WellPath works with over 350 detention centers By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The county board of commissioners, on Aug. 12, renewed an agreement with WellPath as its medical provider to the county jail (detention center) in Fergus Falls. The contract with WellPath was first approved in 2024 after a recommendation from County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons. The… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County commissioners periodically hear easement requests from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A wetland easement is a legal agreement signed with the United States of America, through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, that pays landowners to permanently protect wetlands.  If approved, landowners in Otter Tail County will retain primary… Read More

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Union Lake, near Alexandria in Douglas County. Douglas County invasive species staff found zebra mussels on a settlement sampler at the Union Lake public water access. Settlement samplers are solid surfaces temporarily placed in the water that people can regularly check for… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen The Cultural Center in New York Mills hosted its 16th annual Kalevala Puppet Pageant on both Friday night at the corn feed and Saturday at the Finn Creek Festival. The Kalevala Puppet Pageant is a large-scale, street-theater style performance bringing to life characters and tales from the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic…. Read More

The Friends of Phelps organization recently received a significant financial donation from the Hurst family, according to a press release from the non-profit organization. Tom and Amy Hurst recently presented the gift in memory of Tom’s mother, Marcelyn Hurst. The amount of the donation was not disclosed. The Hurst family vacationed in Otter Tail County for 40… Read More

Contributed photos The New York Mills High School Class of 1972 held its 53rd reunion on July 26 at the NY Mills Sculpture Park. Class members who attended the reunion include: From left to right:  Delbert Sandback, Bonnie (Nesges) Minten, Peter Minten, Laurine (Abrahamson) Braukman, Julie (Jacobson) Doll, Cole Grace, Mary (Persson) Meine, Jerry Guck,… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent In the Detroit Lakes City Park, near the pavilion and lakeshore, you’ll find Alexa, a spoon-wielding troll in need of ingredients as she plans to brew a special elixir to counteract a spell. Alexa is one of several trolls seen by visitors in and near Detroit Lakes. The exact locations of… Read More

A high-speed internet connection offers unparalleled opportunities for learning, connection and community impact. Yet, to fully realize its wide-reaching potential, this powerful tool requires one essential component: Knowledge. With this in mind, Arvig is launching Digital Life Skills, a new educational initiative aimed at equipping individuals with practical knowledge and skills to safely and effectively use… Read More

The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners authorized the acceptance of $882,860 in Multi-Purpose Community Facility Projects Grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). This investment will support the renovation of spaces at locations in New York Mills City Center ($382,860) and The Bridge ($500,000) in Pelican Rapids to allow for the establishment… Read More

By Jenny Hoppe Correspondent The New York Mills Fishing Team capped its 2025 Heart O’ Lakes Fishing League season Saturday, Aug. 9, by entering the maximum three boats per team in the league’s final tournament. A total of 19 teams launched 55 boats across the league’s chosen lakes before meeting at Lions Park in Battle Lake for… Read More