Top 10 stories for 2012

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Monday, 24 December 2012 14:56

Weather is new every day, technically speaking, but weather trends can linger indefinitely, it seems. For the second year in a row the same weather trend tops our list of top stories for the year 2012. In anticipation of our traditional “top 10 list,” we looked for other issues and events that shaped our corner of the world more profoundly—both in the immediate and the long term—but we came up dry. Forget the future forecast, here’s our attempt to predict the past.

1. Drought. The early wheat harvest was a unique twist on the warm winter we experienced; we even had enough timely rain to bring in a decent crop. But fall crops were baked by the lack of moisture in summer with many producers looking for creative ways to salvage...

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Message of hope

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 18 December 2012 14:21

Mixed with the joy and anticipation of this Christmas season are discordant themes of uncertainty. Drought. Massive government debt. High unemployment and a sluggish economy. Nuclear posturing in Iran and North Korea. Political disillusionment in the U.S. And most recently, yet another mass shooting at a school. Yes, the fear factor is high—a profound variety spoken of in many American homes, schools and businesses. And whispered in the quiet corners of our hearts.

Amid current events that cause us to tremble in the darkness, what better time to hear the words of the angels that first Christmas: “Do not be afraid. I?bring you news of great joy that will be for all people. Today, in the town of David, a savior has born for you; he is...

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Booted

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 11 December 2012 14:24

We had mixed reactions to the news last week that Kansas Rep. Tim Huelskamp was removed from the House Agriculture and Budget committees by House Speaker John Boehner. Huelskamp’s understanding was that he was being “punished” by Republican leadership for his voting record and for the abrasive style with which he expresses his views.

Our primary feeling was regret that Kansas apparently has lost influence on the Agriculture Committee, which is of critical importance to our state as the new farm bill is being formulated.

At the same time, it seems ironic that the staunchly conservative Huelskamp is accusing more moderate Republican leaders as targeting him for his political views when in fact a similar “target practice” has...

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Get shot

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 04 December 2012 18:09

Though the recent balmy weather seems more fitting for reminders to be on the lookout for mosquitos spreading West Nile Virus, the Kansas Depart­ment of Health and Environment is urging all Kansans to receive an annual flu vaccination to protect themselves and their loved ones. It’s not too late. In fact, Dec. 2-8 is National Influenza Vaccination Week.

KDHE reports that on average, 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population contracts the flu yearly, and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu complications. During the 2011-12 influenza season, influenza and pneumonia—a common complication of influenza—contributed to or directly caused more than 1,300 deaths among Kansas residents. It was the eighth leading underlying...

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