By Robert Williams Editor Todd Finkelson, of Ashby, was commended for his outstanding actions on October 24, 2025 by the County Assessor Heather Jacobson, Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons, and the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners Tuesday, Jan. 13. On October 24, 2025, while working in the field, Finkelson, an Otter Tail County Appraiser, stopped at a rural… Read More

The Fargo and West Fargo Police Departments are requesting the assistance of residents, businesses and property owners in Otter Tail County. Authorities are investigating the disappearance of 25-year-old West Fargo resident Isadora Wengel. In addition to previous requests for residents and businesses in the Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo area to review camera footage (which remain active), police… Read More

Izak Schermerhorn has been sentenced in a drunk driving crash that killed 18-year-old Blake Unger just days after the latter graduated from high school last spring.  Schermerhorn was sentenced on Monday, Jan. 12 to six months in the Otter Tail County Jail and up to 10 years of supervised provation after pleading guilty to one count… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Otter Tail County, as approved Jan. 13 by the county board of commissioners, has joined the Northern Counties Coalition on a one-year trial basis.  “Of possible benefit to Otter Tail County is assistance from other area counties in the formulation of land use plans and formulation of general policies needed for… Read More

On Wednesday, Jan. 14, a total of 26 members of the New York Mills Business Professionals of America traveled to Detroit Lakes to compete against 17 schools in various business competitions. Fourteen talented members are now advancing to the State Leadership Competition in Minneapolis, Minn., held March 5-7 at the Hyatt Regency. In team and judged… Read More

Wolf Lake makes annual appointments, designations for new year By Matthew Johnson Reporter Wolf Lake Fire Chief Brock Anderson reported to the Wolf Lake City Council during its first regular monthly meeting of the year Tuesday, Jan. 13, that the Wolf Lake Fire Department (WLFD) responded to 66 total calls for service in 2025. That is 30 calls… Read More

New rules would also clarify the regulations for anglers on border waters Minnesota anglers would be able to keep four walleyes instead of six in a proposal by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to update a statewide inland water walleye fishing regulation that’s been in place since 1956. The rule change if approved, would go into… Read More

Further clarification is needed for a Wednesday, Dec. 31 article in the New York Mills Dispatch entitled “Ottertail receives $300,000 donation from Kenny, Kim Nelson family. The article stated the Nelson family donated $300,000 to the City of Ottertail for a number of causes within the community, including the Ottertail Business and Community Association, the… Read More

Salo graduates from University of Jamestown Kenna Salo graduated from the University of Jamestown at the end of the fall 2025 semester. Salo, of New York Mills, Minnesota, earned a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. University of Jamestown is consistently ranked as a top regional university in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. Founded… Read More

An Otter Tail County appraiser is recognized for his quick thinking and compassion after helping save a person’s life while working in the field. Todd Finkelson, an appraiser with the Otter Tail County Assessor’s Office, stopped at a rural property for a routine visit. During a conversation with the property owner, the individual made alarming statements… Read More