It is spring, isn't it?

Well, if you live in western South Dakota, the surest sign of spring is the spring blizzard. Of course, this year, we seem to be stuck on the repeat button.

The good news from the past week is that although inclement weather has dominated the headlines, it wasn't the only news of the week. The clouds did manage to break enough to allow British pop star Elton John to make his first-ever appearance in Rapid City. And the search for a missing Nebraska family in the Hills and it's odd twists and turns all managed to grab readers' attention.

That being said, don't expect weather to disappear from the top headlines anytime soon. Obviously, the jet stream has decided that the center of the bullseye in 2009 is the Black Hills and the surrounding communities.

Heres a quick look at the week that was.

Top Five Stories

1. Authorities search Hills for missing Nebraska family

The unfolding story of the Schade family has been captivating even for the grizzled veterans here in the Journal newsroom. It began as a missing persons story, as explained in this initial offering. But it quickly turned into something different as it came out that the family had been questioned on abuse allegations. Then, we found out that they had some kind of criminal past. The fact that the father has a tendency toward the survivalist movement didn't ease many readers' minds. As the search picked up steam, a phone call from said father back home to family in Nebraska eased authorities apprehension a bit, but it will be interesting to see what happens next.

2. Tory Teigen admits to murder, gets life without possibility of parole

There are plenty of people who have followed the disappearance and murder of Troy Klug over the years that would never had thought this would ever happen. Although all evidence pointed toward the likelihood that Tory Teigen had killed Klug over a drug debt and that he had disposed of his body somewhere in Montana, Teigen didn't seem the kind to budge. He was already serving a veritable life sentence on the kidnapping charges. But through a series of arrests and convictions of accomplices, authorities were able to bring murder charges against the mastermind of Klug's disappearance. All that is left now is for Teigen to help authorities recover Klug's remains.

3. Black Hills, western South Dakota brace for another big storm

At some point, this is going to quit being news. I don't know if that's good or bad. Either we become so callous toward the likelihood of more inclement weather that we quit worrying about it, or spring finally arrives. It seems like a race to which will occur first.

4. Highway Patrol: Blizzard likely to close roads

One thing about getting a series of winter storms of this magnitude: The efficiency in dealing with each subsequent weather event gets better and better.

5. Another spring storm, another snow day as roads, businesses and offices close

The headline has a hint of defeat in it, or perhaps its simply steely resolve to stick it out through another wicked snow storm. Somewhere, I can hear someone giving the shout out to Mother Nature: "Thank you ma'm, may I have another!"

Top Five Videos

1. Sir Elton John

Performing alone with his piano, the pop star's appearance at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center was the biggest concert of the 21st century in Rapid City. Here, he performs "Your Song."

2. Sir Elton John (2)

A second video of Sir Elton showing off his considerable talent, the singer/songwriter performs "Sixty Years On" for an appreciative Rapid City crowd.

3. Spring Storm

With photo editor Ryan Soderlin behind the camera and reporter Kevin Woster in front of it, a quick mid-storm rundown of weather conditions and a less than sunshiny forecast for this weekend proved to be a big hit with rapidcityjournal.com readers. I especially like it when Woster aptly describes residents' mood as "somewhat grumpy" because "it is spring, you know." How true, how true.

4. Good News for Fargo, but Agonizing Wait

Western South Dakota wasn't the only place where bad weather was taking front and center in the news. The potential disaster in Fargo as the Red River rose well beyond its banks was watched closely by folks around the world and those here in the Black Hills area as well.

5. Storm Cleanup

Photographer Seth A. McConnel's sojourn into the snow-packed streets of Rapid City in the day after a foot of heavy, wet snow brought the city grinding to a halt captured some great images - I love the Bobcat stalling as it runs into a huge mound of snow - and some candid comments from a few local folks who seem a little on edge. You'd think they were getting tired of the snow or something.

Rapid Replies of the Week

Here in the heart of Denver Broncos country, the trade of Pro Bowl quarterback to another NFL favorite, the Chicago Bears, was sure to spark plenty of comments. The great thing about it, though, is few were disagreement on the move.

A life long Bronco fan. on 04/02/2009 05:35:27 said:

"Well,I think we just bought or self maybe 5 more years of heartache Thanks new guy.He aint a coach till I see him win. He comes in a takes out the best thing the Broncs had in years. He tip the pile over if you know what I mean.He can't get a long with a good qb, Hows he gona be with everybody else. He has our emotions in his hands. For now."

Broncos Fan on 04/02/2009 05:43:52 said:

"Great news for Denver. They get back a half way decent QB but more importantly they get those 2 first rounders! That is going to be huge for them this year. They can draft some real great defensive talent with those 2 first round picks and hope the Bears tank this year and the pick turns into a high 1st rounder next year. Sad to see Cutlers arm go, but his attitude and his ability to throw interceptions at the worst possible time will not be missed."

CRST-EB on 04/02/2009 05:48:37 said:

"YYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

It is Official…………. on 04/02/2009 06:58:45 said:

"The Denver Broncos are in rebuild mode. AGAIN! Can the Owner be Fired? I'm moving to Chicago."

Fast Eddie on 04/02/2009 08:26:55 said:

"The Lions won't have to worry about finishing in last place. They will finish ahead of the Bears with Cutler at the helm."

Poll of the Week

Readers stepped forward and cast their vote for their favorite Elton John song. To nobody's surprise here, Candle In The Wind was an easy winner. Of course, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" or even "Sacrifice" weren't on the list, but a good showing among Sir Elton's No. 1 hits brought out the voters.

Which of these No. 1 singles from Elton John is the best (final)?

Don't Go Breaking My Heart

154 11 percent

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me

278 21 percent

Bennie and the Jets

320 24 percent

Candle in the Wind

590 44 percent

Editor's pick

Best of the West

The Journal sports staff offers up their annual Best of the West selections for girls basketball. Of all the changes to the Journal sports section over the past three years - and there have been plenty - this is among my favorite.