Benning Printing & Publishing

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Verndale Area Christian Academy (VACA) has begun a major expansion that will create more classrooms, which will include kindergarten through seventh grade. The approximate 14,000 square foot addition to the existing facility will create additional storage and maintenance areas. As VACA grew, they began planning the building project in 2023, with the assistance of the Verndale Family Life Church. The initial ceremonial groundbre

Crews completed the temporary lanes on Hwy. 10 so the detour between Wadena and Verndale could be lifted. The road was reopened for travelers late Thursday afternoon, July 2. After the holiday weekend, construction along Hwy. 10 on both the east and west ends of the project continued, along with improvements on Hwy. 29. Hwy. 10 east of Hwy. 71 Drivers will be on the newly-paved existing roadway while crews construct the future westbound lanes. Expect head-to-head traffic w

News from Verndale's Past 40 Years Ago, July 9, 1986 • Crews from Minnesota Power and West Central Telephone worked feverishly to restore services to some of the areas where lines were disrupted. Pictured, they are working in front of the home occupied by Lena Rieck following the storm which whipped through a five block area of Verndale only minutes after 1 a.m. on Friday, July 4. Scott Miller, police chief, reported his car was blown from the road as he rounded a curve in t

Adam Charles McCoy, 43, of Pine River, is charged with four felony counts of criminal sexual conduct. The charges include two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving persons under 13 and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving fear of great bodily harm. Each charge carries a sentence of at least 144 months and up to 30 years in prison, as well as a potential fine of $40,000. According to the criminal complaint, the Wadena County Sheriff’

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News from Verndale's Past 40 Years Ago, July 2, 1986 • Individuals are being invited to invest in stock in a newly formed Verndale Development Corporation which has been formed to bring new business into town. A pillow factory will be located in the southern half of the former Mr. Harry’s. A board of directors and officers named at a recent meeting of present stockholders were: Chairman Bill Fisher, Vice Chairman George Hackler, Treasurer Larry Hahn, Secretary Bill Jacobson

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 9. Bent Paddle Solar Project Tim Clement of Invenergy explained that the Verndale solar project remains at 110 megawatts of solar generation, with the possibility of adding battery storage in the future. One of the major changes since the company’s last visit is how the project will connect to the electric grid. Originally, Invenergy planned to connect by ta

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Verndale City Council held their regular meeting on June 8. Cannabis Business Ordinance The council approved the new ordinance required after Minnesota legalized cannabis and effectively told cities to set local rules within state guidelines. Mayor Tara Erckenbrack explained that the goal is not to recruit new cannabis businesses but to regulate what state law already allows, mainly by mirroring state setbacks from schools, dayc