Heavy heart at the PCN this week

It was hard to get out of bed and come to work on Thursday morning. It was a rough week in Phillips County and the thought of having to report on the tragic things that have taken place in our community recently left me lethargic and depressed.

At big media outlets, the idea is to get the news – good or bad – out as fast as possible. I received several calls on Wednesday morning from reporters looking for information, photos and quotes. At first, I was hesitant to help these folks in their quest. It seems like more often than not, the only time we hear from the media in larger locations than ours is when something bad is happening or has happened. That’s the news, I suppose, so after some inner struggle, I assisted these reporters because at the end of the day, whether you like it or not, the news was going to be reported with or without me and at least this way, I knew the information I was providing was accurate and responsible.

Unlike media outside of Phillips County, I am more accountable making sure that facts are reported and done so delicately. It’s not often that you will be standing in line at Albertsons with the publisher of the Great Falls Tribune (and how would you know if you were) but I am in that store (sometimes several times per day because I am always forgetting things) shoulder to shoulder with this paper’s readership. I have a responsibility to error on the side of caution because I not only report on our community, but also a member of it. The news of Wednesday’s horrific incident will be reported, but I ask that the readership of this paper to have patience and understanding if said news lags a bit.

I am so thankful that Deputy Guderjahn is recovering from his wounds and is back in Phillips County with his family. I am thankful that no one was injured following a fire at a local residence on Wednesday night in which local firefighters, the sheriff’s office and local EMTs arrived rapidly.

My heart aches for the family who lost their son and brother after the incident Wednesday morning. I can’t imagine having to deal with something like that.

Shortly after hearing of the stabbing and shooting on Wednesday morning, I got word that Gary Taylor of Saco passed away. Condolences to the Taylor family. In the brief time I knew Gary, he was a friend and a mentor, never afraid to mince words and always full of positivity even if he wasn’t feeling well.

The news of Gary’s passing was followed by more bad news on Thursday afternoon as a friend was diagnosed with cancer and will soon go to surgery to hopefully get rid of the disease.

I don’t know if I can handle any more bad news folks. Luckily, I am a part of the community I report on and I have you all to lean on in this time of need. If you need anything from me, or just someone to lean on, you know where to find me. This is a loving and charitable community and I am proud to live here.