WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting nominations for farmers and ranchers to serve on local FSA county committees. These committees play a crucial role in administering federal farm programs at the local level. Nomination forms for the 2024 election must be submitted to local FSA offices by August 1, 2024. Serving on an FSA county committee offers producers a chance to represent their interests and influence policy implementation. Elections will begin in November for certain Local Administrative Areas (LAAs), which can cover single or multiple counties and may include urban or suburban [...]

MARSHALL — The City of Marshall invites everyone to celebrate Juneteenth, also known as “Freedom Day,” commemorating the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation on June 19, 1865, which marks the end of slavery in the United States.  Throughout June, the Marshall-Lyon County Library will host the Diane and Alan Page Collection "Testify: Americana from Slavery to Today," an exhibit featuring art and artifacts from the slavery and Jim Crow eras. Additionally, the library will present a story walk with books themed around Juneteenth.  On June 19, festivities will include a Family Summer Reading Program with Juneteenth stories and activities at [...]

DANUBE – Two people are dead, and several others were injured following a collision on Thursday in Renville County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 3:57 Thursday afternoon, a 2011 Ford Taurus and a 2024 International Straight Truck were both traveling eastbound on Highway 212. Near mile marker 72, the vehicles collided.  The driver of the Ford, 55-year-old Ricardo Baraja Cantu of Danube and one of his passengers, an eight-year-old girl, died from injuries sustained in the accident. A seven-year-old boy sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to HCMC. Two more passengers, 26-year-old Brandee C Lugo of Renville, and [...]

[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz has announced that Minnesota will receive funding to finance Bioforge Marshall LLC, a 500,000-square-foot biomanufacturing facility in Marshall. The facility, owned by climate technology company Solugen, will use Minnesota-grown corn to produce chemicals typically derived from oil, significantly reducing carbon emissions.  The project is backed by a $213.6 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office, marking the largest U.S. government investment in bioindustrial manufacturing since an Executive Order promoting biotechnology and biomanufacturing. An additional $15 million will come from the Minnesota Forward Fund, which aims to invest $400 million in [...]

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 [...]