By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

County commissioners have approved the following changes to the Solid Waste hours of operation effective Oct. 1, 2024:

• Fergus Falls Transfer Station: open first Saturday of each month 8 a.m. to noon

• Pelican Rapids Transfer Station: open Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon

• Fergus Falls HHW, Re-Use and Redemption Center: open first Saturday of each month 9 a.m. to noon and closed Mondays year-round

• All other facilities hours remain unchanged

County probation hires approved

County commissioners, on Aug. 13, approved two full-time-equivalent (FTE) probation agents within the Probation Department as part of Phase 2 of the transition from the County Probation Officer Model to the Community Corrections Act Model. These positions will be funded through the probation funding subsidy for 2025.

There have been two probation agencies that serve Otter Tail County. A county office has been responsible for the supervision of all juvenile matters and all adult misdemeanant/gross misdemeanant clients. A state Department of Corrections office has been responsible for all adult felony clients.

Commissioners support Wetlands Learning Center

County Commissioner and Board Chairman Kurt Mortenson informed the county board about an invitation to sign a letter to federal officials and federal lawmakers, in coordination with many other organizations, offering support for the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center in Fergus Falls.

There are concerns about the viability of the center and efforts are being made to ensure that the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center remains a thriving educational organization.

Due to the lack of staff, the Center building has been forced to curtail its operating hours in recent months.

Prairie Wetlands Learning Center facility is situated on 330 acres of scenic prairie with native and restored areas encompassing 28 wetlands and 3.5 miles of trails.

The Visitor Center houses an exhibit area, the Bluestem Store, 4 classrooms and an education greenhouse.

All five commissioners agree to sign a letter of support.