DE FOREST, Wis. — The Wisconsin State Patrol has released the names of a Clara City man and a Montevideo woman that were the victims of a wrong-way collision on I-39 in Dane County near De Forest, Wisconsin. At approximately 12:03 Sunday, July 20, a 2024 Chevrolet Suburban was traveling in the wrong direction, southbound in the northbound lanes of I-39 and collided with a 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan. A passenger in the Volkswagen, 18-year-old Hallie Helgeson of Montevideo, died from injuries sustained in the accident. The driver of the Volkswagen, 19-year-old Brady Heiling from Clara City, sustained life-threatening injuries and was [...]

MARSHALL — A powerful line of severe thunderstorms could sweep across the Northern Plains today, potentially forming a derecho capable of producing wind gusts over 75 miles per hour, large hail, and a few tornadoes. The highest threat area stretches from South Dakota into southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. Forecasters say storms may organize into a long-lasting line this afternoon and evening as they follow the northern edge of a heat dome affecting the central United States. Potential impacts include widespread wind damage, downed trees, structural damage, and power outages. If a derecho forms, it would be the second to hit [...]

MONTEVIDEO, Minn. — Two people are in critical condition following a three-vehicle collision on Sunday in Chippewa County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 1:27 Sunday afternoon, a 2018 Chevy Silverado was traveling westbound on Highway 7 while a 2006 Pontiac Montana was traveling eastbound on Highway 7. A 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander was parked on the shoulder of Highway 7 when the vehicles collided near the intersection with County Road 6.  The driver of the Chevy, 52-year-old Jeffrey Scott Wicht of Dawson, and the driver of the Pontiac, 44-year-old Patrick Michael Lundberg of Clara City, each sustained life-threatening injuries [...]

SPRINGFIELD, Minn. — A North Mankato motorcyclist is dead following a two-vehicle collision on Saturday in Springfield, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 3:47 Saturday afternoon, a 1998 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling eastbound on Highway 14 and a 2026 Chevy Equinox was traveling southbound on County Road 4. The vehicles collided in the intersection.  The operator of the Harley, 52-year-old Jeffrey John Bentdahl of North Mankato, was transported to the Sleepy Eye Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The State Patrol reported that Bentdahl was not wearing a helmet.  The driver of the Chevy, 63-year-old Leann Marie [...]

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — A man was arrested Saturday evening after appearing on the Minnesota State Capitol grounds for the third time in 24 hours, prompting a full review of Capitol security procedures. 36-year-old Dominic Terrell Peace was taken into custody by State Patrol troopers without incident just before 7:30 p.m. He is being held in the Ramsey County Jail awaiting extradition on a warrant from Wisconsin.  Authorities are reviewing how Peace accessed the Capitol after public hours Friday night. Around 11:30 p.m., an alarm alerted Capitol Security to his presence inside the building. He was found naked and nonviolent and [...]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — A Florida-based trust has filed a federal lawsuit against a Sioux Falls cryptocurrency investment firm, alleging the loss of $4 million and asking the court to appoint an independent manager to oversee the company’s operations. The lawsuit was filed on July 18 by Timothy Kinnetz, trustee of the Timothy A. Kinnetz Revocable Trust. It names Benaiah Holdings Inc., three affiliated investment funds, and three individuals Benjamin Wiener, Joshua Dewitt, and Christopher Hmielewski. Wiener and Hmielewski are former Marshall residents. According to the complaint, the trust invested $4 million with Benaiah in late 2021 after receiving information about [...]

TYLER, Minn. — The annual Æbleskiver Days celebration begins today, Friday, July 25, in Tyler with a full weekend of events planned through Sunday. This year’s theme is “Old McDonald Had a Farm.”  Friday’s highlights include a golf tournament at 9 a.m., followed by a picnic supper at the Tyler swimming pool from 5 to 7 p.m., along with “Chalk the Walk” and pool party games from 6:30 to 8 p.m.  Saturday brings a packed schedule beginning with the Æbleskiver Amble run and bike events at 8:30 a.m., a men’s softball tournament, and æbleskiver pancakes served from 9 a.m. to 12:30 [...]

MARSHALL — The final leg of the 2025 Bike MS: Ride Across Minnesota wraps up today, with riders expected to arrive at the Red Baron Arena & Expo between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Organizers are encouraging community members to line the south side of the building—near the parking lot entrance—to cheer on participants as they complete their multi-day journey across the state. Supporters are invited to bring signs, bells, pompoms, and lawn chairs. The arena will be open to the public for restrooms, air conditioning, and a gathering space. Organizers say they’re proud the Red Baron Arena was selected as [...]

With August approaching, families are beginning to prepare for the upcoming school year. While summer break isn’t over yet, education experts say now is a good time to help children transition mentally and emotionally back to school. Elizabeth Leer, Chair of the Department of Education at St. Olaf College, suggests starting with something fun, like back-to-school shopping. "Letting them take that list and walk through the aisles and yeah, I don't think that is a pressure filled activity. It's kind of exciting look at all these new things activities so I think that is a good, good thing to do," Leer [...]

DE FOREST, Wis. — A Montevideo woman is dead and five others are injured, including a Clara City man, following a wrong-way crash early Sunday morning on Interstate 39 near De Forest, Wisconsin.  According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, the crash occurred at 12:03 a.m. on July 20. Authorities say a 2024 Chevrolet Suburban was traveling south in the northbound lanes when it struck a 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan head-on. The Suburban became fully engulfed in flames following the impact.  The passenger in the Tiguan, an 18-year-old woman from Montevideo, Minnesota, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, a 19-year-old man [...]