Car afire on Pelican’s southside

Pelican Rapids Volunteer firefighters were called to the south side of the city to extinguish  a car fire.  A mini-van ignited, which was parked near the Southtown convenience store.
The picture here shows the smoke billowing from the vehicle.  The incident occurred June 11.  
Firefighters were at the scene only about 20 minutes, noted Fire Chief Trevor Steeves.

Dates set for West; East Otter Tail fairs

Farming and agribusiness is an important part of the heritage of the greater Pelican Rapids area.  So important–that there are two fairs in Otter Tail county.
Farming traditions, along with a midway of entertainment, will be in the spotlight for the  2013 West Otter Tail County Fair, July 17-20  in Fergus Falls.
On the “other side” of the county, the East Otter Tail County Fair is July 25-28, in Perham.  read entire story. . . .

I-94  resurfacing project near Barnesville began  June 17

Motorists on Interstate 94 between Highway 34 in Barnesville and Clay County Road 10 near Downer may encounter delays when a resurfacing project began June 17, weather permitting.
Traffic will reduce to one lane in each direction during the project.
During the first two weeks, motorists will experience lane closures while crews install temporary  read entire story. . . .

Marion Lake district vote scheduled for July 20

By Tom Hintgen
Otter Tail County Correspondent

The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners has called for a special election, on Saturday, July 20, for  a referendum vote on the establishment of a proposed Marion Lake Improvement District (LID).
Passage or denial would require a simple majority vote of any tally over 50 percent.  read entire story. . . .

Revised campground plan approved by Otter Tail County

By Louis Hoglund

Development of a campground near the southeast side of Otter Tail Lake will move forward.
This comes about after the county board, on June 4, approved a scaled-down proposal which reduces the number of camping units from 186 to 141.
Despite strong opposition from area lakeshore property owners, the county board agreed with the county planning commission which emphasized that the campsites, near Highways 78 and 5, will be outside  read entire story. . . .

Failing sewage systems; tainted wells focus of Pelican hearing

By Louis Hoglund

High rates of nitrates in a neighborhood of the city served by private wells was discussed at a hearing on June 11.
Outdated septic systems are the contributing factor, explained city administrator Don Solga, to a group of about seven property owners in the neighborhood–which is on an unpaved road with neither  read entire story. . . .

City nears legal  action on 7 to 13  nuisance structures

The city of Pelican Rapids is poised to take legal action on at least seven delapitaded homes.
Over the past year, 25 properties were identified as a concern–as part of the city’s crackdown on structures identified as unsightly or as public safety nuisances.
About a dozen property owners have or are in the process of making arrangement to demolish or improve.  Thirteen are on the city’s targeted list, and seven of the worst offending structures will be sent legal papers, said city administrator Don Solga.

Otter Tail, Becker area lawyers among those donating $17 million in services

The Minnesota State Bar Association has recognized over 740 lawyers who, in 2012, certified that they provided at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services annually to low income people at no fee and without expectation of a fee.
These MSBA North Star Lawyers provided over 87,000 total hours of pro bono service with an estimated value of $17,000,000 in free legal advice.  By generously donating their time and talent, they changed lives by  read entire story. . . .

Amendments reviewed for shoreland ordinance

By Tom Hintgen
Otter Tail County Correspondent

Bill Kalar, County Land and Resource Director, discussed amendments with the county board concerning the Shoreland Management Ordinance (SMO).
Specifically, they reviewed categories of stormwater management, site permits and interim use  read entire story. . . .

Area watershed district summer plans underway

The Board of Managers, Buffalo-Red River Watershed District (BRRWD), planned for a hearing at its April 8 meeting.
The Board discussed the status of the Watershed District Enlargement Boundary Hearing.  The eastern boundary in Otter Tail County is under review.  The hearing process was started in January.
The noted boundary will be field reviewed by Bruce E. Albright, BRRWD Administrator, and Manager  read entire story. . . .