By Adam Johnson NYM School Superintendent Hello everyone! From all of us at New York Mills School, we are excited to welcome everyone back to the school for the 2025-26 school year. There are a few new things happening in the building. We would like to invite everyone to our open house on Aug. 27 from 4-6 p.m…. Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda As the years behind me add up, I’ve become somewhat more aware of those people who are gone now, and what they have left behind them. As in, for example, their name. The best person I can think of is the Earl of Sandwich, John Montagu, who died in 1792. Of all… Read More

Jessica Carlson  Otter Tail County Master Gardener Intern  In a growing movement to support pollinators and reduce traditional turf maintenance, Minnesotans are turning their lawns into vibrant, living habitats. A bee lawn is not a weedy free-for-all, nor is it an unkempt patch of clover. It’s a thoughtfully designed blend of turfgrass and low growing flowers… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: My husband and I are wondering if it is true that emergency vehicles can change a light from red to green, if they need to proceed through an intersection. Is this true, or is it just a myth that people now believe to be true? Also, if this is true,… Read More

Garver’s Movie Review Bob Garver I remember being a big fan of the 1976 “Freaky Friday” with Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris. Granted, I saw it when I was young enough to not know the tropes of the body-swap comedy, but I still have fond memories. I got a few laughs out of the 2003 update… Read More

The family of Hudson Shipman would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support. It was a blessing to see how many lives he touched and how many loved him.

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda We had a large family gathering here on the farm some three weeks ago. It was late evening after a supper of great leftovers that had been left over from the gathering. About then, a bat came swooping over our heads. That’s not good. It gets worse. Another flying bat joined the party…. Read More

Publisher’s Perspective Chad Koenen Summer vacation is a great reminder of the simpler things in life. There are family trips, extra time with your kids and a chance to enjoy some additional daylight after work. Summer vacation is also an annual reminder that many of us have no idea what the younger generation is doing… Read More

By Jessica Carlson Master Gardener intern In Otter Tail County, when Master Gardener Bev Johnson is mentioned, (and don’t forget Bunky) I immediately think of a relatable gardening article written with personalized garden wisdom, peppered with tangible, real-life instruction and useful information. I recall years of reading her article in our local newspaper dating back well into… Read More

By Cora Hoffer senior policy associate,  Center for Rural Affairs Energy affordability and reliability are being threatened in rural America, with costly consequences for families, farmers, and small-town economies. On July 23, the U.S. Department of Energy rescinded a $4.9 billion federal loan guarantee for a new high-voltage transmission line designed to deliver power across the Midwest, including low-cost… Read More