Most newspapers have a ‘police blotter’ or ‘public record’ column, listing those who have been ticketed for speeding, failing to yield, etc.  These are often simple, summary offenses.  Pay a fine, that’s it. No appearance necessary.    Police blotter columns tell a tale from one side only, without acknowledgement of possible over-reach.  Still, they’re so…

From Whitewater, Wisconsin comes a new blog about the 2008 Paralympics USA Wheelchair Basketball competition in Beijing. The stylish blog is the work of Kelli Danielski, of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Chemistry Department. Here’s the link to her blog about the upcoming competition: www.wheelchairbeijing.wordpress.com The UW-W wheelchair basketball team is world-renowned, and the 2008 Paralympic…

There are many reason to like the Janesville Gazette, among them that paper’s appreciation and commitment to the First Amendment. One sees that commitment in the active (anonymous) comment sections following the Gazette‘s stories, and in its willingness to publish stories and columns that address First Amendment issues. The Gazette also publishes an excellent, thoughtful…

Part three of the Register‘s police series: “Going Beyond the Bad Guys.” In many respects, this is the hoped for result of all policing: going beyond the bad guys. A community benefits most from a close relationship between its officers and its residents. I have posted concerns and suggestions about police leadership (especially, the goal…

Recently, the Whitewater Register ran a three-part series on the Whitewater Police Department. Here’s my assessment of the second part of that series, entitled, “A Diverse Community Presents Challenges.” The Register lists three groups as contributing to the diversity of our community: (1) Hispanics, (2) students, and (3) juveniles. The inclusion of juveniles as a…

Recently, the Whitewater Register ran a three-part series on the Whitewater Police Department. I know of no occasion when they’ve run a series like this. The series offers no explain for its length or timing. The three-part series did begin three weeks prior to the visit of a group that provides accreditation to local police…

Before I post again on the Register, I’d like to set out a few standards that seem reasonable for any newspaper or site. I am not a journalist, and I have never aspired to be one. FREE WHITEWATER is a website of independent commentary and essays. Look, though, at the weekly newspaper in town, and…

There’s a new blog in Whitewater, over at www.whitewaterconservatives.blogspot, called Conservative Thoughts from Whitewater. I learned about it last week, and am happy to post about it today. It has some great advantages: a clear focus, and the joint effort of several people. Group blogs often explore topics more fully, and from slightly different angles,…

FREE WHITEWATER is a website of independent commentary. It’s not a news site, but it does have something is common — as blogs do — with news sites. Curiosity is key to writing about life in town. That’s why good reporters and newspapers always exhibit an interest in what lies beneath the initial statement or…

Welcome, visitors from the Janesville Gazette and the Gazette‘s online edition, GazetteXtra.com. The April 14, 2008 Gazette has two stories on FREE WHITEWATER: City Officials Seek Blogger’s Identity and Blogger Keeps a Watchful Eye on Whitewater. Gazette reporter Kayla Bunge describes what blogging is like, recounts responses here to this blog about life in Whitewater,…