FORT HOOD, Texas - With their training done, 550 Minnesota National Guard soldiers are waiting to go to Iraq where they'll provide convoy security. http://www.topix.net/city/appleton-mn/2009/06/soldiers-ready-for-deployment-to-iraq?fromrss=1

Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton is avoiding layoffs by cutting hours for all of its employees. http://www.topix.net/city/appleton-mn/2009/06/hours-decreased-at-prairie-correctional-but-layoffs-avoided?fromrss=1

Shirley Marie Fredricks, born October 23, 1946, in Appleton, MN to Chet and Jean Dezotell, died May 16, 2009. http://www.topix.net/city/appleton-mn/2009/05/shirley-fredricks?fromrss=1

A controversial proposal to reduce penalties for a number of criminal offenses as a way to cut costs was narrowly passed Monday by the Senate. http://www.topix.net/city/appleton-mn/2009/04/senate-holds-its-nose-and-passes-crime-bill?fromrss=1

The two Minnesota men accused of stealing the head from a mechanical gorilla in Appleton last year are heading to trial. http://www.topix.net/city/appleton-mn/2009/03/not-guilty-pleas-in-theft-of-mechanical-ape-head?fromrss=1

Minnesota wildlife officials are searching the Big Stone Lake area of western Minnesota for something they hoped they'd never find: Feral pigs. http://www.topix.net/city/appleton-mn/2009/03/pet-pigs-go-hog-wild-in-minnesota?fromrss=1

In a vote of solidarity, the Carlton County Committee of the Whole unanimously voted to send a letter of support for keeping some 750 prisoners in Moose Lake rather than moving them to a private prison in ... http://www.topix.net/city/appleton-mn/2009/03/county-committee-of-the-whole-mounts-objection-to-prisoner-transfer?fromrss=1

Serving potato klub in Milan, Minn., is no different than cooking for the chefs at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France. http://www.topix.net/city/appleton-mn/2009/02/minnesota-cafe-has-a-knack-for-klub?fromrss=1

Minnesota is in the path of a storm that is expected to drop at least 6 inches of snow -- at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour -- beginning late this morning, the National Weather Service said today. http://www.topix.net/city/appleton-mn/2009/02/snow-plowing-into-minnesota?fromrss=1

Several Republican lawmakers want to save the state more than $100 million by shuffling medium-security state prisoners and civilly committed sex offenders. http://www.topix.net/city/appleton-mn/2009/02/minnesota-bill-would-shuffle-inmates-sex-offenders?fromrss=1

The wheels of love were in motion long before Louise and Bob Pederson went on their first date. http://www.topix.net/city/appleton-mn/2009/02/everlasting-love?fromrss=1

It wasn't the culprit in Bloomington bus problems. Last update: February 10, 2009 - 6:54 PM EXPERTS WEIGH IN "It was not a biodiesel problem. http://www.topix.net/city/appleton-mn/2009/02/editorial-unearned-black-eye-for-biodiesel-fuel?fromrss=1

About 560 Minnesota National Guard soldiers are deploying to Kuwait and Iraq. Maj. Gen. http://www.topix.net/city/appleton-mn/2009/01/minnesota-national-guard-troops-deploying-to-kuwait-iraq?fromrss=1

MONTEVIDEO a ' Some 560 soldiers with the Minnesota Army National Guarda TMs 1st Battalion 151st Artillery will be deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Major General Larry Shellito announced Friday afternoon at ... http://www.topix.net/city/appleton-mn/2009/01/local-guard-troops-deploying-to-iraq-duty?fromrss=1

" The state would get extra federal money by passing a law protecting people who turn in companies defrauding the government under a new bill. http://www.topix.net/city/appleton-mn/2009/01/bill-would-offer-rewards-for-watchdogs?fromrss=1