First Friday Hike Friday, Jan. 3, from 1-2:30 p.m. Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center Grab some snowshoes and head down the trail with a park naturalist and explore winter.  Route will be selected depending on snow conditions. All experience levels are welcome! NOTES: A limited number of snowshoes are available to use during this program. Contact… Read More

Program provides matching grants for exterior projects By Tucker Henderson Reporter The New York Mills Economic Development Authority met for their regularly scheduled meeting last Wednesday, Dec. 18 at the city hall chambers to discuss business activity within the city. President Betsy Roder updated the board on their revolving loan fund balance which sits at $214,857.11. She… Read More

Open air museum hosts a number of events each year By Tucker Henderson Reporter While Finn Creek Open Air Museum has been a Finnish-American cultural staple of the New York Mills area for decades, the organization has remained fairly constant for the past 20 years.  As the museum gears up for its 50th anniversary year, the… Read More

OTC levy to increase 3.72 percent By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent On Tuesday, Dec. 17, the five-person Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners approved the 2025 county levy and 2025 county budget. The net property tax levy for this coming year is $53.1 million, resulting in a 3.72 percent net tax levy increase compared to 2024.  County… Read More

NY Mills to enter mental health contract with LMH By Chad Koenen Publisher The New York Mills School District continues to see positive growth in students not only being ready for kindergarten, but graduating from high school. During its regularly scheduled meeting last week, the NY Mills School Board heard its annual Comprehensive Achievement and Civil Readiness Report…. Read More

Recycling services changes reviewed for Otter Tail County By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County easements were certified Dec. 17 in an agreement by the County Board of Commissioners and representatives of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This pertained to two parcels of land in Effington Township, west of Parkers Prairie, and one parcel of land… Read More

Photos by Tucker Henderson A busy holiday concert season came to a close on Monday and Tuesday as the pre-k students held their holiday concerts. The concerts featured a number of classics with a few new twists. Students at New York Mills School will be on holiday break through Monday, Jan. 6.

By Chad Koenen Publisher After a brief period of uncertainty, a bit of stability has come to the City of Deer Creek. Miriam DeCock has taken over as the city’s new clerk/treasurer following the retirement of long-time clerk/treasurer Tom Parish and sudden departure of his replacement this summer. DeCock began her duties with the city in mid September… Read More

Photo by Tom Hintgen Retiring Otter Tail County Commissioner Lee Rogness, front right, was honored Dec. 17 at the County Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, open to the public. Left front is retired County Administrator Larry Krohn. Back left is State Rep. Tom Murphy and back right is retired County Public Works Director Rick West… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County Community Development Director Amy Baldwin, on Dec. 17, told county commissioners that her department, from January 2025 through January 2029, will assist the community of Ottertail with a rebate program on property taxes for new home construction. While county government’s role with the rebate program is ending, the county remains… Read More