Photos by Chad Koenen Several hundred motorcycles converged on New York Mills over the weekend to participate in the 24th annual Ronald McDonald RIDE. The event raises money for the Ronald McDonald Hosue in Fargo and final totals were still being tallied at the time of press. Winner of the 2025 Harley-Davidson Street Glide was Allen… Read More

NYM School honors retirees for their years of service By Tucker Henderson Reporter There were five members of the New York Mills School staff that hung up their hats this spring as they entered retirement. Doug Salo Fifth grade teacher, Doug Salo, completed his 40th year of teaching this spring. He began teaching in Waldorf-Pemberton during his… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher As the ground rumbles and the engines roar down Centennial 84 Drive in New York Mills on Saturday, participants in the 24th annual Ronald McDonald House Ride are one step closer to helping a family during a time of need. After all, while many of the participants are decked out in leather… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter As June arrived, so did artist in residence at the Cultural Center, Cindy Ingram. Hailing from Cottage Grove, Ore., Ingram is a full-time artist focusing on large abstract paintings. She is an entrepreneur and former flower farmer. “I have been a flower farmer for the last four years,” said Ingram. “So I paint… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter Finn Creek Open Air Museum is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year and invites everyone to stop by their Midsummer open house to celebrate on Saturday, June 21. Finn Creek Museum has been around since it’s foundation in 1975, when an old Finnish farmstead, previously belonging to the Siffert and Wilhelmina Tapio family,… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Spencer McGrew, Otter Tail County’s Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist and chairperson of the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Committee, addressed county lakeshore property owners May 31 at Thumper Pond. “Zebra mussels have invaded close to 1,000 lakes in Minnesota, but we have been able to keep them out of the other… Read More

Think-Off set for Saturday in NY Mills The 32nd Annual Great American Think-Off, a program of the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, returns Friday and Saturday, June 13–14, inviting the public to explore one of life’s biggest questions: “Is there only one truth, or are there many truths?” This long-running annual philosophy debate draws thinkers… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The Otter Express bus service, operated for many years in Otter Tail County by Fergus Falls-based Productive Alternatives, is shifting to a proposed Joint Powers Board. Completion of the changeover from Productive Alternatives to a Joint Powers Board will not take place until June 30, 2026.  Until then, grant applications need… Read More

The Minnesota Legislature has approved the State and Local Government and Elections budget agreement, which includes a major initiative to strengthen oversight of state agencies and safeguard taxpayer dollars. House File 3, chief sponsored by Sen. Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls) in the Senate, ensures that state agencies implement audit recommendations from the Office of the… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent  Sheriff deputies, on June 5, reported that fire destroyed a shop with several items inside. The blaze, reported at 10:46 p.m., took place west of Star Lake in central Otter Tail County. Lost in the fire were two older Chevrolet Suburbans, power tools, a snowblower and other items. There was smoke… Read More