The start of a new year is traditionally a popular time to reflect on the past and look to make improvements in our lives going forward. Here at the Independent we decided this would be a good time to make one big upgrade and add a new feature.

Starting with today’s edition, we are launching our expanded weather package. Living in an agricultural region, we understand the importance of forecasts and weather data. The new weather package will run daily and in the Weekender typically in the back of the A section. At times it may have to be moved inside the A section. But it will always offer the same information.

First, the weather package will provide a six-day forecast including temperatures and conditions. The map of Minnesota will also provide temperature forecasts and conditions. The national map will give an overview of weather systems that may be moving into the region.

For a complete regional outlook, a list of regional cities and some other cities in the state will provide forecasted temperatures and conditions not provided in the state map.

At the bottom of the package, precipitation and snow totals will be provided throughout the year. The Independent will also continue to provide the sunrise and sunset times daily.

Feel free to let me know what you like or don’t like about the weather information that we will be providing. My phone number at the office is 507-537-1551, ext. 126. And my email address: mlamb@marshallindependent.com.

We are also excited to announce a new Independent columnist. Bill Palmer returns with his insight on military veteran issues and profiles of local people who make southwest Minnesota unique. Palmer will be leaning on his long career in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2004.

After returning to the Marshall area, Palmer taught at Lakeview High School and at Southwest Minnesota State University’s Gold College. His class included a course that engaged adult students to learn about the Vietnam War.

Past Independent columns include a profile of a Green Valley man who served in the U.S. Army with the occupation forces in Japan after World War II and a Marshall man who served during the Korean War.

The planned launch date for Palmer’s column will be in the Jan. 18 Weekender edition. It will run on the bottom of the C section front page each weekend.

We hope you will enjoy Palmer’s columns.

Happy New Year!