From Where I Sit By Pat Spilseth, Columnist Fall seems to bring back nostalgic feelings and memories of when we felt life was more innocent. Who doesn’t wax nostalgic at times? In this time of uncertainty and chaos, doesn’t it feel great to remember past days of a simple life? Some memories can’t be beat! Growing up… Read More

Collaborative Corner on the Move By, Jeannie Pederson, Pope County Initiative Coordinator  Thank you to Western Prairie Human Services for providing the following opportunity for community leaders and partners from organizations who serve families and/or children to gather to share their views. Coming Soon –  during the 2nd week in November, the next round of invites will… Read More

Ask a Trooper By Jesse Grabow, State Trooper Question: Hello, we read your column every week. I’ve noticed more often lately on numerous occasions that when a school bus is stopped and dropping-off or picking-up kids, they do NOT have their red lights flashing or their STOP arm extended. The bus will only have the yellow lights… Read More

Publisher’s Perspective By Tim Douglas, Publisher Minnewaska Area Schools will conduct its 19th Annual Veterans Day Appreciation program on Monday, November 11.  The program will commemorate veterans’ service and all area veterans are invited to attend the program and participate with fellow veterans from this area. According to a letter from Minnewaska Area Schools Superintendent Chip Rankin,… Read More

Thanks for donating blood From Mary Gross American Red Cross Coordinator On behalf of the American Red Cross, I would like to thank all of the people that donated blood at our drive on Tuesday October 8, 2024. The drive was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church which is always a welcoming facility. Thank you… Read More

Stoneage Ramblings By John R. Stone People in their late teens today may not realize that up until 1971 a person had to be 21 years old to vote in a presidential election. It was the 26th Amendment that changed that. It read: “The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of… Read More

The Outdoors By Scott Rall, Outdoors Columnist What an interesting weekend I had on the pheasant opener. The Governor’s Pheasant Hunting opener event started in 2011 when Congressman Petersen talked Governor Dayton into a hunt. This event has matured over the years and is hosted by different communities who all vie for the opportunity through an… Read More

Growing Green By Robin Trott, Extension Educator As fall winds down and outdoor projects wrap up, there’s one more yard task you can tackle before the snow flies: dormant seeding your lawn. Late October to early November is the ideal time to frost seed areas that are bare or thin. Dormant seeding involves sowing grass seed… Read More

Cyber Moment By Mike Pfeiffer, CyberFyfe LLC Last month, we delved into the mechanics and prevention of ransomware.  However, as the cyber threat landscape evolves, so do the tactics of cybercriminals.  One such tactic that builds upon ransomware is extortion.  Unlike traditional ransomware that merely encrypts your data, extortion attacks involve stealing your data before encrypting… Read More

View From a Prairie Home by Hege Hernfindahl, Columnist “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” Such is the poem inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty…. Read More