By Kathy Schwartz, Murray County Master Gardener To protect the trunks of young trees, use a loose wire mesh barrier around the lower trunk to keep rodents from chewing the tender bark. This is the most critical month for our lawns.

By John Stenen I hear a lot in the news today about the millions of people that are bound with addictions such as, uncontrolled anger, addicted to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, immorality and so forth. I myself started drinking and smoking when I was twelve years old. By the time I came out of the Marine Corps in 1973, I could quit neither one of them. I was hopelessly hooked. I tried and tried to quit but failed every time. It wasn’t until I grew in my faith and learned to trust God. When that happened, it was very easy to give up those addictions, because ‘all things are possible with God.’ The Bible calls those addictions ‘strongholds.’ 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh; For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” The Spirit of God will help you be an overcomer of any harmful addictions if you will trust God to Help you. God bless.

Slayton City Council conducted a special meeting on Monday August 6th, 2026, to consider the Capital Improvement Bond Proposal. Discussion was held regarding the process and schedule of events needed for the proposal.

This has been the week of the annual Murray County Fair. We’ve been to many county fairs over the years.

Please do not request that your name be left off the District Court List. MN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Kayla Ann Bloemendaal, Fargo, ND, Liquor Consumption by persons under 21 - $185.

Murray County Emergency Services participated in a Mass Casualty Incident Response Drill on Monday, August 10th, at the Murray County Fairgrounds. Director Carl Nyquist coordinated two mock motor vehicle accidents involving multiple injured and deceased victims. Simultaneously, first responders set up a helicopter landing zone and acted on a mock missing person’s report and mock scene safety reports of gunfire, stabbings, protestors acting outside the law, and a loose horse. Murray County Ambulance Director Jenni Kirchner and Chandler Fire Department Chief Kyle Vos served as the Incident Commanders in directing scene safety, auto extrication, triage, emergency room transfers, and communication with Murray County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch. A debriefing with all personnel was held in Olson Arena at the drill’s conclusion. Participating agencies were Murray County Sheriff’s Department, Murray County Medical Center, Murray County Ambulance, Chandler Fire Department, Fulda Ambulance, Iona First Responders, Lake Shetek First Responders, Slayton Fire Department, Fulda Fire Department, Lake Wilson Fire Department, Currie Fire Department, and Balaton Ambulance.

7-30-2026 0:59 a.m. - Fire alarm reported in Chandler city, Chandler Fire Department was paged.

Minnesota schools, early childhood education (ECE) centers, and licensed in-home family childcare providers can now apply for funding to bring more locally sourced foods to kids’ plates. Funding is available through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Farm to Kids Programs, formerly known as the AGRI Farm to School and Early Care Grant Programs.

Question: I saw your last article was about stopping. With school just around the corner, can you talk about stopping for the school bus? Answer: I certainly can and with last year’s law change it’s a good reminder.

By Justine Wettschreck A meeting on Sunday, August 9 is the result of community members asking what they can do to protect children. “Protecting Our Youth: A Community Response to Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking” will be at 1 p.m. Sunday in the Fellowship Hall of Christ Lutheran Church at 2959 Queen Avenue, Slayton, MN. All are invited.