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Advanced tip-up tips

Local Columns

As early ice settles in across the region and anglers take their first tentative steps out onto their favorite waters, the excitement builds for a season full of fast action, especially at the outset when fish are most aggressive under the frozen surface. From lakes teeming with walleyes to those prairie sloughs packed with plentiful pike, a solid part of any angler’s arsenal is the tip-up. Evolving from the “fish traps” of yore consisting of a spool of dacron, and a spring loaded orange flag on a wooden bridge, today’s models incorporate electronic alarms and Bluetooth options ...

High-tech piracy hits home

Community Voices

Ok, so that was unexpected. It wasn’t unexpected to receive a random email from an unknown sender who presented themselves as a New York law firm. Just another chunk of junk mail to chuck. But just for the heck of it I decided to read the missive before dumping it in the digital dustbin. The email’s headline trumpeted in a bold font: Notice of $1.5 Billion Proposed Class Action Settlement Between Authors & Publishers and Anthropic PBC This was followed in italics by: A federal court authorized this Notice. This is not junk mail, an advertisement, or a solicitation from a ...

There was a time

Local Columns

There was a time when all of us were a child. As we all know, the years flow by quickly, and soon the youngster we were is gone. Or, is that child gone? Let’s explore that a bit... There was a time when we were young, and all decisions were made for us. Now, we make the decisions that form us and those around us. There was a time when falling snow was so amazing. It was so interesting to watch those snowflakes float down from the sky — hopefully, without the help of a blizzard wind. Now as we all know, snow can be a pain in one’s derrière, but it’s still fun to try to ...

Prepare for the financial side of the holidays

Local Columns

The start of the holiday season often brings increased demands on both time and financial resources. From buying decorations and gifts to attending celebrations with family and friends, the responsibilities can accumulate quickly. To help you navigate the 2025 season with greater ease and enjoyment, consider these planning tips designed to reduce stress and enhance your holiday experience. Create a holiday spending plan and track your expenses. The final months of the year offer many opportunities to splurge. Prevent unfettered spending by setting a “do-not-exceed” dollar amount ...

Somali Americans enrich our community

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: An Open Letter to Somali Americans in our Community: I’m glad you are here. You enrich our community. I like that Muslims, Jews and Christians all share common ancestors in Sarah (“Noble Lady”), Abraham (“Father of Many Nations”) and Isaac (“He Will Laugh”). I hope our local, state and federal representatives agree with me and, if they do, I invite them to state this boldly, loudly, proudly and publicly. Justin Vorbach Marshall

On the Porch

Local Columns

The following article appeared on the front page of the News Messenger of Lyon County on Dec. 8, 1922: “Santa Claus Comes Here for Christmas: Arrangements Made to Have Big Community Tree and Program. Goodies for the Kiddies. Marshall Community to Unite in Welcoming Santa on Annual Visit at Community Tree Program, Appreciated Fine Spirit in Evidence Here Last year, Committees at Work. Santa Claus fully appreciated the fine reception accorded him in Marshall last year, when he attended the Community Christmas Tree program in person, and for that reason he is coming again this year. ...