Breaking News

Columns

Picking up the pieces after being left behind

Dear Annie: I’m wrapping up a HORRIBLE, out-of-the-blue abandonment divorce from my soon-to-be ex-husband. In 2023, I came home from teaching kindergarten to find out my ex took the majority of our furniture and moved out of state. He blocked me and erased me as if I didn’t exist. It took several months to locate him with a private detective. I’ve had to borrow money from my family in order to get him to pay me alimony. He makes three times more than I do and fought me on this. I wish he cheated on me because being abandoned is worse. My children both graduated from college ...

Decorative antique heaters affordable, functional

Ever since humanity moved into temperate climates, we have faced the problem of how to keep warm in the winter. Our extremities are especially challenging. Throughout history, people have come up with various types of foot warmers, and many of the old types are collectible today. One of the ...

Stream cleaning bills could be the key to flood prevention

In August 2024, nearly every county in our region was impacted by severe flooding from Tropical Storm Debby. Towns were evacuated and residents had to be rescued as flood waters engulfed homes, farms and roads. Tragically, a life was lost in the storm, underscoring the devastating power of the flooding and the urgency of the response. In the days following, teams of volunteers surveyed the damage and disaster relief organizations mobilized to help. Community members came out in droves to donate food, water and cleaning supplies. The resilience and determination of the people there is ...

What’s behind the wild new wealth tax proposals?

When government grows to dominate ever-larger shares of the economy, and when politicians refuse to be responsible about what they spend, there’s a predictable next move: Insist that the problem is “the rich” not paying enough. Never mind that high earners already shoulder a disproportionate share of the tax burden. Never mind that relying on a small and mobile group of people for the bulk of your revenue makes public finances more volatile, not more stable. No, once spending is treated as untouchable and restraint as politically impossible, it’s only a matter of time before ...

Missing intimacy in an otherwise good marriage

Dear Annie: I’ve been married for 27 years, and by most measures we have a good, steady life. We’re healthy, financially secure and get along well. There’s no infidelity or drama. The problem is there’s no romance or passion either. I’ve started to feel deeply lonely in my marriage. My husband is kind and dependable but distant. He’s gone all day and unwinds in front of the television at night. I crave conversation — about ideas, feelings, memories, even worries. When I try to talk about anything deeper than logistics, he listens but rarely engages. Over the years, ...

Patient with superficial spreading melanoma asks for guidance

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was recently diagnosed with superficial spreading melanoma. I had a wide excision and was told to follow up with a dermatologist. The dermatologist says to follow up every six months; is this frequent enough? It was found during a routine annual skin check, and I never expected this outcome. I am amazed at the number of people I have encountered since who have had one or more melanoma excisions. How important is sunscreen for melanoma? I am told that it can recur anywhere anytime; does this mean as a skin lesion or internally as well? I was told by a doctor to have ...