A (sometimes) tongue in cheek review of the news published this week regarding Wise County.
Normally posted every Sunday around 6:00 p.m.
(Note: To make sure you are receiving the most recent update, hold down the "Shift" key while you click on reload/refresh).
For the week ending 11/18/00:
The Story Commissioners lend Precinct No. 1 more funds to cover its budget shortfall. Commissioner Jerry Flusche implies that had tax bills for this year gone out earlier, there would have been tax money available for his precinct.
News worthiness (on a scale of 0 to 5) ***
The Spin County Commissioner Paul Wood pointed out that residents normally do not pay their taxes early. (Taxes aren't due until the first of the year).

The Story The Messenger opines that candidates from the County Seat sometimes lose local elections because of an "anti-Decatur" sentiment in the county.
News worthiness **
The Spin The fact that the Messenger's front page is always littered with Decatur stories may cause outsiders to feel somewhat disenfranchised.  But we're not bitter. We're not bothered at all. We don't even feel the least bit jealous. We could care less. Really. We wouldn't even want a McDonald's or a Walmart in our town. Honest.

The Story Gerald Price, in his letter to the editor, criticizes Al Gore for referring to the U.S. Constitution as a "living document that evolved." 
News worthiness *
The Spin Yes, that old piece of paper should always be interpreted the same old way.

The Story The Bridgeport Police Department obtains a $14,000 grant to put more officers on patrol for "the Thanksgiving holidays, and again on Valentine's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th and on Labor Day".
News worthiness **
The Spin The grant is funded from the "Ruin The Public's Holiday With a Citation Program". By the way, how did Valentine's Day make the list?

The Story Wise County Attorney-Elect Greg Lowery states that, "I consider assault or DWI to be more serious than a misdemeanor drug case. [If I had to pick between the three] I probably would plead out the drug case if it were an either/or situation".
News worthiness *
The Spin More evidence that the War on Drugs is headed towards a belated death.

The Story State representative Phil King files a bill that would create a "character" rating system for schools that voluntarily wish to take part. The program calls for schools to teach such matters as "respect, honesty, [and] integrity." Pointing out that kids oftentimes don't receive such training at home, King said, "[f]rankly schools are the only place we can teach this".
News worthiness **
The Spin After the teacher is through educating my child about character, maybe she can come over and do my laundry and wash my car, too.

See something in the local papers that struck you funny?  Then suggest a topic for The Spin.

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