The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda I’m always pretty casual with my New Year’s resolutions around this time of year. Maybe too casual. One of my resolutions this year is to learn more about computers and cell phones and stuff. “Learn more” may be overstating the case: “Learn something” comes a bit closer. I remember back a bit… Read More

To the Editor, Rural communities are seeing a boom in renewable energy development. Whether it’s wind energy or solar energy, communities reap the benefits from increased tax revenues, new job creation, and local lease payments. Better yet, communities can unlock additional benefits through Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs). A CBA is a project-specific arrangement between renewable energy developers… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I’m wondering about a light that seems to only be on at night on the traffic lights. It’s a small purple or blueish light that’s near the traffic lights. I’ve tried to figure out what its use is or if it’s a camera. I’ve asked other people what it means… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda The list of personalities that come to mind as time goes by is pretty entertaining. Take Jim, back when we were both seniors in high school and he did what none of us had the guts to do: sold his FFA livestock project and bought a new Pontiac, a 1962 Catalina. “What’ll Big… Read More

By Bob Garver Garver’s Movie Review Like many critics, I despised the 2019 CGI version of “The Lion King.” The new animation was ugly and the rehashing of the story from the 1994 classic without many changes made the whole thing seem unnecessary. But unlike many critics, I’m not ready to throw prequel “Mufasa: The Lion King”… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I see the sign boards along the highway with different messages posted. Do they use these for Amber Alerts? I know I get the alert on my phone and was just curious.  Answer: Message and lane-use signs on some freeways warn drivers of traffic crashes, stalled vehicles, or other traffic conditions ahead…. Read More

By Bev Johnson Master Gardener Old Mother Nature must have a good sense of humor. Here are some of her odder quirks. Male milkweed tussock moth caterpillars ‘sing’ to attract females by making lovely clicking sounds. You may find him feeding on your butterfly weed. You probably would have to listen pretty hard to hear him and… Read More

By Ruth Koehler Special to the Dispatch During my high school years, our family were members of the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Sebeka, Minnesota.  Although we didn’t attend every Sunday, it was our church for weddings, funerals, anniversary celebrations and other gatherings.  Sebeka is part of the Finnish Triangle, of Menahga, New York Mills, and Sebeka. During my… Read More

To the Editor, People have talked to me with concern about the Satanic holiday display in the Minnesota State Capitol. It appears to be a phoenix with a pentagram, suspended overhead. Governor Walz says such displays are protected by the First Amendment. “Minnesota Satanists applied through the Department of Administration, which manages the capitol grounds, to… Read More

To the Editor, End of another brutal election cycle and gearing up for the next with lessons to be learned and new strategies to adopt. Don’t see much hope of getting both parties to at least try to work together to put our country and our democracy above party and individual interests. Been saying that for years. … Read More