Benning Printing & Publishing

Izak Daryn Schermerhorn, 19, of New York Mills has plead guilty to criminal vehicular homicide for his role in a deadly crash last year that killed fellow graduate Blake Unger. The charge stems from a single-vehicle wreck on May 27, 2025, near Bluffton Township in Otter Tail County. Deputies responding to the scene found Schermerhorn’s pickup truck on its side in a ditch, with Unger, 18, pinned beneath it. Unger was pronounced dead at the scene. According to court document

With the upcoming retirement of Sheriff Carr, Bryan Savaloja, a 19-year veteran of the Wadena Sheriff’s Office, announced his candidacy for sheriff. “For nearly two decades, I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside Sheriff Carr, a strong leader who built a professional, respected sheriff’s office,” said Savaloja. “As he prepares to retire, I’m running to continue that legacy and lead the next chapter.” Savaloja has served in several areas of the sheriff’s office, includi

Pictured l-r: Sharon Cottrell, RN, Dad and Mom—Jesse and Bethany Mitchell—with Baby Quinn and Dr. Shaneen Schmidt welcomed Astera Health's first baby of 2026 on January 2. Astera Health celebrated the first birth of 2026 on January 2 at 5:22 p.m. Beth and Jesse Mitchell welcomed Quinn Beth in the obstetrics department. Dr. Shaneen Schmitt delivered baby Quinn, assisted by nurse Sharon Cottrell.  Quinn weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces, and was 20.5 inches long at birth. She has f

The BHVPP Girls results from January 15 in Staples were as follows: Anika Bostic went 1-5 on the night with some gutsy performances against some very high-level opponents. She is developing great hand control in the bottom position. Autumn Becker was 4-1 on the night with some very nice wins and lots of great footwork to open up some nice attacks on her feet... Subscribe to get the rest of the story...

by Coach Michael Arvidson The second half of the season began last Thursday, January 8, with a home triangular in Verndale against two other contenders in the Section.  They opened against Border West. BHVPP was sparked out of the gate with a fall by Nikolai Hagen and a tech fall by Adam Grabow.  The Buccaneers picked up six before a four-match win streak from Merrick Hoffman, Wyatt Jares, Justin Olson, and Hudson Truax opened the lead to 31-6. The Bucs added five more, and

by Coach Bill Wagner BHVPP Girls Wrestling shows grit in recent matchup The BHVPP girls wrestling team displayed determination and skill during their recent evening of competition against Staples, WDC, and Bemidji. The night started in dismal fashion as the Raiders, having 13 girls on the roster to start the season, would bring only three girls who would be able to step out on the mat.  Some major injuries took out three girls early, a couple more with injuries, a couple wit

by Coach Sam Schmitz Verndale 30, Bertha-Hewitt 49 The Verndale Pirates dropped a Park Region Conference game to the Bertha-Hewitt Bears 30-49 on January 13. The Pirates were hassled on perimeter defense and went through stretches of costly turnovers as the Bears had 28 steals. The Pirates had a higher free-throw percentage and three-point percentage than the Bears, but the Bears were able to score more points in the paint. Aspen Orlando led the Pirates with 9 points and 7 r