Editorials
- By Karen Tolkkinen, Star Tribune columnistJuly 24, 2024Rock County is now considered part of the Sioux Falls, S.D., Metropolitan Statistical Area. What it means is the U.S. Office of Management and Budget has determined that based on 2020 census data, Sioux Falls, population 202,000, and Rock County, population 10,000, have a high degree of economic and social integration. Columnist Karen Tolkkinen shared her thoughts in a July 19 column in the…
- July 17, 2024This is the week, folks, the “be a george week” in honor of the late George Bonnema who would have turned 75 on July 18. The T-shirts have been distributed, and if you bought one (or three), now’s the time to wear it. If you committed to the mission, now’s the time to ‘be a george.’ It’s an exciting week in Luverne and Rock County, where people are already known for their generosity. If you…
- By Heather Johnson, founder of Luverne's 'Be a george' initiativeJuly 10, 2024In case you missed Lori's lovely article in the paper a couple of weeks ago, or if you need a reminder, “Be a george” Week is coming July 14-20. Next week will be your opportunity to do something for someone else for no other reason than it’s the right thing to do. If you knew George Bonnema, you know he was always doing something for others … often without them even asking. In case you…
- July 03, 2024It’s been a rough start to the summer of 2024, as many in Rock County have suffered the effects of devastating flooding. Some of us are reeling from crop losses, water-damaged homes and other flood-related disaster, and the realities of extreme weather are coming into focus. While it’s easy to get discouraged, the July 4 holiday is a good time to recenter life perspectives. Despite our recent…
- June 26, 2024Words can send a powerful message, and this is especially true during an election season. But sometimes words — thoughts and ideas — are shared in a way that can be hurtful or damaging. Sometimes the truth is detrimental to somebody, and that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t share truths. But deliberately harming someone out of spite is counterproductive, and it seems social media and its anonymous…
- By Nickohaus HayesJune 19, 2024Being a father is not easy; it takes sacrifice, which means being present for children and loving them unconditionally. The greatest joy for any father is seeing their children thrive. Yet kids and teens experiment with risks, and fathers have a responsibility to speak to them about drugs and alcohol and help them understand risks and consequences. Minnesota’s drug education and prevention…
- June 12, 2024The origins of Flag Day can be traced to a resolution adopted by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777, following a report by the special committee assigned to suggest the flag’s design. It recommended that the flag of the United States shall be of 13 stripes of alternate red and white, with a union of 13 stars of white in a blue field, representing the new constellation. Both President…
- June 05, 2024Gov. Tim Walz is proclaiming June 2024 as Great Outdoors Month to encourage Minnesotans to get out in nature and enjoy the state’s outstanding outdoor opportunities. The proclamation points to investments in the state’s outdoor recreation system through the Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) initiative as an example of the critical importance of outdoor recreation to…
- May 29, 2024May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Minnesota, and safety messaging can seem repetitive: Wear a helmet. Ride sober. Don’t speed. Some riders listen, some unfortunately don’t. Three motorcyclists have already been killed on Minnesota roads this year, and fatalities have increased in recent years. Helmet use, speed and impairment are often contributors, but ultimately the skill of the…
- By Caroline Marion, LuverneMay 22, 2024May is Lyme Awareness Month, and with a wet spring we can expect a big crop of ticks. Many people say, “I’ve never been bitten by a tick.” Well, one may not even be aware of a tick bite. When deer ticks are in the nymph state, they are the size of a pinhead. Sometimes they feed and fall off before you notice them. Twenty years ago I was bitten by a deer tick infected with the bacteria that…
- By Tikki Brown, assistant commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human ServicesMay 15, 2024Have you ever wanted to make a difference in someone’s life while filling a critical need in your community? If you have the capacity to open your heart to help, combined with a desire to create a safe and stable environment for children in crisis, foster care is a choice that can change their lives – and yours. The goal is always for children to remain safely with their own families, but when…
- May 08, 2024In farm country, an old-fashioned notion persists about the disposability of pets — that they are only animals, and we are to treat them as such. It stems partly from the Biblical instruction in Genesis that “man has dominion over” animals and creatures. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem recently amplified this notion when she “disposed of” a hunting dog that wasn’t working for her. In Luverne we…
- By Mark Jacobson, Peer Support SpecialistMay 01, 2024May is Mental Health Month, and talking about mental health can go a long way in improving mental wellness for those around us. Here are five reasons to talk about mental health: To reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. One of the biggest obstacles to mental health treatment is the stigma that surrounds it. Stigma can lead to shame, fear and discrimination, which can prevent people from…
- By Sarah Stultz, Managing Editor, Albert Lea TribuneApril 24, 2024A significant discussion is taking place at the state Legislature in reaction to the recent announcement that eight community newspapers will close at the end of the month. Under a proposal in the Senate Education Policy Omnibus bill (SF 3567), school districts would no longer be required to publish their proceedings in newspapers and could instead move them to their own websites. We believe…
- April 17, 2024Just in time for next week’s Earth Day celebration, the Minnesota DNR has opened registration for summer 2024 “I Can!” programs in state parks and recreation areas. Getting outdoors and enjoying nature is the perfect way to observe Earth Day, which is Monday, April 22, and residents are encouraged to make the most of DNR programs. “At the DNR, we are passionate about empowering people to…
- By By Marcel Gemme, Substance Use Prevention EducationApril 10, 2024Cannabis is fully legal in the state for adults 21 and older and is taxed and regulated like alcohol. On April 20 cannabis suppliers and users will celebrate the legalization, culture, and its products, so now is a good time to educate young people about its use. Mostly, parents need to be aware of the positive impact they and educators can have on children and teens with drug education…
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