Opinion

Sheriffs should enforce the law, not write it

Apr 19, 2023

Sheriffs of Southeast Minnesota should stick with enforcing the laws, rather than subverting the law-making process. And, as public servants, they should be truthful and accurate. Minnesota legislators are carefully deliberating laws concerning marijuana. This has been a long, televised process...

Ohl: Sqeaky

Apr 19, 2023

John finally decided to go turkey hunting. Being a novice hunter hoping to have a successful hunt, he wanted to leave nothing to chance. He invested long hours into careful preparation and scouting. He did have his father’s 12-gauge shotgun but did need other necessary equipment such as camo...

Ohl: The Scooter Gang

Apr 12, 2023

I don’t recall just how the gang formed, but my brother, Dwight and I became members of the most feared scooter gang in southwest Minnesota – of course it was the only one! There were five scooters and ten members: the Ohl brothers, Williams brothers, Anderson brothers, Schak brothers, Darwin...

Kelly: Ask legislators to oppose cannabis legalization

Apr 12, 2023

As Sheriff of Goodhue County, I was elected to enforce our laws and keep the public safe. With the Minnesota Legislature considering the legalization of recreational cannabis, my job may be changing substantially in the near future. These bills have been moving through the legislature at a rapid...

Ohl: A boy and his (Ouch!) knife

Apr 5, 2023

I must have been about nine years old when I was given my first knife. It was one of those Swiss army types with one blade and a variety of other useful accessories such as a bottle opener, corkscrew, scissors, tweezers, and a file. Some even sported a fold out spoon and fork! The current most...

Girls celebrate basketball season at awards banquet

Mar 29, 2023

The Lake City Tiger girls held their basketball banquet on Sunday, March 26, at the High School. Coach Drew Olinger gave a few highlights of the season and handed out awards to the team. The team had 15 Varsity Letter winners and awarded five seniors with Academic All State. For the Academic...

Celebrating women who make region thrive

Mar 29, 2023

March is Women’s History Month, which is both a time to look back at the incredible accomplishments of women in the history of our country, but also a time to celebrate women who are doing amazing things today. At Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), we know that there are countless...

No Mow May benefits the three P’s - pollinators, plants and procrastinators

Mar 22, 2023

As a child, countless bumble bees, butterflies and other insects flitted around flower beds and dad’s strawberry and vegetable garden. Hummingbirds darted everywhere. With help from the “B” volume Encyclopedia Britannica I identified dozens of butterfly species flying about. Dusk brought out...

Ohl: The Takeoff - Part 1

Mar 22, 2023

We have all folded paper airplanes and perhaps made gliders from balsa wood. They did entertain us as youngsters for a limited time. Some kids were talented in constructing the missiles. I was not. Remembering them is perhaps the reason I was a little apprehensive about the invitation from Hugo to...

Ohl: A Clean Sweep

Mar 15, 2023

“Chim chiminey, chim chiminey Chim chim cher-ee! A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be. Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, Chim chim cheroo! Good luck will rub off when I shakes ‘ands with you. Or blow me a kiss and that’s lucky too.” From Disney’s “Mary Poppins” Yes, once upon a time I was a bonafide...