By Chad Koenen Publisher Music, hot dogs, popcorn and Elvis Presley—oh my! One of the more popular summertime activities in the Ottertail region will once again be making a return to the Ottertail Community Park next week. The summer concert series is back for its 10th season and will once again feature a mixture of musical… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent On Memorial Day weekend this writer visited the gravesite of Tom Hintgen’s Great-Uncle John McAuliffe at Holy Cross Cemetery in north Fargo. He served his country in the Spanish-American War in 1898 and 1899. To family members he is a hero, and there’s another story that makes him twice a hero…. Read More

Photos by Dani Koenen Under the direction of science teachers Scott Hart and Dana Damm, the Henning eighth grade students set off plastic rockets on the football field near the end of the school year. The annual rocket launching event is held each spring with students in eighth grade science. The students create the rockets out… Read More

The Minnesota Legislature recently approved the State and Local Government and Elections budget agreement, which includes a key policy championed by Sen. Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls) to create an alternative pathway to certified public accountant (CPA) licensure. Senate File 1536 reduces the minimum years of college from five to four to become a CPA. The… Read More

Otter Tail County Commissioners and staff recently completed a county-wide tour to view progress on several infrastructure, housing, and other economic and community investment projects. The tour allowed commissioners to see the work being done across several departments and communities. At Phelps Mill, commissioners observed restoration work at the historic park, including a recently installed boardwalk… Read More

Students pursuing advanced mental health degrees encouraged to apply When Jordan Tommerdahl died by suicide in 2019, his family wanted to honor his memory by helping to make a difference in the field of mental health. They received an outpouring of financial support when they set up the Jordan Tommerdahl Memorial Scholarship Fund to help… Read More

Sadie Ellenson, daughter of Mark and Mary Ellenson, graduated from Central Michigan University College of Medicine with a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree on May 9, 2025. Following commencement, Ellenson will complete an Internal Medicine and Pediatrics residency program in Phoenix, Ariz. 

5 years ago Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Citizen’s Advocate Jacob Menze hands out a treat to one of the guests at his surprise tractor parade on his 12th birthday on Saturday. The rural Ottertail resident is the son of Mike and Denise Menze. The iconic purple bar/restaurant in the town of Vining, population 78, is one of the… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen Eighteen Henning School students received their high school diploma during the 115th annual Henning High School commencement ceremony on Friday night. Among the students who received a high school diploma was Eli Reinbold, who gave his dad and school board member Matt Reinbold, a hug while receiving his diploma (above). Dawson Misegades… Read More

Work on floor expected to take place in August By Chad Koenen Publisher One of the most discussed building projects over the past few years will soon come to fruition at Henning School.  During its regularly scheduled meeting last week, the Henning School Board approved a bid from Jwood Sports Flooring to install a new high school gym… Read More