ESSIG, Minn. — Two people were injured on Tuesday after their vehicles collided on Highway 14 between Sleepy Eye and Essig in Brown County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 1:46 Tuesday afternoon, a 2024 Nissan Versa was traveling eastbound on Highway 14 and a 2007 Ford F150 was traveling southbound on 225th Avenue. The vehicles collided in the intersection.  The driver of the Nissan, 20-year-old Carter Haala of New Ulm, and the driver of the Ford, 79-year-old Patrick Hoffmann of Sleepy Eye, each sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the New Ulm Medical Center.  Assistance was provided [...]

CHAMPLIN, Minn. — After a two-day manhunt, the suspect in a violent shooting spree that targeted Minnesota lawmakers and left two people dead is in custody.  Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, continue to recover at Mercy Hospital after being shot at their Champlin home early Saturday morning. Yvette later told Senator Amy Klobuchar that she was shot eight times and John nine times.  The couple was allegedly targeted by 57-year-old Vance Boelter, who is also accused of fatally shooting Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, hours later in Brooklyn Park.  Authorities say Boelter impersonated a police officer, arriving [...]

State Rep. Melissa Hortman with her dog, Gilbert. He also died in Saturday’s attack at her home. MINNEAPOLIS — State Rep. Melissa Hortman, a longtime Democratic leader in the Minnesota House, was shot and killed alongside her husband in their Brooklyn Park home early Saturday in what authorities are calling a targeted political attack.  Hortman, 53, had been a powerful force in state politics since her 2004 election. As House Speaker in 2023, she played a central role in advancing key Democratic priorities, including free school meals for all students. Most recently, she cast the deciding vote in a [...]

STEWART — Two people were injured in a two-vehicle collision on Saturday in Mcleoud County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 7:04 Saturday evening, a 2018 Chevy Silverado was traveling eastbound on Highway 212 and a 2020 Toyota RAV4 was traveling westbound on Highway 212 when they collided.  A passenger in the Toyota, 75-year-old Marleen Hartjes of Springfield, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Glencoe Hospital. The driver of the Toyota, 79-year-old John Hartjes of Springfield, and another passenger, an 11-year-old boy, were not injured.  The driver of the Chevy, 70-year-old Randal Kalenberg of Stewart, sustained minor [...]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is now accepting nominations for farmers and ranchers to serve on Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. These local committees help shape how federal farm programs are carried out at the county level.  To be eligible, nominees must participate or cooperate in a USDA program and reside in a Local Administrative Area (LAA) holding an election this year. Nomination forms must be submitted or postmarked by August 1, 2025.  FSA county committees are composed of three to eleven members serving three-year terms. They make decisions on a range of issues including disaster recovery, conservation, [...]

MARSHALL — The “Walk for Memories” takes place today, Tuesday, June 17, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Marshall Area YMCA. The community event honors individuals and families affected by dementia and celebrates local dementia champions.  No registration is required, and the first 200 attendees will receive a swag bag. A special Honorary Walk will begin at 6:00 p.m.  Participants are encouraged to wear purple in support of dementia awareness. Free-will donations will support the Marshall Area Dementia Awareness Network. 

MARSHALL — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert for southwest Minnesota, in effect until 11 p.m. Thursday. Fine particle pollution from Canadian wildfire smoke is causing air quality levels to reach the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category on the Air Quality Index.  People with lung or heart conditions, older adults, and children are advised to limit prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. The smoke, which moved in behind a cold front, is expected to remain in the area through Thursday, though rain may help improve conditions in some locations.  Residents are encouraged to reduce activities that worsen [...]

CANBY, Minn. — The Canby Chamber of Commerce invites residents and visitors to enjoy a weekend of festivities as Hat Daze returns June 13–15 in Central Park.  Events kick off Friday with a pork supper (5–7 p.m.), kids yard games, and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. The Kiddie Parade will get rolling at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Viessman Co-Ed Softball Tournament at 6 p.m. and live music by The Stitches from 9 p.m. to midnight at Heroes Sports Bar & Grill.  Saturday features a medallion hunt, sidewalk chalk art, face painting, and a free community meal. The popular Kids Pedal Pull [...]

ATV enthusiasts can hit the trails for free across Minnesota during the Department of Natural Resources' "No Registration Weekend" on June 14 and 15. DNR Off-highway vehicle program consultant Joe Unger says the event allows riders whose ATVs aren’t normally registered, such as those from out of state or with agricultural registrations, to try out the state’s recreational trails. “It allows folks that their ATV's aren't normally registered to ride on recreational trails to go out and try them on trails,” Unger said. “These would be folks coming from maybe out of state, you know, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Iowa, [...]

MARSHALL — The Marshall Fire Department is inviting the public to a special event on Monday, June 16, to celebrate the arrival of its new aerial ladder truck.  The “Ladder Truck Push-In Ceremony” will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Marshall Fire Station, located at 201 E. Saratoga Street. The event honors a fire service tradition dating back to the 1800s, when fire crews would manually push horse-drawn equipment back into the station.  “This symbolic act is a meaningful way for firefighters and the community to welcome a new apparatus into service,” said Fire Chief Quentin Brunsvold.  All are welcome to [...]