Please excuse me if this isn't the column I wanted to write. There was a breaking news story of state importance with roots 12 years ago in Scott County that I wanted to comment about – and had actually done research for it in June – but I spent six nights at University Hospital in Madison, Wis., last week to prepare for follow-up heart valve surgery this week. more

Sept. 12, 1984: The North Scott School Board officially voted to switch to five-on-five girls’ basketball for the upcoming season, becoming the last school in the Mississippi Eight Conference to approve the change. Speaking on behalf of the players, Betsy Braack said the team had accepted there was nothing to be done and they would give the new format their best shot. Superintendent Doug Otto acknowledged the change was a “dramatic move” by the conference that didn’t give the team much time to adjust, but said “It’s time to do the inevitable, and do it now.” more

"When people embrace hate, when they wallow in it. It wreaks havoc on the mind ..." more

"In a New York event, Trump called for slashing taxes on the wealthy and insisted that new, high tariffs on all imports and Chinese imports would end federal deficits and bring trillions of dollars into the Country. Trump insists that tariffs are taxes on foreign countries, but they are not ..." more

"For the second consecutive year, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau and Iowa State Patrol collaborated at the Iowa State Fair to survey attendees on cell phone use while driving. The survey, conducted with over 1,300 Iowans from nearly every county, revealed significant concerns about distracted driving ..." more

You’ve no doubt heard the derisive phrase, “Those who can’t do, teach.” more

Sept. 4, 1974: New teachers with the North Scott School District included Steve Arp, Marsha Witte and Jeanne Fabreau (Alan Shepard); Jan Schmidt, Delores Rathjen, Suellen Savory, Dennis Johnson and Dale Lacina (high school); Kathy Libby, Jan Lambert, Norma Whipple and Craig Hintz (junior high); Pat Oster, Janet Novasad, Nancy Billups, Mary Donahue and Carol Anderson (Ed White); Ann Mulvihill and Ann Pfaff (Virgil Grissom). more

"Having Mike at the Capitol means Eastern Iowa has a strong voice at the state level ..." more

"It appears that Iowa and 10 other states are more concerned about money than they are about the health of their farmers ..." more

"Time to practice the difficult art of thinking for yourself, time to choose ..." more

"After hearing the disrespect that Trump gave our fallen veterans and those who have fought for our Freedom, I cannot be quiet ..." more

"The MAGA party loudly proclaims their devotion to 'freedom.' What that seems to be is freedom to impose  their beliefs on everyone ..." more

Aug. 28, 1974: French & Hecht officially opened its new manufacturing facility in Walcott. Approximately 3,000 people toured during an open house.  more

The Oscar-winning 1971 film, "Summer of '42," a coming of age story of a 15-year-old boy and his friends in a Massachusetts beach town during World War II, has gifted us the hauntingly beautiful theme song "The Summer Knows."  Composed by Michael Legrand, it won a Grammy and became a pop sensation. more

Donald Trump likes to be the center of attention, calls people names, and is a narcissist. But ABC, CBS, NBC, and Democrats will keep you informed on that. Democrats tout candidates as nice guys, a coach and teacher. Though they say they want to put the past behind and focus on the future, we can’t ignore Harris/Walz past statements and policies. more

"Let’s all raise our glass to Gary and thank him for his service to the 4-H program in Scott County ..." more

"What does Attorney General Brenna Bird have to do with glyphosate other than being a political motivation and support of money to drive an agenda ..." more

"Whether it be affordable housing or healthcare; reducing gun violence; funding state parks and infrastructure; or setting reasonable tax rates, Republicans have failed Iowans. It’s past time to elect leaders that care about Iowans’ concerns ..." more

" ... I can only conclude its author suffers from the ill effects of a prolonged overdose of Rush Limbaugh-style talk radio topped off by several hefty helpings of Fox News ..." more

"He seems to think people should have a right not to be offended by other people ..." more