As we gear up for rally week in Sturgis, there was plenty of big news away from the Scoop City to keep www.rapidcityjournal.com readers engaged.

Whether it was a stabbing at a Rapid City motel, catching video from the weekend's Days of '76 parade or the surprise resignation of the Humane Society's director, readers found a wide variety of topics for readers of all sorts.

Top Five Stories

1. Humane Society director out after only five weeks on the job

Where have you gone Steve Hawley? A building full of pets turn their lonely eyes to you.

In an enigmatic interview with the Journal, Hawley confirmed that his five week tenure as head of the Humane Society of the Black Hills was over. Hawley was hired in June to replace Phil Olson, who had spent less than two years as leader of the nonprofit animal shelter.

Hawley offered no explanation for his resignation, saying only "I wish I could discuss more, but I can't."

So the Humane Society begins anew its search for a director. Here's to hoping the next choice will stick around for a bit longer

2. Man killed in rollover crash

The death of a Meadow man in a single vehicle accident in rural Perkins County was the second most read story of the week. Authorities say that Marc Dreis had been drinking before his vehicle left Highway 20 east of Bison and that he may have fallen asleep at the whell.

3. Mail delivered 107 years late

My only question about a letter sent to Capt. Charles W. Fenton of the 13th Cavalry back in 1901 that arrived recently at Fort Meade Post Office - did they find the guy to deliver it to him?

All kidding aside, holy cow! That's a long time. And it wasn't your run of the mill letter. It was a parchment scroll that bears the signatures of both President William McKinley and Secretary of War Elijah Root.

4. Shut out at home: Post 22 won't schedule 320

The only surprise here is that it is No. 4 on the list. But it's No. 1 on the comment list with a whopping 148 comments in just a matter of days. And the two teams face each other in tournament play this morning. And if Post 320 wins, they get to play again.

Here's to dreams realized. Or not.

5. Man stabbed at North Street motel

Another stabbing, this time at an East North Street motel, left the motel's general manager lamenting, "It's sad it has come to this."

So true.

Top Five Videos

1. Days of '76 Parade

For those who couldn't make the annual historic parade in Deadwood, this video provided a taste of what this year's parade looked like. Of course, the Days of '76 Parade looks pretty similar every year, but it's still worth the trip if you can make it.

2. Sturgis Rally Gear Up

The rally officially begins Monday, but as usual, the streets of Sturgis came to life this week as the bikes began to roll into town and vendors began setting up shop.

3. Biodiesel Bus Stops in Rapid City

A walking billboard for going green, the biodiesel bus made a stop in Rapid City to pitch its alternative-energy message.

4. Vendors Speak Out

More from the streets of Sturgis, this from some of the vendors who travel from far and wide to ply their wares during next week's Sturigs motorcycle rally.

5. Week in Review

A recap that included falling gas prices, mammoth discoveries in Hot Springs and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin's announcement that she and husband Max Sandlin are expecting a little one come December.

Rapid Reply of the Week

The story on the city's only two American Legion teams, Post 22 and Post 320, not playing each other attracted more Rapid Reply comments than any story in recent history.

So I had a lot from which to choose, but this one - this very long one - was my favorite.

What a Shame on 07/30/2008 04:16:31 said:

"What a shame that this has even come to be. I didn't grow up here and I was shocked when I first moved here with my young children. Where I lived, sports were for recreation and education in the elementary ages. During the middle school years, probably everyone made the team - but it started to be a little more obvious who was meant to be playing and who didn't have what it took to play. That is when kids started to sit on the bench. In high school, it was competitive. Some kids didn't make the team and the talented kids played most of the time. This was the case for all sports. It worked well because kids could learn the game and as they matured physically and mentally, things got tougher. When I came here - I could immediately tell that if you were not completely committed to a sport by 2-3rd grade, you would never make it. I struggle with that because a child changes so much as they grow. A very naturally talented kid could really be missed in this type of atmosphere because maybe he or she was lanky and fumbly in grade school.

However, that was only part of what turned me off with sports around here. The other thing was the fact that with some sports (primarily baseball and soccer) if the entire family did not commit their entire life to the sport, the kid didn't stand a change either. One of the problems with society right now is that parents get too involved with some of their kids' activities. There are some things that are obvious about this problem - rowdy, rude, controlling parents spawn from this. But in addition to that, the poor kids never get to experience things that are 'THEIRS'. Their parents are part of everything they do and they can never be an individual. I think parents should be spectators and help with team parties - etc. They should make sure their kids' uniforms are clean and that they have all the tools they need. Parents don't have to be at every practice and team meeting. Parents should not typically coach. That made it clear to me that the best difference between where I grew up and here was that most sports were organized by the schools once you got into the competitive ages. It really is a much better way to handle things.

I am sure people will slam me and say that society needs parents to be MORE involved. Well, sometimes, yes. But, being involved in your child's life doesn't mean LIVING your child's life.

I think my kids have some natural athletic talent - which was never discovered by sports organizations here. The activities we chose for our kids were those that were more life long and those where they could thrive and grow as an individual. There was room for us to be involved as parents - but if we weren't, the kid wasn't on the out list. Our family has been able to be a family with many interests - we haven't had to focus our entire existence on one sport.

Sports need to be kept in perspective. This whole deal is embarassing for Rapid City - though, the sports programs here for at least the last 14 years have been embarassing in my mind.

Lets make a difference - lace some value on something different, let the kids PLAY, put sports in perspective and loosen up in the younger years.

And parents - live your own life and guide your child's life. DOn't try to live theirs."

Poll of the Week

There was little doubt in my mind where this one was headed. But in a newsroom full of South Dakota State grads, they managed to make it slightly close by casting their vote for the University of South Dakota.

Of course, we all know better.

Florida may be the No. 1 party campus overall, but what is the top S.D. party school?

NAU

33 2 percent

SDSM&T

142 9 percent

BHSU

306 20 percent

SDSU

576 38 percent

USD

435 28 percent

WDTI

44 3 percent

Editor's pick

The Sturgis Street Blog

Nothing says Rally like the Sturgis Street Blog. With a updates daily from the streets of Sturgis, this year's team of a handful of interns and staffers shooting photos and videos and blogging about the sights, sounds and, er… smells of the rally, should be another entertaining look at this unique event.