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Otter Tail County, Minnesota
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About Otter Tail, MN

Population
Approximately 60,000 residents
County Seat
Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Coverage Area
1,980 square miles in western Minnesota

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Community

Perham librarian retires after decades of teaching and community service

Perham librarian retires after decades of teaching and community service

Dorothy Doll retired from Perham Public Library after a 33-year teaching career and years of library work. Her departure...

Marcus Williams2m read
Community

New wellness center open house highlights Otter Tail week

New wellness center open house highlights Otter Tail week

A local calendar lists events Jan. 15-25, including the Ottertail Community & Wellness Center open house. These gatherin...

Sarah Chen2m read
Government

Three townships leave Perham Area EMS, costs shift to city

Three townships leave Perham Area EMS, costs shift to city

Three townships withdrew from the Perham Area EMS joint powers board, shifting a larger share of the 2027 budget onto re...

James Thompson2m read
Community

PioneerCare, Habitat to Build 60 Childcare Slots in Fergus Falls

PioneerCare, Habitat to Build 60 Childcare Slots in Fergus Falls

PioneerCare and Fergus Falls Area Habitat for Humanity announced plans to add up to 60 childcare slots on Channing Avenu...

Marcus Williams2m read
Government

Surge in winter calls: arrests, crashes, and vandalism reported

Surge in winter calls: arrests, crashes, and vandalism reported

Police and deputies handled hundreds of calls Jan. 9-12, including arrests, DWIs, crashes and vandalism. That affects ro...

Marcus Williams2m read
Government

Minnesota proposes groundwater rule limiting fall fertilizer to protect wells

Minnesota proposes groundwater rule limiting fall fertilizer to protect wells

Minnesota sought public comment on a proposed rule to restrict fall and frozen-soil nitrogen fertilizer to reduce nitrat...

James Thompson2m read
Community

Perham teen's 100-fish fundraiser backs local families' care

Perham teen's 100-fish fundraiser backs local families' care

Perham teen Bryce Olson is fishing to catch 100 fish to raise funds for Gabby’s Gang; supporters can pledge per fish or ...

Sarah Chen2m read
Government

Woman found dead at Big Pine Lake home; suspect detained

Woman found dead at Big Pine Lake home; suspect detained

A woman was found dead at a Perham-area Big Pine Lake residence on Jan. 13; a male suspect was taken into custody. Autho...

Marcus Williams2m read
Business

1870s Craigie Mill tragedy shaped Otter Tail settlement patterns

1870s Craigie Mill tragedy shaped Otter Tail settlement patterns

James G. Craigie settled at Balmoral south of Ottertail City in 1861 and built a dam and grist mill that produced Snow F...

Sarah Chen2m read
Community

Centennial Continental Divide Monument Connects Water, History and Community Health

Centennial Continental Divide Monument Connects Water, History and Community Health

The Centennial Monument in Central Park, New York Mills, marks the town's incorporation and the exact line of the Contin...

Lisa Park2m read
Government

Otter Tail DFL schedules county caucuses to shape 2026

Otter Tail DFL schedules county caucuses to shape 2026

Otter Tail DFL will hold precinct caucuses Feb. 3; residents can discuss platforms, elect precinct chairs, and choose de...

Marcus Williams2m read
Education

Perham gymnastics beat Bemidji 137.825-133.300 with Myers lead

Perham gymnastics beat Bemidji 137.825-133.300 with Myers lead

Perham defeated Bemidji 137.825-133.300; senior Aryanna Myers scored a 37.675 all-around. The result highlights Perham's...

Sarah Chen2m read
Government

Senator Rasmusson launches reelection bid for Senate District 9

Senator Rasmusson launches reelection bid for Senate District 9

Senator Jordan Rasmusson announced a reelection campaign for Minnesota Senate District 9, highlighting local investments...

James Thompson2m read
Community

Toddler killed in New York Mills dog attack; grandmother seriously injured

Toddler killed in New York Mills dog attack; grandmother seriously injured

A 3-year-old boy died after a dog attack in New York Mills; his grandmother was seriously hurt while stopping the attack...

