Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I drive truck for a living. Can you write about people that cut us off? These big riggs can’t stop on a dime. It’s frustrating because when they do that it can cause a wreck.   Answer: Changing lanes and cutting in too close in front of another vehicle is always… Read More

By Ruth Koehler Special to the Dispatch Spending my first six school years in a country school is what I did…not so much by choice but because it was the only way. I became an adult before I realized what a plus it was to have attended District 271 in Butler Township, Ottertail County. Many vivid memories remain…. Read More

By Adam Johnson New York Mills Superintendent The 2024-25 school year is quickly coming to a close. As I write this, there are 17 days left of school. The last day of the school year is May 28, which is a half day. There are still plenty of events coming up as well. The first one is… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda This goes back, way back, to an autumn day when, as if to remind me that life wasn’t already whizzing by at light speed, there came into the farmyard a long black limousine. It stopped and lurked right outside the front door of the house. Right there in front of our… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I read your last article about road construction and work zones. Can you talk about the zipper merge? It seems like a lot of people don’t know what it is or can’t figure it out. Thank you.   Answer: The “Late Merge – Zipper Merge” is a driving strategy that requires… Read More

Our family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Dream For Kids team, the staff at the New York Mills VFW, the generous donors, and everyone who contributed to the success of the recent bingo fundraiser. In true small-town fashion, our community rallied together in an incredible way, and we are overwhelmed by the… Read More

Amanda Weller and her family would like to thank everyone who attended, donated items, volunteered and planned her benefit. Special thanks to the VFW Post and Auxiliary for hosting the event. We appreciate your support more than words can express.

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda As you know, I made a large part of my livelihood servicing home appliances, and there came a day, after puzzling over what was wrong with various washing machines, dryers, water heaters, furnaces, and so forth for many years, I realized that they were communicating with me. I was surprised, let me… Read More

By Marsha Erickson West Central Initiative Early Childhood Specialist As my family prepares to celebrate our youngest child’s high school graduation, I’ve found myself looking back with deep gratitude. The years of school, activities, and growing pains have shaped our children into who they are—but their journey didn’t begin in a classroom or on a sports field––it began… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I know road construction season is starting. Do fines for speeding double in the work zones?   Answer: Highway work zones are areas where road construction or maintenance work is underway. Machinery operates day and night and can be moving or stationary. Road workers set up zones with signs and road… Read More