Benning Printing & Publishing

by Debra Meyer-Myrum news@inhnews.com Preceding the regular Todd County Commissioners meeting held on June 2, during public comments, several residents and stakeholders addressed the board on due process violations and solar energy issues. Kevin Winkler expressed concerns about alleged due process violations involving county social services and court proceedings. He cited constitutional protections and federal civil rights law, urging commissioners to investigate what he be

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com Thanks to a phone call from a local resident who heard about the incident, one of Independent News Herald’s own was recognized for rescuing a young boy who was drowning. Amanda Meyer of Clarissa was at the Clarissa City Park on Saturday afternoon, May 30, for her sister-in-law’s baby shower. While gifts were being opened, Amanda stepped outside for a little break. Outside, she noticed children swimming in Eagle Creek near a bridge,

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com After more than three decades of teaching, Mark Frethem is preparing to step away from the classroom, closing a career that began in the early 1990s and spanned generations of local students, colleagues, and coaches. Frethem began teaching in the 1990-91 school year, spending a year in Nevis before coming to Bertha-Hewitt in 1991-92. He is a native of Fosston, which is just west of Bemidji. He spent six years in the Navy, serving pr

A Clarissa man has agreed to plead guilty to six of the 18 felony counts of criminal sexual conduct as part of a plea agreement filed in district court. According to court documents, Mervin Kauffman, 29, acknowledged that he reviewed the charges against him with his attorney and understands the allegations contained in the complaint. Under the agreement, Kauffman will plead guilty to six first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges: Counts I, III, VII, X, XIII and XVII. The

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 2. Commissioners Bill Stearns and Murlyn Kreklau were absent. Meeting Space The Wadena County Board is moving to turn its current shared courtroom/boardroom into a dedicated county board meeting space, while still allowing occasional court use. County Administrator Colleen Winter, County Attorney Kyra Ladd, IT Coordinator Neil Hutson, and court staff reporte

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Verndale School Board held their regular meeting on Monday, June 1. Board Member Chuck Dick was absent. Playground Removed Superintendent Jeannie Mayer gave an update on the playground project. She explained that the existing playground equipment was removed over the weekend. Mayer explained the current financial picture for the new playground. Community donations to date total $51,701.67. The school has contributed $92,001.88 f

Candidates for federal, state and county offices filed for election between May 19 and June 2. In Todd County, Tim Denny filed for County Commissioner District 2, while Lew Noska filed for County Commissioner District 4. Denise Gaida and Brittney Jordan filed for County Auditor/Treasurer. Kimberly Bosl filed for County Recorder, and John Eric Lindemann filed for County Attorney. Mike Allen filed for Todd County Sheriff. For Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor pos

We want to share an important reminder that Hwy. 10 is currently closed to through traffic between Co. Rd. 4 and Oink Joint Rd./140th St. through early July while crews replace the Whiskey Creek box culvert and complete critical underground work. Weather permitting, we’re on track to reopen before the Fourth of July weekend. Many motorists have been driving past the “Road Closed Ahead” signs in Verndale and continuing on Hwy. 10 instead of using the marked detour. When they