From Where I Sit By Pat Spilseth, columnist It’s unsettling to acknowledge how many habits of our parents annoyed us when we were kids. Today, many of us realize we’re doing the same things. Who hasn’t shaken a pointed finger of disapproval and said, “I told you not to do that and stand up straight and don’t… Read More

Publisher’s Perspective By Tim Douglass, Publisher of the Pope County Tribune It sure was nice to see a few docks move from their winter perches on the shoreline into the lake for another open-water season. The cool, windy weather over the past week since ice-out probably delayed dock installation for a lot of property owners, but… Read More

Stoneage Ramblings By John R. Stone It’s pretty hard to figure out how this mess in Ukraine is going to work out in the long run. The short-term outlook is just plain ugly. Every day Russian soldiers launch bombs or rockets to destroy more of Ukraine. The object of war is to defeat the enemy. While… Read More

‘Touch the Truck” event was success From Sara Nestor, representing the Minnewaska Early Childhood Parent Advisory Board Touch the Truck was recently held to provide an opportunity for young children and families to explore vehicles that work and move in our community. Thank you to all families who attended! Thank you to the following businesses… Read More

Tribune Editorial In a surprise move last week, the Minnesota House of Representatives advanced a more than $3.7 billion proposal to replenish the state’s jobless fund and send out checks to front-line workers. The plan would repay the federal government for helping the state pay unemployment insurance benefits during the pandemic. It would also replenish… Read More

Notes from the Capitol By Rep. Paul Anderson Bumping up against a hard deadline of April 30, the Legislature last week passed and the governor signed into law a bill that fully replenishes the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. In addition, the Hero Worker Pay Bill was passed at the same time, and it provides $500 million… Read More

View from a Prairie Home By Hege Herfindahl, Columnist Sometimes, a smell will take my mind back. Memories. From way back. Today, in the misty air after the recent rain, the smell of the pines was pungent. The wind, which for months it seems, has been so strong, just rustled the top of the branches as I… Read More

Views from the Cab By David Tollefson, Columnist During this past long, long winter, we’ve heard a lot about ethanol. President Biden recently flew to Iowa to an ethanol plant not far from Des Moines to announce that E-15 would be able to be sold the year round, instead of only in the colder months. In a… Read More

Growing Green By Robin Trott, Extension Educator Many gardeners are adding perennials, shrubs and trees that support pollinators to their landscapes. But, how about your lawn? We’re seeing more interest in “bee lawns,” including support from the state of Minnesota to encourage lawns that are good for pollinators and the planet. What’s a bee-friendly lawn? Bee… Read More

What’s on the Horizon for Public Health By Marcia Schroeder, RN, Horizon Public Health In case you are wondering, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) poses a low health risk to you and your family. People rarely catch avian influenza (bird flu) and it continues to be safe to eat poultry, including chicken, turkey and eggs. But with… Read More