The news, by definition, is things that are new. As one of my favorite instructors from college, the wise Ron Charles, once said, "If it was old, they would call it the olds."

But a lot of what we cover in the news isn't completely new. In fact, often times, things that we cover, we cover repeatedly, even several times in the same week (to catch up on developments).

Or once a month (important statistical developments, such as unemployment and other economic information).

Or quarterly (weather) or annually (event coverage).

And sometimes, even when we are covering completely new stories that weren't planned, we are covering themes that seem to repeat, such as people disappearing into the Hills, or tracking a wayward moose, or another soldier killed or hurt in Afghanistan.

This is the nature of news; it is cyclical. And though it sometimes seems that it might become staid or predictable, it somehow surprises even the most grizzled editors here at the Journal on a daily basis, sometimes hourly.

And it is for this reason, in the words of longtime Journal editor/reporter Steve Miller, that we at the Journal do not work in insurance offices and deal with long, unpredictable hours, an uncertain industry in uncertain times and a wealth of conflict usually reserved for the worlds of politicians and anger management specialists.

Here's a quick look at the best of the news, videos, blogs and polls from the past week.

Top Five Stories

1. Pennington County scales back search for missing woman

As the search for a Rockerville woman peaked earlier this week, readers were "tuning in and logging on" at a furious pace. And for the second time this summer, the story ended on a positive note, with Rene Denise Labare being found south of Rapid City. If a story such as this is destined to repeat, here's to hoping that the outcome of this story is repeated as well.

2. Footloose moose makes waves at Pactola

On the surface, this story is certainly unusual, but it likely wasn't the first time this particular moose made waves with local readers. Earlier this year, workers at Custer State Park took note of an unusual addition to their wildlife loop regulars - a moose. And since moose sightings in the Hills are only slightly more regular than those of bears and UFOs, its generally believed that the XL critter seen taking a dip at Pactola is the same spotted at the park. What's next? Can't wait to see.

3. Rapid City soldier critically injured in Afghanistan

In a story that regrettably seems to repeat periodically, another member of the Armed Services has been severely injured fighting overseas. Branden Stackenwalt of Rapid City was struck by an improvised explosive device while fighting in Afghanistan. The fact that he was injured in the same week that Ellsworth Air Force Base officials bid farewell to one of their own, Airman Bryan Berky, is a stark reminder of the sacrifices being made by members of our military, both at home and overseas.

4. Former Merillat plant workers sue for severance pay

The ongoing story at Merillat have been well documented by the Journal. First, the manufacturer announced it was closing, that it would offer severance packages to workers who stayed on to the end, but as the end approached, they were able to sell the business to another manufacturer in roughly the same kind of business.

Good news, right? Well, kind of.

Few are arguing that the saving of scores of jobs in this economic climate isn't news of the best kind, but many workers took issue with the fact that they were promised severance pay for their time working for Masco Builder Cabinet Group (Merillat's parent company) and then received nothing after the business was sold.

Needless to say, this story isn't going anywhere soon.

5. Rapid City boy who underwent lung transplant dies at age 15

And sometimes, continuing coverage comes to an end in the saddest of ways. Thus is the case for Randy Mott, a Rapid City teenager whose battle with cystic fibrosis was covered extensively in Journal.

Things had seemed to improve significantly early this year when the youth was able to return home after receiving a double lung transplant. But complications from that surgery arose this summer, and one week ago, 15 year old Randy Mott died in a Colorado hospital.

Top Five Videos

1. Child 'Traumatized' After Being Left in School

A second-grader at an Arizona school who was left alone in the nurse's office after the school's teachers, staff and administration went home for the weekend sure seemed to draw viewers' attention. Of course, the mom's angry response to the interest may have drawn them to it just as much.

2. Changing Colors

Yup, it's an annual favorite. And we'll probably do another one as the colors begin to reach their peak later next week. Talk about continuing coverage, the kind you need a rake to clean up.

3. Countdown to Roundup

A teaser to one of the most popular tourism events in the Hills, expect more of these in the coming days. While there may be only so many ways to show hundreds of bison thundering over the rolling prairie, it still doesn't seem to get old.

4. Major Body Art

With the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally, tattoos are nothing new to folks in these parts. But a tattoo convention in Rapid City last weekend sure brought some of the best in body art to the area.

5. Raw Video: Officers Play Wii During Raid

DEA officers get bored, toss a few frames on a suspect's Wii while waiting. Waiting for what you ask?

It isn't entirely clear. What is clear, though, is that some officers get way to excited by bowling with these armless avatars.

Rapid Replies of the Week

I know they're silly, but you just knew that the report of a moose taking a dip at Pactola Reservoir would inspire some humor. And, of course, some of that humor was directed at old cartoon series "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show." It makes sense, since Rocky hailed from the Black Hills.

But who expected poetry (albeit, extremely silly poetry) to be offered up in the confines of Rapid Reply. Certainly not me.

Bullwinkle wrote on Sep 22, 2009 9:30 PM:

" Bullwinkle is back! I saw his little squirrel friend out in my yard, just today. "

rradical wrote on Sep 23, 2009 12:17 AM:

" Two thoughts

- Wanna watch me pull a rabbit outta my hat .. PRESTO! (I LOVED that show!!)

- Maybe this is a sign it's time for a third party again! "

Danger wrote on Sep 23, 2009 7:05 AM:

" How about Them Moose Goosers,

Ain't they recluse?

Up in them boondocks,

Goosin' them moose.

Goosin' them huge moose,

Goosin' them tiny,

Goosin' them meadow-moose

In they hiney.

Look at Them Moose Goosers,

Ain't they dumb?

Some use an umbrella,

Some use a thumb.

Them obtuse Moose Goosers,

Sneakin' through the woods,

Pokin' them snoozy moose

In they goods.

How to be a Moose Gooser?

It'll turn ye puce.

Gitchy gooser loose and

Rouse a drowsy moose! "

Poll of the Week

Viggo Mortenson, eat your heart out. Val Kilmer still rules, at least in this part of the woods.

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the making of "Dances With Wolves," which is your favorite film featuring Native Americans and filmed in South Dakota?

Hidalgo

706 34 percent

Thunderheart

965 46 percent

Incident at Oglala

76 4 percent

Skins

168 8 percent

Lakota Woman

88 4 percent

Son of the Morning Star

78 4 percent

Editor's Pick

The new www.rapidcityjournal.com

There's nothing to show anyone yet, but beginning midweek next week, the Journal Web site will be undergoing significant changes. While cosmetically it will be significantly different, it will be largely the same site.

Amongst the biggest noncosmetic changes are the ability to attach related stories, photos and the like to stories.

A full story will be available next week, so stay tuned for more.