Last October, Governor Mark Dayton admitted that the projected significant jump in premiums for 2017 is making the Affordable Care Act “no longer affordable.” He proposed one fix for the estimated 123,000 Minnesotans faced with surging premiums of 55% or more. By providing a 25% premium rebate to those who purchase health insurance on the individual market, who are not eligible … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2017
Blending Learning Days creating some ‘hiccups’ for R-P
The Rushford-Peterson School District is trying a new approach this winter to counter the unpredictability of weather. Rather than make up snow days later in the year, the district plan utilizes Blended Learning Days, attempting to continue students’ learning opportunities. Essentially, each cancelled day will include a combination of online, traditional paper/pencil … [Read more...]
A big day for conservation in Minnesota
On January 17, Governor Mark Dayton signed an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to leverage $350 million of federal dollars to help fund water quality improvement efforts in 54 southern and western Minnesota counties. Dayton believes “Minnesota is at a critical juncture in addressing our state’s serious water quality challenges.” The new … [Read more...]
Erasing it from a website won’t make it go away
It’s a new age for most Americans. We have a new President, new Cabinet, New Year, possibly new jobs, houses, etc., but one thing seems to remain the same: the state of our environment. While our new administration has its positive appeals, there are negative ones as well. Particularly, I personally feel our emphasis on being a world leader in science has now been deemed … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: A dramatic view
By Kiera Olson Lights. Camera. Action. Or not. One-act season is officially underway, but acceptable rehearsal space is not. As our team gears up for the first couple competitions, the need for a school auditorium becomes prevalent. Practicing on our stage is difficult with ongoing basketball practice. This makes it harder to prepare for competitions. Additionally, having an … [Read more...]
Letter about Unions…
To the Editor, A few queries about Jason Sethre’s virulent anti-union editorial: Mr. Sethre, at what point in recent history did the boss-management class go from malevolent to benevolent? When did they soften their hearts to the plight of the worker? Sorry pal, they ain’t changed since, as the old saw goes, “Unions were good in their time, but---”! Unions have been under … [Read more...]
Regarding the January 23 commentary “Unions are like expired sour cream”
By Jack Bratrud First, the reader is subject to think that unions represented nearly 35% of the workforce in 1954. What the article does not say is that in the 1950s, 60% of our workforce was blue collar workers. By 1978 only 20% of the workers were blue collar and 80% were white collar workers, thus the need for white collar unions and a voice to challenge … [Read more...]
Lanesboro seniors enjoy Tex-Mex trip
“It was very successful,” chaperone and planner of the trip, Dave Rogers said. “We really have an amazing group of kids, and they represented our town well.” Rogers had a slideshow of pictures from the trip that he presented to the Lanesboro school board at their January 19 meeting. The group ran into a lot of construction as they proceeded down south, but they made all of … [Read more...]
Rushford hears annual reports from Fire and Ambulance
The swift Monday, January 23 Rushford Council meeting saw discussion of several items in the both the consent agenda and general business, but all was good for the city. First up for business were annual reports from Fire Department Chief Paul Corcoran. During the department’s annual meeting, two weeks prior, officers for 2017 were nominated for council approval. They were … [Read more...]
Chatfield’s water meter installation near completion
At the January 23 meeting of the city council, Brian Burkholder reported that the installations of the water meters were near completion. At the last council meeting, he said that a third letter had been sent out to residents requesting residents to set up an appointment to have their meter installed. Public works people and installers went door to door in the evening to … [Read more...]