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ViewpointEvery year, millions of innocent people become victims of crime. They deserve our understanding, compassion and respect. The St. Croix County District Attorney’s Office, Victim/Witness Assistance Program is observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 2-8. This...

ViewpointIn 1998, Wisconsin enacted a mining moratorium. The law requires a company applying for a mining permit to prove that a similar mine has operated for 10 years and been closed for 10 years without the pollution of groundwater or surface water. The mine could be located anywhere...

Second Thoughts“If you choke on that, you’d better hope someone here knows the Heimlich, because I’m not saving you,” I warned my grandson. I was spending the week with 8-year-old William while his parents were on vacation, and the treat I had promised was supper at McDonald's...

I am retiring this week and after 27 years, Tuesday is about to become just another day of the week. That’s deadline day at the Star Observer and, as a terminal procrastinator, it has always been a busy one for me. For folks from the HSO, Tuesday is our Friday and we scheduled our...

My first real introduction to Hudson came in the form of Meg Heaton. Though I'd spent time in this town before I joined the paper back in July, I got fully acquainted my first week when Meg took me on the official, unofficial tour.

As the day of my retirement is approaching fast, I am beginning to realize that as big events in life go, it is right up there with getting married, my extreme youth at the time explains that one, having babies, remember two at a time, and living to see “he who shall not be named”...

"A reminder that the president's top aide just told the New York Times that the press should keep its mouth shut...no." With a shake of his head and a single word, CNN's Jake Tapper summed it up nicely. Keeping its mouth shut is the exact opposite of the media's purpose. I could leave...

I used to tell some whoppers when I was a kid and don't really know why. My mom was a champion at it so I think I got it from her.

“Your car didn’t want to start,” Doug said to me. “It groaned and moaned a whole lot before it finally kicked over.” Looking outside the window of the farm house, I couldn’t see much since most of the window was covered in frost. It was dark and the car was surrounded...

My friend Vinny from Bayonne called me last week. "Hey Bobby! Didj-a hear da Big Apple is closin?" No! The Big Apple Sports Palace? In Bayonne? The place that for over 40 years has served, hands-down, the best thin crust pizza in the world? The one last meaningful reason I have left...

When asked about my favorite time of the year, my immediate answer is always summer. No hesitation. I love the sun. My skin gets tan, the breeze blows warmth through my hair, and I get to drive with my windows down. My least favorite is winter. No question. I hate the cold. My skin...

The turkey was undercooked, the marshmallows melted in the yams, the apple pie didn’t crumble and it was the perfect Thanksgiving. My little nephew, Quinten, was there for his very first Thanksgiving, decked out in a festive outfit. The turkey-themed clothing lasted a few hours...

This Tuesday will mark the second time I’ve been able to vote in a general presidential election. Though I’m as exhausted as anyone over this election cycle, I’m still genuinely excited to once again cast my ballot for our president. I must admit, I was actually giddy back...