[quote][b]loveUSA[/b] - Why were the comments disabled for the story about the guy breaking his leg when he jumped out a window after attempting to RAPE a woman???? Really??[/quote]

MikeyRiot and avenger are both right. It's an ABH policy (and has been for a very long time) to disable comments in rape or sexual assault cases. It's to protect the victims...not the perps.

[quote][b]Pologize[/b] - Funny how so many people here are complaining about the program which is trying to solve one of the problems they are always complaining about. [/quote]

I was just thinking the SAME thing!!!

I actually sat on a (volunteer) board for WIT year before last. Those involved with this program REALLY do care about their mission and they really believe they can make a difference. Honestly, if a program like this helps even ONE child realize their potential and grow up to live a better life, it's worth it to me...

[quote][b]Digdug[/b] - (I hope you left that microwave behind)[/quote]

That microwave was donated and is now living out its days at a local school. lol.

[quote][b]Digdug[/b] - Is this the same area that someone broke into your house and stole your guns??[/quote]

Nope. That was over on Ruth Street off MLK. LOTS of excitement that way. They never did track down the punk who broke-in either...Grrrrrrrrr! We bolted bars on the windows and barricaded the doors after that. Never had any problems again. My mom told me the only thing I was missing was a MOAT. I've since vacated that neighborhood... Haha.

[quote][b]sweept[/b] - agree they have done a good job on pulaski in the residential section....now tell the goobs on the other side of the tracks to stop parking on both sides of the road across from ea other....[/quote]

Wouldn't THAT be nice?! You should've seen Pulaski on parade night. Holy Moly. What a MESS! It should really be a one way street, but I hear there are battles to be fought and logistics to be worked out over that. Sooooo...I expect the traffic maneuvering to continue...

I actually live in that area and I love it. I've always felt safe walking along Pulaski. There's TONS of foot traffic at all hours of the day and night (my dog HATES it...haha). I haven't been to the BBQ place, but I love the Leathers Building. There's a great wine shop over there called Shiraz. Stan Mullins' art studio is across the street (and it's a great venue for events, etc.) and there's lots of new construction along the street. I'm not a huge BBQ fan, but I'm definitely anxious to walk over and check out the space...

[quote][b]keepitsimple[/b] - Should at least be as fair as you are to other counties and have a link to all the local crimes instead of picking and choosing.
[/quote]

In the case of Clarke County crime reports, it's essentially a space and manpower issue on our part. All of the blotter items have to be gone through and written up (no cut and paste option) and there are TONs of them. We'd like to be able to figure out a more efficient way to do this in the future and (at least) get it all online for you. Even if we run out of space in the printed product.

But good call. And one we've heard made before...

[quote][b]nowheregirl[/b] - More blotter news. [/quote]

The blotter is definitely one of our most popular features. Not only for the information on crime, etc. but- in some cases- for a little comic relief!

[quote][b]STATE OF MINE[/b] - I'd like to see a change in the ratings. Sometimes I don't like fully what someone is saying but want to give them parcel credit for their thought. I was thinking maybe something like (+1,+2,+3,-1,-2,-3) as options.[/quote]

We've actually talked about doing something along those lines. More like a poll. Agree/ Disagree/ Convince Me (or the like)

We'll see...

[quote][b]RightWingExtremist[/b] - Will you come forth to confirm or deny this?[/quote]

Hey! Sorry for the delay, I've been caught up in meetings this morning.

Okay, here's the deal...

I'll deny that we're going to a pay wall by "the end of the year." That is completely untrue and I have no idea who the "source" is on that one.

I'll deny that AthensTalks.com is going under a pay wall. If that happens, I'll be very, very, VERY surprised. So I'll go on the record saying that's not likely.

As for the "all access" pay model that the other properties are under, I can tell you that it hasn't been presented to me as "one size, fits all." So, what Savannah and Augusta did may not be exactly what we'll do...

So, what is a viable business model for Athens? I'm not sure. We have a lot of great content. Some of it will go under a pay wall, some content will continue to be free and there will be bundle packages to buy print, online, etc. There isn't a set timeline on this, but it will be figured out and implemented sometime in 2013...

Thousands of people are still buying the paper every day and OnlineAthens.com still gets millions and millions of page views a month. (It's sort of fun to go to alexa.com and compare all your favorite websites and see their rankings compared to every other site on the entire internet.)

