The Fergus Falls City Council granted an interim use permit for bituminous and concrete mixing facilities on Highway 210 West at a special council meeting Wednesday.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
In a partnership, the city of Fergus Falls, Lake Region Healthcare (LRH), the Downtown Riverfront Council (FFDRC), Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) and the Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce (FFACC) rolled out a public service campaign aimed at community safety as businesses gradually reopen in…
Zach Stich
Editor
The BerganKVD Accounting Firm of Bloomington presented an unmodified opinion – the best an auditor can offer – in their independent auditor’s report on the city’s finances.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The Fergus Falls City Council kicked off the month of June by voting to reinstate the tax abatement program and approving tax rebates for four duplexes being built on South Cascade Street by Prairie View Development.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The Fergus Falls Planning Commission gave approval to four projects Tuesday after public hearings at City Hall.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The Fergus Falls City Council addressed three main topics during Monday’s meeting including a resolution urging Gov. Tim Walz to allow businesses to reopen.
Zach Stich
Editor
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On Monday, Fergus Falls community leaders met with Sen. Amy Klobuchar via a conference call to discuss what they have been working toward during the coronavirus pandemic and hearing what Klobuchar has been pushing for in regards to helping local businesses.
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Comments by both Fergus Falls City Council members and private business owners located on North Union Avenue was not favorable Monday for a county-financed street-modification project in the city.
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For those that take to the streets, it is hard not to notice the different signs that direct or indicate an action on the roadways. Recently, a question came to The Fergus Falls Daily Journal about the use of LED stop signs in the city. The Journal spoke with Fergus Falls Chief of Public Saf…
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) and the city of Fergus Falls are co-hosting a live Q&A session to support its business community and public health as businesses prepare to reopen.
Demolition and cleanup abatement work at the old Mid-Am Dairy site was underway Tuesday along the Otter Tail River.
Like any other organization, Otter Tail County and the city of Fergus Falls need cash flow to keep the wheels turning.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
There has not been a lot for bars and restaurants to cheer about since March 16 when Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-04 ordering those establishments, along with other places of public accommodation to close in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The consultant team that is developing the Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center (RTC) Reuse Master Plan originally planned to hold the project's first community meeting on the evening of March 26 at the Minnesota State Community and Technical College. The current pandemic and necessary st…
The Fergus Falls City Council gave city staff a green light Monday night to submit a letter of intent toward the purchase of a historic bridge.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
While our daily lives and routines have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in stressful situations including working from home, distance learning and stay-at-home orders, many individuals, businesses and organizations are trying to stay positive and encourage a sense of commu…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
The 2020 Census is in full swing. While April 1, 2020, is officially Census Day, you still have time and multiple ways to fill out your census. Everyone counts!
The Fergus Falls City Council went about a different method of conducting a public meeting Monday to discuss a few important topics before its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, April 6.
Zach Stich
Editor
Earlier this week the Fergus Falls Community Food Shelf announced that they were closing their doors until further notice as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, however, they were open for business as the city stepped in to take over and make sure this essential service remained availa…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
With constant news and information about the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to flow into the community, several members voiced questions and concerns about the effects of the virus on the Fergus Falls community. For that reason, the city of Fergus Falls put together the Community Outreach Init…
Zach Stich
Editor
The city of Fergus Falls is happy to announce that the community food shelf will reopen at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 20 with the help of community volunteers and city staff. Please stay tuned for further details as they are made available. If you have questions, please email info@ci.fergus-fal…
Mayor Ben Schierer dropped a bombshell Monday at the end of the Fergus Falls City Council meeting.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
A little over a year ago, at the end of 2018, the Fergus Falls Port Authority (FFPA) closed on the purchase of the Mid-Am Dairy site for $175,000. The purchase was many years in the making and now that the city is in possession of it, FFPA has been working through bids for the demolition of …
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
The city of Fergus Falls would like to reassure our residents and visitors that the city is doing everything within our power to ensure continued city services, sharing information and resources, and prioritizing public safety among the coronavirus or COVID-19 outbreak.
