Because we are still between seasons (although the sports staff has been busy compiling information and writing preview articles), my thoughts the past week or so have gravitated to serious thoughts about spring.  The slow melt we have been enjoying for the last few days has made one thing abundantly clear.  Unless we get some torrential downpours in April, flooding in our state should be no problem this year.  That will be a relief to part of

When I was growing up, it seemed so simple to know exactly what agriculture provides society. Granted I grew up on a crop and livestock farm in central Minnesota to help bolster my knowledge. 
I guess I had the inside scoop on many facets of agriculture that have served me well throughout my life. Through 4-H, FFA and other programs, I helped educate others about farming. 

The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office confirms a 48-year-old Mantorville man died in a one-vehicle rollover northwest of Mantorville Friday morning.
Captain Ryer Anderson said the man’s identity will not be released until family members have been notified.

Dodge County authorities are investigating the death of a Hayfield child.
On Sunday at about 11:22 a.m., the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a Hayfield residence reporting a 10-year-old juvenile was found in bed unresponsive and CPR was in progress. Lifesaving efforts to resuscitate the child were unsuccessful, and the juvenile was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Sheriff Scott Rose.

Triton’s school board has authorized administrators to make recommendations for reductions in programs and staff positions.
Superintendent Brett Joyce said he expects the school district will have to cut $250,000 to $300,000 for the 2018-2019 school year. Triton cut about $380,000 for 2017-2018.

Anything can happen.
That’s what the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament (aka ‘March Madness’) is all about, and why millions of Americans will be watching the first round this weekend. 
However, to discover why we love this tournament, we have to go back to the founding of America. 

Guess what? I’m retiring!
My fellow Baby Boomers are retiring at a furious rate – about 11,000 each day, according to the Washington Post.
This includes high school classmates and many friends born from 1946-1964 (a long generation), who saved their money and can sleep late and do nothing if they wish, or visit Europe and Montana and Las Vegas and Sanibel Island, and set up shop in Arizona or Texas or wherever.

It’s that time of the year that gives me a little extra spring in my step.
I love every year when March rolls around and Daylight Saving Time goes into effect. Most of the United States began DST at 2 a.m. this past Sunday. 
Even though there are still piles of snow dotting the countryside, I feel a refreshing splash of spring hitting me in the face thanks to the simple little act of cranking the clocks ahead by an hour.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota presented several area volunteers with its annual ‘Bigs of the Year’ award this past Saturday in Waseca.
 The awards include four categories: Big Sister, Big Brother, Big Couple, and School Site Big.