By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Many baby boomers remember riding the rails on passenger trains close to Pebble Lake and Swan Lake, southeast of Fergus Falls, and through Dalton and Ashby. This was the case until rail passenger service ended in 1971.  Today, the rails are no longer in place but the route remains as part… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor, Frazee-Vergas Forum The Otter Tail County Board unanimously approved a permit modification to the new Henning transfer station during the board’s most recent meeting Tuesday, Feb. 28.  In July of 2022, the Solid Waste Department, along with FOTH Engineering, began the process of designing a new state-of-the-art transfer station, including a new office and… Read More

Rock ‘n’ roll hall of famer has close ties to OT County By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Gary Puckett, who gained rock ‘n’ roll fame in the late 1960s, always appreciated his family ties to Otter Tail County, and Pelican Rapids in particular. This remains true to the present day for the rock star who… Read More

The Henning junior high speech team competed at a meet in Fergus Falls on Saturday, Feb. 21.  Breanna Bunkowski placed third in Humorous Interpretation with her script from the movie “10 Things I Hate About You” Emma Fosse placed third in Poetry Interpretation with her program of various poems about mental illness and healing. Brenden Weller placed third… Read More

Trail connects Pelican Rapids, Perham trails By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent What was once referred to as the Pelican Rapids to Perham Recreational Trail is now the Heart of the Lakes Regional Trail. One section of the 32-mile-long trail remains to built, that being the 4.2-mile segment through Maplewood State Park. Construction will hopefully take place… Read More

Two change orders total nearly $8,000 for county garages By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County commissioners unanimously authorized a change order for the Pelican Rapids Highway Garage in the amount of $247.50 for the addition of an electrical outlet and a change order for both the Battle Lake and Pelican Rapids Highway Garages in the… Read More

Low walleye harvest this winter led to change in regulations State-licensed anglers will have the opportunity to harvest a walleye 21-23 inches in length or greater than 28 inches throughout the 2023 open water season on Mille Lacs Lake. A lower walleye harvest this winter and an improving walleye population are combining to allow this… Read More

Event to be held at Henning Community Center Otter Tail County Commissioners will be hosting a community event at the Henning Community Center on March 13 at 7 p.m. This will not be a board of commissioners meeting, but rather an opportunity to engage with commissioners and learn about Otter Tail County projects in the… Read More

Grants to aid existing providers, increase child care availability Child care providers in Otter Tail County can apply to the second round of the Child Care Capacity Grant Program. The program, launched in September 2022, is intended to support child care program needs for existing providers and increase child care slots for new or expanding providers… Read More

Seip named to University of MN Dean’s List Brian Seip, Ottertail, has been named to the 2022 fall semester Dean’s List at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, the university announced today.   To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must complete 12 or more letter-graded credits while attaining a 3.66 grade point average. Lange graduates from UM-Crookston… Read More