The Fergus Falls Committee of the Whole took a step toward a $250,000 public improvement project at Pebble Lake Wednesday during a meeting at City Hall.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
On July 1, 2007, the city of Fergus Falls took over ownership of the Regional Treatment Center on North Union Avenue for the sum of $1.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The Otter Tail County Highway Department announced weight restrictions on Otter Tail County Highways and Fergus Falls city streets will go into effect at 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Restrictions will remain in effect until signs are removed.
Summer ice will be coming to Fergus Falls in 2020 after ice fees were established Monday at the City Council meeting.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Six agenda items were approved by the Fergus Falls Committee of the Whole Wednesday in a quick half-hour meeting at City Hall.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The city of Fergus Falls recently selected the Collaborative Design Group (CDG), a historic preservation architectural firm based in Minneapolis, to research and make recommendations on the reuse potential of the Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center (RTC), which is also referred to as the …
The Fergus Falls City Council passed two resolutions Tuesday night in a short meeting at City Hall which provides them with options in the future for setting up a tax increment district at the former Mid-Am Dairy site.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Building permits in the city of Fergus Falls rebounded dramatically in 2019 according to figures recently released by Jason Schuetzle of the building department.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
One more step in the former Mid-Am Dairy demolition and resettlement action plan (RAP) project took place Tuesday at the Fergus Falls Port Authority (FFPA) meeting in City Hall.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Fergus Falls Fire Chief Ryan Muchow was asked to “take one for the city” Tuesday night as the City Council voted 6-1 in favor of a sales-tax scenario which the Minnesota Legislature might green light.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Making plans: Fergus Falls Committee of the Whole gives staff green light to seek master plan quotes
The merits of a bicycle and pedestrian master plan was kicked around the Fergus Falls City Hall chambers Wednesday before passing by a 6-1 vote.
Matthew Holding Eagle
Sports Reporter/Photographer
A new report from LendingTree, an online lending marketplace that connects users to deals on insurance, found that Minnesota is the sixth worst driving state. They based the ranking on factors including driver quality, distracted driving scores, car insurance increases, and road infrastructure.
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
With over 923 different beers and a large selection of wine and liquor, the two municipal liquor stores in Fergus Falls have something for many different 21-and-older individuals to choose from. But while both offer a large variety of alcohol to drink responsibly, the two also are a main con…
Zach Stich
Editor
Mayor Ben Schierer’s 2020 council appointments were announced Monday at the first Fergus Falls City Council meeting of the year.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
With the Minnesota Legislature set to convene Feb. 11, the Fergus Falls City Council jumped into what promises to be a busy year Monday as they attempt to gain state approval for some projects.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The city of Fergus Falls has benefited the North County National Scenic Trail by assisting the nonprofit North Country Trail Association (NCTA) and four of its local, volunteer-led Minnesota chapters to obtain grant funds to procure trail maintenance tools and equipment. The city was awarde…
In 2019, Fergus Falls and the surrounding community saw several positive and a few obstacles put in its way. As we enter 2020, The Daily Journal looks back at some of the most talked about, read and viewed stories from the past year.
