Opinion

To the Editor: February is Black History Month, and the following are three African-Americans who had the character and courage to push ahead and made our country a better place for our families. Bass Reeves (1838-1910) was born a slave. When he turned 26, he became...

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans (an estimated 57 million people) live in rural communities throughout our vast country. And while access to healthcare services is critical to everyone, those living in rural areas face a variety of barriers that can adversely affect their overall...

I have a question for you. In all of history — or just to make it easier for you, let’s just say from the 1800s till today — what one invention was the most important invention to family life and especially the wife and...

I know that I have mentioned my good buddy Jeff before. He and his wife Brenda took a few days off to accompany my bride and I as we had a few days to do some exploring of the Mighty Mississippi River and the...

This week’s issue of the Valley newspapers hits the stands three days from Sept. 11, 2021: the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, the Twin Towers, in lower Manhattan. Known colloquially as simply 9/11, it is a date etched...

Believe it or not, it’s time once again to talk about influenza. The typical flu season in the United States begins after Labor Day, and can extend into the early spring of the following year. Our best defense has always been, and continues to...

You imagine it’s a rite of passage, your children eventually getting married. Once they leave home and start building a life with someone, there is an inevitability to it, if they are that way inclined. After our family trip to Montana, my daughter flashed...

What do you know about electricity? Surely you know not to hold both the common and ground wires while dealing with gremlins in your house or office. I found out that electricity, even if you can’t see it, can really give you a ride...

Well, here it is the Sunday one week before we vote for our favorites. Have you filled out your ballot? The entire world seems to love our method of choosing our own leaders. We may not always get it right, but it sure beats...

Goodwill’s goal has always been to strengthen communities by eliminating barriers to opportunity and employment — and education has long been the foundation of those efforts. That’s why Goodwill Central Coast does everything it can to support local schools and the amazing teachers who lead...