Jessica Carlson Otter Tail County Master Gardener According to the University of Minnesota Extension, the best period for most pruning is from late winter to early spring.  During this dormant time, it reduces stress, minimizes disease spread, and makes it easier to see the structure of trees and shrubs. Using the right tools makes pruning easier and… Read More

By Jessica Carlson Master Gardener Winter is a good time to think about new garden ideas. This year I am starting from scratch with the perennial gardens at my new home, so I have been spending time reading garden books and sketching ideas for future beds. I enjoy looking at photos of famous mixed borders in… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda With another birthday behind me, I just kind of put some of what I am and feel into these words: I am pre-cellphones. (When they put that big tower a couple miles west of me, I wrote a pretty negative column about what I thought about that thing spoiling my view. The… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: Even with laws I still see a lot of motorists driving distracted. Can you get a reminder out there?   Answer: Driver distraction or inattention is a leading factor in crashes in Minnesota, accounting for at least 25 percent of all crashes annually. Distracted drivers fail to recognize potential hazards on… Read More

To the Editor, Amidst the turmoil and uncertainty of Trump’s courts and congress lunging away from constitutional rule in mindless and formerly illegal directions, there remains opportunities for great leadership to slow the damage and set new courses to get back on track. The most positive indication was the remarkable display of dedication to democracy, courage… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I enjoy reading your column in the weekly newspaper.  I have a question I hope you can address. We’ve had some heavy fog recently and I get frustrated with the vehicles that do not have their lights on.  Sometimes the headlights are on and the rear lights are not.  What… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda I ended–gave up– a 30-some-year-long engagement with the IRS some time ago. I gave up. I hate to say it: Up to that point, I never thought I would ever concede them the tiniest bit of superiority. But I did. Government by the people, for the people–all that stuff led me astray…. Read More

Garver’s Movie Review Bob Garver The 2020’s haven’t been kind to once-great animation giant Pixar, at least with its original titles. “Onward” had its box office cut down by the pandemic. Three straight movies had to forgo theatrical releases and go straight to Disney+. “Lightyear” was the first movie from the studio that I couldn’t bring… Read More

To the Editor, On Thursday, March 5, the House Committee on Agriculture passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, taking the first step in yet another attempt to pass new farm bill legislation. The bill was approved on a vote of 34-17, with all Republican members joined by seven Democrats to pass the bill. The vote… Read More

By Anna Massoglia MuckRock More Americans are filing Freedom of Information Act requests than ever, topping 1.5 million in 2024 and on track for another record in 2025. This will mark the third consecutive year that FOIA requests have reached seven figures.  But more requests does not necessarily equal more access to public government information.  In an age… Read More