Many county residents are familiar with the DWI Court that helps prevent repeat offenses. This is done through a program that includes, but is not limited to, behavior therapy, enhancement of life skills, education, family counseling related to alcohol abuse and job training. County commissioners are pleased with the success of this program in recent years… Read More

Otter Tail Power Company, which serves a wide area of Otter Tail County, was asked to comment about its electric service reliability in light of system failures in Texas and other areas in mid-February. Ongoing cold temperatures throughout the nation caused high demand for electricity, with challenges especially difficult in the deep south. Many electric utility… Read More

Sheriff deputies reported, on Feb. 20, that fire destroyed a barn near Highway 43, southeast of Erhard. Firefighters were called to the scene at 9:21 a.m. The home owner had been in the barn earlier in the day and didn’t notice anything suspicious. Later she saw smoke coning from the back of the barn. Nothing had been… Read More

Sheriff deputies reported that a house west of Parkers Prairie and northeast of Urbank was heavily damaged by fire mid-afternoon on Feb. 18. The location was close to 500th Avenue, with the fire called in at 3:34 p.m. A youth arrived home from school, opened the door, and saw an active fire in the dining room, close… Read More

Pillows for kids, blankets, diapers and other items are often donated for kids going into foster care through Otter Tail County Human Services. “Community members, service organizations, businesses and church groups offer to donate items or gift cards,” said county Human Services Director Deb Sjostrom to members of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners on… Read More