Some notes from around and about the Mirror newsroom to help keep you abreast of what we're doing and what we're trying to do:
The most difficult job for the media to cover is a local tragedy.
First off, we want to show sensitivity for those who have suffered unthinkable loss.
Second, information takes a while to confirm with police and to sort through the legal system.
If a family is not comfortable opening up, we sometimes must wait until the trial to describe a victim.
Which is why we'd like to thank the Davis family of Altoona today.
While extending our deepest condolences, we appreciate that the family - both parents and four siblings - came to the Mirror to visit with reporter Amanda Clegg Friday and share memories of 20-year-old Maggie Davis, a Penn State Altoona student who was found murdered in Hollidaysburg on March 3.
The story appears on our front page, and our hope is two-fold: that it helps comfort the family to talk about their daughter and sister publicly and provides you with a glimpse into what everybody agrees was a good kid with a bright future.
Gallitzin connection
I don't often acknowledge unattributed mail, but a recent letter from Gallitzin rattled my chain.
First it accused me of not being up front in admitting one reason for the recent cutdown of our newspaper's size was to save money. With respect to the opinion of the reader - signed only as D.H. of Gallitzin - that was done in the first couple of paragraphs.
Yes, it was also pointed out that a smaller paper can be handier, and at the risk of this sounding like a house ad, many of you tell us you're liking the redesign and adjusting each day.
If you look back at the "old Mirror" from two months or 20 years ago, it's much wider and, from this viewpoint, harder to read. You have to be Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to spread it out with both hands.
Plus, D.H.: The good people of Gallitzin should know that one of the backbones of our company, Patty Shirock, is a proud member of the Gallitzin Moose.
New columnist
We've mixed in a fourth columnist into our Sunday rotation, knowing you'll appreciate the historical contributions of James Wentz, whose roots in the Cove and Bedford county are deep. Wentz's column previously appeared on the former monthly Cove-Bedford County page.
Showstopper
Those who attended last weekend's Blair County Arts Foundation gala were treated to a terrific performance by Lucie Arnaz, daughter of late Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
It's a credit to the arts community to be able to lure that kind of an act.
My nomination for next year's main event: Jim Nabors.
Mirror Managing Editor Neil Rudel can be reached at 946-7527 or nrudel@altoonamirror.com.
