WILLMAR, Minn. — Police are investigating a shooting reported Monday night in Willmar. Multiple shots were fired around 8 p.m. near the fishing pier at Rau Park on North Seventh Street, just east of the Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds. The area from the fairgrounds to 15th Avenue Northwest remained blocked off early Tuesday morning as investigators processed the scene. According to radio traffic, at least two people were taken to CentraCare Rice Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. Their injuries were described as life-threatening. Willmar Police have not released official details about the shooting, including information on possible suspects or a vehicle. The [...]

WINDOM, Minn. A 69-year-old Windom man was arrested Saturday morning following a standoff involving gunfire at a home in the 1000 block of Drake Avenue. Windom police were called around 3:07 a.m. after a report that shots had been fired at a neighboring home. Officers heard additional gunfire and established a perimeter while nearby residents were told to shelter in place. Police say multiple shots were fired from inside the residence, striking neighboring homes and a vehicle. The High Risk Entry and Arrest Team assisted at the scene. James Carey of Windom eventually surrendered after barricading himself in a crawl space. [...]

MARSHALL, Minn. — A Marshall woman was injured on Friday morning in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 23 near Marshall.  According to the Minnesota State Patrol, at 7:59 Friday morning, a 2026 Chevy Equinox was traveling northbound on Highway 23 and a 2013 Dodge Journey was traveling southbound on Highway 23. The Equinox was attempting to turn onto County Road 33 when the vehicles collided.  The driver of the Chevy, 46-year-old Sara Ormberg of Marshall, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Avera Hospital in Marshall. The driver of the Dodge, 22-year-old Cayden Caron of Cottonwood, was not injured.  Assistance [...]

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota employers added 1,500 jobs in August, while the state’s unemployment rate edged up one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.4%.  Over the past year, Minnesota employers have added more than 45,000 jobs, with eight of the state’s 11 major industry sectors reporting job growth.  DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek says the annual numbers show continued strength in the state’s economy.  “ Minnesota employers have added more than 45,000 jobs with growth across a range of industries. And to put that 45,000 in context, it amounts to a 1.5% increase, which is significantly higher than the national job [...]

COTTONWOOD, Minn. — The Lakeview community remembered a fallen firefighter during Thursday night’s homecoming football game, nearly a year after a fatal fire truck crash claimed his life. Patrick Steven Remiger, 43, of Wood Lake, was killed Sept. 26, 2025, when a Wood Lake fire truck overturned near Lakeview School during homecoming festivities. Remiger, a firefighter with the Wood Lake Fire Department, was trapped beneath the vehicle and died at the scene. During Thursday night’s game, the Lakeview football captains presented the game ball to the Remiger family. Public address announcer Phil Lalim said the ceremony was a way to remember [...]

MARSHALL, Minn. — The Pride in the Tiger Foundation has received a $25,000 Community Grant from the Taco Bell Foundation to support career and technical education and technology integration in Marshall Public Schools. This is the fourth year the local foundation has been selected for the grant. The funding will provide students with opportunities to explore career pathways, develop technical and digital skills, and prepare for college, technical training or the workforce. Pride in the Tiger Foundation Executive Director Krista Bjella said, “These opportunities help students see the connection between what they are learning in the classroom and the careers that [...]

Minnesota’s Take a Kid Hunting Weekend is set for September 26th and 27th. The Minnesota DNR says the weekend gives families an opportunity to introduce young people to hunting and outdoor recreation. Licensed adult Minnesota residents can hunt small game without a license when accompanied by a youth under 16. DNR Volunteer Mentor Program Coordinator Benji Kohn says the weekend provides a good opportunity for families to spend time outdoors together. “It's really just a good excuse to have some family time outdoors and take the kids out and let them experience a little bit of small game hunting.” Kohn says [...]

Photo from Lyon County Sheriff's Office Facebook LYON COUNTY, Minn. — Lyon County Deputy Dustin Demuth was presented with a life-saving award Tuesday during the Lyon County Board of Commissioners meeting.  Sheriff Eric Wallen and Lyon County resident Paula Goblish recognized Demuth for providing emergency medical treatment to Goblish during a medical emergency on August 28.  Demuth was able to provide EMT-level care about 15 minutes before an ambulance arrived. Demuth works part-time as an EMT with Tracy Ambulance, allowing him to provide advanced emergency care while serving as a Lyon County deputy through a partnership with the ambulance [...]

Record-high diesel prices are adding pressure to Minnesota’s trucking industry, but fuel is only one of several rising costs facing carriers. Minnesota Trucking Association President and CEO John Hausladen says repair costs have increased nearly 9%, driver benefits almost 7%, and tires more than 6%. “When repair costs are going up almost 9%, driver benefits are going up almost 7%, tires going up over 6%, these are just these inflationary year-after-year increases that make it incredibly hard for a trucking company to keep up.” Fuel surcharges can help carriers adjust to changing diesel prices, but Hausladen says other operating costs continue [...]

Minnesota lawmakers are raising concerns about the financial challenges facing rural ambulance services, with some services at risk of closing without additional funding. State Senator Rob Kupec (DFL-Moorhead) says staffing and reimbursement are two major issues. "The overall problem for a lot of these EMS is reimbursement. They do not get enough money that comes back from the federal government in particular if they have a large Medicaid population to even cover the runs that they are going on." Kupec says the state needs to find additional ways to support rural ambulance services. Last session, lawmakers approved $30 million for emergency [...]