Warrants confirm Billy Pless arrested late Wednesday night

I’m not defending the habitual actions of Billy Pless. I do have a few things to say. I grew up knowing Billy. Most of us hometown Spencer boys and girls knew Billy had issues, but during those days who really cared? His actions were just brushed off as just another kid acting out.

— Danny Patterson

Why do judges contiue to let him out following the many assults and charges? How about long term psych help in an institution?

— Mark Riley

My turn, Michael Stringer: Surround park with timeline …

I’ve heard you speak in public a few times. You’re always thoughtful and moving. It turns out you are a gifted writer as well. I thought you pulled your punch a little bit at the end with that “bright future,” though. The brightness is all in what we choose to make of it.

— Jeffrey L. Sharp

West Rowan Middle holds educational tomato fight

I agree that it is a waste of food. Who paid for all the tomatoes? I don’t think it was a good lesson regardless of whether it is done in Spain or not.

— Cathy Cowan Basinger

It literally says in the article the tomatoes aren’t edible-quality. Please stop bringing teachers down who actually are trying to do some good.

— Laura Spillman

Letter: Meals on Wheels program still accepting donations

Thanks, Joanne Bryla, for your support of the terrific women who planned this cool collection of pet food and treats for AniMEALS. The donations go to support pet companions for our homebound seniors.

— Cindy Brown Fink

… Hate for Trump tops love of country

I love my country. That’s why anyone with half a brain hates the orange bozo.

He’s destroying America. Donald Trump should be locked up for being a traitor.

— William H. Moffitt

Letter: 10 Commandments and President Trump …

If you are going to quote the Bible, what about where it says, “Judge not least you be judged.”

There again, you can’t pick and choose which verses you want to quote and forget about all the others.

— Judy Schenk

The current occupant of the White House is the epitome of mendacity and a master perpetrator of injustices who blames victims for their plight. He is to be pitied not hated and feared because of his fascists anti American polices.

— Reginald Brown

The comments prove your point Allan: Name calling with no proof to back it up.

Main stream media puts out propaganda based on “unnamed sources” against our president.

They then feed it to the people 24/7 until we have what results in the comment section.

— Todd Mary Wilhelm

We used to have Republican, Democrats and unafilitateds. Now, we also have Trumpers who blindly follow the “Tweeter-in-Chief.”

— Eric Marsh

Parade through East Spencer celebrates Dunbar School …

It was wonderful to see the turnout of participants. I wouldn’t count Dunbar out just yet.

— Whitney Peckman

Letter: Why are Republicans, base silent about Trump?

The simple answer is that it comes down to party discipline put before the country.

Republicans are afraid to challenge Trump because it will weaken them in re-election campaigns and incur the bullying wrath of his base.

— Eric Shock

… Superintendent says relatively flat scores prove point …

I’m beginning to suspect there’s a deeper reason for these grades. I’m curious about the socioeconomic makeup of these schools. Why the stark disproportionate grading?

I wonder how this would look if we took these results thru an equity lens?

— Anthony Smith

And in a final parting shot at the cultural differences in Rowan County please read the last paragraph: A school where elites send their kids to escape poor, local education versus a struggling new venue that has parents of students raving, but it doesn’t have the numbers to match the hype.

— Tim Cornell

We’ve had enough of the propaganda machine and excuses. Let’s look at the facts and debunk much of the rhetoric.

Test scores have been and continue to drop under the guidance of our current superintendent. In comparison to other systems and communities with similar and even worse dynamics, we are well behind in the performance of our students.

— John Davis

Letter: Bike lanes   not needed here

As far as not seeing many cyclists, there is the strongest reason for bike lanes. Give cyclists a designated space and they will fill the lane. Promoting healthier lifestyles is vital for the overall well-being of our citizens.

— Renee Wimbish

City Park lake to be drained, dredged …

The creek upstream from the lake had a concrete holding area with a steel pipe that would route stream water to the lake to give it a fresh flow of water. Some genius ripped all that out. Now the city lake has nothing but stagnant water and no fresh flow.

— Danny Patterson