MARSHALL — The music, fun, and of course the beer will be back in the spotlight this weekend as Hopfest 2019 kicks off at the Brau Brothers Brewery in Marshall. This year’s event kicks off Friday, and the live music lineup includes Minnesota musicians with variety of styles, as well as ...

GRANITE FALLS — While the decision isn’t yet final, talks for Granite Falls’ hospital to partner with Avera Marshall took another step forward on Wednesday. Officials from Granite Falls Health and Avera Marshall said the two groups will enter a non-binding letter of intent for Granite ...

SLAYTON — The United States Census Bureau plans to use 21st century technology for public convenience and cost savings, but it still intends to reach down to the grass roots in a way that ensures accurate population counts. The Murray County Board heard a presentation Tuesday from Jim ...

Photo by Deb Gau Area emergency responders, including the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and Cottonwood Fire and Ambulance were called to the scene of a crash reported at the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and Lyon County Road 10 on Wednesday night. The crash was reported around 7:45 p.m. ...

MARSHALL —  After facing bids that some Lyon County commissioners said the county couldn’t afford, it now looks like the county will be going solo on its recycling program — while also ending curbside pickup. After discussion at Tuesday morning’s county board meeting, commissioners ...

SLAYTON — The Murray County Board gave a much needed boost Tuesday to a regional broadband telecommunications access proposal. The board committed up to $200,000, which could be taken from the county’s Economic Development Authority revolving loan fund, to a grant application prepared by ...

TRACY — They had been a part of Tracy summers for 30 years, but now it was time to say goodbye. “This will be our last performance. We had our final concert this summer,” said Tracy Community Band director Clint Peterson. “It’s a good end to a long run.” As Peterson spoke, ...

MARSHALL — A Minnesota Department of Human Services mediation process next month might determine the limits to which a 24-county health insurance alliance can serve human services clients. Then again it might not. Counties could respond to mediation results by taking their concerns to ...

MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota Orchestra is kicking off its 50th anniversary season with a special guest and a look at the upcoming celebration. The Southwest Minnesota Orchestra is having an open house from 7-9 p.m. today at the William Whipple Gallery, in the Bellows Academic Center ...

TRACY — The annual mud volleyball tournament was a favorite for many at the 92nd Boxcar days on Sunday. Jessica Lamb from Tracy came with her friends — Shaylene Hericks, Tabvitha Rikke, and Ashlynn Wabeke — from Tyler and Rosendale to scope out the competition. “I’ve played the ...

MARSHALL — Marshall students will be returning to class this week, and that means both kids and crossing guards will be back in the crosswalks near Marshall public schools. last week, school district staff and crossing guards called for motorists to be aware of school crossings, and drive ...

A voice from the back of meeting room inside the Clarkfield city offices building came from a concerned resident. “There has to be someone who wants to be running the restaurant and have success,” she said. “People would stop on the street and say, ‘where can we get something to ...

MONTEVIDEO — The former Valley View Estates trailer park near Montevideo has a bright-looking future based on the plans of an interested buyer. Jason Rongstad of Montevideo and his family have plans to build a single family, owner-occupied house on the property; along with a horse barn. The ...

MARSHALL — When driving on Highway 59 North, keep your eye out for the start and progress of construction at Harrison Truck Centers truck sales and repair. The company, which sells and services new and used heavy trucks, will more than double its shop space. “We’ve seen a lot of ...

TRACY — Arguing he was only doing his “due diligence,” Tracy City Councilman Tony Peterson successfully stated his case to remain on the Economic Development Authority board during a two-hour hearing Wednesday evening. “I’m a bull in the china shop. A lightning rod. I have been ...

MARSHALL — Current events and issues are the major focus of some of Rick Purrington’s classes at Marshall High School. But when you want to learn about current events affecting the Marshall area, there aren’t many sources to turn to, Purrington said. That’s why Purrington, a social ...

MARSHALL — Sales and profits were both up at Marshall’s municipal liquor store last year. And so far, Tall Grass Liquor looks on track to do the same this year, store manager Eric Luther said. “Things are going along pretty well with where we want to be at,” Luther said during a ...

GRANITE FALLS — A cost of $2,720 sounds like a lot of money for two stop signs, but it’s considered a small price to pay if they prevent even one death or injury. At Tuesday’s board meeting, Yellow Medicine County commissioners approved a $2,720 purchase of two signs equipped with ...

TRACY — Tracy Chamber of Commerce Director Lexi Erickson remembers Labor Day last year well. A rainstorm washed out the Box Car Days grand parade and those brave enough to dash over to the beer garden tent for cover ended up trapped inside. “It was a wall of rain that you could see ...

By Deb Gau dgau@marshallindependent.com MARSHALL — The Marshall Aquatic Center is showing its age, Preston Stensrud said. The group of people gathered on the pool deck had heard that information before — but now they watched as Stensrud reached over and pulled a small piece of ...