Our Constitution never mentions democracy, it says we have a right to republican government.

Kolacky-Kolachy-Kolace-Kolache: No matter how you spell it they are always good right out of the oven. During the third full weekend in June (father’s day weekend), the entire community comes together to celebrate our different heritages at the Czech-Slovak Festival in Phillips. The communit…

I am writing this letter because of my concerns with all the killings and violence that have been in the news recently. Early this year in Medford a boyfriend shot and killed his girlfriend then himself. I was told to stay quiet then at the start of April a lady that was a Phillips graduate …

In "A Golden Age for Pentagon Waste," by William Hartung, Arms and Security Project director at the Center for International Policy (US News and World Report, 2-3-16), some examples of Pentagon waste are cited:

I was a resident of Butternut and Park Falls for almost 80 years before I moved to Franklin, Wisconsin to be closer to family, but that area will always be home.

No one likes the word “no,” but there are times when someone hears it and ignores it because they just know better. This is what happened to me.

For over 30 years I taught high school United States History, for several of them it was Advanced Placement United States History. One thing that I could never wrap my mind around was why Jews in Germany who saw the rising popularity of Adolf Hitler and heard what he had to say didn't flee a…

Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Joanne Kloppenburg is running for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. She faces a primary challenge on Tuesday, Feb. 16, with general election on April 5.

Has everybody lost their minds? As a retired Milwaukee Public School teacher I cannot think of anything crazier having come up for a vote than to allow people to bring guns into the schools. If/when this proposal comes into [state legislator’s offices] to decide what to do, I encourage you t…

Clean water and air, the natural environment, and local control are values many of us enjoy in Wisconsin, but legislative bills on the fast track threaten them. Presently, we have ordinances passed by local communities that work for us. This reflects the fact that what works in some areas do…

I could not believe when I saw that there was no objection to Hilgy Gas adding another propane tank on Lake Street. It's bad enough that the present tank could blow half of downtown Phillips away if there were an explosion. A business like that should be out in a rural area where they pose l…

We want good jobs in our part of the state but we also appreciate clean ground water and clean air. Before we take risks, especially with air and water, we want to know the facts and have a voice in the debate. We want local control where appropriate, and representation of our interests in M…

I have wanted to write about the many ways my “adopted” state of 39 years is being dismantled and losing its long-standing reputation for good and honest government. However, that will have to wait, because there’s yet another very damaging piece of legislation “speeding” through the GOP-con…

Since September, Assembly Bill 305—the Baby Body Parts bill—has been languishing in the Assembly Rules Committee chaired by Representative Jim Steineke.

What is it to be handicapped? Must one be elderly, in a wheelchair, or use a cane? Those are the first images that come to mind, but I am none of them. I am a middle aged man of large build who walks unaided and drives a large 4x4 work truck. Apparently some people believe this means I am no…

More glossy political flyers in the mailbox. More half-true ads on television. More robo-calls and opinion surveys. More money for politics and politicians. Two bills now in the Wisconsin Senate and one already signed by Gov. Walker “muzzle” the elections watchdog (the GAB). Judging from his…

With all the media-driven negative comments you hear these days about our younger generation, I would like to share a positive thing that I witnessed while assisting my nephew Adam with a car problem. Adam and I were refueling his empty project Camaro alongside Highway 13 a couple of weeks a…

I’ve compared the rate of my last health insurance premium prior to implementation of the Affordable Care Act to my new rate for 2016. During this three-year period, my costs have risen 112 percent. I am ineligible for government assistance, my policy is already at the highest deductible pos…

On Sunday, Nov. 8 at 10 a.m., Matt Rothschild of Wisconsin Democracy Campaign will be speaking at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center near Ashland.

The Assembly and a Senate Committee decided last week that the people of Wisconsin will not rule. They decided that here wealth shall be in charge. Their votes to expand our campaign finance rules means that wealthy out-of-state donors can buy our representatives. Make no mistake – they will…

Has the Price County board and highway department forgotten about the south eastern part of our county? I only ask this because one of the most traveled county roads in that area is in dire need of repair and has been for quite a few years now. It is decaying faster and faster the longer it …

With great appreciation to the National Honor Society of Chequamegon High School: you have restored my faith in humanity! Your generous acts of kindness are greatly appreciated. I can see why you have become “honor students.”