Benning Printing & Publishing

The Hewitt Fire Department responded to a vehicle collision with a tree on Highway 210, near County Road 77, at 1:10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23. According to the State Patrol, a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado traveling westbound went off the road and struck a tree. The driver, Phillip Kukuczka, 82, of Waseca, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and the vehicle was towed from the scene. The accident ignited a fire that rapidly spread through the dry grass, fueled by winds of

On Wednesday, April 22, the Wadena County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a house fire at the Jared Forcier property in Section 34 of Aldrich Township. The fire was reported shortly before 12:30 p.m. Upon the arrival of the first responders, they found the house completely engulfed in flames, but all occupants were reported to be safe and evacuated. Fire departments from Verndale, Staples and Wadena spent several hours working to extinguish the fire... Subscrib

Noah Coughlan, 41, is an ultra runner, marathoner, and filmmaker from Vacaville, California. In October 2025, he began his fifth and final Run across America, which will total 5,500 miles across 20 states. This journey serves as a tribute to highlight the American spirit and the stories of the 350 million American people, meet families affected by rare diseases, and interview some of the 70,000 remaining World War II veterans. When Noah completes his final run on America’s

On Saturday, February 28, at 7:47 a.m., the Staples Fire Department was dispatched to an apartment complex on the 400 block of 2nd Avenue NE in the city of Staples for a report of smoke in the building. Upon the arrival of the Staples Fire and Police Department, it was confirmed that there was an active fire in an apartment on the third floor of the 14-unit apartment complex, triggering an evacuation of the building. Firefighters utilized ladder trucks to aid in the firefi

On Wednesday, November 19, at 9:27 p.m., the Staples Fire Department was dispatched to the Staples Hi Rise Apartments for an activated smoke detector and general fire alarm. While Staples Fire units were responding, they were advised that there was smoke showing on the second floor of the 60-unit apartment complex. Upon the arrival of firefighters, a primary search of the second floor was initiated, and a victim was located in the apartment of the fire origin. The victim wa

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Area children gathered at the Verndale Fire Hall on Sunday, September 14, to learn first aid and fire extinguisher basics. The children received hands-on training in a wide range of emergency situations during the Kids First Aid program, organized by Keri Weiher and supported by the Verndale Fire Department, Astera Health, and the Wadena County Sheriff’s Office. Students learned from EMT Katlyn Dykhoff how to respond to seizures, including keeping the person safe, rolling

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The Verndale Fire Department responded to a barn fire at the Thomas Roline property on 490th Street in Section 8 of Bartlett Township on...

Verndale Fire Chief Keith Weiher showed students how to use a fire extinguisher. by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com A student was...