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Local Columns

Has it really been eight months?

My plan was to give a six-month update into how the position of sheriff has been going, but when I looked at my calendar and it was already August, I think I finally realized that time was slipping away from me as fast as I could think. I wanted to give the citizens of Hamilton County an ...

Friends and explosions

As we near the 80th anniversary of the explosion that ultimately convinced the Japanese that World War II was lost to them, I am reminded of another, far less volatile explosion, that perfectly illustrates the relationship between the Curtis family and the Dinsdales. Dad, as in my father, ...

The trauma of geekhood

Being a teenage geek (or nerd) is sad enough but when your kids find out it hurts. I remember the day my daughter realized the truth of my past. Arriving home from work one afternoon some 30 years ago, I discovered my then-about-16-year-old daughter reading her mother’s and my old high ...

Webster City, it’s been an honor

Serving as your representative on the Webster City Council for the past 12 years has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. The pride and fulfillment I’ve felt during this time are difficult to put into words. With my current term concluding at the end of this year, it’s again time ...

Staying awake

Name the most difficult physical task you can imagine. Lifting a heavy object? Out running an angry bear? Jumping over a wide chasm? How about this one: staying awake when your mind and body want to sleep? You know the feeling. It’s been a long day and you’ve enjoyed a good evening ...

Anger management: Using soft words

As a twice-married man and a father I have been made fully aware of all my faults. One of those faults is my temper. Over the years I have learned to control that temper … until someone pushes all the right buttons. Back in Sunday school days we had to memorize a Bible verse every week. ...