Dear Annie: My partner’s mother constantly demands attention, and everything revolves around her. Whenever we’re busy or focused on other things, she lashes out -- often hurting those around her, including her grandchildren. She plays favorites, manipulates situations to her advantage and ...

Dear Heloise: In a recent column, comments came in about high water pressure in the home and how to respond. The best answer is to go to your local hardware store and buy an inexpensive pressure gauge (I paid $12) that fits on your outside water connection. If the pressure is higher than 55-60 ...

Dear Dr. Roach: I’m a 65-year-old male. On my recent semiannual checkup, my labs showed an AST level of 53 U/L and an ALT level of 62 U/L. I am concerned about nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In addition to losing weight, is 800 IU of vitamin E potentially beneficial? -- H.C. Answer: ...

The Independent calendar lists upcoming meetings, facility hours and events in and around Marshall. To have your group’s events listed, email the information to news@marshallindependent.com or submit the information to our virtual newsroom. Today Ivanhoe men’s Bible study, 6:30-7:30 ...

Dear Heloise: I went online to learn how to make fortune cookies (it’s not difficult), and on a piece of paper that was 3 inches long and a 1/2 inch in width, I wrote out fortunes such as: “Temptation is sometimes mistaken for opportunity,” or “Take a much-needed vacation to a sunny ...

Dear Annie: I’m at a crossroads in my marriage, and I don’t know what to do. My husband and I barely talk anymore unless it’s about the kids or logistics. There’s no connection, no affection -- just a quiet tension that lingers in the background of everything. We’ve tried counseling, ...