MARSHALL — Marshall’s Dominic Riley has advanced to the quarterfinals of the national Youth Athlete of the Year competition, which highlights young athletes across the country for their skill, dedication, and leadership.  Riley, a hockey player, said the sport has shaped him on and off the ice. “Hockey is everything,” he said, describing the friendships, hard work, and competition that drive him. He credits his dad, coaches, and even a family connection to former NFL player Ward Cuff as major inspirations. Riley is also active in the community, volunteering to help those in need.  The Youth Athlete of the Year competition [...]

MARSHALL — The former D’s Thai restaurant property in Marshall may soon be repurposed as one of the city’s first cannabis dispensaries.  During a Marshall Economic Development Authority tour Wednesday, officials said the building on Susan Drive has been sold and registered with the city for a potential retail cannabis business. The prospective operator is Roy’zzz Premium Cannabis, a Sioux Falls-based company with multiple medical cannabis stores.  Before opening, the business must complete Minnesota’s licensing process through the new Office of Cannabis Management. That process includes a background check, site inspection, and state approval.  Marshall has capped its cannabis retail registrations [...]

ST. PAUL — State officials are alerting Minnesotans to a new scam involving fraudulent text messages posing as the Department of Revenue. The messages claim recipients are owed a tax refund and urge them to click a link to update banking information. Authorities stressed the texts are fake and not connected to the department. The Department of Revenue emphasized that taxpayer data remains secure and that it will never send unsolicited messages asking for personal or financial information. Anyone who receives the scam texts is advised not to click on the link, to mark the message as junk or spam, and [...]

ST. PAUL — After two days of working group meetings on gun violence prevention, questions remain over whether Republicans and Democrats can reach agreement in a special session. On banning assault rifles, the outlook appears uncertain. Republican Senator Eric Lucero of St. Michael said, "We're here to talk about solutions and what we can do. It's very clear that has been enumerated many times before passing new gun laws will be tied up in courts and not have an impact and likely found unconstitutional." DFL Senator Ron Latz of St. Louis Park countered, "It's not just the Democrats job to pass [...]

MARSHALL — The annual Pursuit of Excellence marching band festival takes place Saturday, Sept. 20, at Mattke Field on the SMSU campus. Bands from across the region will spend the day in clinic sessions with nationally recognized judges before competing in the evening.  Admission is $15 at the gate, with both cash and credit cards accepted. The event is open to the public.  New this year, the traditional food court at Marshall High School will be replaced with a Food Truck Fair. From 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., seven vendors will serve a variety of meals and treats, including pizza, BBQ, [...]

OMRO TOWNSHIP — A Granite Falls woman was killed Saturday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 67 and County Road 11, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.  The crash was reported at 3:18 p.m. A westbound 2018 Ford F250 pickup collided with a northbound 2007 Chevrolet Impala in the intersection.  The driver of the Impala, 45-year-old Amanda Jane Baumann of Granite Falls, died at the scene. The driver of the Ford, 60-year-old Robert Charles Goble of Elk River, and three passengers — 83-year-old Virginia Louise Goble, 33-year-old Ashley Sharlynn Skogen, and 31-year-old Emily Elizabeth Skogen — were [...]

MARSHALL — Marshall Police are urging drivers to be extra cautious in school zones after a student was struck by a vehicle in the crosswalk near Southview Elementary last Friday morning. The child was taken to the hospital and is now recovering, but police say the incident was preventable.  Captain Ryan Hoffman said the crash highlights the importance of slowing down and paying attention when driving near schools. “It’s just an unfortunate event and it’s something that can be prevented,” Hoffman said. “By now, people should have seen the flashing beacons and know where the school zones are. It’s just a [...]

Construction work continues on the Highway 19 project in Marshall. Photo from MnDOT Facebook. MARSHALL — Work continues to move forward on the Highway 19 reconstruction project in Marshall, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. On the west end near the Legion Field Bridge, paving is complete on tie-ins, side streets, and boulevards. From Main Street to North Greeley Street, concrete work is finished, signal system installation is underway, and paving on city street tie-ins and driveways is done. Lighting work is also advancing. Between 4th Street and North Greeley Street, drainage and grading are complete, with concrete [...]

PIPESTONE, Minn. — Two people were injured in a two-vehicle collision on Wednesday in Pipestone County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At 7:51 Wednesday morning, a 2005 Buick Lacrosse was traveling southbound on Highway 23, and a 2019 GMC Yukon was traveling westbound on 131st Street. The vehicles collided in the intersection.  The driver of the Buick, 30-year-old Kyle Gordon Stensgaard of Ruthton, and the driver of the GMC, 64-year-old Tamara Lynn Reese of Woodstock, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the Pipestone County Medical Center.  Assistance was provided by the Pipestone County Sheriff’s Office and Pipestone Fire Department. 

CURRIE, Minn. — A Balaton man was injured after his semi collided with another semi on Wednesday in Murray County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At 8:55 Wednesday morning, a 2014 Mack semi was traveling eastbound on Highway 30, and a 2014 Kenworth semi was traveling westbound on Highway 30 when the vehicles collided.  The driver of the Mack, 72-year-old Gerald William Janssen of Balaton, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Murray County Hospital.  The driver of the Kenworth, 29-year-old Ezequeil Velazquez of Pharr, TX, was not injured.  Assistance was provided by the Murray County Sheriff’s Office, Currie [...]