Editorials
- August 01, 2023On Friday local first responders will meet with Angela Nolz, a licensed clinical counselor and integrated health therapist at Sanford Luverne, and we’re happy to hear our caregivers will get some care for themselves. When a tragedy happens in a community, public safety professionals absorb that pain. They experience significantly more traumatic events than the average person, resulting in higher…
- By Angela Nolz, licensed professional clinical counselor and Sanford Integrated Health therapistJuly 25, 2023Brain health is health. This concept lives in my mind, daily. I have worked as a mental health therapist for the past 15 years. The more research emerges, the better we understand the inner workings of the brain, and yet, we have so very far to go to best understand illness and best recovery treatments. Some things have changed in the 15 years that I've been involved in this field, but the…
- By American Farm BureauJuly 18, 2023A summer cookout costs significantly more than two years ago but slightly less than record highs in 2022. Families now pay $67.73 to host a cookout for 10, based on the 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation market basket survey. The $67.73 grocery bill is down 3 percent from 2022, but still approximately 14 percent higher than prices were just two years ago. The cookout favorites include…
- July 11, 2023To remind motorists to drive safely, law enforcement partners are participating in a statewide extra speed enforcement and awareness campaign through the end of July. Officers, deputies and troopers will be looking for speeders endangering their own lives and the lives of others. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety coordinates the campaign with funding provided by…
- July 04, 2023We often don’t know what we need until we need it, and that’s likely the case for most people finding themselves in need of emergency assistance. Until we need help, we don’t know what kind of help is available, and many who have needed help for fires, crashes or medical emergencies will attest to the quality firefighters and first responders we have in Rock County. On Wednesday, June 28, Luverne…
- By U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar. MinnesotaJune 27, 2023The U.S. Surgeon General recently released a warning about the negative impacts of social media on children’s mental health, saying that it presents a profound risk of harm. The advisory also urged social media companies to help parents with the burden of managing the effects of social media on kids. Big tech companies have shown time and time again that they cannot be trusted to protect kids’…
- By Linda Wenzel, A.C.E. of SW Minnesota Rock County program coordinatorJune 20, 2023Quality of life is important for the health and well-being of our seniors. It’s not enough to just be alive. Good quality of life is especially important for older adults who are dealing with chronic health conditions and major life changes. Feeling satisfied and fulfilled is just as important for overall well-being as getting regular doctor visits. In fact, having a positive view of life can…
- June 13, 2023Dispatch centers across the state and across the country are experiencing a significant uptick in pocket dials and hang-ups — with some 911 call centers seeing these calls go up 300 percent. These misdials often require dispatchers and law enforcement officers to follow up with the caller to see if there is an emergency, which prevents them from answering other legitimate calls for emergency help…
- June 06, 2023Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota DNR are encouraging Minnesotans to get out in nature and enjoy the state’s outstanding outdoor opportunities by proclaiming June 2023 as Great Outdoors Month. The proclamation cites the health and wellness benefits of spending time outdoors as one of the many reasons to encourage Minnesotans to get outdoors. We couldn’t agree more. The recently completed Legislative…
- May 30, 2023Old Glory was waving proudly over the Memorial Day weekend, and with the onset of summer, she’ll have increasing opportunities to be on display. Flag Day is observed on June 14. It’s a good time to review flag etiquette with regard to proper handling and display of our nation’s symbol of freedom and liberty. According to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the U.S. flag should fly at peak, above any…
- By Veronica RaussinMay 23, 2023Memorial Day is a time to honor the memory of men and women who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. But we must also never forget the veterans who made it home but are struggling with addiction and mental health issues and suicide thoughts. Early intervention and prevention is critical to help veterans find the treatment they need. More than 300,000 veterans live in Minnesota,…
- By Eric Sage, executive director, Rock County Opportunities, LuverneMay 16, 2023I have been asked a lot lately what I think about the growing movement across the country and here in Minnesota to end subminimum wages for people with disabilities in the next five years. It's comforting that Minnesota has a Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum Wages to help develop a plan if this bill does pass. However, I’m nervous about removing options for individuals with disabilities…
- May 09, 2023May 10, National Small Business Day, celebrates small businesses and honors small business owners. It was designated by the Small Business Administration to honor the importance of small businesses around the country. Defined as having 20 employees or fewer, small businesses account for three-fifths of new jobs in the country each year, and one in five are family owned. By this definition, Rock…
- May 02, 2023Foster Care Month in May offers an opportunity to recognize foster parents for providing care and stability to children in crisis across Minnesota. Children often experience mental health challenges from trauma and family disruption. In fact, mental and behavioral health is the most significant unmet health need for children and teens in foster care. As many as 80 percent of children in foster…
- April 25, 2023The Rock County Board of Commissioners will consider the future of mail ballots at their meeting on Tuesday, May 2. And we hope they consider the reasons we implemented mail ballot voting in the first place. Rock County has been using mail ballots since 2006 when the federal Help America Vote Act required all precincts to make sure all voters can vote with ease, regardless of disability. It also…
- April 18, 2023Are you ready for severe weather? Each year Homeland Security and Emergency Management, in collaboration with the National Weather Service, sponsors Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota. The week is designed to remind and educate the public about the seasonal threats from severe weather and how to avoid them. It's also a good time to make and practice emergency plans and check…
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