When President Barack Obama's Veterans Affairs secretary, Eric Shinseki, announced his resignation last week, the president said "the VA needs new leadership," in order to address the systemic failures that have been fatal for at least 40 veterans.Shinseki appears to have turned a blind eye to ...
Finished planting the garden? It is time to put down a good layer of mulch.Why use mulch? Mulches are attractive, conserve moisture, control fluctuations in root and help to inhibit weed growth. Mulch also helps to control disease in plants, such as tomatoes, by preventing fungal spores in ...
Jam of the Week: "Edit the Sad Parts" by Modest MouseAt the age of 24, much of my life has involved interacting with people older than myself. However, up until recently, I hadn't had the chance to enjoy much time with seniors.My grandparents had all passed away before I was a teenager. I have ...
To the Editor:I understand that every D-Day, French school children write and share with younger children, the history of D-Day and the Allied Invasion that changed the War and the World. Although none of them were alive at that time, they know and understand the history and importance of that ...
The Midwest is blessed with all sorts of fishing opportunities. Lakes, rivers, ponds, and reservoirs dot our landscape. Wherever you live, you don't need to drive far to wet a line.Rivers can provide some outstanding fishing action throughout the summer. Actually, rivers can be good year ...
A late night trip home from Des Moines recently included a dance with Bambi's mother on I-35.Julie and I attended a play at the Des Moines Community Playhouse after which we enjoyed pie and coffee with a group of friends. Pleasant conversation makes time fly and before we knew it the time was ...
Recently a friend told me she was going to attend an end-of-the-year school picnic for her grandsons. That's a phrase and a practice I'd not heard about for a long time; in fact, I didn't even know any school still held a spring picnic even though I believe it's a very traditional way to end a ...
No one in Congress wants to take the blame for higher gasoline taxes just weeks before a major election. That probably explains delays in addressing long-term problems with the Highway Trust Fund.But unless something is done to provide an infusion of money for the fund, it will dry up within ...
FORT?DODGE?- Farmers are unique particularly as there isn't a distinct moment when they just walk out the workplace door to retirement as someone in a regular wage-earning job might do. Rather, farm families often need to think about how to transition the farm business to the next generation ...
Kanawha - Nitrogen management, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in agriculture and efficient fuel use on the farm will highlight the spring field day of the Iowa State University Northern Research Farm.The field day will take place June 26 at the south location of the ISU Northern ...
Dear Annie: My adult stepdaughter doesn't want to work. Her main goal in life is to drink, smoke pot and pass out naked on the beach. She inherited two family homes and essentially threw them away by not paying the mortgages and having parties with the money she collected as rent.This woman ...
Dear Dr. Roach: I am a 64-year-old male in good health. I had an outbreak of blisterlike sores on my upper torso, in my mouth and near my eyes. I had an almost-incapacitating feeling and was able to consume only liquids and shakes because of the mouth blisters. The blisters took their course in ...
DES MOINES The U.S. Department of Agriculture today issued a federal order mandating farms that contract one of two epidemic viruses in their hog facilities must report the infection to a state veterinarian or to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.The order went into effect ...
Members of the Chamber of Commerce gathered Thursday morning for the quarterly coffee meeting held at Southfield Independent and Assisted Living Apartments.Marilyn Middleton, marketing director with Southfield Wellness Community, welcomed the large crowd of Chamber members and shared a little ...
Summer Nights in downtown Webster City returns on June 20 from 5 to 9 pm. The theme of the night is "Be a HERO" and there will be opportunities for those in attendance to be a hero.The Lions Club will be serving burgers, chips and a drink for $5. The Lions Club is driven to perform community ...
Editor's Note:?The following is a blog written by Webster City Area?Chamber Director Deb Brown in response to a Des Moines television station's story about dying towns in Iowa. Webster City and Fort Dodge were among those cities listed.Once every quarter I speak in front of City Council to ...
After a long wait, summer has finally arrived. Take advantage of it by getting outside. Get some inspiration from the titles below or others on the shelves at the library."70 Picnic Recipes and Easy Outdoor Eating Ideas" by Christine FranceEveryone loves picnics, but coming up with easy to ...
To the Editor:The Avenue of Flags committee of the American Legion Post 191 extends its sincere appreciation for another successful display of our most beautiful American flags at Graceland Cemetery May 23 to May 30.Thanks to everyone for being careful as you drove through the cemetery. Damage ...
At Veterans Affairs medical centers throughout the country, lying, cheating bureaucrats are hoping the buck stops with former VA Secretary Eric Shinseki. It should not.Dozens of veterans died while on waiting lists for VA health care, even as agency officials including Shinseki were being ...
Jam of the Week: "Marquee Moon" by TelevisionIn the continuing adventures of Jim getting a chance to attend important events, I visited the state capitol on Friday to cover Branstad's signing of the cannabis oil bill.Of course, my opportunity to attend wasn't entirely by chance. I had worked ...