By Tucker Henderson Reporter Each year, Farmer’s Daughter Rustic Bakery in New York Mills is decked out as a Christmas wonderland when owner and operator Lisa Kopveiler starts decorating at the beginning of November.  ¶  “I started the beginning of November,” said Kopveiler. “Right after Halloween because there’s so much. We counted, we have 97 Santas… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter The New York Mills Civic & Commerce will be hosting their annual Community Kick-Off event again this year on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at the NY Mills City Hall Ballroom. A social hour will start at 5:30 p.m. with light refreshments and the meeting will start at 6 p.m. “Come join us to celebrate… Read More

City council approves increase in utility rates By Chad Koenen Publisher New York Mills property owners will likely see an increase in the city portion of their taxes next year. During its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 12, the NY Mills City Council approved a 7.12 percent increase in the city portion of taxes next year. The… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Reporter The New York Mills Economic Development Authority board met during their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 18 to discuss topics surrounding community development. Latham Hetland gave an update on NYM Forward which met the day prior and he mentioned that there was a possible new member for the committee which is… Read More

Waste audit finds reduced percentage of food waste The Otter Tail County Solid Waste Department held its 5th waste audit of residential garbage last week. Past waste audits were held in 2015 prior to single-sort recycling being implemented in Fergus Falls and Perham, and following that in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023. More than 20 people participated… Read More

Commissioners adopt a 5.18 percent tax levy increase By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent On Dec. 19 the five-person Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners approved a final net county property tax levy of $51.2 million for 2024. This represents a 5.18 percent net tax levy increase compared to the 2023 net tax levy.  The county board… Read More

Otter Tail County receives opioid  settlement money By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County commissioners, on Tuesday morning, Dec. 19, held their final meeting for 2023. The five commissioners will meet again in January 2024. Several topics were on the agenda for this year’s final gathering. County Engineer Krysten Foster reviewed with county board members the detours that will… Read More

County assessor appointed By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County Board Chairman Wayne Johnson of Pelican Rapids, at the Dec. 12 county board of commissioners meeting, led discussion regarding fees for the food, pool, and lodging program.  The five county commissioners agreed that an assessment should be done to find out what Otter Tail County program costs are,… Read More

“Shadows of Yesterday,” a new book by Lisa L Colsen, has been released by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. A tragic event can deeply affect a family forever, fundamentally changing how they view and move through the world. “Shadows of Yesterday” is a search for a loved one that teaches important lessons. “Shadows of Yesterday” chronicles the disappearance… Read More

Walking the halls of a high school can be a challenge for anyone, but it can be even harder for students to walk for the very first time. Entering ninth grade is a challenge from navigating a new school, facing intimidating upperclassmen, along with changes to the teenage body. The counseling staff at Perham High… Read More