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America’s 250th: A time to recognize national and local progress

Saturday’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is special, something that’s truly historic. It calls for looking back on all that our country has accomplished. It went from being an experiment in democracy to a coast to coast nation and then a world leader. I’m fortunate to be old enough to remember the Bicentennial in 1976. I recall all the television spots and the memorabilia that went with the occasion. The United States was a very different country 50 years ago, and Marshall was different as a community. Nationally, it was a challenging time because of ...

Avera MyChart – new electronic health record system

If you’ve visited the clinic or engaged with your health care record lately, you’ve likely heard about MyChart. This is the new electronic health record (EHR) system we’ve now converted to at our local hospital and clinic. This is an exciting change. While it’s human nature to be kind of wary about something new, we’re finding that patients like the user friendliness and new functionality in comparison to our former system. Avera MyChart is a secure online health connection where patients can see their medications, test results, visit history, upcoming appointments, ...

Watching community policing in action

I attended the July meeting of the Marshall Downtown Business Association at the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce office on Wednesday. This group is made up of downtown business owners and they meet early in the morning on every first day of each month. According to Sam Lund, event specialist for the Chamber, the MDBA works in conjunction with the Chamber in helping to coordinate or plan events such as Crazy Days — an event that is just around the corner. The MDBA has budgeted funds that is made up from fees collected from the various members who are owners of retail shops, ...

Looking back on the family vacation

This is the time of year when Americans traditionally embark on extended journeys with their loved ones. Some of these journeys are so long that by the time they end there’s a good deal of fantasizing about leaving said loved ones at the next roadside gas station. It’s family vacation season once again, that time-honored American custom that was originated by the Pilgrims when they left England. One of the Pilgrim dads convinced his family to go on vacation by saying, “We could use a change of scenery. I’ve got a great idea! Let’s go for a little boat ride! C’mon, it’ll ...

Celebrating a birthday during complicated times

Happy birthday to us! Next Saturday, our country will be 250 years old. I have been around for seventy of those. So, I’ve seen some things. We are just back from a trip to Europe. One of the advantages of traveling is perspective. Looking at America from across the ocean is like astronauts looking at Earth from space. It’s lovely, with a gauzy surface, and it looks a bit fragile. Ben Franklin was asked during the Constitutional Convention. “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” He replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.” 250 years later, we’re ...

Walkability: The plus side of Marshall’s 2026 downtown detour

It hasn’t been an ordinary summer for motorists who drive the streets of Marshall on a daily basis. It’s been a season of road construction on East College Drive between Main Street and Bruce Street. Both intersections at the ends of the construction zone have been closed for at least several weeks. The project is the second portion of a two-year College Drive reconstruction. Last year it seemed like a smooth process. Other than Lyon County Fair week (when people had to find their way to the fairgrounds), I heard only a handful of complaints. It’s different in 2026. I’ve heard ...