ST. PAUL, Minn. — As spring arrives in Minnesota, so does the busy planting season for the state's farmers. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is urging all motorists to exercise caution and vigilance on the roads as farm equipment begins moving between fields. Over the past two years, from 2021 to the present, there have been 446 crashes involving farm equipment in Minnesota, resulting in eight deaths and 171 injuries. The data underscores the importance of taking extra care on the roadways during planting season. “Farmers need our highways to prepare and plant fields at this time of year. Sunrise [...]

MARSHALL -- On Wednesday, April 17th, the Marshall Police Department responded to a call in the 100 block of East Main Street involving a family matter. A 63-year-old Marshall resident made verbal threats and fired a handgun at an officer on scene. The officer safely escorted another family member out of the residence before the suspect barricaded himself inside.  The Brown, Lyon, Redwood, and Renville Emergency Response Unit intervened, but negotiations failed. Chemical agents were utilized to remove the suspect, who discharged additional rounds during the incident.  At approximately 11:00 PM, the suspect was peacefully taken into custody without injury. The [...]

MOUNTAIN LAKE -- Cottonwood County authorities are continuing the search for a missing 15-year-old boy who was last seen Monday evening after canoeing on Eagle Lake with a family member. The juvenile jumped into the lake to retrieve a lost oar at approximately 6:43 p.m., but strong winds pushed the canoe away, making it difficult for him to swim back. The family member, unable to locate the boy in the choppy waters, lost sight of him as the pair drifted apart. Neither were wearing life jackets at the time. A coordinated search effort involving multiple local and state agencies was launched [...]

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is emphasizing the importance of anhydrous safety for farmers and applicators this spring. Jane Boerboom, an expert in the field, highlights the potential dangers associated with handling anhydrous ammonia (NH3), stressing the necessity for meticulous equipment maintenance and proper safety precautions.  Boerboom underscores the severe consequences of contact with NH3, which can result in devastating burns for both humans and animals. To mitigate these risks, she advises individuals to adhere to strict safety protocols, including carrying safety water, wearing non-contact lens safety goggles, utilizing anhydrous ammonia-rated safety gloves, and donning long-sleeved shirts and pants.  Furthermore, [...]

MARSHALL -- Renowned country artist and Grand Ole Opry member, Lauren Alaina, was unveiled as the headline act for this year's Prairie Jam concert in Marshall. The announcement, met with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd gathered at the Wooden Nickel patio, marked a thrilling moment for fans and community leaders.  Adding to the local flavor of the event, 20-year-old singer/songwriter Blake Schmitz, hailing from southwest Minnesota, will kick off the concert.  Alaina's impressive credentials include being a finalist on "American Idol" and sharing stages with country music icons like Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan. With chart-topping hits under her [...]

Last week, a federal grand jury charged a Cottonwood man with wire fraud, money laundering, and bankruptcy fraud, according to Minnesota District Court records. 44-year-old James Anthony Kroger. Kroger works as an assistant professor at Gustavus Adolphus College. He allegedly took advantage of his position managing a real estate company, embezzling over $600,000.  Although Kroger pleaded not guilty, the court ordered his detention for mental health evaluation. The indictment, filed on April 2, claims Kroger and an unnamed partner formed a real estate venture in 2019 to invest in Texas properties sold due to unpaid taxes. Over two years, Kroger allegedly [...]

Texas-based company Solugen broke ground on a new 500,000 square-foot, low-carbon chemical plant. They also held a press conference at the Red Baron Arena in Marshall.  The plant, named Bioforge Marshall, will utilize corn products from Archer Daniels Midland to produce chemicals for various industries.  Solugen Co-Founders Gaurab Chakrabarti & Sean Hunt at the ground breaking event. Solugen co-founders Gaurab Chakrabati and Sean Hunt highlighted their commitment to finding sustainable ways to produce chemicals. Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes expressed excitement about Solugen's investment in the community. State officials, including Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek and [...]