Voting my conscience To the Editor: I was born and raised on the West Coast. I had a D behind my name on the voter registration for decades. Every four years, I voted accordingly. However, as I grew older it was becoming harder to check that box. I can understand your concerns. The DFL ...

CREST adapting To the Editor: In the midst of our fast-changing world, CREST has found the basic needs of our aging and caregiver populations have not changed but are intensified. Isolation is the culprit that has given CREST an opportunity to modify our services to better meet the ...

Preventing the spread To the Editor: I just re-read the letter to the editor recently submitted by Char Kahler. I applaud her statements concerning wearing masks and social distancing. Her statement: “I have heard comments like, ‘If I get COVID, I get it,’ ‘It’s in my car, but I ...

Funds will aid veterans To the Editor: Thank you to everyone who donated to the Welcome Legion Auxiliary Post 553 in support of Poppy Day. All funds donated go to our veterans. We appreciate your donations. Lois Nelson, president Welcome Legion Auxiliary Post 553 Support ...

Please be considerate To the Editor: Can we do the simple, considerate and responsible thing? Wearing face masks? What was a concern of mine before was fueled by a recent news story about a restaurant owner who had saved money for his family to purchase a home and instead invested ...

OWATONNA “Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” I grew up in the 1960s inspired by these words from the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Yet, I am heartsick that today, more than 50 years later, racial injustice continues to be a stain on our national ...

Save money on energy To the Editor: There are quick and free ways to reduce your energy and water costs. For example, you can order a free water conservation kit compliments of Minnesota Energy Resources, the natural gas company that serves Fairmont. These kits are free to Minnesota ...

A thank you to local police To the Editor: With what we are seeing in the news within our own state of Minnesota and around the country, hopefully I am in the silent majority of those people who believe in upholding and sustaining the law of the land. The only way our representative ...

Unit serves during civil unrest To the Editor: On June 30, your local National Guard unit was activated as part of the governor’s full mobilization of the Minnesota National Guard. Our battalion, 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery, is a subordinate unit of the 1-34 Armored Brigade ...

People can still help veterans To the Editor: Because of COVID-19, the Welcome Legion Auxiliary Post 553 was not able to have its annual Poppy Day fundraiser. Poppy Day is celebrated in countries around the world. The Friday before Memorial Day is National Poppy Day. The red poppies are ...

Who is to blame? To the Editor: Having watched all the riots and looting, arson, etc., over the last few days, I’ve come to one conclusion. The mayors and governors of these major American cities and states are to blame. Peaceful protesting is a right we’re given under our ...

Band cancels season To the Editor: After much discussion and deep consideration, the Fairmont City Band Board has sadly decided to cancel the 2020 summer band season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We feel this is what’s best for the health and safety of all our band and audience ...

Heart of the community To the Editor: These shutdowns have put a stranglehold on independent store owners and employees in our town. Open up our town. Let the citizens decide whether they want to patronize a restaurant or get their hair cut. If you don’t feel safe, stay home. Just let the ...

Holding out hope for June 1 To the Editor: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced recently that his stay-at-home order would expire May 18, meaning he will allow more, but not all, businesses to re-open. It’s a step in the right direction, but yet another example of the governor picking ...

Cancer treatment going well To the Editor: I was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer on Feb. 15, 2019, during a routine health examination. I had no symptoms and the cancer was detected accidentally. I have received medical care and treatment at the Mayo Clinic for the past 15 ...

Humane Society offers update To the Editor: Greetings from the Martin County Humane Society/Carl Nettifee Memorial Animal Shelter. This is an update on what has and will not be happening. First, I want to thank everyone who has continued to support us since we had to close the shelter in ...

Humbled by support To the Editor: I am incredibly humbled to write this letter to the editor. During a time of shelter-at-home, social distancing and face-mask wearing, the Fairmont Soccer Association had the inconceivable happen: the largest flower sale in our history by volume of plants ...

Relay for Life postponed To the Editor: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we sadly will have to postpone the Martin County Relay for Life scheduled for June 27 in Fairmont. A new event is pending. We want to do what’s best for our community, and especially our survivors, who are ...

Some places to turn To the Editor: Farmers are the backbone of our community and region. Planting season brings long hours and lots of uncertainty that accompanies the season. Now, current threats to our food supply chain are leaving farmers feeling overwhelmed and out of options. Now ...

A salute to volunteers To the Editor: During National Volunteer Month, CREST salutes the wonderful volunteers who help make our services possible. CREST volunteers offer vital help to our aging population. The benefits have proven to be greater for the volunteer as the right match can help ...