Painting shop and shoreland alterations get go ahead in rural Frazee By Robert Williams Editor The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners approved a new solar system consisting of 200 panels on Rose Lake on Tuesday, June 24. A Conditional Use Permit Application was approved for The Mark and Karman Rheault Trust to construct two ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV)… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Kim Pederson, a contributor to the Pelican Rapids Press, met with editor Louis Hoglund in late 2024 about writing a couple of articles about Star Lake. Six months later, she authored a complete book. “Kim has also assembled a collection of photos and images, as part of the book, that will… Read More

Funding for sealcoating project comes from local sales tax, license tab fees By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County commissioners, on June 24, approved bids needed for upkeep of the 1,062 miles of paved roadways in Otter Tail County. A motion by County Commissioner Kurt Mortenson of rural Underwood and seconded by Commissioner Sean Sullivan of… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The Lawrence Welk Show debuted nationally on ABC-TV 70 years ago, on July 2, 1955. Welk, a native of Strasburg, North Dakota, southeast of Bismarck, offered champagne music, bubble machines, dance routines and toe-tapping polkas.  One of his outstanding performers was South Dakota native and accordionist Myron Floren. Star singers included… Read More

Photos by Dani and Chad Koenen Above: The outgoing Henning Festival Royalty congratulated the new 2025-26 royal court during Friday’s coronation ceremony. Pictured above are Tiffany Weber, Monica Hansen, Evie Thorson, Brynley Jorgenson, Lillian Tallman, Brenna Bunkowski, Lucy Torgerson, Lila Thorson, Vaylyn Eckhoff, Emma Fosse, Kennedy Lutgens and Kendra Juvrud.  Right: With Brynley Jorgenson and Vaylyn… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher Planes, princesses and pancakes—there is perhaps no better way to start an otherwise mundane Saturday morning than the 41st annual Henning EAA fly-in breakfast. The breakfast, which will be held at the Henning airport, will feature the newly crowned Henning Festival royalty, as well as a variety of pilots and volunteers from… Read More

ATCC Dean’s List for spring 2025 Sara Fier, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Alexandria Technical & Community College, recognizes individual students for academic excellence.  The following students were named to the Dean’s List for achieving a GPA of 3.5 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more credits Spring Semester 2025: Justin Bushman, Clitherall; … Read More

Otter Tail County celebrated the completion of significant upgrades to Phelps Mill County Park during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 7, highlighting new amenities such as a boardwalk and prairie restoration project. What’s new The first phase introduces visitors to a scenic boardwalk and prairie restoration, connecting them with the park’s natural beauty and history. “This project… Read More

The Red River Watershed Management Board (RRWMB) supports the inclusion of $9 million for flood hazard mitigation grants through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in the $700 million bonding package passed during the Minnesota Legislature’s special session in early June 2025.  Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls) joined the Board’s July 8, 2025 meeting for… Read More

United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties and United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties have officially merged into one regional organization, effective July 1. The unified United Way will continue to serve the five-county region of Douglas, Otter Tail, Pope, Todd, and Wadena, with operational hubs in both Alexandria and Fergus Falls. This strategic… Read More