By Tucker Henderson Reporter Every Boy Scout dreams of earning their Eagle Scout badge one day. Less than three percent of all boy scouts attain the highly-coveted rank and most of those who do, complete their projects towards their senior year of high school.  Wyatt Helmbrecht is one local Boy Scout who is defying both of… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen Farmers and Merchants State Bank hosted its first halftime game of the season on Friday night in New York Mills. Participants attempted to kick a field goal to win a prize. Oakley Hunter was the only person to successfully kick a field goal as the other participants celebrated the made attempt.

By Tucker Henderson Reporter During the last weeks of July a new business in New York Mills became a reality. SmithCo, an embroidery studio, recently opened for business and is accepting orders for custom embroidered hats. “I had heard there was a need in the area for hats and I started digging into it,” said Garland Smith,… Read More

Photo by Tasha Geiser Members of the Bluffton Braves celebrate after Austin Redemske hit a grand slam against Maple Lake at the state amateur baseball tournament on September 3. The Braves fell to the eventual state champion in the state semi-finals. 

State fair wrapped up on Labor Day By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Old newspapers, with the use of letterpress printing, came to life this year for state fairgoers in St. Paul. They visited the Minnesota Newspaper Museum during the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Volunteer Mark Digre of Minneapolis said his fascination with newspapers started while growing up… Read More

History in Hats is just one of several upcoming events at the NYM Library By Tucker Henderson Reporter As temperatures cool and the craziness of summer winds down, the New York Mills Public Library has a variety of events planned throughout September.  Anyone who is interested in attending one of the events are being asked to preregister by… Read More

Organization promotes sustainability with grants West Central Initiative (WCI) awarded more than $285,000 in Resilient Communities Grants to 26 organizations working to create a more sustainable and equitable region.  Seven community members known for their work in sustainable development and promoting racial equity participated in awarding the dollars.  “Working alongside community members with lived and professional experience… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen Hundreds of people turned out for the annual Polka Daze celebration in Ottertail over the weekend. The event kicked off on Thursday night with Eric’s Dance Band, before getting into the swing of things on Friday and Saturday with national bands like Leon Olsen, the Nate Frederickson Band, the Cathy Erickson Band… Read More

A Sebeka man died Friday evening, Sept. 1, in Burlington Township after fleeing from a state trooper on his motorcycle. According to a press release from the Becker County Sheriff’s Office, Levi Edward Savela, 25, of Sebeka, was traveling south on County Highway 29 near the County Highway 54 intersection. A state trooper activated the squad… Read More

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center’s 2023 Fall Concert Series kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 14 with a concert by PK Mayo Trio at 7:30 p.m. in the Cultural Center’s intimate visual arts gallery space.  The PK Mayo Acoustic Trio features PK Mayo on guitar and vocals, Steve Lehto on guitar and mandolin, and John… Read More