Finnish traditions to take center stage on March 16 By Tucker Henderson Reporter It’s that time of year again, when local residents can eat purple doughnuts, hear David Witikko’s Ode, and see Finns congregate around the idea of St. Urho, who drove the grasshoppers out of Finland. Now, many might tell people that St. Urho is a… Read More

By Robert Williams Editor Lake Lida resort owner and photographer Jon Solinger’s art exhibit “Deep Roots: Sustaining a Living Community” wrapped up its run at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center on Friday, March 3. Solinger’s show focused on life on 13 small farms throughout the surrounding counties in both photographic and text formats. Solinger collaborated with… Read More

Several local entities have received CGP grants By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The Community Growth Partnership Grant program is funded by Otter Tail County’s Community Development Agency. The goals of the program are to increase the tax base and improve the quality of life by supporting affordable housing, redevelopment and commercial rehabilitation projects.  In recent months $17,150… Read More

Different form of transportation follows local train tracks By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Many baby boomers remember riding the rails on passenger trains close to Pebble Lake and Swan Lake, southeast of Fergus Falls, and through Dalton and Ashby. This was the case until rail passenger service ended in 1971.  Today, the rails are no longer in… Read More

Grants to aid existing providers, increase child care availability Child care providers in Otter Tail County can apply to the second round of the Child Care Capacity Grant Program. The program, launched in September 2022, is intended to support child care program needs for existing providers and increase child care slots for new or expanding providers… Read More

Two change orders total nearly $8,000 for county garages By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County commissioners unanimously authorized a change order for the Pelican Rapids Highway Garage in the amount of $247.50 for the addition of an electrical outlet and a change order for both the Battle Lake and Pelican Rapids Highway Garages in the… Read More

County seeks grant for Perham to Pelican trail By Robert Williams Editor, Frazee-Vergas Forum The Otter Tail County Board unanimously approved a permit modification to the new Henning transfer station during the board’s most recent meeting Tuesday, Feb. 28.  In July of 2022, the Solid Waste Department, along with FOTH Engineering, began the process of designing a new… Read More

Rock ‘n’ roll hall of famer has close ties to OT County By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Gary Puckett, who gained rock ‘n’ roll fame in the late 1960s, always appreciated his family ties to Otter Tail County, and Pelican Rapids in particular. This remains true to the present day for the rock star who… Read More

Low walleye harvest this winter led to change in regulations State-licensed anglers will have the opportunity to harvest a walleye 21-23 inches in length or greater than 28 inches throughout the 2023 open water season on Mille Lacs Lake. A lower walleye harvest this winter and an improving walleye population are combining to allow this… Read More

Seip named to University of MN Dean’s List Brian Seip, Ottertail, has been named to the 2022 fall semester Dean’s List at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, the university announced today.   To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must complete 12 or more letter-graded credits while attaining a 3.66 grade point average. Lange graduates from UM-Crookston… Read More