The Fives: Crime gone wild in Rapid City, national politics on the local stage and more on the school budget

By Todd Williams, Journal staff | Friday, May 23, 2008

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Although the national Democratic campaign for president continued to pick up speed here in South Dakota over the past week or so, it was crime -- be it violent or unusual --  that ruled the week at www.rapidcityjournal.com this week.

Some would say that we should simply be glad that it isn't all wrapped up in one, such as political crime.

A quick look at the week that was.

Top five stories

1. North Rapid neighborhood shaken by stabbing

Is it just me, or has this been a rather active time for stabbings in Rapid City?

Every spring, the scanner that sits in the middle of newsroom seems to spring to life as warm weather rolls in and the number of alcohol-related calls rises rapidly. This case, according to police reports, would follow that trend.

However, a triple stabbing continues to be big, upsetting news here, and in one sense, that's a good thing. Here's to hoping it stays that way and doesn't simply become just another line item on the weekly police log.

2. Teen dies in equipment accident

A 14-year-old who was crushed by a piece of equipment that tipped over died over the weekend.

A short story about the accident at a Hutterite Colony near Utica was the second most read story of week.

3. Farrell Dillon found guilty of rape

Nine years after he was first found guilty of rape and pedophilia, Farrell Dillon Jr. of Rapid City received a similar verdict by a different jury in a completely new trial.

Dillon won the right to a second trial after the supreme court ruled that the defense lawyer in his first trial was incompetent. But the testimony of victims of the 1998 rapes once again persuaded jurors of Dillon's misdeeds in a high-profile case followed closely by Journal readers.

4. Man accused of aiming bow at passing cars

When I first saw the slug for this story, I was certain it was a follow up to an incident in April that police arrested a man for allegedly trying to shoot passing motorists.

It turns out it's an entirely new case, only this time, there's no evidence the suspect, David Black Crow, had any arrows or had fired any arrows.

What are the odds?

5. West side Hardee's closes

If there's one thing folks round here have an opinion on, it's fast food. When Sonic opened last summer along Mount Rushmore Road, it was one of our most read news stories ever.

This time, it's a closing that brought readers in, and plenty of Rapid Repliers as well. With the closing of Hardee's on West Main Street, the real speculation begins: What will replace the former fast food restaurant?

Top 5 videos of the week

1. Raw Video: Driver Hits Police Officer

Dramatic video shot from the dashboard cam of a police officer on a routine traffic stop turned wickedly dangerous. Along with the frantic audio, this video shows how dangerous it is to be a law enforcement officer on the highways today.

Amazingly, the officer shown being spun around by the speeding renegade automobile was able to make the morning news television circuit this week.

2. Raw video: Clinton Stops in Rapid City Thursday

A surprise visit by presidential hopeful and former first lady Hillary Clinton brought in a number of viewers who didn't happen to be hanging out at Jerry's Cakes and Donuts last week.

3. Top Baby Names

A fun look at what area folks think might be the top baby names in South Dakota in 2007.

4. 'Idol' Finalists Rumble: Simon Declares a Winner

What am I going to do with no American Idol videos to post? It has been the most consistent views among readers at www.rapidcityjournal.com.

5. Major Initiatives

The Rapid City School Area School District has been in the news a lot lately as it struggles to make ends meet on this year's budget and next. Here, Peter Wharton shares a little insight into some of the goals the district has set forth. And some of the challenges.

Best Rapid Reply of the Week

It's a long one, but a good one on the story of Angela Fuller and her decision to celebrate her life as she battles terminal cancer.

Tom wrote on May 20, 2008 5:56 AM:

" Angela and her determination to truly live her life to the fullest reminds me of a poem by Mary Oliver entitled, "When Death Comes"

Here it is. Pay close attention to the last 4 paragraphs...

When death comes

like the hungry bear in autumn;

when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse

to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;

when death comes

like the measles-pox;

when death comes

like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,

I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:

what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?

And therefore I look upon everything

as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,

and I look upon time as no more than an idea,

and I consider eternity as another possibility,

and I think of each life as a flower, as common

as a field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth

tending as all music does, toward silence,

and each body a lion of courage, and something

precious to the earth.

When it's over, I want to say: all my life

I was a bride married to amazement.

I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

When it is over, I don't want to wonder

if I have made of my life something particular, and real.

I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,

or full of argument.

I don't want to end up simply having visited this world. "

Top Poll

Has the price of gas changed your Memorial Day plans?

Yes    59 percent

No 41 percent    

Editor's Pick

Rapid City Area Schools in Crisis

A week long series of stories by Kayla Gahagan and Andrea J. Cook gave us a little perspective and quite a bit of drama as school officials battle franticly to resolve ongoing budget issues.

The inclusion of Horace Mann on the potential budget cuts and then the subsequent removal after parents pleaded with school board members was the highlight of the drama.

But the question of how to solve the crisis remains.