Editor: As I think through my now, 81 years on this planet, I wonder what is our legacy?  What are we leaving our younger members?  Do we have problems that require solutions?  Is there a logical sequence to follow to solve these problems?  Are the solutions political or are the politicians responsible for these problems?  Can the “people” more readily solve the problems than a big overreaching top-down government? I remember some of the sequences —1.

Just mention anything "politics" and I'm in. I get tons of updates from our elected officials that are supposed to impress me the reader. Most of the time I read it and say, "yada, yada, yada.

To the Editor,Our names are Peyton Frank and Taylor Frank, Co-Directors of Better Together Animal Rescue in Vinton. We are writing you today regarding the current Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) in Benton County.

Dear Benton County Supervisors and Cities in Benton County, I’m a past chair of the American Bar Association’s Animal Law Committee and a coauthor of the ABA Book, A Lawyer’s Guide to Dangerous Dog Issues.

Dear Editor, An elderly couple in Vinton took it upon themselves to clean up the landscaping area around the Vinton Library recently. They pulled every single weed by hand! I know this because it was my brother and sister-in-law, Lowell and Mary Ellen Mahr.

In Chapter 6 of the Vinton City Ordinances, under "Dangerous and Vicious Animals" number 1 on the list that is prohibited are animals like liions, tigers and bears (oh my)  you also can't have  jaguars, leopards, cougars, lynx, bobcats, wolves, coyotes, foxes, badgers, wolverines, weasels, skunk, mink, raccoons, monkeys, chimpanzees, alligators, crocodiles, scorpions, snakes that are venomous, or constrictors,  Gila monsters (I had to google this one, it's a venomous lizard) or bats.

Dear Editor No one is going to suggest the economy is where we want it to be right now. But it's important to keep in mind that economy is not a domestic issue - it's a global issue impacted by global events.

Dear Editor: Where are we headed?  As we look for solutions to our Nation’s problems, it is important to know who we are and where we are headed.

I have to admit that watching the weather on Tuesday night did not give me a good feeling. That sinking feeling is getting to be almost too normal in our neck of the woods.

Dear Editor,As we celebrate independence and freedom at this time of year, let's take a moment to remember all the positive things that have happened in the last 18 months.