By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County Board Chairman Wayne Johnson of Pelican Rapids, at the Dec. 12 county board of commissioners meeting, led discussion regarding fees for the food, pool, and lodging program.  The five county commissioners agreed that an assessment should be done to find out what Otter Tail County program costs are, compared to… Read More

Cameras to be purchased with state funding By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County Commissioners, on Dec. 12 and following a public comment period, gave approval for implementation of the use of body worn video cameras for sheriff deputies and corrections officers in 2024. Citizen approval was close to 85 percent. “The body cameras will be used… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen In addition to a performance of the Nutcracker by the second grade students (above and middle left), Friday featured a variety of solos, small group performances and plenty of music from elementary students to ring in the holiday season. The annual K-5 concert featured classic songs like Jingle Bells and Silent Night,… Read More

Plan details comprehensive emergency management efforts in Otter Tail County By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The county board of commissioners, on Dec. 12, adopted Otter Tail County’s Emergency Operations Plan. The action followed the recommendation from County Emergency Manager Patrick Waletzko. The plan identifies the hazards that could affect Otter Tail County, sets forth the responsibilities of… Read More

NYM event to feature a variety of musical acts The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is pleased to invite everyone to the 15th annual Longest Night Music Festival to be held on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Cultural Center Gallery.  The Longest Night is a celebratory live music event that brings together… Read More

Office is located in Government Services Center in Fergus Falls By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Close to nine months have gone by since Otter Tail County opened its remodeled Motor Vehicle/Driver’s License Center at the Government Services Center on the northwest side of Fergus Falls. Otter Tail County enhanced the space to better serve the public. The… Read More

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages Minnesotans to use caution and stay aware of wildfire risk. Lack of snow and unusually warm, dry conditions over the next week are likely to increase fire danger in much of Minnesota. Dry, brown grasses and vegetation mean wildfires can start easily and spread quickly; this elevated risk… Read More

County uses GIS to enhance emergency service response time Tony Rendz, a Fergus Falls High School graduate, class of 1975, will retire from the Otter Tail County Geographic Information Services (GIS) Department after serving for 15 years as a GIS Technician. Before joining the county, Rendz honorably served in the United States Air Force from 1977… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent  Sheriff deputies, in conjunction with the Minnesota State Highway Patrol, reported one non-life-threatening injury Dec. 9 in a three-vehicle accident southeast of Bluffton, in the far eastern section of Otter Tail County. The accident took place at the intersection of Highways 29 and 75. Injured was Victoria Joy Tellers, 25, of… Read More

The Henning H-545 Foundation Scholarship applications are available at the Henning School District office. These scholarships are for anyone who is a past graduate of Henning High School that will be attending technical college, university or grad school in the fall of 2024.  Applications are due March 8, 2024. This year’s senior class will receive their… Read More