opinion

The Hudson High School class of 2013 -- over 400 students strong -- graduates Saturday night in ceremonies at Newton Field (HHS east gym in case of rain), and we wish each student the best in the years ahead. Graduation is always a proud moment for everyone involved. It's great for...

I had thought the day when I found myself in a cloud, I would be dead, resting in peace somewhere. Instead here I am working in one every day -- just wishing I was. It happened a couple of months back. The Star-Observer is being created in "the cloud," or at least I think it is....

You never know what might come across your path. On a recent trip to visit family and friends these are some of the statements that were made: "The Koch Brothers are evil. They are Nazis."; "Our government is two hundred years old.

Tragic accidents happen quickly. Drowning often occurs with many people, including adults, in and around swimming pools and beaches. Recent research by Johnson & John­son shows that 88 percent of children who drowned were under adult supervision and that parents are overconfident...

Memorial Day is the day that Americans have set aside to remember those who gave their lives so that our country might live. Americans, who enjoy the peace purchased at the great price of death, should pay respect to all veterans who have made great sacrifices. We get that opportunity...

Stating the problem is easy. Finding the solution isn't. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone to deny that drunken driving is a huge problem in Wisconsin. But so far we've made little or no progress in reversing the deadly and embarrassing statistics. Statewide, 225 people died...

Figures recently released showed some astounding numbers when it comes to local tourism. According to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, 2012 traveler spending in St. Croix County increased 8.87 percent to $81 million! According to an annual analysis released May 3, the $81 million...

All Board of Education members have access to the information they need about the district and our work. This includes, and is not limited to, access to public records of the district and responses to questions about those records. No board members are treated differently in this...

There is a letter to the editor in this week's Star-Observer from School Board member Sandy Gehrke, upset about the district's request that she pay $428.54 for copies of paperwork. The records are related to a contract with Hoffman Engineering for "pre-referendum" architectural services...

Now that the Aaron Schaffhausen trial is complete, we believe those associated with the trial in St. Croix County should be recognized. This trial represented one of -- if not the most -- heinous crimes ever seen in western Wisconsin. We are still amazed that the trial and story...

There is talk of reforming Wisconsin's recall election procedures and we believe it is time for such a change. We heard of the proposed recall changes in a release from State Sen.

I'd rather report the news than be a part of it. Nevertheless, the line got blurred for me on Wednesday of last week. After the morning staff meeting to semi-plan this week's Star-Observer, I stopped by the Walmart store to pick up a few items from the shopping list on our refrigerator...

Over my 23 years as a reporter for the Star-Observer, I have told some pretty sad stories that have involved our families, friends and neighbors. They have included the loss of loved ones from disease, accidents, natural causes and even criminal acts. It is always difficult to tell...