The Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener has been a tradition since 1948, designed to improve Minnesota’s economy through the promotion of the state’s recreational opportunities, especially fishing. After applying and being selected to host the event in 2019, Otter Tail County successfully he…
Otter Tail County (OTC) is continually looking for ways in which to enhance resources and enrich the lives of those who live and visit here. OTC Land and Resources works hard to protect the natural resources in the county. One way to protect waterways is to replace noncompliant subsurface se…
On May 13, the long-term planning committee of Glendalough Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) met via Zoom conference with staff members of the Minnesota DNR to discuss two important projects underway in Glendalough – the Sunset Lake Trail and the new visitor center. Both projects have experience…
State Rep. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, announces Battle Lake is receiving $973,000 in state funding for road improvements on Memory Lane and Olaf Street.
In the early morning of April 20, I awoke in Taiwan to a dreaded phone call from Minnesota to learn about the passing of Walter “Fritz” Mondale, the former vice president to President Jimmy Carter. Born in Ceylon, a small town in southern Minnesota, Mondale lived to 93 — having served as a M…
State Rep. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, has announced the city of Elizabeth is receiving a $600,000 state grant to assist with a wastewater project.
On Thursday, Gov. Tim Walz launched ‘Your Shot to Summer,’ the state’s COVID-19 vaccine incentive campaign encouraging Minnesotans to roll up their sleeves and get their COVID-19 vaccine during the next month.
The Wadena County Sheriff’s Office received a report of protestors on the pipeline right of way in Section 6 of Huntersville Township, northwest of Huntersville on Monday. The complainant stated there were approximately 30 individuals demonstrating and some of them were climbing on equipment…
Many young families in Otter Tail County are facing a shortage for childcare. Options for working parents, when it comes to the care of their young children, are limited. In Otter Tail County there are 131 licensed family child care providers, with 10 licensed centers.
While legislators did not pass a new state budget before their May 17 adjournment deadline, Rep. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, played a key role in delivering two other packages to the governor for enactment.
Gov. Tim Walz arrived early Friday for the annual Minnesota Fishing Opener in Ottertail at Thumper Pond Resort to kick off the weekend of events. However, he had a lot on his plate this morning.
Minnesota will end its statewide mask-wearing order on Friday following new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention allowing people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to stop wearing masks, Gov. Tim Walz said Thursday.
PARKERS PRAIRIE — A large crowd of lake homeowners, property owners and business people from Otter Tail and Douglas counties met at the Prairie Events Center in Parkers Prairie on Wednesday to discuss a proposed new county drainage system outlet that would potentially lower the water level o…
Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday laid out his timeline for ending COVID-19 restrictions — including the end of curbs in time for Memorial Day weekend — serving notice that the pandemic’s end is near.
With the 2021 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener just a few days away, some local residents have expressed their frustration with why our county is hosting the event. The 73rd edition of the event will definitely be different, in more ways than one. Some in the county are still critical of …
The 2021 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener in Otter Tail County is only weeks away. Anglers will soon be arriving in person or virtually in Otter Tail County.
Minnesota will keeps its eight U.S. House seats, given the newest census data, officials said Monday.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) invites the public to a virtual public meeting on May 6 at 5:30 p.m., to learn more about the 2022 reconstruction project on Highway 55/59 between Elbow Lake and Barrett. A formal presentation by MnDOT will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by ti…
The Lake Latoka Rest Area on eastbound Interstate 94 near Alexandria will temporarily close for building maintenance, starting April 26-April 29.
Area code 218 is one of 82 area codes across 36 states transitioning from seven-digit to a 10-digit dialing requirement by Oct. 24.
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A Hennepin County jury on Tuesday found ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder and manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd.
A Minnesota National Guard and Minneapolis Police Department neighborhood security team were fired upon early Sunday in a drive-by shooting near Penn Avenue and Broadway.
Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach toured the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Prairie Wetlands Learning Center late Friday afternoon to learn more about their mission.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar stopped in Fergus Falls Thursday as she traveled north to visit with former U.S. Congressman Collin Peterson.
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Biologists with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will collect walleye eggs this spring, however, social distancing requirements mean this popular springtime activity will not be open for public viewing this year.
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).
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The Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener to be held May 13-15, in Otter Tail County is only weeks away. Otter Tail County was scheduled to host the event in 2020, however, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 public health crisis. The mission remains the same, to put a spotlight on Min…
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.
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In his seventh year as Pelican Rapids mayor, Brent E. Frazier enjoys advocating for his community by extending friendly sentiment both in his role as mayor and in his personal life.
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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…
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In a statement by Teddy Tschann, a spokesperson for Gov. Tim Walz, the governor and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan will both quarantine after a member of the governor's staff tested positive for COVID-19.
In his seventh year as a polar plunge participant, Eugene Boyce topped the leaderboard for fundraising in Otter Tail County, raising $5,737 plus matching funds which have yet to be tallied.
