Ottertail Family Center to break ground soon near former Smokin’ Iron track By Chad Koenen Publisher An off-the-cuff comment about starting a childcare center in Ottertail, which was initially laughed off by Tyler Rupe’s wife, will soon transform the landscape of Ottertail for generations to come. “It honestly started about 2 1/2 years ago when our day… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen Members of the Henning boys basketball team joined forces on Monday evening to spread new mulch and provide a fresh look at the Henning Military Park. Approximately 30 volunteers of all ages joined forces on Monday to get the park ready for a busy summer season and the Memorial Day weekend.

By Chad Koenen Publisher The City of Deer Creek’s general fund continues to go in the right direction financially, at least according to its 2024 year-end audit. During its regularly scheduled meeting last Monday night, the Deer Creek City Council heard from Dean Birkhead of Carlson SV who update the city council on its 2024 year-end audit. According… Read More

Contributed photo Rick Hammer harvested this turkey with a crossbow at 21-yards out on April 17. The turkey had a 9 1/2” beard.

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Discussing the future of local journalism, including the news media in Otter Tail County, was the topic May 1 at the Bigwood Event Center in Fergus Falls. The event was sponsored by the West Central Initiative. Close to 80 people attended and took the opportunity to discuss the importance of local… Read More

Yvette Higgins  Report for Minnesota A $4 billion higher education budget bill passed by the Minnesota House cuts funding for a program that supports student-parents.  The Student-Parent Support Initiative (SPSI), passed in the 2023 legislative session, gives money to programs that help students with children succeed in higher education through one-on-one support, emergency grants for unexpected medical… Read More

Annual event set for June 14 in New York Mills Four thinkers have been selected to travel to the small town of New York Mills, this June to debate the 2025 question posed by the annual Great American Think-Off: “Is there only one truth, or are there many truths?” In an age shaped by misinformation, social… Read More

Surcharge to replace money EV owners would pay in gas taxes Elias Thomas Report for Minnesota The price of driving electric vehicles in Minnesota may well increase as lawmakers look to wrap up work on a transportation funding plan.  The House transportation budget bill raises a yearly surcharge paid by electric vehicle owners from $75 to $200…. Read More

Samantha Siedow Report for Minnesota The Minnesota House and Senate have voted to respond to the avian influenza epidemic, but they still have to agree on the scope of the effort. The House included more than $3 million in funding for bird flu prevention in its budget bill, which passed on a bipartisan vote of 130-3 on… Read More

Construction on Fergus Falls courthouse was completed in 1922 By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The current Otter Tail County Courthouse, completed in 1922 just south of downtown Fergus Falls, has paintings of all the townships of Otter Tail County. The courthouse is four stories tall and has a total of 47,000 square feet of space. Included… Read More