Improvements being proposed for County Road 50 By Robert Williams Editor Probation Director Michael Schommer spoke on enhancing the county’s Youth At Risk Development (YARD) Probation Program for at-risk juveniles by coordinating with CrossFit, a branded fitness regimen that involves constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity. According to the agreement between the two programs, Otter… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter Roots & Wings Forest School recently opened up a new schoolhouse called “the Rook” in rural New York Mills. The school, which is primarily focused on outdoor-learning, needed an indoor learning space to use during inclement weather. “Every step of growth we have taken has been a direct response to community needs that… Read More

Event to feature five polka bands through Sept. 7-9 By Chad Koenen Publisher Accordions will be working overtime under the bright yellow tent near the Ottertail water tower from September 7-9 for the 13th annual Polka Daze celebration.  Each year the Ottertail Lions host the event and highlight several national acts at its annual Polka Daze celebration…. Read More

Ashby-native to lead county assessor’s office Heather Jacobson was appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to lead the Assessor’s Office.  Wayne Stein, County Auditor/Treasurer, swore Jacobson in at the start of this week’s Commissioners’ meeting. “We have a great team in the Assessor’s Office,” Jacobson said. “I hope to utilize everyone’s strengths and have a positive work… Read More

Brother of Ole amazed by community support By Robert Williams Editor Tom Barten turns heads whether he’s relaxing on a barstool at Billy’s or walking around Vergas before Ole’s Ride gets underway. People stop, say hello, wave and point. Tom is Ole’s brother, one of 14 siblings in the family that grew up in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, a small… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The mission of the Office of the State Auditor is to oversee local government finances for Minnesota taxpayers by helping to ensure financial integrity and accountability in local governmental financial activities.  To that end, finances of Otter Tail County and the other 86 counties in Minnesota are audited on an annual basis…. Read More

Koenen encourages local residents to visit museum By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent There’s a message to county residents who plan to attend this year’s Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul.  The message comes from Chad Koenen, co-owner of Henning Publications and co-publisher of the Citizen’s Advocate in Henning, New York Mills Dispatch and Frazee-Vergas Forum…. Read More

Photo by Tom Hintgen State Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, right, met with Otter Tail County constituents Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 22, at Spies Riverfront Park, Fergus Falls. At left is Jim Hammers of Perham and center is Jim Espeland, Henning.

Contributed photos The Willow Creek dog park had some of its first visitors last week as a pair of dogs stopped by the new dog park in the South Point development. The dog park features a fenced in area for the dogs to play, as well as a growing number of toys and activities for… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent  A home under construction and nearly complete was destroyed by fire on Aug. 17 northeast of Dalton, near Stalker Lake. Firefighters were called to the scene of the fire shortly before 4 p.m. “The house was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived,” said a sheriff deputy. “Fire crews extinguished the… Read More