program delivery staff will continue to come into the office, they will be working with our producers by p…
The Fergus Falls Public Library, in accordance with the latest guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and in accordance with Gov. Tim Walz’s executive order to “stay at home” has been closed to the public since March 28.
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) is pleased to announce they are partnering with the Southern Valley Economic Development Association (SVEDA) to co-host an upcoming Zoom presentation, entitled ‘Lemonade.’ This event is scheduled for Thursday, April 23 from 7:30 - 8:00 a.m. and will focus on busine…
In partnership with the Fergus Falls Downtown Riverfront Council (FFDRC), Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) is launching Project 2 Fold, an initiative to support local businesses and families in need. This initiative will provide revenue for some of our businesses affected by the executive order. A…
Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) announced that interim CFO Camie Patterson FACHE, CPA, FHFMA has joined the organization today on a permanent basis as CFO and Senior Vice President. Patterson has been with the organization on an interim basis since last October. The position is an enterprise …
Grocery stores are one of the businesses deemed essential during the pandemic and is one place that poses the most risk to shoppers and employees. On Monday, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) released a report saying that at least 30 supermarket employees in t…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Fourteen local food shelves in Lake Region Electric Cooperative’s (LREC) service area will receive extra funds through the cooperative’s Operation Round Up Program. These funds will assist with immediate needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) is pleased to announce the addition of Ruby’s Pinoy Food to the Fergus Falls business community. Owned by Ruby Tungseth, she started as a catering business and is now located inside of the City Bakery building in downtown Fergus Falls.
Chief of Public Safety Kile Bergren and the Fergus Falls Police Department have been aware for several weeks of an online fraud employing the name of two former Fergus Falls transportation companies.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The Viking Cafe is usually closed on Easter but this year they did something a little different. Owner Pat Shol, his family and staff offered a drive-thru Easter dinner on Sunday and served approximately 375 meals. Each meal consisted of ham and turkey with dressing, mashed potatoes, a veget…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
In response to COVID-19 and pursuant to Minnesota Statute Chapter 12 Emergency Management, Governor Walz declared a state of emergency. In accordance with the state of emergency and Minnesota Statute Chapter 13D.021, the Viking Library System (VLS) Executive Committee and VLS staff will part…
Wick Communications, a family-owned multi-media company and parent company of The Daily Journal, has established a $500,000 Community Grant Program to assist locally owned businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.
GFF launches ‘So You Wanna Start a Business?’ entrepreneur initiative
Gary Wahl of South Mill Service has been a go-to guy for firearms in Fergus Falls for decades.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced at the end of March that the federal income tax filing due date and the due date to make tax payments were extended from April 15 to July 15, accommodating businesses and individuals who have closed or lost income as a result of …
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
One upside for the American consumer during the current COVID-19 pandemic has been the steep drop in gasoline prices.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Currently, many communities’ members are not looking to head out to their local gym for a workout due to Gov. Tim Walz’s order to keep fitness facilities closed during the coronavirus pandemic. While many businesses are currently shuttered until further notice, one fitness business — Anytime…
Zach Stich
Editor
For many of our customers, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought struggles, both personally and financially. American Family Insurance (AmFam) is working hard to support their customers by offering payment deferral, removal of late fees and virtual claims handling options.
One of the businesses affected by Executive Order 20-04 includes museums, which, as part of the order, are to remain shut until May 1. The order went into effect on March 17 at 5 p.m. and was extended on March 25, unfortunately coinciding with the grand opening of Fergus Falls new children’s…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
The Fergus Falls Downtown Riverfront Council (FFDRC) received a donation to launch a special Downtown Chowdown initiative to generate revenue for downtown restaurants in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 250 $10 vouchers will be available next week through May 31st, 2020. These vouchers wil…
Global Medical Response has deployed its ground ambulance division, American Medical Response, and network providers to support America’s COVID-19 response. AMR is responding to a FEMA request to provide ambulances and emergency medical services personnel to the greater New York area. Resour…
For Edward Jones financial advisors, passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act has been a jolt of good news in an otherwise deeply unsettling time.