Otter Tail County, Minnesota Local News

Fergus Falls Officials Brief Businesses on Major Exit 54 Reconstruction, Urge Cooperation

Fergus Falls officials briefed local business owners on March 3, 2026, about a major reconstruction of Exit 54, urging cooperation with MnDOT and private partners to limit disruption.

Sarah Chen•2 min read•02:44 PM

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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

Local Updates

Active

Newsroom monitoring local Otter Tail, MN developments. Next update cycle in 46 minutes.

More Local News

Government

Two Fergus Falls Men Arrested After Stolen-Vehicle Pursuits in Otter Tail County

Two Fergus Falls men were arrested after separate stolen-vehicle pursuits in Otter Tail County; one stop used tire deflation devices and a PIT, the other involved a white Lexus, speeds over 100 mph and 14.8 grams of meth.

Marcus Williams3m read

Community

Otter Tail County resident wired $5,000 to Anaheim in warrant scam

An eastern Otter Tail County resident wired $5,000 to an Anaheim address after a male caller using VOIP told her she had a warrant, deputies reported Feb. 15.

Sarah Chen2m read

Business

Marcus & Millichap Brokers 96‑Room Country Inn Sale in Fergus Falls

Marcus & Millichap said its Minneapolis investment team closed the sale of the 96-room Country Inn & Suites at 925 Western Ave in Fergus Falls, directly attached to the city-owned Bigwood Event Center.

Sarah Chen2m read

Government

Otter Tail County Posts Tax-Forfeited Properties Catalog; Sale Begins Feb. 27

Otter Tail County began a public sale of tax‑forfeited properties that started Feb. 27, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.; the posted catalog lists parcels in Fergus Falls, Pelican Rapids, New York Mills and townships.

James Thompson4m read

Government

Fergus Falls Man, 53, Charged With Two Felony Child Porn Counts

Lesley Glenn Nielsen, 53, of Fergus Falls was taken into custody March 5 after investigators and NCMEC identified more than 60 files on his devices, including AI‑generated child sexual abuse material.

Marcus Williams2m read

Community

Perham Man Zachary Nash Sentenced After Guilty Plea in Child Pornography Case

Zachary Michael Nash, 42, of Perham was sentenced March 2, 2026, to 120 days in Otter Tail County Jail and five years’ supervised probation after pleading guilty to two counts of possessing child pornography.

Lisa Park2m read

Healthcare

Pelican Rapids Care Attendant Charged in $3,487 Theft From Vulnerable Adult

Pelican Rapids care attendant Judy Lynn Hunter, 52, has been charged after an employer alleged $3,487.56 was stolen from the vulnerable adult she was hired to assist.

Lisa Park2m read

Government

Fergus Falls posts March 2 work session video on 2025 priorities, projects

Fergus Falls posted a March 2 video of a 4:30 p.m. council work session where City Administrator Andrew Bremseth presented the 2025 Annual Report and public priorities.

Marcus Williams4m read

Education

Perham’s Detloff Wins 172-Pound State Title, Roiko Brothers Earn Podiums

Tiegan Detloff rallied late to claim the Class AA 172-pound state title at Grand Casino Arena Saturday, sprinting to his parents after the win and avenging a runner-up finish from last year.

Marcus Williams3m read

Business

Ament Repair expands south of Bluffton with 40-by-72 addition, second hoist

Ament Repair and Welding, just south of Bluffton, added a 40×72 shop addition and a second hoist, expanding to a "nearly full-service" automotive and agricultural repair shop.

Sarah Chen2m read

Government

Perham Council Seeks Bids for 5,720-Square-Foot Lakeside Golf Cart Home

Perham City Council has put a 5,720-square-foot golf cart storage building that holds 91 carts out for bids, funded by a Nelson family donation capped at $425,000.

James Thompson2m read

Government

Perham Town Hall Erupts as East Otter Tail Farmers Demand Legal Answers

About 30 people packed a Minnesota Farmers Union town hall in Perham as farmers demanded legal answers, one 24-year-old’s first milk check was $14.50 per hundredweight.

Marcus Williams3m read

Community

Behind green doors Perham’s Someplace Safe offers safety and choice

Two green doors embedded in gray brick on West Main Street lead to Someplace Safe’s Perham advocacy office, a discreet haven offering confidential, client-led services across nine west-central Minnesota counties.

