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Columns

  • Supreme Court’s EPA ruling could signal a turning point

    Greg Zoeller

    Guest Columnist

     

    As the nation reflects on the service of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, one of his final acts on the United States Supreme Court days before his death has been overshadowed. 

    A preliminary order that the Supreme Court issued Feb. 9 by a 5-4 vote – with Scalia in the majority – potentially could be of long-term legal significance. The Court took the extraordinary step of ordering a halt to an Environmental Protection Agency rule that would regulate existing coal-fired power plants.

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  • Set some goals for the vegetable garden this spring

    Jeneen Wiche

    Weekend Gardener

     

    Ten years ago, Andy and I set to the task of building a potager-style vegetable garden. It has largely been a success. Last year sort of swamped us, however. So, with a few months of winter’s rest behind us, we are ready to start planning a recovery of sorts.

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  • Taming a bull no easy feat

    Jim Adkins

    GuestColumnist

     

    I was looking at Facebook recently and saw a photo of the intrepid editor of this newspaper riding a mechanical bull. I harked back to the one and only time I rode one back in the day. Now, Vince stated that he only stayed with a bull for a second, well that seems to be a second longer than I did.

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  • Formulating better farmland tax assessments

    LARRY DEBOER GUEST COLUMNIST

    How should Indiana assess farmland for property taxes? Good question. There’s the way we used to do it, the way we do it now and, if new legislation passes, the way we’ll do it in the future.

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  • Don’t fall for latest scams

    Vince Luecke

    Editor

    editor@perry countynews.com

     

    The latter part of this column ran a couple of years ago but I dusted it off because of the many recent calls from readers who have been targeted for scams. Whether through phone calls, letters or emails,  the attempts try to rob of us our money or gather private information that can be used to steal our identity or hurt us financially.

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  • How to tell if Congress is finally working again

    Lee Hamilton

    Center on Congress

     

    There have been encouraging signs that the Republican leadership on Capitol Hill wants to make Congress function again. They’ve talked about using conference committees more, allowing a more open process for rank-and-file members, enacting separate appropriation bills rather than using omnibus bills, and letting committees lead on legislation rather than hoarding all power in the leadership offices.

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  • Legendary groundhog forecasts questionable

    Phil Junker

    Outdoor Tales

     

    If you have a coin in your pocket, you have a predictor of spring about the equal of the groundhog, which is looked upon for a forecast each Feb. 2.

    Around my place Feb. 2 is a special day. It’s the day Punxsutawney Phil and his pals are pulled from their den to determine if they see their shadow, and it’s also my wife, Phyllis’ birthday.

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  • The story of the saint behind Valentine’s Day

    Jeneen Wiche

    Weekend Gardener

     

    I suspect most of you have no idea about the person and the saintly episode that is commemorated each Feb. 14, by friends, family and most importantly, lovers. In fact, there are several versions of how the most romantic saint became a commercial success. 

    One story about St. Valentine has its origins in third century Rome where the Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young single men because he valued them more as young warriors.

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  • Ashes to ashes

    Vince Luecke

    Editor

    editor@perry countynews.com

     

    Although it’s hard to believe, Lent is just about here and while not everyone’s religious tradition observes the 40-day period before Easter, I suspect most people at least acknowledge its arrival.

    Easter, and Lent, arrive early this year. Ash Wednesday arrives next Wednesday, Feb. 10. Easter Sunday is March 27.

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  • Snow brings back ice cream memories; recipes included

    Phil Junker

    Outdoor Tales

     

    Winter storm Jonas, which gained the name “Snowzilla,” caused much hardship for many as it swept across the Midwest to the east coast.

    No storm is a good thing, but for some it has its perks, especially if it drops just a few inches of fresh, white stuff in your area.

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