Zach Stich
Editor
Fergus Falls Port Authority members voted to draft a non-binding letter of intent to purchase the building at 112 E. Washington Avenue Monday following a closed meeting at City Hall.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The Fergus Falls City Council approved a resolution Monday entering into an agreement with Otter Tail Power to provide all street lighting in the city.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The Fergus Falls Committee of the Whole approved a motion Wednesday morning which is expected to begin bringing new street lighting to the city in 2020.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Resolutions to adopt the 2020 tax levy and city budget was approved Monday night by the Fergus Falls City Council by identical votes of 7-1.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Jean Bowman, the executive director of Visit Fergus Falls, has been appointed to the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council by Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
A short meeting of the Fergus Falls Port Authority (FFPA) Monday afternoon at City Hall saw members reject an offer to purchase the former Norgren properties.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Three public hearings dominated Monday’s meeting of the Fergus Falls Planning Commission at City Hall. The commission first offered a public hearing to consider a request by John Miersch at 1727 South Court Street for a variance. Miersch is interested in locating a detached shed within the side yard of a home located in an […]
The Fergus Falls City Council looked at five proposed sales tax projects Monday afternoon during work session at City Hall. “It was just an update, nothing was narrowed down,” city finance director Bill Sonmor said. Work on sales-tax priorities has been underway for some time. The five general areas include a fire station renewal project, […]
The Fergus Falls Port Authority got a look at the Fergus Falls City Council Ordinance 92 Monday which is expected to provide financing for demolition and cleanup in the future at the former Mid-Am Dairy site. The Port Authority purchased the abandoned plant in 2018 with two plans in mind – parceling off part of […]
The Fergus Falls City Council held a public hearing Monday for opinions on lowering the speed zone on West Alcott Avenue from Martin Street to the roundabout at Tower Road. With no members of the general public offering comments on the proposed switch from a 45 mph speed limit to a 30, Councilman Anthony Hicks […]
No matter how many homes there are in Otter Tail County at the present time, the board of commissioners would like to see thousands more made available. The increased availability of affordable housing is seen as a growth priority because of an ever-tightening labor market. “We’re expecting to see a 4.6% reduction in our workers,” […]
The Fergus Falls Planning Commission approved the preliminary and final plat for the Westridge Theatre addition during Monday’s meeting at City Hall. Prompted by an application from Interstate Engineering on behalf of the property owner, Westridge Mall Limited Partnership, the planning commission gave the green light to plat a 4.12 acre parcel of land located […]
Resurfacing work on busy West Lincoln Avenue has run into a “snow bump” furnished by Mother Nature according to city engineer, Brian Yavarow. “At the current time the contractor has completed as much as they can,” Yavarow said Thursday as a thin, cold rain fell in Fergus Falls. Rain is expected to turn into snow […]
The Fergus Falls Downtown Riverfront Council (“FFDRC”) is pleased to announce that planning is underway for the third annual Over the River Holiday Festival set for Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. The FFDRC, along with several individuals and organizations, including the city of Fergus Falls, Kaddatz Galleries, Springboard for the Arts, A Center for the Arts […]
The Fergus Falls City Council held a work session Monday afternoon before their regular meeting to examine the problems touching on the rehabilitation of the historic Union Avenue bridge near downtown Fergus Falls. The structure was constructed in 1938. It carries two-way street traffic on Union Avenue over the Otter Tail Valley Railroad. Prior to […]
A rejected request to use the Kirkbride tower as a wedding site became a late item for discussion Wednesday morning at the Fergus Falls Committee of the Whole meeting. Rising majestically at the heart of the former state hospital building, the Kirkbride tower has been a key portion of the former medical complex that preservationists […]
The Fergus Falls Port Authority was established on Jan. 1, 1986. When one thinks of a port or a port authority, one likely pictures Minnesota cities like Duluth or St. Paul. Fergus Falls is eligible to have a port authority due to the Otter Tail River running through the city. Having a port authority offers […]
Doreen Beck, a resident of 626 Sunset Drive, was granted a variance Monday evening by the Fergus Falls Planning Commission. A public hearing was called to consider the variance which allows for a reduced side setback in the R-1 One-Family Residence District. In her request, Beck wrote, “We are adding a four-season porch to the […]
Fergus Falls City Administrator Andrew Bremseth’s voice was loaded with disappointment Monday night as he informed the city council of the latest setback in turning the Regional Treatment Center campus into a financial victory for Fergus Falls. Bremseth was asking the eight members of the council to terminate a letter of intent with American Covenant […]
Klara Beck was appointed the new executive director of the Fergus Falls Port Authority Monday at City Hall. Beck replaces interim executive director Andrew Bremseth, who serves as Fergus Falls city administrator. Beck, a 2008 graduate of Fergus Falls High School and a 2012 graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, has served for the […]