A cornerstone of compassionate senior care Nestled in the heart of New York Mills, Vitality Living is redefining what it means to age with dignity, purpose and community. Licensed for 38 assisted living beds, this facility is more than just a residence—it’s a vibrant hub of care, connection and community engagement. Vitality Living of New York Mills… Read More

Photo by Tucker Henderson The New York Mills High School Class of 2026 provided a warm welcome to the incoming Class of 2038 last week for the first week of school. The kindergarten students posed for a quick picture with the senior class to wrap up a busy week of school in New York Mills.

By Tucker Henderson Reporter As the school year kicks off this week in New York Mills, five teachers and a nurse join the district as the newest members of staff. All natives of Minnesota, these new staff members already understand the challenges and opportunities of working and learning in our snowy state.  ¶  Hailing from Kerkhoven,… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher New York Mills Elementary students will have a new way to learn social, emotional and behavioral skills that can benefit them long after their time is done at school. During its regularly scheduled meeting last week, the NY Mills School Board heard a presentation about the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Blueprint. The program… Read More

Event to feature five polka bands through Sept. 5-7 By Chad Koenen Publisher Accordions will be working overtime under the bright yellow tent near the Ottertail water tower from September 4-6 for the 15th annual Polka Daze celebration.  Each year the Ottertail Lions host the event and highlight several national acts at its annual Polka Daze celebration…. Read More

Proposed facility would have been located in downtown NYM By Robert Williams Editor Otter Tail County denied its first cannabis registration application for a future business to be located in New York Mills at the board’s latest meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 26 in Fergus Falls. The county received a Cannabis Registration Application from Matt Wedde for a… Read More

Home to be located near Arvilla Drive By Tucker Henderson Reporter A plan to increase the City of Ottertail’s housing units has been in the works since the fall of 2024 and is now coming to fruition nearly a year later. Though only an increase of one unit for this year, city staff are eager to… Read More

Hockert family farm is located in rural Frazee Tim Hockett and his family have joined the rising number of producers becoming water quality certified through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). This voluntary program certifies producers using conservation-minded practices to protect water quality by requiring an in-depth examination of field characteristics, crop rotation, tillage,… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent In late 2021 land close to Fish Lake and near Dunvilla, northeast of Pelican Rapids, was given to Otter Tail County. This was done with the stipulation that the county make this into a county park, kept as much as possible in its natural state as a habitat for wildlife,… Read More

Photo by Tucker Henderson The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center held a retirement party for Creative Director, Cheryl Bannes, who has contributed in that role since 2017. Many were in attendance to wish her well in her next adventure.