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Now 21 years into the 21st century Otter Tail County is taking a new approach to expanding the benefits of high-speed internet.
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Gov. Tim Walz is pulling back on some of Minnesota’s remaining COVID-19 restrictions, almost a year after he first imposed emergency measures.
The Minneapolis City Council has unanimously agreed to a $27 million civil settlement with the family of George Floyd. It’s a record settlement amount for the city.
Disability service providers will hold a virtual rally Tuesday in observance of Minnesota Disability Services Day at the Capitol.
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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…
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Approximately 1,100 Soldiers from Task Force 1-194 are preparing to deploy to the Middle East for a nine-month mission in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
After plowing through more than 122,000 votes cast, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced today the eight winners of its inaugural Name a Snowplow contest. One snowplow in each of MnDOT’s eight districts will officially be named this month.
When anglers across Minnesota drop their lines on Saturday, May 15, Otter Tail County is committed to hosting the 2021 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener in a reimagined way from the previous 70-plus years. By design, the event will be safely shaped to proceed within the guidelines of the S…
Prince Albert Honeycutt, a Black child hailing from Tennessee, relocated to Fergus Falls in 1872 with the military officer he served with during the Civil War. Honeycutt was the first Black person to make Fergus Falls his home, paving the way for the entry of the “First 85,” a group of 18 Bl…
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You want rare? This has been a week in February when it has actually been more comfortable living in Minnesota than Texas.
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U.S. Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-7) will serve as ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit for the 117th Congress. The subcommittee has jurisdiction over policies, statutes, and markets related to commodity exchanges…
Winter - Is it the season Minnesotans hate or the problems that come with it?
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Two buildings in Fergus Falls listed on the National Register of Historic Places have a lot at stake as the 2021 Legislature meets in St. Paul.
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Concerns surrounding Minnesota schooling have been near the forefront of the battleground in the war against COVID-19. Fergus Falls schools superintendent, Jeff Drake, along with three other superintendents from the region, spoke with Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Lakes Area Service Cooperative (LA…
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Supporting the interests of Minnesota’s working women, Attorney General Keith Ellison appointed Otter Tail County resident Nancy Jost as one of the 15 voting members of the Task Force on Expanding the Economic Security of Women on Tuesday.
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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.
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Gov. Tim Walz has directed all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021 to remember, mourn and honor lives lost due to COVID-19. On this day, Walz also encourages all Minnesotans to light a candle in their wi…
On Monday, the Minnesota Department of Health announced a new community COVID-19 vaccine program that partners with local public health and school districts at nine locations across the state — including a location in Fergus Falls. The pilot sites will initially serve adults aged 65 and olde…
President-elect Joe Biden will host a memorial to remember and honor the lives lost to COVID-19 Tuesday on the eve of his inauguration in Washington, D.C.
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Minnesota is launching a COVID-19 vaccine pilot program, partnering with local public health and school districts, Gov. Tim Walz announced on Monday. These sites will initially serve adults 65 years of age or older, as well as prekindergarten through grade 12 educators, school staff and chil…
Gov. Tim Walz today activated the Minnesota National Guard to assist state and local law enforcement in public safety efforts in Saint Paul over the coming days. The governor’s action follows the violent insurrection at the United States Capitol last week and national reports of possible arm…
On Wednesday, protesters opposed to the count and certification of the electoral votes stormed the U.S. Capitol while the U.S. House of Representatives looked to certify President-elect Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States of America.
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Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) physician, Dr. Anjali Gupta, has been appointed to the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice by Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for a four-year term effective Jan. 5, 2021. Gupta replaces fellow LRH physician, Dr. Patricia Lindholm, who served the maximum…
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Washington, D.C. - On Sunday, Michelle Fischbach was sworn-in as a member of the 117th Congress representing Minnesota’s Seventh Congressional District.
The recent plummet in temperature opens the risk for frostbite which can cause serious or permanent harm in less than 30 minutes to skin exposed to cold. Fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin are the most commonly affected areas, but any time skin is exposed to cold temperatures or come…
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Two new laws that go into effect Jan. 1 will kick off some of the first changes of 2021. These laws are regarding prior authorization requirements of health insurance providers and requirements regarding sexual assault examination kits.
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After a timber wolf was allegedly seen on Otter Tail Lake, Tricia Plautz, Department of Natural Resources officer has some simple advice for people who own pets – a little common sense can be the best protection.
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Minimum wage workers will be receiving a small raise from the state Jan. 1 as minimum wage is set to move from $10 an hour to $10.08, an 8-cent increase. The change comes from Minnesota’s decision to index minimum wage to inflation, which took effect in 2018, with a 2.5% cap.
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As hospitals remain concerned about capacity, Governor Tim Walz today announced a plan to continue combatting community spread of COVID-19 while getting students back in the classroom and supporting Minnesotans’ quality of life. Following the announcement, the Governor signed into law a $216…
