Benning Printing & Publishing

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, September 22. Construction and Demolition Landfill Consultants from Stantec presented the final results of a nine‑county (Clay, Becker, Otter Tail, Wadena, Todd, Grant, Douglas, Stevens, and Pope) regional study on construction and demolition (C&D) waste in light of upcoming Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) rule changes. The proposed rules would require m

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, September 15. Preliminary Levy The preliminary levy was set at $14,399,896­—a 19.88% increase. Auditor-Treasurer Heather Olson made it clear they do not intend to keep the final levy that high. Olson told the board the first draft of the budget showed an increase of about 27 percent before staff and department heads trimmed roughly eight points through adjustme

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday. September 1. Board Chair Ron Noon was absent. 4-H Update Extension Educator Jeanette Watland gave an update on 4-H summer activities and shared that this year’s county fair involved significant changes, as 4-H moved its main projects and activities to Building 2. Many volunteers helped with set-up and tear-down, and participation was strong on judging days. Clover

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