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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

Editor’s Note: Letters to the editor are opinions expressed by the author. They do not necessarily represent the views of this publication and have not been independently fact-checked. To the Editor: Isn’t it great that we live in a God loving, fearing land. His land, set up under His word. America. Our God having a book put together over time so that we have record from the beginning of time and what God set forth for all time. We can read what happened because of obedien

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Highway 71 Crews are wrapping up work on Hwy. 29. This week, they’ll shift gears to Hwy. 71 between Aldrich Ave. and Franklin Ave. Work in this area will run into early September, at which time both Hwy. 29 and Hwy. 71 will be resurfaced and finished. Improvements include: storm sewer upgrades, new sidewalks and pedestrian ramps, replacing the signal at Hwy. 29 and adding pedestrian signals at Aldrich Ave. and Bryant Ave. What to expect: one lane of traffic open in each di

According to court documents, two 19-year-old men have been charged for causing property damage during a night of vandalism in Verndale, which totaled over $15,000. The men, Eathon Robert Phillips from Wadena and Tristin James Richard Nichols from Perham, are both facing serious charges of first-degree criminal damage to property, as the damage they caused was more than $1,000. The vandalism occurred May 24-25, 2025, when Phillips, Nichols, and three juveniles allegedly wal

Stoplight to be removed at Hwy. 71 and Bryant Ave. On Wednesday, June 22, crews will take down the signal at the intersection of Hwy. 71 (Jefferson St.) and Bryant Ave. Stop signs will be placed on Bryant Ave. to allow for right turns only onto Hwy. 71 until work is completed. Bicyclists to be in town Expect lots of bicyclists in town July 28-29. Just a heads-up that Wadena will be an overnight stop for the MS TRAM ride on July 28-29. That means there will be a lot of bicyc

Astera Health of Wadena announced that Mike Schramm joined the organization as Interim Chief Executive Officer as of July 6. Schramm brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience in rural healthcare organizations across Minnesota. Throughout his career, he has led hospitals and health systems through strategic growth, physician recruitment, facility expansion, financial improvement, and organizational transformation while maintaining a strong commitment to pro

United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced that five defendants were collectively sentenced to over 500 months of imprisonment for their roles in a large-scale drug trafficking case out of Wadena County. The following individuals were sentenced: Robert Joseph Anderson, 40, of Wadena, 132 months for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine; Aaron Thomas Heifort, 30, of Clitherall, 122 months for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine; Bill J

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