Letter to the Editor

July 2025 This spring the village of Polk undertook a spring clean-up of the entire village. I acknowledge that there are several properties in bad need of cleaning up. As a result about 60 properties were cited, including ours. We keep our place in order, or so we thought.

National What Day Is It?

BETH’S BITSThe date of this newspaper is July 10th. According to National Day Calendar, July 10th is Chronic Disease Day and National Kitten Day. These aren't necessarily my favorites, but I have some experience with them.First let’s look at chronic diseases.

Dinner-A High-Stakes Hostage Negotiation

Dinner-A High-Stakes Hostage NegotiationREPORTER’S NOTEBOOKDinner at our house has started to feel less like a family meal and more like a high-stakes hostage negotiation.The other night, I made one of Timmy’s favorite meals: macaroni and cheese.

The Trial of the Century-100 years later

ALAN’S ANECDOTESExactly one hundred years ago today, the trial of the century began. I’m not talking about the OJ Simpson trial. I was in college when that took place. Despite what my kids think, I’m not old enough to remember a trial that was a century ago.

Community Connection

Call Annie Jeffrey Health Center at (402) 747-2031 for more informationExperts estimate that 80% of all sun damage occurs before the age of 18. Babies less than 6 months old should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Their skin has less pigment than adults and can burn in minutes.

Driving I-80

REPRESENTING YOUNebraska sits at the crossroads of commerce and travel being centrally located in the United States. Interstate 80, which links San Francisco on the west coast to New York City on the east coast, is one of the busiest eastwest interstate highways in the country.

Celebrating America

This week we celebrated the 249th anniversary of America’s founding. With the Declaration of Independence, our founders sought to overthrow tyranny with a simple and self-evident idea. They knew that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights.

Wins for Nebraskans

NEBRASKA SENATORWhen I was Governor, we focused on providing great services to Nebraskans. The federal government should do the same. Now that I’m in the Senate, my team and I are here to help Nebraskans navigate the bureaucracy.

E Pluribus Unum

ALAN’S ANECDOTESMy kids have already gone to bed. I’d like to ask them what “e pluribus unum” means. I think they would know the translation. It means “Out of many, one.” But would they know the sentiment?When was the last time the US Congress declared war?

GOLFING AT THE DELLS

My family takes just one big trip each summer: a visit to Wisconsin Dells to see my parents and siblings.Last week, we made the annual trek. It’s one of the few times each year when all the cousins run wild together, and we adults try to keep up. Timmy was a miniature golf pro.