Erhard 'skyscraper' tumbles down, as Farmers Elevator demolished

The Erhard Farmers Elevator, which had been inactive for nearly 30 years, was demolished May 21.  
For photos and details, look for the Pelican Rapids Press print edition, at newsstands on May 29.

A farmboy all his life

Except for a few years in the 1940’s

The boys who never came home linger in the memory of rural Pelican WWII veteran Robert Ronningen  

By Louis Hoglund

Like tens of thousands of rural boys from across America in the 1940’s, Robert Ronningen left the farm in a uniform–knowing full well he may never return.
Like his father before him, World War I veteran James Ronningen,  Robert embarked for Europe to make the world safe for democracy.
And–like his father  and thousands upon thousands of other returning military veterans– he doesn’t have  read entire story. . . .

Cold water dangerous to boaters this Memorial Day weekend

Minnesotans are eager to hit the water for Memorial Day weekend, but the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding boaters that warmer weather does not mean warm water.

“For boaters and swimmers, our current water temperatures can prove dangerous, or even deadly, if they don’t consider the effect cold water has on their body,” said Capt. Greg Salo, DNR Region 3 enforcement manager. “Water temperature below 70 degrees is considered cold.”


Falling into frigid water can cause an immediate gasp for air and the shock of the icy water can also cause cardiac arrest, even for people in good health. Cold water robs the body of heat 25 times faster than air of the same temperature, Salo added.
 read entire story. . . .

Lake Lida fire burns ten acres

By Louis Hoglund

An immense, smoldering brush pile  near the northwest shore of Lake Lida   flared up twice in less than four days; burning about ten acres and at one point threatening a resort.
The brush pile was burned in early spring, but embers from a mass of compost, tree limbs and full logs were re-ignited on May 11 by a stiff southerly wind.  The brush pile, on land owned by the Johnson farm  read entire story. . . .

Pelican, Vergas firefighters  called to massive Menahga fire

Area firefighters were called to the Menahga area last week, to battle a fire that has burned more than 7,000 acres.
Two firefighters from the Pelican Rapids  department drove a fire engine north to the Menahga area May 14–only a couple hours after being on duty east of Pelican Rapids, where a brush fire burned about ten acres.  read entire story. . . .

Souvenir edition salutes Pelican Rapids Class of 2013

Inside this edition of the Pelican Rapids Press, a look at the graduating class at Pelican Rapids High School.
Also included, messages of congratulations from businesses throughout the Pelican area.

End of the trail

Injured horse ends journey to Montana for rural Otter Tail County rider

By Louis Hoglund

An 800 mile journey from Amor in Otter Tail County to Montana ended before crossing the North Dakota state line, when Felipe Hernandez’s horse was injured.
With his horse Shadow and mule Molly packed for the trek, Hernandez passed through the Pelican Rapids area after leaving his hobby farm in Amor May 6.
“We were trying to maneuver past a couple of ponds, when the horse slid into the mud and water and
 read entire story. . . .

This time stars aligned for new Rothsay school

By Tom Hintgen
Otter Tail County Correspondent

A big push by a Yes Committee, placing a scaled back bond issue on the ballot with a decrease of $5 million from a rejected previous propoaal, and other factors resulted in voter approval for a new facility for the Rothsay Public School District.The vote on Thursday, May 16, was 348 in favor (52 percent) and 315 against, a margin of 33 votes.  read entire story. . . .

WWII Veteran Ken Larson

Submarine sailor tells kids about underwater duty in dangerous times

By Louis Hoglund

As if the sharks weren’t sufficiently scary–there were also “bad” ships in the water, and “bad” planes in the air.
Submariner Kenny Larson also saw friendly dolphins and whales during his two years on–and under  the water–during World War II.
Pelican Rapids kindergarten students experienced a rare glimpse of history, when Hazel Haugrud  read entire story. . . .

Vacant Dent house destroyed by fire

By Tom Hintgen
Otter Tail County Correspondent

A vacant house on 380th Avenue, east of Dent, was destroyed by fire on Saturday, May 18. The home had been vacant for several months.
The Sheriff’s Office reported that the owners, early in the morning, had three juveniles at the house who helped clean the residence. In a bedroom, the workers had a candle burning to provide light because there was no other light source.
While the juveniles were in the garage, the home owner noticed smoke from the bedroom where the candle was lit. The fire quickly got out of control. Firemen were called to the scene at 8:52 a.m., from Dent, Vergas and Underwood.
The house is a total loss. The property was believed to have been under foreclosure. The home owner had been talking with a financial company to get the home out of probate.
The incident is under investigation.
 read entire story. . . .

Finalists for the 60th Princess Kay of the Milky Way title named

Johanna Knorr to represent Pelican, West Otter Tail area

This year’s finalists for the title of Princess Kay of the Milky Way have been named.
The list includes Pelican Rapids High School senior Johanna Knorr, representing West Otter Tail County.
The 12 young women from dairy farm backgrounds were selected at the conclusion of a three-day event for county dairy princesses held in St. Joseph. Each of the 12 will be sculpted in butter during the 2013 Minnesota State Fair. Princess Kay is crowned each year the night before the State Fair opens.  read entire story. . . .