Breaking News

Letters to the Editor

Thanks Red Kettle volunteers

To the editor: The Salvation Army would like to thank all the volunteers who signed up and rang the bell during the 2020 Red Kettle season. A special thank you goes out to all the donors that believe in the mission of the Salvation Army. This year we came up short of our goal of $52,500, by $10,000. The main reason we did not reach our Red Kettle goal, was because there were kettle sites that were un-manned most of the season. The Salvation Army took COVID-19 precautions to keep both the ringers and donor safe. All ringers were required to wear masks, hand sanitizer was ...

Says factory farm biogas is false solution

To the editor: Recently, State Rep. Mike Sexton, R-Rockwell City, introduced a bill in the Iowa House that will encourage the expansion of factory farm biogas infrastructure. The legislation, HF 522, will allow for additional factory farms to use anaerobic digesters to convert manure into biogas which can be used to produce electricity on-site, for heating, or as vehicle fuel. While the process is touted as a source of clean, renewable energy by the factory farm and natural gas industries, the truth is that it is far from environmentally responsible. Factory farm biogas is composed ...

Says Republicans make life harder

To the editor: Why would anyone want you not to vote? This is America, land of the free or are we? I thought we fought a war to be able to vote. I thought we didn’t want to bow down to a king, dictator or cult leader. I thought the people wanted their voice to be heard to make it better for everyone. Guess I’m thinking too much because Republicans say when they make it harder to vote that more people vote. What reverse psychology. They should build tops with a spin like that. They should have a slogan, “Vote for us, we will make your life harder.” Maybe people will just ...

Says Strengthening Familes works

To the editor: Strengthening Families for parents and youth 10-14 is about to start in Fort Dodge the week of March 7. This PROSPER program will begin its 19th year of programs with fifth and sixth graders and their families. Families that participate in the programs delivered through PROSPER can expect: more time spent together as a family; to feel closer to one another, and to use more effective and consistent discipline. As one mom shared after the fall session, “I was hesitant to sign up at first due to the time commitment, however, it has been so well worth the time. Even ...

Skeptical of calls for national unity

To the editor: President Biden has been appealing for unity in the country. Meanwhile… Ultra-liberal monopolistic social media giants Facebook and Twitter have barred Trump and are undertaking a relentless all-out effort to shut down the accounts of conservatives from their social media platforms. Book publishers are pledging to not publish any book authored by anyone with any connection to Trump or his presidency. So much for freedom of expression. In the past haven’t the Democrats declared themselves as being the champions of diversity? Conservative speech, long a target on ...

Upset by response to 1619 project

To the editor: I was appalled and disappointed at my ignorance of Black History as taught in the Iowa school system. I have learned so much since the George Floyd murder and the Black Lives Matter movement. Unfortunately, Republican lawmakers want Iowa students to remain in the dark. In honor of black history month, Iowa Republicans have introduced a bill mandating the Trump commission’s 1776 program be taught in Iowa schools not the 1619 project. The Trump commission’s 45-page doctrine labeled the “1776 Report” came out on Jan. 18, 2021 - on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. ...