WILDER -- A Worthington man is dead after a rollover crash on Wednesday morning in Jackson County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 6:21 Wednesday morning, a 2008 Ford Edge was traveling eastbound on Highway 60 near Wilder when the vehicle lost control and rolled into the south ditch. The State Patrol notes roads were icy at the time of the crash.  The driver of the Ford, 43-year-old Miguel Angel Heredia of Worthington, died from injuries sustained in the accident. The report notes Heredia was not wearing his seatbelt.  Assistance was provided by the Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office, Windom [...]

December marks National FAFSA Filing Month, and Minnesota students are urged to apply early for financial aid. Keith Hovis, spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Higher Education, emphasized the importance of filing promptly. "The earlier that you apply for the FAFSA, the earlier you kind of are able to get your financial aid offer from your college. Understanding what financial aid is available to you is a key indicator of whether you enroll or not, or knowing if you can afford college," said Hovis. While FAFSA applications for the Class of 2024 are down 4.8% from last year, with 40,000 applications [...]

Following a string of recent ice rescues across Minnesota, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is urging residents to exercise caution on frozen lakes and rivers. Ice Safety Coordinator Nicole Biagi warns that falling through the ice can be deadly. “We do tend to see, on average, about three fatalities per year. Last year, we had six through-the-ice fatalities, which was above average,” Biagi said. While enjoying winter activities on frozen lakes is a beloved pastime, Biagi stresses the importance of preparation and safety. “Most water bodies around the state just don’t have enough ice yet for people to be walking [...]

MARSHALL — Residents of Lyon County are being called upon to help shape the county’s approach to handling emergencies like tornadoes, floods, and blizzards.  Lyon County Emergency Management has opened its 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan for public review and comment through Dec. 17. The plan, which identifies strategies to reduce risks to life and property, can be accessed on an interactive website at Lyon County HMP Hub.  Developed with the University of Minnesota Duluth and input from local governments and stakeholders, the plan highlights high-priority risks such as severe weather and winter storms. The website features data on county hazards, emergency [...]

MARSHALL — The Lyon County landfill may soon test innovative methods to tackle “forever chemicals” in landfill runoff, as county commissioners approved applying for a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency PFAS treatment grant on Tuesday.  The $500,000 grant could fund a pilot project using landfill-generated gas to evaporate leachate, a liquid formed by rainwater mixing with decomposing waste. The process aims to concentrate or remove PFAS — manmade chemicals resistant to environmental breakdown and linked to groundwater contamination.  The grant would cover equipment rental and infrastructure upgrades, including leachate transport pipes and gas redirection. A 10% local funding match is required.  Commissioners [...]

A pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz is currently up for auction through Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas. The shoes were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in 2005 while on loan from a California collector and were recovered by the FBI in 2018.  The Judy Garland Museum has been raising funds to acquire the slippers for permanent display. The state of Minnesota contributed $100,000 to the effort, and additional funds were raised during the museum’s annual festival. The auction, which began online, will conclude with in-person bidding on Saturday. 

NEW YORK  — Agribusiness giant Cargill announced this week that it is cutting approximately 5% of its global workforce, impacting around 8,000 employees. The Minnesota-based food production company, which operates in 70 countries and employs over 160,000 people worldwide, stated the layoffs are part of a broader strategy to realign resources and enhance its long-term impact.  The decision comes amid declining commodity prices in the agricultural sector, following record surges during the COVID-19 pandemic and global conflicts like Russia’s war in Ukraine. Despite persistent high consumer prices, the shift has put financial strain on food giants, including Cargill, which reported $160 [...]

HENDRICKS -- Two people were injured on Monday in a two-vehicle collision in Lincoln County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 3:22 Monday afternoon, a 2017 Lexus RX was traveling eastbound on State Highway 19 and a 2010 Ford was traveling westbound on State Highway 19. Near the intersection with County Road 127, the vehicles collided.  The driver of the Lexus, 86-year-old Ileen Ness of Hendricks, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Hendricks hospital.  The driver of the Ford, 70-year-old Timothy Harvey of Brookings, SD, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was also taken to the Hendricks hospital.  Assistance [...]

MARSHALL – Food shelves across southwest Minnesota are continuing to see a month-over-month increase in usage from community members. Nicole Knobloch, Food and Nutrition Manager with United Community Action Partnership (UCAP) oversees the food shelves within the program, including locations in Marshall, Tracy, Westbrook, Heron Lake/Okabena, and Worthington.   “Our numbers keep increasing each month. Since the summer, we’ve gone up about 100 families a month just in Marshall.” Knobloch said. “We are seeing in total about 400 to 500 families a month here in Marshall. In all of them, we are seeing quite a bit of increase in families that [...]

Today is Cyber Monday and shoppers are being cautioned about fake websites targeting online buyers. Bao Vang of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Minnesota explains:  "A lot of websites out there that are quickly made or can be put up relatively easily will mimic other sites and can steal photos, images, and products from other places.”  Vang advises consumers to stay vigilant, noting that scams tend to spike during this season. She encourages thorough research on both products and sellers before making any purchases.