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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, ...

2026 change to retirement catch-up contribution rule

2026 change to retirement catch-up contribution rule The year is already rapidly coming to a close, making it peak season for assessing (and, in many cases, reassessing) contribution options related to retirement savings accounts. A major factor worth considering heading into the new year are changes to the SECURE 2.0 Act’s catch-up contribution rule. The changes began on Jan. 1, 2026, and could have a significant impact on individuals 50 years of age and older who earned more than $150,000* in 2025. If you are part of this group of investors, read on to learn about what catch-up ...

Regional Calendar

The Independent calendar lists upcoming meetings, facility hours and events in and around Marshall. To have your group’s events listed, email the information to news@marshallindependent.com or submit the information to our virtual newsroom. Today Marshall Sunrise Rotary, 7 a.m., Marshall Area YMCA. Household Hazardous Waste Facility, open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Public Works Building, Marshall. Call 532-8210 for more info. Marshall Area Fine Arts Council gallery 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 344 West Main Street, Marshall. SW MN Arts Council Gallery, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m., 509 West Main ...

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 ...

It’s us

What does the flag of our country mean to you? Growing up, the flag was … well, our flag and symbolized our country, right? As I marched through our schooling, that flag perspective changed for me, and here are a few of the influences that altered my understanding of our flag. As a public school student, I learned the flag's history, and what principles it was based upon. These principles can be found in our Declaration of Independence. That document noted their would be no king or any other authoritarian figure ruling our country, and that the government received its authority ...