As a company and a local business, we're continuing to grow and evolve. It's actually been pretty exciting around here, as we get ready to head into a new year.

I promise you, as soon as I know more...I'll pass on all the details and (as usual) we'll debate and discuss it.

In the meantime, I'll take this as an opportunity to ask the questions (to all of you)...

What would you like to see more of?
Less of?
In the paper, online or both...

(BTW- Thanks for asking. )

[quote][b]demosthenes[/b] - Seeing the potential of Drupal is the easy part. Finding someone with enough self loathing to use it is another [/quote]

LOL! I know several people who would definitely agree with you!

[quote][b]jtsim[/b] -

@Andrea Griffith: You may not be the right one to ask but I will anyway. Is there some way to go to the next page of comments or to the latest replies without having to scroll throught the whole topic again? No big deal it's just that sometimes I think about things like that and this was one of those times.

[/quote]

I've sent this over to Zack. He's out of the office this morning but he'll read through when he gets back. Might be as easy as a minor adjustment...I'm not sure...

Hey Kadee! I'll definitely be a "santa" again this year. I'll come by the Council on Aging and get an ornament one day this week. Thanks for all you do!

I got my first flu shot on Wednesday. I had the whooping cough vaccine a couple of months ago. I guess now that I have a baby to think about, I'm worrying about my health more. Although, thank goodness, I've never had the flu (knock on wood).

I think Adam has a great team. Blake too. I'm not crazy about Christina's team, although- on an unrelated note- I noticed last night that her boobies are back on display. Haha. I thought maybe she was over that phase. Guess I was wrong!

So glad to hear it all went well. We definitely want you healthy! And I'm sure that little girl of yours does too.

Good luck, Joe. I know everything is going to be just fine!!!

[quote][b]Karah-Leigh Hancock[/b] - I wish I had pictures of me like that.[/quote]

Let me know if you want me to have Richard Hamm take one of you. Hahahaha!

Thanks, Karah!

[quote][b]Digdug[/b] - Not being a stay at home is not something everyone can do. We did it at my house and have never second guessed that choice. You have to do what is in your families best interest.[/quote]

Thankfully, my mom keeps him during the day and my boss has been extremely supportive. I live 5 minutes away so I go home for lunch and my schedule is really flexible. I'm so lucky that way. Right now, he sleeps a lot, so I don't feel like I'm missing too much. I know that will change, though...

[quote][b]Digdug[/b] - You didn't name the father?[/quote]

I feel like Noah's dad (who is quite honestly the best father, EVER) gets enough attention on his own. If he wants more, he can start his OWN blog. LOL!

[quote][b]Anonymous Dude[/b] - I met Noah and his blushing Dad the other day![/quote]

I know! He said he saw you as they were leaving an art opening at Hotel Indigo. Noah's gonna be a well-rounded child. Dad takes him to art openings and I let him watch trashy reality TV. Haha!

[quote][b]dinodungdan[/b] - Congratulations to you and your family...this is wonderful![/quote]

[quote][b]dinodungdan[/b] - I have always said: Beautiful Mom makes for a beautiful child....and I am always right!....'Specially in this case![/quote]

Thank you for the kind words. He's starting to look more like me...which is sorta nice...considering I did all the WORK!

[quote][b]nowheregirl[/b] - Congratulations Mama. You are no longer "Head of household." He sure is a cutie! [/quote]

I know! He totally "rules the roost," these days. Thanks for the Congrats! He's such a joy... (sniff, sniff, cry, cry)

[quote][b]RightWingExtremist[/b] - Congratulations Andrea! You have been blessed greatly. May God bless this young one with a vibrant and successful life.[/quote]

I appreciate that so much!

[quote][b]jtsim[/b] -

I think you will be a great Mom.

[/quote]

Thank you for saying that. I hope so!

Since I gave birth to a baby boy just two months ago, I am extra sensitive to a story like this one. It's heartbreaking- not just for the family- but for the entire community. I know it's tough and we all want answers, but let's try not to speculate on what happened in this case. This is a young girl and we just don't know the circumstances.

Whatever happened, a sweet baby is gone and a family is changed forever.

We've had some discussion this morning about cutting off the comments on this story. For now, we're going to leave them, but that could change as the day goes on.

On a personal level, I'd like to say that my thoughts and prayers go out to all involved in this terrible, terrible tragedy...