Vacation Home Rental Ordinance tabled to June By Robert Williams Editor District 5 Commissioner Lee Rogness discussed his coming retirement during the general discussion time of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, May 21. “I really appreciated my time with the county,” Rogness said. “I came on here at the extreme encouragement by my… Read More

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is encouraging families to use the Women, Infants and Children supplemental nutrition program (WIC), which has successfully improved maternal and child outcomes for 50 years. The WIC program helps pregnant women, new mothers, babies, and young children get a healthy start through nutrition education, nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, and… Read More

Assistant Solid Waste Director is committed to public service Otter Tail County has announced the hiring of Scott Bjerke as the new Assistant Solid Waste Director. Bjerke, an educator with extensive experience, brings a wealth of leadership and community engagement skills to his new role. Bjerke grew up in Moorhead, Minn. and attended Concordia College, where… Read More

Otter Tail County has announced the hiring of Clancy Oliphant as the new Public Information and Education Officer (PIEO) in the Solid Waste Department. A Fergus Falls native and graduate of Kennedy Secondary School, Oliphant began her work in the Solid Waste Department on May 1. “In the 1980s the State of Minnesota authorized counties to… Read More

OTC Big Build Initiative continues The need for housing in local communities has led to many innovative solutions in Otter Tail County. Realizing the demand for additional owner-occupied housing in Pelican Rapids, the County’s Community Development Agency (CDA) is progressing on a new single-family housing development. In 2023, Otter Tail County completed a new highway garage in… Read More

Contributed photo Deputy Colton Odash, left, recently completed all four phases of the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association Institute for Credible Leadership (ICLD). The ICLD is a four phase, online, leadership learning system offered through the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association. The Minnesota Sheriff’s Association and the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office believe that every person who works in… Read More

Photo by Robert Williams Midco will host a groundbreaking ceremony at the Frazee EMS Building on Thursday, June 6.  Midco is holding a groundbreaking event at noon on Thursday, June 6 to celebrate its investment in bringing a new option for internet and TV services to the Frazee community. Community members and leaders will join Midco team members… Read More

The Red River Valley (RRV) Emerging Leadership Program (ELP) celebrated its most recent cohort of leaders and a program milestone this spring. A dinner and recognition program at University of Minnesota Crookston recognized participants and celebrated the program’s 40th year. The celebration included a slide presentation narrated by Jody Horntvedt, Extension educator for the program, who… Read More

AJ Peters has officially received the endorsement of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) for the United States Congress representing Minnesota’s 7th Congressional District.  This endorsement underscores his commitment to help the people of rural Minnesota by strengthening economic opportunities, enhancing healthcare accessibility, creating workforce and senior housing funding, and advocating for sustainable environmental policies, Peters said in… Read More

The Vergas Lions will be hosting a blood drive on Thursday, June 6, at the Vergas Event Center. The Event Center will be open from 12:30-6 p.m., for blood donations. To make an appointment call (701) 866-4301 or register online at vitalant.org.