Verna Toenyan with her friend Kathy Peters, at the Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner held on April 11 at the Clarissa Ballroom. Toenyan has been a tireless grant writer who has helped keep the Todd County Council on Aging program going. by Karin L. Nauber karin@inhnews.com For many people across Todd County and central Minnesota, the name Verna Toenyan is already familiar. For years, she has quietly become one of the people families turn to during some of the hardest and m

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com Bertha-Hewitt High School Student Brooklyn Hess recently returned from an exchange program that took her to South Korea and China, where she spent nearly two weeks visiting schools, staying with host families, and exploring major cultural and historical sites, including the Great Wall of China. Hess traveled from April 11–22 as part of an exchange organized by AESA Global and sponsored locally by the Lakes Country Service Co-op in Fe

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com A packed Bertha City Council special meeting was held on Wednesday, May 27, called by Mayor Deb Nelson on behalf of the department heads. At the previous special meeting on Monday, May 18, City Clerk Brenda Roberts submitted her resignation, citing a hostile and disrespectful work environment created by some council members. Other council members did not wish for Roberts to resign, while other department heads took issue with a commen

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