Thanks to the willingness of Altoona resident William McDonnell to point out an important factual error in last week’s Piece of Mind submission (see below), the Altoona Star has restructured our Piece of Mind submission policy. Beginning with our May 23 issue, the Star will now be editing Piece of Mind submissions for content, clarity, length, and accuracy – and will do so by either checking the facts ourselves, or asking writers for sources of information.
   After all, letter-writers are entitled to their own opinions, but not to their own facts. 

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The Altoona Star welcomes Eau Claire County Department of Natural Resources Conservation Warden and Altoona resident Scott Thiede as our new outdoor columnist, beginning in next week’s April 4 issue. A monthly section devoted to Altoona’s outdoors, the column will broaden the newspaper’s scope by providing readers with regular opportunities to learn about nature and all that accompanies it from a true expert – just in time for spring!

 After graduating from UW-Stevens Point in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Resource Management, Thiede worked as a seasonal Law Enforcement Park Ranger at Polk County’s Interstate State Park. He began his conservation warden career in January 1989, during which he worked with Field Training Officers at Sturgeon Bay, Sheboygan, and Sauk City.

Thiede and his family relocated to Altoona in 2005 when he received the position he now holds.

“My job is very rewarding,” said Thiede. “I enjoy the many opportunities to protect the natural resources of Wisconsin, and to assist the recreational users as they pursue fun and safe outdoor experiences.”

The Altoona Star looks forward to working with Thiede, and hopes that the readers enjoy his contributions.

After a hectic yet productive week as the Altoona Star’s editor, I can confidently say that I am excited about the future of the newspaper. Before sharing my thoughts on this week’s issue, however, I think it is only fair that I share some background information on myself so that readers know a bit more about me than what was included in last week’s kind but brief introduction. Read the rest of this entry »