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Transit system sparks debate
August 20, 2008
BLUE EARTH — A complaint to the county about the Prairie Express service sparked the ire of at least one commissioner Tuesday.
» Full Story
Welcome appoints Weyer to council
August 20, 2008
WELCOME — When longtime City Council member Stan Nelson died of a heart attack last month, he left a vacancy in Welcome that proved tough to fill.
» Full Story
Cemetery issue still haunting commissioners
August 20, 2008
FAIRMONT — Fallout from the German Evangelical Church cemetery continues to haunt the Martin County commissioners.
» Full Story
College gets new leader
August 20, 2008
FAIRMONT — Minnesota West Community and Technical College is starting out the school year with a new president and high hopes for the future.
Dr.
» Full Story
Shelter house gets new look
August 20, 2008
FAIRMONT — Gomsrud Park, a popular recreational spot in Fairmont, has a tired-looking shelter house sitting smack-dab in the middle.
The facility might not be attractive, but it is used.
» Full Story
Danny Santos at film society
August 20, 2008
FAIRMONT — The sounds of Texas are coming to Fairmont.
Or at least the sounds provided by Danny Santos, a Texas native who will perform Saturday at the Fairmont Film Society for the “This Song’s for You” concert series.
» Full Story
Top Headline Poll
Will you support Fairmont Area Schools' request for $8.8 million?
Yes
35%
No
65%
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Jennifer Brookens
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Jennifer Brookens
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headaches, toothaches, same difference
Sun, August 17, 2008 @ 10:48PM
This is my third or fourth attempt at this blog this weekend. The first time I tried, a co-worker was having a birthday bash that I couldn't attend. "Bring the kids," she said. I didn't dare. Believe me, it's the best birthday present I could give. I recall writing a similar article in 2004 about the joys and pains of teething. Who knew that the second one would be two times worse? Throughout fair week, night and day, my son was prone to screaming fits from out of nowhere. I'm just waiting for a social worker to come banging on the door. His pterodactyl screeches could be heard from the sidewalk at home, not to mention the looks we got from fair-goers. So it goes without saying that all attempts to do something on-line this weekend have been a wash due to a sudden screaming fit. Yes, we've done Tylenol. Teething rings, cold washrags, and other baby chew toys get thrown back at us in frustration.
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Sarah Day
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Look who's quacking
Wed, August 13, 2008 @ 1:32AM
On Monday night, I stepped out of the office to retrieve items out of my car around 8 p.m., and while I was out on Downtown Plaza I heard a loud quacking echoing off the buildings. I looked over onto Blue Earth Avenue and around the corner came a squawking momma duck and six little ducklings chirping along behind her. It was really an adorable site. I was so impressed because not only was the waddling family using the sidewalk, it also used the crosswalk. I was watching for vehicles and hoping one wouldn’t turn right on the red light - making little duck pancakes right in front of my eyes. Luckily, no such scenario happened. The ducks continued their journey further up the sidewalk. Call me crazy, but I’m certain not all ducks know how to use the sidewalk and crosswalks. So motorists, please watch out for the little feathered pedestrians crossing the streets in the city of lakes.
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Megan Feddersen
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Blogging Away on a Hot Summer's Day
Mon, August 11, 2008 @ 9:39PM
I'm facing a bit of writer's block, or stage fright, if you will, when it comes to this particular assignment — blogging. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. After all, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Ironically, that depressing little cliche happily lends its way to the topic of this blog. (I knew if I rambled long enough I would come across something.) So let me write about the book I am currently reading: The Bell Jar. Written by Sylvia Plath, the book was published in 1963, after its author had committed suicide. She had received considerable notice for her previous poetry publications, but this tragic event undoubtedly contributed to the widespread publicity the book received and ultimately its reputation as an American classic. The Bell Jar is terribly funny and terribly depressing, a dual state for the readers that fits perfectly with the protagonist's neurotic tendencies.
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Christine Rupp
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Where's the service?
Wed, August 20, 2008 @ 1:15AM
Whatever happened to customer service? Seriously. When I get exceptional service while out shopping, I take the time to tell a manager about it. I feel employees who go the extra mile to help a customer should be recognized. Unfortunately, lately I have been disappointed in the customer service department. For example, while I was shopping at a local store (I will not say which store), I needed help finding an item. First I looked around the aisles in the section I was shopping in, hoping to spot an associate, then I stood by the station where associates seem to congregate when things are slow. I had hoped someone would spot me, come over, maybe apologize for the wait, and then help me find the item I was looking for. No. Instead, after standing there for a few seconds, I looked down only to realize an associate was on the floor behind the counter, doing inventory or whatever. I had located an associate, and I assumed my frustration would soon be at an end. Wrong.
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Kylie Saari
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Women Build
Mon, August 11, 2008 @ 9:09PM
I was struck Saturday by the amount of laughing going on at Habitat for Humanity's Women Build event. While I was just there covering the story -- not actually building anything, I have worked on Habitat houses in the past. Usually there is a lot of grunting, an occasional instruction shouted, and a gleefully taken break for lunch. But this time was different. Maybe it was the shear joy these women felt at actually being asked to lift roof trusses on top of a house and affix them there by themselves, maybe it was the comradarie a group of women share whenever they are asked to share a task, or maybe it was something else. Whatever it was, I definately wanted to be part of it, and I was a little disappointed I was the one holding the pen and paper, and not the drill.
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Lee Smith
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Gotta love the fair ...
Mon, August 11, 2008 @ 8:06PM
The Martin County Fair kicks off this week (8/12 — 8/17). I am a huge fan of the fair. I like the food, seeing the animals, the atmosphere, spending time there with my wife, playing a little Firehouse bingo, etc., etc. But what I think is most attractive about the fair is its momentum from year to year. That is, other people like it as well, so it becomes an annual gathering place. It's like a giant town festival that Fairmont really hasn't been able to put together otherwise. But "everybody" goes to the fair. It has a nice mix of attractions for young and old to help create the draw, which generates income, which helps the fair stay relevant. I commend those who put together this annual event, and those who volunteer time and effort to make the fair what it is. Signing off, looking forward to a pork chop on a stick and a chocolate shake ...
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FMT-BEA Tennis
Fair-Last Day
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Faribault County Fair