By Robert Williams Editor Red Willow Heights resident Chris Peluso returned to the city council on Wednesday, Jan. 14, to speak during the open forum against the Economic Development Authority’s (EDA) attempt to change the covenants of the development to allow multi-family housing.  ¶  The EDA has consecutive Tuesday meetings coming up on Jan. 20 and… Read More

Officers elected for calendar year 2026 By Robert Williams Editor John Powers, of Applied Insights North, presented a 10-year enrollment projection for Frazee-Vergas schools to the school board at the Monday, Jan. 12 meeting. Highlights of Powers’ data-driven projection include total enrollment expected to decrease 13.1 percent from 810 to 704. Resident student enrollment is expected to… Read More

Frazee storefront to close in mid-February By Karen Pifher and Megan Jenson Co-Owners, Creating  Community Consulting Each year, Creating Community Consulting (CCC) serves communities across approximately 20 counties in the Midwest, and in 2025 we expanded our impact by launching nonprofit capacity-building and fundraising training and tools. This work has allowed us to support childcare access, improve… Read More

Daycare focus continues as top priority for Vergas board By Robert Williams Editor The Vergas Economic Development Authority (EDA)/Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) elected officers during its first meeting of the 2026 on Wednesday, Jan. 7. City Council Liaison Bruce Albright was nominated and voted in as President for 2026 with his extensive knowledge of city operations noted… Read More

OTC updated on Prairie Lakes Community Health Board By Robert Williams Editor Todd Finkelson, of Ashby, was commended for his outstanding actions on October 24, 2025 by the County Assessor Heather Jacobson, Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons, and the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners Tuesday, Jan. 13. On October 24, 2025, while working in the field, Finkelson, an… Read More

West Central Initiative has been selected as one of 25 Community Host organizations for the 2026 Weaver Awards, a national initiative of Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute.  The Weaver Awards are part of a constellation of activities designed to celebrate and support weavers—everyday neighbors who are building relationships, strengthening belonging, and weaving… Read More

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is pleased to announce the 2026 Great American Think-Off question: Is the pursuit of happiness making Americans unhappy? Now entering its 33rd year, the Great American Think-Off invites all people from across the country—from truck drivers to teachers, grandparents to graduate students—to engage with timely philosophical questions rooted in everyday life…. Read More

The Fargo and West Fargo Police Departments are requesting the assistance of residents, businesses and property owners in Otter Tail County. Authorities are investigating the disappearance of 25-year-old West Fargo resident Isadora Wengel. In addition to previous requests for residents and businesses in the Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo area to review camera footage (which remain active), police… Read More

Local vision to bring ‘Take a book. Share a book.’ to community By Matthew Johnson Reporter Wolf Lake area book lovers, and anyone passing through Wolf Lake, should soon be able to check out the honor system within the “Little Free Library,” which is “Take a book. Share a book.” A number of people have enjoyed Little… Read More

Sheriff Todd Glander announced he will not seek reelection in a social media post Friday, Jan. 16. The post in its entirety is below: To the Citizens of Becker County, After serving this community while wearing the uniform and badge for 38 years, and three terms as your Sheriff, I am announcing that I will not be… Read More