Less-than one week after receiving his high school diploma, a local teenager is dead following a crash in rural Wadena on Tuesday night (May 27).  Blake Unger, age 18, was killed in an accident near the intersection of 370th St and 640th Ave, northwest of Wadena at around 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday night. According to the… Read More

Photo by Dani Koenen The annual New York Mills Memorial Day program once again featured a variety of musical selections by the high school band and choir, as well as a guest speaker who shared his story of being held as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War for approximately four years. A Memorial Day… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter Students at the New York Mills School District have been getting their use out of the bike fleet this spring. The fleet, which is shared with the Henning School District, was made possible through PartnerSHIP 4 Health, a statewide health improvement organization. On Wednesday, May 7, Jeff Rimpila, former phy. ed. teacher in… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County commissioners, on May 20, heard an update about the upcoming change in bus service for Otter Tail County.  Otter Express bus service, operated for many years in Otter Tail County by Fergus Falls-based Productive Alternatives, is shifting to a proposed Joint Powers Board consisting of county government and county communities. County… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher Cody Truax has the unique ability to transform a rundown vehicle that has seen its better days into a pristine piece of heaven that looks like it just came off the assembly line. In many ways he is like an artist and a dirty vehicle is his canvas that in a few… Read More

New York Mills EDA to seek additional quotes for grant writing By Tucker Henderson Reporter The New York Mills Economic Development Authority (EDA) met last Wednesday, May 21 to discuss the development within the city. The EDA’s loan fund balance sits at $229,738.59 and all outstanding loans are current. With no new business this month, the board first discussed… Read More

The New York Mills Relay for Life Team to hold perennial plant sale. The Mills Dream team will be having their annual plant sale June 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mills Country Market.  There will be a free will offering with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society at the Relay for… Read More

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center has announced the final performance of its 2025 Spring Concert Series—internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Sofia Talvik, live in concert on Thursday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 7 p.m. This special performance is part of the Cultural Center’s new “pay as you’re able” concert initiative, ensuring that… Read More

Photos by Tucker Henderson Wind and rain drove the NY Mills Regional Cultural Center’s annual Celebrating Cultures event inside last week, but didn’t deter visitors from enjoying live performances and cultural experiences within the Cultural Center and the Public Library.

Southeast section of OTC to receive single-sort canisters By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent In 2023, Otter Tail County received a grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to implement single-sort recycling for high population areas in the southeast quadrant of the county which includes Battle Lake, Parkers Prairie and other areas. The county plans to purchase 3,100… Read More