Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: My husband always used to say “never use your cruise control during any rain”.  Is that still true with advances on tires and technology?   Answer: He is correct, cruise control should never be used on wet or icy roadways.  If your wheels lose traction, the cruise control will continue to… Read More

By Bev Johnson Master Gardener Bunkey’s lawn is a mess. The neighbor’s dog has used one corner of his lawn as a toilet all winter. He also likes to leave his used bones in another corner. There are twigs and dead branches scattered here and there from the strong winter and spring winds and horrors, snow… Read More

We appreciate the support of the volunteers, participants, survivors, caregivers, and businesses who contribute to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life events. Your efforts are instrumental in helping to save lives and improve the quality of life for those affected by cancer. It is heartwarming to see people come together to support a cause… Read More

To the Editor, As one of five New York Mills council members, I would like to share some of the recent 2023 NY Mills council topics.  I am presenting this from my perspective, not official council reporting.  Three topics come to mind: City owning the formerly “County Building.” Snow Removal Challenges, and Utility Services in South Point…. Read More

To the Editor,   There has been much discussion throughout the state and in our community about the universal school meals bill. Under this legislation, state taxpayers would pay for all K-12 students to receive both breakfast and lunch at no cost. This bill may seem well-intended, but once you review the details, it’s clear that… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda It’s tax preparation time again, and farmers all over the world are turning into creative accountants as they produce the one thing they can count on from their farm: tax deductions. Sure, there must be a farmer somewhere who sold beans when they hit 12 bucks this past year, but they’re rarer… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I like riding my motorcycle without hands on the handlebars from time to time. I know it’s probably frowned upon and not advised, just like riding without a helmet. But when I’m going down the road at cruising speed, it’s freedom: The bike and I are one. I’m just wondering,… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda Disclosure: This is a biased-against-Russia column. As a long-time student of Russia, I have consumed a great deal of its history. Except for some very brief periods, it is a country that is and always has been run by thugs. Anyone who thinks differently? I quite strongly believe you just haven’t studied… Read More

By Bev Johnson Master Gardener A reasonable plant adapts itself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to itself. That means that all progress depends on the unreasonable plant. Progress in horticulture depends also on the unreasonable breeder who works on developing varieties of these “unreasonable plants” that are resistant… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: Can I drive my car without the plastic bumper? My son hit a snow bank and it fell of the other day. Later he was stopped for not having a front license plate as it was attached to the bumper. Can he display the license plate in the front windshield?  … Read More