Contributed photos Central Haven Church hosted their annual Passion Walk in commemoration of Jesus Christ’s road to Calvary on Good Friday. About 16 people participated in the event, each taking turns to carry the cross along Centennial 84 Drive, Main Avenue, Park Street, Tousley Avenue, and Gilman Street.

Organization had food drops in Perham, Fergus Falls, Staples, Menahga By Tucker Henderson Reporter While food pantries across the United States are seeing historically high usage for low income families and individuals in need, local food shelves and specialty food drops have been a saving grace for those living paycheck to paycheck. One of those food drops, Ruby’s Pantry, which… Read More

Bins located near NYM Food Shelf By Tucker Henderson Reporter As of Friday, March 27, New York Mills is now one of five locations throughout Otter Tail County which offers an organic recycling location for the public’s use. Organics recycling collects food waste in compostable bags, which is then picked up by a hauler. The organic waste… Read More

New Ottertail store to hold grand opening April 18 By Chad Koenen Publisher After 40 years with the Department of Agriculture, Mary Sue Ohlhauser thought about easing into retirement. However, that thought was quickly erased after the Burlap Boutique owner began planning for an expansion of her Fargo-area store into the heart of lakes country in Ottertail. … Read More

DC Lions Club provides non-profit gaming at local bar/restaurant By Chad Koenen Publisher The relationship between the Deer Creek Lions Club and owners at Wet Woody’s Pub and Grub in Deer Creek recently took an unexpected turn after the Deer Creek Lions Club presented the local bar and restaurant of its intent to vacate the premises… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher Ottertail Ave. and China St. will be getting a new driving surface after the City of Ottertail received a favorable bid from Ottertail Aggregate to complete the project.  During its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, March 19, the Ottertail City Council approved a low bid of $109,678.48 from Ottertail Aggregate for surface improvements…. Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Former astronaut Harrison (Jack) Schmitt, a retired geologist and resident of New Mexico who oftentimes stayed at a family cabin at West Battle Lake, was again in the national spotlight on April 1. This came about close to 53 years after landing on the moon.  ¶  Schmitt, interviewed by CBS… Read More

Shay Scanlan Report for Minnesota Political divisions at the Minnesota Capitol have deepened in recent decades, but a St. Paul bar is offering lawmakers a simple incentive to reconnect: a free sandwich and a beer. Sweeney’s Saloon is offering a “Dine Across the Aisle” special to Minnesota lawmakers who grab a meal with a member of the… Read More

Contributed photos The 2026 Illustrating America contest organized by the New York Mills VFW Auxiliary received over 200 submissions from New York Mills School including K-2: 1st Place Ensley Raisanen, 2nd Gretta Wegscheid, 3rd Sadie Ruther, Honorable Mention Tracer Skoog, Honorable Mention Ryan Longoria. 3-5th Grade: 1st Place Avery Brooks, 2nd Vaeda Zutter, 3rd Cecilia… Read More

With the spring severe weather season approaching, Otter Tail County Emergency Management is reminding residents to prepare for severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flooding and other weather hazards during Severe Weather Awareness Week, April 13–17, 2026. This annual statewide campaign, sponsored by Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) in partnership with the National Weather Service, is designed… Read More