Shirley-Ross transitions from Texas to NY Mills By Tucker Henderson Reporter As fall started on Labor Day, so did the new Artistic Director at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, Megan Shirley-Ross. Originally from Fargo, N.D., she and her family recently made the move from Lubbock, Texas to join the Cultural Center as their newest… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen Farmers and Merchants State Bank brought back a classic halftime game during Friday’s football game between New York Mills and Otter Tail Central. Former activities director and football coach Matt Radniecki (right) joined Latham Hetland and Nick Roder (who was speaking to the banker on the phone) near midfield as he attempted… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter Main Avenue in New York Mills will be filled with people once again this year for the second annual Welcoming Week Fair, which will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 16 from 4-7 p.m. in front of the Cultural Center and public library. Welcoming Week was created as a national initiative of Welcoming America… Read More

Northerner Auto Repair services vehicles, trailers, small engines By Chad Koenen Publisher Fred and Heather Taylor traded the rolling hills and ocean views of Maine for Otter Tail County approximately 10 years ago and are now gearing up for the next chapter of their life—small business owners in the city of Ottertail.  The couple, who moved across… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen The large wooden dance floor under the big yellow tent came alive over the weekend for the annual Polka Daze celebration in Ottertail. Held each September, five bands performed over the course of three days as people from across the upper Midwest converged on Ottertail for the annual celebration. Among the bands… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent In 2023 Otter Tail County received a grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to implement single sort recycling for high population areas in the southeast quadrant of the county.  By installing a Smart Camera System into one recycling collection truck, approved by the county board of commissioners, Otter Tail… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher A unique parade will be rolling through the streets of downtown Ottertail on Saturday. A Shriners Parade will begin at the Ottertail Community Center and will have over 30 entries, including everything from the color guard, Shriner clowns, a Viking ship, red sports cars, Shriner motorcycles and much more.  Ottertail Mayor Ron Grobeck said… Read More

Shakopee man charged in attempted drowning A New York Mills man was arrested after allegedly assaulting a woman, who was later hospitalized.  According to the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, Justin Lemon, age 38 of NY Mills, was arrested for third degree assault and felony domestic assault on Saturday, Aug. 30. According to a report from the… Read More

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 rely on online… 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 had the respect… Read More