ST. PAUL  — Minnesota's first comprehensive review of school nurses has revealed that about half of the state's school districts lack access to a school nurse. The study, conducted by the Minnesota Department of Health in 2022, was prompted by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The review highlights significant disparities, particularly in districts with higher proportions of low-income families. "This is the first time we’ve had such a comprehensive data picture about school nurses and health services staff in Minnesota,” said Dr. Brooke Cunningham, Minnesota Commissioner of Health. "What we’ve learned is students in smaller districts, charter schools, and schools [...]

MARSHALL — The city of Marshall will hold a hearing on July 23 to discuss proposed increases in liquor license fees for local businesses. The date was approved at Tuesday's Marshall City Council meeting as part of the council’s consent agenda, with no discussion on the proposed changes.  On May 21, the council’s Ways and Means Committee recommended increasing fees for various liquor licenses. According to Marshall City Clerk Steven Anderson, the on-sale license fee for intoxicating liquor would rise from $3,000 to $3,500. Fees for 3.2% malt liquor would also increase: the off-sale license fee from $90 to $150, the [...]

SANBORN —  On Sunday at approximately 5:46 p.m., Cottonwood County dispatch received a report of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 450th Avenue and Cottonwood County Road 11 in rural Sanborn. A 2014 Chevy Equinox, traveling westbound on Cottonwood County Road 11, collided with a 2007 Chevy Silverado traveling northbound on 450th Avenue. The driver of the Equinox, 77-year-old Dennis Floyd Falk, and his passenger, 65-year-old Susan Kay Falk, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Silverado sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Minnesota State Patrol, Sanborn First [...]

MARSHALL - In preparation for the upcoming 2024 campaign season, the City of Marshall is addressing concerns raised during the 2022 elections about the placement of political campaign signs. The city aims to inform residents about regulations governing the placement of these signs and the process for addressing complaints. Improperly positioned political signs pose safety risks and can obstruct drivers' visibility along streets and roadways. Moreover, city right-of-ways serve vital functions such as water distribution, sewage, and electronic communications. In an effort to uphold essential services and enhance traffic safety while providing candidates with a platform to engage the public, the [...]

MARSHALL -- The Marshall City Council has scheduled a hearing on July 9th after the completion of two major reconstruction projects of two downtown streets to assess costs to local property owners.  The $4.3 million reconstruction project replaced streets and utilities along North Third Street between Main and West Redwood Street, and West Lyon Street from College Drive to North Fifth Street. Additionally, the public parking lot at the corner of College Drive and Lyon Street was upgraded.  Marshall Public Works Director Jason Anderson provided a detailed breakdown of the project costs at the recent city council meeting. Of the total [...]

MARSHALL - The filing period for most state and county offices in Minnesota concluded last week, setting the stage for several contested races in the region. Candidates have come forward for various positions, including Congressional, state legislative, and county commissioner seats.  The filing period for federal, state, and county offices ran from May 21 through June 4. City council and school board candidates will have a later filing window from July 30 to August 13.  Key Races:  Congressional District 7:  U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach (incumbent) will face Republican challenger Steve Boyd and DFL candidate AJ Peters.  Minnesota House District 15A:  State [...]

MARSHALL — The Marshall Pride event was held on Sunday at Independence Park. Saara Raappana was posthumously honored as the 2024 Marshall Pride grand marshal. Raappana, a passionate LGBTQ+ advocate, passed away on March 27th, 2024.   Raappana, co-owner of Restored Strength gym and a published poet, was instrumental in supporting Marshall Pride from its inception. Her business was the first to sponsor the event, reflecting her commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, despite potential risks to her business.  The event featured informational booths, voter registration, various vendors, live music, food trucks, and unique attractions like a palm reader. The large turnout [...]

MARSHALL — On Thursday, June 13th, Patrick Scully will perform “Portrait of the Artist as a Young Gay Man” at 7:00 p.m. in the Lower Conference Center at Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU). This marks the first episode of Scully’s autobiographical series, “Somewhere Along the Rainbow.” Combining personal anecdotes, artistic experiences, and reflections on LGBTQ+ activism, Scully’s opus begins in the 1960s during his high school years. The narrative follows his journey through college and into his early professional life in the arts, concluding the first segment in 1980. The performance explores Scully’s coming out story, legislative victories and setbacks in [...]

(St. Peter, MN) – Excitement is building at Gustavus Adolphus College as officials anticipate the blooming of a rare corpse flower in the Nobel Hall greenhouse this week. Known for its pungent odor resembling that of a rotting corpse, this unique plant is one of two flowers referred to as the Gemini twins. These flowers are relatives of another corpse flower that bloomed on campus last summer. The event is being closely monitored, and a live webcam has been set up on the college's website for those interested in witnessing this extraordinary botanical occurrence.  

St. Paul, Minn.  – Minnesota's farmers face a unique season marked by contrasting weather conditions. A dry winter followed by heavy rains in mid-May has created challenges for planting, particularly for soybeans, according to Dr. Joe Ikley, Extension weed specialist at North Dakota State University.  Despite planting corn and soybeans in line with five-year averages, cool, wet conditions have hindered crop and weed growth. Dr. Debalin Sarangi from the University of Minnesota advises close monitoring of fields and using Group 15 residual herbicides like Warrant, Dual, or Outlook to manage weeds such as waterhemp, which can grow an inch daily in [...]