Commissioners express thanks for fraud prevention efforts By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County commissioners, on Dec. 16, expressed thanks to county department heads and employees who have adhered to fraud prevention efforts for many years. This is a hot topic right now in light of fraud charges in the state of Minnesota. Otter Tail County has… Read More

One person injured in traffic accident near Pelican Rapids By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent  Sheriff deputies, on Dec. 20, reported one injury in traffic accident at 9:21 a.m. just south of Parkers Prairie. The accident took place at the intersection of Highway 29 and 119th Street. A Ford Escape was stopped on the south-bound shoulder of… Read More

Photo by Tucker Henderson A group of carolers from Trinity Lutheran Church in New York Mills sang hymns and carols at Vitality Living to bring Christmas cheer prior to the Christmas holiday. 

With flu and other respiratory illnesses increasing in recent weeks and holiday gatherings approaching, local healthcare providers are encouraging neighbors to protect themselves and their loved ones by getting vaccinated against influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Flu, COVID-19 and RSV are viruses that spread easily and can cause severe illness. These respiratory viruses attack… Read More

Local snowmobile clubs in need of new members By Matthew Johnson Reporter The best that local snowmobilers can hope for is enough snow early on at the start of the winter season for a good base to be groomed on the local trails. That first round of grooming has basically come and gone with that coveted early start… Read More

Otter Tail County has announced that its Empowered Worker Program has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Economic Development Award by the Minnesota Association of Professional County Economic Developers (MAPCED). The award was presented on December 9 at the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Annual Conference in Bloomington. MAPCED is a professional association… Read More

On Thursday, Dec. 18, the Minnesota Housing board of directors selected 51 housing developments totaling more than $166.4 million in state investments. The developments will support the creation and preservation of 1,424 single-family homes and apartments. The projects represent more than $550 million in total development costs and will support 4,700 jobs. “These resources are helping… Read More

On Thursday, Jan. 1, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is hosting First Day Hike events at 12 state parks in support of a nationwide effort to connect people to the outdoors. As part of the First Day Hikes initiative led by America’s State Parks, a national organization, hikers in all 50 states will welcome… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter Winter has come to Minnesota in full force, but you need not look any further than the New York Mills location of Lakes Community Cooperative with Cenex convenience store, Hardware Hank hardware store, and full-service deli. Outside, the Co-op is furnished with Wintermaster premium diesel fuel, designed for extreme cold, as well as… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter Vitality Living of New York Mills has seen its share of updates and changes in the past year and a half since it took over ownership in August of 2024. Executive Director Kari Collins has been on staff since March, but recently stepped into her new position and is looking forward to… Read More