By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The Fergus Falls State Hospital opened its doors for patients in 1890, serving the mentally ill as well as people with developmental disabilities and chemical dependency issues. For many years close to 2,000 people resided at the facility, which closed in 2007. This was a big facility, one of the largest… Read More

Local group ramps up fight against invasive species By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent It is the mission of the Otter Tail County Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force to develop programs and strategies to support and enhance the protection of Otter Tail County waters.   “In order to accomplish this, our task force promotes public awareness, education, containment,… Read More

Groups focus on stocking lakes with fish, fighting AIS By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides county anglers and lakes associations with information before fish stocking plans move forward in Otter Tail County. “Before anything is implemented, we first collect public input on fish management,” said DNR Area Fisheries Supervisor Jim… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent  Sheriff deputies, on June 16, reported injuries during a motorcycle accident and 4-wheeler accident in Otter Tail County. The motorcycle accident took place close to 4:30 p.m. near Highway 46 east of Parkers Prairie. The cycle driver, heading eastward, avoided hitting a deer but went down and slid on the highway…. Read More

Teenager was attending summer camp A 13-year-old boy died after a boating accident near Frazee Thursday, June 22. The boy was later identified by the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s office as Benjamin Rennie of the Andover/Coon Rapids. Rennie was attending North Central Camp Cherith Christian summer camp at the time of the incident. According to the report, Rennie… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen and Tucker Henderson Miller Street was rocking on Friday night as Centennial Realty, Twilight Jams and Mills Country Market hosted a joint anniversary celebration. The annual celebration featured a meal served at Mills Country Market, bean bags, hammerschlagen and much more. Above: Artist Shawn McCann spent a portion of Wednesday painting a… Read More

By Robert Williams  Editor, Frazee-Vergas Forum Three people were injured in a two-car accident at the intersection of U.S. Highway 10 and Otter Tail County Road 60 south of Frazee Friday, June 23. A 2005 Volkswagen Jetta, driven by Austin Emil Huhta, 18, of Menahga, was traveling westbound on County Road 60 and collided with a 1999 Buick… Read More

Professional fisherman to be in town on Wednesday Bassmaster champion Jeff Gustafson will be making a stop in New York Mills this week.  Gustafson has been a member of the Lund pro-staff for several years and won the Bassmaster Championship this year. He will be at the facility on Wednesday, July 28 from 3-5 p.m. to… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen Rain fell for a portion of the Deer Trails Day parade on Saturday morning, but a light shower didn’t keep people away from Deer Creek for its annual town celebration. The parade featured a number of entrants, including the New York Mills marching band (below), as well as a petting zoo (below)… Read More

Photos by Tucker Henderson Members of the New York Mills Dream Team hosted a turkey lunch fundraiser at Central Park on Thursday. Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the East Otter Tail County Relay for Life.