MARSHALL — The snowmobile season may be officially underway in Minnesota, but the Department of Natural Resources says most trails still aren’t ready for riding. DNR Snowmobile Program Consultant Wade Miller says conditions remain unsafe in many areas.  "Many of the low areas, swamps and especially lakes aren't frozen up yet, and we need at least 5 to 7 inches of good, clear ice for a snowmobile to operate on a lake. But the groomers are still going to need another few inches of snow before they can pack and start grooming the trails."  While riders wait for improved conditions, Miller [...]

SLAYTON, MN — Two people were injured in a two-vehicle collision on Monday evening in Murray County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At 8:02 Monday evening, a 2024 Chevy Silverado and a GEHL skid loader were traveling southbound on Highway 267. The vehicles collided near the intersection with 71st Street.   The driver of the Chevy, 84-year-old Lloyd Maynard Hindt of Iona, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Slayton E-R. The State Patrol said airbags were deployed in the Chevy and alcohol was involved.  The driver of the GEHL skid loader, 24-year-old Jake Lee Bleyenberg of Balaton, sustained [...]

MARSHALL — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is inviting schools and non-profit organizations to apply for funding through its No Child Left Inside program, which supports projects that help kids spend more time outdoors. Launched in 2019, the program expands access to nature-based learning and recreation. "The No child left inside Grant program is designed to support programming and activities that provide students and youth in Minnesota with a direct exposure to nature and learning in the natural world," said Grant Program Coordinator Amber Kastner. Kastner said funding can support a wide range of activities. "Grants can be used for [...]

MARSHALL — Southwest Minnesota State University will hold its 20th annual Undergraduate Research Conference on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event will feature 106 presentations from 146 students representing 18 academic areas, including biology, computer science, history, marketing, and theatre arts.  Coordinated by Dr. Alyssa Anderson and Dr. Mostafa Hegazy, the conference opens with student presentations in the Conference Center Upper Level. Interim President Dr. David Jones will offer a welcome at 11 a.m., followed by keynote speaker Dr. Emily Deaver, the founder of the conference and Professor Emerita of Environmental Science. She will speak on [...]

MARSHALL — Southwestern Minnesota saw significant snowfall over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Marshall reported five inches of snow, Ivanhoe with 3.6 inches. More snow fell south and east of us. Slayton got 6.2 inches, New Ulm reported 7.5 inches, and nine inches fell in Windom.  A stretch of wintry cold is expected to hold across the region this week, according to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls.  Morning temperatures will dip into the single digits, and wind chills are forecast to fall below zero at night. Highs today are expected to reach only the teens and 20s.  Additional chances for [...]