A tree blew over in the big wind and the story began. As you are aware, we’ve had some pretty windy days even for this part of the prairie. Yes, we’re used to windy conditions, but, well, let’s just say, it’s been darn windy. Windy enough to blow down a tree that was standing between ...
Charity begins at home, especially in safeguarding Americans from COVID-19. But we have a long, praiseworthy record of having big hearts, and now should be no exception to that. Efforts to develop new medicines to treat the symptoms of COVID-19 and to develop vaccines against it have ...
When it comes to fishing, I’m a fan of second fiddles, the underappreciated, those that don’t take the top spot when it relates to what many people target on the water. I revel in the solid smack delivered by a rock bass as it steals a jig meant for a smallmouth, or when a white bass ...
To the editor: Concern that “more LGBTQ youth contemplate suicide compared to heterosexual youth” was expressed by the writer of ‘Follow Jesus’ mandate may save lives.” When I grew up in the 50s, “gay” was sung in songs about spring, meaning “happy”. Most families ...
It’s been difficult to find many bright spots as the country has been moving through various stages of the coronavirus pandemic. But one of them is that more dads are connecting with their kids like never before. As many parents work from home, it’s brought some clear challenges. Not ...
So before COVID-19 took over a few months ago, I was anxiously awaiting the results from the Zio patch heart monitor I wore for a couple weeks earlier this year. I gave a nudge through the Avera portal and had learned that what I was experiencing was supraventricular tachycardia, fast heart ...
To the editor As a child, I was fortunate enough to grow up with great-grandparents within my hometown. This allowed me to get to know them and stirred my mind into the fascinating world of genealogy. Getting to know them meant visiting, and many of those visits were in nursing home ...
We hate to see you go too THUMBS UP: The Independent headline said “Leaving his mark.” There is no truer statement when it comes to Glenn Olson. He retired from the city of Marshall after serving as the city engineer since 2001. And during that span of time, Olson directed many ...
I would often see her sitting there alone, grimy, decrepit, languishing. I would look the other way as I walked by, tying to ignore the wretched castoff in my own backyard. After all, I thought, it’s just a rickety old sickle mower. Specifically, it’s a John Deere #5 sickle mower. I had ...
American taxpayers should not be handing out hundreds of billions of dollars in aid to businesses without having at least some idea of where our money is going. That seems obvious. However, demanding such transparency puts the U.S. Treasury Department — and some of the businesses being ...
Regardless of how you lean politically, what Army Gen. Mark Milley did a few days ago was reassuring. President Donald Trump has been criticized by some — and, in needs to be noted, praised by others — for something he did after a night of civil unrest near the White House. You will have ...
What’s home mean to you? I have always been of the mind that home is where you are living at the moment. However, I wonder if that sort of thinking is restrictive to the word. After a few decades of living, home is now taking on a much broader and deeper meaning to me. For the last few ...
To the editor: First, thank you to Dr. Anita Gaul for responding to my June 10 letter to the editor ( School board’s statement on LGBTQ flag). I think that next to love, communication is the essence of life. I agree with Dr. Gaul that our nation is unfortunately still grappling with ...
Complaints about voter disenfranchisement often have more to do with incompetence than partisan scheming, we suspect. This year’s primary election in Georgia appears to be a case in point. Complaints about voter disenfranchisement often have more to do with incompetence than partisan ...
I’m a firm believer that a quick trip to the water is better than no trip at all. One jaunt in the uplands, even in the middle of the afternoon well ahead of the witching hour, can still produce plenty of excitement. Even a short sit on stand in the fall to watch the sunrise and the first few ...
To the editor: It’s no secret that our state’s public schools are struggling. Even before COVID-19, many school districts had to make difficult decisions around cutting staff, programs, and activities because the funding simply isn’t there for them to thrive. However, COVID-19 ...
As the United States began the process of “reopening,” there was encouraging news on the economic front. About two weeks ago, nearly 25 million Americans were receiving unemployment benefits, the Labor Department reported. By last Thursday, the number had decreased to about 21.5 ...
Last week in Starwatch I attempted to explain the tricks of the trade for finding your way around Ursa Major, the Big Bear, and Ursa Minor, the Little Bear. The Little Bear and the famous Little Dipper are one and the same. The Big Dipper makes up the rear end and tail of Ursa Major. Its stars ...
To the Editor: Regarding the LGBTQ flag in the Middle School cafeteria, a recent letter to the editor stated that “A flag that contains colors representing lifestyles contrary to God’s Word are not inclusive.” I will assume that by “God’s Word” the writer is referring to the ...
Jim expertly maneuvered the massive RV around a tight corner, barely missing a lamppost. We were somewhere in the middle of Los Angeles, trying to find a friend’s place of business. My wife, our two young sons and I gaped at the morose cityscape with rising alarm. “We’re not lost,” ...