GRANITE FALLS, MN — Authorities have identified the two individuals involved in Monday’s fatal jet crash near Granite Falls in Yellow Medicine County. The Yellow Medicine County Sheriff’s Office reported that the aircraft, a 1979 Aero L-39 Albatros, experienced engine trouble around 5:23 p.m. while approaching the Granite Falls Municipal Airport. The jet crashed minutes later near Highway 23 and County Road 39. Mark Ryan Ruff, 43, of Dallas, Texas, survived the crash and was found standing near the highway. He received medical attention at the scene. The second occupant, 49-year-old David Colin Dacus of San Francisco, California, was pronounced dead. [...]

MELVILLE TOWNSHIP—A semi-tractor trailer hauling soybeans was struck by a train Monday afternoon, July 21, at a railroad crossing on Renville County Road 16, about two miles west of Hector.  According to the Renville County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred at 12:56 p.m. when a 2018 Freightliner semi driven by 41-year-old Andrew Hanson of Atwater failed to stop at a stop sign and did not yield to an oncoming westbound train. The train struck the trailer as it entered the crossing.  No injuries were reported. Hanson was wearing a seatbelt. The semi sustained significant damage and spilled its load onto the [...]

GRANITE FALLS, MN—A jet crash Monday evening in Yellow Medicine County has left one person dead and another injured, according to the Yellow Medicine County Sheriff’s Office.  Authorities say the aircraft reported engine trouble around 5:23 p.m. while near the Granite Falls Airport. Just nine minutes later, a 911 call reported the jet had gone down near Highway 23, north of County Road 39.  Emergency responders arrived quickly and found one person standing near the highway, who was given medical care. The second occupant was pronounced dead at the scene.  The names of those involved have not been released, pending family [...]

MARSHALL—A Marshall man is facing domestic assault charges after a domestic incident on Wednesday in Marshall, according to the Marshall Police Department. At 7:21 Wednesday evening, officers were called out to the 1400 block of South 4th Street for a domestic incident. After investigating, a 34-year-old Marshall man was arrested for domestic assault by strangulation. 

MARSHALL — North 7th Street is now open to traffic between Erie Road (CSAH 33) and Kossuth Avenue, the city announced.  The reopening is temporary, as D&G Excavating, Inc. will return at a later date to complete the paving. A new detour will be put in place once the work resumes, and an additional press release will be issued.  For more information, contact Marshall Public Works or D&G Excavating. 

UNDERWOOD TWP — A Boyd woman was injured after her vehicle crashed into a power pole in Redwood County on Thursday, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 4:22 Thursday afternoon, a 2009 Pontiac Torrent was traveling westbound on state highway 19 when it went off the roadway near the intersection with Camp Avenue and struck a power pole.  The driver of the Pontiac, 74-year-old Henriette May Reed of Boyd, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Avera Marshall Hospital. The State Patrol says alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the crash.  Assistance was provided by the [...]

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — State Senator Gary Dahms of District 15 wrapped up the 2025 legislative session by emphasizing bipartisan accomplishments while sharply criticizing DFL-led spending and tax increases. Dahms voiced support for investments in core infrastructure, veterans services, and agriculture, noting that a $700 million capital investment bill passed with bipartisan backing. The package includes major funding for roads, bridges, and water systems. He also praised the continuation of Minnesota’s reinsurance program to keep health insurance premiums down and supported retirement benefit improvements for police, firefighters, and other first responders. However, Dahms strongly opposed DFL measures that expanded government budgets [...]

MARSHALL—A portion of the Camden Trail near County Road 7 is temporarily closed for construction. The closure affects the segment stretching from roughly 700 feet west to 200 feet east of County Road 7.  The work is part of a realignment project and is expected to be completed by August 1, weather permitting.  For more information, residents can contact the Marshall Public Works Department at 507-537-6773. 

MILROY, Minn. — Authorities have identified the man who died Wednesday after becoming trapped in a grain bin in rural Redwood County. 61-year-old Melvin Welu of Milroy, was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency responders were called to the 13000 block of State Highway 19 at 9:33 a.m. on July 16. Efforts to rescue Welu were unsuccessful, and he was declared deceased at 11:19 a.m., according to the Redwood County Sheriff’s Office. Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including fire departments from Milroy, Wabasso, Redwood Falls, Vesta, Tracy, and Marshall, along with Milroy First Responders, Wabasso and CentraCare ambulance services, [...]

REDWOOD FALLS, Minn.—The University of Minnesota will recognize 86 families from across the state during its annual Farm Family of the Year ceremony, set for 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Gilfillan Estate during Minnesota Farmfest. The honorees represent a wide range of agricultural operations from traditional livestock and crop farms to specialty producers of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Each family was selected by local University of Minnesota Extension committees for their dedication to agriculture and community impact. A full list of the 2025 honorees is available at z.umn.edu/farm-families-2025.