Burglary reported south of Underwood By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent  Sheriff deputies, on Feb. 17, reported that a resident of East Battle Lake narrowly averted becoming the victim of a scam. A male caller saying he operated an oil rig persuaded the county resident to deposit money in bitcoin for him. The money asked for was… Read More

Local food shelf is available for assistance Most households will get their last E-SNAP payment in March. Starting in April, most households will get only one SNAP payment. That amount will be the household’s standard monthly benefit. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program is a county-run, federally funded program administered through the U.S. Department of… Read More

5 years ago Citizen’s Advocate February 27, 2018 One of Ottertail’s most popular retail destinations was destroyed by a fire Wednesday night. Periwinkle, located on Highway 78 in Ottertail, was declared a total loss by the Ottertail County Sheriff’s Office after a fire broke out in the building’s back garage just after 8 p.m. on February 21. During… Read More

Council holds hearing on Maple Ave. project By Jenna Esala Correspondent The February Ottertail City Council meeting opened with a public hearing regarding the improvements to South Maple Avenue and the alley north of the Community Center.  Bob Schlieman. of Apex Engineering, was present to speak on the planned improvements.  Improvements to South Maple Avenue, from Trunk Highway… Read More

EDA discusses monthly rent at Countryview By Chad Koenen Publisher The Henning Economic Development Authority is gearing up for a busy two years in the community. During its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday morning, the Henning EDA discussed its 2023 budget, as well as several upcoming projects on the horizon. One of those projects is the 2024 Highway… Read More

City council tours aging water treatment plant By Chad Koenen Publisher An expansive water treatment facility project will begin as soon as late 2023.  During a special city council meeting on Wednesday night, members of the city council toured the Henning Water Treatment Facility near the Henning School. The facility originally opened 20 years ago and city… Read More

OTC aims to support growth of child care capacity By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Amy Baldwin, in her role as community development director for Otter Tail County, leads an effort to help day care providers throughout the county. “Otter Tail County recognizes that access to quality and affordable child care is needed for people to live… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Two felony cases are summarized below related to county court proceedings at the county courthouse in Fergus Falls. The courthouse is located just south of downtown Fergus Falls. • Wayne Blake Meland, 44, of Erhard, was convicted Jan. 3, 2023, related to a felony charge of Fifth Degree Drug Possession. Jail… Read More

Seven weekly, bi-weekly newspapers are located in OTC By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Most county residents no doubt are aware that many newspapers across the nation face several challenges. Some counties across the USA, after newspaper closings, have no local newspapers. Here in Otter Tail County we are fortunate to have the Fergus Falls Daily Journal and… Read More

A total of 499 new and rehabbed housing units built in 2022 Otter Tail County’s Big Build initiative saw continued housing growth in 2022. Last year, $116.4 million in housing investment was added in the county from 499 new and rehabbed housing units, 444 of these being new construction and 55 being rehabbed units. This… Read More