Roundabouts work

THUMBS UP:

It looks like Marshall motorists will be maneuvering through a roundabout intersection at some point in the future. The Minnesota Department of Transportation confirmed this week that it will be moving forward with a roundabout and other safety updates to four intersections along Highway 19/College Drive in Marshall. The three-way intersection where College Drive and Country Club Drive meet would be replaced with the roundabout. For some motorists, it will be a new experience. Some motorists may be intimidated by a new way to maneuver through an intersection. But roundabouts actually work. They keep the traffic flowing instead of keeping motorists waiting for several minutes at a time behind traffic lights. And many motorists like to keep moving.

Democracy at work

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Lyon County Auditor/Treasurer E.J. Moberg reported a large number of early voting. Moberg said the county has accepted 2,763 ballots so far — the third highest number of mail and absentee ballots for any election in Lyon County. That trend is not just being seen in Lyon County. Early voting is booming across the nation. Monday was the first day of early voting in Texas. News outlets have shown video of long lines of voters. Harris County has shattered the record for in-person voting, according to election officials. More than 128,000 people voted on Monday. Good news for democracy.

COVID-19 spike disturbing

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The Minnesota Department of Health reported a total of 38 cases on Thursday in Lyon County. That’s a disturbing one-day jump, but on track for what’s going on in Minnesota and throughout the Midwest. The spike sends the county’s case rate to a dangerous level as far as area school districts are concerned. Let’s hope this is just a one-day spike.

Big things in downtown area

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A new era of transformation in downtown Marshall is in full swing. Many businesses on Main Street have updated signage and store fronts for more appealing looks. And the renovation of city hall is taking shape by the day. On Thursday, the newly constructed veterans memorial was unveiled in a special dedication. All those who spearheaded this effort should be commended for a beautiful memorial to remember our fallen military veterans.