New security doors to be added to courthouse By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent New security doors will be added to the Otter Tail County Courthouse just south of downtown Fergus Falls. This plan, presented by the County Sheriff’s Office which is responsible for the safety and security of the courthouse, was approved Aug. 13 by the… Read More

Scam victim loses close to $11,600 in Otter Tail County By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent  Sheriff deputies, on Aug. 15, reported a traffic injury on Highway 9, north of Pelican Rapids and near the west side of Pelican Lake. The accident took place at 7:40 a.m. Deputies said the vehicle was southbound on Highway 9 when… Read More

Focus put on protecting wetlands By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Heavy rainfall has necessitated a change within the Maplewood segment of the Heart of the Lakes Regional Trail from Pelican Rapids to Perham. Silt fencing changes became necessary and a change order was approved Aug. 13 by the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners. A silt… Read More

Heeter saved the life of a person choking on a piece of food By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent On June 17 Otter Tail County solid waste employee Nick Heeter, while on lunch break at a restaurant, was with a restaurant guest who began to choke on food and could not breathe. Heeter performed abdominal thrusts… Read More

New rock rapids project modifies existing aging dam near Pelican By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent New rock arch rapids that allow for fish passage in Pelican Rapids and at Little Pine Lake near Perham were praised by Minnesota DNR Fisheries Specialist Nick Kludt who spoke Thursday evening, Aug. 15, to members of the Otter Tail… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter Joyful Spirit Methodist Church, located between Deer Creek and Wadena on Highway State Highway 29, held their open house in their new building at on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. After the merging of the congregations of the Deer Creek and Wadena United Methodist churches in 2017 with both… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Three people received non-life-threatening injuries in a two-vehicle accident Aug. 12 just west of Ottertail city. Sheriff deputies said a Toyota Highlander was driving southbound on Highway 78 and a Toyota Camry was taking a left turn to go north on Highway 78 when the vehicles collided at 1:07 p.m. Injured… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen One of the smallest towns in Otter Tail County once again hosted one of the largest town festivals over the weekend. Vining was the center of the action as the community hosted its 52nd annual Watermelon Day celebration. The day included the Run for the Melon 5k/10k (above), the Jacob Quam 3… Read More

Contributed photos The annual Watermelon Day car show was held on Saturday at BigFoot Gas Grocery and Deli. First place went to Ron Haugen, of Vining, and his 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback (above). Second place went to Dennis J and his 1949 Jeepster (below right). Third place went to Leroy Hiefort, of Clitherall, and his… Read More

Hammer named to U of M Dean’s List The following students have been named to the 2024 spring 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. Local students named to the… Read More