New system to be used in the 2024 elections By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County Auditor-Treasurer Wayne Stein, meeting with county board members on Jan. 23, expressed confidence in the new ExpressVote election equipment purchased by Otter Tail County. ExpressVote was recently certified for use in Minnesota. Otter Tail County will begin usage of the ExpressVote equipment… Read More

Delay caused by recent relevation concerning MnDOT requirement regarding utilities By Chad Koenen Publisher A long awaited road and utility project through the heart of downtown Henning has been put on hold—at least for another year. During a special city council meeting on Wednesday night, the Henning City Council approved a request to delay the Highway 108… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen The new Olympic size ice skating rink at Thumper Pond was officially dedicated on Monday morning. Representatives from Hilltop Lumber, Thumper Pond and the City of Ottertail were on hand to celebrate the occasion. In addition to the ribbon cutting, Ottertail Mayor Ron Grobeck and city councilman Mike Windey presented the new… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher The Ottertail City Council will be doing its part to keep people safe on the roads this winter.  During its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Jan. 18, the Ottertail City Council approved utilizing up to $500 from a public safety aid grant to purchase a winter survival kit for local residents. The kits… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher The Deer Creek water tower could receive a new makeover as soon as this summer. During its regularly scheduled meeting last Monday night, the Deer Creek City Council received several paint designs for the upcoming water tower repair and repainting project. Much of the discussion last Monday night revolved around what color and… Read More

Commissioners express a desire to help rural EMS squads By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County commissioners, on Jan. 9, provided input on solutions to the growing challenges of maintaining viable Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Otter Tail County and in other areas of rural Minnesota. Board members attended a gathering of the state legislative EMS Joint Task Force… Read More

House constructed near YMCA in Fergus Falls By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent This past year 25 churches in Otter Tail County helped build a Habitat for Humanity house northeast of the Fergus Falls YMCA. Church involvement included 132 volunteers, 792 volunteer hours, 21 meals provided and $59,839 raised by the churches toward materials for the… Read More

Photo by Chad Koenen The Henning Lions Club Youth Peace Poster Contest winner Kendall Koenen took second place in the 5m9 District Contest. On Saturday, Jan. 20, Assistant District Governor Cathe Picek presented Koenen a check for $100 and her poster that was judged in the district contest.

Frederick named to SCSU Dean’s List St. Cloud State University has announced the names of more than 1,080 students whose academic achievement placed them on the 2023 fall semester Dean’s List. To be eligible for the honor, students must have a grade point average of 3.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Among the students named to the… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Fire destroyed the hunting lodge on Friday, Jan. 19, at Viking Valley south of Battle Lake. The exact location is Grue Church Road west of Eagle Lake. Authorities were called to the scene of the fire at 7:20 a.m. The lodge was owned by the Viking Valley Hunt Club. The fire, as… Read More