By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent “Old-fashioned small-town baseball is the glue that holds many communities together,” says Tom Tomashek, co-author of “Minnesota Town Ball.” Fans at small town parks in Otter Tail County, similar to those watching baseball at major league parks, enjoy eating hot dogs and partaking of beverages while cheering for their teams. “The… Read More

In a time of the world where newspapers are facing dire straights to keeping their doors open, the New York Mills Dispatch continues to provide weekly news, sports and community coverage to the greater northeast portion of Otter Tail County.  The publication began in 2013 when a group of community members approached Henning Publications, LLC, owners… Read More

Local churches face uncertainty amid changes with local parish By Tucker Henderson Reporter Throughout the Saint Cloud Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, the All Things New: Pastoral Planning Process has given parishes pause as the proposed merger brings up questions of combined services, staff reductions and even church closures. Recently, the Mary, Mother of the Church… Read More

By Bryce Haugen Correspondent Local coffee lovers now have a new way to get caffeinated and support a great cause at the same time.  ¶  Owly Bean Roasters has partnered with the Bluffton Fire Department to create “Volunteer Firefighter Coffee” – “Coffee that answers the call” – a “lights and sirens blend.” It’s roasted at Owly’s… Read More

Additional netting to cost in excess of $100,000 By Chad Koenen Publisher A new protective fence at Lund Park could come at a fairly steep price.  During its regularly scheduled meeting last week, the New York Mills City Council heard an update concerning the park board from councilman Eric Hammond who stated that a recent quote for protective… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter While the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center soft-launched its Capital Campaign last year with a hefty donation to the project, they recently announced that they are moving to the next step of the process in an open house which took place last Friday, April 17. “The idea was just to invite people… Read More

On Saturday, April 11, seven qualifying New York Mills speech competitors competed at the MSHSL 6A Section Tournament hosted by Perham High School, where the top three competitors in each event advance to the State Tournament. Payton Lausten placed fourth in Prose Interpretation, which ended her season.  Elijah Geiser placed second in Humorous Interpretation, advancing to the… Read More

Organization found 2024 election was fair, orderly By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The League of Women Voters conducted a 2024 post-election review of 43 of Minnesota’s 87 counties, including the election process in Otter Tail County. Findings were reviewed to county commissioners on April 14 by Teresa Muckala, a member of the League of Women… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent  Sheriff deputies, on April 15 and in association with the Minnesota State Highway Patrol, reported that a New York Mills man was injured in a traffic accident near Perham at 6:56 a.m. Authorities said a Freightliner Semi Tractor was traveling on County Road 80, attempting to cross onto eastbound Highway 10,… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County Land and Resource Director Chris LeClair informed county commissioners on April 14 that an additional $500,000 is being made available to help residents of Otter Tail County replace non-compliant subsurface sewage treatment systems (SSTS). Otter Tail County serves as the lender, with the cost of the system assessed to the property… Read More