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by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 5. 4-H Building Update County Engineer Anthony Maule reported on the work of the committee previously appointed by the board (Maule, Commissioners Stearns and Winkels, and representatives of Friends of Wadena County Youth). The group met three times earlier in the year to clarify the scope of the 4-H building project and review costs. The committee recommende

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 21. Human Services Annual Report Wadena County Human Services presented its annual report, detailing key statistics and trends. Fiscal Supervisor Amy Gendron highlighted that total human services expenditures statewide reached approximately $21.46 billion, with Wadena County accounting for about $78.9 million. Key expenditures included: Support programs (ch

by Debra Meyer-Myrum news@inhnews.com A proposed utility-scale solar project in Todd County was once again the focus of the Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on April 2 as representatives from US Solar and Westwood Professional Services returned with updated studies addressing concerns about farmland impacts, drainage, screening, and decommissioning costs. The meeting featured extensive discussion on revised project details, including a decommissioning plan ou

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Bertha City Council held a special meeting on Tuesday, April 7, to review a proposed multi-million-dollar overhaul of the city’s water and wastewater systems. Project Engineer with Bollig Engineering Will O’Halloran and Funding Specialist with DEED/Small Cities Development Program Zach Bubany explained the city’s most pressing infrastructure needs, potential solutions, and state and federal funding options. Wastewater system stra

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has awarded nearly $4.5 million to five freight rail projects to improve freight rail service that supports economic development in different regions of the state. The Minnesota Rail Service Improvement Program, established in 1976, strengthens Minnesota’s freight economy through grants and loans for freight rail infrastructure projects that connect Minnesota goods and commodities to regional and international markets. Since 2017, $

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 7. Zoom was shut down approximately 30 minutes into the meeting due to another hack of a pornographic nature. Jailer/Dispatchers Needed The Wadena County Commissioners decided to hire two more full-time jailer/dispatchers after a long discussion about problems with staffing, overtime costs, and safety at the county jail and dispatch center. Jail Administra

by Debra Meyer-Myrum news@inhnews.com At the regular Todd County Commissioners meeting held on March 17, the commissioners were presented information about the Todd County Energy Assistance Program (EAP) by Amy Zimmerman, Health and Human Services, along with a request to approve the EAP for Federal Fiscal Year 2027. EAP funds are available to assist both renters and homeowners who qualify with energy bills and/or homeowners who need additional assistance for heating syste

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Verndale City Council held their regular meeting on Monday, March 9. Final Payment Approved For Sidewalk Project The recommended final payout to Ideal Construction is $48,102.19, representing the remaining amount due under the project, after negotiations with Moore Engineering. Council Member Jim Runyan repeatedly questioned whether the city should instead receive a total of $52,000 from Moore (combining an earlier discussed $30

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on March 3. Opioid Settlement Dollars to Fund Public Safety Cabinet at City Park A new public access safety cabinet will house an automated external defibrillator (AED) and naloxone (Narcan) at the city’s main park by the Depot. The $10,700 request came from the county’s Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee on behalf of Advocates for Health, a Sartell‑based nonprofit that ins

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Verndale School Board held their regular meeting on March 2. Fund Balance Policy The discussion about Policy 714 started because some people were worried that the district’s goal of having a 50% unassigned fund balance was no longer realistic given the current financial situation and declining student enrollment. Superintendent Jeannie Mayer explained that if the trends continue—like fewer students, small increases in state fund