The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is on the hunt for two new members to join its Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council. Margaret Wagner, representing the department, highlights the program’s importance:  "The Council is a farmer-led program to support soil fertility, research, technology, development, and education. So it's really an investment here in Minnesota to make sure that that type of research continues to advance and support the agricultural community.”  Interested individuals can find more details about the council and the application process on the department’s website.   

MARSHALL -- The Lyon County Historical Society’s Holiday Home Tour takes place Sunday, December 8, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Tickets, available exclusively at the Lyon County Museum, are $20 and include a guidebook with a map and descriptions of featured homes. Participants can enjoy refreshments and holiday exhibits at the museum before or after the tour. Featured homes include those of Jim and Jill Kontz, Jeremy and Polly Parrie, and Curt and Brittany Gosser. Contact 507-537-6580 for more information.

HANLEY FALLS – A Marshall teen was injured on Wednesday after her vehicle collided with a semi on Highway 23 in Yellow Medicine County near Hanley Falls, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 7:03 Wednesday morning, a 2018 Freightliner semi was traveling southbound on Highway 23, and a 2005 Chevy Aveo was traveling northbound on Highway 23 when the vehicles collided near the intersection with 200th Avenue.  The driver of the Chevy, a 16-year-old girl from Marshall, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Granite Falls hospital.  The driver of the Freightliner, 47-year-old Jose Flores Jr of Bellmead, [...]

MARSHALL – A Marshall man was injured after his vehicle collided with a semi on Friday afternoon, according to the Marshall Police Department. At approximately 12:21 Friday afternoon, a 2021 Buick collided with a semi near the intersection of East College Drive and South Bruce Street. The driver of the Buick, a 74-year-old Marshall man, sustained possible minor injuries. The driver of the semi, a 49-year-old South Dakota man was not injured.   A Marshall man was arrested for DWI after a traffic stop on Friday morning, according to the Marshall Police Department. At approximately 1:02 Friday morning, a traffic stop was [...]

Minnesota's freshwater ecosystems are under threat, with excessive chloride pollution largely attributed to inefficient water softeners. Residents can reduce this pollution, save money, and extend the life of their appliances by adjusting how they use salt in water softeners, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Chloride from water softeners doesn’t break down in the environment, making lakes and streams saltier and harmful to aquatic life. It can also seep into groundwater, jeopardizing drinking water supplies. Currently, 68 Minnesota lakes and streams exceed safe chloride levels, and municipal treatment plants struggle to address the issue, which could result in higher [...]

SAINT PAUL – The Minnesota State Canvassing Board has officially certified the results of the 2024 General Election. Meeting on November 21 under the leadership of Secretary of State Steve Simon, the board finalized outcomes for federal, state, and judicial contests, including the presidential race. A record 3,272,414 Minnesotans voted, representing 76.35% of eligible voters. This solidified Minnesota’s position as the national leader in voter turnout, boosted by the restoration of voting rights for over 55,000 individuals previously disenfranchised. “Once again, Minnesotans have proven that we are the state to beat when it comes to voter turnout,” said Secretary Simon. “Elections [...]

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 [...]