opinion

According the Corporation for National and Community Service, a national study has shown that volunteers who are 50 and older live longer than same age non-volunteers. Another recent study of Americans over age 60 found that those who volunteer reported lower disability levels and...

I was shopping at Shopko and came out with my purchases in the cart and started walking to my car. As I got to my car, a boy came up to me and said, "can I help you?" He was probably 6 or 7. He then opened my car door, put in the bags, took my cart and put it in the cart garage. What...

Question: I have discovered that the stop light in my town does not recognize a bicycle. Just wondering how to make a left turn legally? Any suggestions? Is the traffic signal sensitivity adjustable? Answer: A person operating a bicycle or motorcycle may enter or cross an intersection...

Last Saturday I was outside enjoying the beautiful day when it was interrupted by the all to familiar sound of a helicopter spraying the nearby potato fields, with chemicals that drift on to people and property. At this point ,I like others, had to make the decision to breath shallow...

The new school year is beginning, with students of all ages benefiting from legislation that was enacted in recent months — including helpful funding increases.

Question: My wife and I love to ride our Honda 1800 Goldwing trike. Can our granddaughter ride between us on short rides? She is seven and loves to ride too. Answer: In looking at motorcycle owner manuals, it says, "Your motorcycle is designed to carry you and one passenger." Based...

Robert's grandmother and my grandmother were sisters. My grandmother and his have been gone a long, long time. A very long time. So when Robert, with whom I had become briefly acquainted many years ago, called me out of the blue and said he had a dish that belonged to me, I was confused....

It shakes a person's world when something happens like the murder/womb raiding of 22-year-old Savanna LaFontain-Greywind of Fargo. One of the people arrested for that crime is Brooke Crews, who spent time living in the Perham area. The arrest is fresh—she has not been convicted—but...

In the greater scheme of things happening around the world comes news brought to me by a friend in church regarding library return book drops. You know, the flip out lid, throw a maximum of three books in there at a time, pinch your fingers because you're trying to hurry the books...

The Civil War was a sad, dark time for all Americans. It was a time when we fought against each other and tested the resolve of the country to stay one group of united states. The war cost us the lives of 620,000 Americans. However, in the end, our resolve was strengthened and we...

Question: Can you drive in a bike lane? For instance, use it for a right turn lane?

By now, you've all heard about women's roller derby action. I've got one daughter active; one retired. Whew. Time goes by quickly, if your kids are retiring from stuff. I attended a roller derby event some time ago. I looked at the program. Their names are truly a hoot. Micky Dismantle....

I want to bring attention to this random act of kindness on the part of a young woman in the parking lot at Service Foods in Perham last week. I had just finished bringing my groceries to my car and placed them in the back. I opened the door, climbed into my car and put the key into...

Question: I read where the fine for going through a school bus stop arm will increase in Minnesota. Can you talk about the fine amount and school bus safety? Answer: As of Aug. 1, 2017, the fine has increased from $300 to $500 and the violation would remain a misdemeanor. The Department...