By Bev Johnson Master Gardener Many of the plants you brought in to save for next year have gotten a bit lanky. They need to be cut down and allowed to bush out before they go outside in the spring. This leaves you with plant parts. Why not use them to multiply your original plants. After… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: The horn of my vehicle no longer works. Do I need to have one? Answer: Yes, every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway must be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200… Read More

To the Editor, Public safety is a major issue for Minnesotans, with ever-increasing concerns about crime in our state. House Republicans recently unveiled a package of bills aimed at making our streets safer. I support provisions House Republicans are offering in this package to hold criminals accountable, strengthen our criminal justice system, and elevate efforts to recruit… Read More

Publisher’s Pespective Chad Koenen Some people are organized, while others rely on organized people to keep them heading in the right direction. I would definitely fall in the latter category. Organization has never been one of my strong traits. For as long as I can remember I had difficulty in trying to figure out whether… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda As time goes on lately, it seems that more and more of my time is spent searching for various small items that seem to think a game of hide-and-seek would be just lots of fun. The thing is, now that I’m retired and trying to focus my mind on the fact… Read More

By Bev Johnson Master Gardener On St. Patrick’s day, everyone wants to claim a bit of Irish. Every store seems to have pots of shamrocks. The only thing is, they aren’t the true Irish clovers. They’re oxalis. Oxalis are found on every continent but Antarctica. Most of those for sale come from South America and the… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I got a question about these pickups with their wide tires sticking outside of the fender wells, ain’t that illegal? I always thought there were supposed to be fenders? I know they throw a lot of rocks around. I don’t think that’s right. Answer: Minnesota law states that all passenger vehicles… Read More

By Lois Wiirre Special to the Dispatch As I sit here at my computer desk writing out the March birthday cards and remits. Antti my youngest son was saying “Mom email or text it is a lot earlier, you’re such a boomer.  As I turn slowly to look at him above my eyeglasses giving him that “Mom” look…. Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda Someone Very close to me just realized that she didn’t have the necessary documents to file an income tax report for someone who passed away earlier last year. Someone called the small-town local post office–not Boatville–and asked if mail with that name had been forwarded. “Well of course not.” She–the person… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I just moved to Minnesota and heard you talking about not using cruise control in the winter, can you please write about this?   Answer: Using cruise control on slippery roads could send you on a winter cruise—straight into the ditch or oncoming traffic!  With dry road conditions, cruise control helps you… Read More