Opinion
Dear Community Members
The school board adopted the district Continuous Improvement Plan on February 18, 2020 and in doing so, made a commitment to support all learners and empower them to succeed in the classroom and beyond. As this plan is being implemented district-wide in staff training,...
Spring cleaning
I want to remind everyone that the City of Staples will be hosting another City-wide cleanup day on June 11 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Once again, this event will take place at the Street Shop, located at 12th Street and Michigan Avenue, with assistance from Long Prairie Sanitation...
Oberg Ruck March to come through Staples
From the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation
Our Nation’s Warriors continue to come face to face with the enemy even after they return home from the battlefield. Every day, twenty veterans and active-duty military die from suicide in the United States. Veteran...
‘Deaths of despair’ increased with pandemic
By Whitney Oachs, Research Intern
Center for Rural Policy and Development
In 2018, the Center for Rural Policy and Development reported that across Minnesota, the “opioid crisis” is much more than just opioids. At the time, statistics indicated that...
Honoring law enforcement officers
In recognition of National Police Week 2021, communities across the United States will come together May 9-15 to honor and remember those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends and fellow officers they...
Rural areas leading election rejection anger
By Al Cross
Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues
Rejection of the 2020 presidential election result “has increasingly become an unofficial litmus test for acceptance in the Republican Party,” The Washington Post reports, with small-...
Deer disease is accelerating its escape from Pandora’s Box, could threaten hunting industry
Inside the Outdoors
Mike Rahn
For many years, the always-fatal deer-killing ailment called chronic wasting disease (CWD) seemed a remote and distant problem, confined as it was to Minnesota’s Southeast...
The changing structure/challenges of law enforcement
By Melissa Birkholtz
Staples Police Chief
I feel very fortunate to work in this community where we are so strongly supported. While our jobs are challenging at times, it is reassuring to be serving people who understand that we are doing the...
Change thinking on education
In these times of tight money and uncertainty, it’s time to rethink the whole system of education.
Every morning, three different school district buses go by my place in the name of open enrollment. Huge waste of the fuel budget.
Every school is adding on or has...
Educational improvements in school referendum
By Shane Tappe
Superintendent, Staples-Motley School District
Over the last few months, I have had the pleasure of speaking with many members of our communities about the upcoming bond referendum for Staples-Motley Schools. It has been encouraging to...
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