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Pastor's Column: The fast that delights God ... and us

We have entered the Lenten season, when many of us engage in spiritual practices and rituals leading up to Easter. Roman Catholics have traditionally abstained from red meat on Fridays, thus the increase of fish on menus this time of year. It is a kind of fasting, which has many benefits. In general, fasting helps us remember to focus on God and to appreciate the suffering of Jesus for our sake.

Home Country

Mrs. Forrest has always been a compulsive feeder. Before she retired, she was cooking for the Mule Barn truck stop’s customers, and is singularly responsible for about three flabby tons of avoirdupois on this nation’s truck drivers, and may have been marginally responsible, third-hand, for a cardiac event or two.

Letter to the Editor: CO2 pipelines are simply not a good deal for Iowa

It has been over a year since I received that fateful letter addressed to our family farm corporation asking for an easement for a CO2 pipeline in exchange for a large sum of money. While the funds would nicely cover some projects I really want to do, the attorney and real estate agent in me thought I’d better do a little more due diligence before signing.

Guest Commentary: Organizing the reorganization

In her Condition of the State address, the governor unveiled a proposal to streamline the state government by realigning the structure of state government in order to improve the organization and function of state agencies.

House Study Bill 126 was introduced in the State Government Committee in February. This week, members of the committee have been holding public meetings to discuss the changes proposed in the legislation and to hear from stake holders.

Guest Commentary: Tackling the fentanyl epidemic

It’s time to address our fentanyl epidemic with solutions equivalent to the problem.

Earlier this month, during a visit to the California-Mexico border, Border Patrol agents told me that they had recently been forced to release a smuggler caught with 50 pounds of fentanyl — enough to kill 11 million Americans — because that sector of the border lacked the capacity to detain them.

Lawn & Garden: Pain relief found in the garden

Look to the garden, farmer’s market, or refrigerator next time you are battling sore muscles, indigestion, and headaches. These five foods fresh from the garden contain powerful pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.

 

MINT

The CommStock Report: Where is the money coming from … in the future?

PART 2 OF 4-PART SERIES

Letter to the Editor: Turn your headlights on

As you well know, fog, blowing snow and ground blizzards all can wreak havoc for drivers on northwest Iowa roads. One of the simplest ways to enhance safety for yourself and any oncoming vehicle is to make sure you drive with your headlights on, regardless of the time of day. A no brainer, you might say. Unfortunately, it is all too prevalent that one encounters a vehicle "sans lights" in the conditions described above. Please turn 'em on! The life you save may be your own.

Letter to the Editor: Don’t drink ethanol’s doomsday Kool-Aid

Things are not going as planned for three deep pocketed investment companies seeking permits from the Iowa Utilities Board. They expected to move into this state, throw billions of dollars around, scoop up the land they needed for hazardous liquid CO2 pipelines with the help of eminent domain, and start laying thousands of miles of pipe later this year. Instead, projects like the Midwest Carbon Express are going off the rails.

Letter to the Editor: A 'Listen to Your Heart’ could save your life

Does your doctor listen to your heart every time you visit? Even the faintest murmurs heard through a stethoscope can be a sign of heart valve disease. A condition affecting more than 11 million Americans, heart valve disease happens when one or more of the heart’s four valves are damaged. Other common symptoms can include lightheadedness, chest pain, tiredness, edema or feeling “off” in general — but these symptoms are too often shrugged off.

Letter to the Editor: Iowa Rep. Steve Holt's bill

A story in the Saturday Globe described a new Iowa House bill by Rep. Steve Holt, delineating parts of the bill that will dramatically increase the safety of Iowa citizens and will also serve to protect the rights of property owners. The article quotes Gov.

One Man’s Perspective: Ready for a revolution?

It’s time for a revolution. It’s happened once before, so why not again?

No, I’m not talking about some radical government takeover — although there are some who might jump at the suggestion. The revolution I’m speaking of is a bit deeper and for more spiritual.

Guest Commentary: American families deserve year-round access to E15

Over the last few years, Iowa families and farmers have been forced to empty their wallets at the gas station as fuel costs soared nationwide. Between federal restrictions on domestic energy production and record inflation, the average price of gas eclipsed nearly $5 last summer, draining family budgets and stretching paychecks thin. Fortunately, in Iowa, we have a homegrown solution to meet our energy needs: E15.

Guest Commentary: Accepting college financial aid

If a student in your household applied for college financial aid for the 2023-24 year, financial aid offers should arrive soon. You may receive a standardized College Financial Plan, which can help your family understand the different types of aid offered. Use the tips below to make sense of financial aid offers.

 

1. Understand exactly what makes up the cost of attendance.

Pastor's Column: Still time to fix it

Fix the broken drawer handle. Fix the bathroom light switch. Fix the garage door opener. Finish the door trim that’s been stained and ready to install for 10 years. Finish painting the hallway and the list grows on.

One Man’s Perspective: Nearly 3 decades of mat time

I promise this will be my last wrestling column for a while, but it was a bittersweet weekend for my wife and I as we watched our youngest son take the mat for a final time. And he did it on the grandest stage any high school wrestler could wish to wrap up their career, the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s boys state wrestling tournament.

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