Benning Printing & Publishing

by Coach Sam Schmitz Despite Emily Elfstrum’s 20-point night, the Verndale Pirates fell to the Sebeka Trojans 40-51 on December 11. Elfstrum hit three second-half three-pointers to keep the game within reach, but the Pirates were unable to get key defensive stops. The Pirates were 7 of 10 (70%) from the free-throw line, but the Trojans had more trips to the charity stripe and were 8 of 25 (32%). The Pirates gave up 32 points in the paint. Elfstrum also grabbed 8 defensive re

Wrestling managed to get their Tuesday matchups with Frazee and Royalton rescheduled to Thursday night in Frazee. It was a great night of wrestling for Raiders as they won both matches quite easily. First they took down Frazee 37-25 and beat Royalton 64-12. At the Grand Forks Sertoma on December 13 Wrestling Team Tourney: BHVPP defeated Fargo North 50-19; Fargo Davies defeated BHVPP 33-31; BHVPP defeated Central Cass 38-33; BHVPP defeated Bismarck Century 36-30; BHVPP def

by Coach Bill Wagner Wagner Wins Gold, Hits Career Milestone to Lead BHVPP Girls at Hutchinson Open The Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale/Parkers Prairie (BHVPP) Girls Wrestling team delivered a powerful performance at the recent Hutchinson Open, showcasing both veteran dominance and emerging talent. The day was highlighted by an incredible championship run by junior Elora Wagner, who not only brought home a First Place medal at 155 lbs but also secured a major career milestone. Elora

The final book club selection of the year was Mad Honey, co-written by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. The novel centers around Asher, an 18-year-old accused of murdering his girlfriend, Lily. The story unfolds through two perspectives: Asher’s mother, Olivia, in the present as she navigates the trial, and Lily’s voice in the weeks leading up to her death. This is not a clear-cut case. Asher is the one who discovers Lily’s dead body and is quickly identified as the

To the Editor: #1. 2026 will be another tough year for residents and businesses. It started last spring when valuation notices went out. If you had Commercial/Business property you probably saw a very large increase in your valuations. Or if you had land that was previously classified as AG Homestead and changed to Residential Homestead, the tax on your land doubled from .5 to 1.0. Or in the city of Sebeka, because of sales, your valuation increased 30% in one year. THERE MA

News from Verndale's Past 40 Years Ago, December 18, 1985 • “It was fantastic,” said Brian and Nancy Roth of Thomastown Township when they heard the news they had been chosen winners of the Farm Bureau State Young Farmer Award. “We were overjoyed. It’s not that we’re the best,” Brian said, “it’s just a good feeling just to be one of the six since Minnesota is one of the larges agricultural states and the Farm Bureau the largest farm organization in the state.” • Pictured ar

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Verndale School Board held their regular meeting on Monday, December 1. Truth in Taxation The meeting began with the Truth in Taxation hearing. Jordan Anderson, business manager, addressed the levy for payable 2026. He reported a 2.74% increase in the general education formula last year—about $200 per pupil unit—but noted this was still $1,420 (19%) short of what would have matched inflation since 2000. The proposed property

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by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com On the second morning of rifle season for deer hunting, November 9, the day began like any other, filled with excitement and hopes of filling tags. Shirley Anderson, of rural Verndale, was eager to get something, as she hadn’t seen a deer during hunting season in three years. Sitting in her stand, just as daylight peeked over the horizon around 7 a.m., a good-sized doe stepped into view, and Shirley took her shot. After taking the

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Monday, December 1, followed by the Truth in Taxation meeting. Commissioner Murlyn Kreklau was absent. Comprehensive Plan Dena Malone, planning and zoning, gave an update on the Comprehensive Plan. Two proposals were received in response to the county’s Request for Proposals: one from Hometown Planners for $20,050 and another from Region Five for $16,950. After reviewing