Opinion

Late Sunday evening afforded me an opportunity to partake in one of my favorite pastimes that I’ve been kept from since seemingly the start of spring due to the hectic nature of my personal schedule. (I won’t bore you with details, but it’s safe to say I’ve kept busy since the end of May. Real busy. Too busy. Woe is me.)...

I have a favorite comic strip of America’s founding fathers in a modern shopping mall. There’s one where George Washington points to a Burger King bag’s logo and asks James Madison if America has rid itself of the monarchy, “yet who is this man?” It’s a little absurd and maybe sarcastically patriotic; a comedic caricature suggesting how our founding fathers would react to Americans cozying up to any monarchy, even in name. ...

It’s mid-July, prime time for summer vacations. Folks are packing up the family truckster and hitting the road. Our Facebook feeds are filled with photos of sunburned cheeks and milewide smiles snuggled up to waterfalls, holes in the ground, and the World’s Largest Ball of Twine...

On Sunday, July 8, former Iowa Gov. Robert D. Ray passed away. He was 89. Gov. Kim Reynolds issued the following statement, "Governor Ray's legacy lives on in the millions of people that he impacted as a tremendous statesman for Iowa and our nation. His civility, courage and common-sense governing set a high standard for those who followed. May our prayers and thoughts bring peace to First Lady Billie Ray, her daughters and family at this time."...

Today, I have guest writer Jo Engel, the county youth program coordinator for human sciences in Clay County, talking about the 4-H Achievement Fair. Clay County 4-Hers will participate in the annual Achievement Fair on July 25 in the 4-H Auditorium/Exhibit Building on the Clay County Fairgrounds...

Farmers Market Food Vouchers started on June 1. Income eligible seniors 60 years of age and older who live in the 29-county area serviced by Elderbridge can apply for the vouchers at the Elderbridge offices in Mason City, Fort Dodge, Spencer, Carroll and Sibley...

Let me take you back to a point in my life I've dwelt on more and more lately. In the latter years of my high school career — four years that are rapidly shrinking in my rearview mirror — I attended many a football game, despite a lack of interest in sports that has stuck with me to this day. ...

This past weekend I think I finally received confirmation that the sport of soccer has broken the impenetrable wall of acceptance in America. And that's a good thing. While in Coon Rapids for the USA Cup, not to be confused with the World Cup — though both share the same international flavor — I watched Sunday morning as a hotel's breakfast room filled just in time for the start of the World Cup championship game between France and Croatia. ...

What are the objectives of President Donald Trump's promise to have farmer's backs as the trade wars take big slices of U.S. net farm income? The tariffs are negatively impacting many business sectors from nails to autos and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has strongly come out against Trump's tariff trade war strategy. ...

The gnats are crazy! When riding bike one needs to be sure to ride at a pace that doesn’t require breathing through your mouth. If you do ride with your mouth open, gasping for air, going through a swarm of gnats can feel like a complete meal, toothpick needed. Yuck!...

Republican conservatism used to center on: Free trade, family values, fiscal conservatism, limited government and strong international leadership. These are admirable values that I totally agree with. It’s hard to see these values embraced by our Republican conservative administration today...

Recent opinion pieces in the Spencer Daily Reporter have focused on the need for our country to get back on the civility trail, and embrace once again the values upon which our country was founded. To my knowledge, those would be Judaeo-Christian values, such as "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Those adhering to these values don't claim they can do anything they want, any time/place they want, and to anyone they choose. ...

Have been thinking about moving to Iowa from the west but in researching on Zillow, property taxes on a house here are $140 a month while in Spencer with a comparable house the taxes would be $500 a month. Add $500 a month to a house payment!? That’s a real deal breaker. Don’t know who’s responsible for property taxes — the city, county or state — but if their intention is to keep people out of the area, someone should let them know they’re doing a great job...

A couple of weeks ago Editor Randy Cauthron had an article on immigration covering it as a conservative in support of President Donald Trump's policy, and the next day Publisher Paula Buenger articulated the other side that opposes everything the present administration proposes. In fact, the ONLY area of agreement between the two sides — It's a HUGE problem!...

Recently our family experienced the awful ordeal of a family member going to a federal prison for 10 years for a nonviolent crime. This family member is not a terrible criminal. He is not a threat to society, he is a good person, father who made a bad mistake...