University of Minnesota Extension, along with Minnesota Beef Council, will host several online beef quality assurance (BQA) and secure beef supply (SBS) training sessions starting in February through April. Producers only need to attend one of these free workshops to receive a three-year BQA…
Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) was recently honored with the Above and Beyond Award from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). ESGR is a Department of Defense organization established to promote cooperation and understanding between service members and their civilian employers.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar stopped in Fergus Falls Thursday as she traveled north to visit with former U.S. Congressman Collin Peterson.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
At its March 25 agenda meeting in St. Paul, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved construction of the Hoot Lake Solar Project, a 49.9-megawatt renewable energy initiative brought forward by Otter Tail Power Company (OTP).
Brian Hansel
Reporter
A new way to eat is now available in Fergus Falls. Roasted, a meal preparation and catering business owned and operated solely by 23-year-old Evan Burkdoll, opened its doors April 1 in a order, grab and go format that provides the community with prepackaged, nutritious meals that simply need…
Heather Kantrud
reporter
Otter Tail County businesses and nonprofits hit hard by winter pandemic-related closures were provided $1.15 million in relief grants by the county. The state-funded grant program was administered through the county’s Community Development Agency and provided grants from $1,250 to $15,000 to…

- Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
- Supervisory Position
- HELP WANTED Elks Point on Wall Lake Looking for an
- HELP WANTED West Central Community Services is hiring direct support
- HELP WANTED West Central Community Services is currently hiring a
- Star Bright Professional Cleaning Services Fergus Falls, is seeking drivers
- WORKERS NEEDED for PT custodial work at the Hansel Lake
- Administrative Assistant
- Land & Resources Seasonal Inspector
- OTC Child Social Worker
Beginning April 1, and running through Oct. 31, Gate City Bank will once again partner with various cities across North Dakota and central Minnesota in an effort to revitalize mature neighborhoods, helping local homeowners make repairs and improvements with a low interest rate.
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) is pleased to announce that local entrepreneur Victoria McWane-Creek recently established the Organization 4 Full Participation. This new business is a performance improvement company that enables individuals, teams, organizations, and communities to close the gap …
Minnesota seems to be dragging their feet when it comes to conformity with federal changes this tax season. As a result, a number of returns are sitting in limbo while waiting for the Legislature to address variants such as unemployment and paycheck protection program (PPP) loans.
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) continues to celebrate Women’s History Month and the growing number of women entrepreneurs in the area. They are pleased to announce that Variant Digital, a web design and business consulting service, has relaunched this month. Owner Jaime Price-Anderson can provid…
While corporate America might be reluctant to share why their ammunition shelves are so poorly stocked these days South Mill Service owner Gary Wahl is not.
The Rothsay community hosted a blood drive with Vitalant on March 18 at Rothsay Public School which helped collect a total of 24 units of blood products for patients in need.
InVision Eye Care’s Dr. Randy Kempfer was nominated and elected as Minnesota Optometric Association’s (MOA) president for 2021. Kempfer, who is from Foxhome, attended North Dakota State University (NDSU) for his undergraduate degree, moving on to Pacific University College of Optometry to ea…
Heather Kantrud
reporter
The Otto Bremer Trust has awarded nearly $11.5 million in grants and program-related investments to 190 organizations in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, as part of its most recent grantmaking cycle.
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) recently accepted the resignation of CEO, Annie Deckert.
Embracing the spirit of March Madness in a very Minnesota fashion, Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) and The Current launched the “Great Minnesota Burger Bracket” in their show, The Warming House. The head-to-head competition for the title of the best burger in Minnesota is on the line and Battle…
Heather Kantrud
reporter
For decades, A Center for the Arts (AC4TA) has been raising funds toward the renovation of their late 1980s-era lobby and restrooms. Thanks to those funds in conjunction with grants and donations, they are nearing the finish line for necessary funding to accomplish the renovation, which exce…
Heather Kantrud
reporter
A construction start date for Hoot Lake Solar has not been determined according to Stephanie Hoff, director of Otter Tail Power public relations.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
According to the ILT Academy website, the program’s purpose is “empowering communities to keep entrepreneurs local and create high growth 21st-century businesses. ILT Academy partners with community and economic leaders to teach and train local innovators and entrepreneurs, the skill sets ne…
Heather Kantrud
reporter
The Minnesota State University Moorhead School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership (SNHL) received a $75,000 grant as part of a series of awards from Otto Bremer Trust to local Fargo organizations. The grant will be used to purchase equipment for the new simulation lab in the university’s n…
Stenerson Bros. Lumber Company has hired Greg Collins as a sales associate. Collins will provide quality assistance to retail and contractor customers by providing estimates and assisting them with purchasing building materials needed for their building projects.
