Garver’s Movie Review Bob Garver The “Sonic the Hedgehog” movie franchise has had quite the history. In 2019, jokes about the poorly-received first trailer were everywhere in pop culture. Paramount, to its credit, took the vitriol as constructive criticism and spent months redesigning the main character to have a more palatable appearance. When the upgraded movie… Read More

By Becker CountyMaster Gardeners Pay special attention to your houseplants to keep them looking healthy this winter. The sun is weaker and days are shorter, so move plants to brighter windows if possible. Combat low indoor humidity by grouping plants together, checking their soil frequently and watering thoroughly with room temperature water whenever the soil… Read More

Thank you! Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for all of you in my life. Your presence at my birthday celebration, calls, cards, beautiful flowers, and gifts you blessed me with were overwhelming. Each of you warmed my heart. Thank you doesn’t quite seem adequate. I am wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and… Read More

By Tyler Trieglaff Notes from the Chief Notes from the Farm…Well, I will have to say that the snowstorm last Thursday was nothing less than a disappointment. The snow accumulation Thursday morning was 3-4” I would say.  That is just enough to have to plow it, but such a small amount of snow that it is kind… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda Every few years, a new device that is a “guaranteed unbelievable breakthrough in energy savings” comes along. Back in the sixties, a “new breakthrough in the dynamic viscosity of hydraulics” was the latest heating “discovery.” This device, which as I remember weighed quite a bit, like around 30 or 40 pounds, bragged… Read More

To the Editor, My colleagues at West Central Initiative often smile when I say, “Donor Advised Funds are the coolest thing,” because they know that this mantra of mine is so very true. Not only do Donor Advised Funds help the donor with charitable giving throughout the year, but what our donors do with these funds… Read More

By Tyler Trieglaff Notes from the Chief Friday, Dec. 6 12:18 p.m. Assist Becker County Human Services with a home visit. 12:37 p.m. Assist with a medical. 5:19 p.m. Report of a disturbance on Main Ave E. Turned out to be kids playing and screaming. 9:47 p.m. Alarm at a business. Building was secure, most likely moving balloons or signs inside. 11:31… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda As time goes by here on the farm, we have been watching my Amish neighbor handle a crop of corn on acreage which he has rented from me. Finding just a mere one or two words to convey how both entertaining and instructive this viewing has been is difficult. What of course… Read More

To the Editor Senator Paul Utke (Park Rapids), Republican lead on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, issued the following response to a financial audit report released this morning by the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) reviewing Minnesota Department of Human Services outstanding provider debt in Minnesota’s Medicaid program: “This is just another example in… Read More

To the Editor, Rural small business owners and agricultural producers can decrease energy costs through energy efficiency measures and the installation of renewable energy systems such as solar, with the help of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).  Grants are now available for up to 50 percent of eligible project costs, and guaranteed loans are available… Read More