NYM School hears about  Best Buddies, no action taken on new program By Chad Koenen Publisher A new Best Buddies program is geared at creating a more inclusive environment within a school district by partnering students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. During its regularly scheduled meeting last week, the New York Mills School Board heard… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter The New York Mills Area Food Shelf is seeking donations for the month of March during Minnesota FoodShare Month. This month-long fundraising period is a statewide campaign to help fill food pantries across Minnesota. Money given to the Food Shelf are able to go a lot further than individual purchases due to… Read More

Lot is expected to be transformed into outdoor patio, additional parking By Chad Koenen Publisher A vacant lot in downtown Deer Creek could soon become home to an expanded outdoor seating area for Wet Woody’s Pub and Grub. During its regularly scheduled meeting last Monday night, the Deer Creek City Council approved selling the city-owned lot located… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent A retired priest, Father Tim Wenzel, who once served Catholic parishes in Otter Tail County and nearby Wilkin County, returns now and then as a guest priest for services in Pelican Rapids, Elizabeth and Fergus Falls. Those three parishes are part of what’s today known as the Pelican Valley Area… Read More

Michael Pittman Jr. to promote Lund Boat Company as part of partnership Lund Boats, a leading manufacturer of aluminum and fiberglass fishing boats, has announced its new partnership with Indianapolis Colts wide receiver, Michael Pittman Jr., in an exclusive brand collaboration. The partnership underscores Lund Boats’ commitment to promoting an active, adventurous lifestyle on the… Read More

County and state officials meeting to discuss emergency management By Robert Williams Editor Otter Tail County Assistant Public Health Director Kristi Goos and Partnership 4 Health Dental Services Coordinator Jane Neubauer updated the Otter Tail Board of Commissioners on the Dental Innovations Program on Tuesday, Feb. 24 in Fergus Falls. According to Goos, the program began at a statewide… Read More

Samantha Siedow Report for Minnesota A program that aims to help small businesses in rural Minnesota and in other parts of the state would get another two-year funding boost under a bill being considered at the State Capitol.  Legislation sponsored by Sen. Sen. Susan Pha, DFL-Brooklyn Park would renew a $7.4 million “one-time” increase in funding to… Read More

Yvette Higgins Report for Minnesota Rural Minnesotans often face long wait times when calling 911, and some state  lawmakers are looking to change that.  A bill by Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar, R-Fredenberg Township, would establish a grant program to help rural emergency medical service companies that are losing money. Zeleznikar said in an interview that people in Greater… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Many businesses in west central Minnesota are excited about the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI). To help businesses realize the possibilities with AI, the Minnesota Newspaper Association (MNA) offered a zoom seminar on Feb. 27, presented by KeyMedia Solutions based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Korena Keys of KeyMedia focused on… Read More

Perham Education Association recently announced Heart of the Lakes Elementary Kindergarten teacher Tammy Richter has been named the PEA Teacher of the Year. In the announcement PEA President Paul Belka said the prestigious recognition is a testament to Richter’s exceptional dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to the success and growth of her students. “Tammy’s impact in the… Read More