Stout finds a calling in a job she has been interested in since high school By Matthew Johnson Reporter Rachel Stout, former minister of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Sebeka along with a number of other area Lutheran churches over 20 years, is finally working at the job she’s been interested in since high school.   That… Read More

Facility serves residents from four area counties By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The counties of Otter Tail, Becker, Clay, Todd and Wadena comprise the Prairie Lakes Municipal Solid Waste Authority which operates a waste-to-energy facility in Perham. This resource recovery facility includes solid waste reduction and disposal, recycling and household hazardous waste management. Employees at the… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent A motion by County Commissioner Wayne Johnson of Pelican Rapids and seconded by Commissioner Dan Bucholz of Perham was unanimously carried to approve an agreement Jan. 13 between Otter Tail County and Wilkin County for the new Prairie Lakes Community Health Board.  The agreement includes data practices, records management, clerical updates,… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter Townships across the state are gearing up for their local board elections which will take place on March 10 for a majority of townships. Local community members from around the area have filed for office and intend to fulfill this civic duty for the next few years. In Blowers Township, incumbent Cheryl Crabb… Read More

Photo by Chad Koenen Kaia Roder and Samantha Genoch took first place at the Wadena Hoop Shoot earlier this month. Roder won the girls age 10-11 age group, while Genoch won the 12-13 age group. Both New York Mills students took second place at the district hoop shoot in Brainerd on Saturday. 

A new study shows that Minnesota waste-to-energy facilities, like the Perham Resource Recovery Facility (PRRF) operating in Perham, effectively destroy harmful chemicals called per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, found in everyday trash. Members of the Minnesota Resource Recovery Association (MRRA) voluntarily paid for the independent study. Barr Engineering worked with Eurofins… Read More

West Central Initiative is accepting applications now through Thursday, Feb. 26, at 5 p.m. for grant funding to support environmental sustainability, social change and civic-engagement projects in our region.  West Central Initiative’s Grants Officer, Amanda Quam, emphasized the importance of these grant opportunities in promoting a healthy and resilient region.  “Environmental sustainability, social change, and civic engagement are… Read More

Ridgewater College would like to acknowledge those students earning recognition on the Dean’s lists for Fall semester 2025. To be included on the Dean’s list, a student must maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and be enrolled in at least nine credits and meet certain other criteria. Local students named to the list… Read More

Concordia College and its Concordia Language Villages program in Bemidji, Minn., are expanding opportunities for students to earn academic credit through new dual credit and college-level language and cultural programs, beginning this year. These offerings build on Concordia Language Villages’ renowned immersive education model and Concordia College’s liberal arts academic foundation. “Global connection begins with communication, and… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter It’s the time of year when a leaking pipe or frozen drain field can become a big problem in a short amount of time. Fortunately, for homeowners all around the Highway 10 corridor from east of Wadena all the way to Casselton, N.D., their problems can be remedied with a phone call… Read More