The families of Bette Houtkooper would like to thank all the people who attended Bette’s service. Also to Vitality and Vivie Hospice for the care given Bette. – The Houtkooper, Patron and Werner families

Publisher’s Perspective Chad Koenen There is, perhaps, nothing more important when fishing than coming up with a tall tale to go along with the adventure. After all, catching a fish is fun, telling a good story to go along with the adventure—now that is legendary.  Do you remember the time I battled a 20 pound walleye,… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda This is about apples. I’ve written lots of stuff about the forty-plus years I’ve spend killing apple trees, and-or watching them expire of natural causes. But maybe never this. In the middle of a general discussion about apple trees with a lady in church, she mentioned “those little brown tracks inside apples.”… Read More

The families of Bette Houtkooper would like to thank all the people who attended Bette’s service. Also to Vitality and Vivie Hospice for the care given Bette. – The Houtkooper, Patron and Werner families

To the Editor, Small businesses play a critical role in creating jobs, driving economic growth, and contributing to the overall well-being of rural communities. In many areas, they are the backbone of the local economy, providing essential goods and services. Spring offers a good reminder of the importance of these contributions to our communities, in particular with… Read More

To the Editor, Minnesotans have always taken pride in our work ethic and our commitment to looking out for our neighbors. We pay our taxes with the understanding that those hard-earned dollars will be used to build our roads, defend our borders, and provide a hand up for the most vulnerable among us. But lately, Minnesotans have… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda Summer is coming, and for the first time in the history of automobiles, the number of fifteen-year-olds hitting the highways in a driver’s education car is decreasing. That means, maybe, that this hormone-riddled, vacuum-headed, cell phone gazing generation—and weren’t we all—has figured out that it is safer to log on than… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I know you talk about the importance of tires when it comes to the winter months but I think it’s just as important to talk about it in the spring with rain and wet roads. Thank you.   Answer: It is always a good time to talk about tire safety. Tires… Read More

Garver’s Movie Review Bob Garver Prior to what I will generously call his “new take” on “The Mummy,” director Lee Cronin was best known for 2023’s “Evil Dead Rise.” Original “Evil Dead” director Sam Raimi had a new movie out earlier this year with “Send Help,” and he didn’t put his name in that film’s title…. Read More

By Alice Martin Special to the Dispatch Do you think that any Minnesotan doesn’t recognize the call of our state bird, the Common Loon?  That iconic, haunting call has been incorporated into so many advertisements for vacationing in Minnesota and even in songs by Sam Smith, Calvin Harris, Doja Cat, Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, just to… Read More