My World Stopped
August 15, 2024
There have been very few times in my life where the world has stopped and everything else has seemed to matter so much less.
Thursday, Aug. 1 was one of those days.
The Olympics make us one
August 8, 2024
It’s not a secret that I’m probably the biggest sports fanatic out there.
I know there are many people who would challenge me on that, and that’s fine. But I rarely can get enough sports talk, and I enjoy watching just about any athletic event, though nothing beats football on the weekends.
Remember: Political candidates have stepped forward to fix problems and you didn’t
August 1, 2024
We’re about to hit the campaign season stretch run, as things get a little extra crazy heading into the Aug. 20 primary in Santa Rosa County.
It’s almost over, and then we can all take a deep breath until November.
A life-changing box
July 25, 2024
Several years ago, while working in LaGrange, Georgia, the newspaper covered a horrific story.
A cooler was found on the side of road, and a dead newborn was inside, leading to a 14-month investigation. A 19-year-old woman was eventually arrested and charged with murder.
Why must we grow up?
July 18, 2024
A few nights ago, I was up late, sitting on the couch, watching TV.
I was trying to take my mind off the stresses of the world at a too-late hour, well beyond the time I should’ve been in bed.
Should there be an age limit for presidential candidates?
July 11, 2024
In the Lion King, there’s a memorable scene where Mufasa, king of the Pride Lands, stands with his son, Simba, overlooking Pride Rock. Speaking of the future, Mufasa explains that at some point, his time in the circle of life will end, and it will be Simba’s time to rule.
Ramblings
June 27, 2024
I think for the next several months, this column space could be full of takes on the primary and general elections that will dominate headlines in our newspaper and in other media outlets.
Out and About
May 30, 2024
I’m learning new traditions and entitlements as my children get older, and I find myself having conversations with them that weren’t even a topic when I was their age. My daughter’s husbands have brought up evaluating jobs on how long they will have off for paternity leave when they start have babies or continue to do so. Really? I was lucky my husband was in this country when I had babies.
That’s our job
May 23, 2024
Covering a breaking news story, especially a tragic one, is one of the hardest parts about being a journalist.
Everyone has heard the phrase, “If it bleeds, it leads,” but the truth is 99.9% of the journalism community would rather go their entire career without covering a tragic event. Probably 100%. And that old saying really applies to readership, because unfortunately, in general the public would rather read about something horrible that happened than someone uplifting someone else.
Why are we electing superintendents?
May 16, 2024
With no offense to any of the local candidates in this election, I’ve always thought school superintendents should be appointed by an elected school board instead of being elected by the public.
Some counties in Alabama and Florida (not all) elect a superintendent of schools, but the rest of the country allows the school board to make the hire. Santa Rosa County is one of 41 counties in Florida where the superintendent of schools is elected.