Perham Focus

What do we share in common as a human race? Despite increasing diversity, society remains deeply divided today. Populations often find themselves separated along religious, political and cultural lines. Polarized public dialogues and culture wars intensify divisions within communities. In...

PARK RAPIDS, Minn. - A Long Prairie angler was given seven days in jail Monday for cheating at the Park Rapids American Legion Community Fishing Derby this winter. Alfred “Tom” Mead, 72, pleaded guilty in Hubbard County District Court to a felony charge of theft by swindle...

A Vergas man has been convicted and sentenced in Becker County District Court on a felony charge of second degree assault with a dangerous weapon. Jack Thomas Nelson, 19, of 29319 415th St., Vergas, was ordered to serve 36 months (three years) in prison, with credit for 191 days...

Waiting for the smell from the wastewater treatment plant to go away? Don’t hold your breath. Well, actually, go ahead and hold it. You may need to. In an informational session with the public on Monday night, city leaders said the smell is here to stay for another summer,...

The Perham-Dent School Board held a special meeting on June 6 to discuss budgets for upcoming school years and, in particular, a potential new levy that could bring additional revenue into the district. Business Manager Kristi Werner reported that the district’s projected budget...

Businesses in the Perham area usually get a boost from an influx of tourists in the warm summer months. But this year’s long, nearly unprecedented stretch of winter weather and the more recent string of rain and unseasonably cold temperatures have presented unique challenges...

The 15-20 students involved in an end-of-school-year prank at Perham High School have each been assigned 16 hours of community service, according to Superintendent Mitch Anderson. A lengthy investigation by police and school officials determined that the group of recent graduates...

Anthony James Swanson, 35, of Deer Creek, appeared in Otter Tail County District Court on June 4, charged with leaving the scene of an accident and criminally-related vehicular use resulting in injuries to others. Court records state that at 6:14 p.m. on May 30, a Dodge pickup...