Anglers fishing on Upper Red Lake during the 2026 open-water season that starts Saturday, May 9, will have a five-walleye possession limit, with only one walleye longer than 17 inches allowed. This is the same regulation that was in place for the 2025 open-water season. “Upper Red Lake walleye have been managed at a level that,… Read More

Contributed photo The New York Mills mock trial team went 2-2 this year and made great strides as a team. The NY Mills team recently honored award winners for the past season, including: Most Valuable Teammates: Dylan Selander and Ella Holmes; Most Improved: Tiffany Hoefs and Anastasia Stout; Best Newcomer: Brigid Stout and Aubrey Usleman;… Read More

Awarded for advancing patient care and the optometric profession Minnesota Optometric Association is proud to announce Senator Jordan Rasmusson as a recipient of the Healthcare Champion Award. “The Healthcare Champion Award is given to those who recognize that scope of practice is truly about patient care,” said Dr. Tate Herman, president of the Minnesota Optometric Association…. Read More

Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons congratulated Corrections Sergeant Myrna Budke and Corrections Officer Mike Wentzel on their retirements from the Otter Tail County Detention Facility Monday, March 16.  “With over 56 years of combined experience between Sgt. Myrna Budke and Corrections Officer Mike Wentzel, we are losing an incredible amount of knowledge and dedication.Thank you both for your… Read More

If you’ve spent any time around the Douglas County Master Gardener Program over the past two decades, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Lewis Struthers. And if you have, you probably walked away having learned something about bees, berries, gardens, or simply the joy of being curious. This year, the program is honoring Lewis with… Read More

The Community Cantata singers, under the direction of Adam Tervola Hultberg, have been working for six weeks to prepare this year’s Community Lenten Cantata,   “On a Hill Too Far Away.” The choir is excited to be sharing the dramatic events of Holy Week in song on Sunday, March 29, at 3 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran… Read More

Proposed amendments include additional overnight lodging opportunities, redeveloping public water accesses The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comments on two draft management plan amendments for Itasca State Park. The comment period is open through April 10. A state park management plan is a framework that provides long-range guidance for the park, with recommendations… Read More

A CHUTE basketball camp will be held in New York Mills from June 3-4. The camp is $90, but the boys and girls basketball program will contribute $40 for each participant in the camp so the cost to each person will be just $50.  The camp is open to next year’s 4-12th grade students. For more information… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The Central Lakes Trail, Minnesota’s 23rd state trail, runs along an abandoned railroad corridor purchased by the State of Minnesota in 1992. Otter Tail County was among the governmental agencies working with local volunteers to finance construction of the trail.  The paved trail, totaling 55 miles, runs through three counties and 10… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher There is something calming about a familiar voice on the other end of the line during a time of need—and insurance is no different.  After all, insurance is the type of thing people purchase that they hope they never have to use as it typically marks a challenging time like a motor vehicle… Read More