Local district fares well in reading, math compared to other OTC schools By Chad Koenen Publisher The Henning School District continues to be one of the top reading and math schools among all Otter Tail County and Freshwater Education District schools on state standardized testing. During its regularly scheduled meeting last week, the Henning School Board heard… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher The City of Ottertail has received a positive outlook on its finances over the past year.  During its regularly scheduled meeting last Wednesday night, the Ottertail City Council heard from auditor Brian Kane regarding its 2024 year-end audit. Kane highlighted a number of positive financial marks for the city over the past year,… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent National Newspaper Week is Oct. 5-11. Small town newspapers, including those in Otter Tail County, will point out that local reporting empowers community and area residents to use the information they receive to make good decisions in their everyday lives. “Local journalism is the heartbeat of informed communities,” said Carolyn Nolte,… Read More

In 2025 over 5,400 wasps were released in Chippewa National Forest This September, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service will complete a joint biological control effort to slow the spread of emerald ash borer in the Chippewa National Forest. This effort, known as… Read More

The Henning FFA is hosting a grain drive all fall.Farmers can donate bushels at the Henning Elevator. Proceeds go to the Henning FFA to support chapter activities, contests and community service projects.  For any questions or for more information, contact Arica Burgess at (218)583-2927 ext.8147 or aburgess@henning.k12.mn.us. Feel free to come and donate some grain to support… Read More

Contributed photos Henning art students transformed old and expired football helmets into a custom creation to help raise money for Henning students and programs. Assistant football coach and elementary teacher Ryan Emter approached art teacher McKenna Osmondson about the idea to have art students paint the expired helmets and put them up for silent auction… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Fergus Falls, in harmony with residents from throughout Otter Tail County, celebrated Welcoming Week from Sept. 12-21. Organizers emphasized the importance of building multiracial democracies. Otter Tail County is one of many rural areas across the nation inviting residents to host events that deepen understanding and connection among community members who… Read More

The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners held an Open House on September 15 in Dent, focusing on key infrastructure improvements, recycling initiatives, and enhanced resident services. Commissioner Bucholz, District 1, expressed appreciation for community engagement at the event.  “Thank you to everyone who came out to our meeting in Dent,” Bucholz said. “We appreciate you taking… Read More

In the heart of Audubon, Minnesota, craftsmanship meets vision. For Nick Olson, owner of Viking Millwork, buying a small woodworking business wasn’t just about making a living—it was about building something lasting, rooted in passion, perseverance, and community.  Six years ago, Olson wasn’t planning to buy a business. While flipping through the local paper, he spotted a tiny ad… Read More

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Bass Lake, near Cohasset in Itasca County. Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District invasive species staff contacted the DNR after finding adult zebra mussels attached to settlement samplers on the north and south shores of Bass Lake. Settlement samplers are solid… Read More