Seasons

Ice, while it lasts

Feb 18, 2026

A February heatwave has melted much of the snow cover in and around Lake City and caused the closure of the city’s ice skating rink. Lake Pepin ice thickness, meanwhile, is being monitored in anticipation of the beginning of the commercial navigation season on the river. Ice measurements begin...

Solstice sunset

Dec 24, 2025

Ben Threinen captured this image of the sun setting on Dec. 21, the winter solstice and shortest day of the year. A solitary portable ice shack is visible just downstream from Marina Point on the first official day of winter. Following the solstice, days begin to lengthen. We can look forward to...

Boat removal enters home stretch

Oct 23, 2019

Members of the Lake City Marina’s boat removal crew use powerwashers to clean the hull of a sailboat just lifted out of the Lake City Marina on Oct. 22. Boat removal began Sept. 23 and is expected to be complete on Oct. 29, according to Lake City Marina Administrator Jeff Brand.

Letter: Spring? Maybe. Minnesota? You betcha.

Apr 11, 2018

To the editor: In late September the little magnolia tree outside my window sheds its leaves. They are soon replaced by buds that resemble pussy willows. These buds struggle through the cold winter months. When spring approaches the buds grow until mid April when they burst into fragile white...

Torch: Winter - Good and bad

Feb 8, 2017

Winter can be a great time if you like the cold and snow. Or it could be a rough couple of months if you don’t like it. There are plenty of reasons why you could either dislike or like winter. Winter in Minnesota is kind of crazy. One day it’s -20 degrees and the next day or two it’s 15 degrees...

Last cutting?

Nov 10, 2016

Tom Boe got out to mow his lawn one more time Tuesday morning before winter sets in. But this early November mowing should be the last for this extended season. A killing frost Tuesday night officially ended the growing season.