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 ...

Volunteering during COVID-19 To the Editor: With the events involving COVID-19, the stay-at-home order from Gov. Tim Walz and employment uncertainties, we have heard a lot about volunteering. Pre-pandemic, the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging was part of a coalition in the state to ...

OWATONNA In January, I wrote about the importance of having an endowment so that at Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation we can continue to address the emerging needs of our 20-county region through thick and thin. Little did I know at the time how critical this would be for our ...

Just more nonsense To the Editor: Although the Democrat “resistance” has already cost this nation trillions of dollars in lost opportunities as well as time spent “investigating” the president, and fighting everything he has been doing, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has apparently ...

Stay ahead of cancer To the Editor: The month of April draws attention to several cancers. It is Head and Neck, Oral, Esophageal and Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. Regular oral cancer examinations performed by your oral health professional remain the best method for detecting oral ...

Millions backed Sanders To the Editor: In reference to the ideas expressed in the April 11 Sentinel editorial titled, “Sanders calls it quits,” I must respectfully disagree. The ideas of free health care for all and free education for all were trademarks of Bernie Sanders’ campaign. ...

Red Rock appreciates support To the Editor: On behalf of the Martin County Preservation Association, dba Red Rock Center for the Arts, we are grateful for the grant dollars we received from the Martin County Area Foundation. With the support of these grant funds, we were able to enhance our ...

OWATONNA In 1986, an economic crisis had shaken Greater Minnesota. Farms across the state faced bankruptcy and rural communities suffered. Accordingly, young people were leaving the small towns that had nurtured them in search of opportunities elsewhere. These developments created uncertainty ...

Great community spirit To the Editor: Thank you to all the local businesses that donated door prizes for the Ladies Monday Night Commercial Bowling League banquet on March 9. We appreciate your community spirit in giving to us some great prizes. Again, thank you. Sue Langford and other ...

Congratulations, Ken To the Editor: Ken Goraczkowski recently retired from Fairmont Ford. For 43 years, he worked as the body shop manager and service manager. Ken was a very dedicated hard-worker who put in long hours, many Saturday mornings and came in during adverse weather. He treated ...

Helping save lives To the Editor: Relay for Life is a community-based fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. Each year, more than 5,000 Relay for Life events take place in more than 20 countries. American Cancer Society would not be successful without one key element: you. ...

Did you see accident? To the Editor: I am asking for your help. I was involved in an accident at 1 p.m. March 2 at the intersection of State Street and Blue Earth Avenue in Fairmont. Several other cars were present and I believe the drivers saw the accident. If you were one of them, please ...

Make tax law change To the Editor: On behalf of our 8,500 members, the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants supports the recent column by the Invest in Minnesota Coalition, “Invest in the future state.” It’s tax season and CPAs are busy interpreting complex federal and ...