Photos by Chad Koenen School was back in session on Monday at Henning School. The delay of the school year was pushed back a few days due to the ongoing HVAC and construction project at the school, which wrapped up at the end of August. In keeping with tradition, members of the senior and kindergarten classes… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher There are perhaps no more iconic buildings in central Otter Tail County than the large purple bar/restaurant that sits along Highway 210 in Vining. The bar, which has been a staple in Vining since the 1970s, was recently sold to Kevin and Tina Rasmussen of Battle Lake.  ¶  The iconic purple bar/restaurant… Read More

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… Read More

Event to feature five polka bands through Sept. 5-7 By Chad Koenen Publisher Accordions will be working overtime under the bright yellow tent near the Ottertail water tower from September 5-7 for the 14th annual Polka Daze celebration.  Each year the Ottertail Lions host the event and highlight several national acts at its annual Polka Daze celebration…. Read More

Contractor has not started project, city council weighs delaying project to 2025 By Chad Koenen Publisher As the clock ticks down to the substantial completion date of the city’s water tower project, the Deer Creek City Council continues to wait for the project to not only be completed, but started in the first place. During its regularly… Read More

Local group focuses on growing waterfowl population By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Thursday evening, Aug. 29, was a perfect evening for the Fergus Falls Area 2024 Ducks Unlimited walleye dinner and annual fundraising gathering. The event, with many residents of Otter Tail County on hand, took place at Elks Point on Wall Lake east of Fergus… Read More

Fire destroys garage near Pelican Rapids By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent  Sheriff deputies, on Aug. 27, reported that a county resident has received scam calls from a person claiming to be from Medicare. Some information was provided to the scammer. Medicare will not call you to ask for personal or financial information, sell you anything, or… Read More

Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) is pleased to announce Chris Johnson as their new Chief Financial Officer effective August 12.  Johnson grew up in a rural area of Northeastern Minnesota and earned degrees in Business Administration and Accounting from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and an MBA from The College of St. Scholastica.  For the last 12 years,… Read More

MICA counties include more than 35 percent of state population By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The Minnesota Inter-County Association (MICA), which includes Otter Tail County, is a voluntary, joint powers organization of 15 Minnesota counties. This includes most of Minnesota’s larger and faster growing counties. MICA gave its annual report on Aug. 27 to members of the… Read More

Minnesota waterfowl seasons are underway and hunters have a wide variety of opportunities to look forward to in 2024, with seasons starting Sunday, Sept. 1. “It’s critical that hunters review the regulations and hunting season dates this year to ensure they are in compliance,” said Nate Huck, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources resident game bird specialist…. Read More