OWATONNA At Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, we are proud of our ability to adapt and address the needs in our region. We know there is no one-size-fits-all solution to economic development, early childhood and community vitality. But, responding to the needs of southern Minnesota ...

A simple message of love To the Editor: I am writing to thank Fairmont residents for sharing the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season. Because of the generosity of donors in Fairmont and across the United States, Operation Christmas Child, a project ...

Working together To the Editor: Being together with friends and family is a hallmark of the holiday season. For Kinship, its mentors and families, another key part of the holidays is working together to make the holiday the best it can be for everyone. This year was no exception. We were ...

Appreciating the good things To the Editor: With all the negativity this past year regarding the city of Fairmont, we have experienced some of the goodness that comes from living in this city and the people who are often behind the scenes. We recently had some difficulties with our water ...

No retaliation? Right To the Editor: To my fellow Fairmont citizens: After watching Monday’s City Council meeting, I have put my finger on what our problem is at City Hall. Three council members — Tom Hawkins, Randy Lubenow and Ruth Cyphers — are not in their right minds. How do I ...

Mother/son event set To the Editor: Kids Just Want to Have Fun is excited to announce our second annual mother/son event, “Not All Superheroes Wear Capes,” to be held 4-6 p.m. Saturday at Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Fairmont. The event includes a professional photo booth, ...

Your help needed too To the Editor: Giving back to the community for people with disabilities can be challenging. Limited funds, limited mobility and limited staff support are all barriers that limit participation in community events. Last year was the first year that Arc/People First ...

They don’t care about us To the Editor: I have watched every Democratic presidential candidate debate. After the debate Dec. 19, it became clear. They are pandering to the East and West coasts, leaving all the rest of us in fly-over country behind. Diane Tow Fairmont It’s hard ...

Why I support Feehan To the Editor: Several people have asked me why I support Dan Feehan for Congress. There are so many reasons that it can get to be a lengthy conversation. One of the reasons became obvious recently when Jim Hagedorn proudly voted against allowing Medicare price ...

OWATONNA With 2020 just days away, I am reflecting on Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s many accomplishments in the past year alongside our regional partners and collaborators. It was a year filled with incredible stories of people doing amazing things for this region. I am ...

A meal for everyone To the Editor: The Christian Church of Fairmont is once again serving a complete Christmas dinner on Christmas Day as a gift to the community and surrounding area. Christmas is universally celebrated as a time of gift giving, in which people of all walks of life ...

Thanks for the help To the Editor: I would like to acknowledge the Martin County Sentence To Serve program; its supervisors, Kyle Redenius and John McDonald; and the workers for the work they do in our community. Specifically, the crew that did a thorough job cleaning up the grounds of the ...

Time for referendum To the Editor: Recently, it was announced there could be a 6.5 percent property tax increase in Fairmont to support a new community center. This would be in addition to the half-cent sales tax increase already implemented. If this is true, then I suggest the city of ...

FAIRMONT One year ago, a public meeting on the community center was held at the Opera House. A presentation was given on the status of the project and the public was given the opportunity to ask questions and voice their opinions. Concerns were raised about the cost of the facility, the ...

OWATONNA This season of giving and gratitude continues to inspire me. I am always overwhelmed by the generous contributions from donors to Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, our 30 community foundations and to other local non-profits. Nov. 14 was “Give to the Max Day” in ...

What do you think? To the Editor: If you happen to wander upstairs to the second floor of the excellent Martin County Historical Society on Blue Earth Avenue in Fairmont, you might see something unexpected: A white robe and hood from the KKK (Ku Klux Klan). In the 1920s, the KKK was strong ...

ST. PAUL Health insurance gives people peace of mind that they can take care of themselves from preventative care to medical crisis. Providing coverage for quality care at an affordable price also is a priority for employers to attract and retain workers in our historically tight labor ...

Come check it out To the Editor: The 2019-2020 hockey and ice skating season is in full swing at the Martin County Arena and the Fairmont Youth Hockey Association board of directors would like to take time to thank all the arena, sign and team sponsors. Without your support, the 2019-2020 ...

Food pack helps many To the Editor: Plans are underway for the 12th Annual Martin County Kids Against Hunger food pack, to be held 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Fairmont Armory. I invite you to put together of team of friends, family or co-workers and join in the excitement ...

Argument full of holes To the Editor: I am a retired farmer. My dad had a saying that I heard often. It was this: “Any idiot can tear down a barn, but it takes a dammed good carpenter to build one.” President Trump has pulled us out of many agreements, such as NAFTA, GATT, nuclear ...