WORTHINGTON – A Worthington woman is dead following a two-vehicle collision that occurred on I-90 in Nobles County on Friday, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 1:12 Friday afternoon, a 2011 Chevy Equinox was stopped in the eastbound lanes of I-90, while a 2023 Dodge Ram pickup was traveling eastbound on I-90 and collided into the Chevy from behind.  The driver of the Chevy, 75-year-old Christie Lee Eichner of Worthington, was transported to the Worthington hospital where they were pronounced dead.  The driver of the Dodge, 45-year-old Elly Jo Bibby Wagner of Redfield, SD, and her passengers, an 11-year-old [...]

IHLEN – A Monticello man was injured after his vehicle collided with another vehicle on Highway 23 in Pipestone County on Friday, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 8:16 Friday morning, a 2023 Mack Tractor was traveling southbound on State Highway 23 and a 2016 Chevy Traverse was traveling northbound on State Highway 23 when the vehicles collided near 61st Street.   The driver of the Mack, 31-year-old Trenton Christopher Gilsrud of Monticello, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to McKennan Hospital.   The driver of the Chevy, 36-year-old Bridget Mae Hartman of Garretson, SD, was not injured.  Assistance [...]

MARSHALL -- Marshall held its annual Remembering 9/11 ceremony on Wednesday morning at Memorial Park to mark the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks. The event featured a speech by Mayor Bob Byrnes, an invocation by Reverend Dan Herold, and musical performances by Ellie Sprik. A memorial wreath was placed by Public Safety Director Jim Marshall and Fire Chief Quentin Brunsvold. “This is such a great ceremony just to remember what happened years ago,” said Jim Marshall, reflecting on the emotional significance of the day. “There are officers that work for us that weren’t alive at the time. I think it’s [...]

MARSHALL -- The City of Marshall is hosting a Welcoming Week event on Tuesday, September 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Justice Park. The event aims to bring the community together to celebrate diversity and unity under the theme "We’re All In." Attendees can enjoy inflatables, games, food, music, and a dunk tank. Dunk tank participants include Jordan Rimpela, an EL teacher at Marshall High School, Police Sergeant Ben Rieke, and Assistant Principal Hayden McKittrick. A candy drop is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Marshall Community Services at 507-537-6767 or register as a vendor here.

MARSHALL -- Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) has reported a significant increase in enrollment for Fall 2024, reaching 2,907 students, the highest in 14 years. This marks a 14.9% increase from the previous year. New entering students, including first-years, transfers, and those with a previous degree, rose to 879, a 23.3% jump from last year. First-year student numbers also grew by 5.4%, with 388 students joining the campus this fall. Residence hall occupancy saw a nearly 10% increase, while the full-year equivalent (FYE) is up 12.5% from Fall 2023. Undergraduate retention rates climbed to 73.4%, contributing to the growth. SMSU has [...]

Minnesota's fall colors are set to peak between mid-to-late September and mid-October, beginning in the northwest and moving southeast. Typically, peak color lasts two weeks but can vary significantly based on location and weather conditions. According to Brian Schwingle, a forest health specialist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), ideal fall foliage is achieved when early fall days are sunny, nights are cool, and the growing season has adequate rainfall. Fortunately, this year’s wetter growing season contrasts with recent droughts, favoring tree health. However, moisture levels have also led to fungal leaf diseases affecting aspens and oaks, potentially dulling [...]

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced $1 million in competitive grants to enhance urban and community trees across the state, funded by the U.S. Forest Service’s Inflation Reduction Act. The new "Centering Communities in Canopy Solutions" grants are designed to empower underrepresented communities in the development and execution of urban forestry projects, addressing issues like pollution exposure and limited access to green spaces. “Minnesota’s urban and community forests are crucial to the health and well-being of our neighborhoods,” said Molly Codding, the DNR’s community environmental justice coordinator. She emphasized the program’s potential to strengthen tree canopies while engaging [...]

MARSHALL -- The Lyon County Museum in Marshall is hosting a program tonight at 6 p.m., featuring Janet Timmerman and Anita Gaul. The presentation, titled "St. Rose Academy: A Boarding School for American Indian Girls in Avoca, Minnesota," will explore the history of the Catholic boarding school founded in 1883 by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus. The school operated for seven years, educating Native American girls under a U.S. government contract. The event is free and open to the public, with light refreshments available. For more details, contact the museum at 507-537-6580.

Action Manufacturing’s Action Trackchair has advanced to the second round of the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota contest. The competition, organized by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, celebrates local manufacturing innovation. The Action Trackchair, an all-terrain wheelchair, offers individuals with mobility challenges the ability to navigate outdoor terrains like sand, mud, snow, and water, enhancing accessibility to the outdoors.  The Action Trackchair is facing off against Takeda in Brooklyn Park. Their facility produces vedolizumab, a treatment for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. This medication reduces gut inflammation by preventing white blood cells from entering the digestive system. It can be administered [...]

The Marshall Police Department reports the following incidents.  On Friday at 1:47 a.m., an assault was reported in the 400 block of Village Drive. After investigating, a 29-year-old Marshall man was arrested for domestic assault.  On Friday at 10:12 p.m., a hit-and-run accident was reported in the 1500 block of State Street. The matter is under investigation.   On Saturday at 9:58 a.m., a hit-and-run accident was reported near the intersection of East Lyon Street and E Street. The matter is under investigation.  On Sunday at 12:07 a.m., a traffic stop for a suspected drunken driver was performed in the 1100 [...]