dgau@marshallindependent.com
MARSHALL The end is in sight for Minnesota’s COVID-19 restrictions, and how quickly it comes will depend partly on how fast Minnesotans get vaccinated for the virus, Gov. Tim Walz said Thursday.
Walz unveiled a three-step plan for ending limits on outdoor and indoor gatherings, bar and restaurant restrictions, and the state mask mandate. The end of mask requirements will come by July 1, or as soon as 70% of eligible Minnesotans are vaccinated.
“We can make it happen,” Walz said Thursday. He noted that Minnesota is only about 473,000 doses away from having 70% vaccination.
Most of the restrictions affecting local businesses like bars and restaurants will be gone by the end of the month. But while it’s a positive thing, some local businesspeople said it’s not likely to have a big immediate impact for them.
Photo by Deb Gau
Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes talks about the state of the city.
MARSHALL Â The last time Mayor Bob Byrnes and city administrator Sharon Hanson were on stage to talk about the state of Marshall, it was just before the COVID-19 pandemic kicked off a year of major changes for the community.
On Wednesday, the pandemic still hung over the discussion at the 2021 State of the City Address, as Byrnes and Hanson talked about how it has affected Marshall’s economy and public health.
“With COVID, fortunately or unfortunately, it really did connect us with the rest of the globe,” Hanson said.
dgau@marshallindependent.com
MARSHALL Â The Marshall City Council will be holding a public hearing later this month on proposed ordinance changes that could allow residents to use shipping containers as storage structures in certain parts of town.
Under the proposed changes, property owners could apply for a conditional use permit (CUP) to have a shipping container on property in a general business district in Marshall.
Earlier this spring, the council heard a variance request from Monte Buntjer to have a shipping container as a permanent storage structure on property on the 500 block of East Main Street. Under current city ordinances, shipping containers can’t be used as permanent storage or accessory buildings in residential zoning districts, although they are permitted in industrial districts.
dgau@marshallindependent.com
Photo by Deb Gau
With emerald ash borers causing damage to trees in communities as close as Worthington, the city of Marshall is planning to gradually replace ash trees planted on public property like municipal parks. At Independence Park (above), there are a total of 198 ash trees, or about a third of all the trees in the park.
MARSHALL Â An invasive insect that feeds on ash trees is already causing damage in southwest Minnesota, and Marshall needs to be proactive to protect its green spaces, city staff said.
On Tuesday, members of the Marshall City Council approved a plan to gradually remove and replace hundreds of ash trees at risk from the emerald ash borer.
Reporter
MARSHALL Â Members of the Marshall City Council were divided Tuesday night on whether to formally speak out against Minnesota adopting low-emission vehicle standards similar to California.
Council members were united in thinking the question should be left up to the state Legislature instead of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. But some council members thought the city shouldn’t be taking political positions on the issue.
“As a council, we have a history of kind of staying in our lane,” said Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes. The Clean Cars Minnesota rule was more of a state government issue than a local one, he said.