An important piece of legislation has been introduced in the United States Senate called the Local Journalism Sustainability Act of 2021, a bill that would help local newspapers reach viability through tax credits. The bill comes five weeks after a similar bill was introduced in the House.
Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.) has reported that western and southern Minnesota is experiencing severe drought right now. In fact, in some places herd culling is being done due to a lack of quality feed and farmers are making other operational changes to mitigate future losses in…
The Otter Tail County Highway Department would like to inform motorists of upcoming road construction in the Parkers Prairie area. Crews will be starting to reconstruct CSAH 46 and 95 in Parkers Prairie beginning the week of July 26. The contracted completion date has been set at Oct. 29.
Minnesota officially adopted regulations championed by Gov. Tim Walz on Monday to encourage the switchover to electric vehicles.
Minnesota’s Historic Tax Credit which was hanging in the balance until just recently, has now been fully funded and extended through June 30, 2022.
A coalition of Minnesota law enforcement groups sued Friday over a recently enacted law that changed the standard for justified use of deadly force by police.
- HELP WANTED Truck Drivers For Fall Harvest. For Corn, Soybeans
- Eagles Gaming is hiring!
- Executive Director
- Nurses & Medical staff
- WORKERS NEEDED for PT light custodial work at the Hansel
- Head Start Assistant Teacher/Aide
- U of M Extension Educator 4-H Youth Development
- Mobile Crisis Team MH Practitioner On Call Staff and Substance Abuse Specialist
- Service Technician - Elbow Lake
The Minnesota Legislature passed $70 million for the Border-to-Border Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program Tuesday and sent the bill on to Gov. Tim Walz for his signature. The Omnibus Jobs and Economic Development Bill passed the House 71-62 and the Senate 51-15. The funding will be evenly…
Rep. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, revived legislation he authored to reopen the driver testing location in Fergus Falls and it received House approval on Wednesday.
top story
A project being proposed for Glendalough State Park may not happen if the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund money is not authorized by the Legislature, because of the ongoing impasse over new vehicle emissions rules.
The Best of Otter Tail County is back with a new and improved format. The publicly determined, vote-driven competition is now accepting nominations online and will remain open through July 5.
featured
President Joe Biden has declared June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day, signing the bill on Thursday, two days after sailing through the Senate with a unanimous vote and one day after the legislation passed through the House of Representatives with a vote of 415-14.
Yes, you read that correctly and I did not misspell the word “neighbor.” Please let me explain. NABUR is a new social…
Ken Harty
Publisher
Perhaps like many outdoor enthusiasts, Lisa and I have grown to appreciate access to federal lands as we experienced incredible places like Voyageur, Yellowstone, Glacier, Zion, Shenandoah and others. The same is true of ventures in Minnesota in the Boundary Waters, Itasca, Gooseberry, Cuyun…
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.
Heather Kantrud
reporter
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.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
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).
Brian Hansel
Reporter
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.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
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.
Heather Kantrud
reporter
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
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.
Heather Kantrud
reporter
Now 21 years into the 21st century Otter Tail County is taking a new approach to expanding the benefits of high-speed internet.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
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.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
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
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…
Heather Kantrud
reporter
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
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?
Brian Hansel
Reporter
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.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
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…
Heather Kantrud
reporter
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.
Heather Kantrud
reporter
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
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…