5 years ago

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Otter Tail County is gearing up for another shot at the annual Governor’s Fishing Opener. The weekend is an opportunity for host communities to showcase their unique offerings to guests from across the state. This is the second straight year Otter Tail County was selected as the site of the Governor’s Fishing Opener. Last year’s event was canceled, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The county was chosen once again to host the event, which will center around the more than 1,000 lakes in Otter Tail County and the city of Ottertail.

Ryan Strugar wants more people to enjoy the great outdoors and know the love of Christ. The Dent resident teamed up with two faith-based organizations to provide those opportunities to children from around the state­­—Feed the Fish and Fishing for Life. The latter just held a turkey hunt that Strugar helped organize.

New York Mills seniors received $209,550 in scholarships during the annual scholarship and awards ceremony at the school on Friday. The ceremony featured the scholarship awarding ceremony, as well as the induction of the new members of the New York Mills National Honor Society.

25 years ago

Thursday, May 10, 2001

As is the case of almost every rural school district, the New York Mills school system is facing the task of dealing with significant enrollment decline. While the total school district population has increased over the past 10 years, the number of enrolled students is experiencing a very fast reduction in numbers. Confusing as it appears, the reduction in family size is the single largest demographic enrollment decline factor. There were a total of 761 students enrolled last year, there are 731 students enrolled this year and the projection for next year is 716 students in grades K-12. 

The City of New York Mills will be picking up items for their annual spring clean up on May 14. Items to be picked up must be sorted, for example wood items in one stack, small metal items in another. City employees will save a considerable amount of time if you presort, and it will also prevent sorting at the city landfill. 

50 years ago

Thursday, May 13, 1976

The annual election in School District 553 will be held next Tuesday, May 18. Two members will be selected for a three-year term beginning July 1, 1976 to replace retiring members Russell Parta and George Wilson. Ten candidates have filed and include: Raymond Cook, Donald Hagel, Dale Janke, Clinton Kilde, Reba Lee, Duane Milbrandt, John Mindermann, James Nielsen, Dr. Donna Oelschlager and Norman Schultz. 

On Sunday, May 16, John Tschudy who has been serving as Pastor of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in New York Mills and the Zion United Church of Christ in Perham, will be ordained to the full Christian Ministry. The Service of Ordination will be held at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in New York Mills starting at 4 p.m.

75 years ago

Thursday, May 10, 1951

The M.A. Hanna Iron and Mining Co. plans to test drill in this area during this coming summer to determine the value of iron ore deposits in the belt that is located in Otter Tail and Becker Counties. This report is given to us by Mr. W.H. Tikkanen of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank. Mr. Tikkanen tells us that the firm plans to test drill near Vergas during the coming month. Test drilling will also be done in Evergreen Township just north of the Otter Tail County line this summer. 

Two new track records were set in New York Mills on Wednesday when the annual Park Region Track Meet was run on the local track. New York Mills placed second in the meet with Deer Creek coming in first in a field of eight teams. New records were set in broad jump and 180 yard low hurdles. A. Stewart of Deer Creek set the new broad jump record of 20’6”. This was the first year that the 180 yard low hurdles have been included in this meet and so the mark set by Jack Stewart automatically becomes the new record.