Nancy Vogt

Pequot Lakes

Editor at Pine and Lakes Echo Journal

Pineandlakes Echo Journal editor, covering news from Nisswa to Hackensack and Pequot Lakes to Crosslake. My dad calls me Scoop!

Articles

North Dakota free fishing weekend is June 7-8

5 days ago | inforum.com | Nancy Vogt

BISMARCK – North Dakota residents who want to give fishing a try can fish for free June 7-8, the Game and Fish Department said. That is the state’s free fishing weekend, when all residents 16 and older can fish any North Dakota water without a license. Residents 15 and younger do not need a fishing license at any time of year.
Nisswa City Council addresses land purchase concerns

1 week ago | pineandlakes.com | Nancy Vogt

NISSWA — Kalie Jay, Nisswa Chamber president, shared two main concerns at the Nisswa City Council regular meeting Tuesday, May 20, that came from a meeting of downtown businesses earlier that day. Those concerns are talk of possibly ending downtown garbage service as part of potential cuts to the public works budget, and how the city's recently purchased land off Highway 371 would be developed.
Nisswa hires interim city administrator

1 week ago | pineandlakes.com | Nancy Vogt

NISSWA — An interim city administrator started working for Nisswa on Tuesday, May 27. The Nisswa City Council agreed to hire Tim Cruikshank after interviewing two candidates before their regular meeting Tuesday, May 20. The other candidate was Keith E. Hiller. The action came after former City Administrator Jenny Max resigned, and Clerk Kiki Lindbery was assigned city administrator duties until the council decided what to do next. The vote was 4-1 to hire Cruikshank.
Pequot Lakes second graders debate how to handle stray cats

1 week ago | pineandlakes.com | Nancy Vogt

PEQUOT LAKES — Stray cats — what do we do? That's the question Pequot Lakes second graders debated during a field trip to city hall Friday, May 16. Students first visited the city administrative offices, where they received a goody bag, and the police department, where they asked Police Chief Mike Davis questions.
Vogt's Notes: Remember these boating safety tips as summer kicks off

1 week ago | pineandlakes.com | Nancy Vogt

National Safe Boating Week is this week, May 17-23. That's pretty timely since Memorial Day weekend — the traditional kickoff to summer and all the water activities that brings — is upon us. The forecast for weekend temperatures in the low to mid 60s doesn't entice me to go boating just yet, but the time will come soon. Like me, most veteran boaters and even some novice boaters likely know all the safety rules. Whether we all practice them is another question.
How was Crosslake chosen to host Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener?

1 week ago | twincities.com | Nancy Vogt

CROSSLAKE, Minn. — In its 77 years, the Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener was never in Crosslake on the Whitefish Chain, specifically Cross Lake, until this year. Requirements to host the event have changed since it was last held in the lakes area in 2014 in Nisswa on a much larger scale than in recent years. Even so, it was a surprise that Crosslake was chosen as the host community this year.
Outdoors Notebook: Game and Fish launches 3-year walleye-tagging study on Devils Lake

2 weeks ago | grandforksherald.com | Nancy Vogt

DEVILS LAKE – The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has launched a three-year walleye-tagging study on Devils Lake in an effort to learn more about the “exploitation rate,” or percentage of walleyes anglers harvest each year, on the popular fishery. In a “North Dakota Outdoors” video segment, Todd Caspers, district fisheries biologist for Game and Fish in Devils Lake, said the goal is to tag at least 1,000 walleyes each of the three years in various locations across the lake.
Nearly 90 people attend Nisswa town hall forum

2 weeks ago | pineandlakes.com | Nancy Vogt

NISSWA — Nearly 90 people attended a just over two-hour Nisswa town hall forum Tuesday, May 13, to learn more about city topics. The Nisswa City Council hosted the gathering at the Nisswa Community Center. Another such town hall forum is planned in the fall as the council seeks transparency with residents. City staff also attended. The event started with Mayor Jennifer Carnahan introducing council members and staff.
Ever hike up a fire tower? This one in Pequot Lakes is worth the climb

2 weeks ago | pineandlakes.com | Nancy Vogt

PEQUOT LAKES, Minn. — Wow, what a spectacular view!There's no doubt that phrase, or something similar, has been uttered countless times by those who make it to the top — or even near the top — of the fire tower at the Paul M. Thiede Fire Tower Park in Pequot Lakes to take in the panoramic view from high above the treetops. It's a decent uphill hike along a steep path to get to the tower, and then a 135-stair climb 100 feet up to the tower's cab.
Fred Keller

2 weeks ago | pineandlakes.com | Travis Grimler |Nancy Vogt

Fred William Keller, 95, of Backus, MN, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2025, with his family by his side. Born on September 29, 1929, in Mankato, MN, to Walter Keller and Adelaide (Payne) Keller, Fred was the youngest of four siblings, growing up as the baby brother to sisters, Ida, Margaret, and Mary, in Mapleton, MN. Fred’s early years were spent on the family farm and attending a one-room schoolhouse, which he openly disliked.