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Rural townships remain vibrant in the 21st century

Townships in the region have changed a great deal in the past 50 years, but they’re still important places with a good quality of life. Their vitality is clear in at least several ways. They’re valuable for housing, local government, and in some cases churches and stores. Over the years there have been rumblings about eliminating township boards or taking steps that minimize their role. That should never happen. Some indications suggest that townships could become more important rather than less. Population totals have fallen in most rural townships because of declines in the ...

On the Porch

According to the Marshall Municipal Utilities website, on July 3, 1894, a special election was called by the common council to vote on the sale of $25,000 in bonds for the purpose of establishing a water works and electric light utility. The resolution passed by a 190 to 117 vote. Marshall’s first power plant was constructed at a cost of $24,340. By early December of 1894, the waterworks was in operation and on Dec. 21, the first lights were turned on using electricity generated from a Ball steam engine with a belted dynamo. Thus, was borne a municipal electric and water utility which ...

The Vietnam War – Marland Burckhardt – College, marriage, Officer Basic Course, and Ranger training

We have been learning about Russell’s Marland Burckhardt, who graduated from Russell High School in 1959, enlisted in the Army, and served in Italy before returning to pursue his love and college. His return from Italy was an adventure. “(My friend) Montz, and I volunteered to return on a troopship. That was an experience! I became one of the sergeants of the Guard on the troopship and Montz volunteered to work in the galley.” Marland avoided seasickness by beginning each day with a box of saltines and a Coke from the ship’s canteen. Not everyone knew of or followed that ...

Ask a Trooper

Question: I read your last article about school buses and flashing lights. Can you do a reminder on passing a school bus? Answer: It is illegal to pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing and its stop arm is extended. If you are driving on a divided roadway, you do not need to stop for a school bus with red lights flashing if it is on the opposite side of the divider. A law enforcement officer with probable cause to believe you have violated this law may arrest you within four hours of the violation. When your vehicle is used to violate the school bus stop arm law, you are ...

For our family, Annunciation shooting was a tragic reality

“It’s unimaginable.” “I can’t even begin to understand what you must be feeling.” “I cannot imagine what you’ve gone through.” These are a few of the well-meaning sentiments we’ve heard since our world was shattered and our worst fears came true on Aug. 27. While well-meaning, they’re not quite right. You can imagine it. You can viscerally feel it. You just don’t want to. So today we’re sharing your story from that day. You were on a work call when your phone started repeatedly buzzing around 8:30 a.m. While you tried to focus on the call, ...

September shines a light: Awareness, recovery and hope

September is a month of reflection, awareness, and hope. It marks both National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month and National Recovery Month—two observances that shine a light on struggles often carried in silence. Together, they remind us that mental health and recovery are deeply connected, that every life matters, and that healing is possible. This month calls us to break the stigma, extend support, and honor the courage of those who continue their journey toward wellness and recovery. The statistics are sobering. Suicide imposes profound and far-reaching consequences, ...