Half-cent sales tax was originally approved in 2016 By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The county board of commissioners, on March 10, authorized continuation of a half-cent sales tax as provided under Minnesota statutes for the purpose of funding Otter Tail County transportation projects from 2026 through 2031. A public hearing to consider the updated plan… Read More

Photo by Dani Koenen Mike Wardlow died his beard green and delivered some special treats to local residents on Tuesday as part of St. Patrick’s Day in Henning. 

Henning is one of 31 schools across the state to receive CERP assistance grant The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) announced the award of 31 Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) Assistance Grants to districts, schools and educational cooperatives across Minnesota. The grants, totaling $836,000, will support emergency response and preparedness planning in schools. Among the… Read More

Former Hornets recall 1964-66 trips to historic college arena By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent March is the month when Minnesota’s boys and girls high school basketball teams, including those from Otter Tail County, have the opportunity to play in the iconic Williams Arena during state tournament games on the campus of the University of Minnesota…. Read More

Abbey Mulcahy Report for Minnesota It might finally be happy hour in nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the state after lawmakers discussed the issue in the fifth week of the legislative session. Bills moving through committees in the Minnesota House and Senate would allow nursing homes, boarding care homes and assisted living facilities to serve… Read More

Human therapist would need to review documents created by artificial intelligence Eleanor Steffen Report for Minnesota Some mental health professionals in Minnesota are wary of the use of artificial intelligence in psychotherapy services. State legislators advanced a bill on March 18 to regulate it. The House Health Finance and Policy Committee approved a bill by Rep. Peggy Scott,… Read More

More than 60 data centers are in operation in Minnesota Shay Scanlan Report for Minnesota Lawmakers are moving to require big technology companies to provide more information to the public when they plan to build data centers in Minnesota communities. One measure would prohibit local governments from entering into non-disclosure agreements, or NDAs, with private companies, while… Read More

If you’ve spent any time around the Douglas County Master Gardener Program over the past two decades, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Lewis Struthers. And if you have, you probably walked away having learned something about bees, berries, gardens, or simply the joy of being curious. This year, the program is honoring Lewis with… Read More

Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons congratulated Corrections Sergeant Myrna Budke and Corrections Officer Mike Wentzel on their retirements from the Otter Tail County Detention Facility Monday, March 16.  “With over 56 years of combined experience between Sgt. Myrna Budke and Corrections Officer Mike Wentzel, we are losing an incredible amount of knowledge and dedication.Thank you both for your… Read More

Awarded for advancing patient care and the optometric profession Minnesota Optometric Association is proud to announce Senator Jordan Rasmusson as a recipient of the Healthcare Champion Award. “The Healthcare Champion Award is given to those who recognize that scope of practice is truly about patient care,” said Dr. Tate Herman, president of the Minnesota Optometric Association…. Read More