The story: A local Christian boys' home seeks to rehabilitate wayward youth through spirituality.
The responses: Many welcomed a story on an organization that "is inspiring to our community," as Janet Parker put it. "New Horizon has an 83% success rate for those who complete their program," wrote Nick. "That speaks for itself." Cathy said, "I know the program and I know the staff; their hearts and motives are in the right place with wanting all that is good for each of these boys." Others were more skeptical because the school, by its own admission, is not a licensed mental health facility; they said the facility holds a conservative stance on homosexuality and chastised them (and the Sun) for it. Others rejected the Christianity angle outright: "Great, this is all our society needs, Christianity reproducing itself through schools like this," said MH.
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The story: "Affordable housing" continues to command the attention of city government candidates and citizens alike. A dedicated forum accompanied a story on educated middle-class residents who are priced out of the local market.The responses: The newspaper actively encouraged people to add their thoughts to the forum page, running excerpts in the printed edition. So as not to duplicate the editors' efforts, I'll just direct you to the discussion here and here.
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The story: A coat discarded at a burglary scene smelled "like a hippie," and a suspicious man nearby smelled like patchouli oil. Police made an arrest that night.
The responses: Some were amused. Some were, by all appearances, offended at the slight on nature-loving flower children. Whether all of the indignity on the board was serious or not, one Carrie Wildflower, a self-proclaimed hippie, said "This is profiling at it's worst and should be removed with an apology to all of God's children who believe in peace, and the earth. Shame on the paper!" But dog catcher wasn't buying it: "Profiling at its worst? Look up the meaning and history and then get back to us on that."
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The story: A woman accused of buying meth for resale on the Navajo Nation takes an 11th-hour plea as jurors settle into their seats and lawyers prepare to give opening statements, saving her a trial but getting her up to four years in prison.
The responses: Many commenters seemed to know the woman, a Native American who was going to sell the meth on the Rez. Some were in disbelief, defending her as a kind person. Others didn't have so much sympathy: "Im tired of seeing meth heads around Tuba," wrote About time. "They are around because of people like her."
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