MARSHALL— The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Warning in effect until noon CST Tuesday for portions of southwest Minnesota and east-central South Dakota. The affected area includes cities such as Hendricks, Ivanhoe, Madison, Pipestone, Arlington, Lake Preston, Orland, Flandreau, Brookings, De Smet, Marshall, Tyler, Slayton, Lake Benton, and Fulda. Wind chills may plunge as low as -40°F, creating life-threatening conditions. Frostbite can occur on exposed skin within 10 minutes. Limit outdoor exposure. If you must go outside, dress in layers, including a hat, face mask, and gloves. Keep pets indoors and check on vulnerable individuals, including older adults [...]

FRIENDSHIP TOWNSHIP, MN – Two individuals were airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis following an incident in a hog barn on Saturday evening. At approximately 5:15 p.m. on January 18, Yellow Medicine County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting the two individuals unresponsive.  Emergency responders, including the Clarkfield Fire Department, Clarkfield Ambulance, and Granite Falls Avera Ambulance, rushed to the scene. Deputies found the victims had been extricated from the barn by the caller and performed life-saving measures until EMS arrived.  Both victims were flown to the hospital by Life Link III and Mayo Clinic air ambulances. Their current [...]

MARSHALL – An Oklahoma man was injured after his vehicle crashed on Highway 59 in Lyon County on Thursday, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 4:41 Thursday afternoon, a 2012 Dodge Ram was traveling southbound on Highway 59 when it left the roadway and collided with a culvert.  The driver of the Dodge, 27-year-old Noah Burroughs of Mannford, OK, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Marshall hospital.  Assistance was provided by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Marshall Fire Department, and North Memorial Ambulance. 

OLIVIA – A 59-year-old woman from Willmar was arrested on January 15, 2025, after allegedly dropping a baggie of methamphetamine at Casey’s General Store in Olivia. Staff at the store, located at 620 Lincoln Ave E, discovered the baggie on the floor around 8:12 a.m. and notified the Olivia Police Department. Officers arrived and confirmed the crystalline substance, weighing approximately 25.85 grams, tested positive for methamphetamine. Security footage helped identify the woman, who was later arrested in Willmar by the Willmar Police Department. She was transported to the Renville County Jail and is being held on charges of 2nd Degree Possession [...]

MARSHALL – A Tracy woman was injured in a crash on Highway 19 in Lyon County on Thursday, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 7:49 Thursday morning, a 2020 GMC Sierra was traveling eastbound on Highway 19 when it left the road and crashed.  The driver of the GMC, 19-year-old Madison Johnson of Tracy, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Marshall hospital.  Assistance was provided by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Marshall Fire Department, and North Memorial Ambulance. 

WILLMAR – A Willmar woman was injured in a rollover accident on Wednesday on Highway 40 in Kandiyohi County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 8:13 Wednesday morning, a 2011 Chevy Traverse was traveling eastbound on Highway 40 when it crossed the center line, entered the north ditch, and rolled.  The driver of the Chevy, 23-year-old Lindsey Forcier of Willmar, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Willmar hospital.   Assistance was provided by the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, and Raymond Ambulance.  

SANBORN – A Sanborn woman was injured after her vehicle collided with a semi on Highway 71 in Redwood County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 7:57 Wednesday morning, a 1999 Peterbilt semi and a 2021 Chevy Traverse were both traveling northbound on Highway 71 near Sanborn when they collided.  The driver of the Chevy, 75-year-old Diane Arnsdorf of Sanborn, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the North Memorial Hospital.   The driver of the Peterbilt, 32-year-old Chad Bonin of Franklin, was not injured.  Assistance was provided by Sanborn Fire and Medical, Redwood County Sheriff’s Office, CentraCare Ambulance, [...]

The American Red Cross and the NFL are partnering during National Blood Donor Month to encourage blood, platelet, and plasma donations. From January 1 to January 26, 2025, individuals who donate will automatically be entered into a drawing to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. The winner and their guest will enjoy:  Tickets to Super Bowl LIX and pre-game stadium activities.  Passes to the official Super Bowl Experience.  Round-trip airfare to New Orleans.  Three-night hotel stay from February 7-10, 2025.  A $1,000 gift card for expenses.  Blood drives in Marshall will be held at the [...]

MARSHALL — Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) and Avera have announced a partnership to establish a four-year nursing program to expand educational opportunities for aspiring nurses and address the growing demand for healthcare professionals in Minnesota. The program will build on SMSU’s existing RN to BSN program, offering a more comprehensive pathway for nursing education.  The program will combine SMSU’s academic resources with Avera’s clinical expertise to provide a curriculum designed to meet modern healthcare needs. Plans include developing advanced nursing simulation labs with state-of-the-art equipment for both students and current nurses. “We have outstanding faculty leadership designing an innovative curriculum [...]

COTTONWOOD -- In the early hours of January 12, 2025, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a sinking vehicle in Cottonwood Lake, located in the City of Cottonwood. Emergency responders, including the Cottonwood Fire Department and Ambulance, arrived at the scene to find a side-by-side ATV in the water with three occupants: an adult driver, an adult male passenger, and a juvenile female.  All three individuals managed to exit the ATV and walk to shore, where they were treated by emergency personnel. The two adults were transported to Avera Marshall for injuries and later released, while the [...]