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Community Voices

Strong schools, strong community, strong future

As the school year gets underway, there is a great deal of excitement and positive momentum across Marshall Public Schools. From welcoming our youngest learners to celebrating student success in academics, activities, and athletics, our staff and students have been hard at work building a strong foundation for the year ahead. Park Side Elementary First-grade students had the opportunity to visit their classrooms, meet their teachers, and become familiar with the school before the year began. Kindergarten and early childhood teachers spent the first week meeting with students and ...

City of Marshall summer in review

Summer is a busy season for our community, and this year was no exception. From the opening of the new aquatic center to construction projects and community events, there has been a lot happening in the city. One of the biggest highlights this summer was the opening of our new aquatic center, The Splash. After years of planning, construction, decision-making and anticipation, it was exciting to finally see the facility filled with families and swimmers. In the first 20 days of operation, The Splash! had nearly 12,000 patrons. A project of this size takes a tremendous amount of work, ...

Gone antiquing

Our old neighbor Al Warnes had a knack for malapropisms that were unintentionally amusing. For instance, “transplant” always came out as “replant” as in, “She got a kidney replant.” And “rummage sale” was unfailingly pronounced as “rubbish sale.” That last turn of phrase ...

Two journalists with passion for news

I am a big fan of newspapers in general and local journalism in particular. My reading world took a blow when two friends announced their retirement in the same week. Fritz Busch is stepping down to a part-time role as staff writer at The Journal in New Ulm. Deb Moldaschel is leaving the Sleepy Eye Herald Dispatch where she has been helping out after a stint as editor. Fritz and Deb are my age and I’ve known them as far back as I can see. The age we are is made interesting by seeing how all of us boomers wrangle with this thing called “retirement.” Many of my friends are ...

Mall’s challenges have potential to become new opportunities

The Market Street Mall is up for sale again, and many people wonder what the future will hold for it. The Independent published a top of the front page story a week ago in which mall owner Dan Kallevig confirmed that the property is for sale. He wants to continue operating his Kal’s Motor Group business in the mall after the real estate is sold. Kallevig, from Wadena, bought the Market Street Mall in 2023 when it came up for sale after a bankruptcy process. The fact that he wants to stay is a real plus. He’s not simply walking away from it after three years. It has Kal’s and ...

Healthy shake and tea shop owner finds sense of community

We are reminded every day how big the nutrition and weight-loss industry is growing in the U.S. and around the world. The commercials are always on our TVs and our social media. According to AI Overview, the weight loss and nutrition business reached $94 billion in 2026. And of course, one ...