Wick Communications, parent company of the Fergus Falls Daily Journal, announced recently that NewsGuard, a news and information rating tool, reviewed all of its websites and gave a perfect 100 out of 100 score for both credibility and transparency.
Ryan Jacobson, a Thrivent financial representative, had a well-established location when he began his endeavors in 2019. Located in a strip mall on the 1400 block of College Way in Fergus Falls, Jacobson was comfortable in his office and his clients knew exactly where to find him.
Zach Stich
Editor
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) and Lifetrack are excited to announce the intent to merge on July 1.
Ashby, a Grant County community that has always been known as the home of the “Arrows” has added axes.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Moore Engineering Inc. recently hired Tajahn (Arthur) Cloud as an engineering technician II in its Fergus Falls office. He comes to Moore with five years of field engineering experience.
Following a record-breaking year on the national level in 2020, the local forecast is estimated to follow the current trend of low interest rates for buyers but a lack of inventory to support the demand. Local figures from January indicated that new listings were down 22.6% in 2021 as oppose…
Heather Kantrud
reporter
With 17 years of insurance experience behind her, Jessica Lopez stumbled upon the insurance industry by accident, ultimately leading her to opening her own Farmers Insurance agency in Fergus Falls.
Heather Kantrud
reporter
Security State Bank of Fergus Falls is pleased to announce that Alisha Helgeson has joined the bank as a mortgage loan originator.
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) is pleased to announce that applications for the dual workforce training grant offered by the MN Department of Labor and the MN Office of Higher Education has officially opened. This grant provides up to $6,000 per employee, up to 25 employees per year for qualifie…
What do good companies do in an ever-changing world — adapt. That is what StoneL in Fergus Falls has done for over 30 years. And with last year’s change of parent company, the business continues to find success.
Heather Kantrud
reporter
Phase 2 of the Fergus Falls municipal lighting replacement project is tentatively set to begin May 1 with Otter Tail Power crews installing aluminum alloy standards and improved LED lights.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Gate City Bank has announced the two local charity winners of its annual Giving Hearts Day giveaway. Each of these charities was chosen in a random drawing to receive $5,000 each from Gate City Bank on Giving Hearts Day.
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) is pleased to announce a partnership with ISD 544’s work-based learning program to expand access to high school students, and other jobseekers, to area employers and career opportunities. The purpose of the Fergus Falls Area Virtual Career Fair project is to allow …
The kickoff year of Otter Tail County’s Big Build initiative saw progress and success for housing growth. In 2020, $39.3 million in housing investment was added in the county from 656 new and rehabbed housing units, 427 of these being new construction and 229 being rehabbed units. This succe…
You want rare? This has been a week in February when it has actually been more comfortable living in Minnesota than Texas.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Ongoing cold temperatures in our region and throughout the nation are causing high demand for electricity. Some electric utility customers are experiencing rolling outages as a result. Otter Tail Power Company, serving approximately 70,000 square miles in parts of North Dakota, South Dakota,…
Wallwork Financial Corporation announced that Steve Lausch, Wallwork Financial general manager, has turned over leadership to Kelly Geiger. Geiger has been promoted to the general manager position.
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) is pleased to announce that Chelsa and Andy Anderson have opened a new dog grooming business; Rustic Ruff Salon located at 1024 19th St., off of Highway 210 offers a variety of grooming services and top-rated canine products for shampooing, detangling and condition…
Wallwork Financial Corporation announced that Steve Lausch, Wallwork Financial general manager, has turned over leadership to Kelly Geiger. Geiger has been promoted to the general manager position.
