Opinion
Looking at the bright side
Apr 29, 2026
I often drive Donna to the edge with my pessimistic comments. She will say, “Isn’t that a beautiful tree, I’m so glad it is in our yard.” My comment might be, “You know it will eventually fall on our house.” Hey, I’m just passing along what I see.
I developed this unflattering, cautious attitude...
County declares emergency following tornados
Apr 29, 2026
Wabasha County Commissioners on April 21 declared a state of emergency in response to damage caused by multiple tornadoes on April 17.
The declaration unlocks critical, fast-tracked resources by activating local and state emergency plans, allowing access to the Minnesota Department of Public...
Built by locals, sustained by visitors
Apr 29, 2026
I don’t know about you, but there’s just something about this time of year in Lake City. The snow is (finally) melting, the lake is waking up, and you can feel the shift—tourism season is right around the corner.
At the Chamber, that means we’re gearing up in a big way.
One thing I love sharing—...
Letter: Common sense suggests keeping coal as a backup power source
Apr 22, 2026
First, I want to thank Bob Kemp for enlightening us with his insights which I’m sure are spot on. I also want to add my nickel since the pennies have gone by the wayside.
Sherco 3 was put into operation in 1987. If it is shut down in 2030 it will have diligently been doing its job for 43 years...
What's it all about: Who are you?
Apr 22, 2026
I had been a teacher for fourteen years when I moved on to become an insurance agent servicing school districts from Caledonia to Lake City where Donna had been the high school secretary for nearly thirty years. I first met her in the 80’s during my weekly visits to the school and high school...
What's it all about: New neighbors coming
Apr 15, 2026
When our next-door neighbor sold her house and moved to Rochester, Donna and I heard through the grapevine we were soon getting new neighbors. That transition is one most city dwellers may experience several times.
It can be an uneasy experience as we consider the hopeful and the worrisome...
Letter: New meters and unreliable renewable power could lead to rolling blackouts
Apr 15, 2026
Like many utilities, Lake City is switching to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) metering. We just had our meter changed out and you apparently can’t keep your old meter. They are thinking you could “possibly” do this if you pay an additional $50 or so fee per month to keep it ($600 a year...
Letter: An immigrant shares his experience of growing up in Lake City
Apr 15, 2026
A buddy recently told me about a letter in the Graphic from Mrs. Yotter that talked about her experiences with immigrant kids in Rochester and Lake City; it also mentioned my brother, Trieu. I would like to add to the conversation surrounding immigration by sharing my own experience growing up in...
What's it all about: The therapeutic garage
Apr 8, 2026
Spring is here and garage doors are open to bring in some warm fresh air. They have had their winter workout attempting to keep that cold air out. Supposedly the average garage door opens and closes 3-5 times each day or up to 1500 times/year.
Seventy-five years ago, ranch style homes with a...
A sign of spring
Apr 1, 2026
The helmeted driver enters the car, pulls on leather driving gloves, adjusts the seatbelt and shoulder harness, hunches over the wheel and prepares to drive. A stock car race? A drag strip? No, simply a local motorist preparing to hit the road in hope of dodging those open-mouthed, tire devouring...
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The Lake City Graphic
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Lake City, MN 55041
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