West Central Tribune

Harrison, Zion Irving mark 50th SPICER — Harrison Community Presbyterian Church in rural Spicer and Zion Irving Lutheran Church in rural Hawick will celebrate 50 years of sharing faith and fellowship Sunday, July 19, at the Spicer City Park. The two churches became a yoked parish in 1976. The service will take place at 10:30 a.m. with a potluck picnic lunch to follow. Guests are invited to bring a dish to share. Plates, cups, utensils and beverages will be provided.

Reader Opinion letter The U.S. Men's soccer team is out of the FIFA World Cup 2026. There won't be any 'soccer miracle' this year. It looked promising at first as they finished pool play with a record of 2-1 and won their Round of 32 game. But the team fell flat in the Round of 16 game against Belgium. A few years ago, the U.S. Womens Soccer team suffered a similar fate in the FIFA Women's World Cup. They fell in the first round of the playoffs.

Reader Opinion letter When my mom began having memory problems, we knew something wasn't right. For nearly two years, we searched for answers, going from doctor to doctor before she was finally diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. She was only 57 years old. Those two years were filled with uncertainty, fear, and countless questions. Looking back, I often wonder how different our journey might have been if a simple blood test had been available to detect Alzheimer's disease earlier.

WILLMAR — The Willmar City Council on Monday will consider approving the hiring process for the city administrator position and review the applications that have been received. The council will also hear an update from Kandiyohi County Economic Development regarding the efforts to redevelop the Uptown Willmar property.

Reader Opinion letter As we approach the upcoming elections for Willmar’s mayoral race and Kandiyohi County offices, voters are paying close attention to the visions being shared. While there are many ideas for moving our community forward, there is a deafening silence on one of the most critical issues facing our region today: the threat of massive tech campuses and data centers targeting our area.

During my early career fishing walleyes, I was taught a couple “truths” regarding fish location. First, walleyes were bottom-orientated fish so it’s best to fish near the bottom. Second, walleyes are often found along structural elements like points, turns or weedlines, so those are the “go to” areas. Over the years, however, we have learned that those truths aren’t always true and that walleyes are often in places we didn’t used to look.

Reader Opinion letter Climate change is a very serious issue. Scientists all across the planet have confirmed that the earth’s temperature is on the increase every year. This has led to major droughts and significant severe weather events that are on the increase. These facts make it very clear that the city of Willmar needs to take steps to become more environmentally friendly. Willmar has that opportunity through Solar Automation Permit Processing.

Minnesotans and others interested in exploring the North Star State will have the chance in late July and early August to drive a 27-mile road that opens for vehicular traffic only a couple of times a year. The dike at Roseau River Wildlife Management Area will open July 18-26, and then again on Aug. 1-2 and 8-9, offering visitors the chance to view wildlife and see a part of Minnesota that is not often seen by motorized vehicles.

This year’s North Dakota State University gardening event has something for everyone, whether your passion is fruit growing, flower gardening or trees and shrubs. Anyone looking to spend a summer afternoon reveling in gardening is invited to NDSU on Tuesday, July 21 for Plants, Local Foods and Outdoor Spaces, a free public event showcasing gardening inspiration and one of the nation’s most remarkable daylily collections.

Ever since he joined the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2015, Derek Bahr has studied the health of various fish species and lakes across the state. As a fisheries research scientist, he understands that the two — the health of fish and of lakes — often work in tandem. If one is doing well, it is likely the other is doing the same.