By Davian Koren As a high schooler, I often get asked the question, “What school do you go to?” When I respond that I’m homeschooled, oftentimes people don’t really know what that means, and/or they don’t get why anyone would want that as opposed to going to a public or private school. There’s a whole range: the ones that think you must be the smart, nerdy kid; and the other … [Read more...]
Letter about Preston pool…
To the Editor, On November 3, residents of Preston will have a choice to vote yes or no for a referendum to build a new municipal swimming pool in Preston. Our current pool, which has served the community faithfully for almost 70 years, requires major repairs for it to be deemed operational by the MN Department of Public Health. Because of this, a City of Preston Pool … [Read more...]
Letter about Data Centers…
To the Editor, I recently cherished time with a good friend who lives in Palestine, where I once lived years ago. My friend spoke of the struggles and dangers of daily life due to the illegal Israeli military occupation of his land. Despite his life-long struggle to be recognized by the world as a human who deserves peace like you and me, he still has light and joy in his … [Read more...]
Things To Think About
By Alissa Oppenheimer Lanesboro, Minn. I love this country. I love living in southeast Minnesota where I own both a home and land. Over the last 18 months in southeastern Minnesota, and the rest of the country, we have seen many changes: Mayo Clinic Health Systems closed six rural outpatient/primary care clinics, people are losing their Medicare Advantage plans, changes to … [Read more...]
Strange Bedfellows – Understanding the Most Bizarre Political Partnership in American History
By Jeff Erding Wykoff, Minn. Few things are more confusing than watching a Pride parade where LGBTQ participants carry signs that support Islamic causes and candidates. We struggle to understand how the secular progressive movement has joined forces with radical Islamists given the seemingly unbridgeable chasm in philosophy about women’s rights, LGBTQ status and religion in … [Read more...]
Letter about who will stay…
To the Editor, David and I purchased our home in the old Lanesboro school house 20 years ago. It was an empty shell but there was energy and vision. I love my corner of the old school house but I do not stay for my precious corner. I stay because this community cares for one another. Vote. We must vote on specifics not name recognition or past contributions. I value all the … [Read more...]
Letter about local candidates…
To the Editor, Dear Candidates...Thanks and Good Luck! Local candidates are putting themselves out there to be considered for election on November 3rd. Thank you! You’re committing yourself to spend hours (out of no doubt busy lives) to serve our communities. It ‘s not easy work. You’re to be commended. That needs to be said. But let’s underline something Mary Bell said in … [Read more...]
Letter about Voting: Popularity Contest or Hiring Process? …
To the Editor, It’s election season (again) and we’re hearing (again), “...this one really matters...your vote is important!” This time it really does. People in Lanesboro (as in neighboring towns) are facing challenging times. Locally the looming Highway 250 project threatens to add as much as $7 million to our local taxes (not to mention the financial stability of local … [Read more...]
Letter about water…
To the Editor, We have had a couple of 5-plus inches of rain this summer and we have seen the results which have not been good: trees down, high and overflowing rivers and creeks, and disaster wherever we look. It is not what we want, but much could be prevented. The good folks who own my farm have my give given up row crops and after even a 5-inch rain there is no run … [Read more...]
Legislative Report
By Jeff Erding Wykoff, Minn. One party has won every statewide election in Minnesota since 2006. This seems like a good time to determine the trajectory of our state by examining a timeline of some key economic and educational indicators. State spending starting in 2010, three categories. 2010 total budget 43 bil. Welfare spending 9.5 Bil. K-12 education 9.9 Bil. 2018 … [Read more...]