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As we approach the end of the second year of construction in Wadena, crews are making steady progress on the final pieces of the Hwy. 29, Hwy. 71 and Hwy. 10 improvements. Here’s a quick look at what to expect over the next couple weeks. Hwy. 29 and Hwy. 71 Crews are milling and paving. No parking is allowed during this work. Drivers should plan for lane shifts, single‑lane travel and flaggers directing traffic. The signal at the Hwy. 29/71 intersection will operate as an a

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, September 15. Preliminary Levy The preliminary levy was set at $14,399,896­—a 19.88% increase. Auditor-Treasurer Heather Olson made it clear they do not intend to keep the final levy that high. Olson told the board the first draft of the budget showed an increase of about 27 percent before staff and department heads trimmed roughly eight points through adjustme

by Haley Youngbauer The Verndale volleyball team was on the road last week, taking on the Browerville/Eagle Valley Tigers on Monday, September 14 and the Bertha-Hewitt Bears on Thursday, September 17. Pirates Fall to Browerville in Tough 0-3 Loss The Verndale volleyball team started the week by taking on the Browerville/Eagle Valley Tigers in Browerville. Early in the first set, the Pirates’ Senior libero Sena Lehmann reached the 1000 career dig milestone. The Pirates play

by Coach Mike Mahlen The Verndale Pirates defeated Bertha-Hewitt 30-0 Friday, Sept. 18, at Bertha. Verndale took an 8-0 lead in the first quarter when Joe Elfstrum scored on a 53-yard run. Elfstrum added the extra points. In the second quarter, Elfstrum caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Owen Weiher. Elfstrum again added the extra point, giving the Pirates a 16-0 halftime lead. Elfstrum scored on a 4-yard run in the third quarter. The extra-point attempt failed, making

by Coach Heidi Brandsma On Tuesday, September 15, the Verndale Pirates cross country team participated in the Long Prairie Invitational. The meet was originally scheduled for Monday, September 14, but was rescheduled due to the weather. The Long Prairie golf course has its own challenges with plenty of rolling hills and, with the recent rain, some ‘extra’ water features. The extra day of preparation paid off for the team, with several athletes setting new personal bests f

Minnesota’s new Electronic Licensing System (ELS) is intended to make purchasing and carrying hunting and fishing licenses easier, but the system’s launch also came with some early bumps for users. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources launched the first phase of the new system in June, replacing a licensing system that had been in use for more than 25 years. The new system allows customers to purchase licenses online, through the MN DNR Licensing mobile app or in pe

The Wadena County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about a house fire on Monday, September 7, at approximately 5 a.m. The location of the fire was reported in Section 28 of North Germany Township in Wadena County. Deputies and fire department personnel arrived on scene and found a mobile home completely engulfed in flames and collapsed. One adult and four family pets, three dogs and a parrot, are believed to have died in the fire. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office

The Verndale Elementary honored the 25th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks on Friday. Students paraded around Farwell and Brown Streets. Back at the school, students led the ceremony with several speakers reading passages about the events of the horrific attacks. September 11, 2001, began like an ordinary Tuesday morning. People went to work, children went to school, families started their day, but that morning our country experienced terrorist attacks that took the lives o

Pirates Take Pine River-Backus five-sets in Nailbiter Loss The Verndale volleyball team battled through five long sets, but weren’t able to overcome the Pine River-Backus Tigers in an exciting match on Tuesday, September 8. The Pirates started the night slowly, unable to find their groove, dropping the first two sets 25-14 and 25-17. Unwilling to give up, the Pirates came into the third set with a spark, igniting a two set comeback and forcing a decisive fifth set, taking s