Izak Schermerhorn has been sentenced in a drunk driving crash that killed 18-year-old Blake Unger just days after the latter graduated from high school last spring.  Schermerhorn was sentenced on Monday, Jan. 12 to six months in the Otter Tail County Jail and up to 10 years of supervised provation after pleading guilty to one count… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Otter Tail County, as approved Jan. 13 by the county board of commissioners, has joined the Northern Counties Coalition on a one-year trial basis.  “Of possible benefit to Otter Tail County is assistance from other area counties in the formulation of land use plans and formulation of general policies needed for… Read More

On Wednesday, Jan. 14, a total of 26 members of the New York Mills Business Professionals of America traveled to Detroit Lakes to compete against 17 schools in various business competitions. Fourteen talented members are now advancing to the State Leadership Competition in Minneapolis, Minn., held March 5-7 at the Hyatt Regency. In team and judged… Read More

Wolf Lake makes annual appointments, designations for new year By Matthew Johnson Reporter Wolf Lake Fire Chief Brock Anderson reported to the Wolf Lake City Council during its first regular monthly meeting of the year Tuesday, Jan. 13, that the Wolf Lake Fire Department (WLFD) responded to 66 total calls for service in 2025. That is 30 calls… Read More

New rules would also clarify the regulations for anglers on border waters Minnesota anglers would be able to keep four walleyes instead of six in a proposal by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to update a statewide inland water walleye fishing regulation that’s been in place since 1956. The rule change if approved, would go into… Read More

Further clarification is needed for a Wednesday, Dec. 31 article in the New York Mills Dispatch entitled “Ottertail receives $300,000 donation from Kenny, Kim Nelson family. The article stated the Nelson family donated $300,000 to the City of Ottertail for a number of causes within the community, including the Ottertail Business and Community Association, the… Read More

Salo graduates from University of Jamestown Kenna Salo graduated from the University of Jamestown at the end of the fall 2025 semester. Salo, of New York Mills, Minnesota, earned a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. University of Jamestown is consistently ranked as a top regional university in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. Founded… Read More

An Otter Tail County appraiser is recognized for his quick thinking and compassion after helping save a person’s life while working in the field. Todd Finkelson, an appraiser with the Otter Tail County Assessor’s Office, stopped at a rural property for a routine visit. During a conversation with the property owner, the individual made alarming statements… Read More

West Central Initiative has been selected as one of 25 Community Host organizations for the 2026 Weaver Awards, a national initiative of Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute.  The Weaver Awards are part of a constellation of activities designed to celebrate and support weavers—everyday neighbors who are building relationships, strengthening belonging, and weaving… Read More

Senator Jordan Rasmusson has announced his intention to seek reelection in the Minnesota Senate for District 9, which includes communities in Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Traverse, and Wilkin counties. “The past year has made one thing clear: leadership isn’t measured by slogans or theatrics—it’s measured by results,” said Rasmusson. “Our communities deserve proven conservative leadership that… Read More