Karvonen celebrates 30th year as funeral director at family-owned funeral home By Chad Koenen Publisher Greg and Suzi Karvonen sit around a large wooden table in one of the meeting rooms at Karvonen Funeral Home in New York Mills. They are just steps from the home that Greg has lived in just about his entire life,… Read More

The North Dakota Industrial Commission approved Otter Tail Power Company to be a sub-recipient of approximately $4.4 million in state-allocated Department of Energy (DOE) Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) grant funding on Monday, Dec. 18.  “As our customer needs evolve, we do as well by transitioning to new technologies and options to help deliver reliable… Read More

Widespread rain, wind and unseasonably warm weather during recent days have degraded ice conditions throughout the state, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.   While the week between the Christmas and New Year’s holidays has become popular among the owners of deluxe fish houses (known also as wheelhouses), conditions so far this winter mean… Read More

Saewert becomes new DNR Conservation Officer By Tucker Henderson Reporter It’s not everyday that someone becomes a Conservation Officer for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In fact, it’s known to be a highly sought after position with rigorous training. That was Landyn Saewert’s experience this summer as he transitioned from his work as AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species)… Read More

Clementson lends his gift to Warner Garage Door By Tucker Henderson Reporter A welcome sign made by a local chainsaw artist became a fixture at Warner Garage Door, Inc. in recent weeks after Bill Warner, owner and operator, received it as a Christmas gift from its creator. Matt Clementson, Park Rapids, is that creator and also happens… Read More

Levy lowered to a 20 percent increase By Chad Koenen Publisher Just four years after an accident took the life of 21-year-old Tyler Wohler, a new trail in Ottertail could come to fruition as soon as next summer.  During its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Dec. 21, the Ottertail City Council heard that much of the funding… Read More

Winters were difficult for settlers in Old Clitherall By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent This has been a mild winter, but county historians will still pause over a cup of coffee and point to hard winter conditions at Old Clitherall, dating back to 1865. It was a challenge for residents of Old Clitherall who, in 1865, established… Read More

High school seniors hit the gas on commercial driving careers A new collaboration between M State and the Perham-Dent Public School District makes it possible for students to graduate high school with a Class A Commercial Driver’s License already in hand and gainful full-time employment all but guaranteed. Dubbed “Road to CDL,” the initiative is a… Read More

One person seriously injured in accident near Vergas By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent  A county resident who lives near Highway 24 in western Otter Tail County learned the hard way never to leave a wallet inside a vehicle. Sheriff deputies, on Dec. 20, reported that a missing wallet was found near the highway but missing was $120 in… Read More

Other local aid money to be disbursed Governor Tim Walz announced on Thursday, Dec. 21, that the Department of Revenue will send $300 million in public safety aid to local governments this week.  “This funding will allow public safety officials to invest in the things that matter most to their communities, whether that’s officer recruitment and… Read More