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A stronger city through community generosity

Per Minnesota Statutes, cities can accept gifts of property, including money or land, and use them if they follow the donor’s terms. A city can accept donations “for the benefit of its citizens,” suggesting that accepting donations, like making donations, must be done for a public purpose. A resolution accepting the gift and the donor’s terms must receive an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the council and fully state the donor’s terms. Each year the city of Marshall is fortunate enough to partner with many organizations-both public and private who help ...

Inviting readers, community to be a part of SMSU strategic planning

Southwest Minnesota State University and the City of Marshall have shared a special relationship since the university’s founding. Marshall is the birthplace and home of SMSU, and the university’s history, growth, and future are closely connected to the community that has supported us along the way. As we begin developing our next strategic plan, we recognize that our future is not something SMSU will shape alone. It is something we must build together. We are beginning an important conversation about the future of SMSU, including our mission, vision, values, and strategic ...

A scary season

We’re afflicted with oodles of scariness and creepiness at this time of year. And I’m not just talking about Halloween; Election Day is also looming in the gloom. It’s bizarre that these bizarre things occur at roughly the same time. But I’m OK with that. Let’s get all the frightening stuff out of the way and be done with it. Kids dressed up as superheroes such as Batman or Spider-Man or Taylor Swift are honest when they ring your doorbell and chant “Trick or treat!” Adults who are running for elected office are basically saying the same thing except that they often ...

Go where the grass grows

The first in a string of waterfowl production areas northwest of town was a small square, just 40 acres or so connected to the main road by a small walkable easement style strip with a two wheel track to access the federal parcel. I had walked it last fall while visiting the area, and to my ...

Watch out!

It's that time of the year when you better be on your toes. Why? Because now is when ghosts, goblins, witches, skeletons and the Grim Reaper meander amongst us. Watch out! Halloween is fun. As you may know, the roots of the holiday are very deep and go back to the days of the Celtics. If you haven't researched the holiday's history, it's worth doing the reading. Then you will not blunder into a spooky character. When you take a walk, be on the look out for the ghosts that may surround you. These unearthly creatures will try to lead you to their scary places by offering you a glass ...

Ask a Trooper

Question: I have been seeing more golf carts driving around this summer and wondering about their regulations regarding their use on the streets. Answer: Motorized golf carts are not titled or registered with the Department of Public Safety, and ordinarily they cannot be operated on public roads. However, Minnesota law does allow local units of government, such as counties and cities, to authorize via a special permit golf cart operation on streets and highways under that local government’s jurisdiction. The Minnesota Department of Transportation cannot issue the permit for use on ...