By Chad Koenen Publisher A group of local residents is making a final push to begin installing new pickleball and basketball courts at the Henning Festival Grounds.  The Henning Parks and Recreation Committee has received approval to begin installing the courts as funding becomes available. The current plan is to install the pickleball courts at… Read More

Henning School seniors Monica Hansen and Isabelle Godding did an excellent job of representing the Henning School and community at the National Business Professionals of America (BPA) Conference/Contests from May 6-10 in Nashville, Tenn.  Over 6,000 students attend and compete at the National Contests each year. This year the event was held at the Gaylord… Read More

Legislation bans assault-style weapons in the state By Shay Scanlan Report for Minnesota The Minnesota Senate passed a sweeping gun violence prevention package on May 4 that includes a ban on assault-style weapons, though the measure faces steep Republican opposition in the House.  The package also bans what are called binary triggers, devices that double… Read More

By Kendra Mobilia Report for Minnesota Medical waste from hospitals and surgical centers too often gets mixed in with regular trash, and at least one state lawmaker wants to fix that. Rep. Wayne Johnson, R-Cottage Grove, initially authored a bill to fine medical facilities for the mixing of waste products, but after hearing some pushback,… Read More

By Abbey Mulcahy Report for Minnesota As Minnesota school districts face increasing financial challenges, the Legislature has passed a proposed constitutional amendment to increase funding for schools without raising taxes or dipping into the state’s general fund.  The proposal, passed on May 4 in the House and May 7 in the Senate, would increase the… Read More

Grants help to make solar power affordable By Griffin Peck West Central Initiative The sun provides free, renewable energy—and more homeowners in west central Minnesota are starting to take advantage of it. While residential solar installations are still relatively limited across the region, interest continues to grow as energy costs rise and more people look for… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent A motion by County Commissioner Kurt Mortenson of rural Underwood and seconded by Commissioner Wayne Johnson of Pelican Rapids passed unanimously to authorize three Hazard Mitigation Project Assistance Program Grant Agreements. These agreements are between Otter Tail County and the communities of Battle Lake, Underwood and Ottertail. This… Read More

Contributed photos April was volunteer month and representatives from the Country Corner Cafe recognized several volunteers who help and deliver the local meals on wheels to area residents. Volunteers include: Pat Peterson, Glen Nyhus (above), Tami Freed (below right), Wayne Rogholt (below middle) and Sharon Thalmann (below left). 

Communities across West Central Minnesota are set to see long-awaited upgrades to local roads and bridges following new funding awards announced by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). The funding comes through the 2025 rounds of the Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) and the Local Bridge Replacement Program (LBRP). Together, they support infrastructure projects statewide… Read More

Community members who enjoy gardening are encouraged to plant a little extra this season and share the harvest with neighbors in need through the Grow an Extra Row program. The program asks gardeners to add one extra row or a few extra plants and donate surplus produce to local food shelves. Fresh fruits and vegetables… Read More