Local snowmobile clubs in need of new members By Matthew Johnson Reporter The best that local snowmobilers can hope for is enough snow early on at the start of the winter season for a good base to be groomed on the local trails. That first round of grooming has basically come and gone with that coveted early start… Read More

Otter Tail County has announced that its Empowered Worker Program has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Economic Development Award by the Minnesota Association of Professional County Economic Developers (MAPCED). The award was presented on December 9 at the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Annual Conference in Bloomington. MAPCED is a professional association… Read More

On Thursday, Dec. 18, the Minnesota Housing board of directors selected 51 housing developments totaling more than $166.4 million in state investments. The developments will support the creation and preservation of 1,424 single-family homes and apartments. The projects represent more than $550 million in total development costs and will support 4,700 jobs. “These resources are helping… Read More

On Thursday, Jan. 1, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is hosting First Day Hike events at 12 state parks in support of a nationwide effort to connect people to the outdoors. As part of the First Day Hikes initiative led by America’s State Parks, a national organization, hikers in all 50 states will welcome… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter Winter has come to Minnesota in full force, but you need not look any further than the New York Mills location of Lakes Community Cooperative with Cenex convenience store, Hardware Hank hardware store, and full-service deli. Outside, the Co-op is furnished with Wintermaster premium diesel fuel, designed for extreme cold, as well as… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter Vitality Living of New York Mills has seen its share of updates and changes in the past year and a half since it took over ownership in August of 2024. Executive Director Kari Collins has been on staff since March, but recently stepped into her new position and is looking forward to… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent A motion by County Commissioner Sean Sullivan of Fergus Falls and seconded by Commissioner Bob Lahman of Parkers Prairie was unanimously carried to schedule public hearings for food, pool and lodging ordinances at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, during the regular Board of Commissioners meeting at the County… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is hosting their 17th annual Longest Night Festival on Sunday, Dec. 21 with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and music at 7 p.m. The evening will highlight the talents of a number of local artists as well as some from further away. With a tentative mix… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter For the past several decades, Detroit Lakes area native Bruce Beck has been painting, making carpentry repairs, snow blowing and everything in between. Beck started his painting contracting company Lakes Painting, LLC 29 years ago and has been hard at work ever since. “Anyone can paint!” said Beck. “It is not hard, most… Read More

Photos by Tucker Henderson Kindergarten through third grade students held their annual holiday concerts at the school last week. The students performed a variety of holiday music, including using bells and a recorder. The kindergarten students even had a special guest when the Grinch stopped by their show.