Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I see school busses that do not use their flashing lights or extend the stop arm as they’re picking up kids. Cars are passing them from behind and from the front. What are the requirements for bus drivers to use their safety lights? Thank you for your time. Answer: Minnesota law… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda S. and I made our first walk of the early fall through the woods that exist at the far back-north of this farm. We look forward to resuming this revisiting of the woods. We hadn’t been out there since spring. Of course you know, if you’re a resident of Minnesota, that the… Read More

Publisher’s Perspective Chad Koenen I don’t know if there were more than a handful of times my family purchased an actual Halloween costume for me for Halloween. There were a few purchased costumes, like a football player with shoulder pads none-the-less and some ninja costume with a sword, but most of my costumes growing up… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: Hello, can a person who is working for a farmer during harvest driving a semi (no CDL) cross a state line (North Dakota and Minnesota)? Answer: Yes, as long as they stay within 150 air miles of the farm. With harvest season upon us, it’s a good time to remind everyone… Read More

By Ruth Koehler Hues of yellow, red and gold Gone are the greens displayed so bold. Brown corn fields standing perky and straight, A reminder it will come down late. Living in places where seasons surprise us Keep us scrambling for wraps to provide us Glancing at our gauge each morning, We plan our day with reverent warning Of the tipping point of frost’s stronghold… Read More

By Bev Johnson Master Gardener Get off the couch and grab a potato fork (the best tool for digging in the gardens).  As soon as the tuberous begonia leaves start to turn yellow or after the first light frost dig them up. Cut about 5 inches long, dry the tubers indoors at room temperatures out of direct… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I was wondering what the state guidelines are regarding smoked or tinted headlights. Are they legal?  Answer: Minnesota law does not allow for this. It is illegal to equip or operate a motor vehicle with any equipment or material that covers a headlamp, tail lamp, or reflector.  I’d also like to remind… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda ( Every once in a while, I run this old column. I wrote it nineteen years ago when my prostate and I had just turned fifty. Those were the good old days, although at that time I didn’t know that. The point is: Today is one of tomorrow’s good old days—enjoy it.)… Read More

By Bev Johnson Master Gardener Hard as it is for avid gardeners to admit, fall is here.  If you are still waiting for ripe tomatoes, good luck with that. You can cover them with a blanket, or better yet, a sheet of bubble wrap. This may help them to ripen naturally. Do remember to remove the bubble… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda I serviced and installed heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration products while doing business as Lindy’s Hardware in New York Mills. Then I designed an HVAC (heating, ventilating, air conditioning) program for the tech school at Wadena, which I taught for fifteen years, up to retirement a couple of years ago. That’s my… Read More