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Columns

  • Wrong on school board, right on vehicle taxes

    Column as I see ’em …

    When I’m wrong, I’ll be the first to admit it, and when it came to my prediction that the board of education wouldn’t grab all it could in additional revenue, boy was I wrong.

    After nearly a decade of holding the line on taxes and cutting spending, the board — James Sargent being the noted exception — went all in last Tuesday night by upping the tax rate as high as it could go without being subjected to a public recall (which would never happen, anyway).

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  • Lessons learned as summer wanes

    This summer just flat flew. Join me in a look back at the trends I spotted this year.

    More people are eating beans and squash, in a variety of ways and that’s a good thing. Anytime I can get more people to eat green is welcomed. It’s good for your body. No, I take that back. It is essential to your body. Look up the health benefits and you’ll see.

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  • These basic car care tips will keep you safe, save you money

    Whether you’re a car buff or you view your car as just a way to get from point A to point B, it’s important to have a general understanding of your vehicle’s maintenance needs.

    Preventative maintenance is one of the most important ways that you can save money and keep your car running for many years to come. Most preventative maintenance will cost you nothing other than a little bit of your time.

    It’s not too late to give your college-bound son or daughter a review of preventative maintenance. Your car may need maintenance as well.

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  • Yes, there really are some bad ideas

    Saving the old Glensboro schoolhouse is something I would love to see happen, but not if it’s going to be done foolishly.

    That’s about the only way to describe an idea that was apparently the motivation for the fiscal court and school board to recently delay for 30 days the likelihood that the crumbling structure in front of the high school is doomed.

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  • Now is time to prepare for winter

    Well, the rains have stopped. At least for several days. Just in time for cool nights and open windows. Now, if I can just get my carburetor adjusted on the tractor, I’ll only be in slightly high clover.

    Only two more Saturdays left at the produce stand and all I can think about is summer coming to a close. Soon, the weather won’t be nearly as favorable for outdoor chores. Now is the time to start preparing for that “opposite” season. I don’t even like to use the word.

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  • Learning to live with bumble bees

    Bumble bees are social insects that nest in protected places: belowground in abandoned burrows of small mammals, in birdhouses, stuffing in abandoned furniture, or under piles of grass or rags in sheds or barns.

    They visit flowers to collect pollen to feed their larvae and nectar that provides them with energy.

    Do not disturb

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  • Searching for great deals? Look no further than your phone

    Hello, everyone. I know it’s been a little while, but life has a way of throwing curveballs. So I am back at it and saving even more money.

    Did you know there are several different apps you can download and save more money? I know a lot of you are reading this from your phone, so why not just download some apps and save some more money?

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  • Don’t let garden woes bum you out

    When is the last time you heard someone utter the phrase, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again?”

    Think about it. It’s just not that popular anymore. I recently read an article about the lack of problem solving skills taught in education today. I didn’t agree with all of it, but it did get my wheels turning.

    Those of us with five or six decades under our belt did have more opportunity to problem solve. We were allowed to fail, over and over again.

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  • Here’s what happens if you don’t or can’t pay your property taxes

    As property owners, we all dread the October mailing of tax bills.

    All 2015 delinquent tax bills were sold to third party purchasers Aug. 11. Together, the sheriff’s office and the county clerk’s office collected over 99.99 percent of the total bills mailed last October.

    Now the 2016 process begins. Over the past several years, our office has received questions regarding the process that goes into the assessment, calculation and collection of these bills. I thought this would good time to address this very issue.

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  • Horse, deer flies make life miserable for humans and cows

    Female horse flies and deer flies slash skin with blade-like mouthparts to create small pools of blood from which they feed.

    Both groups of these closely related flies can be serious pests of cattle, horses and humans. Horse flies range in size from 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches long.  They usually have clear or solidly colored wings and brightly colored eyes. Deer flies, which are more likely to bite humans, are smaller with dark bands across the wings and colored eyes similar to those of horse flies.

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