13 holiday ways to save water and money

By Paul Downer on December 13, 2012 at 11:03 am

Each day, a typical Minnesotan creates roughly seven pounds of waste, but from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, household waste …

Area lakes in the process of freezing

By Paul Downer on December 13, 2012 at 11:01 am

Hilks Lake and Goose Lake near the western edge of Waconia and Swede Lake near Watertown all froze over Nov. …

By Paul Downer on December 13, 2012 at 10:59 am

Among the vital public policy issues postponed until after the election, and now awaiting action by the lame-duck Congress, is …

By Paul Downer on December 7, 2012 at 10:43 am

“Help wanted” should not just be a sign located on business storefronts looking for new employees. Many job seekers need …

By Paul Downer on December 7, 2012 at 10:39 am

Time for those winter concerts already. Some years we have a bunch of snow for them, but I, for one, …

By The Sun Patriot on November 21, 2012 at 12:48 pm

What should the top educational priority be for Congress and the Obama Administration? Twenty-six Minnesota education leaders responded when I …

By Keith Anderson on November 15, 2012 at 8:44 am

The last maple leaves have been blown into the corners of shadowed corners, dancing erratically with every wisp of wind. …

By Paul Downer on November 8, 2012 at 11:19 am

Carver, Bevens and Silver Creeks in Carver County are impaired for excessive fecal coliform bacteria. Fecal coliform bacteria come from …

By Paul Downer on November 8, 2012 at 11:18 am

Besides the many flocks of Canada geese and tundra swans we observe traveling in V or wedge-shaped formations, other species …

By Paul Downer on November 6, 2012 at 8:35 am

Over the past several weeks, the ECM Editorial Board has shared its voting recommendations for key elections on Tuesday, …