Meet In CommonNews

Local news in and around Becker, MN

Duluth News Tribune · Becker, MN

Prep report: MI-B overrun in Class A quarterfinal

The Breckenridge Cowboys’ offense ran roughshod over Mountain Iron-Buhl on Friday night, as their Class A state quarterfinal in Becker was a 57-20 Breckenridge rout. Matt Lira picked off a pass and returned it all the way to give MI-B an early 6-0 lead, but Breckenridge scored six touchdowns in the first half, with Cowboys senior quarterback Riley Kappes throwing for one and rushing for two more. The second was a 60-yard scamper late in the first half, contributing to a 147-yard rushing total in the first half alone and his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season. Kappes had two more touchdown runs and a touchdown pass in the second half. Even the good news came with bad news. Right after Izaiah Alto hit Noah Fox down the hash marks on a 67-yard catch and run for MI-B’s second touchdown of the game, Breckenridge’s Joel Lopez returned the ensuing kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown the other way.

Detroit Lakes Tribune · Becker, MN

Proposed Ice Cracking ATV Trail awaits state decision

DETROIT LAKES — A 57-mile network of forest roads and trails in Becker County could soon become part of Minnesota’s state-funded ATV trail system, according to a news release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The Minnesota DNR’s public comment period on the proposed Ice Cracking ATV Trail was set to close Friday, Nov. 13. The Woods and Wheels ATV Club, with Becker County as its government sponsor, wants to enroll the existing routes in the state’s off-highway vehicle grant-in-aid program for use by Class 1 and Class 2 ATVs. No new trail would be built. If the trail is approved, state money would help maintain routes the club has so far kept up on its own. “The only difference between now and if it gets in there is the state pays,” said club president Gary "Seal" Thompson, who founded Woods and Wheels in 2005. The trail would connect Two Inlets State Forest east toward White Earth State Forest, linking to a broader network of OHV trails.

Detroit Lakes Tribune · Becker, MN

Callaway man accused of selling 28 grams meth to confidential informant

DETROIT LAKES — Tyler Wade Leu, 39, of Callaway has been charged in Becker County District Court with felony first-degree drugs and felony second-degree drugs. According to court records, on March 19, 2026, he sold about 28 grams of meth for $460 to a confidential informant working with a special agent with the West Central Minnesota Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force. The controlled buy occurred in the parking of a Detroit Lakes convenience store. On May 13, 2026, two special agents traveled to Fargo and interviewed Leu at his residence. According to court records, the agents informed Leu of the pending case against him, and Leu stated that he would get a "tee shirt" or "eight ball" of methamphetamine wherever he could find it. Leu said he was selling an ounce of meth for $400 to $450 and a half-ounce for $200.

Detroit Lakes Tribune · Becker, MN

Audubon man accused of pointing rifle at man, firing multiple rounds at ground near him

DETROIT LAKES — Brandon Paul Szalay, 44, of Audubon has been charged in Becker County District Court with felony second-degree assault and two counts of felony possession of guns or ammo. Szalay is accused of pointing a rifle at a man and firing multiple rounds near him. According to court records, on the afternoon of Oct. 20 an Audubon police officer and Becker County deputies responded to a residence in Audubon on a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, the Audubon officer identified Szalay, who smelled strongly of alcohol, standing outside and took him into custody. The Audubon officer then spoke with the man who had called police, who explained that he had gone to Szalay’s residence because he discovered that Szalay’s dogs had killed an emotional support pet, a domesticated rabbit, that belonged to one of the man's relatives. The man yelled at Szalay and Szalay came outside, where they argued about his dogs and the rabbit.

hometownsource.com · Monticello, MN

Nearby: Monticello, MN

Historically Speaking: Yearbooks, buses and consolidation reshape Monticello schools

This is Part 11 of a series marking 170 years since Monticello’s first school opened Sept. 15, 1856. Recent installments followed the school’s 1928 expansion and traced the early history of Monticello’s longtime Redmen name.Continuing from last week, the Class of 1943 matched the Class of 1938 with 36 graduates. That year also brought the first Monticello school yearbook since 1908.The opening pages introduced the publication:“The Pow Wow 1943 Vol.

hometownsource.com · Zimmerman, MN

Nearby: Zimmerman, MN

Potential Zimmerman Council recount still remains uncertain

Whether or not the Zimmerman City Council race will head into a recount after Karen Michels secured the second Council spot by a 13-vote lead over incumbent Dave Earenfight during the Nov. 3 General Elections remains uncertain this week.On Monday, the Zimmerman City Council canvassed the election results, which showed that incumbent Larry Farber secured reelection to one of the two Council seats up for election this year with with 33.7% of the votes, or 1,144 votesMichels secured the second seat with 32.78% of the votes, or 1,113 votes, while Earenfight narrowly took missed securing a seat by taking third place with 32.4% of the votes, or 1,100 votes.

McKenzie County Farmer · Buffalo, MN

Nearby: Buffalo, MN

Vikings working OT to get QB Kirk Cousins ready for Packers

The Green Bay Packers can avenge their season-opening loss Sunday when they host the Minnesota Vikings and newly reacquired quarterback Kirk Cousins in a crucial divisional matchup in the tightly contested NFC North. The Vikings (6-2) obtained the 38-year-old Cousins, who played for them for six seasons, from the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday after Minnesota failed to score a touchdown in a 23-6 home loss to Buffalo on Monday night that featured a dismal performance by Carson Wentz. Green Bay (6-3) routed New England 45-27 on Sunday for its second consecutive victory behind three touchdown passes from Jordan Love and four takeaways by the defense. When the Packers and Vikings met on Sept. 13 in Minneapolis, the Vikings scored the final 29 points -- including 22 in the fourth quarter -- for a 39-22 victory. The Vikings, who have averaged 15.3 points since Week 1, have dropped two straight after opening with six victories.