‘First 85’ moved to OTC from Kentucky in 1898 By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent This past summer, in early July and late August, two busloads of people from the Twin Cities came to the county museum in Fergus Falls (historical society) to learn more as descendants of black veterans of Otter Tail County…. Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher  New York Mills High School alum will be one of two new teachers greeting students as they walk through the school doors for the first time this week.  ¶  Karli Kawlewski will be returning to her roots this fall as the NY Mills High School alum will be the new second… Read More

Eight ACC parishes to ‘realign’ into one, four locations By Matthew Johnson Reporter The Mary, Mother of the Church Area Catholic Community (ACC) is in the process of a “realignment” of its eight area parishes, essentially “unifying” them into one large parish in four existing locations, according to the Rev. J.C. Duncan of the Diocese… Read More

Otter Tail County will receive $1,683,000 to help build a new stretch of regional trail. The funding comes from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), which selected the Glacial Edge Regional Trail – Cabbage Hill Segment on July 30 for its annual funding recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature. The county had applied for $1,838,000…. Read More

Fergus Falls  company to  complete the work on County Hwy. 143 By Robert Williams Editor A contract was awarded to Korby Contracting Co., Inc. of Fergus Falls to complete the County Highway 143 bridge replacement over the Leaf River. This project will replace two steel span culverts with a bridge along County Highway 143 over… Read More

Asbestos, lead found in Phelps Mill Store building By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County commissioners, on Aug. 25, heard an update on major renovations needed at the Phelps Mill Store near the county-owned historic flour mill in central Otter Tail County. “We are only currently working on Phase 1, which includes restoration of… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher With a crisp to the morning air and dew on the grass, all signs are pointing to fall being on the horizon. Next week summer vacation will officially come to an end for New York Mills students as large yellow school busses will once again be pulling up to their front… Read More

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center’s 2026 Concert Series continues with a live performance by Erik Keranen on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m. Held in the Cultural Center’s intimate listening-room-style gallery space, the concert will feature an evening of original music from a songwriter with deep roots in West Central Minnesota. Doors open… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen The annual New York Mills Regional Cultural Center Puppet Pageant and Finn Creek Festival were held over the weekend. The puppet pageant was held on both Friday night following the corn feed and Saturday at Finn Creek Festival and featured a record 25 participants this year. The Finn Creek Festival were… Read More

In other news • Heard from Kaitlyn Shaefer concerning the open position for a third full-time police officer for the NY Mills Police Department. Shaefer said there has been more crime reported in the community this year and having a third full-time officer would help provide additional police coverage, as well as relief for the… Read More