Nathan Bowe, Detroit Lakes Tribune Journalist Profile

Articles

Unusually high land values hit Becker County farmers

6 days ago | dl-online.com | Nathan Bowe

DETROIT LAKES — Farmers in Becker County are in the unenviable position of seeing their tillable land values increase about 41% for taxes payable this year, on top of a steep increase the year before, after a series of moves by the state to get values up to snuff. Here’s the story: For tax assessment purposes, land and building values are based on sales of comparable property. The state requires counties to set property values between 90% and 105% of the sales price of similar properties.
Cannabis law causes consternation in Becker County

1 week ago | dl-online.com | Nathan Bowe

DETROIT LAKES — Minnesota’s legal cannabis law on Tuesday had Becker County commissioners trying to find the sweet spot between residents who don’t like the new law at all, and locals who don’t see why cannabis production and sales should be treated any differently than liquor production and sales. The catalyst for the discussion was a zoning request for a cannabis "micro-growing” facility in Hamden Township from Bryan and Marie Millms.
Local kids will be eating well this autumn, thanks to Minnesota Farm to Table grants

1 week ago | dl-online.com | Nathan Bowe

DETROIT LAKES — This autumn, students at Detroit Lakes Public Schools will be able to feast on locally-grown beef, veggies and fruits, thanks to a $25,000 Farm to School grant from the state. “I applied for the grant this past winter to continue our Minnesota Farm to School efforts,” said Detroit Lakes School District Food Service Director Anne Skjold.
Rally in Detroit Lakes calls for a fair economy for working families

1 week ago | dl-online.com | Nathan Bowe

DETROIT LAKES — About 100 people showed up on a rainy Thursday in Detroit Lakes City Park for a May Day Strong Rally in support of a fair economy for working families. “We pray for justice in our laws, and the abiding by them of us all. We pray for our judges and our police officers and National Guard,” said Pastor Lauryl Ivers. “We pray with deep thanks for the veterans who have given their service and sacrifice for the freedom of democracy in our nation and around the world.
Becker County, Detroit Lakes now handling shoreline alteration permits in Pelican River Watershed District

1 week ago | dl-online.com | Nathan Bowe

DETROIT LAKES — Becker County and the city of Detroit Lakes are once again handling permits for “near-shore” work on lake and river shore impact zones within the Pelican River Watershed District. That means that “if you’re doing anything in the shore impact zone — tree removal, dirt removal, vegetation removal — you need to get a permit from the city, if you're in city limits – or from Becker County, if you’re outside the city,” said Detroit Lakes City Administrator Kelcey Klemm.
USDA grant money flowing again for Manna Food Co-op's shared kitchen

2 weeks ago | dl-online.com | Nathan Bowe

DETROIT LAKES — In good news for the Manna food cooperative — and for the regional food supply chain — federal money has started flowing again toward Manna’s effort to build a commercial kitchen in its under-construction store in Detroit Lakes. The $304,000 grant approved last year by the U.S. Department of Agriculture had been frozen without explanation until recently, when an $86,000 reimbursement check came through to Manna Treasurer Ryan Pesch, for money already spent on the project.
Highway 59 road construction to start May 2 in Pelican Rapids

2 weeks ago | dl-online.com | Nathan Bowe

DETROIT LAKES — Starting Friday, May 2, weather permitting, road construction will resume in Pelican Rapids, and Highway 59 will reduce to one lane of traffic, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. An automated traffic signal will direct motorists through the work zone. The work is a continuation of the two-year reconstruction project on Highway 59 and Highway 108 in Pelican Rapids.
An 11% levy hike? State funding cuts could hit Becker County hard

2 weeks ago | dl-online.com | Nathan Bowe

DETROIT LAKES — State-level cuts and unfunded mandates may hit Becker County hard in a number of areas, according to information compiled by Becker County Administrator Carrie Smith. She said this is kind of a “worst-case scenario,” based on the governor’s proposed budget. Here are some examples: The state is looking at a 35% reduction — about $229,000 — in Becker County’s payment-in-lieu-of-taxes, or PILT, funding.
New Becker County veterans officer has military, law enforcement experience

2 weeks ago | dl-online.com | Nathan Bowe

DETROIT LAKES — New Becker County Veterans Service Officer Anthony Mastin was born and raised in Detroit Lakes, but his military and law enforcement career has taken him far afield, past some deadly near-misses and through some heartbreaking tragedies, before bringing him home to Becker County again. He graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1987 and graduated from the Detroit Lakes technical college with a degree in biomedical electronics repair.
Don't flush those pills: Here's how to safely dispose of unwanted meds

3 weeks ago | dl-online.com | Nathan Bowe

DETROIT LAKES — Do you have any expired, unused, or unwanted medications at home? Don’t just ignore them, they could fall into the wrong hands. Don’t throw them in the garbage, they could damage the environment. And don’t flush them down the toilet, they could end up in the water supply, according to Vanessa Collmann, an RN with Becker County Public Health. “It used to be a common thing, flush it down the toilet to get rid of it,” Collmann said.