Organizers planning for 2025-26 school year By Tucker Henderson Reporter As the school year is in full swing for the local schools in the Lakes Area, many students are benefiting from the cross-cultural learning opportunities provided by the variety of foreign exchange students who are spending their year in the United States. Sheila Piippo, rural New York… Read More

Former President left an impact on OTC area By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent In 2023 former President Jimmy Carter was our role model for people from 25 churches in Otter Tail County who helped build a Habitat for Humanity house in Fergus Falls. The project came to mind after Carter’s passing on Dec. 29. “Jimmy Carter and… Read More

The annual meeting of the H-545 Foundation will be held on Monday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Henning Landmark Center.  Topics at the meeting will include an H-545 financial update, the annual newsletter, scholarships to be given out this spring, the all-school reunion and election of officers. The H-545 Foundation invites any interested community… Read More

Animated light show wrapped up its 17th year As the 2024 Christmas Season has concluded, GP Anderson, creator of the “Christmas In Wadena” animated light show gathered up the food, momentary gifts and headed East to Project Share, the local food shelf in Wadena. Upon his arrival, meeting Director Mary Ann Hagen, they loaded, unloaded… Read More

The Executive Board of Boots on the Ground recently donated a check to the Veteran Residents, following their successful 2024 summer and fall motorcycle fun run events. The activities generated significant funds aimed at supporting resident events, recreational activities, and other essential needs.  Established in 2014, Boots on the Ground was created to honor the Veterans… Read More

5 years ago Monday, Jan. 7, 2020 Citizen’s Advocate Christmas came early for Perham 180, and with it, a life changing amount of money to help local residents during some of the most trying times of the year.  St. Helen’s Episcopal Church requested and recently received $5,000 from the Episcopal Church that will be divided between Perham… Read More

Radon tests are available at OTC Public Health locations Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths in the United States and the primary cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.  Each year, more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. are attributed to radon exposure. Alarmingly, about 2 in… Read More

New houses continue to pop up in Ottertail By Chad Koenen Publisher The Ottertail City Council approved a 10 percent tax levy increase for 2025. That number was five percent less-than the 15 percent proposed tax levy increase that was approved in August. During its regularly scheduled meeting, city clerk/treasurer Amanda Thorson said the city was able… Read More

Community ice skating rink is located at Thumper Pond parking lot By Tucker Henderson Reporter The residents of Ottertail and the surrounding community recently gained a new feature to an already novel skating experience located at Thumper Pond Resort. The Ottertail Rod and Gun Club and the Ottertail Lions Club joined together in sponsoring a warming… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent A few residents of Otter Tail County, for the third time in 2024, enjoyed lutefisk.  For this writer, the first time was the late October 2024 lutefisk feed near Walcott, North Dakota, followed by a lutefisk lunch at the Viking Café in Fergus Falls and a Christmas Eve lutefisk feed prepared… Read More