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Local Columns

Heather’s Highlights: County Government and You, April 2026

Road construction along with dust, gravel, mud, and dust control were the main topics for discussion in April when Highway 63 from the 96/63 junction to Toledo closed on April 20. The Iowa DOT closed the highway to remove the pavement and replace it with asphalt, while making it a “Super 2 ...

Dengler Domain: Let farmers save some seeds

When it comes to seed saving, it is an interesting exercise for farmers. In Iowa, where corn and soybean hybrid seed is dominant, seed saving is non-existent. Protected by Plant Variety Protection certificates and utility patents, the seed companies treat their corn and soybeans seeds like ...

On Nature: Climate Change Choice

The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has analyzed a broad range of data on greenhouse gas emissions and the effects on U.S. climate that had been gathered by the scientific community. In their report on this analysis, the Academies stated that the evidence for ...

Emotions–the Prime Movers of Life

And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24 Our English word “emotion” comes from the Latin participle emotum meaning “to move.” Emotion is the great prime mover of human behavior in one direction or another, and your ...

Dengler Domain: Everybody Knows Everybody

What I loved and miss from growing up in a rural town is everybody knows everybody. This is a double-edged sword because everyone can be up in everyone’s business. It might not be like stories I have heard from the past where people listened to other people’s phone conversations when lines ...

Welcome Spring

Spring is welcome in its freshness. The long and dreary winter helps us to appreciate spring's warmth, and its promise of summer enhances its present delights. Our lives also reflect the possibility of refreshing newness. After periods of spiritual depression, it is delightful to see the light ...

Let Summer Begin

Nothing gets me more excited than the smell of freshly cut grass, the chalk lines being drawn around the batter’s box, and the smell of hotdogs and popcorn in the air. I am sure by now you know I am talking about the great sport of Baseball. Nine innings of trying to figure out who is going ...

Iowa Outdoors: Celebrating Craig Fish’s 50+ years of volunteerism

Craig Fish, a Toledo, Iowa resident of nearly 35 years, was recently recognized by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for his 50 years of volunteer hunter education instruction. At a meeting held in Linn County on March 17, Fish received an award for his 50 years of volunteerism. In ...

On Nature: Feedback Loops Troubling

It has been generally accepted that Earth’s global temperature is rising as the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide increases. However, temperatures currently are rising faster than expected from rising carbon dioxide levels alone. According to research reported in the peer reviewed ...

Dengler Domain: The Difference

As I drove through parts of West Des Moines while a sleeping baby rested in his car seat, I was astonished by the homes. Despite this trip being slightly unique because it was due to letting a previously crying, very tired baby rest, I have always been astonished by these types of neighborhoods ...