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Local Columns

Longer mortgages wouldn’t pay off in the long run

We all know that housing has become less affordable in recent years, and there’s no easy answer for changing it. President Trump’s proposal for 50-year mortgages shows how there’s no easy answer. It sounds great because of the potential for lower monthly payments. It’s important, ...

No garbage found on this trip — just smiles

We spent a weekend in the Cities in December. Pam’s family was celebrating Christmas at her niece’s house. We found a VRBO in Bloomington where we stayed. It was an apartment we rented in a larger building with mostly permanent residents. We had two evenings and mornings to lounge ...

What is insomnia?

It’s not uncommon for people to have issues with sleep. Most will get back to regular sleep patterns sooner rather than later. What if the difficulty with sleep does not stop? What if sleep problems go on and on? Impaired sleep is a threat to a person’s general well-being and ...

My Cororna

It started out as an ordinary, run-of-the mill winter cold. It’s been a few years since I’ve had a cold, so I thought OK, I’m due. Generally, my colds are simply an annoyance. Seldom do I take anything for it. Besides, the syrups that are commonly used to treat the symptoms of a cold ...

Ice spoons for specks

When it comes to ice fishing, a hot bite for crappies under the hardwater is tough to beat. While sometimes these finicky fish need to be finessed with tiny jigs tipped with spikes, in presentations more suited for bluegills, the best bites where crappies are aggressively feeding and slamming ...

It’s difficult

Please excuse me for being a downer, but in today’s world, it’s difficult to stay upbeat and positive. Why is it hard to see the light today? Well, let me list a couple of downers, and, then, finish with some uppers. Within the least few days, the happenings in our country scare the ...