$700,000 Trail Project Aims to Enhance Safety for Tracy Students

Issue #174

10 Jan

In this Marshall Area Insider issue…

🌨️ Marshall, MN Weather - Snow showers with a high of 25

🗞️ $700,000 Trail Project Aims to Enhance Safety for Tracy Students

🗞️ 2024 Weather Recap: Big Storms, Dry Spells, and an Average Finish

📣 Want to get your business in the Marshall Area Insider? Let’s talk!

📌 Know of other local events not listed? Send us the details!

$700,000 Trail Project Aims to Enhance Safety for Tracy Students

The city of Tracy is advancing plans to expand its walking and biking trail system, focusing on a safer route for students traveling between Tracy Area Elementary and High School.

The proposal includes the construction of a new off-road trail near Pine Street (Lyon County Road 14) and rehabilitation of an existing trail at Swift Lake Park.

This week, Tracy sought Lyon County’s sponsorship for two grant applications through the Minnesota Department of Transportation's Safe Routes to School and Active Transportation programs.

County commissioners approved the sponsorships in separate votes, paving the way for the city to apply for funding.

The Pine Street trail project aims to address safety concerns for students. Currently, Pine Street is marked as a bike route but lacks sidewalks or off-street trails, forcing students to walk along the busy roadway.

The proposed trail would feature a 10-foot-wide paved path, set back approximately six feet from the road.

The Tracy School District owns the property where the trail would be built and has agreed to handle maintenance, such as snow removal, during the winter months.

The Safe Routes to School grant would provide funding over five years, enabling future projects beyond this initial phase.

For this year, Tracy anticipates approximately $700,000 in grant-supported engineering costs, requiring a 10% local match.

In addition to the Pine Street project, Tracy is considering trail connections near parks and the high school baseball field to enhance recreational options for the community.

City officials and commissioners emphasized the importance of these projects for improving safety and quality of life in Tracy, expressing confidence in the likelihood of grant approval.

2024 Weather Recap: Big Storms, Dry Spells, and an Average Finish

In a year marked by dramatic weather swings—including a March snowstorm, June floods, and a record-dry September—Marshall’s overall precipitation for 2024 landed close to average.

The city recorded 28.12 inches of precipitation, just shy of the typical 28.9 inches, according to meteorological data.

Snowfall was below average, with Marshall accumulating 24.2 inches over the year. The city’s peak snow depth of 8 inches occurred in late March during a winter storm that blanketed southwest Minnesota, with some nearby areas, such as Balaton, reporting up to 10 inches.

June brought heavy rainfall, with 6.78 inches recorded, triggering flood warnings along the Redwood River. While substantial, the rainfall didn’t match the historic levels seen during the flood of June 1957.

In stark contrast, September set a new record for dryness, with only 0.15 inches of rain, breaking the previous low of 0.18 inches set in 1974. Despite the dry fall, 2024 did not break any heat records.

The highest temperature for the year was 94°F on August 4, far cooler than the 103°F peak in 2023. The coldest temperature recorded was -16°F on January 14.

Looking ahead, southwest Minnesota’s weather remains uncertain.

The National Weather Service suggests equal chances for above- or below-average precipitation from January through March. However, the region is leaning toward colder-than-normal temperatures for the early months of 2025.

Upcoming Area Events

 🗓️ Have an event to add? Send us the details!

Saturday, January 11th
Friday, January 17th
Saturday, January 18th
Monday, January 20th
Thursday, January 22nd

  • YMIC Business Tour Day

Saturday, January 25th

  • 4 Person Puzzle Challenge at the Cottonwood Community Center starting at 1:00 PM

    • Registration begins at 12:30

    • Deadline to register is January 17th - Register here

  • Mid-Winter Community Celebration at The Rock: Dining and Events in Granite Falls from 5:30 - 9:00 PM

    • Social Hour with Appetizers, Silent Auction & Entertainment

    • Tickets are $39.19

  • Live music with Strictly Herbal at the Bluenose Gopher Public House in Granite Falls from 7:00 - 9:00 PM

    • No cover charge

Wednesday, February 5th (first Wednesday of every month)

  • Dementia Caregiver Support Group from 10:00 - 11:30 AM at Adult Community Center in Marshall

    • Open to everyone, come when you can, no cost or obligation to attend, refreshments available

    • For questions contact Jane Nelson Como (507) 829-1143

Friday, February 7th

  • Valentine’s Day Artistry Spa Event at the Iverson Tree Farm in Belview from 4:00 - 7:00 PM

    • Enjoy a night of pampering at this open house style spa event

    • Skincare assessment with suggested regiment, facial, massage, make up tutorial and snacks/refreshments!

    • Only $10 at the door

    • First 25 guests receive a free gift!

Saturday, February 8th
Friday, February 14th

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Marshall’s & Southwest MN’s Best Kept Secret:
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