Funding is still a longshot, Otter Tail County official says. 5:18 pm, Jul. 13, 2021 ×
The former Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center was also known as the Kirkbride. Forum file photo
Several major Otter Tail County projects are facing the prospect of getting federal funds, including the Kirkbride building in Fergus Falls, broadband expansion and fixing the flooding problem from Nelson Lake near Parkers Prairie.
Deputy Administrator Nick Leonard told Otter Tail County Commissioners at their Tuesday, July 13, meeting that Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith had chosen them from among the many projects submitted by the county.
He warned commissioners he didn t want them to get too excited about the prospect.
Nationally known leader in road safety retires from Otter Tail County
Rick West is credited with saving scores of lives through road safety measures and has been a leader among Minnesota engineers. 5:17 pm, May 25, 2021 ×
Rick West
Otter Tail County commissioners and staff paid a heartfelt tribute to retiring Public Works Director Rick West, who has received national recognition for his work making roads safer.
West was hired as county engineer for Otter Tail County in 1990 and became public works director in 2012. What a blessing that has been for our county and for all of our residents, visitors, tourists, not just state, but nationwide, said County Administrator Nicole Hanson during the Tuesday, May 25, county commissioner meeting.
Annual Minnesota event is economic, not political, deputy administrator says Written By: Karen Tolkkinen | ×
Gov. Tim Walz didn t catch a walleye during the 2019 fishing opener, but he did manage to get on the board with a small perch. Photo courtesy of Explore Minnesota
Deputy Otter Tail County Administrator Nick Leonard told Otter Tail County commissioners on Tuesday, April 27, that he s fielded several phone calls asking why Otter Tail County is hosting the Governor s Fishing Opener.
In the 2018 gubernatorial election, Otter Tail County went solidly for the Republican candidate, and Gov. Tim Walz is a Democrat. Walz has taken heat in parts of the county for his pandemic-related mandates.
Otter Tail County hearing pushback on governor's fishing opener perhamfocus.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from perhamfocus.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Land acquisition for Perham to Pelican Rapids Regional Trail another issue for Otter Tail County Commission. Written By: Karen Tolkkinen | ×
The Perham to Pelican Rapids Regional Trail will run alongside this narrow section of Highway 34, requiring acres of fill. (Focus file photo)
Even as the state chugs ahead in expanding high-speed internet access, broadband remains a source of frustration in many rural areas.
At their March 9 meeting, Otter Tail County commissioners agreed to pay $30,000 for a two-year position to focus on expanding broadband access.
It’s through an organization called Lead for Minnesota, which seeks to supply leaders age 21 to 30 to help rural communities with a variety of issues. In this case, the issue is broadband access, with Land O’ Lakes sharing the cost to place four of these leaders, called fellows, throughout Minnesota.