By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Former astronaut Harrison (Jack) Schmitt, a retired geologist and resident of New Mexico, oftentimes stayed at a family cabin at West Battle Lake during the summer months. Schmitt was 37 when he landed on the moon in December 1972. Schmitt’s late father grew up in southern Minnesota and purchased property at… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher A garage is a total loss and significant damage was reported to a home following a large fire at 106 N Walker Ave. in the early morning hours of Thursday, March 12.  According to a release from the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, a fire was reported at approximately 4:29 a.m. on Thursday… Read More

On Saturday, March 7, the New York Mills speech team competed in Battle Lake. Elijah Geiser advanced to the final round in both of his events. He was the champion in Poetry Interpretation with excerpts from Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself.” Though Whitman wrote the poem in the 1850s, Geiser’s performance reclaims it for today,… Read More

Contributed photo Rep. Backer and Rep. Tom Murphy met with the Otter Tail County Commissioners and department heads to discuss property tax, the Perham Resource Recovery Facility, Human Services, and other important matters.

Seasonal road restrictions in accordance with Minnesota Statute §169.87 went into effect on Friday March 7, for Becker County Highways that are South of US Highway 10.  Seasonal road restrictions will go into effect on Becker County Highways that are North of US Highway 10 at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, March 18.  The weight restriction signs shall govern… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County collections is an ongoing process that includes recouping money related to public assistance, long-term care medical assistance and other cases related to various county-assessed fees such as jail and detox.  Otter Tail County employees, in 2025, recovered $1.78 million. A year earlier, in 2024, a total of $970,012 was recouped… Read More

Contributed photos The “Marsh” team won the New York Mills Community Ed Co-Ed Adult volleyball league for 25-2026. Games were played at the school from December to March for 12 weeks. Marsh’s won both the regular season and the tournament that concluded March 11. The team consists of Rachel Marsh, Peter Anderson, Fletcher Nelson, Mallory… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Good memories came back in recent days for many Otter Tail County residents when learning that the renowned Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. These basketball players combine athleticism, entertainment and comedy. The Globetrotters feature skillful handling of basketballs such as juggling balls between players, balancing or spinning… Read More

Frazee-man has strong ties to wrestling community By Chad Koenen Publisher In 1960 the Minnesota state wrestling tournament looked very little like it does today. While wrestlers from across the state gathered in St. Paul to take to the mat just like they do today the tournament was much smaller than the four-day marathon that fills… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Many county residents remember the Galloping Goose that was a short train which went east and west through Otter Tail County during the 1950s and 1960s. Other short trains in the Upper Midwest also were known by the name Galloping Goose. The train traveled from Oakes, North Dakota, to Wahpeton-Breckenridge, through… Read More