Proposed amendments include additional overnight lodging opportunities, redeveloping public water accesses The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comments on two draft management plan amendments for Itasca State Park. The comment period is open through April 10. A state park management plan is a framework that provides long-range guidance for the park, with recommendations… Read More

A CHUTE basketball camp will be held in New York Mills from June 3-4. The camp is $90, but the boys and girls basketball program will contribute $40 for each participant in the camp so the cost to each person will be just $50.  The camp is open to next year’s 4-12th grade students. For more information… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The Central Lakes Trail, Minnesota’s 23rd state trail, runs along an abandoned railroad corridor purchased by the State of Minnesota in 1992. Otter Tail County was among the governmental agencies working with local volunteers to finance construction of the trail.  The paved trail, totaling 55 miles, runs through three counties and 10… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher There is something calming about a familiar voice on the other end of the line during a time of need—and insurance is no different.  After all, insurance is the type of thing people purchase that they hope they never have to use as it typically marks a challenging time like a motor vehicle… Read More

Sixteen students from New York Mills participated in the annual Minnesota Business Professionals of America (BPA) State Leadership Conference held March 5–7, at the Minneapolis Hyatt Regency, with more than 1,200 members in attendance. During the school year, over 2,000 Minnesota BPA members took part in the organization’s competitive events program, allowing them to compete in… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher The City of New York Mills is seeking the help of local residents to potentially secure funding to continue the development of the community. In order to strengthen NY Mills’ case for a pair of grant applications, the city is asking residents and property owners to fill out one of two surveys… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher A new boiler system will soon be installed at the City Center in New York Mills. During its regularly scheduled meeting last week, the NY Mills City Council approved a low base bid of $218,275 from Essers Plumbing and Heating to replace the aging boiler system at the City Center, along with a… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County commissioners, on March 10, gave support to a grant application made to the Minnesota Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) for construction of a 10-foot-wide, five-mile multi-use bituminous segment trail as part of the Glacial Edge Regional Trail in Otter Tail County.  This trail will run from the county garage… Read More

MFIP program includes nutrition, housing support By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County commissioners, in late February 2026, approved three Employment Services Specialist positions to support the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) and its work to assist families throughout Otter Tail County. MFIP in Otter Tail County provides cash, food assistance and employment services to low-income families with children… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Former astronaut Harrison (Jack) Schmitt, a retired geologist and resident of New Mexico, oftentimes stayed at a family cabin at West Battle Lake during the summer months. Schmitt was 37 when he landed on the moon in December 1972. Schmitt’s late father grew up in southern Minnesota and purchased property at… Read More