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Fire Prevention Week helped to overcome a teenage fear

Community Voices

This week was Fire Prevention Week, a time to recognize the need for fire safety and the importance of local fire crews. Fire departments host open houses, visit schools and do other public awareness projects, all aimed at keeping everyone mindful of the need to practice fire safety basics. They emphasize prevention with steps like smoke detectors and furnace checks. They also teach people what to do if a fire occurs. People are encouraged to practice an evacuation plan and to know safety measures such as the stop, drop, and roll. I enjoyed Fire Prevention Week activities as a ...

The Vietnam War – Marland Burckhardt – Assessing enemy forces and reassignment

Local Columns

We have been following Marland Burckhardt, a Russell High School graduate who served in the Army in Italy before returning to college, marrying his sweetheart, and graduating with an Army commission. Marland and Barb completed a year-long assignment in Germany before returning to the States where Marland completed the Army Counterintelligence Course, Airborne training, and the Special Forces Officer Course. He deployed to Vietnam in January 1970 to help assess enemy activity in the southern half of South Vietnam for Headquarters, 5th Special Forces Group at Nha Trang, Vietnam. Marland ...

How to heal the world? One person at a time

Community Voices

Friends, if you want to make a difference today -- right now! -- seek out the people in your community who feel unseen, unsafe and alone … and pour your heart into them. If you are a Jesus follower, empty yourself as Christ did, for the sake of their and your community’s wellbeing. Twice in the past week as a pastor, I’ve been approached by people who are terrified. People who have every reason to worry about their own and their loved ones’ safety, given the recent treatment of people on the margins. As their pleading eyes bore into me, they implored me to answer why God ...

Life under Trump Administration not so rosy

Letters to the Editor

Life under Trump Administration not so rosy To the editor: The economy is in shambles, grocery prices are up, car insurance, home and medical insurance are going up as much as 300% in some areas. What is Trump worried about? The Super Bowl halftime entertainment, Bad Bunny, who is an American citizen. I believe Republicans call that going woke. Then just to add to the fire, Trump is sending 20 billion dollars to Argentina to help their economy. Oh, and by the way, China is buying soybeans from them instead of the USA. Last year under President Joe Biden, China bought 13 billion ...

National Newspaper Week a time to reflect on the role journalism plays in our communities

Editorials

This year marks the 85th celebration of National Newspaper Week. Local journalism is the heartbeat of informed communities. It brings stories to light that national outlets often overlook — stories about school board decisions, city council debates, neighborhood events, and local heroes. In a world increasingly shaped by global headlines and social media noise, reconnecting with local news is vital for civic engagement, accountability, and community resilience. To build a better future, you can support local journalism through subscriptions, donations, sharing stories, and ...

Recycling Q&A

Local Columns

I recently had the chance to chat with nearly 400 lively 5th and 6th graders from southwest Minnesota about recycling. We jazzed things up with a Q&A game featuring the ever-popular Plinko — because who can resist those bouncing discs? Now, let’s see if our local folks can outsmart these bright young minds by tackling the questions we threw their way. We started with some easy questions and had to throw in a few harder ones to challenge our students. Answers are at the end — no peeking allowed. Can you recycle a paper shopping bag? Can you recycle newspapers? Ready for a ...