Quilt won after bidding war during auction By Barbie Porter Editor, Frazee-Vergas Forum Odd Farbo was a persistent man, who understood quality workmanship and the importance of supporting one’s own community. When he learned a centennial quilt made by the New York Mills Garden Club in 1984 was going on the auction block, he made sure to… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent On July 21 Otter Tail Power Company commemorated Hoot Lake Plant’s legacy of safe and reliable generation of electricity. The coal-fired plant had been in operation for a century. Special praise, during the retirement celebration, went to the employees who worked at the plant. They often overcame adverse conditions in order… Read More

The loss of small-town newspapers leaves many Minnesota communities without in-depth coverage of critical issues. Why is this important to communities, what impact does it have and how is it connected to the very American democracy we cherish?   West Central Initiative (WCI) explores this topic in its next Era to Act Virtual Speaker Series… Read More

Hyde named president of aluminum boat group Lund Boats, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), today announced Lenn Scholz as President of Lund Boats replacing Dirk Hyde who has been promoted to President of Brunswick’s Aluminum Boat Group. Hyde has spent three decades in various leadership positions within Brunswick including COO of Attwood, President… Read More

Lottery scam warning issued in OT County By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent  Sheriff deputies reported a fatality following a ATV accident at 6:38 p.m. on July 21 in Compton Township near Bluffton of eastern Otter Tail County. Losing his life in the accident was a 39-year-old resident of Wadena. The name was withheld until all family… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen The annual Deer Trails Day celebration was held on Saturday in Deer Creek. After being canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festivities featured a jam-packed line up that included the Smokin’ Hot 5k/10k (bottom right), a parade, petting zoo, street dance, bean bag tournaments, live music (below left) and more. 

OTC updated by think tank advocating free-market principles By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Workers in Otter Tail County and in most areas of the Upper Midwest have productivity that is the best in the nation. Statistics point this out. That revelation came from John Phelan, an economist with the Twin Cities-based Center of the American Experiment…. Read More

Photo by Chad Koenen The New York Mills Public Library used book sale raised $4,504 during its two day book sale last week. Estimates are that over 3,000 books were sold, which will directly benefit the NY Mills Public Library. In the first day alone, the used book sale raised more money than any previous two… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher Some community’s have a bakery, while others have an ice cream parlor. Some have a place to purchase hard candy, a place to go to get a warm home cooked breakfast or lunch. Even less have a place where you can purchase custom brownies, cupcakes, cakes and more. To have all of… Read More

Otter Tail County residents without personal access to computers received free desktop computers and digital literacy resources thanks to Otter Tail County, Viking Library System, PCs for People, and the Blandin Foundation. A total of 50 desktop computers were distributed as a part of the project. “Access to technology is increasingly important for attending school, gaining… Read More