Minnewaska Musings By Paul Gremmels The other day, with great sadness, I thought I might have to put “Old Blue” down. A fresh snow had just blanketed the region and Old Blue was having trouble working his way down the walkway. I knew the day would eventually come, he was nearly fifteen years old. But the… Read More

Stoneage Ramblings By John R. Stone In the United States in the 1930s we suffered through an economic depression along with the rest of the world. At the same time in Germany, a young former army corporal named Adolph Hitler rose to power blaming the nation’s woes on the Jewish population and promised to make Germany… Read More

Growing Green By Robin Trott, Extension Educator Believe it or not, it’s already time to plant vegetables like onions, leeks, and celery, as well as a variety of flowers. Serious gardeners who want to start large quantities of seeds will benefit from certain investments like artificial lights and heating pads. But for gardeners who are growing… Read More

The Outdoors By Scott Rall, Outdoors Columnist This is one of those times of the year when a dog guy gets kind of bored.  The ice conditions have been so sketchy that I don’t really feel all that great driving on the ice of the area lakes. So, with no seasons open, I took to observing one… Read More

View From the Cab By David Tollefson, Columnist On Feb. 2, I began a trip to Hawaii by riding Amtrak, boarding at St. Cloud at 1:00 a.m., riding the Empire Builder. I had ridden Amtrak a number of years ago, but that was a relatively short trip from St. Paul to Chicago. Being I now have a… Read More

Ask a Trooper By Sgt. Jesse Grabow, State Trooper  Question: In your last article you wrote about suspended drivers licenses. I know a person who had theirs revoked. Can you explain how this happens? Answer: Your driver’s license may be revoked if you: • Refuse to take a test to determine whether you are under the influence of alcohol… Read More

From Where I Sit By Pat Spilseth, Columnist It feels like I’ve  been in hibernation for two long weeks. At least I’m getting plenty of sleep, but…I’ve done NOTHING but sit in my favorite chair reading and looking out the window at the falling snow and day-dreaming. The picture outside my windows remains the same: falling snow…. Read More

Publisher’s Perspective By Tim Douglass, Publisher Things coming out of Washington D.C. are getting “curiouser and curiouser,” to use a phrase from Alice in Wonderland. But this isn’t Wonderland, it’s the United States of America.  Or at least it has been for more than two centuries. Instead of toning down his rhetoric and drastic moves in the… Read More

Thanks community for success of Red Kettle campaign From Donna Ortendahl, Salvation Army Area Case Manager and Shannon Bodeker, Social Services Coordinator I The Pope County Salvation Army would like to thank the community for their assistance with the Red Kettle Campaign this last year. The Salvation Army of Pope County red kettle campaign raised… Read More

Stoneage Ramblings By John R. Stone You’ve no doubt read or heard on the news about companies offering to buy U.S. Steel which has put itself up for sale. That has an impact on Minnesota because of our iron mining history. U.S. Steel and Cleveland Cliffs have iron mining facilities in Minnesota. Cleveland Cliffs is interested… Read More