Opinions

It happens at least once a day

"Hey Judy! Where are my glasses?” That's a refrain that is echoed every day by me, Howard. Eye glasses, meaning regular glasses, readers and other optical aids, like contact lenses, are my life line. Without them, my actual functioning is put in jeopardy. "Hey Howard," Judy replies: "They're on the...

‘No right to take my hope away’

Donnavon Eaker doesn’t have time for negative people, even if they may consider themselves a friend. As she fights the battle of her life with non-small cell lung cancer, Eaker, of Ellendale, is quickly finding out whom she wants to be around and whom she doesn’t. After her diagnosis came out late...

Coldest Minn. temp on record is 60 below

You might think our recent frigid temperatures were unbearable. Just take a look at Minnesota weather statistics going back to the late 1880s early 1900s. We just survived below zero temperatures for about a week straight. In our Blooming Prairie area, temperatures plummeted to nearly 30 below zero...

Senator Gene Dornink, R-Hayfield, is hopeful that the fighting can stop and everyone begins working together for a better Minnesota.

Senator vows to work together

As one of Minnesota’s newest senators, Gene Dornink is focused on sharing new ideas and fresh energy to the political fray that’s polarized the legislature in recent years. Dornink has the right ideas as he begins his newest adventure. He says it boils down to serving, listening and solving...

The U.S. Postal Service partnered on 2021 love stamp with the Loveland Chamber of Commerce.

BP becomes Sweetheart City

Where is the Sweetheart City? Many, Dan Peach in particular, believe it is Blooming Prairie, a small city located in southern Minnesota. Peach, who created a Halloween and Christmas fun place on Main Street, came up with an idea to signify LOVE on the prairie. Be sure and stop uptown this week...

Cheers to Jerry’s Mural

It only seems appropriate to offer cheers this week to all the folks who worked diligently behind the scenes to save an Owatonna icon. In less than two weeks, a large mural was taken out of Jerry’s Restaurant in downtown Owatonna and hung at the Steele County History Center. By Friday morning, the...

Take a coffee break during pandemic

We have been socially distanced for over 10 months now and it really hurts. This pandemic has crippled the world. With a third coronavirus vaccine on the way, we can all hope and pray that we will be seeing light at the end of the tunnel… meaning we will be hoping to soon get back to normal. Will...

Capturing the emotion and special moments

Included in last week’s record number of awards given to the Steele County Times was one that the newspaper has never achieved before. I was fortunate enough to win the press photographer’s portfolio for a variety of photos taken throughout the year. This is an especially difficult award to win...

Public health worker Karen Fountaine works at a drive-thru vaccination clinic on Jan. 19 at the Steele County Public Works Building in Owatonna. During the clinic, she utilized the sheriff’s new emergency operations trailer.

A wise use of public tax dollars

Public officials are often criticized, sometimes justifiably and other times not, for spending excessively and not using public tax dollars wisely. But that’s far from the case with a recent situation in Steele County. Back in December, Sheriff Lon Thiele unveiled a new emergency trailer to replace...

Two of the greatest Major League Baseball sluggers, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves, left, and Harmon Killebrew of the Minnesota Twins at right, got together for a home run hitting contest at Metropolitan Stadium in 1974, one month after Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record (714).

Hammerin' Hank was my hero

Baseball has always been my favorite sport and former Major Leaguer Hank (Hammerin' Hank) was one of two American heroes I idolized. The other star is Willie (Sey Hey) Mays of the Giants. Aaron, who played all but two years of his career with the Milwaukee Braves and Atlanta Braves, died last...