By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s was a work relief program that provided employment to 3.5 million young men during the Great Depression. Reviewing life as a CCC worker, on Nov. 16 at the Fergus Falls Public Library, was author, story teller, guitar player and singer Bill Jamerson. He… Read More

Military personnel serving overseas that have ties to the community, VFW Post 3289 or Auxiliary will once again be receiving a soldier care package this Christmas to show love and support for them.  A drop off for donations has been set up at Mills Lucky Strike Lanes. Care package ideas that are appreciated by service members are: sunblock,… Read More

Contributed photo Several fifth through seventh grade students at New York Mills School recently took a six hour heart saver course through Tri-County Health Care. The students learned basic CPR, how to apply and use an AED, first aid and seizure management. All of the students are now certified through the American Heart Association.

Christmas Tree Festival to end Saturday All are invited to the Cultural Center’s annual Winter Fundraiser at the New York Mills City Hall Ballroom on Wednesday, Nov. 30, from 6-8 p.m.  This event is free to attend and open to all and held at the City Hall Ballroom during the NY Mills Christmas Tree Festival.  This fun… Read More

Diary gives insight into life across Dakota territory By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Our winters have been challenging in recent years, but we’ve had it easy compared to life on the northern plains in the 1880s. North Dakota gained statehood in 1889. Before that, my great-grandparents farmed in what was then Dakota Territory near Mapleton, southwest… Read More

Meeting to be held on Dec. 12 in Fergus Falls By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County residents are invited to weigh in on a proposal for a possible fish passage at Phelps Mill. The public meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 12, at the county Government Services Center in Fergus Falls. This project,… Read More

OTC expresses interest in keeping the festival going By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Phelps Mill Treasurer David Iverson and Jerome Holicky provided a report to county commissioners on the annual Phelps Mill Festival.  Iverson noted expenses and income and highlighted the drop in attendance from 2021 to 2022. The 2022 festival was down by 25.5 percent,… Read More

Contributed photos Jeff Rimpila’s physical education classes have been busy this fall making use of the New York Mills bike fleet as well as learning about the sport and safety of archery.

Photos by Tucker Henderson The New York Mills Christmas Tree Festival got underway on Saturday with the annual Christmas brunch and family day festivities. The day featured a visit from Santa, cookie decorating and plenty of arts and crafts. The Christmas Tree Festival will continue this week with horse drawn sleigh rides and Bingo for books… Read More

Photo by Chad Koenen While Reegan Kruchten and Morgan Kline look on in the “classroom” Elliot Kangas (t-rex) and Jessica Lenz (teacher) talk about some of the difficulties the dinosaur was having in the classroom/school. This year’s fall play was entitled “Tammy: A Coming of Age Story About a Girl who is Part T-Rex” and was… Read More