High Winds and Ice Cause Power Outages for Hundreds in Southwest Minnesota

Issue #214

07 Mar

In this Marshall Area Insider issue…

🌤️ Marshall, MN Weather - Mostly sunny with a high of 39

🗞️ SMSU Enrollment Soars with 17.8% Spring Semester Surge

🗞️ High Winds and Ice Cause Power Outages for Hundreds in Southwest Minnesota

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

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

SMSU Enrollment Soars with 17.8% Spring Semester Surge

SMSU is experiencing another notable rise in enrollment for the 2024-25 school year, with a 17.8% increase in spring semester student numbers compared to the previous year. The university now accounts for 2,791 students.

The student retention rate from fall to spring stands at 86.3%, contributing to a 20.4% overall enrollment increase over the past five years. This growth positions SMSU as the fastest-growing institution within the Minnesota State system.

SMSU began the school year with a 14.9% increase in total headcount. Undergraduate enrollment rose by 2.8%, while transfer student enrollment jumped by 43.9% across both in-person and online platforms. International student enrollment also saw a significant 42% rise at the start of the fall semester.

The latest enrollment boost follows SMSU’s announcement to develop a bachelor of science and master of social work program, both set to launch in fall 2026. The new programs are designed to address workforce shortages in healthcare and social work fields, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN nursing licensure exam and the Association of Social Work Board (ASWB) master’s level exam.

The nursing program will collaborate with Avera Health, while the social work master’s degree will offer two concentrations: mental health services and organizational leadership for social work professionals.

The School of Business, which partners with North Star Mutual Insurance, continues to report strong enrollment in accounting, management, and marketing programs. Social work, psychology, and education programs also remain among the university's most popular fields of study.

SMSU's enrollment growth positions the university favorably amid ongoing state budget discussions. Minnesota State colleges and universities, including SMSU, are awaiting funding decisions for Fiscal Year 2026-27. The system has requested $465 million in funding to support student services, workforce initiatives, system operations, and infrastructure. The legislative session ends on May 19, with final budget approvals expected in July.

High Winds and Ice Cause Power Outages for Hundreds in Southwest Minnesota

Southwest Minnesota faced icy conditions and high winds this week, resulting in damaged power lines and outages for many residents.

While the region avoided heavy snowfall that hit other parts of the state, the combination of ice and wind caused significant disruption.

Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative (LLEC) crews worked through Tuesday night and Wednesday to repair damaged power lines. The hardest-hit areas were along U.S. Highway 14, from west of Balaton to west of Tracy, though outages were reported across the service area.

Around 50 outages affected approximately 500 customers at various times, with power expected to be restored by late Wednesday.

Blizzard warnings were in effect Tuesday night, with snow accumulations ranging from one to two inches in Lyon County. Despite modest snowfall, wind gusts reached over 50 miles per hour, including a reported 64-mile-per-hour gust near Florence early Wednesday morning.

The icy buildup on power lines, combined with strong winds, caused lines to bounce and potentially break or tangle. LLEC crews began addressing outages Tuesday afternoon, but worsening weather conditions forced them to pause overnight. They resumed repairs Wednesday morning once conditions improved.

As temperatures rise into the 50s later in the week, melting ice could lead to further issues by causing lines to bounce and tangle again, potentially resulting in additional outages.

Residents are urged to report any broken poles or downed power lines and to avoid approaching damaged lines for safety reasons.

Upcoming Area Events

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

Friday, March 7th

  • KC/VFW Fish Fry at VFW Post 2980, 116 E Saxon St., Ivanhoe, MN from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

    • Serving Beer Battered Cod, French Fries, Vegetable & Dinner Roll

    • Adults $13, Children (age 10 & under)

Saturday, March 8th
Wednesday, March 12th

  • First Lutheran’s Lenten Worships: The People vs Judas Iscariot at First Lutheran (100 Church Street in Marshall) at 6:15 PM

    • Supper from 5:00 - 6:05 PM and stay for worship

Thursday, March 13th

  • Dementia Awareness Event hosted by Lakeview FCCLA at Lakeview Commons from 5:00 - 7:00 PM

    • Pulled pork meal

    • Free will donations will benefit the Marshall Area Dementia Awareness Network

  • Granite Area Arts Council classes: Write your memoir from 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM ($20)

Saturday, March 15th
Wednesday, March 19th

  • First Lutheran’s Lenten Worships: The People vs Judas Iscariot at First Lutheran (100 Church Street in Marshall) at 6:15 PM

    • Supper from 5:00 - 6:05 PM and stay for worship

Thursday, March 20th

  • True Light Christian School Promise Banquet 2025 at The Upper Room in Marshall (100 W. College Dr., Ste. 300) at 6:00 PM

    • Join True Light Christian School for an unforgettable night at the Promise Banquet, featuring Sean McDowell, and discover how you can make a lasting difference at True Light Christian School.

  • Granite Area Arts Council classes: Carving for kids starting at 5:30 PM ($15)

Friday, March 21st

  • KC/VFW Fish Fry at VFW Post 2980, 116 E Saxon St., Ivanhoe, MN from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

    • Serving Beer Battered Cod, French Fries, Vegetable & Dinner Roll

    • Adults $14, Children (age 10 & under) $9

Saturday, March 22nd

  • Spring Fling Pet Event at Animal Health Center in Marshall from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

    • FREE Photo Booth: Bring your kids and / or pets for spring themed pictures

    • Free goodie bags for all pets

    • Free juice and cookies for humans

    • …and more!

  • Youth Sports Activities & Expo at the Red Baron Arena in Marshall from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Tuesday, March 25th
Wednesday, March 26th

  • First Lutheran’s Lenten Worships: The People vs Judas Iscariot at First Lutheran (100 Church Street in Marshall) at 6:15 PM

    • Supper from 5:00 - 6:05 PM and stay for worship

Saturday, March 29th

  • Cottonwood Spring Vendor Show at the Lakeview High School in Cottonwood from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

  • Easter Bunny mini photo sessions at the YMCA in Marshall brought to you by Keel Photography from 1:00 - 3:00 PM

    • Register & purchase package at: Keel Photography

Saturday and Sunday, March 29th and 30th

  • 2025 Culligan Water Marshall Home Show at the Red Baron Arena and Expo Center in Marshall

    • Saturday from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    • Sunday from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Wednesday, April 2nd (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

  • First Lutheran’s Lenten Worships: The People vs Judas Iscariot at First Lutheran (100 Church Street in Marshall) at 6:15 PM

    • Supper from 5:00 - 6:05 PM and stay for worship

Friday - Sunday, April 4, 5 and 6th
Friday, April 4th

  • KC/VFW Fish Fry at VFW Post 2980, 116 E Saxon St., Ivanhoe, MN from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

    • Serving Beer Battered Cod, French Fries, Vegetable & Dinner Roll

    • Adults $13, Children (age 10 & under) $9

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