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Pastor's Column: Jesus all year

The Christmas season is over. The decorations have been put away, and relatives got home safely two weeks ago. Life is returning to “normal,” whatever that means for each of us.

One the Side: Is a sixth grader’s death worth ...?

Our state Legislature gaveled into session earlier this week amid the echoes of fatal gunshots fired in a school just outside the capital city’s limits.

Letter to the Editor: Nominating Trump defies our common sense

To my fellow Iowans:

As we prepare for the opportunity and responsibility that we as Iowans have been given to provide the country with a glimpse of what the future holds for our collective choice as president, I invite us all to take this upcoming caucus very seriously.

I am an independent voter, though I have chosen more often to vote Republican than Democrat. I have chosen this year to switch my voter registration to Republican to have my voice heard at this caucus.

Letter to the Editor: Adopt policies to shut down threats toward game officials

You typically end your opinion piece with the query: “What say you?” Today, I want to say something about a phenomenon that seems to be gaining momentum. I am referring to the tendency of some parents, relatives or “fans” of sports teams who seem to believe it is OK to berate the officials working the contest. This behavior consists of loud, critical shouting when a call is made, or is not made, as the case may be. It isn’t merely an expression of an opinion, or a groan at a “bad” call.

Guest Commentary: The first week

This was the first week of the second session of the 90th General Assembly.

It is always humbling walking up the steps of the Iowa Capitol. The confidence and trust the people of House District 6 have put in me is an honor. It is not lost on me that this is a significant responsibility.

One Man’s Perspective: On the right track

Hey Spencer Reporter readers and friends, it’s been a hot minute.

Still in Rochester recovering from kidney transplant surgery and I’m happy to report everything is going as well as possible. Energy is high. Spirits are even higher.

The CommStock Report: My letter to the Iowa Utilities Board

I have never testified or filed comments with any regulatory board before but there is a first time for everything. I filed the following letter with the Iowa Utilities Board which will soon decide on Summit Carbon Solutions application to bury a pipeline for the purposes of transporting CO2 from Iowa ethanol plants and other industries for sequestration in North Dakota. I think that it is a critical inflection point for Corn-belt Agriculture as explained in my letter.

 

Consumer Connection: Pet insurance

Pet ownership can bring immense joy, companionship, responsibility and expense. Roughly two-thirds of U.S. households own a pet according to Forbes. The most common pets are dogs and cats, with freshwater fish coming in a distant third. With such a substantial number of pet owners, understanding the value of pet insurance becomes pivotal when dealing with your finances.

Lawn & Garden: Boost your mood with fragrant indoor plants

There’s no need to visit a spa for a bit of soothing aromatherapy. Grow fragrant plants indoors to improve your mood and promote a sense of relaxation.

Gardenias may be the first fragrant flowering plant that comes to mind. They can be challenging but are worth the effort. Grow them in moist acidic soil, in bright light and surrounded by other plants or on a gravel tray to increase the humidity.

Extension Outreach: Why you should become a Master Gardener

This week I am featuring Beth Doran's, beef specialist with Extension and Outreach, latest press release about “Why you should become a Master Gardener.”

 

On the Side: Blue bloods, television tilt the college football field

College football has always been a blue blood game.

In my youth, I can remember envying the fans of Alabama, Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame, USC, Clemson, Georgia, Washington, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas ­ – and at the time, Nebraska — for having their games on television all of the time and battling for national championships year-in and year-out.

Letter to the Editor: Updates on Potter's Field and Stolley Park Trail projects

Just in case some of your readers are not aware, there are two local projects that are ongoing and in various stages of completion.

Letter to the Editor: Don’t applaud Trump’s demonizations

According to a recent Iowa Poll of 502 likely Republican caucus goers, some statements by former president Donald Trump make significant percentages of them more likely to support him. Statements include these:

“The radical left thugs that live like vermin” need to be rooted out. (43%)

Illegal immigrants are “poisoning the blood” of America. (42%)

If reelected, he would have “no choice” but to lock up his political opponents. (19%)

Letter to the Editor: 'The crisis of our times'

Wednesday night I read ‘The crisis of our times’ in the Jan. 2 edition of the Spencer Reporter. It was disturbing and concerning. My first thought was “so when will there be a school shooting?" Literally hours later, Thursday morning, it happened in Perry.

Pastor's Column: 2024! Welcome disciplines

I’m remembering some of my first sermons preached. They must have been real humdingers. An example of one that I clearly remember follows. I was home for a break from my freshman year of Bible college when my pastor asked me if I would preach. What an honor! Following my sermon and closing prayer at the altar, he asked me to follow him into his office. “Go ahead and sit down,” he said to me. “Do you know how long you preached?” I didn’t have any clue!

On the Side: Wisdom is in trouble

There aren’t a lot of people lining up these days to feel sorry for the sellers of news. More than a handful of you likely believe the news should be free, and the people who provide it should be more like public servants than paid employees of a private business.

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