- Marshall Area Insider
- Posts
- $92K Public Assistance Overpayment Leads to Guilty Plea
$92K Public Assistance Overpayment Leads to Guilty Plea
Issue #284
In this Marshall Area Insider issue…
🌧️ Marshall, MN Weather - Light rain with a high of 72
🗞️ $92K Public Assistance Overpayment Leads to Guilty Plea
🗞️ Marshall Implements Fee to Manage Overuse at Tree and Leaf Dump Site
📣 Want to get your business in the Marshall Area Insider? Let’s talk!
📌 Know of other local events not listed? Send us the details!
$92K Public Assistance Overpayment Leads to Guilty Plea
A Marshall business owner has pleaded guilty to three felony counts of wrongfully obtaining public assistance in Lyon County District Court.
Thomas Scott Pearcy, 55, entered an Alford plea to three of six charges filed against him.
An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain innocence while acknowledging that the prosecution has sufficient evidence to likely result in a conviction at trial.
According to a criminal complaint filed in April, Pearcy failed to report all sources of income on his applications for medical assistance from 2019 to 2025.
The omissions allegedly led to approximately $92,000 in overpayments. While the complaint stated Pearcy denied intentionally withholding income, a plea agreement was reached in the case.
Court records show that Pearcy appeared in court on Tuesday, where the plea was entered and a pre-sentencing investigation was ordered.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 19.
Marshall Implements Fee to Manage Overuse at Tree and Leaf Dump Site
With growing use of its tree and leaf dump site, the City of Marshall is introducing a $1,500 annual fee for commercial tree removal businesses.
The change, approved by the City Council, comes in response to increasing operational demands and maintenance costs.
City officials report that commercial operators are contributing a significant share of the materials brought to the site, especially in light of rising tree removals linked to the spread of emerald ash borer.
Previously, the dump site was free for all users.
Maintaining the site has become labor-intensive, requiring over 10 hours of staff time weekly and the use of heavy equipment such as front-end loaders.
According to city estimates, the site now costs more than $93,000 annually to operate.
The new fee is aimed at offsetting that cost and creating a more sustainable system. The city will also post signage limiting use of the dump to Marshall residents and permitted commercial users.
While cameras are already in place to monitor the area, officials are evaluating ways to improve oversight.
Survey data collected from other Minnesota communities showed a mix of access policies and user fees for similar sites. Some, like Albert Lea and Northfield, restrict access to city residents only, while others vary in enforcement and allowed materials.
Unlike many of those communities, Marshall’s dump site remains open-access without set hours, something city leaders hope to preserve for resident convenience.
However, the city acknowledges enforcement will remain a challenge, particularly in identifying where incoming materials originate.
Though precise tracking is difficult, city staff say it’s evident that some of the tree debris is coming from surrounding communities lacking their own disposal sites. Most of the volume, however, appears to be tied to commercial activity.
The fee was recommended by the council’s Ways and Means Committee and is seen as an initial step toward more effectively managing site usage.
City staff have communicated with local haulers, who have expressed general understanding of the policy change.
Upcoming Area Events
🗓️ Have an event to add? Send us the details!
Thursday, June 12th
Vineyard Picnic Under The Stars at The Vine from 7:30 - 10:30 PM in Dawson, MN
Friday, June 13th
Summer Block Party at Talking Waters Brewing Company in Montevideo from 6:00 - 10:00 PM
Lucan Pretzel Days in the Lucan City Park
Friday evening from 5:30 - 8:30 PM
Enjoy Woddy’s Axe Throwing, Youth Ball Games, Medallion Hunt and more
Saturday, June 14th
Ribfest in Echo, MN at Echo Community Park
Rib meal will be ready ay 4:00 PM
Lucan Pretzel Days in the Lucan City Park
all day Saturday
Enjoy Bounce houses, petting zoo, kids pedal pull, firemans breakfast feed, lions bbq supper friday night. Baseball tournament and more
Movie Club: classic movie screening with snacks and discussion at the Marshall-Lyon County Library at 11 AM
Tuesday, June 17th
Walk for Memories – Dementia Awareness Event at Marshall Area YMCA from 4:00 to 7:00 PM
What to Wear: Purple, to show support for dementia awareness
Free to attend, no registration needed
First 200 attendees get a swag bag
Includes vendor booths, live music, giveaways, drawings, and food for purchase
T-shirts available for sale
Donations: Free-will donations accepted, benefiting the Marshall Area Dementia Awareness Network (checks payable to A.C.E. of SW MN)
More Info: Visit the Facebook pages for Marshall Area Dementia Awareness Network, Act on Alzheimer’s Marshall, or A.C.E. of SW MN – Lyon/Lincoln County
Contact: Jane Nelson Como at 507-829-1143 for questions.
