Typically, in the days leading up to the start of a new session of the Iowa Legislature, the attention is on lawmakers’ goals and priorities — and on the pledges they make to work together for the good of the people of Iowa. This year, however, Republican leaders who control the Iowa ...
In celebration of my fantasy football championship which no one cares about but one should celebrate their wins, I want to do something special. Normally, I would make my wife give me a big champagne bath like you see when a sports team wins a championship, but this year is different. Due to ...
During the seldom off times of harvest this last fall, exploring Tama County was a goal. One hidden gem I finally visited on a rainy day was the Saint Wenceslaus Church and cemetery west of Clutier. Until a year or two ago, I never knew this place existed despite spending plenty of time in ...
I wanted to originally write about my resolutions, but after looking at last year’s column, vaccines were a theme, and this year they should still be a theme. The resolutions are at the end of the column. Thank you as always for reading, and I appreciate you being a reader and subscribing to ...
Need help from storm recovery? Iowa was hit hard by the Dec. 15 high winds. If you were impacted by the storm but are unsure how to proceed, call 2-1-1 to be connected to resources and guidance. Please report any storm damage you know of so that local and state officials can document all ...
December 12, 2021: All Over Iowa’s First Congressional District Before heading to Washington this week, I was out on the road in Fayette County, Bremer County, and Black Hawk County meeting with constituents, small businesses, and community organizations. I visited the Northeast Iowa Area ...
What makes Christmas one of the best holidays is not the gifts, not the eerily similar meal to Thanksgiving, but the traditions. Of all the holidays, everyone has a variety of traditions they do as a group or individual. Whether it is the Christmas spirit or seeing old friends and family, it ...
The holiday season is upon us, and for many people that means making purchases for gift exchanges and planning the menu for family and work gatherings. But, for our nation’s small business owners, preparing for the biggest and busiest time of the year can take months of hard work, and ...
An editorial from an edition of the Traer Star-Clipper published on Friday, August 28, 1953, caught my eye this past week while searching through our archive books for stories on the late LeRoy Kopriva — 1954 Traer High School graduate, Redhawks starting quarterback, and great-uncle to this ...
Every year it comes. I swear it will not bother me, and I am wrong every time. The snow comes. It does not matter if it sticks or not. When the snow comes, it ruins the day. Believing this to be the year winter will be more exciting, yet the snow shows up and my attitude goes from ...