Plan to provide a road map for future projects By Chad Koenen Publisher With rapid growth comes the need to plan for some expansive road and community projects in the near-to-distant future. During its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday night, the Ottertail City Council heard from Bob Schliemann of Apex Engineering, who compiled a five-year… Read More

Henning native opens new shirt business By Chad Koenen Publisher Kendal (Bjorklund) Arndt is providing a stylish way to showcase businesses and community events in the greater Henning area. The Henning-native has been slowly growing her custom shirt company KM Designs over the past two years from just embroidery to screen prints and more. The company,… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor Jodi Teich was introduced as Otter Tail County’s new County Engineer, replacing Krysten Foster who resigned from her position in August to become a Senior Project Manager at Stonebrooke Engineering. Teich began her duties on Oct. 13. Teich brings extensive leadership experience in county engineering and transportation planning to Otter Tail… Read More

Halloween party set for Saturday  By Tucker Henderson Reporter ith Halloween right around the corner, Karvonen Funeral Home has come up with another evening of festivities for families across the region. With an early date set for Saturday, Oct. 25, there will be activities for everyone at their facility in Wadena. This year’s theme is… Read More

Recycling program to begin in early 2026 Otter Tail County is taking a significant step toward the long-range strategic plan for countywide single-sort curbside recycling with the launch of a pilot program beginning January 2026 in the southeast quadrant. Thanks to grant funding from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), residents in the cities of Battle… Read More

Reduction in CRP land has led to less grassland, wetland cover for duck population By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Reduced Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrollment in recent years and subsequent loss of grassland and wetland cover have contributed to significant long-term declines in key duck populations in Minnesota. Our state’s declining duck populations,… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, on Oct. 14, secured additional options from the county board of commissioners to purchase conservation easements from county landowners. Representing the federal agency during the county board meeting in Fergus Falls was Blake Knisley, realty specialist for the fish and wildlife service…. Read More

Pelican Rapids application to be revisited on Oct. 28 By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners tabled a decision on approving or not approving a retail cannabis business in Pelican Rapids until 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the County Government Services Center in northwest Fergus Falls…. Read More

Third annual event to be held Sunday at church parking lot By Chad Koenen Publisher Local youth with have the chance to get some candy a little early this year as the Deer Creek Fire and Rescue, as well as Trinity Lutheran Church in Deer Creek, will be hosting the third annual Trunk or Treat… Read More

Community can contribute intact roadkill and other specimens Concordia College has officially joined the University of Minnesota’s Bell Museum as a remote partner in its Salvage Wildlife project. It’s a statewide initiative that transforms deceased animals into valuable scientific specimens to support education and research on environmental health, ecology, and conservation. The project, funded by… Read More