House constructed near YMCA in Fergus Falls By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent This past year 25 churches in Otter Tail County helped build a Habitat for Humanity house northeast of the Fergus Falls YMCA. Church involvement included 132 volunteers, 792 volunteer hours, 21 meals provided and $59,839 raised by the churches toward materials for the house…. Read More

Contributed photos The New York Mills Eagles Business Professionals of America Club (above) demonstrated notable success at the Region 6 competition last week. The BPA club journeyed to M-State in Detroit Lakes on Wednesday, Jan. 24, for the Regional competition. In their inaugural year with BPA, all participants exhibited commendable performance. Right: The following students… Read More

Lakes Region Arts Council is accepting grant applications from individual artists and organizations until March. LRAC is proud to be a partner and active participant in Minnesota’s Statewide Arts System. LRAC and the Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB) work together to provide grants and services to our nine county region. LRAC supports the work of Minnesota… Read More

Photos by Tom Hintgen Permanent Old Clitherall displays can be seen at the county museum as part of the Otter Tail County Historical Society on the west side of Fergus Falls. Old Clitherall became the county’s first non Native American settlement in 1865, the same time as the end of the Civil War.

Voting is open for the 2023-24 Name a Snowplow contest, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced today. The top eight vote-getters will become MnDOT snowplow names – one new name for each MnDOT district. See the list of finalists and vote now at mndot.gov/nameasnowplow. Voting will remain open through Sunday, Jan. 28. Individuals will be able to… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher A second generation of the Stave family has taken over the New York Mills and Verndale branches of Lake Country Insurance. While Holly Barthel is closing in on her first anniversary of purchasing the business from her dad and founder Randy Stave, she continues to put an emphasis on quality insurance care… Read More

Formanek begins stained glass business in rural NYM By Chad Koenen Publisher Some people shy away from a challenge—Jim Formanek runs straight into a difficult situation with his arms extended to embrace the situation. After all, the former teacher, chef, business owner and artist, has dabbled in just about anything a person could desire of the… Read More

Highway 10 Showdown set for Friday By Chad Koenen Publisher Two schools separated by less-than 15 miles will be playing for much more than just bragging rights in the Park Region Conference on Friday night—there will be a new traveling trophy on the line. The Highway 10 Showdown will be held on Friday at New York Mills School… Read More

Aho continues to recover from October stroke By Tucker Henderson Reporter October 26 was a frightening day for Jamie Aho and his family, to put it mildly. It was that Thursday that Aho was on his way to an appointment in Baxter, Minn. when he suffered an extensive stroke due to a tear in his carotid… Read More

New apartment building begins to take shape in NYM By Tucker Henderson Reporter The New York Mills Economic Development Authority (EDA) met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at the city hall chambers. The first task of the EDA board in 2024 was the appointment of officers and their terms. New members, Tim Muehler and… Read More