Event to bring busy summer season to a close By Chad Koenen Publisher The signs of fall are all around residents in Otter Tail County. Between the back to school shopping for children, cooler temperatures during the day and return to high school sports, the signs of summer’s swan song are becoming more apparent by the minute…. Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent  Sheriff deputies, on Aug. 14, reported that a motorcycle driver and a passenger sustained serious injuries after striking a deer. The accident took place close to 12:30 p.m. near the intersection of Highways 32 and 74, east of the town of Maine in central Otter Tail County. Both were wearing helmets… Read More

County was organized in 1868 following state legislation By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Otter Tail County was organized in 1868 following a state legislative act. The first group of non-Native American settlers, Cutlerites, came to Clitherall Lake in the spring of 1865 to become permanent settlers. About 35 men, women and children made the trip from Manti,… Read More

Local bank expands to new communities The First National Bank of Henning (“FNB”), with offices in Ottertail, Battle Lake and Henning, has announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase the Evansville and Detroit Lakes branches of First Security Bank – Sleepy Eye (“First Security”), which is headquartered in Sleepy Eye, Minn.   “We are… Read More

Photo by Chad Koenen With a line stretching the length of the Henning Event Center, the annual World Famous BBQ was held on Friday night in Henning. Among the volunteers serving food on Friday night was Nathan Thalmann (above) who filled up a plate full of turkey.

Hepola to fill vacancy on a part-time basis By Chad Koenen Publisher The Henning School District filled a vacant business manager position from within the school district.  During its regularly scheduled meeting last week, the Henning School Board approved a memorandum of understanding with business teacher Mike Hepola to fill the business manager position on a part-time basis.  As… Read More

Public health promotes healthy behavior, communities By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County commissioners, on Aug. 8, heard the county public health annual report from Otter Tail County Public Health Director Jody Lien, Assistant Public Health Director Kristi Goos and County Family Health Supervisor Kristin Bye.  The primary responsibilities and services of the close to 40 employees in… Read More

Store was a hub near Amor Park By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent In his book, “Memories of Otter Tail Lake,” Fergus Falls native Lance Johnson said that no other place on Otter Tail Lake’s north side has ever evoked more affection and nostalgia than Amor Park Store. Johnson, over the years, was well known as the… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen With temperatures in the low 90 degrees, warm weather and clear skies welcomed guests to the annual Watermelon Day celebration on Saturday in Vining. The weekend included the annual 5k/10k run (right and below), live music (middle right), a pie eating contest featuring a number of local residents like Vining Fire Chief… Read More

Bonnie Dykhoff with Centennial Realty, has earned the nationally recognized Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation from the SRES Council of the National Association of REALTORS.  Dykhoff joins more than 15,000 real estate professionals in North America who have earned the SRES designation. All were required to successfully complete a comprehensive course in understanding the needs, considerations,… Read More