MARSHALL, Minn. — Bluepeak announced it has expanded its privately funded fiber network to reach more than 500,000 homes and businesses across six states, including Minnesota. The company said the milestone reflects hundreds of millions of dollars invested in fiber infrastructure since launching its network expansion in 2021. Bluepeak provides fiber internet service in parts of southwest Minnesota, including Marshall, Luverne, Pipestone and Worthington. According to the company, its fiber-to-the-home network offers residential internet speeds of up to 5 Gig and business speeds of up to 10 Gig. Bluepeak said the expansion is intended to improve internet access in underserved and [...]

TRACY, Minn. — The story behind the volunteers who have helped hundreds of children receive a bed of their own will take center stage tonight as a documentary about Help Tuck Them In premieres at the The Caboose. The free event begins with a social hour at 6:30 p.m., followed by the 27-minute documentary at 7:30 p.m. The film was produced by local freelance filmmaker and Southwest Minnesota State University graduate Tahj'ee Smith, who said documenting the organization's work was an easy decision. "This was a no-brainer for me," Smith said. "I love storytelling. I love being able to tell stories [...]

MILAN, Minn. — A Milan woman is dead and several others were injured in a two-vehicle collision on Monday in Chippewa County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At 6:46 Monday evening, a 2015 Chevy Traverse was traveling northbound on County Road 32 and a 2022 Dodge Ram 2500 was traveling southbound on Highway 59 when the vehicles collided.  The driver of the Chevy, 47-year-old Makrina Seilap of Milan, sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to North Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Five passengers in the Chevy, all juveniles between the ages of seven and 13, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to Montevideo and [...]

MARSHALL, Minn. — About 1,000 customers served by Marshall Municipal Utilities lost power early Tuesday morning after a main distribution feeder switch failed. According to MMU Electric Operations Manager Tony Mead, the outage began around 3:20 a.m. and power was restored to all affected customers by approximately 5:00 a.m. The failed switch was located near East Lyon Street and Jewett Street. Four MMU workers responded, troubleshot the issue, isolated the failed switch, and rerouted power to affected areas using other distribution feeders. The damaged switch was replaced and the system was fully reenergized by about 8:00 a.m. The outage was MMU's [...]

IVANHOE, Minn. — The community is invited to support the fight against cancer during the 3rd Annual Ivanhoe Community Pork Chop Supper on Thursday, July 9, at Gilson Field in Ivanhoe.  The fundraiser will serve meals from 5 to 7:30 p.m., or until the food is gone. A free will donation will be accepted, with a suggested minimum donation of $15.  All proceeds will benefit the Lincoln County Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society.  The menu includes pork chops, hot dogs, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, ice cream, pop and water.  Organizers encourage community members to attend and support the local Relay for Life effort.  [...]

EDGERTON, Minn. — The 76th Annual Edgerton Dutch Festival returns Thursday through Saturday, July 9-11, with three days of family-friendly activities, entertainment and community events. The festival begins Thursday with food trucks, inflatables, midway carnival games, an Art Bus, a Touch-a-Truck event, a Just For Kix dance performance and a Movie in the Park. A pickleball tournament will also be held throughout the weekend with pre-registration required. Friday's highlights include the Dutch Festival Parade, with lineup at 5 p.m. and the parade stepping off at 6 p.m. The evening continues with the Great Frontier Bull Ride at 8 p.m., followed by [...]

MARSHALL, Minn. — Nominations are now open for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's annual "Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota" contest, which recognizes innovative products manufactured across the state. Among last year's top four finalists was ATZ Manufacturing's Trackchair®, built in Marshall. The all-terrain mobility chair advanced to the final round of the 2025 competition. The contest is open to any product manufactured in Minnesota by a business that has been operating for at least two years. Companies do not need to be members of the Minnesota Chamber to participate. Nominations are being accepted through Aug. 14. The top 32 products will [...]

Farmer out standing in his field. SLAYTON, Minn. — A free Farm Transition and Estate Planning Workshop will be held Wednesday, July 29, at the Murray County 4-H Building in Slayton.  Hosted by the University of Minnesota Extension and the Murray County Farmers Union, the workshop runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m. Topics include farm succession, estate and retirement planning, business structures, and family communication. Coffee, rolls, and lunch will be provided at no cost.  Registration is required by Monday, July 27. To register, call the Murray County Extension Office at 507-836-6927 [...]

(Undated) – The Redwood County Sheriff's Office is investigating two reports of damaged mailboxes in Sundown and Brookville townships. Deputies say the incidents were reported Sunday after someone allegedly placed fireworks inside the mailboxes and ignited them, causing significant damage. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incidents to contact the Redwood County Sheriff's Office at 507-637-4036. The case remains under investigation. 

MARSHALL, Minn. — The Minnesota State Patrol is increasing enforcement across the state today as Fourth of July travel begins, with troopers urging motorists to slow down, buckle up and eliminate distractions behind the wheel. Sgt. Eric Ossefort said 154 people have died on Minnesota roads through June 21, matching the total at the same point last year. Speed, distracted driving, impairment and failure to wear seat belts continue to be the leading factors in fatal crashes. "The easiest thing you can do when you get in your vehicle is make sure that we're putting that seat belt on before we [...]