Community leaders and local lawmakers are celebrating a $3 million state investment secured through this year’s bonding bill for the Infinity Center in Breckenridge. The $22 million project is designed to bring health care, education, recreation, and economic development together under one roof for residents across the region. “Our community has already privately raised $17.6 million,… Read More

By Val Ankeny Senior policy associate,  Center for Rural Affairs Rural communities looking to improve electricity reliability and affordability may be eligible for support through the Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership (C-MAP). The program, offered through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity, provides funding and technical assistance to help eligible communities build, operate, or improve microgrid systems. Proposals… Read More

Graduates and staff from Otter Tail County’s treatment courts traveled to St. Paul on May 7 to take part in Treatment Court Capitol Day, joining nearly 100 people gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol to mark the impact of treatment courts across the state.  The annual event brings together treatment court graduates, professionals, justice partners, community… Read More

By Jack Butler West Central Initiative Getting on a bike is one of the best ways to experience west central Minnesota. Whether you’re cruising through town, exploring local trails, or heading to a nearby state park, biking offers a fun and healthy way to see your community from a new perspective. But what if you don’t own… Read More

Council seeks more information on potential solar project By Greta Foss Summer Intern The New York Mills City council met with Griffen Peck of West Central Initiative and Ben Holsen of Holsen Solar about the proposed solar energy project at their regular scheduled meeting on Tuesday June 9.  The project would install a roof mounted solar energy system… Read More

By Greta Foss Summer Intern Allen Taylor, a trucker from Colorado, was victorious at the 2026 Great American Think Off. Taylor argued that the pursuit of happiness has not made Americans unhappy. He did this by examining the definition of happiness, and questioning how we look at the pursuit of happiness. He argued that the pursuit… Read More

By Greta Foss Summer Intern New York Mills has a proud tradition of hosting the world’s largest Ronald McDonald House motorcycle ride. This year was no different as hundreds of motorcycles drove through New York Mills at noon on Saturday.  “A lot of the success of the event comes from the nature of the charity,” said event… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher At a time when every second counts, emergency personnel are hoping that a new fire hall expansion will be the key to providing lasting care for residents and businesses in the greater Ottertail area. Since the current fire hall is cramped on space, getting to the specialized equipment can be the difference… Read More

Photos by Tucker Henderson The annual muffins with wonderful women event was recently held in the kindergarten rooms of New York Mills School. In addition to muffins and treats (above), the day featured arts and crafts, games and time to visit with local students. Among the students and their wonderful women was Asher Uselman who gave… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County residents, on Friday morning, May 1, had the opportunity to access a legislative update right from the comfort of their own homes from 7 to 8 a.m. This was the result of a webinar sponsored by West Central Initiative (WCI) and Lakes Country Service Cooperative. Among those participating as part… Read More