Top 10 stories of 2017: Year full of setbacks, tragedies, celebration
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The year 2017 was full of economic gains, sexual misconduct, tragedy and the thrill of victory throughout the nation. The same can be said about the past 365 days in southwest Minnesota.
The Marshall Independent reported on a number of major stories during the year.
Stories ranged from an area football team winning a state championship, disappointment of a referendum failing for a public school district, a university celebrating a major anniversary to an emerging shrimp industry taking shape.
1. Luverne gets first shrimp hatchery
The tru Shrimp Company announced in November it plans to build its first hatchery in Luverne instead of Marshall.
Tru Shrimp officials also said that doesn't mean the company won't expand in Marshall in the future.
"We recognize the investment that Marshall and its economic development leadership has made into the Commerce Park industrial area, and we intend to utilize the area. Marshall is in our plans for future expansion of tru Shrimp," said tru Shrimp board chairman Brian Knochenmus.
"Based on previous bio-security assumptions, we thought we could not build a hatchery and a harbor in Marshall," tru Shrimp President and CEO Michael Ziebell said. "Now we can turn our attention to Marshall becoming home to a future harbor and hatchery."
In tru Shrimp's announcement, Ziebell said changes in development have made it possible to have a shrimp hatchery closer to the "harbor" facilities where shrimp are raised.
2. Tracy turmoil
A recall election involving Tracy City Councilman Tony Peterson was set for Feb. 13, 2018, after the city council voted 4-1 on the resolution. The recall election was scheduled after a recall petition drive by residents was successful in collecting the required amount of signatures.
The recall effort to oust Peterson followed the resignation of City Administrator Madonna Peterson in September. Mayor Steve Ferrazzano and other council members received notice of Peterson's resignation in an email sent from Public Works Director Shane Daniels. Daniels is reported to have told the mayor that Peterson had informed him that she would be on vacation until Oct. 2, when her employment would end.
"My last day will be Oct. 2, 2017," she had written. "I cannot work under these conditions."
Daniels was named interim city administrator.
In October, a planning and zoning commissioner accused a city councilman of conflict of interest violations involving city employee health insurance and the vacating of a portion of Sixth Street during Monday's Tracy City Council meeting.
In November, Ferrazzano read a resignation letter from Councilman Bill Chukuske during Monday night's city council meeting. Chukuske sent his resignation letter by email to Ferrazzano before the Council meeting, according to the mayor.
"I cannot work under these circumstances," Ferrazzano said, reading from Chukuske's email.
Ferrazzano announced in December that he would be leaving his mayoral position. Gov. Mark Dayton appointed him to vacant Fifth Judicial District judgeship.
3. Marshall Public School referendum fails
Nearly 4,000 voters went to the polls in April for a special election regarding the Marshall Public School District building bond referendum, with the referendum failing 2,419-1,495. The defeated referendum was the second straight in the district, though the May 2016 referendum only failed by 224 votes. The voting was much more decisive this time around.
"No doubt, we're disappointed, obviously in the outcome, but we also feel bad for our students, families and staff and even our community," MPS Superintendent Scott Monson said. "There are real needs that have been identified and brought forward -- safety and security, early childhood, career and technical education, aging facilities, classroom space -- that are not going to be addressed. But that's what our community has said. We'll debrief and figure out what to do now."
The Marshall Board of Education had asked voters to consider approving $39.415 million in general obligation school building bonds to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities.
4. Minneota football team wins state Class A championship
"It feels awesome," Minneota coach Chad Johnston said after his team defeated Wabasso 28-13 in the 1A state tournament championship at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis in late November.
With the passing game sputtering early the Vikings turned to senior running back, Isaac Hennen. The Mr. Football finalist responded in a big way. In his final game as a Viking, Hennen churned out 291 yards and three touchdowns.
It was the Vikings third state title in four years.
5. SMSU celebrates 50th anniversary
According to longtime Marshall resident Warren Quarnstrom, it all started with a community need.
More than 50 years ago, southwest Minnesota was the corner of the state that didn't have a four-year college or university.
Thanks to "a lot of very good people that worked hard," that all changed and classes started in a new facility in 1967.
The institution held a number of celebrations this past October, including an all-school reunion held at the Red Baron Arena and Expo in Marshall.
6. Walnut Grove police chief arrested
Walnut Grove Police Chief Michael Robert Zeug pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges of soliciting sex with a minor. Pre-trial hearing and trial dates for Zeug have been set for the upcoming summer.
Zeug was suspended as chief of the Walnut Grove Police Department on June 12 shortly after his arrest.
7. Building department task force formed
After a petition containing more than 100 names of residents appeared in the Marshall Independent calling for changes at the Marshall building department, the city council voted to approve a task force made up of concerned citizens.
The task force's stated purpose will be to review the enforcement of building codes and standards in Marshall. Also the fees related to building ordinances that impact building construction and growth.
8. Avera to expand ER
Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center announced in November it will be expanding its emergency care facility. The $6 million project will double the size of the emergency department and will begin renovations in January and plan to finish in spring of 2019.
CEO Mary Maertens said seen increased numbers of emergency patients, while its service area has grown. It's the only hospital with a Level III trauma designation for 60 miles.
9. Vehicle collides with three motorcyclists
Tamara Harvell was charged with four counts of felony criminal vehicular operation, two counts of gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation and driving under the influence charges after a multi-vehicle crash near the intersection of Minnesota Highway 23 and East College Drive in Marshall in June.
The Minnesota State Patrol reported that Harvell's vehicle was northbound on Highway 23, when she crossed into the left turn lane, hitting three motorcycles stopped at the traffic light. All three motorcyclists were injured. A criminal complaint said one biker, Daniel Bruce Flynn, lost a leg in the crash, while a second, Wayne Thomas Patterson II, received injuries requiring multiple surgeries.
10. Kmart building
The former Kmart building, located at 1001 Highway 23 North in Marshall, which was closed in 2014, is going to be redeveloped into a multi-tenant building including an Ashley HomeStore, according to city and economic development officials in March. City officials also said part of the deal included the re-paving of the parking lot and adjacent road.
Cal Brink, economic development director, confirmed that The Furniture Mart USA, which is based in Sioux Falls, S.D., has bought the property and plans to develop the 100,000 square foot building into a retail store that most likely will include an Ashley Furniture HomeStore.
Just this week, Brink said he has talked with Furniture Mart officials who claim the project has been delayed "a bit due to a couple other projects in progress getting behind."