SAINT PAUL, MN — In response to heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions, Governor Tim Walz has declared a peacetime emergency and activated the Minnesota National Guard to assist with storm-related operations. “Minnesota is no stranger to winter weather, but conditions can quickly become unpredictable and dangerous,” Walz said. “The National Guard is stepping up to provide life-saving support.” The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office requested National Guard assistance to help rescue stranded motorists and provide essential resources. The executive order is effective immediately and will remain in place until storm conditions subside or until March 9, 2025.

MARSHALL — The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office has introduced its newest member, a two-year-old German shepherd, set to undergo specialized training in drug detection and search-and-rescue. The K9 will be partnered with Deputy Beau Swenson, with both set to begin a 12-week training program starting March 10.  The new addition follows the departure of the department’s previous K9, Copper. The Sheriff’s Office worked with Performance Kennels in Buffalo, Minnesota, to select and train the new dog, with funding sourced from opioid settlement grants.  Unlike dual-purpose police dogs, Lyon County’s K9 will focus solely on detecting illegal substances and locating missing persons. [...]

Minnesota families can now access a new interactive map showing lead test results for drinking water in public and charter schools, as well as licensed child care centers. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) developed the tool to increase transparency and help parents understand potential lead exposure risks. The map is part of a new law that took effect on July 1, 2024, requiring both schools and licensed child care centers to test for lead in drinking water and report their results to MDH. While the map is not yet fully populated due to different testing cycles, facilities that have completed [...]

Catie Dahl & Sheriff Eric Wallen - LCSO Facebook COTTONWOOD, MN – A local woman is being hailed as a hero after her quick actions saved a man from drowning in Cottonwood Lake.  On January 20, Catie Dahl braved sub-zero temperatures to assist a man whose vehicle had broken through the ice. Running from her home, she crawled to the edge of the open water and held onto the man, reassuring him until rescuers from the Cottonwood Fire Department arrived.  In recognition of her bravery, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Cottonwood Fire Department and Ambulance Service, [...]

SAINT PAUL – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now offering funding for controlled atmosphere storage facilities through its Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program. This type of storage technology helps extend the shelf life of perishable commodities such as fruits, vegetables, and floriculture products by regulating levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. “Controlled atmosphere storage facilities are used by the produce and floriculture industries here in Minnesota. Our growers can now benefit from having this type of storage facility added to the list of eligible structures for Farm Storage Facility Loans, allowing producers to [...]

MARSHALL -- Fatalities on Minnesota roads are up significantly from last year. Minnesota State Patrol District Investigator Kenny Willers says, “As of December 1st, we’ve had 424 fatalities on our roadways. One of the big things is this is 16% higher than last year. Unbelted fatalities are 39% more this year than they have been in the past.”  Willers noted unbelted motorists are especially a concern in southwest Minnesota, “Especially in southwest Minnesota we see a lower number of people wearing their seat belts and unfortunately that’s effecting them in their everyday driving when they crash." Willers has seen firsthand the life-saving [...]