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City work continues in the year ahead

As we embark on a new year, City Council and city staff have already begun their work on ensuring that projects and city operations continue to serve the public well. Here are some of the city’s priorities for 2026: Completion of The Splash, the city’s new aquatic center that is currently being constructed, is a top priority for this year. The city has made great progress with the pools and slides as well as mechanical and concession building construction. We will await the spring thaw to fully complete the pool area foundation with concrete and ensure that all mechanical features ...

Keep heart health as top of mind this February

February is American Heart Month, a time for everyone to think about their own heart health and prevention. Heart disease is the number 1 killer in America, and has been for a century. Almost 50% of Americans have at least one of three key risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol or smoking, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Heart disease prevention is for everyone, and it begins at your yearly checkup. At this appointment, your primary care provider will note important measures that can indicate possible cardiovascular ...

Forty-five Valentine’s Days

A crucial national holiday is looming on the horizon. Ignoring this holiday could imperil your current and future happiness, especially if you’re a guy. Valentine’s Day is a boon for the greeting card, floral, and jewelry industries. Sales could be tripled if their stores’ sound systems played “Mandy” by Barry Manilow on a continuous loop. One guy, after hearing that sap-drenched song for the first time, said, “It made me want to call all of my old girlfriends and beg them for forgiveness.” I mentioned that quote to my wife and she replied, “You darn skippy he ...

Updates, highlights at Marshall Public Schools

As we begin the second half of the school year, I want to share an update on the many things happening across Marshall Public Schools. January has been a month filled with student achievement, staff dedication, and continued progress toward our district’s goals — even as we work through difficult financial decisions. Districtwide update: Budget reductions Over the past year, we have been transparent that budget reductions would be necessary without a successful referendum vote. These decisions are not taken lightly and have been made with much consideration. Every position and ...

Walking the mile together: A reflection from United Way of Southwest Minnesota

The other weekend, as I sat in church with my family, something unexpected happened. A hymn I’ve heard countless times before suddenly felt new. Maybe it was the quiet of the sanctuary, or the peaceful weight of my granddaughter on my lap — but when the congregation sang this verse, it reached straight into my heart: “We are pilgrims on a journey, we are trav’lers on the road; We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.” Those words lingered with me long after the Mass ended. They expressed something I’ve always believed: we’re not meant to ...

Arts council and city of Marshall should forge stronger ties

Sometimes an organization has to take a step back in order to eventually grow. That’s the case with the Marshall Area Fine Arts Council. I read with interest a Deb Gau article in the Independent this month about how MAFAC plans to lease space at City Hall. MAFAC can no longer afford the rent at its Third Street location. It needed a place downtown that would cost less yet still be accessible to the public. Moving to city hall means giving some things up. There will no longer be a gift shop. They’ll have just an office instead of both an office and their own space for meetings. ...