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Help ensure a healthy start to school year

It always seems like back-to-school time returns too quickly after the fun and freedom of summer. Yet now’s the time to begin looking toward this busy season when it comes to your family’s health care. Clinic appointments can get filled up, so call early to schedule back-to-school preventive checkups. Most health insurance plans cover an annual preventive visit for every member of your family. If you or your family members have not yet had this visit in 2026, consider scheduling now. This visit is an opportunity to check in with your provider on several points: • Current health ...

Even in the…

As I sat waiting for a local parade to begin, it became apparent that even in the crowded heat of the day, people helped each other to be comfortable. It was very comfortable sitting in my favorite coffee shop's outdoor patio and watching the interaction of the folks around me. People moved closer together so others could be in the shade. They formed places for people to have a space to sit. They watched and protected the little toddlers running along the sidewalk. Even in the heat, we helped each other. One of the events during the cities summer festival was that local organizations ...

Sliding scale

All waters are different, and expectedly, the fish available in each one are different as well. Not so much in their general characteristics — big fish still eat little fish, or at least littler things, and are affected by environmental changes — but the crappies in one lake might be ...

Ask a Trooper

Question: I have a question on stop signs procedures. Can you go over this? I think it would be good for everyone to be aware as I think some people forget or get confused. Thank you for all you do. Answer: Yes, I can. That is a great topic and something that can and should be covered. Stop Signs: • Come to a complete stop at stop signs. • If there is a marked stop line, stop before the line. • If there is a pedestrian crosswalk, stop before entering the crosswalk. • Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, bicyclists and traffic before proceeding. Obstructed ...

The pain of painting

The joys of home ownership are infinite. And by “joys” I mean “pain-in-the-patootie maintenance issues.” If a wife says to her husband, “I’m thinking about painting the living room,” what she really means is, “I want you to paint the living room.” The husband might reply, ...