County prepares for 2024 election By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent As an eligible use of federal recovery funds for the provision of general government services, the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners supports use of federal dollars to purchase election equipment. This aligns with the Navigating the Road Ahead program. County commissioners agree that it is necessary… Read More

OTC Commissioners receive update on community health assessment By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent County commissioners, on Nov. 14, were informed about the sale of property (former Daily Journal building) in southeast Fergus Falls, used recently as a temporary location for the county’s Motor Vehicle/Driver’s License and Land and Resource Departments. The county needed alternative space during… Read More

Contributed photo New York Mills knowledge bowl team Nutmeg was awarded the excellence in science award in the third meet this season. The three New York Mills squads played against 14 other teams from Osakis Hillcrest WCA Hawley LPA. New York Mills Nutmeg climbed the ladder to their highest position of sixth place after round… Read More

Amid reports of increased Amazon package volumes overwhelming post offices and delaying mail delivery in Bemidji and across the country, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) called on U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to ensure Minnesotans receive their mail and packages in a timely manner.  Klobuchar also spoke with local postal leaders to raise… Read More

Funds will support small businesses in the region The West Central Minnesota Small Business Development Center, headquartered on M State’s Moorhead campus, has been awarded a $396,000 grant to support the startup, growth and success of the region’s diverse entrepreneurs and small business owners. The grant, a two-year funding opportunity slated to begin in January of… Read More

Eclectics to take the stage on Dec. 8 The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center’s 2023 Fall Concert Series continues on Friday, Dec. 8 with a concert by The Eclectics at 7:30 p.m. in the Cultural Center’s intimate listening-room-style visual arts gallery space. This concert is co-sponsored by the New York Mills Friends of the Library…. Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen and Tucker Henderson The New York Mills Christmas Tree Festival and OtterDazzle celebration was held last week in NY Mills and Ottertail. As part of the Christmas Tree Festival the NY Mills City Hall Ballroom was filled with elementary students on Tuesday afternoon who sang a variety of songs as part of… Read More

Photos by Chad Koenen Grant Kopveiler (above) was all smiles as he was one of the first children to visit Santa Claus on Saturday morning at the New York Mills Christmas Tree Festival. Kopveiler, and dozens of other children, attended the family day festivities at the Christmas Tree Festival kick-off. The day also included cookie decorating… Read More

Project could pave a portion of gravel road By Chad Koenen Publisher The City of Ottertail will continue moving forward with paving a portion of Wallenberg Drive in town. During its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Nov. 16, the Ottertail City Council briefly discussed a request from several residents along Wallenberg Drive to have the gravel road… Read More

Volunteers help to serve Thanksgiving Eve meal in NYM By Tucker Henderson Reporter The annual community Thanksgiving meal took place last week on Wednesday with over 390 meals served. Trinity Lutheran Church of New York Mills sponsors and hosts the meal each year in their fellowship hall. Lisa Kopveiler, owner and operator of Farmer’s Daughter Rustic Bakery, has… Read More