Tuesday, June 17th - Thursday, June 19th
MADAN's Dementia Awareness Week Hosted by: Boulder Creek Assisted Living (Memory Care)
Event: Virtual Dementia Tours (by appointment only) from 11 AM - 3 PM
To Schedule: Call Jan at 507-929-1234
Wednesday, June 18th
Poet Cassie Williams at the Marshall-Lyon County Library at noon
Thursday, June 19th - Saturday, June 21st
Western Fest PRCA Stampede Rodeo in Granite Falls
starting each night at 7:00 PM
Gates open at 5:30 PM
Saturday, June 21st
Marshall Area Stage Company's 2025 Summer Musical "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" at 2pm
Sunday, June 22nd
Marshall Area Stage Company's 2025 Summer Musical "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" at 2pm
Monday, June 23rd
Marshall Area Stage Company's 2025 Summer Musical "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" at 7 PM
Thursday, June 26th
The Spoon Man Entertainer at the Marshall-Lyon County Library at 10:30 AM
Marshall Area Stage Company's 2025 Summer Musical "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" at 7 PM
Friday, June 27th
Marshall Area Stage Company's 2025 Summer Musical "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" at 7 PM
Sunday, June 28th
Marshall Area Stage Company's 2025 Summer Musical "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" at 2pm
Sunday, June 29th
Marshall Area Stage Company's 2025 Summer Musical "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" at 2pm
Thursday, July 3rd
Makers Market in Granite Falls from 5-8 PM, with live music
Friday, July 4th
4th of July Celebration at Independence Park in Marshall starting at 5:30 PM
Thursday, July 10th
Ivanhoe Community Pork Chop Feed Fundraise at Gilson Field in Ivanhoe
Serving from 5 to 7:30 PM or until gone
Free Will Donation
All proceeds will go to Lincoln County Relay for Life & American Cancer Society
Menu: Pork Chops, Baked Beans, Macaroni & Cheese, Ice Cream, Pop & Water
Friday, July 11th - Sunday, July 13th
Murray County Classic Draft Horse Show at Murray County Fair Grounds
Special Community Events
SAIL: Stay Active & Independent For Life brought to you by A.C.E. of SW MN
a total of 24 classes every Tuesday and Thursday
from April 29 - July 17 from 9:30 - 10:30 AM at the YMCA in Marshall
Vacation Bible School (VBS)
Swan Lake Evangelical Free Church - June 8 - June 12
True North VBS - Register Here
VBS at Echo Alliance Church - June 15-19 from 6:30 - 7:45 PM
SCUBA: Diving into Friendship with God
Registration is at 6 PM on Sunday June 15th
Pre-K through 5th/ 6th grade
Parents are welcome to sit in with their kids or join the adult class during that time.
For more information call Pastor Marty at 507-925-4176
We want to take a moment to express our gratitude to you for being such a fantastic part of our newsletter community.
Your support, feedback, and engagement mean the world and it's what keeps us motivated to bring you valuable content every time.
But guess what? We're on a mission to make an even bigger impact on our community, and we need your help!
You can share our newsletter with your friends & family. Together, we can grow our community and reach even more people!
As a token of our appreciation for your support, you'll have the chance to receive a birthday shout out, a $10 gift card from Kwik Trip, or a $25 gift card from Rolling Hills Pizza! 🎉
So help us spread the word!
Marshall’s & Southwest MN’s Best Kept Secret:
Is Your Business One of Them?
We ❤️ local businesses!
We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts.
If you're a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you!
Marshall Area Insider is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our town. Send us a message and let's collaborate to let the community know what makes your business special!
👇 Select an option below:
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.