During Child Foster Care Month, Otter Tail County is asking individuals and families to consider becoming foster parents. With the number of children needing safe, stable homes increasing, there is a need for caring foster families. “Otter Tail County prioritizes placing children with relatives whenever possible; family restoration is our ultimate goal,” shared Stephanie Olson, Human… Read More

Jim Bainer, a recently retired diesel instructor at M State, has been inducted into the Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence Hall of Fame. The award commemorates lifetime contributions to transportation education in Minnesota. Bainer retired in January after 20 years of teaching at M State, where he was well-known as a skilled and dedicated Diesel… Read More

Each day, Otter Tail County’s Justice and Safety teams engage with individuals affected by substance use and mental health disorders—challenges that often underlie criminal behavior. Many individuals cycle in and out of the justice system without effective intervention. Otter Tail County Treatment Courts break that cycle through accountability, treatment, and intensive supervision. Established in 2008 and… Read More

Photos by Tucker Henderson Kindergarteners from NY Mills visited the Mursu Dairy Farm last Friday for their annual field trip. They learned about the robotic dairy and were able to get up close and personal with the Mursu’s dairy cows.

Visiting novelist embraces slower life in rural Minnesota By Tucker Henderson Reporter While many people in Minnesota tend to vacation in the warmer states during the winter and into the springtime months, Alice Hatcher, a writer from Tucson, Ariz. decided to do just the opposite as an Artist in Residence through the New York Mills Cultural… Read More

Photos by Dani Koenen New York Mills School was transformed on Saturday night for the annual prom and post prom festivities. This year’s theme was “A Night to Remember” and featured a walk through the movies as part of the annual grand march. The evening came to a close with post prom at the school. For… Read More

Ordinance to mirrior one approved by OT County By Chad Koenen Publisher A new rental ordinance will soon put in place basic regulations for vacation homes in the heart of lakes country.  During its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, April 17, the Ottertail City Council formally adopted a new vacation home rental ordinance. The city’s hope was… Read More

Utility dept. recognized by MPCA By Chad Koenen Publisher The New York Mills City Council received its annual year-end audit that showed the cash balance in the general fund dipped slightly last year, especially after the city made a few big purchases for public safety and continued to expand the South Point housing project.  During its regularly… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter New York Mills students are gearing up for the 13th annual Kids Garage Sale, which will be held on Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the High School gym. This sale raises funds for the NY Mills Parents Nest, a Parent-Teacher Organization which helps cover costs of a… Read More

County board denies request for 14 more slips at Loon Lake Resort By Robert Williams Editor Otter Tail County is proud to announce that it has been selected to receive the prestigious “Above and Beyond Award” from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Defense. This recognition is… Read More