West Central Initiative welcomed four experienced professionals to its growing team, including Philip Hintz as Loan Officer, Amanda Quam as Grants Officer, and April Rog and Cedar Walters as Climate Officers.  “We’re committed to local action that improves the lives of people in our region, all 237,000 of them,” said West Central Initiative President Anna Wasescha…. Read More

The VFW Post 3289 Auxiliary met February 8 with 12 members present. Minutes from the January 11 meeting were approved, and the January 31 Treasurer’s Report was filed subject to audit. The General Orders Bulletin for February 2024 from the Department President was read and discussed.  National dues will be increasing effective July 1, 2024.  Thank you… Read More

With over 32 years in law enforcement and 25 years of service to Otter Tail County, Lt. Jim Stewart will be retiring Feb 29, 2024. In his time with the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Stewart has held positions of Patrol Deputy, Drug Task Force Agent, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Jail Administrator, and currently… Read More

Local and Regional Food Systems Development The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced approximately $26 million for Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) grants to help local and regional food organizations develop, coordinate, and expand producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets, and local food enterprises. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is accepting applications for… Read More

Habitat conditions, severe winters and wolf predation influence northern deer numbers Hunters harvested 158,678 deer during the 2023 hunting season, a lower total harvest than in recent years. Harvest was down 8 and compared to the 2022 season and 14 and less than the five-year average. The greatest decreases were in the northern part of the… Read More

Data from rain gauges provides critical information The Minnesota State Climatology Office is seeking rainfall monitors for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. The network includes more than 20,000 volunteers nationwide who measure precipitation in their backyards using a standard 4-inch diameter rain gauge. Participants submit their precipitation reports online. The data from backyard… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent  Sheriff deputies, on Feb. 27, reported that one person was injured in a traffic accident east of New York Mills. The mishap took place close to 1 p.m. at the intersection of Industrial Park Road and 550th Avenue in eastern Otter Tail County. The driver, trying to avoid hitting a deer,… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher The corner of Main Ave. and Park St. in the heart of New York Mills has long been a gathering spot for area residents of all ages. The former Mills Bakery location was a place where residents could come in for a hot cup of coffee, a roll and solve a few… Read More

Cities begin state mandate inventory By Tucker Henderson Reporter A recent change to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) means virtually every city in the United States is completing a water service line inventory to seek out remaining lead and galvanized pipes. In small towns like New York Mills and Deer Creek,… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter With the earnings from the recent fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 17, as well as local business support, the Perham Masonic Lodge #157 AF & AM were able to donate fire suppression tools (FSTs) around the area to local emergency responders including the New York Mills Police Department. The idea came from a similar… Read More