Thank you to all of those who sent prayers, cards, and well wishes while our wife, mother, and grandmother was in the hospital. We have received so much comfort in our worry and grief and want to thank the community that rallied behind our family these past few months. Thank you to all who attended… Read More

Becker County Master Gardeners have earned their title thorough educational classes and community service to put their green thumb knowledge to use for the greater good. They got together to provide tips for November, and things one can do for their plants, including: • Using room temperature water for all houseplants.  Most originated in the tropics… Read More

By Bev Johnson Master Gardener Have you ever heard of plant criminals? How about invasive plants? Same thing but just a different description. An invasive plant is one that is a neat clump one week and the next is 20 feet away trying to strangle the nearest oak tree. Here are a few plants you NEVER want… Read More

What is a polyp? I hear that question a lot. The word itself sounds foreign and strange to most, but polyps are actually fairly common. About one in four patients will have a polyp at the time of their first colonoscopy.  A colon polyp is an abnormal growth of the inner lining of the colon…. Read More

By Bev Johnson Master Gardener We, the Extension Office, tells you that they are beneficial. They eat aphids including soybean aphids. We tell you that they really don’t bite, they just pinch you to see if you are edible. (Not to them anyway.)   But now, they are invading your house and you just want them… Read More

Alan Linda Freelance Writer It seems clear to me that humor runs in my family ancestry, because I just ran across something that a direct relative was known to say. Since he died in the late 1800’s, I think the “humor” connection is valid. He said, when asked to what he attributed his long life—he… Read More

Man of the people, and a voice for immigrants By Tucker Henderson Reporter Quite a while ago, I was loaned an old, somewhat worn, book that reads “First Biennial Report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics – Minnesota 1887-8.” Now, I am a history fan, I wouldn’t be writing this column if I wasn’t. However, even… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow OTC Sheriff Question: I heard somewhere that proof of insurance does not need to be in paper form and can be maintained electronically. Does that mean that each family member and myself who drives can photograph current insurance cards for our vehicles that they drive on a cell phone and that… Read More

Alan Linda Freelance Writer A Pulitzer prize-winning author said, in a book which I once read: “One cannot help admiring women for their ability to dismiss the evidence of their senses.” I say to that: Thank the Lord! If women were not able to dismiss the evidence of their senses, then: Car mechanics the world over… Read More

Sgt. Jesse Grabow Ask A Trooper Question: Why is it legal for trucks hauling turkeys to spread feathers everywhere? Answer: According to state law, drivers carrying turkeys do not need to provide a fencing around the vehicle to keep the feathers from escaping. Minnesota law also allows exemptions to motor vehicles operated by a farmer or the farmer’s agent… Read More