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One Dead, One Injured in Granite Falls Plane Crash
Issue #311
In this Marshall Area Insider issue…
🌤️ Marshall, MN Weather - Partly Cloudy with a high of 80
🗞️ One Dead, One Injured in Granite Falls Plane Crash
🗞️ Semi Collides with Train at Renville County Crossing
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📌 Know of other local events not listed? Send us the details!
One Dead, One Injured in Granite Falls Plane Crash
A fatal jet crash near Granite Falls on Monday, July 14, evening has claimed the life of one person and prompted a federal investigation.
The Yellow Medicine County Sheriff’s Office received a report at approximately 5:23 p.m. of an aircraft experiencing engine trouble near the Granite Falls Municipal Airport. About ten minutes later, a 911 call confirmed the aircraft had crashed near the intersection of Highway 23 and Yellow Medicine County Road 39.
Emergency responders arriving at the scene found one occupant of the aircraft, 43-year-old Mark Ryan Ruff of Dallas, Texas, standing near the highway.
He received medical attention on site. The second occupant, 49-year-old David Colin Dacus of San Francisco, California, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The aircraft involved in the crash was identified as a 1979 Aero L-39 Albatros, a military jet trainer.
In the aftermath of the crash, authorities discovered an unspent ejection seat cartridge at the site. This prompted a response from the Bloomington Bomb Squad and the 148th Fighter Wing, who safely removed and detonated the cartridge.
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the crash. The wreckage will be relocated for further examination as part of the ongoing probe.
Officials have not released further details about the cause of the crash, and the investigation remains active.
Semi Collides with Train at Renville County Crossing
A collision between a semi-truck and a train Monday afternoon led to significant damage but no injuries, according to the Renville County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash occurred around 12:56 p.m. at a railroad crossing on County Road 16, approximately two miles west of Hector.
A 2018 Freightliner semi-tractor trailer hauling soybeans, driven by 41-year-old Andrew Hanson of Atwater, failed to stop at a posted stop sign and did not yield to an approaching westbound train.
The train struck the trailer as it entered the crossing, scattering the truck’s load of soybeans across the road.
The semi sustained heavy damage, while the train’s locomotive was also damaged. The train, owned by Canadian Pacific and operated by Twin Cities and Western Railroad Company personnel, was not carrying any cargo at the time.
Hanson was wearing a seatbelt and was uninjured in the crash. Emergency responders from the Hector Fire Department, Hector Ambulance, Hector Police Department, and the Minnesota State Patrol assisted at the scene. The incident remains under investigation by the Renville County Sheriff’s Office.
Upcoming Area Events
🗓️ Have an event to add? Send us the details!
Friday, July 25th
Par 3 Golf Scramble Fundraiser in Cottonwood
Tuesday, July 29th
Fauxtoshop at the Marshall-Lyon County Library at 6:30 PM
Southwest Minnesota State University Professor Alma Hale presents a series of art created from photographs from his sabbatical travels to Japan and Korea in 2024.
Saturday, July 26th - Sunday, July 27th
The Society for the Preservation of Minneota's Heritage (SPMH) is sponsoring a special weekend to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first Icelandic settlement in our area
Monday, August 4th
Grief Share support group (after the death of a loved one)
Holy Redeemer gathering space from 6:30pm - 8pm
Wednesday, August 6th
Intentional Leader Summit at Grace Life Church in Marshall
Poetry Bus in the evening in Granite Falls (time to be determined)
Dementia Caregiver Support Group at the Adult Community Center in Marshall from 10 - 11:30 AM
Saturday, August 9th
The Poetry Bus at the Marshall-Lyon County Library at 1 PM
Stop by The Poetry Bus for poetry readings & on-demand poems! Featuring the talents of Athena Kildegaard, Michale Kleber-Diggs, Su Love, & Sara Dovre Wudali.
Monday, August 11th
Grief Share support group (after the death of a loved one)
Holy Redeemer gathering space from 6:30pm - 8pm
Saturday, August 16th
Squid Fest in Granite Falls
Todd wants to help celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Memorial Park so we’re moving the party there from 11-4.
The party continues downtown with live music at 6 PM. For more details check out the website!
Senior Citizen’s Day at the Lyon County Fair in Marshall
Saturday and Sunday, August 16th and 17th
Victory at Sea at Fagen Fighters WWII Museum in Granite Falls starting at 1pm
Monday, August 18th
Grief Share support group (after the death of a loved one)
Holy Redeemer gathering space from 6:30pm - 8pm
Thursday, August 21st
Relay for Life of Lyon County Downtown Marshall starting at 5 PM till dusk
Saturday, August 23rd
Sounds of Summer in Marshall starting at 4 PM
Monday, August 25th
Grief Share support group (after the death of a loved one)
Holy Redeemer gathering space from 6:30pm - 8pm
Wednesday, September 3
Dementia Caregiver Support Group at the Adult Community Center in Marshall from 10 - 11:30 AM
Tuesday, September 30th and Wednesday, October 1st
Tall Cop Says Stop Event - September 30, 2025 from 6:15–7:30 PM at Pipestone Performing Arts Center in Pipestone
Tall Cop Says Stop Event - October 1, 2025 from 6:15–7:30 PM at Marshall High School Theater in Marshall
RSVP by contacting Jennifer Nelson at [email protected] or 507-532-1243
Special Community Events
Dementia Caregiver Support Group, first Wednesday of every month, 10 - 11:30 AM at the Adult Community Center in Marshall
Grief Share support group (after the death of a loved one)
Holy Redeemer gathering space in Marshall
501 W Lyon St Marshall MN
There will be 13 sessions on Mondays beginning August 4, 2025
6:30pm-8pm (no session Sept 1)
Register at griefshare.org or call Pat 507-829-0240
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