Low interest loans to replace non-compliant SSTS By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The Minnesota Clean Water Partnership (CWP) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) have awarded Otter Tail County with a grant to provide low interest loans to property owners to replace non-compliant subsurface sewage treatment systems (SSTS).  “Otter Tail County serves as the lender,” said… Read More

Photo by Chad Koenen The new Olympic size ice skating rink at Thumper Pond was officially dedicated on Monday morning. Representatives from Hilltop Lumber, Thumper Pond and the City of Ottertail were on hand to celebrate the occasion. In addition to the ribbon cutting, Ottertail Mayor Ron Grobeck and city councilman Mike Windey presented the new… Read More

Longtime superintendent to retire on June 30 By Chad Koenen Publisher There were more than a few heartfelt messages, pats on the back and a few tears at the New York Mills School Board meeting last week. The somber tone came after longtime NY Mills administrator and superintendent Blaine Novak submitted his letter of retirement to… Read More

Artist in residence worked on science fiction manuscript By Tucker Henderson Reporter January’s quiet stillness has provided opportunities to this month’s Artist in Residence through the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. “It’s just a very sleepy month,” said Nicholas Schorn, who took up residence in NY Milla from January 5-30 as he finished work on a… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher The Deer Creek water tower could receive a new makeover as soon as this summer. During its regularly scheduled meeting last Monday night, the Deer Creek City Council received several paint designs for the upcoming water tower repair and repainting project. Much of the discussion last Monday night revolved around what color and… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter The ongoing Welcoming Communities Cohort met on Wednesday, Jan. 24 to share the results of the surveys that were available around the community and online from November 15 to January 7. Through facilitation by the University of Minnesota, the assessment has been analyzed and the results were shared at the meeting. The surveys,… Read More

Kits to be given away by random drawing By Chad Koenen Publisher The Ottertail City Council will be doing its part to keep people safe on the roads this winter.  During its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Jan. 18, the Ottertail City Council approved utilizing up to $500 from a public safety aid grant to purchase a… Read More

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