September 13, 2011 On the calendar, the 9/11 anniversary is over. In our hearts and minds, 9/11 live on. more »»

September 9, 2011 Falling pheasant numbers THUMBS DOWN: The Department of Natural Resources is working to improve hunter numbers in the state, but it’s an uphill battle. more »»

September 8, 2011 Maybe Skunk Hollow Road isn’t high on the city’s or county’s priority list, but both entities can make a statement by working through the issues surrounding the road together. more »»

September 2, 2011 Voting in Lynd THUMBS UP: This thumbs up isn’t for how the vote turned out in Lynd, it’s about how the community let its voice be heard loud and clear about the school issue. more »»

September 1, 2011 The crusade for a new school in Lynd came to a crashing halt Tuesday when voters in the school district voted down building a proposed $11.5 million school. more »»

August 26, 2011 WIA?in southwest Minnesota THUMBS UP: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources can’t seem to make a move or decision without upsetting some population of people, but we fail to see how its new... more »»

August 23, 2011 All the committee meetings, all the behind-the-scenes volunteer work that took place planning Marshall’s Sounds of Summer festival, appears to have paid off. more »»

August 19, 2011 Wild campaign promises THUMBS?DOWN: Rep. more »»

August 18, 2011 The question on the special election ballot for a proposed new school in Lynd is as follows: “Shall the school board of District No. more »»

August 12, 2011 Nursing degree at SMSU THUMBS UP: It would be a huge move for Southwest Minnesota State University to implement a nursing program within the next couple years. more »»

August 11, 2011 When you hear the name Tiger Lake, the last thing you think about is dogs. But that will change next year when the Marshall Area Dog Run opens. more »»

August 5, 2011 9/11 Memorial Park dedication THUMBS UP: A significant day in Marshall is just a little more than a month away, as the city will officially dedicate the 9/11 Memorial Park in downtown Marshall. more »»

August 2, 2011 Barb Hawes was reaching out to the community. The Marshall Police Department was doing its job. In the end, rules ruled. more »»

July 29, 2011 Education policy THUMBS UP: Among the policy changes in the new education bill recently passed by the Minnesota Legislature and signed by Gov. more »»

July 26, 2011 Norway’s mostly tranquil way of life was shattered Friday when an obscure, cold-blooded terrorist, Anders Breivik, admittedly opened fire on young people attending a political retreat after setting... more »»

July 22, 2011 Minnesota politics THUMBS DOWN: It is now clear that Minnesotans will have to exercise extreme patience when it comes to the state really getting back on track fiscally. more »»

July 21, 2011 Who deserves a pat on the back for ending the shutdown? No one, that’s who. This wasn’t a victory for anyone in Minnesota. more »»

July 20, 2011 The latest results in the Independent’s most recent poll about the fate of the current library building showed that the majority of people believe the Lyon County Museum should move there after the... more »»

July 15, 2011 Budget talks SIDEWAYS THUMBS: While we weren’t thrilled to see Gov. Mark Dayton hitting the road this week as opposed to working face-to-face with GOP leaders in St. more »»

July 8, 2011 Pitching in after the storm THUMBS UP: Kudos to everyone — from neighbors, to area volunteer firefighters, to emergency personnel — who helped in clean-up efforts in cities around the region after... more »»