By Tucker Henderson Reporter Two Perham High School seniors decided to start a local Christmas light business to help fill their wallets during the holiday season. Trystan Larson and Logan Guck recently started Northern Light Co. and what started as a paycheck has quickly evolved into a fulfilling service for the community.  ¶  “It started out… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The Truth in Taxation public meeting, held annually and this year on Dec. 2 in Fergus Falls, is held to discuss the proposed Otter Tail County budget and tax levy. The preliminary net property tax levy of $58.6 million for 2026 represents a proposed 5.5 percent net tax levy increase… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher The Deer Creek City Council will do some additional research regarding a bill from Bolten and Menk for the recently completed water tower project. During its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Nov. 24, the Deer Creek City Council heard from Morgan Salo from Bolten and Menk about a bill his company sent the… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Country schools are fondly remembered by former students. At one time, Otter Tail County’s 289 rural schools were the most of any county in Minnesota. The Stock families had several social outlets in Western Township in southwestern Otter Tail County, mainly the District 56 school that housed first through eighth grade.  “It… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) is the largest organization within the United States dedicated to protection of North America’s water resources and environment. Heading the organization as President is Chris LeClair, Otter Tail County’s Land and Resource Director. NOWRA works to advance sustainable and decentralized wastewater infrastructure through advocacy… Read More

New program is geared to people seeking public office, leadership positions The Rural Advocacy and Public Leadership Program is a free six-month leadership and advocacy course designed for people interested in strengthening democracy and supporting the development of good governance in their local rural community. Participants will meet for four hours one Saturday a month from… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter In cooperation with Love, INC (Love in the Name of Christ) of Greater East Otter Tail County, the New York Mills Apostolic Lutheran Church is hosting a children’s winter gear open house in their Fellowship Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 3-6 p.m. The open house will have a variety of youth coats,… Read More

Photos by Tucker Henderson The New York Mills Christmas Tree Festival wrapped up last week with a number of events and activities including senior day (below), performances by students from the school (above and bottom right), a horse-drawn ride through town (right), time for tree viewing and the NY Mills Lions Club Christmas party on Saturday night.

Legislators tour Lunds, transitional youth housing in Perham On Thursday, Nov. 13, Sen. Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls), a member of the Minnesota Senate Capital Investment Committee, hosted the committee in Senate District 9 to hear directly from communities about priorities. Members learned about water projects, public water access, and youth and community development initiatives. The visit also included… Read More

Photo by Tucker Henderson Six fifth grade students in New York Mills recently came together to organize and host a fundraiser for the Backpack for Hunger Program. They started planning the event at the beginning of the school year and spent many recess periods organizing the details. Last Tuesday, the group made it happen and sold… Read More