Local restaurant is a popular destination in the summer By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The goal of Betty’s Pantry owners Vanessa and Jon Neels is to have their restaurant in the town of Ottertail feel like “customers are part of our family.” Vanessa and Jon have owned the restaurant since the spring of 2018. Vanessa is the… Read More

Interiors by Winkels opens in a new location By Chad Koenen Publisher It may have a new name, new location and new owners, but one thing won’t be changing at Interiors by Winkels, formerly Winkels Carpet Center—a small town touch and willingness to get to know each customer.  The new owners are Joe and Tasha Foltz who held… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher If you see someone from Ottertail with an extra hop in their step this week it is for a good reason—OtterFest is back and better than ever.  After hosting a slimmed down version of OtterFest last year, due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ottertail Business and Community Association is planning a… Read More

City council discusses camping at Lions Park By Lori Newman Correspondent The Deer Creek City Council held their regular monthly meeting on July 26. New York Mills Police Chief Bobby Berndt told the council the police department has hired another full time officer.   Berndt and the council also discussed the city’s policies on camping at the Deer Creek Lions Wayside… Read More

Question: In reference to the Interstate, is it true that one out of five miles is straight so airplanes can land on there if needed?   Answer: No, this is a myth that is so widespread that it is difficult to dispel. The myth typically states the requirement came from President Dwight D. Eisenhower or the… Read More

Journey began on East Leaf Lake on June 3 By Chad Koenen Publisher Hank Kohler quickly picked up his phone in a canoe recently, just south of Vicksburg, Miss., only to have to put it down to avoid a large barge that was sharing the waterways of the Mississippi River. Of course when you are in… Read More

Parks and trails are an important resource in Otter Tail County. The County’s Long-Range Strategic Plan highlights the public’s desire to preserve what exists and to explore opportunities to expand and connect the parks and trails system within the county.  Otter Tail County has begun implementing this area of the plan by hiring Kevin Fellbaum as… Read More

The Lown Institute Hospitals Index recently recognized Tri-County Health Care as the top hospital in Minnesota for community investment. This Institute is a new hospital ranking that considers the full breadth of what hospitals do. It evaluates hospitals’ performance based on how well they treat their patients, their commitment to providing high-value care and their… Read More

ESport gaming league discussed By Barbie Porter Editor From St. Cloud, Minn. to the Canadian border there is only one autistic learning center on the Minnesota map, and it is located in Perham. Serving a 60-mile radius around the industrial and commercial hub, Empowering Kids Perham, in ways, had a tragic start. Kim Nelson lost her 23-year-old… Read More