By Alisha Asleson Master Gardener By midsummer, even the healthiest petunias can begin to look tired. After weeks of producing colorful blooms, the plants often become leggy, develop long stems with fewer flowers, and lose the full, mounded shape they had in spring. While it may seem counterintuitive, this is the perfect time to give… Read More

The prairie spy The very first thing you noticed when you set foot in Vietnam was sandbags. Well, sandbags after you noticed the sweltering humidity and heat, I guess. Everything sandbaged. Everywhere, sandbagged. The mess hall; the outhouse–yes, even the outhouse; all buildings, sleeping areas, headquarters offices; everything. This story is about filling sandbags, and… Read More

By Jesse Grabow Ask a Trooper Question: I saw last article talking about motorcycles. I know there was a new law last year about lane splitting. Can you write about that? Answer: Lane splitting and lane filtering was legal in Minnesota as of July 1, 2025. Motorists and motorcyclists need to be aware of this… Read More

5 years ago Wednesday, June 16, 2021 Members of the New York Mills baseball team mobbed Jacob Guck after he hit a home run in the top of the seventh inning during Thursday’s section championship game against Ashby. The home run put the Eagles up by a score of 6-3 and put an exclamation point… Read More

My family in the past has had its share of contact with somewhat famous people, if by famous we’re talking about outlaws.  One such legend includes my Uncle Hugh, who had a farm in NE Iowa that bordered on some caves, where it was rumored that Jesse James and his gang hid when traveling to… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda The year was 1969. I guess you can rightly say I survived Vietnam, although at the time, after I got home, and once in a while even now, I have to wonder. This you’re about to read? I call it:  “I remember.” I remember stepping off a jet airliner… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: In my community and on my daily commute I encounter two roundabouts each morning, others that I work with will encounter three roundabouts in less than five minutes. Please use your platform to remind drivers how to safely and properly use a roundabout. I see, almost on a… 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

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… 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… Read More