By Chad Koenen Publisher Andrew Browne will take over as the new fire chief in Deer Creek. During its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Dec. 19, the Deer Creek City Council learned the fire department recommended Browne as its new fire chief. He will replace the current fire chief Travis Collins who has served in that capacity… Read More

Twenty local fire departments receive $1,000 grants from the Funders Network  West Central Initiative awarded grants totaling more than $20,000 from The Funders Network’s Community Foundation Disaster Response Fund to 20 fire departments in west central Minnesota.   “We received a grant from The Funders Network for emergency preparedness activities,” said West Central Initiative’s Director of Development,… Read More

Grants to expand broadband coverage in greater Minnesota A pair of Otter Tail County internet providers together have gained more than $4.5 million in grants to expand broadband coverage. Otter Tail Telcom/Park Region is receiving nearly $3.4 million and Arvig is gaining more than $1.1 million from the Border-to-Border Broadband program administered by the Department of Employment and… Read More

Star Award recognizes excellence in nursing industry Sonda Tolle, DNP, RN, Vice President of Patient Services for Perham Health, has been awarded the Minnesota Nurse Leader Star Award by the Minnesota Organization of Leaders in Nursing (MOLN).  The Star Award was established in 1984 in honor of Connie Moline, a leader in nursing and founding member of the… Read More

The Tri-County Health Care Foundation awarded five area students with the Davis Family Nursing Scholarship. This scholarship supports students pursuing a career in healthcare. This year, each student received $2,579.93. Those recipients are:  • Savana Richter – Attending Minnesota State University Moorhead. She has been accepted into the accelerated MANE BSN program to work towards her… Read More

Minnesota State University, Mankato awarded 2,193 degrees to 1,936 students at the end of the fall 2022 semester, with commencement ceremonies scheduled for 9 a.m. and noon Saturday, Dec. 10 in Taylor Center’s Bresnan Arena on the Minnesota State Mankato campus.  Among the students who received a degree was Jordan Brink, Deer Creek, BS, Rn Baccalaureate… Read More

Minnesota FFA plays active role in lives of local youth As the new year officially kicks off this week, the Minnesota FFA Foundation continues the vital role of supporting the development of young people through Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) programs and the FFA.  Minnesota FFA is experiencing unprecedented growth in the number of schools… Read More

Pests, insects can hide in Christmas trees, holiday greens Holiday greenery and Christmas trees bring joy throughout the season, but they can also hide dangerous hitchhikers. Diseases and invasive species can make their way into the landscapes on trees and boughs brought into Minnesota from other states. To protect the environment, the State of Minnesota is… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent  Sheriff deputies, on Dec. 26 and Dec. 27, reported traffic injuries in eastern Otter Tail County. Deputies were assisted by the Minnesota State Highway Patrol. The first accident, on Highway 10 at 6:08 p.m. on Dec. 26, was a northwesterly, single-vehicle rollover. It appeared to be one person with minor injuries. Deputies… Read More

Lake Park man was always teaching about conservation By Benjamin Velani  West Central Initiative Richard “Rick” Paul Olson, born December 31, 1950, devoted his life to helping others farm sustainably and organically. His deep connection with nature began early, living and working on his family’s century farm and continued until his passing on November 10, 2022. Rick worked alongside… Read More