Organizers closing in on $250,000 raised By Robert Williams Editor The 15th Annual Ole’s Ride on Saturday, Aug. 24 in Vergas is set to be a milestone event when it comes to fundraising as organizers look to surpass a quarter-million dollars raised for Hospice of the Red River Valley. “I hope so, weather depending, of course,” said… Read More

Heeter commended for life-saving actions By Robert Williams Editor The Otter Tail County courthouse will be getting an extra layer of security at its entrance. In recent years, the courthouse has gone to a single point secured entry staffed with a court security deputy using a metal detector, metal detecting wand and a bag scanner. The… Read More

Hansen to face Mackner for Becker County District 3 seat By Robert Williams Editor Former NFL and NDSU great Phil Hansen was a victor in the Becker County Commissioner District 3 primary on Tuesday, Aug. 13. Hansen was the top vote-getter with 331 votes (50.38 percent). Terry L. Mackner was second with 223 votes (33.94 percent). Frazee’s… Read More

Potential changes to city ordinance to allow chickens discussed by Planning Commission By Robert Williams Editor The Lake Runners snowmobile club requested a new route through Vergas after losing access to former trails north of Lawrence Lake. The trail was closed on the north side of the lake when a landowner pulled the permit. The new route… Read More

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released a new 30-minute documentary called “Kings in the North: Lake Sturgeon Recovery in the Red River Basin.” The video tells the story of decades-long efforts by Minnesota DNR fisheries biologists and their partners to restore the lake sturgeon population in the Red River of the North and its… Read More

Eighteen people who’ve trained since late April to become Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers took a step closer to achieving their goal earlier this week when they graduated from the 23rd CO Academy. Now, they will spend the next several months training throughout the state with experienced conservation officers. The new officers will complete… Read More

Perham-based organization focuses on chemical dependency treatment Rewind, Inc. of Perham was honored with the Excellence in Corrections Award by the Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers (MACPO) during their annual conference. Rewind, Inc. has been a cornerstone for chemical dependency treatment in Otter Tail County. This year, they have taken their commitment further by opening a… Read More

Contributed photo Steve Joy was recognized as a “Fair Builder” by the Becker County Fair Board for his work as the Becker County STS Crew Leader. He was given the award by Becker County Sheriff Todd Glander. Joy and crew members assist the fair board with groundskeeping and maintenance.

Project to assist Pelican Rapids rehabilitate sanitary sewer collection State Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls) has announced that the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) has approved more than $6 million in funding for two critical water infrastructure improvement projects in the City of Pelican Rapids.  “Congratulations to the City of Pelican Rapids for securing a significant investment… Read More

Local campaign to coincide with state crackdown on drunk driving From August 14 through September 2, including the Labor Day holiday weekend, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will collaborate with the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement campaign. The campaign’s goal… Read More