I’VE BEEN GOING around the building asking people who Davy Jones was, since, you know, he was a cultural icon and passed away today.
“Who?” said one guy.
“Uh, wasn’t he in the Partridge Family?” said a gal.
GUH. Click here for news of his demise, and it’s a sad day, indeed.
Rest in peace, Davy. The Monkees ROCKED.
I CAN TELL you are jumping up and down for joy on Leap Day.
The reason we have Leap Day, or an extra day in the year, is because if we didn’t, we’d be celebrating Christmas in July. Or at least our future generations would.
Click here for more, and don’t jump too high for joy.
Listen to Rodney Hart every Tuesday morning at 7:50 on the WGEM NewsTalk Live 105.1 FM. Click here for this morning’s show.
MONDAY’S SENTENCING FOR Todd Marler, former Spring Lake GM, was as riveting, sad and utterly fascinating a court hearing as I’ve ever seen.
Click here for the story. Marler got six years in prison for stealing more than six figures and setting his office on fire about a year ago to conceal the crime.
Judge Mark Drummond was really good explaining why he sentenced Marler to prison. Drummond didn’t jump up and down or unfairly rip Marler, but he let the defendant know exactly what he thought.
The sentencing came down to whether Marler would stay out of prison so he could pay the considerable restitution, or if he’d be sent to the Department of Corrections for the seriousness of his crime. The arson sealed Marler’s fate, but I’ve seen more than a few large felony theft cases end up with probation sentences, and the judge addressed that very scenario.
“The message we send in cases where people steal large amounts of money, if you place them on probation and simply have to pay it back, is that you can take a shot at stealing things, and all you have to do is pay it back,” Drummond told Marler.
Spring Lake has taken a huge hit because of this, letting staff go, raising membership rates and losing members. There are some who wonder why the Spring Lake board didn’t know Marler was stealing money from them until he’d taken more than six figures.
“The people who are really good at this, and I put him (Marler) in that category, can create such a sense of ease and trust that it’s easy for others on the outside to say you should have known it,” State’s Attorney Jon Barnard said after the sentencing. “But we should not be assuming there was lax control. In fact, the controls they had in place ultimately led to his demise.
“The really good ones will disarm you, which is exactly what he did.”
ACCLAIMED BLUES MUSICIAN Keb Mo got lots of love last week when he performed at the White House, and it’s been fun watching a whole new legion of fans form for the amazing singer, songwriter and guitar player. I’ve been a fan for many years and wore out some of his earlier CDs.
Thanks to my friend Paul Buckman for letting me know about this clip. It speaks, well, sings, for itself.
GREAT TIME TODAY at the annual Polar Plunge event at Upper Moorman Park.
Here’s my two-word answer when asked if I would ever do it — “HECK NO.”
Thank you.
Here’s some very cool video shot by H-W Photographer Mike Kipley, and for the story, click here.
HUNDREDS OF QUINCY area St. Louis Cardinal fans flocked to the U.S. Cellular office by the Quincy Mall today to get a view of the 2011 World Series trophy.
Tom Selsor travels with the trophy and was a wealth of knowledge about the trophy. Geesh, what a great job!
Anyway, here’s some video of Tom showing it off …
THE STORY ABOUT a lawsuit filed by parents of the Adams County girl killed in a vehicle crash last month in Beardstown after a high-speed chase has generated much opinion.
Click here for the story, which is about the parents suing Brown County, a Brown County Sheriff’s deputy and the young man who was driving the vehicle.
Just why they decided to follow the lawsuit isn’t known yet, but their attorney thinks they will win.
“Law enforcement did everything wrong in a high-speed chase,” says Casey Schnack of Quincy, the daughter of long-time Quincy attorney Drew Schnack. “The deputy knew who the kid (the driver) was, where he lived. He chose to chase him down over a blown stop sign.
“He could have called it off at any time.”
Brown County Sheriff Karl Groesch declined to comment when contacted today. The county, department and the young man, represented by Mount Sterling attorney John Leonard, have until March 9 to respond to the initial filing, and it will proceed in court from there. Most likely it will take a year or longer until it either goes to trial or is settled.
A young woman is dead, other families impacted and many “what-ifs” are floating around.
In this case, nobody wins.
To read the crash lawsuit, click here: Document
THIRTY TWO YEARS ago today, a sporting event captivated this country during a very difficult time and was a defining moment for the United States and the game of hockey in general.
I will never get tired of watching it. Never.
Here’s a recap of the “Miracle On Ice” with a fresh perspective. The game was broadcast on ABC and was called by Al Michaels, with color provided by legendary Montreal Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden (my boyhood idol). This call comes from a radio guy named Curt Chapin and resurfaced a few years ago, and until today I’ve never heard it.
It is still awesome, no matter what voice you hear. Love, love, LOVE the way he calls Mike Eruzione’s game-winner.
THIS MORNING’S HOUSE fire on South Sixth proves yet again how valuable smoke detectors can be.
Click here for the story and video by Whig reporter Deb Husar. The resident heard the smoke detectors and managed to get out before being overcome with smoke, and the Quincy Fire Department once again did a great job containing the fire.
The residents lost everything. Hopefully they can rebuild their lives, and realize they are fortunate to be alive.
Listen to Rodney Hart every Tuesday morning at 7:50 on the WGEM NewsTalk Live 105.1 FM. Click here for this morning’s show.
I BET BEN Marth at WGEM has never had to worry about this happening to him.
Give the young man credit. He kept it on the rails and even had a little fun with it.
Ah, the life of sports guys ….
