By Staff Sgt. Lauren Cobin  1st Fighter Wing, Special to the Dispatch “Flight School Opening Soon!” The sign, tied to a chain-link fence outside a rural Minnesota airport, stopped 17-year-old Nick Le Tourneau in his tracks. He was just driving to another shift at his dishwashing job. “I’ll always remember that day,” he said. “It felt like something in me… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher In the land of otters it seems only fitting that a larger-than-life otter statue would be the focal point of a new marketing and promotional campaign. Two new otter statues have been unveiled at a pair of Ottertail businesses, but more will soon be on the way to highlight the unique features… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The late Otter Tail County World War II veteran Myron Broschat, best remembered as the foremost military historian in west central Minnesota, lived his life eager for knowledge and was intellectually curious. Broschat was wounded in battle during World War II and worked as manager of electric transmission at Fergus Falls-based… Read More

Painting shop and shoreland alterations get go ahead in rural Frazee By Robert Williams Editor The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners approved a new solar system consisting of 200 panels on Rose Lake on Tuesday, June 24. A Conditional Use Permit Application was approved for The Mark and Karman Rheault Trust to construct two ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV)… Read More

New laws in Minnesota took effect on July 1 covering various areas including business, economic development, education, and employment. Homeowners’ association ombudsperson and commerce law A new law establishes a common interest community ombudsperson to assist unit owners and associations in understanding their rights and resolving disputes.  Additional provisions include access to free water at large events and new regulations… Read More

OTC Relay for Life kicks of Friday night in Perham The Relay For Life of Otter Tail County (July 11) is right around the corner, and several events will take place in the this week, leading up to the big event.   On Sunday and Monday, Perham was decked out in purple, in an event called… Read More

Input sought for several Otter Tail County lakes  The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking for input on several special fishing regulation proposals. Each year, the Minnesota DNR reviews all existing fishing regulations, proposes new special regulations that apply to individual waters and asks the public for input about the proposals. All new special regulations are… Read More

New pickleball courts in Vergas have proven to be a popular community activity By Isabel Fynboh  West Central Initiative Across the region, communities are adding a new amenity—pickleball courts. Pickleball, originally developed in 1965, blends elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong to create a fast-paced, active game enjoyed by people of all ages. The sport encourages movement, connection,… Read More

Come join us at the 41st annual Phelps Mill Festival. The 41st annual Phelps Mill Festival is set for July 12-13 at Phelps Mill Park in rural Underwood. The festival is held each year during the second weekend of July. Phelps Mill Festivl provides two full days of art, food, entertainment and kids’ activities, plus craft… Read More

Contributed photo Allen Whitrock of Alexandria, Minn., was the winner of the 2025 Harley-Davidson motorcyle raffle during the annual Ronald McDonald House RIDE in New York Mills.