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Amendment increases school funding

MARSHALL — On the Nov. 3 ballot, Minnesotans will be asked to make a decision that will affect school funding across the state. A ballot question will ask if the Minnesota Constitution should be changed to increase the amount of funding going to school districts from the state’s permanent school fund. If the constitutional amendment passes, it would result in additional funding of about $33 per student, Marshall Public Schools Superintendent Jeremy Williams said this week. “We want people to be informed and understand what it really is and what it means for schools,” Williams ...

Questions linger for future of construction landfill

MARSHALL — Last year, Lyon County officials talked about filling up and closing down a disposal site for construction debris ahead of new state regulations. However, speakers at Wednesday’s annual landfill meeting said that would be a costly idea. “Attempting to fast-fill the site has revealed a gap in available staffing, and additional operation costs,” said Tonya Koller of engineering firm Burns & McDonnell. The Landfill Advisory Board held its annual meeting Wednesday in Marshall. Representatives of counties that use the Lyon County landfill met to hear updates on few ...

Stidman pleads not guilty to drug charges

MARSHALL — A former Marshall resident facing drug possession charges pleaded not guilty in Lyon County District Court on Tuesday. An attorney for Dante Maurice Stidman said Stidman was demanding a speedy trial in his case. Jury trial dates for the case were set for Nov. 18 and 19. At Tuesday’s hearing, the court also discussed a motion calling for prosecutors to disclose reports and other information involving a confidential informant in Stidman’s case. Due to an upcoming change in public defenders for Stidman, District Court Judge Michelle Dietrich held off on ruling on the ...

Hands-on with solar energy

TRACY — Students at Tracy Area High School were getting started with a new hands-on project Tuesday. Around Amy Larsen’s classroom, groups of students unpacked blue suitcases filled with parts like a metal chassis, wires, connectors and a 12-volt solar panel. Using an illustrated ...

MN State system warning triggers ‘anxiety’

MARSHALL — Last week, the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities warned that campuses could close as the system tries to address budget pressures. Minnesota State said it’s expected that one in four of its 33 institutions will trigger the system’s financial health warnings. In a statement, Minnesota State said it is launching a strategic realignment effort that will “evaluate how administrative services, facilities, and academic offerings can be structured and aligned to strengthen financial stability, operational effectiveness, and academic offerings.” It’s ...

Lyon Co. pursuit ends with New Ulm arrest

MARSHALL — A man pursued by law enforcement in Lyon County on Friday morning was later arrested in New Ulm. Chase David Frieze was apprehended around 9 p.m. Friday, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office said. Around 11 a.m. Friday, a Lyon County deputy tried to initiate a traffic stop for a 2021 Jeep Gladiator suspected to be driven by Frieze on Minnesota Highway 23, the Sheriff’s Office said. There was a Meeker County warrant out for Frieze’s arrest. Instead of stopping, the Jeep accelerated and fled from the deputy, the Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies pursued the vehicle for ...