Paul Bunyan-sized celebration

Bemidji mayor proclaims 2012 ‘Year of the Legend’ in statue’s honor
Bemidji, Minn. - It was only fitting that Bemidji Mayor Dave Larson used Paul Bunyan’s giant pencil to sign a proclamation making 2012 “The Year of the Legend” in honor of the famed Bemidji statue’s 75th birthday.

• Bemidji Mayor Dave Larson

Prairie Fare: Use proper food-safety methods when thawing

As we drove through a neighborhood, my husband and I noticed an “open house” sign. We always find real estate hard to resist, so we stopped in to check it out.

Val Farmer: How couples can recover from emotional wounds

One vital dimension of marriage is that it provides the sense of security we need to face the major problems of life. It is like having someone in your corner when life gets overwhelming – someone you can turn to for comfort and support.

Kovels Antiques: Characters from books, TV seem to stick around

Toys often were made to resemble famous people or characters in plays, books or TV shows. Sometimes the character that inspired the toy is forgotten, but the toy remains popular with collectors because it is so well-designed, unusual or lovable.

• Toy stuffed mouse

Pet Care: Alleviate Chihuahua aggression

Dear Dr. Fox: I recently acquired a female Chihuahua from Canine Castaways. She is 5 years old. She can be very timid but gets quite vocal and aggravated when my husband gives me something or touches me.

Hortiscope: Pill bugs could indicate soil too moist

Q: I have a jade plant that seems to be doing very well. I’ve had it for about four months. However, I am finding bugs in the dirt around the base of the plant. What are these light- to medium-brown insects that are less than an inch in length and curl up like a snail when I touch them? How do I get rid of them without damaging the plant?

Minot area’s 2012 crop outlook mostly hopeful

MINOT, N.D. – In his 40 years of farming, Jim McCullough has seen a lot. Last year, the Regan, N.D,, producer battled a wet spring, hail and crop disease that fungicide applications couldn’t prevent. “It wasn’t an easy year,” he said. Now, with spring planting inching closer, McCullough said he’s “kind of optimistic” about the 2012 crop. “Inputs are getting up there a little bit, but I think we can have a good year.”

MF Global victims should start claims

FARGO, N.D. — MF Global customers need to submit claims against the bankrupt brokerage firm before a Jan. 31 deadline, says U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., chairman of the Budget Committee and a high-ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

• Kent Conrad

Broker collapse costs N.D. state mill

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota’s state-owned flour mill will likely lose at least $60,000 because of the collapse of a commodities broker the mill has used to guarantee prices for the wheat it buys, according to a state audit.

Spud production falls in N.D., Minn.

U.S. potato growers on balance had a good crop in 2011. Spud farmers in North Dakota and Minnesota weren't so fortunate.