Homeowners who take pride in their properties may be alarmed to notice seemingly spotted leaves on their trees. Such spots may be indicative of a condition known as leaf spot. In spite of its appearance, leaf spot is often harmless. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, leaf spot is a term used to describe a number of diseases that can […]

Foodies find it hard to beat vine-ripened tomatoes plucked right out of a garden. Other edibles, such as fresh lettuce for a small luncheon salad or a handful of fresh parsley right out of a pot to add to a marinade, also add a lot to meals. The convenience and flavor of freshly grown edibles propels many home gardeners to […]

Just when winter thaws out and people are anxious to enjoy the blooming flowers and luscious lawns of spring, pesky pests can appear and impact comfort levels and safety. Many pests resume their levels of activity as spring draws closer and temperatures warm up. The presence of these insects and rodents may cause problems in and around a home, which […]

Succulents can be just what indoor or outdoor gardens need. Even though succulents are becoming more popular, there are still some people who are unaware of their attributes. By learning more about succulents, people may become devotees of these unique plants. The word “succulent” brings to mind juicy, savory foods. But succulents aren’t meant to be consumed. In fact, they […]

Daily muscle stretching could bring health benefits to elderly people with reduced mobility, according to new research published this week in the Journal of Physiology. Despite the well-known beneficial effects of exercise, the proportion of elderly people participating in regular exercise programs is low, often due to the strenuous nature of exercise training. In particular, elderly people with reduced mobility […]

by Debbie Linder The Free Press Have you ever been so tired that you weren’t sure you would be able to get out of bed again? No matter how much sleep you get and how much caffeine you drink, you just can’t get moving? I’m sure we all have found ourselves in situations that have left us feeling that way. […]

by Nathaniel Sillin You’re not alone if your heart pounds when you see a letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in your mailbox. While some lucky filers get sent a letter because they’re due a larger refund, most of us fear the worst: an audit. Those fears may be largely unfounded for the average household. Only about 1 percent […]

by Scott Anglemyer Kansas Center for Economic Growth Economists don’t agree on much. As George Bernard Shaw said, “If all the economists were laid end-to-end, they’d never reach a conclusion.” One of the few things that most economists agree on, however, is that the Earned Income Tax Credit is an example of smart policy. The EITC is a common-sense tax […]

More than 100 ranchers, landowners and people interested in protecting wildlife and the environment, attended the 71st annual meeting of the Marion County Conserva­tion District Feb. 24 at East­moor United Methodist Church in Marion. In addition to the annual poster contest, a new contest was added. Jackie Hett presents the first-place award in conservation photography to Karsen Kroupa. This was […]

Marion firefighters will now have a better chance of rescuing animals suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation, and revived with oxygen, thanks to Cristi Soyez of Cedar Point. “I have a tendency to buy my grandkids something at Valentines Day, and I tend to go crazy (on what I get them),” she said. “But, this year, I decided to […]