Otter Tail County, Minnesota Local News

Otter Tail County man faces assault and drug charges

Bobby Ray Schoolcraft, 33, was booked into the Otter Tail County Jail on harassment, assault and drug possession charges.

Marcus Williams•1 min read•12:12 AM

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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 shoreland rules extend 1,000 feet from lakes

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Otter Tail County's giant sculptures invite year-round road trips

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Fatal three-vehicle crash reported on I-94 near Fergus Falls

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Otter Tail County opens opioid prevention grant applications

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Don Pablo’s closes Fergus Falls, Detroit Lakes locations amid ICE activity

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Fergus Falls man charged after hidden camera found in restroom

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Students explore health care careers at M State Fergus Falls camp

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Otter Tail County fire departments train for electric vehicle fires

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More Local News

Community

Allen Eskens draws packed crowd at Fergus Falls library talk

A packed Fergus Falls Public Library crowd heard Allen Eskens discuss ten books, a Minnesota Book Award winner, and the winding path to his writing career.

Lisa Park1m read

Government

Pelican Rapids man pleads guilty in Feeding Our Future fraud case

A Pelican Rapids man admitted using more than $330,000 in a Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. He now faces up to 20 years in prison.

Marcus Williams2m read

Government

Otter Tail County approves Highway 8 roadwork in north Perham

Otter Tail County approved geotechnical roadwork for County Highway 8 in north Perham, advancing a rebuild tied to ADA ramps, curb fixes and a planned bypass.

Marcus Williams2m read

Government

Western Avenue closes for pipe installation in Fergus Falls

Western Avenue north of Highway 210 closed July 22-27 for pipe installation, forcing drivers around the Fergus Falls interchange work zone. The shutdown is part of MnDOT’s Hwy 210/I-94 west junction reconstruction.

Marcus Williams2m read

Community

East Otter Tail County Fair returns to Perham July 23-26

The East Otter Tail County Fair opens in Perham July 23 for four days of carnival rides, livestock and evening events, sending fair-week traffic into Main Street and local hotels.

Lisa Park2m read

Community

Otter Tail County resident loses $2,800 in scam

A county resident lost $2,800 in a July 14-20 scam, adding to a string of Otter Tail County fraud cases that keep drawing sheriff’s warnings.

Sarah Chen1m read

Government

Otter Tail County shoreland rules extend 1,000 feet from lakes

Otter Tail County’s shoreland district reaches 1,000 feet from lakes, and the 2021 ordinance now controls permits, setbacks, lot sizes and costly after-the-fact fixes.

Marcus Williams4m read

Community

Otter Tail County artists invited to enter Minnesota state park plate contest

Otter Tail County artists have until Oct. 31 to enter Minnesota's state parks plate contest online. Public voting is planned for December.

Lisa Park1m read

Government

Fergus Falls Police Department swears in first female officer since 2022

Wendt joined the Fergus Falls Police Department as its first female officer since 2022, adding coverage as the city continues recruiting and staffing up.

James Thompson2m read

Community

Otter Tail County's giant sculptures invite year-round road trips

Otto, the loon, Pete and Big Tom make Otter Tail County a year-round road-trip loop, with parks, beaches and downtown stops along the way.

Lisa Park4m read

Education

M State hires Steve Schreiber as women’s basketball head coach

M State filled its women’s basketball vacancy with veteran coach Steve Schreiber, who won two Section 8-3A titles at Bemidji. Jodi Holleman left after six seasons.

Marcus Williams1m read

Government

Fergus Falls woman charged with DWI, chemical test refusal

A Fergus Falls woman was charged after a June traffic stop, including a chemical test refusal that can bring up to a year in jail and a $3,000 fine.

Marcus Williams1m read

Community

Perham shooters earn top-10 finishes at Minnesota trap championships

Perham shooters posted multiple top-10 finishes in Alexandria, where the 113th Minnesota State Trapshooting Tournament drew hundreds and 1,400 targets.

Marcus Williams1m read

Government

Otter Tail County approves jail study, clears Phelps Mill boardwalk project

County commissioners moved ahead on a jail study and cleared Phelps Mill’s boardwalk work by ruling out a separate environmental review.

James Thompson2m read

Healthcare

Otter Tail County opens opioid prevention grant applications

Otter Tail County opened a second round of opioid prevention grants June 1, with awards tied to measurable outcomes and funded by settlement dollars.

Dr. Elena Rodriguez1m read

Government

Wayne Meland booked in Otter Tail County on drug charges

Wayne Blake Meland was booked into the Otter Tail County Jail on July 17, with public posts tying the case to heroin and cocaine.

James Thompson1m read

Community

Otter Tail County Historical Society offers research tools for family history

Otter Tail County residents can use the historical society’s research library to trace surnames, townships, cemeteries and home-place stories in one Fergus Falls stop.

Marcus Williams4m read

Community

Otter Tail County approves $225,000 renovation bid for New York Mills center

Otter Tail County approved a $225,000 bid to renovate the New York Mills Family Resource Center, aiming to make the site safer, easier to use and more efficient for residents.

Sarah Chen2m read

Business

Otter Tail County approves cannabis businesses in Pelican Rapids, Vining

Otter Tail County cleared a Pelican Rapids retail cannabis site, a manufacturing business near Vining and a farm market, putting all three one step closer to opening. The Pelican Rapids vote passed 4-1.

Sarah Chen2m read

Community

Fergus Falls firefighter leaves camping trip to battle northern Minnesota wildfires

A Fergus Falls area firefighter left a family camping trip to join the northern Minnesota wildfire response as ash fell across the region and 17 fires burned.

Sarah Chen2m read

Healthcare

Otter Tail County moves $20,000 to equip Sprint Paramedic program

Commissioners moved $20,000 in unused Sprint Paramedic grant money after the original budget left general equipment short. The fix is meant to ready the pilot for field use.

Evie Marsh2m read

Government

Otter Tail County expands family resource centers with Mahube-Otwa contract

Mahube-Otwa will run Otter Tail County’s family resource centers, with new sites planned in New York Mills and Pelican Rapids and services open to all families.

James Thompson2m read

Business

Battle Lake couple charged with felony tax crimes, business faces allegations

Margaret Haviland got five years' probation after pleading guilty to two of 70 felony tax charges tied to Granny's Pantry and years of missed returns.

Sarah Chen2m read

Community

Detroit Lakes Whitetails Unlimited donates to Fergus Falls veterans home

The Detroit Lakes chapter of Whitetails Unlimited has added another private gift to the Minnesota Veterans Home-Fergus Falls, where donations have helped pay for resident needs that state dollars do not always cover.

Sarah Chen2m read

Education

Perham schools delay tennis court project as playground work begins

Perham’s tennis court overhaul has slipped after a grading change, while elementary playground work is already moving ahead. The timing matters for families watching when the courts and new play space will be ready.

Marcus Williams2m read

Business

Don Pablo’s closes Fergus Falls, Detroit Lakes locations amid ICE activity

Don Pablo’s shut both Otter Tail County-area locations Jan. 11, citing ICE activity. Fergus Falls reopened Jan. 27, and Detroit Lakes followed Jan. 29.

Sarah Chen2m read

Community

83-year-old woman rescued after driving into Eagle Lake in Otter Tail County

An 83-year-old Illinois woman was pulled from Eagle Lake after her vehicle went into the water near Battle Lake. Deputies arrived after an 8:28 p.m. 911 call and found bystanders had already brought her ashore.

Marcus Williams2m read