| READERS WRITE
I was deeply saddened learning of the death of longtime 11Alive reporter Neil Craig ("Neil Craig, 69, veteran newscaster who took his job at WXIA as a 'calling'," Obituaries, Feb. 6). Neil was the ultimate local reporter. Every good news organization has a small core of reporters like Neil who are the journalist soldiers who go anywhere, do anything, to get a story and are always fully reliable. Neil was there when 11Alive was in the "smoke and mirrors" stage of its growth. He was also there when saner management turned it into one of the finest newsrooms in town. I was privileged to work around such a journalist. An annual Neil Craig Award should be created to honor his type of local, hardworking, no-nonsense reporting. In years to come, TV reporters like Neil would be honored with an award bearing his name.
Jeep Rubicon Offers an Off-road Blast from the Past
In an age when more and more vehicles seem to be embracing the look and/or feel of vehicles past (just look at the PT Cruiser or the current Mustang), the basic, garden variety Jeep doesn't have to follow such trends. Nope, it continues to look pretty much like it always has, the body style millions have come to know and love since the U.S. Army was given the Willys back in 1941. Oh, it's changed, all right. In fact, for the 2007 model year the classic Jeep, now called the Wrangler, even stretches itself to add a pair of rear doors, while becoming even boxier than before. And it ups its off road ante through more ground clearance, larger wheels and tires, (optional) next-generation Command-Trac and Rock-Trac transfer cases, new electric axle lockers, and electronic-disconnecting front sway bar.
Is the city taking taxpayers for a ride?
Although the top administrator for the city, Hamilton does not take home a vehicle.“Councils in the past have offered but I don't want one for this very reason," Hamilton said. “I don't want to have to deal with the hassles."Coming this weekend:More on the city's budgetSunday-- What factors created the city of Bloomington's $3 million budget shortfall, and what expenses should be scrutinized to help solve it?-- Should an administrator who earns a six-figure salary teach gift-wrapping to city employees?Monday-- A combination of budget cuts and tax and fee increases likely will be used to solve the city's current budget woes. But Bloomington Mayor Steve Stockton warns more fee increases may be looming. .
Mom to Sue School District Claiming Son Was Bullied to Death
A few days before Brandon's death, the two friends argued over a girl. They quickly patched up the dispute, but guilt from that encounter and its proximity to Brandon's suicide hangs over Trystyn, his mother said. "He said he wanted to be next to Brandon," said Amy Wagner, who has since moved Trystyn and his younger sister to a private school as a result of what she says was bullying toward her son. "It's just been a nightmare," she said. During a Lee's Summit police investigation of Brandon's death, Trystyn told officers that Brandon drew a picture of himself hanging from a rope. The drawing was found by another student and turned in to a teacher, according to a police report. Another classmate later shared a note from Brandon that further hinted at his risks of suicide.
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