By Rodney Bernu Special tot he Dispatch New York Mills, a small town located in central Minnesota with a population of some 650-people had ballooned to eight hundred or more for the 1936 Fourth of July celebration. The town’s main highway and streets were lined with horses and buggies, Model A Fords, and shiny new Chevrolets. At… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda For the first time in 25 years, the 15 acres south of the house here on the farm is being plowed. Turned black. Furrows of prairie-grass sod lined up like little roads, stretching back and forth over the hills. And it’s being plowed by horses! Here’s the story: This land has been in… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I am getting ready for the fishing opener. Do I need working lights on my boat trailer even though the rear lights on my pickup can be seen? It’s a small boat and trailer and doesn’t block the lights on the back of my pickup.   Answer: Yes, your trailer lights… Read More

To the Editor, Minnesota is a good state but it is not a safe place for pre-born babies! Walz and Planned Parenthood want to amend our state constitution—to codify abortion in Minnesota. This amendment would guarantee the ‘right’ to kill a pre-born baby including babies just days away from being born. Walz welcomes women to come to Minnesota… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda I turned left on a city block and looked in the rear view mirror. There I saw a town cop with his bubble gum flashers all lit up.  I pulled over to the side and stopped to let him by. I had seen him back there at the school intersection, so I,… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I am thinking about loading up the kayak onto the roof of my car. I know it needs to be properly secured but can you remind me what I need to do if it sticks out too far?   Answer: A load must not stick out more than three feet in… Read More

By Bev Johnson Master Gardener If you got an Easter lily, and you have a cat, give it to one of your dog loving friends. Just getting pollen from the plant on your cat can cause kidney failure and death within 24 to 48 hours. Nibbling on a leaf or flower can be deadly for your… Read More

To the Editor, Minnesota is a good state but it is not a safe place for pre-born babies! Walz and Planned Parenthood want to amend our state constitution—to codify abortion in Minnesota. This amendment would guarantee the ‘right’ to kill a pre-born baby including babies just days away from being born. Walz welcomes women to come to Minnesota… Read More

To the Editor, Codependency is difficult to define, but generally is any relationship which is mostly one-sided, when a person showing low self-esteem and a strong desire for approval has an unhealthy attachment to another person, and puts the needs of that person before his or her own. Codependency affects our relationships with family, friends and co-workers…. Read More

To the Editor, Many of us are concerned about pressing environmental challenges like pollution, plastic waste, loss of wildlife and biodiversity, and climate change, but feel unsure where to begin. The key is simply to start. Take one action, then another. And always keep in mind that progress is more important than perfection.   This month, lets… Read More