By Stella Strong Reporter Larry Bessler, pastor of the New York Mills Assembly of God, retired on May 22. Despite a rather impressive 36 years of serving various churches in the Minnesota area, Bessler admits that it took a little bit for him to even begin to think about becoming a pastor. “Before God’s calling on my life,… Read More

Mills pool takes on new management after 36 years By Kathryn Wilkowski Reporter From working as a lifeguard at 15 years old to being a manager for 26 years, Heidi Van Dyke is retiring after dedicating 36 of her summers to the New York Mills pool. “I really do care a lot about this community,” she said…. Read More

Dedication ceremony set for Saturday as part of Red Eye River Days at Sebeka City Park The 1888 Finnish log schoolhouse in Sebeka’s City Park is restored to its original glory and will be ready for review on Saturday, July 30, 2022. After over a year of reconstruction, cleaning, sanding, and finishing, the building is… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter The New York Mills EDA met at their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday morning where they discussed a number of city updates. Chairman Jason Schik confirmed that all outstanding loans are up to date. One new house is currently being built in the Country View addition. The city closed on a building at… Read More

Free events to be held August 2 in New York Mills The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center invites the public to its second annual National Night Out community event on Tuesday, Aug. 2, from 4-6 p.m. National Night Out is free to attend and open to the public. The Cultural Center is working with several community… Read More

Buehler’s Day Off is located in Buehler’s Produce building By Chad Koenen Publisher A new home decor business in Ottertail is paying homage to a 1980s cult classic movie. Becky Geyer recently opened Buehler’s Day Off in the barn of Buehler’s Produce in rural Ottertail. The home decor business, which also includes signs, candles, planters, flowers, greenery, clothing,… Read More

Four-wheeler crash reported near BL By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent  Sheriff deputies, on July 16, reported the injury of a motorcycle driver west of Parkers Prairie. The accident took place at 12:21 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 38 and 505th Avenue. The rider lost control and entered the north ditch, suffering a head injury and… Read More

The New York Mills fall sports meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 4 in auditorium. General group meeting will begin at 7 p.m., followed by sport specific meetings for volleyball, football, cross country, tennis and swimming.  The meeting will be a good time for participants to get forms turned in ahead of practice, ask questions,… Read More

Rural school provided life lessons for young students Editor’s Note: The following is the second in a three part series about Bernice Johnson’s experience at Hill School. Bernice Johnson Special to the Dispatch Everything about school was exciting to me, even the cloakroom, though it smelled of barn and unwashed bodies. The farmers in Pine Lake Township… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Winds were close to 20 miles per hour on the waters of a lake in Otter Tail County Wednesday morning, July 20. That didn’t deter 11-year-old Eli Walkup, a farm boy south of Fergus Falls, from landing a prized crappie. A foursome, under the guidance of fishing guide Ross Hagemeister, included… Read More