Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) has announced that its hospitals in Fergus Falls and in Elbow Lake both are recognized in the Chartis Center for Rural Health 2026 Top 100 rankings. Chartis’ annual Top 100 award program celebrates outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals based on the results of the Chartis… Read More

Weichert, Realtors® – Paulson Land Company has announced that REALTOR® and Property Management Specialist Taylor Henkes has joined their team. Henkes provides dedicated service to clients in Otter Tail and Todd Counties and surrounding areas.   As a Weichert® affiliated agent, she benefits from comprehensive training programs, cutting-edge technology, and industry-leading sales and marketing tools, allowing… Read More

National BPA contest set for May 6-10 in Nashville The Henning Business Professionals of America chapter had eight students compete at the State BPA contests in Minneapolis from March 5-7.  This was the biggest state contests ever as over 1,500 students from around the state were there competing.   These students did a great job of… Read More

Trail to go from county garage near Fergus Falls to Maplewood State Park By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County commissioners, on March 10, gave support to a grant application made to the Minnesota Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) for construction of a 10-foot-wide, five-mile multi-use bituminous segment trail as part of the Glacial Edge Regional… Read More

Joshua Dale Larson, age 18 of Deer Creek, has been charged with three felonies, including criminal sexual conduct in the first degree – penetration or contact under 14 – actor more than 36 months older, solicit child to engage in sexual conduct – prohibited act, and engage in electronic communication relating or describing sexual conduct… Read More

MFIP program includes nutrition, housing support By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County commissioners, in late February 2026, approved three Employment Services Specialist positions to support the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) and its work to assist families throughout Otter Tail County. MFIP in Otter Tail County provides cash, food assistance and employment services to low-income families with children… Read More

Jack Schmitt has ties to WBL, walked on the moon in 1972 By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Former astronaut Harrison (Jack) Schmitt, a retired geologist and resident of New Mexico, oftentimes stayed at a family cabin at West Battle Lake during the summer months. Schmitt was 37 when he landed on the moon in December 1972…. Read More

Contributed photo Rep. Backer and Rep. Tom Murphy met with the Otter Tail County Commissioners and department heads to discuss property tax, the Perham Resource Recovery Facility, Human Services, and other important matters.

Seasonal road restrictions in accordance with Minnesota Statute §169.87 went into effect on Friday March 7, for Becker County Highways that are South of US Highway 10.  Seasonal road restrictions will go into effect on Becker County Highways that are North of US Highway 10 at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, March 18.  The weight restriction signs shall govern… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County collections is an ongoing process that includes recouping money related to public assistance, long-term care medical assistance and other cases related to various county-assessed fees such as jail and detox.  Otter Tail County employees, in 2025, recovered $1.78 million. A year earlier, in 2024, a total of $970,012 was recouped… Read More