By Chad Koenen Publisher If there is an event or activity going on in New York Mills there is a good chance that an employee at Farmers and Merchants State Bank is in attendance. They are at sporting events, organization and non-profit meetings, local fundraisers and frequent many of the businesses that make up the greater… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen Bluffton was abuzz over the weekend during the annual Bluffton Hometown Days. The weekend featured fireworks, a parade, street dance and family activities throughout the weekend. One of the highlights of Saturday was the kiddie tractor pull (above) as children lined the tractor pull track to cheer on each competitor. Saturday’s parade… Read More

NYM EDA receives update on 60-unit apartment building By Tucker Henderson Reporter The New York Mills Economic Development Authority met last week and heard a presentation about small business development in the area. Ian Carlstrom, Regional Director of the West Central Minnesota Small Business Development Center (SBDC), presented information to the NY Mills EDA board on the… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter The Minnesota Conservation Officers Association recently gained a new logo for their Fish Cops for Kids Program. The logo, which features a fisherman and the state of Minnesota, was created by local student Dawson Seelhammer. Dawson’s grandfather was scrolling through Facebook when he came across the contest. He immediately thought of his grandson,… Read More

New signs to bring positive message to residents in NYM By Tucker Henderson Reporter A positivity project, born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, has recently come to fruition in New York Mills. The project, sponsored in part by the NY Mills Regional Cultural Center, can be seen around town on street corners and in front of… Read More

Ottertail approves cannabis ordinance By Chad Koenen Publisher One of Ottertail’s last remaining gravel roads could soon be getting a big face-lift. During its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday night, the Ottertail City Council moved forward with a preliminary engineering report and a report on improvement on Wallenberg Drive. The move comes one month after hearing overwhelming… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen The annual New York Mills Civic and Commerce corn feed was held on Friday night at the NY Mills VFW. The event featured free corn that was cooked and served by local volunteers, as well as a variety of food items available for purchase. The night came to a close with the… Read More

Public health promotes healthy behavior, communities By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County commissioners, on Aug. 8, heard the county public health annual report from Otter Tail County Public Health Director Jody Lien, Assistant Public Health Director Kristi Goos and County Family Health Supervisor Kristin Bye.  The primary responsibilities and services of the close to 40 employees in… Read More

County was organized in 1868 following state legislation By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Otter Tail County was organized in 1868 following a state legislative act. The first group of non-Native American settlers, Cutlerites, came to Clitherall Lake in the spring of 1865 to become permanent settlers. About 35 men, women and children made the trip from Manti,… Read More

OTC COLA, EOT SWCD to host bus tour The Otter Tail County Coalition Of Lake Associations (OTC COLA) and East Otter Tail County Soil and Water Conservation District (EOT SWCD) are sponsoring a bus tour of lake properties demonstrating how lake property owners can be proactive in the preservation of their shorelines and water quality… Read More