Marshall Firefighters Tackle Grass Fire Near SMSU

Issue #222

19 Mar

In this Marshall Area Insider issue…

☁️ Marshall, MN Weather - Cloudy with a high of 40

🗞️ Marshall Firefighters Tackle Grass Fire Near SMSU

🗞️ U.S. and Dominican Officials Investigate Student’s Disappearance

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

Marshall Firefighters Tackle Grass Fire Near SMSU

Marshall firefighters extinguished a small grass fire near Southwest Minnesota State University on Monday. The fire broke out near a retention pond behind the university's baseball and soccer fields.

Three individuals fishing at the pond were present when the fire started and reported it to authorities. Emergency responders had to move athletic equipment, including soccer goals, to access the affected area. Despite the obstacles, the fire was quickly brought under control.

While there have been no other recent grass fire incidents within Marshall city limits, several have been reported in Lyon County in the past few weeks.

Dry conditions continue to pose a fire risk, even with some recent precipitation. The lack of significant snowfall this winter has contributed to ongoing concerns.

Marshall Fire Department has adapted to the unusual winter by keeping water in equipment that would typically be drained for the season.

Although Lyon County was not under a Red Flag Warning on Monday, the National Weather Service noted that warm and dry conditions still increased fire danger in the region.

The forecast for Marshall includes wind and snow before temperatures are expected to rise into the 50s later this week.

U.S. and Dominican Officials Investigate Student’s Disappearance

police

The search for a University of Pittsburgh student who disappeared in the Dominican Republic has intensified, with authorities focusing on the waters off Punta Cana, where she was last seen. Officials are investigating the possibility that she may have drowned.

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian citizen, went missing in the early hours of March 6. Dominican police have detained Minnesota student Joshua Riibe, who is believed to have been the last person to see her.

Although he has not been named as a suspect, he has been questioned extensively. On Sunday, he returned to the beach where she vanished, accompanied by his attorney, to meet with authorities.

The following day, Riibe’s lawyer formally requested his release, with a judge expected to make a decision soon.

Reports from Dominican media, as well as U.S. outlets, suggest that Riibe described spending time with Konanki on the beach, drinking together before entering the water.

He allegedly recalled being pulled out to sea by a strong tide and assisting her back to shore. According to his account, she later left to retrieve her belongings, and he realized she was missing only after she failed to return.

Riibe’s parents have voiced concerns over the conditions of his detention, claiming he has been held without access to translators or legal representation.

They state that he has been confined under police watch in a hotel room for over a week and taken for repeated interrogations. They also assert that he has cooperated fully with authorities.

The family has hired legal counsel to protect his rights, but Dominican prosecutors have not publicly addressed their concerns.

Meanwhile, the FBI has joined the investigation, working alongside Dominican authorities to determine what happened to Konanki.

Upcoming Area Events

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

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

  • Soup & sermon at Holy Redeemer Church in Marshall (each Wednesday during Lent)

    • Serving begins at 11:45 and sermon is at 12:05

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

  • Soup & sermon at Holy Redeemer Church in Marshall (each Wednesday during Lent)

    • Serving begins at 11:45 and sermon is at 12:05

Saturday, March 29th
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

Sunday, March 30th
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

  • Soup & sermon at Holy Redeemer Church in Marshall (each Wednesday during Lent)

    • Serving begins at 11:45 and sermon is at 12:05

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

Saturday, April 5th
Monday, April 7th

  • Marshall Area Cancer Support Group Meetings at Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall at 6:00 PM

    • For patients, survivors, and caregivers looking for support

Wednesday, April 9th

  • 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

  • Soup & sermon at Holy Redeemer Church in Marshall (each Wednesday during Lent)

    • Serving begins at 11:45 and sermon is at 12:05

Sunday, April 12th

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