Finn Creek Festival set for August 20-21 in rural NYM By Tucker Henderson Reporter The annual Finn Creek Folk Festival is set for Aug. 20-21 and will be offering a number of family-friendly events again this year. From learning Finnish in the schoolhouse to seeing some animals up close in the petting barn, the festival will… Read More

Facility was closed during COVID-19 pandemic New teen drivers, school bus drivers, and those with CDL licenses had a problem: the nearest exam station was over 50 miles away from Fergus Falls. The Fergus Falls exam center was closed amid COVID-19 and was not slated to reopen. Responding to the need, local officials sought to… Read More

Currently 761 people are members of 4-H in OTC By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County board members, in late June, heard an update on the Otter Tail County 4-H program, highlighting programming and membership.   “4-H inspires youth to become leaders and is committed to empowering youth,” noted Regional Director Cecelia Amadou.   There are four focused… Read More

ATV rolled in a ditch near 402nd Ave., Highway 210 By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent  Sheriff deputies, in coordination with the Minnesota State Highway Patrol, reported a serious injury July 23 during an ATV accident near Clitherall. The crash took place close to 8:30 p.m. Authorities said a Clitherall woman was driving the ATV in a… Read More

OTC vets population is over 4,100 By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County board members, on July 12, expressed appreciation that the 2022 Minnesota State Legislature passed a Veterans Omnibus Bill that includes funding for a service bonus payable to eligible veterans who served from Sept. 11, 2001, to Aug. 30. 2021.  The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs… Read More

Photos by Stella Strong Farmers & Merchants State Bank held their annual customer appreciation picnic on Tuesday, July 19. They served over 300 brats and hotdogs. Farmers & Merchants State Bank has been serving the NY Mills Community for over 100 years. The bank is an Equal Housing Lender, Member FDIC.

Marsha Bowman has retired from Otter Tail County Land and Resource Department after serving as the office manager for 39 years.   Bowman began her career in the Treasurer’s Office in 1983 and was hired in 1985 to the newly formed Land and Resource Management department where she continued to work for the remainder of her career. … Read More

Rural school provided life lessons for young students Editor’s Note: The following is the third article in a three part series about Bernice Johnson’s experience at Hill School. Bernice Johnson Special to the Dispatch At school, the big event of the year was putting on a Christmas play. It was exciting to watch the stage appear, as we… Read More

Photos by Kathryn Wilkowski The East Otter Tail County Fair was a buzz with activity from July 21-24 in Perham. One of the more popular rides was the roller coaster for children (bottom left), as well as a number of carnival games (bottom right). Throughout the fair members of local 4-H groups showcased their animals for… Read More

Final edition of the Heartland Market was published on July 25 By Chad Koenen Publisher After nearly 50 years, the final edition of the Heartland Market was published on Monday, July 25. Due to a decrease in advertising, the Heartland Market will no longer be published and included in 13 area newspapers.  The Heartland Market was the brainchild of New… Read More