BY K. L. GLOVER Three candidates for the position of Benson County sheriff have advanced after interviews were conducted with six applicants at the Benson County Courthouse September 4. According to Benson County Auditor Bonnie Erickson, the interviewees who advanced were Matthew Beland, Shawn Cottingham and Laura Wanzek. They are listed alphabetically; the candidates will…

Denning and Brorby ‘unable to continue,’ Carlson wants to purchase K-9 partner BY K. L. GLOVER Resignation letters submitted by former Benson County deputies Tyler Denning and Chantel Brorby did not reveal any specific reasons for their resignations. Denning’s and Brorby’s letters, which were virtually identical other than the names, were dated July 24. They…

BY K. L. GLOVER The Farmers Press has learned further details regarding the specific accusations against former sheriff Ethan Rode, who resigned his position Friday, July 25 rather than face a removal process. The details also shed light on connections between the end of Rode’s tenure as sheriff and the charges filed against former chief…

BY K. L. GLOVER The Farmers Press has learned that two deputies have resigned from the Benson County Sheriff’s Office. Upon receiving word of the resignations at mid-day Friday, July 25, the Farmers Press contacted Dick Horner, acting sheriff, for verification. He confirmed that Tyler Denning and Chantel Brorby had submitted resignations. The resignations left…

Accusations include felony counts of tampering with public records, multiple misdemeanors BY K. L. GLOVER Benson County Chief Deputy Travis Carlson is facing three felony counts of tampering with public records, four misdemeanor counts of official oppression, two misdemeanor counts of public servant refusing to perform duty, one misdemeanor count of failure to appear as…

Sheriff resigns rather than face removal process Commissioner Dick Horner assumes temporary role of sheriff BY K. L. GLOVER Turmoil hit the Benson County Sheriff’s Office in late July, with Sheriff Ethan Rode submitting his resignation in place of having a petition filed for his removal, and Chief Deputy Travis Carlson facing multiple felony and…

BY KATHERINE SEARS for the Lakota American  [email protected]         Chris Hendrickson is a miracle of sorts. At just over four feet tall, Chris lacks the height of a normal 17-year-old, but he’s not a normal 17-year-old. He’s spent more hours than one could imagine in hospitals, played hockey with TJ Oshie, started NFL weekly picks…