opinion

The Salvation Army leader’s legacy lives on This year was one of change for Salvation Army, as it was the first year without the leadership, care and knowledge of Carol Campbell, but her legacy lives on. Recently, The Salvation Army’s annual Pack for School program provided backpacks...

The Bemidji Pioneer ran an article about the new dress code for Bemidji area schools this week. In this article School Board Chairman Jeff Haack dismisses recent issues raised about the dress code, stating, “I think we’re reacting to some social media hullabaloo, myself.” Mr....

If you are undecided on who to vote for in the election, I can tell you a Republican believes in: ● Promoting economic prosperity, lower taxes, spending restraint. ● Defending the right to life from conception to natural death. ● Protecting religious, political and economic...

After reading the news item about updated dress code at the Bemidji Middle and High Schools, I had two thoughts: One: Yeah! I am glad the dress code has become standardized, as it sounds reasonable. Two: Will staff follow this same dress code, and will said dress code be enforced...

Our state senator, Rod Skoe, has been serving for a long time. But sometimes his actions make it pretty clear that he no longer has our best interests at heart. The legislature was very close to agreements on significant tax reductions and transportation spending this year, but it...

Last month my husband and I relocated to Minnesota. Though I was wary at first, my fears could not have been more unfounded, and I’m publicly acknowledging how grateful I am for the warm welcome we’ve received. As a lifelong New Yorker, it’s certainly been an adjustment, but...

The recent find of another invasive species in Turtle Lake is an indication that no matter how much money and time is invested in mandatory inspection, the fact is that many other methods exist that will impact the introduction of unwanted aquatic plants. Nobody has mentioned the...

The Tuesday after Labor Day is the traditional return to school for K-12 students in Minnesota. We hope students didn't forget any of their lessons over the summer months. And that goes for us, too. Because while we worry students may slip back into some bad habits during summer break,...

I want to take a minute to say “thanks” to Dr. Howard Hoody for sharing his beautiful garden with us. If you drive along Bemidji Avenue North, you can’t help but smile when you see the colorful flowers he grows each year. He can be seen down on his knees in the spring, planting...

I can no longer be silent. Your political views are your own. But how those views are formulated should be everyone’s concern. Mark Twain said, “If you don’t read the newspaper, you’re uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you’re misinformed.” Never could I agree more...

As we bring another summer of language programming to a successful close, we thank all who have been part of an enduring legacy to promote “peace through understanding” in Bemidji and beyond. We are truly fortunate to be in such good company in the northwoods of Minnesota with...

Aug. 7 brought to a close the most successful Bemidji Area Community Band concert season ever. Thank you to the 80-plus musicians who participated in at least one concert during the summer. A special thank you to our concert sponsors — Raphael’s Bakery, Ground Round, Stittsworth...

With the new school year starting, parents’ to-do lists are now filled with shopping for school clothes, school supplies ... and school food. That’s right — school food. In past years, our nation’s schools were used by the USDA as a dumping ground for surplus meat and dairy...

The Greenwood Cemetery Association board members and staff wish to extend our appreciation and gratitude to the following businesses and people for their help with the cleanup of the cemetery after the July 21 storm. We lost 37 massive and iconic trees at this non-profit member-owned...

I am writing regarding the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event. I appreciate the effort to stop silence regarding sexual violence. But I continue to wonder why women wear high-heel shoes. They are uncomfortable but make the calf sexier, and I guess women dress for other women. But they...