Residents and visitors alike in New London, Granite Falls and Willmar bid farewell to influential leaders who dedicated significant portions of their lives to the benefit of the communities they called home.
From an injury-free train derailment in Raymond, to the loss of well-respected community members to the debate surrounding the Upper Sioux State Agency Park land transfer, communities in west central Minnesota experienced plenty of highs and lows throughout the past year.
Work will be completed on the north gap, between Paynesville and Richmond this fall. The south gap project, between New London and Paynesville, kicked off with a ceremonial groundbreaking Friday.
Willmar businessman and philanthropist Bob Dols, who died Feb. 2, worked for decades to complete a four-lane Highway 23 from Willmar to Interstate 94. That project is nearing completion.