LYON COUNTY -- The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents about an uptick in fraudulent phone calls, where scammers impersonate government officials or business representatives. The callers claim the recipient owes a debt and demand payment in unconventional forms, such as gift cards, iTunes, or PayPal credits.  Once the victim purchases the gift cards, the scammer instructs them to share the numbers on the back, enabling immediate access to the funds. Authorities emphasize that no legitimate government agency or business accepts payment via gift cards.  In some cases, the scammers stay on the line as the victim travels to make [...]

MARSHALL -- Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) will host its 19th annual Undergraduate Research Conference on Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature 116 students from 15 academic areas showcasing their research through 95 presentations, including oral, virtual, and poster formats. The conference begins with opening remarks at 8:30 a.m. in the Conference Center, followed by a keynote presentation by Macy Violett, a Doctor of Occupational Therapy and SMSU alumna, titled “Ask Questions, Have Confidence.” Violett will share her academic and professional journey, emphasizing the enduring value of research and inquiry. Poster and oral presentations [...]

LAKE BENTON – A Lake Benton man was injured after his vehicle collided with a tractor on Saturday in Lincoln County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 4:03 Saturday afternoon, a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville was traveling southbound on Highway 75 and a 2000 John Deere tractor was traveling eastbound on County Road 9. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, one of the vehicles failed to come to a complete stop resulting in a “T-Bone” collision.  The driver of the Pontiac, 19-year-old Kaden Lingen of Lake Benton, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Tyler hospital.  The driver of [...]

PIPESTONE – One person was injured after their vehicle collided with a semi in Pipestone on Thursday in Pipestone, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 12:31 Thursday afternoon, a 2004 Chevy Impala was traveling southbound on Highway 23 and a 2023 Freightliner semi was traveling northbound on Highway 23 when the vehicles collided.  The driver of the Chevy, 21-year-old Desire’e Finke of Minneapolis, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Pipestone County Medical Center.  The driver of the Freightliner, 51-year-old Mark Harmdierks of Huron, South Dakota, was not injured.   The State Patrol says alcohol is believed to be [...]

SPRINGFIELD -- A Springfield man was injured on Thursday after the vehicle he was riding in struck a deer on Highway 14 in Brown County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 6:52 Thursday morning, a 2016 Chevy Silverado was traveling westbound on Highway 14. Near the intersection with 340th avenue, the pickup struck a deer.   A passenger in the vehicle, 70-year-old Jerry Miller of Springfield, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Springfield hospital.  The driver of the Chevy, a 17-year-old juvenile from Springfield, and another passenger, 45-year-old Rebecca Yates of Springfield, were not injured.  Assistance was provided [...]

MARSHALL -- The Lyon County Museum in Marshall opens its 12th Annual Indoor Christmas Tree Walk on Saturday, November 23. The festive display, featuring trees decorated by local families, businesses, and organizations, runs through December 31. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree by placing money in designated boxes or online through the museum’s website. Proceeds benefit the Lyon County Historical Society's mission, with the top three winners earning prizes of Marshall Chamber Dollars. Extended museum hours will be in effect during the event, though the museum will close on select dates, including Thanksgiving and Christmas. Contact the museum at 507-537-6580 [...]

Ivanhoe – A 59-year-old Ivanhoe man, Joseph Alan Anderson, was arrested Tuesday following a narcotics search at an apartment complex in Ivanhoe. The Buffalo Ridge Drug and Violent Crime Task Force (BRDVCTF), with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, conducted the operation.  According to a criminal complaint, authorities intercepted a package addressed to Anderson from Henderson, Nevada, at a postal facility in Windom. A K9 unit detected controlled substances in the package, leading to a federal warrant that revealed approximately 126 grams of methamphetamine.  The package was delivered to Anderson’s apartment, where a search [...]

The state’s largest 24-hour online fundraising event for schools and non-profits is happening today. Jake Blumberg, Director of Give to the Max Day, highlights the event as a chance for Minnesotans to come together and showcase their commitment to civic engagement. The focus is on encouraging as many donors as possible to support a wide range of organizations throughout the day. Over the past 15 years, Give to the Max Day has raised more than $300 million. To contribute to your favorite school or non-profit, visit givemn.org. Below is a list of local non-profits courtesy of the Marshall Area Chamber of [...]

MARSHALL — Icy conditions have gripped roads and sidewalks in Marshall today after overnight sprinkles turned into snow. Drivers are advised to slow down, turn on headlights, maintain a safe following distance, and check 511 for current road conditions. Director of Public Safety Jim Marshall reminded residents of the importance of following winter parking rules to avoid issues during snow removal. “You need to pay close attention to signage so there’s laws that prevent you from parking on snow emergency routes. Those routes all go into place November 1st through April 1st. Same with parking lots in the downtown area. There [...]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the application deadline for the 2024 Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) to December 13, 2024, giving organic dairy producers two additional weeks to apply. The program offers $58 million in financial assistance to certified organic dairy operations producing milk from cows, goats, and sheep. ODMAP 2024 aims to alleviate challenges from market volatility, rising input costs, and unstable feed prices. “Extending the deadline gives hardworking organic dairy producers additional time to request the support they need,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. Program Enhancements ODMAP 2024 includes key improvements, such as: Increased Payment [...]