August 2008

Christine Magnuson

Submitted by Gene Patterson on August 28, 2008 - 8:53pm

I must admit I'm missing the Olympics.

Another Tragedy Part Two

Submitted by Gene Patterson on August 22, 2008 - 12:34am

Local blogger Brian Hornback points out that Knox County schools already has a set of portable metal detectors. According to Hornback, the machines were essentially mothballed because of legal concerns over their use by a school board member.

That may soon change. I'm hearing that discussions are already underway to use the portable detectors in spot checks throughout the school system.

The key to keeping it legal - I'm told - is to spot check students in a uniform way. Example, picking every 5th student, or 8th, or 20th student who enters the building for a screening.

Another Tragedy

Submitted by Gene Patterson on August 21, 2008 - 6:58pm

Just weeks ago, we were writing that violence can happen anywhere.

In the aftermath of the deadly shootings at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, the thought was - if it can happen at a church, no place is truly safe.

But even given that tragedy, I didn't think it could happen again so soon. And certainly not at a school.

But it did.

16 year old Ryan McDonald was shot to death in what police say was a confrontation with another boy at Central High School.

It's doubtful that anyone could have prevented this tragedy.