$1.50 February 24, 2023 | Vol. 2 Iss. 08
See Inside... Covering Your Community
Sweethearts celebrate 69 years of marriage
Scott and Marlene Peterson’s marriage is a beautiful illustration of true, abiding love.
page 7
MORGAN COUNTY NEWS Since 1929
NEWS BREAK Biden makes surprise visit to Ukraine
THE MORGAN HIGH WRESTLING TEAM placed 2nd at the 3A State Tournament.
Photos by Trudy Toone
Morgan claims 2nd place at State Wrestling Championships By Liisa London Mecham
F
or the third year in a row, the Morgan High wrestling team claimed second place at the 3A Wrestling Championships. Senior Cole Keele won an individual state title at 285 pounds, while sophomore Drew Korth (126), junior Zak Sargent (157) and senior Aydon Thomson (215) advanced to the championship bouts and finished second. Overall, nine Trojans earned spots on the podium while six others fought to the blood round only to lose one match short of placing but still adding points to the team total. “It was truly a team effort to place second. With only one champion, each team member was needed to contribute to our point total to help us earn second. Everyone pitched in, and every wrestler who advanced to state (25 total) won at least one match this year,” Coach Dustin Rock said.
CHAMPS on page 2
President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, stating that “one year later, Kyiv stands.” The trip, which took place under intense secrecy, was designed to show the U.S. government’s support for the country of Ukraine, as it enters its second year in conflict with Russia, following the invasion of 2022. The war, which Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to be wrapped up quickly, has demonstrated the resiliency of the Ukranian people and military. The U.S., along with Germany, has been a major funder of the Ukranian defense forces.
Former President Carter enters hospice care
Former President Jimmy Carter (1976-1980), America’s oldest living ex-president, has decided to spend the remainder of his time in hospice care, rather than a medical facility. The 98 year old has been treated in the past for metastatic brain cancer, as well as a number of other ailments. Carter, who has mostly been associated with humanitarian causes such as Habitat for Humanity since his time as president, determined that he would rather spend his remaining time with friends and family than under constant medical care.
Changes to Dahl books cause controversy
SENIOR COLE KEELE STANDS atop the podium after winning the heavyweight title at the 3A State Wrestling Championships.
MSD celebrates Hope Week in three schools By Verlene Johnson
H
AT THE HOPE WEEK assembly, Scales and Tales let Shannon Kobe hold Big Mama, a giant python, while talking about fear and anxiety.
Courtesy photo
ope Week is sponsored by the HOPE Squads from Morgan High School, Morgan Middle School and Mountain Green Middle School. During HOPE Week, the squad members focus on building resiliency and spreading awareness of mental health issues while providing fun dress-up days and activities during lunch the week of Feb. 6-10. MHS kicked off hope at their school Monday with a “Where’s Waldo” style game, where they searched for HOPE Squad members wearing special pins. Tuesday was the ever popular “Anything but a Back Pack Day,” where students could carry their books in any sort of a container other than a backpack, such as a rolling suitcase or a tote. Wednesday, students dressed up like someone who inspired them. Students showed thanks on Thankful Thursday and faced their fears with an assembly. The guest speaker at the assembly was Jeff Gregson, a mental health counselor who taught students how to face fear and anxiety. He brought with him a special guest, Big Mama, a giant python from Scales and Tales, to help demonstrate the idea of facing fears. The week columnated on Friday with all students, faculty and staff being asked
HOPE WEEK on page 3
Current publishers of famed children’s author Roald Dahl have made a number of language changes to some of his books, which is causing consternation among a number of people, including authors, free speech advocates, and social commentators. None of the previous versions of the books have been withdrawn from shelves or restricted from print, but the current press run will eliminate some language deemed as “insensitive” in terms of body image and race. This kind of editorial change has been a part of the publishing landscape since Shakespeare (where the term “bowdlerize” originated), and has affected series such as the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. The massive popularity of books such as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” however, has created a much larger reaction.
CORRECTION
In the Feb. 17, 2023, Vol. 2, Iss. 07 it was incorrectly stated in the article titled, “Family places easement on the largest conservation land area in the state,” that the Schlichte family received compensation for this land parcel. However, the land was entirely donated to conservation efforts. The Schlichtes did not seek any financial reimbursement as part of their conservation arrangement.