Opinion

A journalist looks at 26

Published by admin on Thu, 12/12/2019 - 11:27am

So my 26th birthday is Monday (please hold all applause until the end).

My 26 years on earth have been interesting, for sure. Like everyone, I’ve experienced very high highs and very low lows.

I’ve learned a lot. As a lifelong learner it’s imperative that I learn from my mistakes. Sure, my girlfriend wishes that I didn’t need to make mistakes to learn obvious lessons, but, apparently, that’s not how I roll.

Moving forward

Published by admin on Thu, 12/12/2019 - 9:18am
On Dec. 3, I proposed my budget to the legislature for Fiscal Year 2021. Just like many folks are experiencing, money is tight for the State this year. But just as South Dakotans always do, we’re finding a way to be successful with the resources at our disposal. My proposed budget is structurally balanced, it doesn’t raise taxes, and it saves money for the future. It also invests in key areas that will set us up for long-term growth.

Hong Kong’s pursuit of liberty

Published by admin on Thu, 12/12/2019 - 9:17am
The predisposition of any government is tyranny. The predisposition of every human being is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is when these dispositions clash that every human being must choose the path they will take. 
The founders of the United States of America understood these principles. They understood that in the heart of every person there is a yearning to be free, to be unfettered, unchained from the things that benefit only their government. In short, they just want to be left alone. 

Sad farewell to Hot Springs Star

Published by admin on Thu, 12/12/2019 - 9:17am
It’s a sad day whenever a weekly newspaper ceases to exist, but it is especially sad when it happens to a newspaper that provided your first opportunity in the field of journalism. The venerable Hot Springs Star was that weekly newspaper where I started as a jack-of-all trades in June 1972, shortly after being separated from the Army at Fort Carson, Colo. I worked there for 15 and a half years, 10 of those as publisher.

‘Tis the season for ice

Published by admin on Thu, 12/05/2019 - 9:41am

‘Tis the season! For ice climbing that is!

Yep, my favorite season is here and I have already been out exploring our Black Hills ice. 

My partners and I ventured out into the wilderness to climb a 100 foot ice climb known as the Harney flow. (I asked the questions if it’s now called the Black Elk Peak flow but got no response.)

Larry Stalder was great postmaster

Published by admin on Thu, 12/05/2019 - 9:20am
Custer postmaster Larry Stalder retired last week after 30 years here in Custer and 40 years total in the U.S. Postal Service. He ran an efficient operation in that our mailed newspapers were always delivered on time locally in just about any type of weather. Any delivery problems reported to us outside of this area happened in other post offices that were not as efficiently run as this one.

Put some gag into your gifting

Published by admin on Thu, 12/05/2019 - 9:18am
I did something earlier this month I believe I can say with certainty I have never done before: I shopped early for Christmas presents.
Typically, I put off Christmas shopping until the 11th hour. Or the 11th and a half hour. I’m not big on shopping in general and I’m especially not big on battling crowds for Christmas shopping. It’s an exercise I could do without altogether and be perfectly fine.
I should clarify, though. I didn’t go shopping early for just any gift. I went shopping for gag gifts. And this year I got some doozies.

Joan Lintz

Published by admin on Thu, 12/05/2019 - 9:14am

Keep your dollars local this year

Published by admin on Wed, 11/27/2019 - 9:44am

Leslie was right: I do have something special cooking for this week.

Thanksgiving, as you well know, is Thursday. The day after that, Black Friday, represents a major retail-spending day for those big box stores and other national chains.

But there are two other “holidays” after that which mean a lot to local communities.

Combating meth: prevention and drug treatment

Published by admin on Wed, 11/27/2019 - 9:13am
South Dakota got a lot of state and national publicity last week when its anti-meth campaign was announced: “Meth: We’re on it.” The slogan is meant to connote that the state is aware of the problem and is taking action to reduce or eliminate the use of the highly-addictive drug.