To the editor: I would like to thank the Independent staff for taking time to cover our meeting with the Department of Transportation regarding the intersection at Highway 23 and Lyon Street. Those who work near and use this intersection virtually daily appreciate the safety concerns that it ...
President Donald Trump drew a great deal of electoral support from farm country USA last November, but his continuing interest in erecting trade barriers is not good for the ag economy. Earlier this week Bloomberg News reported that the administration is questioning the rising imports of ...
Silver screen spy James Bond may have driven an Aston Martin, but one wonders how the high-end sports car fit into Afghanistan’s intelligence agency — especially since U.S. taxpayers covered the cost. When U.S. Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., heard rumors last year ...
Part I: Grasshoppers, also known as Rocky Mountain locusts, swept down upon Lyon County and southwest Minnesota in the millions beginning in 1873 and continued to do so for the next two years. They devoured the crops and brought disaster to most residents. The country became bankrupt; ...
District manager When it comes to doing business with Social Security online, there is little to worry about—all of our online services are protected by strong Internet security protocols and you should have confidence that they are safe and secure. But, there are other ways identity ...
Over the past summers I have enjoyed using this column to discuss the healthful aspects of life’s opportunities which are presented to us in our local and state environment. For example, we have enjoyed another season of the Marshall City Band concerts in Liberty Park; thanks again to Mr. ...
Among the gang of 88 constellations seen from Earth, with about 66 of them available in southwest Minnesota, there are eight bird constellations. I suppose that only figures since birds spend a lot of time in the skies. The largest and brightest bird constellation seen around here is Cygnus the ...
Many adult children are called upon to help their aging parents as life changes set in, yet only 65 percent of siblings report talking about money with one another, according to research by Ameriprise Financial. While only 15 percent of siblings have conflicts over money, when siblings do spar ...
A lot of people seem to be leaning toward purchasing organic foods these days. Is this just a fad or is it actually a healthy and beneficial change to make for your family? Whether it’s milk, eggs, or chicken broth, is organic the way to go? Grocery shopping is expensive; I don’t need ...
Chris Berghorst has spent most of his life making a statement. During his high school days in Canby he drove a souped-up 1949 Ford pickup he renovated himself. It was so popular, that it was used in the senior class picture. Today his statement car is not quite so flashy. But it is an ...
I’ve never been one to step out on stage to be in a theater show. My experience has been limited to two experiences — as an extra for Marshall Area Stage Company’s “Guys and Dolls” musical in 2006 and playing Antonia’s afflicted brother Marek and then Tiny Soderball in “My ...
The 114th annual Lyon County Fair is going on now at the fairgrounds in Marshall. Some of the events this year include: PRCA Rodeo, demo derby, Merriam’s Midway Shows, 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit, and many other free entertainment and ticket events. For more information on this year’s ...
To the editor: “Ruth Ann and I and our two boys, Skipp and Andy, moved to Marshall on July 1, 1977, when I became president of Southwest Minnesota State University. We were truly blessed to have as our next door neighbors, Raymond Johnson Jr., his dear wife Marlys, and their five wonderful ...
Area students better than average THUMBS UP: Several school districts in Southwest Minnesota recorded major improvements and testing scores above the state average in the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments released by the state's Department of Education. Minneota Public Schools led the way ...
Leaders of most countries would buckle under the weight of economic sanctions such as those the United Nations is preparing to implement against North Korea. If fully effective, the punitive steps could slash that nation’s exports by as much as one-third. President Donald Trump and other ...
Question: I read that the fine for going through a school bus stop arm will increase in Minnesota. Can you talk about the fine amount and school bus safety? Answer: State law requires all vehicles to stop for school buses when the bus driver activates the flashing lights and has the crossing ...
A first step is showing a child how to earn money. Children can’t learn to manage money if they don’t have any! It can be small to start with; for example, a dollar for each grade of school that the child is in, paid once a week. Encourage them to divide the money between spending, savings, ...
To the editor: As a farmer in southwest Minnesota, I have worked with, and under, many different farm programs through the years. Each new administration came with new ideas for agriculture, some worked well, some not so much. Yet throughout my years in agriculture, through many ...
To the editor: Why did Representative Chris Swedzinski vote for the big tobacco companies and against the health of our children? Along with other Republicans, he voted at least twice to follow the wishes of Big Tobacco to freeze the cigarette tax, which has the effect of lowering that tax ...
This week’s release of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments revealed a familiar tale for Minnesota schools. School districts throughout the state are not making improvement in closing the achievement gap in school testing. “Frustrating,” Education Commissioner Brenda Casselius said ...