John Draper

Pipestone

Publisher, Pipestone Publishing at Outdoors Weekly

Publisher, Pipestone Publishing at Pipestone County Star

Publisher, Pipestone Publishing Co. Pipestone County Star, Free Star, Farm Market News. Regional ad placement services, commercial printing,

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Articles

… on waste, fraud, and abuse

1 month ago | pipestonestar.com | John Draper

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has wasted little time since the Trump administration’s move into the White House on Jan. 20, 2025. In just under two month’s time, DOGE estimates it has saved 115 billion taxpayer dollars. This was the figure posted on the official DOGE website as of Tuesday, March 18.
Thumbs down, thumbs up

2 months ago | pipestonestar.com | John Draper

For this column submission, I offer my thumbs down or thumbs up to a few areas of local, state, or national concern. Thumbs down: Biological males in women’s sports. President Trump has endeavored to end this practice with a recent Executive Order, but in Minnesota it appears the practice can continue. The Minnesota State High School League is currently ‘seeking guidance’ on how to balance this order against MN statute.
Transitions and change

Nov 21, 2024 | pipestonestar.com | John Draper

With the presidential election now in the rear-view mirror, I remain hopeful that the coming months of transition will offer signs of positivity from all sides of the aisle. While the losing party in any election is certainly not going to be overly positive about the outcome and pending changes, it does not mean that negativity and hope for an administration’s demise should be part of the conversation. We’ve all lived through enough pending doom talk from all angles the past number of months.
Council considers updates to special assessment policy

Oct 14, 2024 | pipestonestar.com | John Draper

The Pipestone City Council held a special work session on Saturday, Sept. 28 to discuss options for changing its policy on special assessments placed on local property owners related to large street and infrastructure projects. The discussion comes on the heels of a number of city residents who have voiced concerns over a number of years about the amounts of these special assessments.
City Council mulls cannabis policies

Oct 11, 2024 | pipestonestar.com | John Draper

The business of cannabis was the main topic of a work session held by the Pipestone City Council on Saturday, Sept. 28. With a January 1, 2025 sunset of the current city moratorium on cannabis businesses within the city looming, council members and city staff heard from City Attorney Jason Hill about the current state of cannabis rules and what actions the city should be taking before the new year.
Festival of Bands 10-5-25

Oct 8, 2024 | pipestonestar.com | John Draper

The Pipestone Area Arrow Marching Band finished third out of three bands in Class AA in the parade competition and sixth out of seven bands in Class AA in the field competition at the Festival of Bands in Sioux Falls on Saturday, Oct. 5. Director Zach Ploeger said he thought the band performed well in both the parade and field competitions. He said a highlight was the best percussion score of the season, a 62, during the field competition.
Where is truth? - Pipestone County Star

Oct 4, 2024 | pipestonestar.com | John Draper

I’ve become more and more concerned with one’s ability to determine truth in this crazy political season. Is what we hear the truth? What we read? What we watch?What we learn? These are all questions that should have cut and dried answers, but far too often they do not. I field many comments in my travels about the state of media and truth. Most are concerned that what we are fed from major news outlets is more opinion than fact, blatant misinformation, or the classic one-sided representation of fact.
The school season is upon us

Aug 30, 2024 | pipestonestar.com | John Draper

The end of August means the beginning of school. The transition from summertime to school-time is a like a change of seasons. For parents, gone is the season of planning out lunches for our children and working to juggle kids’ daytime activities against our work hours. Gone is the season of late evenings enjoying the long days and not being too worried about bedtimes or homework. For students, this change of seasons marks a passing of a care-free summer.
On a little vacation

Jul 31, 2024 | pipestonestar.com | John Draper

John Draper | PublisherStepping away from the grind of the day, slowing down the influx of information, and honestly, stepping back from some responsibilities for a time can be so rewarding. I’m no mental health expert, but vacations, whether extended or simply a long weekend, seem to be very therapeutic and healthy endeavors. This summer I’ve taken a couple of longer weekends away.
Pipestone City Council news

Jul 15, 2024 | pipestonestar.com | John Draper

Nelson receivesfavorable reviewCouncilman Rodger Smidt, in substitution for the absent Mayor Dan Delaney, provided a summary of the performance review of City Administrator Deb Nelson. The review was conducted during a closed session on June 26. Nelson has been serving as city administrator since June of 2023 and was the interim administrator for six months prior to her taking the position last June.