Colonoscopy prep is unpleasant, but necessary

Dear Doctors: I'm having my first colonoscopy in a few months. My friends say it's unpleasant, and I'm already dreading it. I think it would help if I knew what's going to happen. How often do you need to get a colonoscopy?And is there any way around having to use that prep drink?

Friend pushes too hard about getting on diet

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend is on some sort of weight-loss kick and is now trying to convince me that I need to follow her new routine as well. The diet that she is on is too restrictive for me.

Triumph of the terrorists

“Hostage takers.” That’s how Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska described his fellow Republicans who repeatedly blocked Rep. Kevin McCarthy from becoming speaker. Rep. Kat Cammack of Florida, another Republican, denounced the dissidents as “the radical 2%” of the party.But that’s hardly surprising.

I find joy in meeting dogs bundled for the cold

“Aren't you the cutest dog?' I asked the chubby brindle pit bull mix walking down the sidewalk.Objectively, she was not the cutest dog, I suppose. But there is no such thing as an ugly dog, as we all know.

Joke offends and is distasteful to new friend

DEAR HARRIETTE: I accidentally put my foot in my mouth when talking to a woman I really hoped to become friends with. I was trying to be funny and make a joke, but it came out wrong, and she got offended. I felt terrible afterward, and I'm not sure how to fix the situation.

Faithful mourn Benedict XVI at funeral presided by pope

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis joined tens of thousands of faithful in bidding farewell to Benedict XVI at a rare requiem Mass Thursday for a dead pope presided over by a living one, ending an unprecedented decade for the Catholic Church that was triggered by the German theologian’s decision to...

Making sweat feel spiritual didn’t start with SoulCycle

Each January, Americans collectively atone for yet another celebratory season of indulgence. Some proclaim sobriety for 'Dry January.' Others use the dawn of a new year to focus on other forms of self-improvement, like taking up meditation or a new skin care routine.

TODAY IN HISTORY

In 1785, Jean-Pierre Blanchard and John Jeffries crossed the English Channel in a balloon.In 1927, the first commercial trans-Atlantic telephone call was made between London and New York City.

CLINTON’S HISTORY 10, 20, 30 AND 40 YEARS AGO

30 YEARS AGOShown firing up the home crowd during a break in action at the Clinton Shootout Tournament were Clinton High School cheerleaders Angel Hernandez, Morgendee Meacham, Jayme Robinson and Melissa McGuire.

How our city government works

Clinton’s City Charter spells out all the rules for our council-manager form of government – which we believe is the best fit for communities our size.The City Council is in charge of appointing and removing the city manager and enacting municipal legislation.