Opinion

As a boy growing up on my parents’ Otter Tail County dairy farm, I never once observed a wild turkey in the woods or fields, much less imagined them. Wild turkeys were simply not present. At all. Fast forward to today? The county has one of the most robust populations of this emblematic species of upland gamebird in the state.

of the Minnesota State Patrol Question: If I am driving down a two lane road and a State Trooper is driving toward me with their flashing lights on, am I supposed to move over? Answer: When approaching any authorized emergency vehicle equipped with emergency lights, the driver of each other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the righthand edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in this position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer. A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.

Just what was 2022? Like many years that came before it, 2022 was also a year. But 2022 was different in that it was new. Many experts say 2022 was the newest year thus far. The years that came before 2022 – and this goes for all of the years – were old. They came and went. But 2022 seems to really be hanging around, here and now. It’s almost like 2022 is happening right-thissecond. Whereas, other, older years seem to be a thing of the past. On the other hand, 2022 seems really au courant.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year everyone. What a snow-filled winter wonderland this early season has been. Heavy snow, freezing rain, wind, and more snow, have made for challenging times for not only us, but for resident wildlife, too. I’m reminded of this each morning when I fill the bird feeder. While brushing off a new layer of snow, chickadees and nuthatches are already waiting in nearby trees for breakfast. And so, I wonder? What do birds do when the feeder runs out of nutritious black-oil sunflower seeds? Or when I forget to fill the feeder?

Question: Are yellow speed signs in curves or busy locations enforceable? I've seen 60 mph white speed limit signs then a short distance later a yellow 50 mph sign. The yellow signs don't say 'limit' on them, so I would think going 60 mph in a yellow 50 mph zone isn't illegal but not a good idea.