Sarah Chen2m read

Community

Pelican Rapids Man Injured After Tractor Rolls, Catches Fire Near Lake Lida

A tractor rolled while moving brush and caught fire on the east side of Lake Lida Monday evening; the operator’s leg ignited and he was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Marcus Williams2m read

Government

Dozens Booked in Otter Tail County Jail March 3 on Serious Charges

Dozens were listed in the Otter Tail County Jail roster as of the March 3, 2026 (03:00) snapshot, including a 22-year-old booked on second-degree murder and others charged with first-degree drug-sale and domestic-strangulation.

Marcus Williams3m read

Government

Perham Poll Backs Rerouting Semis Off Main Street; Officials Cite Obstacles

Perham Focus poll and follow-up report on March 5, 2026 show strong support to reroute semis off Perham’s Main Street, but city and county officials say legal and funding barriers prevent a permanent ban.

Marcus Williams2m read

Community

Perham rehab program stabbing survivor says attack reunited her family

Tessa Olson says a Perham rehab program attacker stabbed her about 14 times, and the ordeal drew her daughter back into her life.

Sarah Chen2m read

Education

Secretary of State Steve Simon Discusses Elections at New York Mills School

Secretary of State Steve Simon visited New York Mills School last week, spoke on elections and civics and answered questions from the student body, a photo by Tucker Henderson shows.

Lisa Park2m read

Government

New York Mills EDA advances county-funded housing, environmental and strategic studies

New York Mills EDA reported progress on three concurrent studies, a county-funded housing study, an environmental and sustainability study and a strategic framework survey, with end dates nearing.

Marcus Williams2m read

Community

Five Must-Visit Year-Round Attractions Across Otter Tail County

Explore five year-round spots across Otter Tail County, from 13,000+ acre Otter Tail Lake to Ottertail’s shops and resorts, that support recreation, local business and community pride.

Lisa Park4m read

Community

Perham roller-skating night returns Feb. 27 with $7 admission

Perham Area Community Center reopened roller‑skating night Friday, Feb. 27, with a 6-8:30 p.m. session, $7 admission and a game hosted by Magnifi Financial offering prize chances.

Lisa Park2m read

Government

Otter Tail, Becker and Wadena Counties Appeal to Regain Jail Medication Control

Otter Tail, Becker and Wadena counties joined other counties and the Minnesota Sheriffs Association in asking the Minnesota Court of Appeals to overturn the Larry R. Hill Medical Reform Act, Detroit Lakes Online reported.

Marcus Williams3m read

Government

Fergus Falls Opens DeLagoon Campground Online Reservations, Announces Fees and Rules

Fergus Falls opened online reservations for DeLagoon Campground for the 2026 season; Visit Fergus Falls lists fees of $15 per night for tents and $30 per night for campers and Parks & Rec is 218-332-5806.

James Thompson2m read

Government

Perham Hosts Regional Housing Symposium March 12 to Review Housing Study

Perham Lakeside and the City of Perham will host a March 12 symposium at Perham Lakeside Golf Club to review Perham’s newly completed housing study and next steps.

Marcus Williams2m read

Community

Perham-area nonprofits raise more than $100,000 on Giving Hearts Day with volunteers

Perham-area nonprofits raised more than $100,000 on Giving Hearts Day, led by Empowering Kids and the Boys & Girls Club’s “Spuds for Love” and nearly 30 volunteers.

Marcus Williams2m read

Government

DNR Invites Public Comment on Fisheries Plans for Eight Otter Tail Lakes

The DNR is seeking public input by March 31 on fisheries management-plan updates for 197 lakes in 52 counties; area fisheries offices will accept calls and emails for local comments.

James Thompson2m read

Healthcare

Lake Region Healthcare names Molly Reagan permanent EVP of Clinical Operations

Lake Region Healthcare announced Feb. 26, 2026 that Molly Reagan, RN, MS, NE‑BC, has accepted the permanent role of Executive Vice President of Clinical Operations after serving in an interim capacity since June.

Lisa Park2m read

Business

JPMorgan Boosts Otter Tail Corp Stake 77% to 605,504 Shares

JPMorgan Chase raised its Otter Tail Corp stake 77.3% to 605,504 shares, a roughly $49.6 million holding in the Fergus Falls utility, MarketBeat reported Feb. 27, 2026.

Sarah Chen2m read

Community

Paul Seidel, 84, of Clitherall Dies After Short Battle Lake Nursing Stay

Paul J. Seidel, 84, of Clitherall, died Feb. 26 after a short stay at Battle Lake Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home; visitation and funeral are set for March 6 at Glende-Nilson in Battle Lake.

Lisa Park2m read