Benning Printing & Publishing

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 18. Commissioner Murlyn Kreklau was absent. Event Center Project to be Bid The board discussed the event center remodel, which is nearly ready to go out for bids. Widseth reported that the current cost estimate is about $432,000, while available funding is roughly $330,000, leaving a gap of around $102,000. The Event Center Committee had recommended moving

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 11. Friendly Rider Update Director Randy Jahnke outlined the current staffing, which includes a mix of full-time and part-time dispatchers and drivers, and explained how the system relies on a local share of operating and capital costs, with the state covering the rest. That local share has fluctuated in recent years, sometimes changing mid-year, and any mo

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 4. Groundwater Monitoring at Wadena County Landfill Alex Puetz from Barr Engineering presented to commissioners information about groundwater monitoring at the Wadena County demolition landfill where he has worked for about six years. Groundwater is essential for drinking water and flows underground from areas of higher elevation to lower elevation. Becaus

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 21. Initiative Foundation Celebrates 40 Years in Wadena County Vice President Carl Newbanks mentioned that since 1986 the Initiative Foundation has provided 80 loans totaling $3.3 million. These loans have helped create or keep 959 jobs. The foundation steps in to help fund projects when banks can’t cover everything. In 2025, they gave out 33 grants worth ab

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on July 14. Capital Projects County Administrator Colleen Winter discussed upcoming county building projects over the next five years. Some of the items on the agenda included: approved ADA ramps at the courthouse, modernizing the courthouse elevator to meet state code by around 2028, upgrading the long-delayed courthouse bathrooms, especially the downstairs ones that don’t

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 7. Commissioner Murlyn Kreklau was absent. ADA Entrance Project The county board approved a modified design for an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)–compliant entrance on the north side of the courthouse, choosing to keep an existing pine tree and drop a previously discussed connection to the annex. The project will add the new entrance ramp on the north

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Monday, June 22. Reforestation Work Following Pine Harvests The board heard an update on county forestry and approved site preparation work tied to earlier pine harvests. Heather Olson explained that two previously harvested county pine tracts need herbicide spraying this summer to control competing vegetation before replanting; the cost is $15,184. Because only one vendor

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 Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 2. Commissioners Bill Stearns and Murlyn Kreklau were absent. Meeting Space The Wadena County Board is moving to turn its current shared courtroom/boardroom into a dedicated county board meeting space, while still allowing occasional court use. County Administrator Colleen Winter, County Attorney Kyra Ladd, IT Coordinator Neil Hutson, and court staff reporte

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on May 19. Comprehensive Plan Update Wadena County is updating its 2013 comprehensive plan, with early work highlighting concerns about taxes, land use, housing, and an aging population. Consultant Ben Oelson of Hometown Planning reported on initial public input and new data. Three meetings have been held so far: a joint session of the County Board and Planning Commission, a