Opinions

COVID helps push an end to a Black Friday tradition

If there is anything positive that has come out of the COVID-19 crisis, it’s the news from major retailers regarding Thanksgiving and the Black Friday holiday shopping kick off. For years, I have complained about how Thanks-giving has turned into Thanks-buying. I have often wondered where some of...

Social atmosphere must change, all lives do matter

This Twilight Zone social atmosphere raging in the U.S. is lunacy. Locally, there have been manifestations of conflict between support for law enforcement and Black Lives Matter (BLM). Why? Is it wrong to support our local law enforcement agencies? Does supporting police, sheriff and Minnesota...

Mask Up, But I Don't Like It

I’ll admit it. I’m not real crazy about wearing my protective mask, but if anything, it’s probably all for selfish reasons. I’m not one to start any sort of controversy over adapting to Minnesota’s new mask order, which took effect on Saturday. Basically, if you’re out in public, you need to mask...

Inching Our Way Back To Normal

If there’s such a thing as normal life anymore, we seem to be inching our way toward what most would consider normal. Last weekend my wife and I had a garage sale. People actually showed up. Some of the garage-salers wore facemasks, others did not. No big deal. After wrapping up the sale, I was...

Curing The Corona Blues With Redlin Art

As I’m sure many of you are figuring out, it’s tough to find anything to do this summer in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have a love for art and specifically Terry Redlin, I have the perfect respite for you to enjoy. Take a short road trip over to Watertown, S.D. to visit the Redlin Art...

Who Would Replace Police?

There’s continued hysteria coming from various groups in our nation to abandon those who protect all the people of this nation. One must ask…and replace them with what? Having two nephews in law enforcement, I am concerned for the safety of them and their fellow officers. Theirs is a dangerous...

Back With A Smug Smile

How can someone accused of murder be smiling? That’s what many people were asking themselves after they saw last week’s newspaper offering the most recent booking photo of Lois Riess from the Steele County Detention Center. I know I was one of them a little taken back by her smug smile. Though she...

Minnesota Leaders Failed To Act During Riots

Our nation watched in horror, via television, as a Minneapolis man was allegedly killed by a Minneapolis police officer. Riots broke out. Stores and homes were looted and burned. Police were forced to abandon the Minneapolis Police Department’s third precinct because of George Floyd’s death had...

Powering my way to better health

Of all the fruits I love to eat, strawberries would have to be my top choice. I always love this time of the year because you find fresh berries. You can either go out and pick your own or grab some at stands and farmer’s markets around the area. Last weekend, I got the chance to take my mom...

Apple, Android team up with Big Brother to track you

Smart phone companies have partnered with coronavirus contact tracing, whether a users has an iPhone or an Android. By merely flipping a switch, on a smart phone there will be contact tracing, which is called “Exposure Notification.” However, the “COVID-19 Exposure Logging” toggle is disabled by...