Newspapers need community support to stay in business By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The decline of community newspapers across the United States is a reminder that many newspapers are struggling.  In recent years there has been a dramatic shift in the traditional business model for newspapers. “We see changing readership trends as people increasingly… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Volunteering at the Minnesota Newspaper Museum at the 2025 State Fair, next to the 4-H building, was Ben Underwood of Fergus Falls. He wrote a book about his great-great grandfather and Fergus Falls newspaper publisher A.J. Underwood. In the early 1870s Civil War veteran and newspaper publisher Underwood… Read More

Contributed photos The Balhepburn Golf League recently wrapped up league play in rural New York Mills. Right and bottom right: The season championship went to Tyler Patron, who averaged a 29.75 to win his estimated seventh green jacket. Second place was Kyle Vorderbruggen with a 29.88. Adam Patron finished in third averaging an even 30…. Read More

Five members of the New York Mills FFA Chapter recently exhibited at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. Rowland and Hazel Dykhoff, as well as Julie Seim exhibited 26 head of sheep, Caroline Schwantes exhibited four head of dairy and Kaitlynn Dittmann exhibited a rabbit. Caroline garnered up two second place finishes in the individual classes,… Read More

Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week is right around the corner, and Arvig is joining the effort to spread the word about this federal program. Lifeline provides discounts to help low-income residents connect to the nation’s broadband and phone networks to find jobs, access health care services, connect with family and call for help in… Read More

Helping families access services and resources As new federal income guidelines take effect for the 2025-26 school year, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) today announced new tools for school districts as they support eligible families in completing the Application for Educational Benefits. Completing the form not only unlocks additional resources for families, such as… Read More

The Youth Outreach scholarship committee of Lions District 5M9 is offering up to $12,000 in college scholarships for the 2026 school year. The application deadline is November 15, 2025.   Students must be in the last year of an accredited college 2-year program, final two years of a degreed college program or the final year… Read More

Otter Tail County announces the hiring of Natalee Yates as the new Public Information and Education Officer (PIEO) in the Solid Waste Department. Yates brings extensive environmental expertise and a passion for community education to the county’s recycling and waste reduction programs. Yates was born in Virginia and earned a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife… Read More

Justin Moen has joined West Central Initiative as the new Rural Democracy Network Coordinator. In this role, Moen will help lead efforts to strengthen civic engagement and empower residents across rural Minnesota to shape the future of their communities.  Moen made Otter Tail County his home in 2023 and began working with the United Way… Read More

September is National Preparedness Month Otter Tail County Emergency Management is joining Minnesota’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and communities nationwide in observing September as National Preparedness Month, encouraging residents and visitors to take steps to prepare for potential emergencies and disasters. Emergency Manager Patrick Waletzko said the annual campaign provides an… Read More