To the Editor, I miss the old normal but I’ll get used to it. I miss rubbing elbows with people at work. It was nice to be able to stop by someone’s cube to see if they wanted to go to the cafeteria for a cup of coffee. I miss the news. I used to read the Spring Valley Tribune for the casual entertainment of it. I could read about real people in my community. It was kind of … [Read more...]
Letter about PPP loans and political connections…
To the Editor, I see our Sen. Miller made the front page of the Minneapolis Sunday Star Tribune on August 2, 2020. That doesn’t happen very often. The reason is this: applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) began April 3. On that very same day his family’s Wm. Miller Scrap Iron and Metal Co. applied for and received a $200,000 forgivable loan. Sen. Miller said, … [Read more...]
Letter about needing better leadership…
To the Editor, I’m seeing Trump signs “Keep America Great.” That’s assuming he has made America great these past 3 1/2 years. I feel he’s made the office of the presidency and our country more like a disgrace. Even though we have many issues and differences, I’ve always thought our country is great. Unfortunately, Trump has sabotaged the Republican party. It seems that … [Read more...]
Letter about the strange celebration of corruption and incompetence…
To the Editor, Trump works to denigrate and create distrust of government (“deep state”), journalists, and science. Many thousands died because Trump apparently cared more for the stock market than scientists’ advice about coronavirus. The recent wind event in Iowa is a little taste of our future. There is no way to imagine the devastation in store for us and so many … [Read more...]
Reopening public schools
By George Spangler Chatfield, MN Let me start with my conclusion: With the indoor heating season almost upon us, don’t send our most precious resource, our children, back into a conventional schoolhouse this fall. Don’t allow them to be ushered into the enclosed space of a school bus twice a day. Insist that the public school curriculum should only be offered through a … [Read more...]
A nationalist needs enemies
By John Torgrimson Lanesboro, MN John LeCarre, the novelist and former British spy, was interviewed by CBS about a year ago. Most of the talk was focused on Brexit — Britain leaving the EU — but then the topic turned to America. “I’m talking about Brexit, but Americans know the difference between patriotism and nationalism. A patriot can criticize his country, stay with … [Read more...]
Fabulous fair foods
By Wanda Hanson The pandemic has caused virtually all of our small town celebrations and fairs to be cancelled; we’ve had to give up a lot of our usual summer activities, but there’s one part of those fairs you can still enjoy! Make your own fair food! I’ve been choosing a different food to make each week. Here are a few of my favorites. Cream puffs are versatile and easy to … [Read more...]
Fillmore County authorized CARES Act Funding for local small business relief grants
Fillmore County businesses affected by COVID-19 are encouraged to apply for Small Business Relief Grants of up to $10,000 beginning, Tuesday, September 1. The Fillmore County Commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday, August 25, to make $500,000 of Fillmore County CARES Act funding available to assist small businesses in Fillmore County with costs associated with COVID-19 … [Read more...]
Minnesota’s unemployment rate falls to 7.7% in July; 32,500 payroll jobs added, led by leisure and hospitality gains
ST. PAUL – Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 7.7% in July down from 8.6% in June, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota added 32,500 payroll jobs in July on a seasonally adjusted basis, up 1.2% over the month. The U.S. added 1.8 million jobs in July, up 1.3%. The U.S. … [Read more...]
Help kids kick cancer by giving blood with the Red Cross
During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to support kids, teens and young adults battling cancer, as well as others in need of transfusions. The National Cancer Institute estimates that more than 15,000 children and adolescents in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer each year. Childhood cancer … [Read more...]