OLIVIA — Renville County has scheduled important upgrades to the elevators in the Courthouse and the Government Services Center to improve accessibility and service efficiency.  The planned upgrade timeline is as follows:  Government Services Center: Monday, June 3, through Tuesday, June 18  Courthouse: Monday, June 24, through Thursday, July 11  During these periods, individuals with mobility challenges who need to access offices not on the main floors should contact the respective offices in advance to confirm service availability. A full County directory is available at Renville County Departments.  Government Services Center offices not on the main floor include:  4-H/Extension  Administration  County [...]

WILLMAR – The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will host an in-person open house on Monday, June 17, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Marshall City Hall, Council Chambers, 344 W. Main St. The event aims to inform the public about the upcoming concrete repair project on Highway 59, south of Marshall and Garvin. Attendees can visit at their convenience during the open house hours. MnDOT staff and the project contractor will be available to discuss the construction timeline, detours, and answer any questions. For special accommodations, such as an ASL or foreign language interpreter, contact Janet Miller at 800-657-3774 or [...]

MARSHALL -- Hoffman and Brobst recently concluded its workplace campaign in support of the United Way of Southwest Minnesota (UWSWMN). Employees had the option to contribute through one-time donations or payroll deductions, raising $1,960. Additionally, Hoffman and Brobst made a significant contribution of $2,167.50, bringing the total campaign funds to $4,127.50.  UWSWMN expressed its gratitude for Hoffman and Brobst's continued support, highlighting the importance of local workplace campaigns in furthering their mission.  For more information about United Way of Southwest Minnesota and its initiatives, visit UnitedWaySWMN.org. 

WINSTED — Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Winstock Country Music Festival promises a memorable weekend on June 14-15. This year's festival features a lineup including Jason Aldean, Cole Swindell, Jon Pardi, Ashley McBryde, Russell Dickerson, Tracy Lawrence, and many more.  Limited general admission tickets and camping spots are still available at shop.winstockfestival.com. Act quickly to secure your tickets before prices rise on June 1. The volunteer-driven festival supports education at Holy Trinity School in Winsted, with 100% of proceeds benefiting the institution.  Friday, June 14  Gates open at 2:00 PM  Performances by:  Cole Swindell  Ashley McBryde  Tracy Lawrence  Rocket Club  Tigirlily [...]

MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department responded to a distress call on Wednesday at approximately 4:45 p.m. about a missing child in the 200 block of South 4th Street. After a brief investigation, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Marshall Fire Department, Lyon County Emergency Management, and North Memorial Ambulance were alerted to assist in conducting a search.   About 35 minutes later at 5:20, an unresponsive four-year-old boy was located in the Redwood River near the intersection of Kossuth Avenue and North 7th Street, near Justice Park.   Emergency responders administered life-saving procedures both at the scene and during transportation to [...]

WASHINGTON D.C. -- U.S. Senator Tina Smith is spearheading an initiative to secure substantial funding for rural housing in the 2025 Appropriations Budget Bill.   Smith says, “We have a serious housing shortage, especially affordable housing for seniors and people working in low-wage jobs. It's happening everywhere in our country, but it's especially an issue in rural communities.”  The Minnesota Housing Partnership reports that every county in Minnesota faces a deficit of affordable and available rental homes for extremely low-income households. Specifically, 79% of counties are short by over 100 homes, while 31% face a shortage exceeding 500 homes. 

The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) will repatriate a hanging rope to the Prairie Island Indian Community, used in the largest single-day mass execution in U.S. history. Known as “the Mankato Hanging Rope,” it was used in the execution of Wicanhpi Wastedanpi (Chaske), one of the 38 Dakota men hanged on Dec. 26, 1862, following the U.S.-Dakota War. The rope, donated to MNHS in 1869, will be returned under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).  MNHS director Kent Whitworth stated the rope "is a painful and harmful object that does not reflect the mission and values of MNHS today." [...]

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office reports the following incidents:  On Friday at 5:20 p.m., a warrant pick up was issued in the 200 block of South Central Avenue in Balaton. A man was arrested on a local warrant as well as a 5th degree-controlled substance charge.  On Saturday at 12:49 p.m., theft was reported in the 100 block of Redwood Court in Lynd. After investigating, a report was sent to the county attorney for consideration of theft charges against a 20-year-old man.  On Sunday at 11:13 p.m., a traffic stop was performed near the intersection of East College Drive and West [...]

COTTONWOOD – Two people were injured when their vehicle crashed on Highway 23 near Cottonwood in Lyon County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 2:55 Sunday afternoon, a 2017 Dodge RAM 1500 pick up was traveling northbound on Highway 23 in Lucas Township when it left the road, entered the southbound ditch, and crashed.  The driver of the Dodge, 57-year-old Jeffrey Eldon Runia of Magnolia, and one of his passengers, 54-year-old Barbara Jean Runia of Magnolia, each sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to Avera Marshall.   Two passengers, an 18-year-old woman and a 19-year-old woman were not injured.  [...]

SANBORN – Two people were injured in a motorcycle accident on Highway 71 near Sanborn in Redwood County on Saturday, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 2:18 Saturday afternoon, a 2008 Honda Goldwing was traveling northbound on Highway 71 in Charlestown Township when it lost control and crashed.  The driver of the motorcycle, 57-year-old Kerry Lynn Kummrow of Willmar, and his passenger, 58-year-old Mischelle Rene Kummrow of Willmar, each sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the Redwood hospital.  Assistance was provided by the Redwood County Sheriff’s Office, Sanborn First Responders and Fire Department, Springfield Ambulance, and CentraCare Ambulance.