The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. today for southwest Minnesota and portions of eastern South Dakota.  The advisory includes Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Cottonwood, Nobles, Jackson, Pipestone and Rock counties in Minnesota, along with Brookings and Moody counties in South Dakota.  Heat index values are expected to reach as high as 104 degrees, creating dangerous conditions that could lead to heat-related illnesses.  Residents are urged to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned buildings when possible, avoid prolonged time in the sun, and check on relatives and neighbors. Officials also remind the public never to [...]

MARSHALL, Minn. — Marshall's Highway 19 reconstruction project continues to advance, with concrete paving now complete at the Redwood Street crossing and sidewalk installation ongoing between Main Street and the Liberty Park Bridge. According to the latest construction update, crews are continuing to install ADA-compliant sidewalk components at intersections, while landscaping work is set to begin in the area. At the Bruce Street and Highway 19 intersection, water main installation is nearly complete. Grading and storm sewer work have been finished, and surveying for curb and gutter placement and underground signal system work has also been completed. Between Legion Field Bridge [...]

BELVIEW, Minn. — A Redwood Falls man died in a rollover accident on Saturday in Redwood County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At 7:22 Saturday evening, a 1999 Ford Ranger was traveling northbound on County Road 7, about one mile north of Belview, when it left the roadway and rolled at the intersection with 400th Street.   The driver of the Ford, 64-year-old Francis Albert Rohlik of Redwood Falls, was pronounced dead. The State Patrol says Rohlik was not wearing a seat belt.  Assistance was provided by the Redwood County Sheriff’s Office, Belview Fire, Centra Care Ambulance, North Memorial Air Care, MN Department of Natural Resources, and Yellow [...]

ROSE HILL TWP, Minn. — A 29-year-old Slayton man died Friday afternoon in a three-vehicle crash at the intersection of Cottonwood County Road 7 and Cottonwood County Road 13. According to the Cottonwood County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched at 1:12 p.m. Friday after receiving a report of a crash involving two passenger vehicles and a semi. Investigators say a 2010 Subaru Forester driven by Sean Goodman, 29, of Slayton was eastbound on County Road 13 and failed to stop at the stop sign before entering the intersection. The Subaru was struck by a southbound 1998 Mack semi with a bottom [...]

MARSHALL, Minn. — Southwest Minnesota State University's elementary education program has earned an A+ rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for preparing future teachers to teach reading using evidence-based instructional methods. The recognition comes in NCTQ's Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, released June 9. SMSU received the top rating for preparing future elementary teachers in all five components of scientifically based reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. "This recognition affirms the intentional work our faculty have done to prepare future teachers with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience they need to teach [...]

Photo from DNR website The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is reminding boaters and other recreationists to practice safe and courteous behavior as waterways are expected to be especially busy around the Fourth of July holiday. The DNR encourages everyone to wear a life jacket, use an engine cut-off device when equipped, and avoid alcohol while on the water. Boaters are also urged to be mindful of their wake by staying at least 200 feet from shorelines and other watercraft to help reduce safety risks, shoreline erosion, and impacts on wildlife habitat. Officials also remind boaters to stay alert, avoid distractions, [...]

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Voting begins today (Friday) for Minnesota's August 11 Primary Election. Minnesotans can now request an absentee ballot by mail or vote early in person at their county election office during regular business hours through August 10. Voters will also be able to cast their ballot into a tabulator using the state's new early voting process beginning July 24. Eligible voters must be at least 18 years old by Election Day, be a U.S. citizen, have lived in Minnesota for at least 20 days, and meet other state voting requirements. Voters can register online or on Election Day [...]

COLD SPRING, Minn. — A 29-year-old man died early Thursday after an industrial accident at the Pilgrim's poultry processing plant in Cold Spring.  The Cold Spring/Richmond Police Department says officers responded to a medical emergency at about 1:15 a.m. at the plant in the 800 block of Sauk River Road. Investigators say the employee became pinned beneath equipment in the loading dock area. Coworkers removed him before first responders arrived.  Emergency crews provided medical care, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was taken to the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office.  The incident remains under investigation. The victim's name has not been [...]

LAKE SARAH TWP, Minn. — One man was injured in a two-vehicle accident involving a semi on Thursday in Murray County near Lake Sarah, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At 2:55 Thursday afternoon, a 2005 Buick LeSabre was traveling northbound on Highway 59 and a 2014 Kenworth semi was travelling southbound on Highway 59. Near the intersection with 211th street, the vehicles collided.  The driver of the Buick, 21-year-old Hayden Andrews of Grove City, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Slayton hospital.   The driver of the Kenworth, 58-year-old Mark Bernardy of Milroy, was not injured.  Assistance was provided by the Murray County Sheriff’s Office, Murray County [...]

(Balaton, MN) -- Balaton Fun Fest continues today through Sunday with a weekend of events.  Friday's highlights include a community burger feed, junior bean bag tournament, live music , fireworks at 10 p.m., and glow ball golf.  Saturday features a fun run, rib cook-off, car show, kiddie parade, Grand Parade at 2 p.m., water wars, and a street dance with Up South.  The festival concludes Sunday with a community church service, Trinity Lutheran dinner, inflatables, bean bag and pickleball tournaments, and an adult/youth golf tournament.  Screenshot