The VFW Post 3289 Auxiliary met January 8 with 15 members present. Minutes from the December 11 meeting were approved, and the December Treasurer’s Report was filed subject to audit. The General Orders Bulletin for January 2026 from the Department President was read and discussed.  Our Auxiliary received a thank you card for a donation to the… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter With an anniversary year ahead of them and nearly four decades of experience behind them, Perala Bros. Auctioneers owners and brothers Dean and Mickey Perala are looking forward to celebrating their 40th anniversary with two new auctioneers by their side.  ¶  The two Perala brothers grew up in the auction industry watching… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher There’s far more to building a Habitat for Humanity home than simply hammering nails, raising walls and putting down new flooring. Those are, of course, important skills for building crews and volunteers to possess, but Habitat for Humanity homes are more than just walls and a yard, they are about a community… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher The City of Ottertail could become the latest city to realize big savings in electricity through a grant program being spearheaded by West Central initiative.  During its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Jan. 15, the Ottertail City Council heard a solar project presentation by Cedar Walters of West Central Initiative that could save… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter The New York Mills Economic Development Authority met on Wednesday, Jan. 21 to discuss the continuing development within the community. The revolving loan fund balance sits at $250,234.15 to be used by eligible local businesses. Board terms were discussed as Adam Johnson’s term was up at the end of 2025. After a call for… Read More

Stout finds a calling in a job she has been interested in since high school By Matthew Johnson Reporter Rachel Stout, former minister of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Sebeka along with a number of other area Lutheran churches over 20 years, is finally working at the job she’s been interested in since high school.   That… Read More

Facility serves residents from four area counties By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The counties of Otter Tail, Becker, Clay, Todd and Wadena comprise the Prairie Lakes Municipal Solid Waste Authority which operates a waste-to-energy facility in Perham. This resource recovery facility includes solid waste reduction and disposal, recycling and household hazardous waste management. Employees at the… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent A motion by County Commissioner Wayne Johnson of Pelican Rapids and seconded by Commissioner Dan Bucholz of Perham was unanimously carried to approve an agreement Jan. 13 between Otter Tail County and Wilkin County for the new Prairie Lakes Community Health Board.  The agreement includes data practices, records management, clerical updates,… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter Townships across the state are gearing up for their local board elections which will take place on March 10 for a majority of townships. Local community members from around the area have filed for office and intend to fulfill this civic duty for the next few years. In Blowers Township, incumbent Cheryl Crabb… Read More

Photo by Chad Koenen Kaia Roder and Samantha Genoch took first place at the Wadena Hoop Shoot earlier this month. Roder won the girls age 10-11 age group, while Genoch won the 12-13 age group. Both New York Mills students took second place at the district hoop shoot in Brainerd on Saturday.