opinion

I have three girls still in school. The morning of Tuesday, Sept. 6, was spent talking about what each wanted for their first-day-of-school (hair) dos. It’s a tradition in our house. A new start calls for a special do. The oldest, 13 (her birthday fell on the first day of school),...

Minnesotans are unlikely to see much tax relief this year as negotiations on a special session to re-pass a significant tax cut bill have ended with no solution. While legislative leaders and the governor agree that tax relief is needed as the tax relief bill initially passed in May...

No matter where opinions fall regarding the American Indian protest of a pipeline project near the Missouri River in North Dakota, this much is certain: Oil will flow to markets one way or another. That's a given. It is guaranteed by national and global demand for North Dakota crude...

My purpose this morning is to raise serious concerns with respect to the White Earth Nation’s proposal to build a casino on the sensitive wetlands of Star Lake’s South Arm. The South Arm of Star is crucial to the entire eco-system of the Star Lake basin. It is extensive, shallow...

Law enforcement agencies across Minnesota, and in Otter Tail County, are putting an emphasis on keeping area residents safe during the latter weeks of August as part of the extra DWI enforcement campaign that started last week and continues through Sept. 5. We are pleased that the...

A new study shows one way to help smokers quit their deadly habit: Make it more inconvenient. How do you do that? Don't allow smoking in rental housing units. Not only will smokers be less inclined to light up if they have to leave the building to do it, it will result in a healthier...

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. In addition, a study of Americans over age 60 found that those who volunteer reported lower disability levels and...

I keep a bucket list in the back of my mind and on the list is to walk a 5K. Marathons and half-marathons have been the trend for a number of years and I know lots of people who participate in the sport, however, it is one event you won’t see me in. My philosophy on voluntary running,...

Minnesota recently passed a public health milestone. Just over 50 percent of Minnesotans are now protected from the harmful substances in secondhand e-cigarette aerosol in their hometowns. Perham is among the 30 cities and 21 counties in our state that have updated their policies...

Last weekend has come and gone, and along with it another American Cancer Society East Otter Tail County Relay for Life, which by all counts was another successful event. Here are just a few counts that make it an amazing event. Count one – More than 23 teams participated in the...

I watched over a small turtle crossing the road recently and the act left me with an inner glow. Perhaps it would have survived the traveling traffic, but I like to think it truly needed my assistance. It also made me think a bit. Because I came across the reptile at precisely the...

The weather forecast for the Fourth of July weekend looks promising, with only chances of rain possible, which in Otter Tail County means it could actually be sunny and beautiful (temps should be in the mid-70s, so not too hot). We hope you enjoy the long weekend of Independence Day...

Do you remember the old Art Linkletter shows of the ’60s and ’70s in which he queried children to get their take on a variety of topics, from love to current events? Bill Cosby had a similar show in the 1990s, I think, in which he asked children questions much as Linkletter did....

The game has begun. Since Memorial Day, the official start of the tourist season in our part of the country, I am aware of the different license plates on a variety cars, trucks, vans, campers and boats. I glance at the plates of parked cars; I look when driving around town, on county...