Marcus Williams2m read
Education

Fergus Falls edges Sartell-Sauk Rapids 2-1, breaks tie

Fergus Falls edges Sartell-Sauk Rapids 2-1, breaks tie

Fergus Falls beat Sartell-Sauk Rapids 2-1, breaking a tie and delivering a narrow win that matters for local momentum an...

Marcus Williams2m read
Education

School bus rolls near Dent in Otter Tail County, no injuries

School bus rolls near Dent in Otter Tail County, no injuries

A school bus rolled near Dent in Otter Tail County on Jan. 15; no students were injured. Local emergency crews removed t...

Marcus Williams2m read
Community

Perham Township shop fire kills four Labradors, destroys building

Perham Township shop fire kills four Labradors, destroys building

A shop fire in Perham Township destroyed a building and killed four Labradors. Officials say a wood stove is the likely ...

Lisa Park2m read
Government

Perham receives major donations to fund Arvig Park skating rink

Perham receives major donations to fund Arvig Park skating rink

Perham city council accepted $87,092 in donations to support a new rink and facilities at Arvig Park. The funds could de...

Marcus Williams2m read
Business

Don Pablo’s closed in Fergus Falls after reports of ICE activity

Don Pablo’s closed in Fergus Falls after reports of ICE activity

Don Pablo’s in Fergus Falls and Detroit Lakes closed Jan. 11 after reports of ICE presence; owners cited safety concerns...

Sarah Chen2m read
Community

Freight train derails north of Perham, closes two county crossings

Freight train derails north of Perham, closes two county crossings

Thirteen rail cars derailed near the Hwy. 10 and 60 junction north of Perham. No injuries were reported and two county c...

Sarah Chen2m read
Community

ICE activity sparks fear, school absences in Pelican Rapids

ICE activity sparks fear, school absences in Pelican Rapids

Federal immigration arrests in Pelican Rapids prompted fear and about 30 students missed school, disrupting families and...

Lisa Park2m read
Business

Former Betty’s Pantry Reopens as Marge’s Diner with 1990s Nostalgia

Former Betty’s Pantry Reopens as Marge’s Diner with 1990s Nostalgia

Marge’s Diner reopened at 102 West Main St with 1990s decor and a breakfast-forward menu. It bolsters downtown Ottertail...

Sarah Chen2m read
Healthcare

Astera Health CEO named to Minnesota affordability task force

Astera Health CEO named to Minnesota affordability task force

Joel Beiswenger was selected to a state task force to study rising health care costs and improve access for Greater Minn...

Lisa Park2m read
Community

Two winter art exhibits open at M State Fergus Falls campus

Two winter art exhibits open at M State Fergus Falls campus

Two new exhibits opened at M State Fergus Falls galleries, bringing regional art to Otter Tail County and extending cult...

Sarah Chen2m read
Community

Fergus Falls arrest after domestic stabbing on South Sheridan Street

Fergus Falls arrest after domestic stabbing on South Sheridan Street

A 22-year-old man was arrested after a domestic stabbing Saturday on South Sheridan Street; the 31-year-old victim was h...

Marcus Williams2m read
Community

Maplewood State Park winter operations bolster Pelican Rapids economy and recreation

Maplewood State Park winter operations bolster Pelican Rapids economy and recreation

Maplewood State Park offers groomed skiing, snowshoeing, equestrian access, cabins and ice fishing - important winter op...

Marcus Williams2m read
Education

Detroit Lakes edges No. 8 Perham 40-30 in Section 8AA dual

Detroit Lakes edges No. 8 Perham 40-30 in Section 8AA dual

Detroit Lakes beat No. 8 Perham 40-30 at Lakeshirts Fieldhouse, a result that reshapes local section standings and raise...

Sarah Chen2m read
Business

Shearer’s Perham plant fined $37,750 for air permit lapses

Shearer’s Perham plant fined $37,750 for air permit lapses

The MPCA fined Shearer’s Foods $37,750 after finding the Perham plant lacked a required air permit since 2015; monitorin...

Sarah Chen2m read
Community

Otter Tail County teen sentenced in crash that killed friend

Otter Tail County teen sentenced in crash that killed friend

A 19-year-old was sentenced for a crash that killed his friend, underscoring community grief and questions about account...

Marcus Williams2m read