Five Fergus Falls organizations received six grants totaling $146,949 in 2020 from the Otto Bremer Trust.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Five Fergus Falls organizations received six grants totaling $146,949 in 2020 from the Otto Bremer Trust.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Steve Mouritsen of Fergus Falls has been a Wells Fargo employee for more than 17 years. He is also a board member of the Fergus Falls 544 Education Foundation, where he is serving the third year of his first term.
In January 2021, the League of American Bicyclists recognized the city of Fergus Falls with a bronze level Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) award, earning it a place alongside over 1,400 businesses across the country contributing to the movement to build a more Bicycle Friendly America.
The Fergus Falls Daily Journal celebrated its work recently as it received seven Minnesota Newspaper Association (MNA) awards at the annual MNA banquet.
Grant and Pope counties both had a desire to provide daytime disability services to residents and Productive Alternatives is poised to bring the west-central community of Hoffman into the fold.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
American Federal Bankers Mark Eifert and Dustin Morris, who work in the Fergus Falls market, have earned American Federal’s highest honor of recognition for outstanding sales and sales referral performance in 2020.
Now, more than ever, it’s important to unite communities and give back to those in need. United Way plays an integral role in this, focusing on the education, financial stability, and health of community members.
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) is celebrating Women’s History and Black History Month by highlighting both women and Black-owned businesses throughout February. Our first spotlight is Michaela Wulf, a new small business owner who launched Better Hands Massage Therapy at 119 East Lincoln Avenue, …
Giving Hearts Day, an event dedicated to raising funds for nonprofit organizations, serves to generate donations for North Dakota and northwest Minnesota nonprofits during a 24-hour window. During that time, donations of $10 or more will be matched by funds that each charity raises. This yea…
Heather Kantrud
reporter
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) is pleased to release their 2020 annual report, which includes data and successes. In their first full year of tracking metrics based upon a robust strategic framework, the report is indicative of broad community success. Additionally, the board of directors appoin…
As future entrepreneurs, many look for ways to help bring their ideas to life. This could be anything from watching videos, reading books, talking with other entrepreneurs or attending workshops. Recently, Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) announced a partnership with ILT Academy and Launch MN. Thr…
Zach Stich
Editor
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has been listening to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and he is pushing for a goal of having carbon-free electricity in the state by 2040.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
After 4T Creative’s recent relocation to 130 S. Vine St., they were able to accommodate their growth by adding new professionals to their repertoire. Riane Raths was hired as business analyst in mid-2020 and Matt McKinney was recently hired to serve as their director of marketing and digital media.
The Welcome House Thrift Store is celebrating their grand reopening on Tuesday, Feb. 2 from 2-6 p.m. at 1678 College Way in Fergus Falls.
It’s the holidays. Connie stood staring at the piles of boxes. Jeannie giggled on the number of items that were crammed into her office. Fran sprang into action - she had two counties’ worth of items to sort and distribute. Matour replied with a sincere, “Thank you for remembering our com…
Bell Bank has promoted three experienced bankers – Joe Watzke, Eric Halvorson and Todd Zabel – as the “next generation” of leaders in its central market region, headquartered in Fargo, Watzke SVP/agriculture banking director, Halvorson has been named SVP/commercial banking director and Zabel…
Rodney Jordahl, chief financial officer at Bell Bank since 1999, retired Dec. 31 after guiding the company’s finances through more than two decades of growth and change.
Following the pause in youth sports, Balance Gymnastics Center in Fergus Falls has reopened with regular programming.
Heather Kantrud
reporter
Nestled into Fergus Falls’ downtown is Cecelia Designs, a jewelry wholesaler that has products on shelves across the country. Dedicated to nature, philanthropy and sustainability, Cecelia Designs plants one tree for every sale.
Heather Kantrud
reporter
Brink Lawyers P.A. is proud to announce that University of St. Thomas School of Law Student, Lexi Wentworth,of Fergus Falls, is the recipient of Brink Lawyers Northern Valley Scholarship for Minnesota law school students.