Otter Tail County, Minnesota Local News

Great American Think-Off returns to New York Mills, asks if happiness made Americans unhappy

New York Mills will host the 33rd Great American Think-Off on June 12-13, with a Friday reception, Saturday debate and a townwide weekend built around one big question.

Sarah Chen•2 min read•03:26 PM

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About Otter Tail, MN

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Complete local news coverage for Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Stay updated on local government, community events, business developments, and civic matters affecting residents of Fergus Falls, Perham, New York Mills, Battle Lake, and surrounding communities.

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Fergus Falls, Perham, New York Mills, Battle Lake and 1,980 square miles in western minnesota

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Otter Tail County secures nearly $8.5 million for waste upgrades

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Otter Tail Central reaches historic section 8AA baseball semifinal run

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Battle Lake’s Market to close later this year, Fergus Falls store stays open

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Arvig awards $3,000 scholarships to 36 Otter Tail County seniors

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Perham golfers Glorvigen, Reuter advance to section tournament

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Fergus Falls girl walks Fargo Marathon finish line with her father

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High Limit Racing makes Minnesota debut at Fergus Falls Speedway

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Perham baseball tops East Grand Forks, returns to state tournament

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More Local News

Community

Driver hurt in early rollover crash on I-94 near Dalton

A westbound I-94 rollover near Dalton injured 22-year-old Gabriel Hilbrands and sent him to Fergus Falls as construction and alcohol questions lingered.

Lisa Park2m read

Healthcare

Chlorine leak at Fergus Falls water plant contained, no public risk

A 1-ton chlorine cylinder leaked at the Fergus Falls water plant, but the gas stayed in the chlorine room and officials said the public was never at risk.

Lisa Park2m read

Community

High Limit Racing makes Minnesota debut at Fergus Falls Speedway

Fergus Falls hosted High Limit Racing’s first Minnesota stop, with Kyle Larson headlining a special sprint-car card at I-94 EMR Speedway.

Sarah Chen2m read

Business

Battle Lake’s Market to close later this year, Fergus Falls store stays open

The Market’s Battle Lake shop is closing later this year, with a 25% clearance running now and sales expected to continue through August.

Sarah Chen2m read

Government

Otter Tail County treatment court graduates speak at Capitol Day

Otter Tail County sent six treatment court graduates and staff to St. Paul for Capitol Day, highlighting recovery, public safety and taxpayer savings.

Marcus Williams2m read

Business

Falls Baking Company keeps fresh bread tradition alive in Fergus Falls

Falls Baking Company is still turning out fresh loaves in Fergus Falls, with sales far beyond its founders’ first projection. Its reach now stretches from North Union Avenue to Battle Lake and beyond.

Sarah Chen5m read

Government

Otter Tail County secures nearly $8.5 million for waste upgrades

Nearly $8.5 million will help Otter Tail County expand ash recovery, recycling and landfill operations in Perham and near New York Mills.

James Thompson2m read

Community

Perham baseball tops East Grand Forks, returns to state tournament

Perham’s defense and a four-run fourth carried a 4-1 win over East Grand Forks, sending the Yellowjackets to state for the fourth straight year.

Lisa Park2m read

Community

Perham library adds outdoor obstacle course to spark summer reading

Kids at the Perham Area Public Library got a sidewalk course where they spun, stepped and dodged lava, tying summer play to reading in the heart of town.

Marcus Williams2m read

Community

Otter Tail lakes area readies for free family fishing weekend

Free fishing weekend opened Otter Tail County lakes to families without licenses, even as Minnesota paused sales June 2-8 for a new electronic system.

Lisa Park2m read

Education

Perham golfers Glorvigen, Reuter advance to section tournament

Brooklyn Glorvigen and Elise Reuter pushed Perham through subsections at Thumper Pond, and Glorvigen later earned a state berth with a 170 at sections.

Sarah Chen2m read

Healthcare

Air quality alert issued for Otter Tail County through Sunday

Outdoor work, youth sports and lake plans in Otter Tail County need a morning shift as ozone climbs into the orange category through Sunday evening.

Lisa Park2m read

Education

Otter Tail Central reaches historic section 8AA baseball semifinal run

East Grand Forks ended Otter Tail Central’s run 9-2, but the Bulldogs still reached the Section 8AA final three for the first time in program history.

Sarah Chen2m read

Community

Fergus Falls girl walks Fargo Marathon finish line with her father

Paislee Price of Fergus Falls crossed the Fargo Marathon finish line on her own feet, then finished hand-in-hand with her father after years in a jogging stroller.

Sarah Chen1m read

Community

Perham rallies for St. Paul’s School teacher facing cancer costs

Perham will gather June 6 for St. Paul’s teacher Shari Brown, whose breast cancer treatment will bring costs her insurance won’t fully cover.

Lisa Park2m read

Government

Rasmusson secures $8.5 million for Otter Tail waste projects

Rasmusson lined up nearly $8.5 million for Otter Tail waste work that could keep ash out of landfills, cut hauling costs and ease pressure on taxpayers.

James Thompson2m read

Community

Fergus Falls man charged after breaking apartment office window

Security video at Garitz Grove Apartments showed a barefoot man punching and shattering an office window, leaving at least $1,500 in damage and a felony case.

Sarah Chen2m read

Community

Fergus Falls man charged after high-speed motorcycle chase, security footage IDs him

A motorcycle chase that hit about 80 mph through Fergus Falls ended in charges for 26-year-old Aldin Saric after Holiday gas station video identified him.

Lisa Park2m read

Business

The Elliott Exchange opens trading-card shop in downtown Fergus Falls

A new card shop opened on Washington Avenue, giving Fergus Falls collectors, kids and teens a downtown place to trade cards, play games and grab snacks.

Sarah Chen2m read

Government

Otter Tail County races reflect renewed fight over Minnesota endorsements

Otter Tail County Republicans are back in a fight over endorsements as the August 11 primary nears, raising questions about what party backing still means.

Marcus Williams2m read

Community

Lake Region Run returns to Fergus Falls Saturday, benefits cancer care

Runners hit Fergus Falls early Saturday, with route changes around Lake Alice and McKinley and proceeds going to cancer care.

Lisa Park1m read

Education

Arvig awards $3,000 scholarships to 36 Otter Tail County seniors

Arvig put $108,000 into 36 area seniors, giving each $3,000 for college, university or vocational school.

Marcus Williams2m read

Business

Richter's Men’s Wear in Perham to close after 57 years

Connie and Steve Richter are retiring and closing Richter's Men’s Wear, ending a downtown Perham staple that has served shoppers since 1969.

Sarah Chen2m read

Community

Otter Tail River search ends safely after tuber found near Battle Lake

A 20-year-old West Fargo man was found safe near Battle Lake after a late-night tubing separation on the Otter Tail River triggered a multi-agency search.

Sarah Chen2m read

Education

Perham duo speech team advances to national tournament in Shakopee

Faith Kalina and Tessa Starzl turned a seventh-grade Duo partnership into a national run, placing 10th at state and reaching NIETOC octofinals in Shakopee.

Marcus Williams2m read

Government

Otter Tail County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons reflects on retirement, teamwork

Barry Fitzgibbons is closing out a career built on coordination, not spotlight. His retirement leaves Otter Tail County with a public-safety office shaped by teamwork, trust and countywide responsibility.

James Thompson4m read