By Chad Koenen Publisher The New York Mils Dispatch received four awards including first place for a business profile story during the annual Minnesota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest. The contest honored work that was completed between September 2023 through August 2024.  Publisher Chad Koenen also received a first place finish in the category of Business Profile… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Some proposed budget cuts at the state and national levels, if enacted into law, would greatly impact county government including Otter Tail County and the other 86 counties in Minnesota. County commissioners, on Jan. 28, reminded county residents that Otter Tail County’s annual budget for 2025 is $144.2 million with 39… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen The kindergarten classes in New York Mills held their gingerbread party last Friday where students and a special adult worked together to create a delicious gingerbread creation. This annual tradition is typically held at the end of January with kindergarten students and a special friend. While the students and adults were able… Read More

Two adult male deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease in two deer permit areas without previous confirmed cases of the disease. One deer was harvested in DPA 266 near Hawley in Clay County and the other deer was harvested in DPA 701 near Greenfield in Hennepin County. Both deer were harvested during the firearms deer… Read More

The New York Mills Speech team traveled to Fergus Falls on Saturday, Jan. 25. The Eagles placed 11th out of 17 teams (above).  Individual awards went to Elijah Geiser (first place in Poetry with his interpretation of the poem “Ren” by Ren Gills), Brooke Sonsalla (third place in Discussion–this year’s discussion tasks surround the nature of… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Scouts in Otter Tail County have enjoyed winter outings at Camp Wilderness, northeast of Park Rapids, for many years. Popular activities, continuing to this year, include sledding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing,  Heated cabins are available for rent on weekends during January, February and March. Every cabin is heated… Read More

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is pleased to announce its new gallery exhibit: “Adventures in Art,” an interactive installation featuring nature-related projects along with “Kids Create,” a show of elementary-age student art, January 29 through February 21. Bring your children, grandchildren, or your inner child to the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center to… Read More

Senate Dems block with procedural vote On Monday, Jan. 27, Senate Republicans brought a motion to expel Senator Nicole Mitchell (DFL-Woodbury) from the legislative body. Senator Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls) offered the motion, but it failed on a procedural vote in which every Democrat voted to rule it out of order and protect Mitchell. “Senator Mitchell’s conduct… Read More

The VFW Post 3289 Auxiliary met January 9 with 15 members present. Minutes from the December 12 meeting were approved, and the December 31 Treasurer’s Report was filed subject to audit. The General Orders Bulletin for January 2025 from the Department President was read and discussed.  We received thank you letters from the St. Cloud VA, the… Read More

Minnesota state parks and trails will host candlelight events across the state this winter, including one at Glendalough State Park on Saturday, Feb. 8. Drop by any time between 6-8:30 p.m. for walking as stars twinkle overhead and candles flicker in the snow. “Winter candlelight events are a magical way to experience Minnesota’s state parks and… Read More