MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) football team kicks off its 56th season on Saturday, September 9, facing Minot State University in the 18th annual Ag Bowl. The game, presented by Ralco, begins at 5 p.m. at Mattke Field, The Schwan Regional Event Center.   The Ag Bowl is a celebration of agriculture in Minnesota, with various activities for both kids and adults before the game. Proceeds from the event will support scholarships and programming for SMSU student-athletes and future leaders in agriculture, environmental science, and food industries.  Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) also announced they will begin [...]

MINNEOTA -- Minneota’s annual Boxelder Bug Days festival will take place this weekend, from September 6 to 8, 2024. The event kicks off Friday night with a dance featuring Mario Callens and the Midwest Cowboys.  Saturday offers a full day of activities, starting with the 26th annual Johnny Tilleman Memorial Chili Cook-Off and Family Fun Run. Other highlights include a Ribs Cook-Off, craft vendors, a kiddie parade, and the always-popular Boxelder Bug Races. A pickleball tournament will debut this year, along with live music and a street dance headlined by Casey Muessigmann from NBC’s "The Voice."  Sunday features a firemen’s pancake [...]

MARSHALL -- Thirty individuals have been chosen to join Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) Class 13, beginning their two-year leadership journey this fall. The first seminar will be held from September 11-13, 2024.  MARL's program includes 11 in-state seminars, a national study trip to Washington, D.C., and an international seminar to be announced in 2025. The selected participants come from a diverse range of agricultural producers, agribusiness professionals, and rural leaders.  “We are excited for this class to begin as the participants represent communities and industries across the state,” said Executive Director Brad Schloesser.  The following individuals have been selected [...]

BALATON —On Monday, September 2, 2024, the Brown Lyon Redwood Renville Drug Task Force, in collaboration with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a narcotics investigation following a traffic stop in Balaton. The investigation led to the arrest of a 26-year-old Balaton woman.  Authorities seized over 70 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 2 grams of cocaine, over 2 pounds of marijuana, multiple prescription pills, and more than $14,000 in cash. The substances were packaged for suspected sale.  The case has been submitted to the Lyon County Attorney’s Office for consideration of multiple charges, including first-degree sales and possession of controlled substances. 

MONTEVIDEO —In the early hours of September 1, 2024, the Montevideo Police Department responded to a report of a fight at Inn Like Flinns bar. Upon arrival at 2:30 a.m., officers found an unconscious male with a laceration lying on the street outside the bar. The injured man was transported by CCM Ambulance to a medical facility and later airlifted to another hospital. Two additional individuals involved in the altercation arrived at CCM Health with laceration wounds. One of these individuals was also airlifted, while the other received treatment locally. The Montevideo Police Department, with assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of [...]

MARSHALL – Action Trackchair, created by Action Manufacturing, a family-owned company based in Marshall, Minnesota, is among the top 64 products competing in the inaugural "Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota" contest, organized by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and BMO. The contest, which highlights manufacturing innovation across the state, invites the public to vote in a head-to-head bracket-style tournament until October 4.  Founded 15 years ago by Tim Swenson and now owned by his son Jim, Action Manufacturing is dedicated to enhancing mobility and enabling outdoor recreation for individuals with mobility challenges. The company's flagship product, the Action Trackchair, is an [...]

REDWOOD FALLS -- A Morton man is dead after his vehicle left the road, entered the ditch, and crashed into a utility pole, according to the Redwood County Sheriff's Office. On August 31st, the Redwood County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single-vehicle accident on County State-Aid Highway 1, north of 270th Street. Authorities found that the vehicle had veered off the road, entering a ditch where it struck a field approach and a utility pole. The driver, identified as Richard Gewerth of rural Morton, MN, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Minnesota State Patrol and Centra Care Ambulance assisted in [...]

The Minnesota Department of Health is raising concerns over a significant increase in measles cases across the state. Jessica Hancock-Allen, director of the Infectious Disease division, noted that the current count of 36 cases is unusually high for Minnesota. "And really typically in Minnesota, we see really between zero and four cases of measles a year. So it's a very rare illness typically in the state. It's almost always... we call it travel-imported," Hancock-Allen stated. The surge in measles cases comes as vaccination rates in Minnesota decline. Hancock-Allen emphasized the importance of the M-M-R vaccine, which provides 93 to 97 percent [...]

As the summer boating season nears its end, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding residents to remain vigilant on the water. DNR spokeswoman Lisa Dugan emphasized the importance of safety, noting, “When we are looking at the statistics for this summer so far, as far as fatalities go, we are on the lower side of the stats for summer this far. And of course, anything over one fatality is too many.” According to the latest data, there have been nine boating-related fatalities in Minnesota this season. Dugan cautioned against complacency, stating, “I think towards the end of the [...]

MARSHALL -- Kesteloot Enterprises Inc. (KEI) has donated $500 to support local 4H groups, with funds provided by the Kubota Tractor Corporation during the Kubota Orange Days celebration.  The donation was presented to Renae Jenniges, Adeline Louwagie, Sam Jens, and Mallorie Hicks, representing the local youth. The check was handed over by Tom, Daren, and Travis Kesteloot of KEI.  KEI acknowledged the efforts of the Lyon County 4H Foundation in promoting youth involvement in agriculture.